There is growing interest in blockchain and cryptocurrency in Africa. (PHOTO CREDIT: ADOBE STOCK)

Global digital asset trading platform STARDEER, which works in blockchain and cryptocurrency, has opened its first regional base in Africa, as part of a globalisation strategy

“Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions in the global digital asset market, especially among the youth, where acceptance of digital assets is very high,” said Amelia White, the company’s chief operating officer.

“Through localised services, we aim to better meet the diverse needs of the African market and provide regional users with a more convenient, secure and compliant trading experience.”

The establishment of the African regional centre aims to provide local users with more efficient and professional services, the company stated in a press release.

It will encompass various functions, including customer support, marketing, compliance consulting and regional cooperation, offering comprehensive support to users throughout Africa.

Additionally, STARDEER plans to strengthen its collaboration with local governments and regulatory agencies through the centre to jointly explore the application of digital asset technology in areas such as payments, financial inclusion and blockchain governance.

The opening of the Africa base follows the establishment of other regional hubs in Asia-Pacific and Europe and underscores the company’s commitment to regional development and global leadership in compliance and lawful operations.

As a platform holding a US’ MSB (Money Services Business) license, STARDEER has been dedicated to adhering to regulatory standards worldwide, ensuring the legality and compliance of its operations.

The MSB license requires the platform to strictly implement anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) policies, ensuring the safety of all users’ funds and the legality of transactions.

STARDEER has also announced partnerships with regulatory agencies “in several African countries” to promote the lawful compliance of digital asset trading in the region, without identifying the specific entities.

It added that this collaboration will include policy framework design, technical support and the implementation of AML compliance solutions to ensure the healthy development of local markets.

It is understood that STARDEER plans to further expand its market coverage in Africa over the next three years, including establishing branches in major countries and launching regional educational programmes to help more users understand and engage with digital asset trading.

Additionally, the platform plans to collaborate with financial institutions and technology companies in Africa to jointly build a regional blockchain ecosystem, creating more value for local users.

“The establishment of the African regional centre is not only an important step in STARDEER's globalisation strategy but also demonstrates its determination to promote the healthy development of the digital asset industry,” the company’s press statement read.

“Through technological innovation, compliant operations, and global expansion, STARDEER aims to bring more opportunities to the African market, supporting the region's digital transformation and achieving inclusive growth in the digital economy.”

Zambia boosts youth with digital skills and jobs. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

As digital technologies transform industries and reshape daily life, the demand for skilled workers in Zambia’s evolving digital economy is rising

This shift presents a significant opportunity for the country’s youth at a time when over 10% are unemployed, aligning with the implementation of Zambia’s National Development Plan 2022-2026.

According to Bernard Banda, director of Economic Regulation at the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), digital skills have become essential in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Speaking to ITC, he emphasized that businesses must enhance their services, introduce new offerings, and hire workers with the right expertise. “This has also extended to the need for cybersecurity of embedded e-commerce systems or digital services,” he added.

Recognizing the potential for youth entrepreneurship and rural economic growth, the National Development Plan highlights digital capacity-building as a key strategy for economic transformation. In response, ITC partnered with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Access Center and ZICTA to train 175 individuals in Lusaka and Livingstone. The programme equipped them with knowledge in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and social media, enhancing their freelancing capabilities.

Of the participants, nearly half were women, and over 60 have already established profiles on freelancer platforms. Additionally, 43 have reported securing new work opportunities due to the training.

“The We’Digit training programme gave me the confidence to complete my e-commerce website, as I was able to apply the knowledge I gained from the training,” said Mercy Chewetu Mukupa, founder and CEO of Queen of Chitenge Fashion Ltd. She aims to use her platform to onboard other designers and generate advertising revenue.

Livingstone-based freelancer Clive Lusana credited the programme for helping her integrate artificial intelligence tools into digital content creation. “The DIY model really helped me take responsibility over my own future,” she said.

This initiative is part of ITC’s broader efforts to bridge Zambia’s digital divide and unlock new business opportunities. Through its Fast Tracking Digital Entrepreneurship in Africa programme—supported by the Government of the Netherlands—ITC has trained numerous tech hubs, start-ups, and digital entrepreneurs in cutting-edge skills and tools.

Under FastTrackTech Switch ON, ITC has also connected Zambian entrepreneurs with global opportunities by facilitating their participation in major events such as the 2023 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and Web Summit in Lisbon. These networking efforts have helped professionals like Muchu Kaingu, Chief Technology Officer of microfinance firm Lupiya, build international partnerships.

Zambia warming to geothermal

Andre Froneman, operational technology (OT) solutions specialist at Datacentrix. (Image source: Datacentrix)

Datacentrix, a leading hybrid ICT systems integrator and managed services provider, has achieved a significant milestone by earning the Cisco Internet of Things (IoT) Specialisation

This certification highlights the company’s deep expertise in deploying Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions, aimed at accelerating digital transformation across industries such as manufacturing, automotive, energy, oil and gas, and critical infrastructure.

The African IIoT market is expected to grow rapidly, with Statistica predicting an annual growth rate of 15.33% between 2024 and 2029, ultimately reaching a market value of US$8.14 bn by 2029. However, this growth also brings an increased risk of cyber threats, which pose a major concern as industries adopt smarter technologies.

“As the industrial sector increasingly adopts IIoT technologies, cybersecurity and seamless connectivity have become critical concerns,” said Andre Froneman, operational technology (OT) solutions specialist at Datacentrix.

Cisco’s 2024 State of Industrial Networking Report underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges, with cybersecurity being the top reported issue in the industrial sector. The report highlights cybersecurity risks as the leading internal barrier to growth, and reveals that 89% of respondents view cybersecurity compliance as essential for the functioning of their operational networks.

Froneman further emphasises Cisco’s leadership in the space, noted, "Cisco's leadership was further reinforced in the Forrester Wave: Operational Technology Security Solutions, Q2 2024 report, where it was recognised for its 'reliable and comprehensive OT security platform' and 'strong networking capabilities,' including a rugged line of hardware designed for challenging environments."

“Industrial organisations are eager to harness IoT data to improve efficiency and productivity, but need to do so without compromising security or operational reliability. With our expanded Cisco IoT capabilities, which encompass best-in-class OT visibility, zero trust security, PLC automation and industrial networking solutions, Datacentrix is well positioned to help clients achieve these objectives,” remarked Froneman. 

Datacentrix’s new Cisco IoT capabilities complement its existing expertise in OT and automation, enhancing its ability to deliver innovative solutions that address the cybersecurity and operational reliability challenges faced by industries undergoing digital transformation.

"We look forward to leveraging these new capabilities to deliver even greater value to our clients as they undertake their workspace digital transformation initiatives," concluded Froneman. 

NEC XON and Skywire enhance South African rural connectivity with innovative OneWeb satellite solution deployment. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

NEC XON, in partnership with Skywire, has successfully deployed an innovative OneWeb satellite solution tailored to meet the connectivity challenges faced by rural communities and remote enterprises across South Africa

This collaboration has resulted in a high-availability solution that supports both mobile and fixed connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, addressing critical needs in community services, disaster recovery, and diverse business sectors.

Unique application: Voter enrollment in rural areas

One of Skywire’s initial OneWeb applications was a mobile solution designed to support voter enrollment in rural communities. Tasked with tight deadlines, NEC XON and Skywire rapidly coordinated resources, completing deployment within two weeks. This installation, aboard a mobile community service center, included a specially sourced self-levelling bracket to ensure reliable connectivity in remote locations.

An End-to-End connectivity solution for rural applications

NEC XON’s OneWeb solution provides connectivity where terrestrial towers aren’t available, such as the Northern Cape and the Karoo. The LEO satellite offers higher speeds, low latency (~70ms compared to over 600ms with GEO networks), and dependable uptime even in rugged areas. This solution enables Skywire to deliver reliable service where traditional networks cannot reach, with faster installations and reduced operational costs.

Building on a trusted partnership

Skywire’s decision to partner with NEC XON reflects their long-standing relationship. Over the years, NEC XON has supported Skywire’s expansion, including deployments of NEC licensed spectrum microwave equipment. This partnership has been essential in delivering innovative solutions like OneWeb, allowing Skywire to provide unmatched service to customers even in challenging locations.

“NEC XON’s dedication and expertise in delivering a satellite solution with OneWeb that meets Skywire’s high standards of connectivity has been invaluable. The team’s commitment to meeting tight deadlines and supporting our mission is something we greatly value as we continue to grow our service offerings.” – Johan Botha, chief commercial officer, Skywire

Expanding access to new sectors and communities

The success of the OneWeb deployment has drawn interest from various sectors eager to benefit from low-latency, high-availability connectivity. NEC XON and Skywire plan to expand OneWeb services into sectors such as mining, oil & gas, and border security, with additional focus on retail and banking. By delivering powerful connectivity in remote areas, the OneWeb solution is poised to play a transformative role in South Africa’s digital future.