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Paystack Rebuilds Dashboard for the AI Era

Habeeb Ajala
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Paystack Rebuilds Dashboard for the AI Era

Paystack Introduces AI-Native Dashboard Experience

Paystack has unveiled a completely redesigned Dashboard, marking the company’s first major rebuild of the product in nearly a decade.

The new Paystack Dashboard introduces an AI-native Command Centre that allows businesses to ask questions in plain language and receive direct answers based on their own transaction and business data.

The launch reflects the growing shift toward artificial intelligence-powered business tools as fintech companies increasingly integrate AI into financial operations, analytics, and customer management systems.

AI Command Centre Aims to Simplify Business Insights

Merchants Can Ask Questions in Plain Language

According to Paystack, the redesigned Dashboard focuses on helping businesses access answers more quickly instead of navigating through multiple reporting pages.

The new AI-powered interface enables merchants to ask questions such as:

  • “What happened with this transaction?”
  • “Why is revenue down this week?”
  • “Which payment channels performed best today?”

The system then generates responses grounded in the merchant’s actual Paystack data.

Dara Assim-Ita, Senior Product Designer at Paystack who led the rebuild, said the company wanted to transform the Dashboard into a more intelligent operational tool.

“Businesses don’t come to their dashboard because they want to click through pages. They come because they have questions,” Assim-Ita explained.

She added that the redesign helps merchants understand business performance faster and make better decisions using AI-driven insights.

Paystack Builds New Infrastructure for AI Integration

Project Canvas API Powers the New Dashboard

To support the AI-native experience, Paystack developed a new internal service known as Project Canvas API.

According to the company, the system manages conversations, interfaces with AI model providers, and connects directly with existing Paystack infrastructure.

The company also noted that handling financial information required strict safeguards around data privacy, compliance, and response accuracy.

As a result, Paystack implemented multiple security and verification layers to ensure responses remain grounded in real merchant data.

Data Protection and Compliance Remain a Priority

Paystack Conducted Extensive Safety Testing

Because the Dashboard processes sensitive financial information, Paystack said it worked closely with its Data Protection and Privacy team throughout development.

The company completed a Data Protection Impact Assessment and conducted extensive adversarial testing before launch to strengthen security and reliability.

Paystack explained that responses generated by the AI system are screened against safety and compliance requirements before they are delivered to users.

This approach reflects growing industry concerns around responsible AI deployment, especially in sectors such as fintech, where customer trust and data protection remain critical.

AI Adoption Continues Expanding Across African Fintech

Fintech Firms Increasingly Integrate Artificial Intelligence

The Paystack Dashboard rebuild highlights a broader trend across the global fintech industry, where companies are increasingly embedding artificial intelligence into financial products and operational tools.

Businesses are adopting AI systems to improve:

  • Financial reporting
  • Customer support
  • Fraud detection
  • Revenue analysis
  • Operational efficiency
  • Decision-making processes

Assim-Ita said Paystack designed the experience around the idea that the most effective AI tools integrate naturally into existing workflows.

“The most powerful application of AI disappears into the work people are already trying to do,” she said.

Why the New Paystack Dashboard Matters

AI Could Redefine How Businesses Interact With Financial Data

The launch positions Paystack among a growing group of fintech companies exploring AI-powered operational intelligence platforms.

Instead of functioning solely as transaction reporting systems, financial dashboards are increasingly evolving into interactive business assistants capable of delivering contextual insights and recommendations in real time.

For African businesses, tools like Paystack’s AI-native Dashboard could help simplify financial management, improve visibility into business performance, and reduce the time required to analyse operational data.

NCC Boss Aminu Maida to Speak at 17th Africa’s BoICT Lecture in Lagos

Lindsay Eke
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NCC Boss Aminu Maida to Speak at 17th Africa’s BoICT Lecture in Lagos

Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, has been confirmed as a special guest of honour at the 17th edition of the Africa Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Lecture and Awards.

The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 30 May 2026, at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.

Organisers said this year’s lecture will focus on digital transformation and Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its position in the global information and communications technology sector. The event will also recognise organisations and individuals making significant contributions to the ICT and banking industries through a series of awards.

According to Ken Nwogbo, the NCC chief will join other major industry stakeholders and technology leaders participating in the conference.

Maida currently oversees the regulation and development of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. Since taking office at the NCC, he has led initiatives focused on consumer protection, digital infrastructure development, and collaboration with institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria on fraud prevention and financial system security.

Before joining the NCC, Maida served as executive director for technology and operations at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, where he worked on payment system interoperability and financial technology infrastructure.

He also held senior technology positions at Arca Payments Network, Cisco Systems, BT Group and Ubiquisys. Maida holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from University of Bath.

The BoICT Lecture series has previously featured several notable figures in Nigeria’s technology and communications sector, including Ernest Ndukwe, Yomi Bolarinwa and Isa Pantami.

Organisers said this year’s edition will continue to provide a platform for discussions around technology development, digital innovation, and the future of ICT across Nigeria and Africa.

Airtel and Starlink Expand Satellite-to-Phone Testing to Uganda

Lindsay Eke
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Airtel and Starlink Expand Satellite-to-Phone Testing to Uganda

Airtel Uganda has started testing satellite-to-phone connectivity technology from Starlink in Uganda, expanding efforts to bring mobile coverage to remote areas without traditional telecom infrastructure.

The tests allow ordinary smartphones to connect directly to satellites even in places with no mobile network signal. Users do not need special satellite phones or extra hardware to access the service.

The development follows similar trials carried out earlier this year in Kenya, where Airtel Africa and Starlink tested messaging, navigation tools, light data services, and mobile money transactions through satellite connectivity in remote locations.

In Uganda, Airtel said the tests are focused on improving communication access in underserved and hard-to-reach communities where building mobile towers is either too expensive or technically difficult.

The service is powered by Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology, also known as Direct-to-Device or Supplemental Coverage from Space. The system uses more than 650 satellites that effectively operate as orbiting mobile towers, allowing standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites for text messaging, voice calls, and eventually mobile internet services.

Soumendra Sahu said the company was excited to begin testing technology that could transform connectivity in remote areas.

He said the service could improve communication access in locations such as the Buvuma Islands and Murchison Falls National Park, where traditional network coverage remains limited.

According to Sahu, the technology automatically connects smartphones to satellites, improving access to calls, text messages, and selected data services in areas without normal network coverage.

The tests are being carried out under approval from the Uganda Communications Commission, which is supervising the project while reviewing the wider impact of satellite-based mobile connectivity in the country.

Starlink’s expansion across Africa has faced regulatory and industry concerns in several markets. Telecom operators and regulators have raised questions around licensing, spectrum management, infrastructure responsibilities, and competition as the satellite company pushes deeper into the continent’s telecom sector.

Uganda had previously taken a cautious position toward Starlink operations. However, the partnership with Airtel changes the structure of the rollout.

Instead of operating independently as a direct consumer internet provider, Starlink is working through an existing telecom operator that already holds spectrum licences and regulatory approvals.

Under the arrangement, Airtel remains the licensed telecom provider while Starlink supplies the satellite infrastructure used to extend mobile coverage beyond the reach of ground-based towers.

The Uganda trials form part of a wider strategy announced by Airtel Africa and SpaceX in December 2025 to deploy Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets beginning in 2026.

Togo and Poland Sign €24 Million Deal to Build Cybersecurity and Drone Technology Centre

Lindsay Eke
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Togo and Poland Sign €24 Million Deal to Build Cybersecurity and Drone Technology Centre

Togo and Poland have signed a €24 million financing agreement to establish a new Security Technology Centre in Lomé, strengthening Togo’s cybersecurity infrastructure and supporting the country’s growing drone technology ambitions.

The agreement was signed on May 18, 2026, and is backed by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, also known as BGK.

According to officials, the project marks BGK’s first operation in Africa and also represents the first use of the European Union’s EFSD+ mechanism within Togo’s digital sector under the Global Gateway initiative.

The Security Technology Centre, known as CTS, will be implemented by Cyber Defense Africa. The centre is expected to improve Togo’s digital security systems while helping develop local technological expertise.

One of the major parts of the project is the creation of the Africa Drone Company, a new platform focused on designing and producing drones locally in Togo.

Officials said the drone initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen national security capabilities and improve the country’s technological independence.

The agreement also includes plans to establish a National Digital Security Academy, which will train professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and network engineering.

The academy aims to help build a new generation of digital technology specialists in Togo as demand for cybersecurity and advanced digital skills continues to grow across Africa.

The signing ceremony included senior representatives from both countries, including Cina Lawson and Krzysztof Gawkowski.

Representatives from BGK, Asseco Data Systems, and Togo’s National Cybersecurity Agency also attended the event.

Officials described the agreement as the result of long-term cooperation between the two countries aimed at improving digital sovereignty, technology transfer, and cybersecurity collaboration between Europe and Africa.

The project is expected to strengthen Lomé’s position as a regional centre for cybersecurity innovation, drone technology development, and advanced digital skills training in West Africa.

PayPal Expands PYUSD Stablecoin to 70 Markets to Boost Cross-Border Payments

Habeeb Ajala
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0
PayPal Expands PYUSD Stablecoin to 70 Markets to Boost Cross-Border Payments

PayPal Targets Faster and Lower-Cost Global Transactions

PayPal has expanded the availability of its dollar-backed stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD), to 70 markets worldwide as the company deepens its push into digital payments and blockchain-powered financial services.

The expansion allows users in newly supported markets to buy, hold, send, and receive PYUSD directly through their PayPal accounts. The move also reflects growing demand for faster and more affordable cross-border payment solutions as global commerce becomes increasingly digital.

According to PayPal, the stablecoin aims to reduce payment friction by offering quicker settlement times and lower transaction costs compared to traditional international money transfer systems.

PYUSD Expansion Signals Growing Stablecoin Adoption

Faster Settlement and Lower Transaction Costs

PayPal said PYUSD enables users to transfer funds globally with greater efficiency, helping consumers and businesses access money faster.

The company explained that traditional international payment systems often involve high fees, long settlement timelines, and multiple intermediaries. However, stablecoins such as PYUSD can simplify transactions by operating on blockchain infrastructure.

May Zabaneh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crypto at PayPal, said the expansion represents an important step toward modernising global payments.

“Consumers and businesses around the world are looking for faster, more seamless ways to transact globally, and the current system still charges too much, takes too long, and settles on timelines that were designed for a different era,” Zabaneh stated.

She added that enabling PYUSD across 70 markets gives users faster access to funds and lower-cost international payment options.

PayPal Targets Africa’s Growing Digital Payments Market

PYUSD Expansion Includes African Markets

PayPal confirmed that PYUSD is now broadly available across regions including Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America.

The company sees Africa as a major growth opportunity due to rising digital commerce, increasing smartphone adoption, and expanding demand for cross-border financial services.

Otto Williams, Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at PayPal, said the launch could help businesses and consumers across the continent improve payment efficiency.

“Bringing PYUSD to Africa is about delivering tangible value to the people and businesses driving growth in these dynamic markets,” Williams said.

He explained that businesses could use the stablecoin to improve settlement times, reduce foreign payment costs, and strengthen participation in global commerce.

Businesses Could Benefit From Faster Liquidity

Stablecoins May Improve Working Capital Access

According to PayPal, businesses that accept PYUSD can receive proceeds within minutes rather than waiting several days or weeks through traditional banking systems.

The company noted that quicker access to funds may help businesses:

  • Improve liquidity management
  • Support cross-border operations
  • Reduce reliance on traditional settlement cycles
  • Lower international transaction fees
  • Access global digital commerce more efficiently

The expansion also highlights growing competition among global financial technology companies exploring blockchain-powered payment infrastructure.

Stablecoins Continue Gaining Attention Globally

Digital Finance Industry Eyes Faster Payment Infrastructure

Since launching PYUSD in the United States in 2023, PayPal has steadily expanded the stablecoin’s utility and international reach.

Industry analysts believe stablecoins are becoming increasingly important in the global payments ecosystem because they combine the speed of blockchain technology with the relative price stability of fiat-backed digital assets.

As regulators and financial institutions continue evaluating digital currencies, companies such as PayPal are positioning stablecoins as practical tools for everyday payments, remittances, and business transactions.

Why the PYUSD Expansion Matters

Global Payments Industry Continues Shifting Toward Digital Assets

The broader expansion of PYUSD reflects accelerating efforts within the financial industry to modernise international payments infrastructure.

For emerging markets, especially across Africa, stablecoins could help address long-standing challenges linked to costly remittances, delayed settlements, and limited access to international financial systems.

However, experts also note that adoption may still depend on factors such as regulation, digital literacy, internet access, and broader trust in blockchain-based financial services.

MEST AI Startup Program 2027 Opens Applications for African Entrepreneurs

Habeeb Ajala
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MEST AI Startup Program 2027 Opens Applications for African Entrepreneurs

Fully Sponsored AI Startup Programme Targets Africa’s Next Generation of Innovators

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) has officially opened applications for its 2027 AI Startup Program, a fully sponsored entrepreneurship and accelerator initiative designed to support ambitious African founders building artificial intelligence-driven startups with global potential.

The programme combines intensive AI entrepreneurship training, startup incubation, mentorship from global industry experts, and access to up to $100,000 in pre-seed investment funding for top-performing ventures.

As artificial intelligence continues reshaping industries worldwide, the initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s growing AI innovation ecosystem by equipping founders with technical, business, and leadership skills needed to build scalable startups.

Inside the MEST AI Startup Program Structure

Seven-Month AI Entrepreneurship Training

The first phase of the programme runs from January to July and focuses on helping participants transform AI ideas into viable startup concepts.

During the training stage, selected entrepreneurs will receive hands-on instruction in:

  • AI software development
  • Startup and business fundamentals
  • Customer validation and market research
  • Team formation and collaboration
  • MVP development and testing
  • Leadership and entrepreneurial development

MEST explained that the curriculum is designed to blend technical AI expertise with practical startup execution skills.

Four-Month Startup Incubation Phase

After the training programme, selected ventures will advance into a four-month incubation stage.

During this phase, startups will receive:

  • Advanced mentorship and coaching
  • Product refinement support
  • Go-to-market strategy guidance
  • User acquisition and scaling support
  • Investor readiness preparation
  • Business model validation assistance

At the end of incubation, top startups will pitch for up to $100,000 in pre-seed investment funding and may join the broader MEST portfolio ecosystem.

Benefits for Selected Participants

Fully Sponsored Participation and Funding Opportunities

According to MEST, selected participants will benefit from:

  • Fully sponsored participation throughout the programme
  • Mentorship from professionals connected to companies such as OpenAI, Google, Perplexity, and Meltwater
  • Accommodation and healthcare support
  • Flight support to Ghana for admitted participants
  • Access to investors and startup ecosystem networks
  • Opportunity to secure up to $100,000 in pre-seed investment funding

The programme will be hosted as a fully residential initiative in Accra.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the MEST AI Startup Program 2027, applicants must:

  • Be between 21 and 30 years old
  • Be citizens of West African countries
  • Have software development experience
  • Possess a basic understanding of artificial intelligence
  • Demonstrate strong entrepreneurial interest
  • Be available full-time throughout the programme
  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent practical experience

MEST added that applicants without formal academic qualifications may still apply if they possess strong software engineering experience.

Recruitment and Selection Process

Multi-Stage Screening and Interviews

The selection process will include:

  1. Eligibility screening
  2. Application and video submission
  3. Assessment stage
  4. In-person group challenge
  5. Individual interviews
  6. Final contract offers

For the current cohort, interviews and group challenges are expected to take place in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Application Timeline

Important Dates for the 2027 Cohort

  • Applications Opened: May 2026
  • Application Deadline: 20 July 2026
  • Interviews and Group Challenges: September–October 2026
  • Programme Start Date: January 2027

Why the MEST AI Startup Program Matters

Strengthening Africa’s AI Startup Ecosystem

The MEST AI Startup Program reflects growing efforts to position Africa as an active player in the global artificial intelligence economy.

By combining technical AI training, startup incubation, mentorship, and early-stage funding opportunities, the programme aims to help African entrepreneurs build globally competitive startups capable of solving both local and international challenges.

With increasing demand for AI-driven solutions across sectors such as finance, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and education, initiatives like this are becoming important pipelines for nurturing Africa’s next generation of technology founders.

How To Apply

Interested applicants can learn more and submit their applications through the official MEST programme portal below:

Apply here

MTN Plans to Turn African Telecom Towers Into AI Computing Network

Lindsay Eke
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MTN Plans to Turn African Telecom Towers Into AI Computing Network

MTN Group plans to transform its mobile tower network across Africa into a large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure platform by installing GPU-powered computing systems at telecom tower sites.

The plan was revealed by Charles Molapisi during an event hosted by law firm Bowmans in Johannesburg.

According to Molapisi, MTN wants to replace traditional baseband units at cellular towers with open GPU infrastructure capable of handling both mobile network operations and AI inference workloads at the same time.

AI inference refers to the process where trained artificial intelligence models analyse data and generate responses or decisions in real time.

Today, telecom towers mainly use dedicated hardware designed only for managing radio and mobile network traffic. MTN’s new approach would allow the same infrastructure to process AI tasks much closer to users instead of sending workloads back to distant data centres.

The company described the idea as a “distributed AI grid” spread across its tower network.

Molapisi said one major benefit would be lower latency, meaning faster response times for digital services. He gave the example of children playing online games such as PlayStation in a housing estate. With edge computing installed at a nearby tower, processing could happen locally instead of routing data through distant data centres and back again.

MTN believes this approach could improve network efficiency while reducing pressure on central infrastructure.

The tower-based AI network forms part of MTN’s wider artificial intelligence strategy. Earlier this year, the company confirmed plans to build two AI-enabled data centres in South Africa and Nigeria.

Molapisi said MTN’s AI ambitions now cover several areas, including semiconductor procurement, cloud infrastructure, data centre development, AI model management, and application partnerships.

The company is also expanding terrestrial fibre networks across Africa, including in countries where it does not operate mobile services. MTN says the goal is to strengthen the continent’s digital infrastructure and improve connectivity for future AI-driven services.

The AI infrastructure push is part of MTN’s broader “Ambition 2030” strategy, which focuses on connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure businesses.

MTN has also been increasing partnerships within the global AI ecosystem. In March, MTN invested in US networking startup ORAN Development Company alongside major technology companies including Nvidia, Cisco, Nokia, AT&T, and Telecom Italia.

At the time, Mazen Mroué said the investment supported the idea of “sovereign AI”, where African countries host and manage their own AI infrastructure instead of depending entirely on overseas systems.

Molapisi warned that Africa risks repeating the same economic pattern seen in natural resources if it fails to build local AI infrastructure. He said the continent currently accounts for only around 1% of global computing power, raising concerns that African data could be processed abroad before being sold back to the continent through expensive digital services.

He also acknowledged the challenge of rapidly changing AI chip technology, noting that companies must carefully balance investments in training and inference hardware to avoid costly infrastructure mistakes.

Westcon-Comstor Launches White-Label Cybersecurity Service for Channel Partners

Lindsay Eke
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Westcon-Comstor Launches White-Label Cybersecurity Service for Channel Partners

Westcon-Comstor has launched OneSOC, a new white-label cybersecurity service designed to help channel partners offer Security Operations Centre services under their own brand without major upfront costs.

The company said the new platform allows partners to deliver managed security services quickly while avoiding the high costs and technical complexity usually involved in building a Security Operations Centre, commonly known as a SOC.

A SOC is a central system used by businesses to monitor networks, detect cyber threats, respond to attacks, and manage cybersecurity operations in real time.

According to Westcon-Comstor, the global SOC market is expected to grow from $47 billion last year to around $104 billion by 2035 as businesses increase spending on cybersecurity and threat monitoring.

However, many channel partners and service providers still struggle to enter the market because building an in-house SOC requires expensive infrastructure, skilled cybersecurity specialists, and ongoing operational management.

The company said OneSOC removes many of these barriers by providing a vendor-neutral platform that supports different cybersecurity tools, data sources, and workflows across IT systems, operational technology, and cloud environments.

The service is being rolled out across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Westcon-Comstor said the platform offers low-latency threat detection, flexible data storage options, and compliance-ready reporting designed to support regulations such as GDPR and NIS2. The company also stated that the system can be deployed within minutes and can ingest data from multiple sources.

OneSOC will form part of the company’s broader services strategy, which aims to help partners deliver more advanced technology and security services to customers through a simplified business model.

Martin Flensburg said cybersecurity operations are becoming increasingly important in customer discussions, with many partners wanting to provide these services under their own branding.

He said OneSOC gives partners a faster and lower-risk way to launch managed security services while adapting to modern customer environments that combine cloud, on-premise, and operational technology systems.

The launch reflects the growing demand for outsourced cybersecurity services as companies across industries face rising cyber threats, stricter data regulations, and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.

South Africa Updates Telecom Rules To Open Door for Starlink Expansion

Habeeb Ajala
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South Africa Updates Telecom Rules To Open Door for Starlink Expansion

South Africa is preparing to update its telecom regulations in a move that could finally allow Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, to officially operate in the country.

The planned reforms to South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act mark a significant development for satellite internet access in Africa, especially as demand for reliable broadband continues to grow across underserved and rural communities.

According to reports, South Africa’s Minister for Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, intends to introduce legal amendments that could ease regulatory barriers currently preventing Starlink from entering the market.

South Africa Moves To Reform Telecom Regulations

The proposed changes to the Electronic Communications Act are expected to address licensing requirements that have limited Starlink’s ability to operate in South Africa.

At the centre of the issue are South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) regulations, which require foreign telecom operators to meet local ownership and empowerment conditions before receiving operating licences.

The BEE framework was introduced to address economic inequalities created during apartheid and remains a major pillar of South Africa’s transformation policies under the ruling African National Congress.

Although the reforms have not yet been introduced in Parliament, the move signals a possible shift in how South Africa approaches foreign participation in its telecommunications sector.

Starlink Expansion Across Africa Continues

While Starlink has faced regulatory challenges in South Africa, the satellite internet provider has already expanded into several African markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Zambia.

The company, operated by SpaceX, has become increasingly popular in regions with weak broadband infrastructure and limited fibre connectivity.

Its low-Earth orbit satellite network allows users in remote areas to access high-speed internet without relying on traditional telecom towers or fibre networks.

ICASA Previously Cracked Down on Starlink Usage

Despite lacking an official licence, some South African users have continued accessing Starlink services by registering devices in neighbouring countries where the platform operates legally.

Last year, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) launched enforcement actions against local resellers distributing Starlink equipment inside the country.

The regulator reportedly seized devices and opened investigations into the unauthorised use of the service, particularly in the Northern Cape region.

ICASA chair Mothibi Ramusi said the regulator had also contacted SpaceX to confirm reports that South Africans were actively using the satellite internet platform.

Satellite Internet Seen as Key to Rural Connectivity

Industry analysts believe allowing Starlink into South Africa could significantly improve internet access in rural and underserved communities where traditional broadband infrastructure remains limited.

The development also reflects a broader shift across Africa, where governments are increasingly exploring satellite internet solutions to accelerate digital inclusion and expand connectivity beyond urban centres.

However, experts note that balancing foreign investment, competition, and local empowerment regulations will remain central to South Africa’s telecom policy debates moving forward.

US Launches West Africa Broadband Expansion To Challenge China’s Telecom Dominance

Habeeb Ajala
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0
US Launches West Africa Broadband Expansion To Challenge China’s Telecom Dominance

The United States has launched a new broadband infrastructure initiative across West Africa as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Africa’s digital economy and reduce the region’s dependence on Chinese telecommunications systems.

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced funding for a feasibility study that will support the deployment of approximately 1,500 American-made mobile communications base stations across Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The project aims to improve internet connectivity in underserved and off-grid communities while expanding the footprint of US telecom infrastructure in West Africa.

US Targets West Africa’s Expanding Digital Infrastructure Market

The West Africa broadband initiative reflects Washington’s growing interest in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure sector.

For years, Chinese telecom companies have dominated network expansion projects across Africa through large-scale investments in mobile infrastructure, fibre connectivity, and telecommunications equipment.

However, the United States is now increasing efforts to position American technology companies as alternative infrastructure partners across emerging African markets.

According to the USTDA, the latest initiative will help expand affordable and reliable internet access while promoting the use of trusted telecommunications systems.

US-Made Telecom Infrastructure To Power Broadband Expansion

The project will deploy wireless communication systems developed by Vanu Inc., a US technology company known for software-based radio infrastructure designed for low-income and difficult operating environments.

The planned rollout will focus on remote and underserved communities where internet access remains limited due to infrastructure gaps and unreliable electricity supply.

By targeting off-grid regions, the project seeks to improve digital inclusion while supporting economic participation, education access, and communication services across West Africa.

Growing US-China Competition In Africa’s Telecom Sector

The broadband push comes amid rising geopolitical competition between the United States and China over Africa’s technology and telecommunications markets.

Chinese companies have spent years building major portions of Africa’s telecom infrastructure, including mobile networks, fibre systems, and smart city projects.

As a result, the US is increasingly positioning digital infrastructure as part of its broader economic and strategic engagement with African countries.

Industry analysts believe the competition could create more options for African governments and telecom operators seeking infrastructure partnerships and technology providers.

USTDA Says Initiative Will Improve Trusted Internet Access

Deputy Director of the US Trade and Development Agency, Thomas Hardy, said the programme aims to expand secure and affordable internet access across underserved communities in West Africa.

“USTDA is bringing private sector solutions to unlock widespread, affordable, trusted internet access in off-grid communities across West Africa,” Hardy said.

The agency added that the initiative could also create new opportunities for American telecom companies operating in emerging global markets.

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