Tech

African School of Economics launches 5G Mokki Tech Spaces

Published

2 years ago

April 21, 2023

The African School of Economics (ASE) has struck a partnership with leading universities in the continent to launch Africa’s first-ever “5G Mokki Tech Space”, which is aimed at facilitating a “network of immersive digital learning and remote work environments connected via fifth-generation mobile communication technology.”

The Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Cosmas Zavazava, who highlighted the potentials of the 5G network in learning and innovation environments, said the programme was tailored towards the development of new products and services to local requirements.

He added that in addition to ASE campuses in Benin Republic and Ivory Coast, the modular tech spaces would take ASE’s presence to remote areas, “helping local communities leapfrog access to high-technology education, remote job creation and digital entrepreneurship.”

“The satellite model of the ASE’s tech spaces can help prevent various African regions and remote areas from falling behind in, for example, the innovation and acceleration of products and services powered by artificial intelligence,” Zavazava said.

According to him, the 5G Mokki is a modular high-tech unit for developing software applications that require ultra-fast internet connections to render immersive, three-dimensional (3D) virtual-reality (VR) and augmented-reality (AR) learning environments, as well as to deliver innovation services and remote work from and to any location in the world.

“The tech spaces enable new types of trans-continental studies combining technology and business.

“We are currently in partnership with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, the University of Lusaka in Zambia, as well as Aalto University and LUT University in Finland.

“The ASE 5G Mokki Tech Space was also announced at the occasion of the 5G Seasonal School which is being held simultaneously in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zambia this week,” he said.

Professor Leonard Wantchekon, founder of the African School of Economics and a Visiting Professor at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, also emphasized that Africa needs innovation in education to create talent and jobs.

“The accelerator network consists of world-leading universities, companies, and not-for-profit organizations including Ambitious Africa, an initiative bringing African and Nordic youth together to take Africa to the next level.

“The 5G Mokkis provide an opportunity for international corporations to tap into highly skilled, young African talent, not only to deliver remote work but also to spur innovation.

Related Topics:5G African School of Economics Featured Tech Spaces

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.