Tech

CIH Bank partners Google to launch Google Pay in Morocco

Published

8 months ago

March 20, 2024

One of Morocco’s largest financial institutions, CIH Bank, has entered into a partnership with Google aimed at offering Google Pay to its clients in the country.

Jenny Cheng, Vice President and General Manager of Google Wallet who announced the partnership deal on Tuesday, said the Google Pay service would allow MasterCard cardholders to use the contactless payment method while carrying out transactions.

She stated that the new initiative would also allow MasterCard cardholders to make payments via Android smartphones and Wear OS devices.

“To have access to the payment method, users will have to integrate their Mastercards into Google Wallet.

“Google and CIH Bank prioritize security by implementing tokenization, a process where card numbers are converted into unique tokens for each transaction. The measure decreases the likelihood of fraud occurring during transactions,” Cheng said.

She noted that the partnership is coming at the right time as Google Pay is gaining international traction.

“The service is now available in over 70 countries, including Morocco, where users will benefit from enhanced security for their smartphone transactions.

“In case of loss or theft, they also have a ‘Find My Device’ function that offers a quick response to block the lost device.

CIH Bank’s Deputy General Manager in charge of Marketing and Communication, Amal Mouhoub, who also spoke on the agreement, said the partnership with Google reflects the bank’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the digital transformation of the Moroccan banking sector.

CIH Bank is Morocco’s eighth-largest banking group by market capitalization with over 300 branches and more than 700 ATMs across the North African country.

Click to comment

Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

5 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

1 day 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.