News January 6, 2025January 6, 2025

Cynoia voted Best SaaS Startup at AfricArena 2024

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Cynoia (https://Cynoia.com), the African-built team workspace platform, has been named Best SaaS Startup at the prestigious AfricArena Grand Summit 2024 in Cape Town. The summit, celebrating its seventh year as Africa’s premier tech ecosystem accelerator event, brought together over 100 startups from 31 African countries.

Download document: https://apo-opa.co/3ZGAunc

Manar Labidi, Cynoia’s Chief Financial Officer, accepted the award at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where the company competed alongside 45 other startups pitching on what AfricArena founder Christophe Viarnaud calls the “stage of Africa’s future.” This recognition at one of Africa’s most significant tech gatherings reinforces Cynoia’s position as a leading innovator in the African SaaS landscape.

2024 has been a transformative year for Cynoia, which helps teams collaborate better while reducing their software costs by up to 80%. With leadership evolution, international recognition, and expansion across the continent, the team is now preparing to revolutionize how African teams work with its upcoming AI engine, Hannibal.

We’re not just creating another collaboration tool – we’re building the workspace that African teams actually need

In a significant internal promotion, Nermine Slimane (https://apo-opa.co/4iBCFRE) advanced from Team Lead to Chief Technology Officer, bringing her deep understanding of Cynoia’s architecture to the executive team. This move enabled co-founder Ayoub Rabeh (https://apo-opa.co/4gDmNwa) to step into a dedicated Chief Product Officer role, strengthening the company’s product development focus. Felipe Millan (https://apo-opa.co/3P45PeB) joined as Chief Marketing Officer, completing a leadership team that reflects Cynoia’s commitment to diversity, with women representing 47% of the company.

“We’re building something special here,” says Nassreddine Riahi (https://apo-opa.co/3OULb0H), CEO of Cynoia. “Our team is stronger than ever, and we’re reaching more businesses across Africa than we imagined possible when we started. We’re not just creating another collaboration tool – we’re building the workspace that African teams actually need.”

November saw the release of Cynoia Version 2.0, introducing enhanced project management, chat, video calls, and file sharing in a single, bandwidth-efficient platform adapted to all budgets. The company has expanded its presence beyond Tunisia, establishing a legal entity in Senegal and growing its user base in Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Rwanda. “Being closer to our users helps us understand their real needs,” explains Ayoub Rabeh, CPO. “Every market is unique, and we’re adapting our platform accordingly, especially for areas with limited internet connectivity.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Cynoia is set to launch Hannibal, its AI engine designed specifically for African teams. “Hannibal will make advanced AI accessible to businesses across the continent, regardless of their size or location,” notes Nermine Slimane, CTO. “We’re focusing on practical AI applications that make sense for how African teams actually work.”

The company also launched Cynoia Impact (https://apo-opa.co/4iBCIwO), partnering with key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem including startups, accelerators, venture capital (VC) funds, and others, as well as educational organizations and non-profits. This initiative aims to accelerate the digital transformation of organizations making a positive impact in their communities.

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ThinkCyber Introduces Specto+ to Strengthen Cybersecurity in Nigeria

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By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, organizations in Nigeria are facing an urgent need to strengthen their defenses. Recognizing this challenge, ThinkCyber, a leading IT capacity-building firm specializing in cybersecurity, has introduced Specto, a powerful new security solution designed to help businesses protect their networks and stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Speaking about the new product, Mr. Uche, Country Manager of ThinkCyber, explained that Specto is not just another cybersecurity tool—it’s a game-changer for organizations looking to build stronger, smarter defenses against digital threats.

“Specto is a physical security appliance that blends seamlessly into an organization’s existing infrastructure. It’s designed to provide advanced network protection, helping IT teams detect and respond to cyber threats faster and more effectively,” Uche said.

One of the biggest challenges security teams face today is staying prepared for real-world cyberattacks. That’s why Specto includes powerful simulation capabilities, allowing organizations to test how well they can…

Business Economy March 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Vertiv and Tecogen Forge Global Partnership to Enhance Cooling Solutions for Power-Constrained Data Centres

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Vertiv to offer Tecogen’s natural gas-powered chiller to customers leveraging alternative energy sources to reduce grid reliance

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, and Tecogen Inc. (OTCQX: TGEN), a clean energy company providing ultra-efficient and clean on-site power, heating, and cooling equipment, are pleased to announce a collaboration that enables Vertiv to offer Tecogen’s advanced natural gas-powered chiller technology to data centres worldwide, addressing power constraints and facilitating the deployment of AI at scale. The Tecogen solution will expand Vertiv’s industry-leading portfolio of cooling solutions.

As the power required for Artificial Intelligence computing and its supporting critical digital infrastructure increases, the strain on the power grid is showing, with increased demand exceeding supply in some regions. Tecogen’s solutions, proven…

Business Economy International Investments Technology Technology Trends Telecoms March 5, 2025March 5, 2025

NAPAfrica Internet Exchange achieves 5Tbps traffic milestone, driving Africa’s digital transformation

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NAPAfrica, along with the support of its dynamic peering community, has reached a new milestone of five terabits per second (Tbps) of traffic. NAPAfrica remains Africa’s fastest-growing Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and one of the global top ten internet exchanges by total traffic volume, reinforcing its position as the continent’s premier peering and interconnection hub.

With over 655 networks peering at its exchange points, NAPAfrica continues to play a critical role in keeping African internet traffic local, reducing costs, and improving network performance.

Key traffic milestones in NAPAfrica’s growth:

2016: Traffic peaked at 100Gbps.

2018: Traffic peaked at 500Gbps.

2021: Traffic surged to 2Tbps.

2023: Traffic surpassed the 4Tbps mark.

February 2025: Traffic reached 5Tbps.

NAPAfrica statistics:

Physical connected ports: 2 244

Total connected capacity: 41.5Tbits

Ten factors driving NAPAfrica’s growth:

1. Strategic locations in South Africa

NAPAfrica operates in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, three of Africa’s key internet traffic hubs. In these locations, NAPAfrica serves as a critical interconnection point…

Business Culture Economy March 3, 2025March 3, 2025

NDPC, National Single Window Secretariat Strengthen Collaboration on Data Protection Compliance

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The National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fostering compliance with data protection regulations across key national projects. This commitment was highlighted during a recent meeting with a delegation from the National Single Window (NSW) Secretariat, led by its Director, Mr. Tola Fakolade.

During the engagement, Mr. Fakolade provided an overview of the NSW Project, emphasizing its potential to streamline trade processes across Nigeria. He stated that the visit was aimed at seeking expert guidance from the NDPC to ensure full compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act), particularly as data privacy and security remain integral to the project’s successful implementation. Fakolade further initiated discussions on collaborative efforts between the NSW and the NDPC to embed data protection as a fundamental pillar of the project’s design and execution. Read More

Announcements Business Finance Fintech March 3, 2025March 3, 2025

Fintrak Software Introduces Revolutionary Credit Ratings Software to Transform Lending in Nigeria’s Banking Sector

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Fintrak, a foremost fintech firm in Nigeria, has introduced its innovative Credit Ratings Software, aimed at transforming how banks assess customers and creditors before granting loans. The software, leveraging advanced technology and data analytics, is designed to enhance credit risk management and streamline the lending process in Nigeria’s banking sector.

As a leading provider of fintech solutions, Fintrak continues to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s financial landscape. This introduction builds on the company’s reputation for delivering innovative solutions that optimize operational efficiency, mitigate risks, and promote financial inclusion.

The Credit Ratings Software is designed to help banks assess the financial health, risk profile, and repayment capacity of customers and corporate clients before making lending decisions. Integrating seamlessly with existing banking systems, the software provides real-time evaluations, ensuring loans are granted based on accurate and reliable data.

In a statement, Bimbo Abioye, Group Managing Director of Fintrak, emphasized the importance of this…

Business Culture Economy Environment Leisure News Society March 2, 2025March 2, 2025

Roberta Edu: Why Women Need to Rethink Collaboration for Success

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By Roberta Edu

As a feminist, entrepreneur, and tech expert, I have always advocated for women’s empowerment and equality. However, through my personal and professional experiences in Nigeria, I have observed a critical pattern—when it comes to success in business, politics, or life in general, strategic collaboration with men often yields more support and results than relying solely on women.

Many assume that my advocacy for women means I am against men, but the truth is, most of my key business relationships and life-changing connections have been with men. This is not to say that women do not support each other, but rather to highlight a deeper psychological and social conditioning that influences how women interact in competitive and professional spaces.

When I embark on a project, the first people I instinctively reach out to are often a mix of men and women—yet, the ratio tends to favor men. In my experience,…

Business March 2, 2025March 2, 2025

Social Media Uproar as Edo Influencer Very Dark Man Calls for Igbo Protest

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Popular social media personality Very Dark Man, an Edo-born influencer known for his controversial takes on social issues, has ignited a heated debate after calling on Igbos to stage a protest over the revelations in a newly published book. His call has been met with widespread backlash, with many accusing him of opportunism, clout-chasing, and a lack of genuine concern for Igbo struggles.
The controversy erupted after Very Dark Man released a video urging Igbos to take to the streets in response to the book’s findings, which he claimed warranted mass action. However, many within the Igbo community dismissed his call as reckless and uninformed, arguing that such a protest could lead to severe consequences given the current state of security in the South-East.

Criticism Over Security Risks

Opponents of Very Dark Man’s call for protest argue that the South-East remains one of the most militarized regions in Nigeria under…

Business Economy Government International Opinion March 1, 2025March 1, 2025

Global Leaders Rally Behind Zelensky Amid White House Controversy

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By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

A diplomatic storm erupted following a tense meeting at the White House involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The encounter, which saw Trump openly criticize Zelensky and accuse him of pushing the world toward a third world war, has sparked global outrage. In response, key world leaders have reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, denouncing Russia’s ongoing aggression and defending Zelensky’s leadership.

This latest episode underscores the deep geopolitical divide over Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and the role of Western powers in the conflict. As Trump’s remarks reverberated across the global stage, leaders from Europe, North America, and beyond issued powerful statements, reinforcing Ukraine’s fight against Russian invasion and condemning what they see as an attempt to undermine international unity against Moscow.