Spending on blockchain solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is set to more than double this year, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation. The global technology research and consulting firm's recently launched 'Worldwide Semiannual Blockchain Spending Guide' shows spending in the region totaling $80.8 million for 2018, up 107% on the $38.9 million spent in 2017.
Tigo Rwanda, owned by telecom and media giant Millicom, has partnered with Ericsson to completely overhaul its Business Support System (BSS) ecosystem. Tigo has been operating in Africa since 1993, in Rwanda since 2009, and serves more than 25 million customers in Africa.
French telecom group Orange is strengthening its corporate venture strategy by creating a new Africa section in its flagship program for investment in startups, Orange Digital Ventures. As part of this initiative, the Group is committing 50 million euros corresponding to half of the direct investments made via its new Orange Digital Ventures Africa program; the other half is devoted to indirect investments through specialized funding for Africa.
Africa has announced that it will establish its first ever 'Big Data' summer school following the official announcement of a partnership between research organization Square Kilometer Array South Africa (SKA SA) and the South African Medical Research Council. (SAMRC)The continent's first 'Big Data' summer school will be launched in Cape Town.
A number of African hospitals have adopted the technology that fuses Artificial intelligence with Big Data in order to help medical professionals diagnose cancer in patients. Swiss firm Sophia Genetics developed the cutting edge technologies that combine data and medicine. One of its products is an artificial intelligence solution that analyses swathes of genetic data in a bid to help diagnose patients with cancer and congenital disorders.