Vodacom Group has named Ayman Essam as Chief Executive for External Affairs, effective October 1, 2025, in a move that signals the company’s deepening commitment to strategic engagement across its African markets. In this newly expanded role, Essam will oversee external affairs operations across all Vodacom territories on the continent, including Egypt, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Egypt will remain a key market under Essam’s purview, continuing to receive dedicated attention due to its scale and strategic importance within the group’s portfolio. Essam will report directly to Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub,…
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Orange Egypt has signed an exclusive partnership with Enjaz Payment Services, one of the largest fintech companies in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Enjaz operates across the Kingdom with a wide-reaching network of more than 140 branches, combining strong on-ground presence with innovative digital services. This partnership introduces a seamless money transfer service from Saudi Arabia to Egypt through the Orange Cash wallet, offering customers exceptional benefits: • Full waiver of international transfer fees for senders transferring through Enjaz branches or its digital platform to Orange Cash wallets in Egypt. • EGP 500 cashback for recipients upon successfully receiving…
As Africa’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve, FollowICT highlights the week’s most significant developments across the continent—from venture studio breakthroughs in Nigeria to strategic capital flows in East Africa and beyond. FirstFounders Bets Big on AI Startups in Nigeria FirstFounders (F2), a Nigerian venture studio, is challenging conventional startup acceleration models with a thesis rooted in deliberate, hands-on risk mitigation. The firm released a report last week detailing its approach, which diverges sharply from traditional accelerators. Unlike accelerators that offer distant guidance, F2 operates as a co-founder—building alongside entrepreneurs and investing from day one. According to a report by The…
In a significant step that reflects its strong commitment to innovation and strengthening cybersecurity standards, First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (FABMISR), one of the largest banks operating in Egypt, has successfully implemented the latest version of SailPoint IIQ, a leading Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution in collaboration with Hemaya Information Technology. This initiative is part of the bank’s full compliance with the Central Bank of Egypt’s Cybersecurity Framework, ensuring robust identity governance and access security. The successful deployment of the IAM tool is the result of close collaboration between Hemaya, the bank’s technology partner, and key internal leaders including…
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and institutions worldwide, FollowICT’s Digital Economy platform presents a weekly roundup of the most consequential developments in AI. From billion-dollar valuations to geopolitical tech tensions, here’s what you need to know this week. ChatGPT Mobile App Surpasses $2 Billion in Consumer Spending Since its launch in May 2023, global consumer spending on the ChatGPT mobile app for iOS and Android has reached $2 billion, according to a new analysis by app intelligence firm Appfigures. The report notes that this figure is nearly 30 times the combined lifetime mobile revenue of ChatGPT’s competitors, including…
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries at breakneck speed, FollowICT presents a weekly roundup of the most consequential developments in the AI landscape—from corporate shakeups to geopolitical tensions. OpenAI’s GPT-5 Pricing Sparks Industry-Wide Shockwaves OpenAI stunned the tech world for the second time in a week with the release of GPT-5, its latest flagship model, just days after unveiling two open-source models. CEO Sam Altman declared GPT-5 “the best model in the world,” citing its exceptional performance across a wide range of tasks—especially programming. But it’s the pricing that’s turning heads. Altman tweeted, “I’m very happy with the price…
As Africa’s digital economy accelerates, a wave of innovation is sweeping across the continent’s startup ecosystem. From Nigeria to South Africa, emerging companies are redefining education, commerce, agriculture, and travel. Here’s a roundup of the week’s most compelling developments, curated by FollowICT. Nigeria’s Edozzier Cracks Global Top 5 in iOS Education In a striking leap for Nigerian EdTech, Lagos-based Edozzier has secured a spot among the top five global education apps on Apple’s iOS platform—surpassing industry giants like Udemy and Coursera as of August 1, 2025. The AI-powered education resource planning platform achieved this milestone just two weeks after launching…
As artificial intelligence accelerates its global expansion, FollowICT—a platform specializing in digital economy coverage—presents its weekly roundup of the most pressing developments shaping the AI landscape. DuckDuckGo introduces filter to hide AI-generated images in search results Privacy-centric browser DuckDuckGo rolled out a new setting allowing users to exclude AI-generated images from image search results. The feature, launched in response to user feedback, aims to reduce visual clutter and improve search accuracy. Users can access the toggle by navigating to the “Images” tab and selecting the new dropdown labeled “AI Images,” where they can choose to either display or hide such…
From AI intelligence engines in Mauritius to fintech accelerators across Ghana and Nigeria, African startups are gaining serious ground. FollowICT rounds up this week’s most notable developments from across the continent. Mauritius-based AI startup Rwazi raises $12M to accelerate global expansion Rwazi, an African-founded AI market intelligence platform with global reach, has secured $12 million in Series A funding to bolster its decision-support engine and simulation capabilities. The funding is expected to expand Rwazi’s real-time insight tools, offering organizations actionable visibility into shifting trends and optimal strategic responses. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Mauritius, Rwazi developed a mobile and…
EgyptAir, the national carrier of the Arab Republic of Egypt and a member of the Star Alliance, has announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with TRU, the emerging platform for flexible installment solutions, to enable customers to purchase domestic and international airline tickets through easy and diversified installment plans. This partnership marks a significant milestone in supporting digital transformation in the travel sector and aims to expand access to aviation services by offering travelers flexible and simplified payment options. The newly introduced service ensures a smoother travel experience without the burden of immediate financial commitments, thereby empowering more…
As artificial intelligence evolves at an extraordinary pace, FollowICT, a digital economy platform, launches its weekly newsletter, providing a summary of the world’s top updates in the global AI news. Hugging Face Launches Reachy Mini Desktop Robots Hugging Face, the well-known AI development platform, is now accepting orders for its desktop robots, Reachy Mini. First unveiled in May along with a large humanoid robot “Hope Jr.”, these prototypes signal the new frontier of accessible robotics. Hugging Face plans to release two versions: • Reachy Mini Wireless – a $449 no cord plug-in version that operates from a smaller version of…
With Africa’s digital economy on the rise, FollowICT highlights some important developments influencing the startup sector in Africa: Kenyan Logisitics Startup Leta Expands to Ghana Following $5 Million Raise Leta is a software startup providing logistics solutions based in Nairobi, Kenya, and has recently entered Ghana, the seventh African market for the company, after raising $5 million in seed funding last March. The start-up already operates in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mauritius. Leta was started in 2021 with Nick Joshi at the helm. The company is focused on automating supply chain logistics in order to simplify their delivery…
During the Product Launch in Dubai under the theme “Fashion Next,” Huawei unveiled a range of new products including the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series and the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5. It was officially announced with great fanfare that XMAGE will return to the Grand Palais in Paris this year, where it will host the “The World, You and Me” XMAGE Awards Ceremony and Annual Exhibition at Paris Photo 2025. This showcase was a demonstration of Huawei’s technological prowess and a testament to its brand philosophy: enriching lives by seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with human-centric design. HUAWEI Pura 80 Series: Defining the…
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has announced the 8th edition of the Global Health Exhibition, scheduled to run from October 27 to 30, 2025, at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center. Held under the theme “Invest in Health,” the event aims to advance the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by accelerating the transformation of its healthcare sector and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for health innovation and investment. The exhibition will serve as a major platform for forging partnerships, exploring investment prospects, and showcasing cutting-edge technologies in healthcare, including advances in telemedicine and initiatives promoting healthier lifestyles. Building…
As artificial intelligence advances at a breakneck pace, FollowICT—a leading digital economy platform—launches a weekly briefing to track the most pivotal AI innovations worldwide. OpenAI Acquires Talent from AI Recommendation Startup Crossing Minds Crossing Minds, a startup specializing in AI-driven recommendation systems for e-commerce, announced Thursday that its team will join OpenAI. The startup, backed by Index Ventures, Shopify, Plug and Play, and Radical Ventures, had raised over $13.5 million across multiple funding rounds. Known for collaborating with retailers to refine personalized shopping algorithms, Crossing Minds claims its technology analyzes customer behavior without compromising privacy. In a blog post, its…
The Board of Directors of Orange Egypt has announced the appointment of Hesham Mahran as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective August 1st 2025. Mahran will succeed Eng. Yasser Shaker, who will assume the role of Chairman of Orange Egypt, following his recent appointment as CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa succeeding Jérôme Henique. Hesham Mahran brings over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications and information technology sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has held several leadership roles within the company Most recently, he served as Chief Officer for the Business Sector, where…
As technology continues to reshape the world and redefine standards of connection and communication, Egypt stands at the cusp of a pivotal digital transformation. Far more than a leap in internet speed, 5G is emerging as a foundational platform—enabling smart cities, next-generation healthcare, interactive learning, and a globally competitive digital economy. In this interview, we speak with Eng. Amr Fathy, Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) of e& Egypt, about the company’s strategic vision for the rollout of 5G, the technical and regulatory challenges it faces, and how e& Egypt positions itself at the forefront of this transformation. The conversation…
Orange Egypt has officially launched 5G services in the Egyptian market, following the successful completion of all technical and operational preparations. This milestone marks a significant advancement in digital communications and underscores the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge global technologies that cater to the increasing demand for speed and efficiency among Egyptian users. The first phase of the launch will cover key high-traffic zones across all governorates, with a plan for gradual expansion nationwide. This will be implemented in collaboration with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), ensuring the service adheres to the highest international quality standards. Orange’s 5G technology…
CardoO, a leading Egyptian brand specializing in smart consumer electronics, officially launched its newest lineup of smart devices during a prestigious event held at Creativa Innovation Hub in Giza with the support of Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). . The event witnessed the attendance of key figures from the ICT sector, renowned entrepreneurs, and members of the media. This launch marks a strategic milestone in CardoO’s vision to empower users in emerging markets through affordable, advanced, and user-friendly technology. The newly unveiled product range offers a seamless digital experience that blends innovation, high performance, and modern design. A Product…
The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) has undergone a strategic transformation in attracting foreign direct and qualitative investments in the technology and electronics manufacturing sector over the past period. This shift is supported by its investment policies and incentives, managed according to a strategic approach, directing investments into sectors that enhance the country’s competitive advantages, fill financial and technological gaps, develop industries, provide more services, and increase the added value that the country contributes globally, alongside boosting the state’s foreign currency revenues. Strategic Projects In line with this direction, the zone has witnessed numerous strategic projects, the most notable being…