Ukheshe International, a South African fintech enablement partner with an expanding footprint in key emerging markets, has acquired EFT Corporation, an Africa-focused payment and e-commerce solutions provider, from parent Loita Transaction Services (LXS), a pan-African payment solutions and financial switching provider.

The Indian smartphone market rebounded 20% year-on year in Q4 to 38.9 million units on the back of strong festive season demand, with growth predicted on the back of affordable 5G devices in 2024. 

Australia-based operator Telstra extended its network capabilities in Latin America by establishing a dedicated point-of-presence (PoP) in Dallas, Texas and collaborating with Mexican operators Axtel and Vivaro, in its pursuit of growth. 

Google announced yet another Pacific subsea cable project on Thursday – this one in collaboration with Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH), APTelecom, and Telstra – to roll out two new intra-Pacific cables connecting Guam, Fiji and French Polynesia.

Taiwan's Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, has announced that it will partner with Indian multinational information technology consulting company HCL Group to establish a semiconductor assembly and testing facility in India.

Content delivery over multiple devices is in the news once more – this time thanks to a partnership targeting India, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Telecom Egypt was granted the first 5G licence in Egypt from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), paying US$150 million for the 15-year licence. 

Google Pay India has signed a deal with the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to export India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) mobile payment system to international markets.

Ooredoo Myanmar announced that it is now offering eSIMs to subscribers, making it the first telco in Myanmar to support the technology.

Two new facilities, recently opened by Pixxel and Apple, underline the continuing attraction to technology companies of the Indian market in general and the city of Bengaluru in particular.

John Deere, a major name in the delivery of agricultural, construction and forestry equipment, has entered into an agreement with launch service company SpaceX to provide a cutting-edge satellite communications service to farmers – with Brazil among the first markets in which the service will be launched.

Dell’Oro Group predicted revenues from Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) will surpass US$40 billion over the next five years partly due to the increase in subscribers in emerging markets. 

Analyst company Canalys reported that global smartphone shipments grew 8% year-on-year in Q4 2023 to 320 million units, ending seven consecutive quarters of decline. 

Digital micropayments facilitator TPAY Mobile said on Tuesday it has launched direct carrier billing for PUBG Mobile in Egypt as part of an expansion of TPAY’s partnership with Tencent.

UAE-based operator du announced on Tuesday it has partnered with global satellite operator Intelsat to expand cellular connectivity across the country.

KDDI Philippines revealed on Monday that it has been contracted by French transportation systems company Thales to build the telecoms infrastructure for the first subway system in the Philippines.

In what may seem an unusual regulatory decision, Anatel, the Brazilian regulator, has ruled that telecommunications company Algar Telecom must build 1,670 kilometres of fibre transport networks after receiving some of its tax payments back.

Yondr Group, a developer, owner, operator and service provider of hyperscale data centres, has announced the launch of what it calls “an ambitious sustainability plan”, which includes a target to achieve net zero by 2030 for scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

Nigeria is to set up what it calls a National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) to foster collaboration for broadband development and adoption.