Flutterwave has received Bank of Ghana approval for inward remittance services, expanding its reach in the fintech sector. South Africa is considering e-voting, while cyberattack issues plague X, formerly Twitter, with Elon Musk pointing to Ukraine as a suspect. Meanwhile, the global smartphone market rebounds, with significant growth for emerging brands.
This week, notable developments include Flutterwave’s approval for inward remittance services in Ghana, which enhances its influence in Africa’s fintech sector. The Bank of Ghana’s green light allows Ghanaians to receive international funds via Flutterwave, bolstering the mobile money ecosystem. Flutterwave’s CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, emphasized that this approval is pivotal for financial inclusion, particularly for Ghanaians abroad.
Flutterwave’s recent success follows a series of regulatory achievements, including a Payment Service Provider license in Ghana last year and recent approval to operate in Zambia. The company is now present in over 35 countries. Additionally, there are discussions in Nigeria about Flutterwave’s potential listing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), which could solidify its status among top companies.
In South Africa, the Electoral Commission (IEC) is exploring the implementation of electronic voting (e-voting). A recent study indicated that 79% of citizens would be more likely to participate in elections if e-voting were an option. However, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo has affirmed that this proposal is still in its preliminary stages, with implementation challenges such as digital infrastructure capabilities and cybersecurity concerns.
Proponents of e-voting cite benefits like reduced queues, quicker results, and improved accessibility for disabled individuals. However, risks include potential cybersecurity threats and ensuring equitable access for all voters. Globally, experiences with e-voting have seen varied success, with some countries reverting to paper ballots amid issues.
Elon Musk recently attributed an outage affecting X, formerly Twitter, to a cyberattack, suggesting Ukrainian involvement. Despite over 40,000 user reports of access problems, cybersecurity specialists attribute the attack to The Dark Storm Team, a group known for DDoS attacks. This incident is part of ongoing cyber hostilities involving various hacker groups targeting multiple entities globally, including government agencies.
Amid these developments, the global smartphone market showed resilience with a 7% rebound in 2024, reaching 1.22 billion units. Notably, Xiaomi experienced significant growth while established leaders like Apple faced slight declines. New insights from Canalys highlight market shifts and emerging players in the sector.
In summary, Flutterwave’s recent approval in Ghana opens new avenues for remittances, enhancing the fintech landscape in Africa. Meanwhile, South Africa’s contemplation of e-voting raises potential for modernization in voting processes. Contrastingly, Elon Musk’s claims regarding X’s outage demonstrate the complexities of cybersecurity, with expert analysis revealing deeper issues beyond speculation. Overall, these events illustrate ongoing shifts in finance, governance, and technology resilience.
Original Source: thecondia.com
