Cape Town, South Africa – The International Telecoms Week (ITW) Africa 2025 is set to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.
The event, scheduled for next year, will focus on expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, and driving investment in Africa’s telecoms sector. Stakeholders are expected to deliberate on key issues such as data centers, fiber-optic expansion, cloud adoption, and 5G deployment.
Organizers say ITW Africa 2025 will also serve as a platform for forging cross-border partnerships aimed at bridging the digital divide and positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
With Africa’s internet penetration steadily rising, industry experts stress that digital progress is critical to achieving inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, Nigeria has recorded a sharp increase in fuel exports as several foreign refineries continue to experience shutdowns due to maintenance and operational challenges. Industry experts say the disruptions in overseas refining capacity have created supply gaps in regional and global markets, positioning the $20 billion Lagos-based refinery as a key supplier. The refinery, Africa’s largest, has already begun exporting refined products such as diesel and aviation fuel to markets across West Africa and beyond. Analysts note that the surge in exports highlights the strategic importance of Nigeria’s refining hub in ensuring regional energy security while also boosting foreign exchange earnings for the country. The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is expected to progressively expand its product range to include petrol and other derivatives as operations scale up.
The Chairman of SAGAMA HOMES and SAGAMA Construction & Engineering Ltd, Alhaji Ali Nuhu, paid a special visit to an orphanage in Kano State, where he donated essential food items to support the orphans and their caregivers. The donation included rice, pasta, cooking oil, and other essential food supplies aimed at easing the burden of the orphanage, especially at a time when the prices of food items are rising in the markets. Speaking during the visit, Alhaji Ali Nuhu explained that the gesture was part of SAGAMA's commitment to community development, as well as a way of showing care to those who need it most. “Caring for orphans and the less privileged is a responsibility we all share as members of the community. This donation may be small compared to the real effort required, but it is a step towards supporting these children,” he said. The management of the orphanage expressed deep gratitude for the visit and the donation, appreciating Alhaji Ali Nuhu for his generosity and kindness. They also prayed for his continued success in all his endeavors. This humanitarian act further demonstrates that SAGAMA Construction Ltd is not only committed to construction and infrastructure projects but also plays a vital role in supporting social welfare and caring for the less privileged in society.
Importers in Nigeria have raised strong objections following a decision by an international shipping company to increase its surcharge fees by $500 per container. The development has sparked concerns among traders, freight forwarders, and industry stakeholders, who argue that the additional cost will further burden businesses already grappling with high exchange rates, inflation, and rising port charges. According to clearing agents at the Lagos ports, the sudden hike is unjustifiable and could lead to higher costs of imported goods in the Nigerian market. They stressed that consumers would ultimately bear the brunt, with prices of essential commodities likely to rise. Industry associations have called on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Federal Government to intervene, regulate shipping charges, and prevent arbitrary hikes that threaten trade facilitation. Analysts warn that if not addressed, the surcharge increment could discourage imports and worsen Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis.
Nairobi, Kenya – Tragedy struck in the Kenyan capital on Friday as a prominent lawyer was shot dead in a drive-by shooting, sending shockwaves across the legal community and the wider public. Eyewitnesses reported that unidentified gunmen opened fire on the lawyer’s vehicle in Nairobi, killing him instantly before speeding away. The victim, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was said to have been involved in several high-profile cases. Police have since launched an investigation into the incident, describing it as a targeted attack. Authorities have assured the public that efforts are underway to track down the assailants. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned the killing, calling it a direct attack on justice and the rule of law, while urging security agencies to ensure the perpetrators face justice. The shocking incident has renewed concerns about rising insecurity in Nairobi, with many Kenyans demanding stronger government measures to combat violent crime.
Lagos, Nigeria — A Nigerian migrant has recounted a harrowing ordeal in Libya, claiming his employer trapped him and forcibly drained his blood before he was eventually rescued and returned home. The victim, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, shared his story during a press briefing in Lagos, organized by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). According to him, what began as a search for greener pastures through irregular migration commonly referred to as “Japa” turned into a nightmare of forced labor, abuse, and exploitation. NAPTIP officials confirmed that several Nigerians have suffered similar abuses in parts of North Africa, warning citizens against falling prey to traffickers and deceptive job offers abroad. Human rights groups have renewed calls for stronger government interventions, stressing the need for awareness campaigns, rehabilitation programs, and safe migration pathways for young Nigerians.
Kazaure, Jigawa State, – Imran Lawan, a young innovator from Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has made history as the first Northerner to win the prestigious Supernova Award, securing his spot to represent Nigeria at the global stage in Dubai. Imran received the honor during the GITEX technology summit held in Lagos, Nigeria, in early September 2025. The award not only highlights his exceptional talent but also places his name among the world’s leading innovators in technology. This remarkable achievement underscores the growing impact of Nigerian youth, especially from the North, in the global technology ecosystem. It also reaffirms that the country is home to brilliant minds capable of competing internationally in the field of innovation.
Djibouti City, Djibouti — Djibouti Telecom has announced plans to extend the DARE1 (Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1) subsea cable system to Southern Africa, in a move aimed at boosting regional connectivity and supporting Africa’s digital economy. The DARE1 cable, which already connects Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya, will now be expanded southward, providing high-capacity broadband infrastructure to more countries across the continent. According to the company, the extension is expected to enhance internet speed, reduce latency, and improve network resilience in Southern Africa. Industry experts note that the expansion will further position Djibouti as a key digital hub for Africa, strengthening its role in bridging global internet traffic between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Lagos, Nigeria – A leading telecommunications infrastructure company has announced the expansion of its fibre-optic network across West Africa, in a move aimed at improving internet penetration and digital connectivity in the sub-region. The project, which spans multiple countries, is expected to enhance broadband speed, reliability, and affordability, providing a significant boost to businesses, educational institutions, and households. According to the company, the expansion aligns with Africa’s push toward digital transformation, supporting innovations in fintech, e-commerce, health tech, and remote learning. The initiative is also projected to create jobs and attract more investment into the ICT sector. Industry experts say the development will help reduce the digital divide, giving millions of people in underserved areas better access to the internet.