Tag Archives: Singapore

Truecaller Partners with AnyMind Group to Expand Direct Sales Footprint Across MENA and Southeast Asia

2026-02-27 MaraviPost

CASSABLANCA, Morocco, 27 February 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Truecaller, the leading global communications platform, today announced a strategic direct sales reseller partnership with AnyMind Group, a Business-Process-as-a-Service company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation. The collaboration is aimed at accelerating the growth of Truecaller’s direct advertising business across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Southeast Asia (SEA) regions.

Under this partnership, AnyMind Group will serve as the exclusive intermediary for Truecaller’s advertising inventory across Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. The scope of the partnership is focused specifically on enabling brands and agencies to leverage Truecaller’s premium ad formats to reach highly engaged, high-intent users through relevant, data-driven advertising solutions.

With a strong on-ground presence and established relationships with leading advertisers and agencies across MENA and SEA markets, AnyMind Group brings deep regional expertise that will support the scaling of Truecaller’s advertising footprint locally. The partnership is designed to empower brands with impactful placements on Truecaller’s trusted communications platform, helping drive meaningful engagement with users in these fast-growing digital economies.

Truecaller continues to see strong user adoption across MENA and Southeast Asia, presenting advertisers with significant opportunities to connect with audiences in trusted, brand-safe environments. By combining Truecaller’s global scale, proprietary data capabilities, and premium ad formats with AnyMind Group’s local market leadership and execution strength, the partnership aims to unlock the full monetization potential of Truecaller’s ad inventory in these regions.

Commenting on the partnership, Hemant Arora, Vice President & Global Head Truecaller Ads Business, said: “As Truecaller continues to expand its global advertising business, partnerships with strong regional players like AnyMind Group are critical to delivering localized expertise and measurable outcomes for advertisers. MENA and Southeast Asia represent high-growth markets with evolving digital maturity, and through this collaboration, we aim to bring brands closer to consumers via trusted and contextual communication experiences on our platform.”

Aditya Aima, Managing Director, Growth Markets; Co-MD, India and MENA from AnyMind Group added: “We are excited to partner with Truecaller to open its inventory to brands across MENA and Southeast Asia. With Truecaller’s scale and trusted user ecosystem, combined with our market depth and networks, we see strong potential to drive more relevant, high-impact advertising outcomes for advertisers looking to deepen engagement in these dynamic markets.”

This collaboration marks an important milestone in Truecaller’s broader international expansion strategy, focused on building strong local partnerships to deliver measurable value to advertisers while driving sustainable revenue growth across emerging markets.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Truecaller

About AnyMind Group
Founded in April 2016, AnyMind Group [TSE:5027] is a Business-Process-as-a-Service company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation. The company provides end-to- end offerings to brands and businesses, publishers and influencers for digital commerce, marketing, logistics, customer engagement, data and AI utilization, publisher monetization and creator monetization. AnyMind Group has over 2,000 staff across 24 offices in 15 markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

As of September 2025, the company serves over 1,000 enterprises for marketing, 190+enterprises for e-commerce, 1,800+ publishers and 2,100+ creators. More information is available on the company’s investor disclosure site.

About Truecaller and Truecaller Ads
Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 450 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and 68 billion spam and fraud calls identified in 2025 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. Advertising is the primary revenue stream for Truecaller. Truecaller Ads serves 5 billion impressions every day and is trusted by over 10,000 brands. Visit https://advertisers.truecaller.com for more information.

The post Truecaller Partners with AnyMind Group to Expand Direct Sales Footprint Across MENA and Southeast Asia appeared first on African Media Agency.

Travel & Tourism

Spend Ramadan at Aquila Safari

2026-02-13 Maravi Post Reporter

Aquila Private Game Reserve has introduced a special Ramadan Safari package for Muslim travellers to enjoy during the holy month of Ramadan.

Just two hours from Cape Town, this seasonal Ramadan experience is thoughtfully tailored around fasting times and prayer needs during the holy month.

Aquila is proudly recognised within the international Muslim travel community for its commitment to Muslim-friendly travel. The reserve received the award for “Best Muslim-Friendly Game Reserve” at the CrescentRating Halal in Travel Awards, held during the CrescentRating Global Summit in Singapore.

A Ramadan Experience

Before dawn, a light Suhoor meal is served to support the day’s fast. As the sun sets, you receive a private Iftar platter with dates, fresh fruit, and light savouries, delivered to your room.

After evening prayers, you may opt to dine in the main restaurant, which offers a range of dishes to suit diverse tastes and preferences.

The Ramadan Safari stay includes:

Overnight accommodation in a lodge or private cottage

Daily private Iftar platter at sunset

Evening Iftar dining experience

Daily Suhoor meal before dawn

Access to a dedicated on-site prayer facility with ablution amenities

The Facilities

Aquila is going above and beyond to make sure their Muslim travellers have an excellent Ramadan experience.

The reserve features a dedicated on-site prayer facility with prayer mats, access to the Qur’an, ablution-friendly amenities, and seating for elderly guests, along with flexible scheduling that respects fasting hours. The lodge provides a family-friendly environment to experience Ramadan while spending quality time together, welcoming children of all ages. The Touwsrivier Mosque, approximately 10 kilometres from Aquila Safari, offers convenient access for guests wishing to attend congregational prayers within the local Muslim community.

Outside of fasting hours, enjoy Aquila’s range of safari and leisure experiences at your own pace. These include traditional game drives and access to large on-site facilities, such as pools, outdoor areas, and wellness amenities. Participation in activities remains optional, allowing each family or group to balance safari experiences with rest, prayer, and family time.

How to Book

To book your Ramadan Safari experience, visit Aquila Private Game Reserve’s official website.

The post Spend Ramadan at Aquila Safari appeared first on Cape Town Tourism.

AMA

Bigo Live to Illuminate Seoul with Seventh Annual Awards Gala in 2026

2026-01-22 MaraviPost

SEOUL, Singapore, 22 January 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Bigo Live, one of the world’s fastest-growing social live streaming platforms with over 600 million registered users across over 150 countries, has announced the seventh edition of its annual flagship event, the BIGO Awards Gala. Themed “SEOUL LIGHTS, BIGO NIGHTS,” the highly anticipated ceremony will take place at KBS Hall in Seoul on Friday, 23 January 2026, celebrating the passion and creativity of its global community of content creators over the past year.

This year’s theme, “SEOUL LIGHTS, BIGO NIGHTS” captures the spirit of the event, where the energy of Bigo Live’s creators will illuminate Seoul. The Gala will honour the dedication and talent of the platform’s creators and families, turning each moment into a shared celebration that is both unique and unforgettable. Seoul was selected as the host city for this year’s BIGO Awards Gala as it stands at the intersection of creativity, technology and culture, reflecting the vibrant and globally connected community that Bigo Live continues to build.

The star-studded event will welcome over 1,200 global guests, including those from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, and Africa. The festivities will begin with a public red-carpet event, offering a first glimpse into the energy and vibrancy of the event

“Seoul’s dynamic energy is the perfect backdrop for our 2026 Gala,” said a spokesperson from Bigo Live. “‘SEOUL LIGHTS, BIGO NIGHTS’ is more than a theme, it’s a reflection of how our creators illuminate the platform with their talent and passion. We are thrilled to bring our global community together in this vibrant city to celebrate their achievements and the powerful connections they’ve built.”

The ceremony will honour over 200 content creators and families for their outstanding contributions over the past year, with winners receiving a trophy and in-app rewards, with select honourees also featured on prominent digital billboards in Gangnam’s high-profile media district, extending recognition beyond the platform.

The evening will also feature a diverse lineup of captivating performances, from live music to band shows by international artists, including special appearances by South Korean girl groups FIFTY FIFTY and tripleS, creating an immersive atmosphere where global creativity meets a shared rhythm.

As the night pulses with excitement, Bigo Live will also unveil an exclusive blind-box collection featuring its friendly mascot, mini-Dinos, bringing an extra spark of surprise to the night.

For viewers worldwide, the BIGO Awards Gala 2026 will be broadcast live on Bigo Live’s Music Live House channel (Bigo ID: music) and the official Bigo.tv website. The live broadcast will begin with the Red Carpet at 3:00 pm (GMT+9), followed by the Gala Ceremony at 7:00 pm (GMT+9). Viewers in the live room can vote for their favourite content creators and families during the gala night for three special awards: “MOST POPULAR BROADCASTER,” “MOST POPULAR FAMILY,” and “GALA STAR.”

To join Bigo Live’s global community and tune into the BIGO Awards Gala 2026, download the Bigo Live app or visit the official website. Follow Bigo Live on Facebook and Instagram for latest updates.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Bigo Live

About Bigo Live
Bigo Live is one of the world’s fastest-growing livestreaming social communities where users broadcast in real-time to share life moments, showcase their talents, and interact with people from around the world. Bigo Live has more than 600 million users in over 150 countries. Launched in March 2016, Bigo Live is owned by BIGO Technology, which is based in Singapore. https://www.bigo.sg/

The post Bigo Live to Illuminate Seoul with Seventh Annual Awards Gala in 2026 appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Technology

Backbase and African Banker Publish Landmark Report on Next-Gen Banking Innovations: AI, Cybersecurity, and Segment-Based Banking in Africa

2025-12-03 MaraviPost

LONDON, United Kingdom, 3 December 2025-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Backbase, the leader in AI-powered banking, in partnership with African Banker magazine, has released the third edition of the Africa Digital Banking Experience Series 2025. The latest report, Next-gen Banking Innovations: AI, Cybersecurity & Segment-based Banking, reveals that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity are central to the digital transformation strategies of African banks, enabling them to achieve hyper-personalisation, drive growth, and manage escalating risks.

Drawing on insights from a survey of 203 senior banking executives across 40 African countries, the survey highlights a strong consensus among banking executives regarding the importance of AI in their medium-term strategies.

Key findings from the report include:

A vast majority of participating banks view AI as crucial, with 85.4% of respondents considering AI and AI-driven services as very or extremely important for improving operational efficiency and customer engagement over the next five years.
The most common application of AI is in customer services, including virtual assistants and chatbots, cited by 64.8% of banks surveyed. Fraud detection (47.7%) and enhanced credit scoring/lending (45.3%) are also primary areas of deployment.
A significant 81.5% of the banks consulted reported having experienced a cyber threat or attack over the past year. Phishing schemes and social engineering attacks, often powered by AI, are among the most common threats.
Banks are actively strengthening their defences, with 79.7% adopting enhanced cybersecurity measures and 67.2% increasing investment in cybersecurity infrastructure. Additionally, 60.9% have implemented real-time fraud detection systems.
Major challenges slowing AI implementation include the difficulty of integrating new technology with existing legacy systems (58.6%), high upfront implementation costs, the lack of skilled personnel, and concerns over data privacy and regulatory compliance.
Banks are moving beyond the traditional mass-market approach to deliver more individualized, meaningful experiences. This shift is driven by the need to meet the varied needs of a customer base that includes sophisticated mobile-first users and first-time digital users.

The report findings also signal that the African banking sector is at a decisive turning point. While regions like East Africa lead the way in integrating AI into digital strategies and North Africa prioritizes big data for enhanced security, the challenge of merging innovation with integrity is continent-wide.

Heidi Custers, Global Strategy & Transformation Director at Backbase, commented: “The most forward-thinking African banks are realising that growth and security are no longer separate strategies, they are two sides of the same digital coin. AI-driven engagement builds relationships; AI-driven security protects them. Segment-based banking ensures those experiences remain human, relevant, and inclusive.”

The full report is now available at https://www.backbase.com/insights/next-gen-banking-innovations-ai-cybersecurity-segment-based-banking

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Backbase

About Backbase

Recognized as a category leader by Forrester, Gartner, Celent, and IDC, Backbase powers the digital and AI transformations of over 150 financial institutions worldwide. See some of their stories here.

Founded in 2003 in Amsterdam, Backbase is a global private fintech company with regional headquarters in Atlanta and Singapore, and offices across London, Sydney, Toronto, Dubai, Kraków, Cardiff, Hyderabad, and Mexico City.

About African Banker

African Banker is the continent’s premier publication dedicated to banking and finance. Published quarterly, it provides in-depth coverage and authoritative insights into the major developments shaping Africa’s financial sector, from fintech and policy reform to investment trends and executive leadership. As a trusted partner of leading institutions, African Banker convenes key stakeholders through its awards, summits, and special reports.

Media Contact:
Stefan Maritz: stefanma@backbase.com

The post Backbase and African Banker Publish Landmark Report on Next-Gen Banking Innovations: AI, Cybersecurity, and Segment-Based Banking in Africa appeared first on African Media Agency.

Entertainment

Ariana Grande Addresses Fans ‘Wishing Danger’ on Her After Missing Premiere

2025-11-04 Maravi Post Reporter

UPDATE: 11/4/25 at 6 p.m. ET — Ariana Grande posted and deleted a statement condemning ill wishes toward her and her costars after revealing she would be missing the Wicked: For Good premiere in São Paulo, Brazil.

“Please don’t wish danger on us,” Grande, 32, wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post, per People, hours after she told her followers her plane experienced a “safety issue” and could not take off on time on Tuesday, November 4.

“We did everything we could and I promise you no one is more upset than I am, I promise,” the post continued. “No matter how upset or disappointed you are, please please do not wish danger on us or assume that we didn’t try .. there was no other time for me to leave and these plans have been booked for months.”

Grande said that she wrapped another film — Focker In-Law — on October 31 and “worked all day the 1st and the 2nd as well” just as her other costars did. She noted that she was scheduled to leave for São Paulo at the same time as her castmates.

“It just so happened that this plane had a safety problem and I have explained why finding another option was impossible,” Grande wrote, adding that she has “been looking forward” to the premiere for a year. “Sending lots of love to you all. I hope it’s a beautiful and safe night. I love Brazil, I always have, I always will.”

In another Instagram Story, Grande tagged director Jon M. Chu and costars Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo, writing, “Now please go and have a beautiful time celebrating these absolutely brilliant and magnificent human beings and performances tonight. I am with you in spirit! I love you so much.”

Original story below:

Ariana Grande was heartbroken to announce that she will not be attending the Wicked: For Good premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, with the rest of her costars.

“Brazil, I can’t believe this is happening and I am beyond devastated to be sending this message,” Grande, 32, wrote via an Instagram Story on Tuesday, November 4. “A few hours ago, my team and I had to deplane our flight, as they had to do maintenance on the plane due to a safety issue and it will not be taking off until 11am tomorrow which means that I would not be making it in time for the Wicked For Good São Paulo premiere.”

Grande said that both her team and Universal “have tried every single thing possible to fix this.”

“We’ve searched every other flight, overnight, early morning, connecting flights, commercial and also private options and absolutely nothing was available or possible that would get us there in time, even in attempting a private option, there is a permit necessary in order to fly from here that takes time to attain,” the “7 Rings” singer continued. “I am so heartbroken that I’m unable to be there with you all. We sincerely tried everything we could and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”

Ariana Grande Recalls ‘Long, Emotional Process’ Filming New ‘Wicked’ Song

The post concluded, “Please shower my incredible castmates with all of the love that I wish I could be showering you with and have the most beautiful celebration. And again, I am so, so very sorry.”

Tuesday’s premiere in São Paulo kicks off the official press tour for the sequel of the 2024 box office sensation starring Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang and Michelle Yeoh. The cast will then be traveling to Paris for the Friday, November 7, premiere, London on Monday, November 10, Singapore on Thursday, November 13, and will be rounding out the press tour in New York City on Monday, November 17.

MCDWIFO_UV041 — © Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Longtime fans of Grande know how long she had been dreaming of being part of Wicked before being cast as Glinda the Good.

“I can’t think of a time when I wanted something the way I wanted to play this role,” Grande said on the “Fresh Air” podcast in February. “It’s an incredible privilege to be a part of this version of it and to have it be so accessible to so many people and to see the response be what it’s been. I think so many new theater kids have been born.”

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo’s Most Emotional Moments on ‘Wicked’ Press Tour

Grande also reflected on her unbreakable friendship with Erivo, 38, which began when they both found out they were cast in Wicked in 2021.

“It’s something that was important to us from the very beginning, was to build something real and to know that we could have a safe space in each other for this journey because it was going to be tremendous,” she said. “We knew it was going to be years and years of some of the hardest work of our lives, and it’s something that we started building from the day we were cast.”

Wicked: For Good hits theaters on Friday, November 21.

AMA, Technology

Backbase and African Banker Publish Landmark Report on SME Banking – Africa’s Next Growth Segment

2025-10-16 MaraviPost

LONDON, 16 October 2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Backbase, the global leader in AI-powered Banking technology, in partnership with African Banker magazine, has released the second edition of the Africa Digital Banking Experience Series 2025. This latest report, Small Business Banking: Africa’s Next Growth Segment, highlights how African banks are reimagining their role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through digital-first solutions.

Drawing on insights from a survey of 203 senior banking executives across 40 African countries, the report provides an in-depth, data-driven analysis of how banks are positioning SME banking at the heart of their growth strategies, leveraging mobile-first platforms, AI-driven lending, and tailored financial services.

Key findings from the report include:

SME banking emerging as a strategic priority: 83% of banks surveyed describe SME banking as “very” or “extremely” important, with significant or major investments planned
Mobile banking dominates SME offerings: 84% of banks now serve SMEs primarily through mobile platforms
Digital onboarding still lags: Only 42% of banks currently offer full digital account opening, highlighting a key bottleneck in SME financial inclusion
Bridging the digital literacy gap: 70% of banks surveyed provide workshops and training to SMEs, underlining their role in accelerating adoption
AI-driven lending on the rise: Nearly half (47.7%) of African banks now offer digital lending, with AI and predictive analytics enabling more inclusive and accurate credit decisions

The report also features real-world examples of how African institutions and fintech innovators are reshaping SME finance. From South Africa’s African Bank integrating AI-powered analytics into its SME platforms to Nigeria’s Moniepoint processing 800 million transactions monthly for small businesses, the case studies illustrate the scale and speed of digital disruption in the sector.

Heidi Custers, Global Strategy & Transformation Director at Backbase, commented: “SMEs are the backbone of Africa’s economies, and digital innovation is finally making it viable for banks to serve them at scale. What this report shows is that SME banking is no longer a niche, it is the next growth engine for the industry. By combining mobile-first platforms with AI-driven insights, African banks are turning financial inclusion into a profitable, sustainable strategy.”

The full report is now available at https://www.backbase.com/insights/reports/african-digital-banking-report-small-business-banking-africas-next-growth-segment

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Backbase.

About Backbase

Backbase is on a mission to put bankers back in the driver’s seat — fully equipped to lead the AI revolution and unlock remarkable growth and efficiency. At the heart of this mission is the world’s first AI-powered Banking Platform, unifying all servicing and sales journeys into an integrated suite. With Backbase, banks modernize their operations across every line of business — from Retail and SME to Commercial, Private Banking, and Wealth Management. Recognized as a category leader by Forrester, Gartner, Celent, and IDC, Backbase powers the digital and AI transformations of over 150 financial institutions worldwide. See some of their stories here. Founded in 2003 in Amsterdam, Backbase is a global private fintech company with regional headquarters in Atlanta and Singapore, and offices across London, Sydney, Toronto, Dubai, Kraków, Cardiff, Hyderabad, and Mexico City.

Learn more: www.backbase.com

About African Banker

Media contact: alexandros@backbase.com

The post Backbase and African Banker Publish Landmark Report on SME Banking – Africa’s Next Growth Segment appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Education, Technology

World Robot Olympiad Expands in Africa, Empowering Youth Through Robotics and Innovation

2025-10-14 MaraviPost

*56 students were introduced to robotics (including 20 students with special needs), at the Robotics Bootcamp in July 2025, in preparation for the WRO Tanzania national finals on 3 October 2025*

Singapore 14 October 2025-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The World Robot Olympiad (WRO), one of the world’s largest robotics competitions, has expanded significantly across Africa. From just 5 countries in 2020, WRO is now active in 14 countries with more than 40,000 young participants in the 2025 season. Over 2,000 teachers have been trained, with strong backing from the likes of Google, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and WRO’s own strategic partners. Together they are equipping young Africans with future-ready skills in coding, engineering, and AI.

Each year, WRO® challenges students worldwide to design and build robots to solve real-world problems. This year’s theme, “The Future of Robots,” has sparked bootcamps and workshops across Africa, introducing robotics to hundreds of students, including those from underserved and special needs communities. National champions will represent their countries at the WRO International Final in Singapore this November, joining teams from more than 90 nations.

Innovation with social impact

African youth typically approach innovation with a strong sense of community, often prioritising social impact over profit to address real-world challenges. Team FutureSight, winners of the National Senior Category Championship in Zimbabwe, developed an AI-powered voice assistant for the blind. Their solution supports visually impaired users with daily tasks and is being adapted to local languages to improve accessibility.

In South Africa, Karabo Rithuri’s journey shows how WRO builds skills, confidence, and community impact that lasts far beyond competitions: She joined a pilot programme at 13, and went on to represent her country at the WRO International Final in Malaysia. The experience gave her confidence and inspired her to give back, so when robotics was discontinued at her school, Karabo set up her own club with support from local sponsors. Today she holds degrees in Finance and IT, serves as a WRO judge, and mentors township students.

“WRO gave me a voice, and now I want to help make things even better for the next generation,” said Karabo Rithuri.

Mr Claus Ditlev Christensen, Secretary General, WRO, said: “WRO’s expansion into Africa is an important milestone in our mission to inspire young people through robotics and STEM. We are proud to see African students not only building technical skills but also developing solutions that address real needs in their communities.”

With Africa’s growing youth population and innovation agenda, WRO provides a vital platform for skills development, international exchange, and community-driven innovation. Initiatives such as WRO Learn and the Future Innovators Project are expanding access to robotics education – empowering young people to collaborate, solve problems, and become tomorrow’s changemakers.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of World Robot Olympiad

For media enquiries and interviews with Karabo Rithuri or Team FutureSight, please contact:

Nurul Rasheed (Ms)

APRW (on behalf of WRO)

Tel: +65 9474 6733

Email:nurul@aprw.asia

Aye Mya Mya Toe (Ms)

APRW (on behalf of WRO)

Tel: +65 9237 4813

Email:mya@aprw.asia

Elzaan Rohde (Ms)

Semaphore Communications

(on behalf of APRW)

Tel: +27 83 256 1493

Email:elzaan@semaphore.co.za

About the World Robot Olympiad Association

World Robot Olympiad Association (WRO®) is a global non-profit that empowers over 100,000 young people across more than 100 countries through hands-on robotics challenges. The competition helps students develop creative problem-solving skills while fostering international collaboration and STEM leadership. Find out more: wro-association.org/.

The post World Robot Olympiad Expands in Africa, Empowering Youth Through Robotics and Innovation appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Business, Technology

Libyan Islamic Bank modernizes consumer banking services with Backbase

2025-08-05 MaraviPost

Backbase and Libyan Islamic Bank go live with a seamless new platform, bringing digital-first banking to Libyan customers.

TRIPOLI, Libya, 5 August 2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Backbase, the global leader in AI-powered banking technology, today announced the recent successful platform launch of Libyan Islamic Bank (LIB), one of the country’s fastest-growing financial institutions. This achievement represents Backbase’s first platform launch in Libya, underscoring its commitment to expanding state-of-the-art, customer-centric banking across North Africa.

From ambition to impact

As a digitally focused bank, LIB set out to differentiate itself through an experience-led approach to banking. In collaboration with Backbase, the bank laid the groundwork for a customer-first operating model that is built for speed, flexibility, and long-term relevance in a rapidly evolving market.

Mohamed Almabrok, Digital Banking Platform Project Manager, Libyan Islamic Bank, expressed his enthusiasm: “This is a proud moment for us. With Backbase, we are transforming banking for our customers, bringing financial services closer to them with the convenience, security, and accessibility of world-class digital banking.”

A redesigned experience for everyday banking

The new mobile app offers a more intuitive way for customers to manage their finances, with features such as:

Secure logins and real-time transaction tracking
Internal transfers and in-app messaging
Personalized servicing and customer self-service capabilities
Instant payments and ATM/branch locator functionality
A clean, user-friendly interface designed for daily use

As part of the launch, LIB also became one of the first banks in the country to integrate with LYPAY, the Central Bank of Libya’s instant payment service. This showcases the agility of the platform in meeting new regulatory and infrastructure demands.

“The successful launch of Libyan Islamic Bank’s digital platform is setting new standards for digital-first experiences,” said Aymen Daoud, Regional Vice President for Africa at Backbase. “It reflects the bank’s ability to lead and evolve in Libya’s rapidly changing financial sector.”

Local knowledge, global technology

The go-live was delivered through a close collaboration between Backbase and regional implementation partner OneTech Business Solutions. OTBS played a vital role in aligning the deployment with LIB’s specific needs and Libya’s regulatory environment, helping ensure speed, stability, and long-term scalability.

“This project shows what’s possible when global technology meets local execution,” said Atef Loukil, Deputy CEO and Head of Digital Factory at OneTech Business Solutions. “Working closely with Backbase and Libyan Islamic Bank, we ensured a seamless deployment that reflects the realities of the Libyan market. It’s a strong example of how partnership drives real digital transformation.”

Built for what comes next

This launch represents the first phase of LIB’s longer-term digital transformation roadmap. With a strong digital foundation now in place, the bank is positioned to respond to evolving customer expectations and continue modernizing its services at scale.

Backbase’s successful entry into Libya also marks a strategic expansion point in North Africa. The company remains committed to helping banks of all sizes modernize at speed, through adaptive technology, regulatory alignment, and seamless customer experiences, all powered by its AI-powered Banking Platform.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Backbase.

About Backbase

About Libyan Islamic Bank

Libyan Islamic Bank, is an Islamic financial institution based in Libya with a capital of 500 million Libyan dinars, established since 2017. Operating in line with the provisions and legislations of Islamic Sharia, the bank primarily focuses on retail and corporate segments, striving to provide services that adhere to the highest standards of Islamic banking. For more information, visit https://www.lib.com.ly/

About Onetech Business Solutions

OneTech Business Solutions (OTBS) is one of the leading IT and telecom integrators in Tunisia, with over 30 years of experience serving enterprise and financial clients. OTBS has built a strong reputation for delivering high-value, integrated technology solutions—from network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and datacenter systems to unified communications and enterprise collaboration.

In recent years, OTBS has expanded its expertise into software and digital services, with a particular focus on the financial sector. We support banks across EMEA in their digital transformation through the delivery of robust digital banking platforms. Our teams bring proven expertise in integrating with core banking systems, implementing omnichannel, customer-centric journeys, and ensuring compliance with local financial regulations. As a certified integration partner of Backbase, we deliver scalable and secure solutions tailored to each client’s strategic goals.

This unique positioning enables banks to offer secure, innovative, and user-centric financial services to their customers—accelerating their digital transformation with confidence.

www.onetech-bs.com

Press Contact

Backbase

Alexandros Papaioannou

press-relations@backbase.com

The post Libyan Islamic Bank modernizes consumer banking services with Backbase appeared first on African Media Agency.

Lifestyle

Shangri-La Dialogue, Nippon/U.S. Steel Deal, Taylor Swift Gets Her Masters

2025-05-31 Maravi Post Reporter

At the annual security forum in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterizes China as a threat. President Trump celebrates a partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel, but he’s short on specifics. After years of wrangling, Taylor Swift gets control of her first master recordings.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Lifestyle

Is an African pope a priority for the upcoming conclave?

2025-05-06 Maravi Post Reporter

Cardinals electing a new pope have some fundamental questions to weigh, beyond whether to give the Catholic Church its first Asian or African pontiff, or a conservative or progressive.

Although they come from 70 different countries, the 133 cardinals seem fundamentally united in finding a pope who will be able to make the 2,000-year-old church credible and relevant today, especially to young people.

It’s a tall task, given the sexual abuse and financials scandals that have harmed the church’s reputation and the secularizing trends in many parts of the world that are turning people away from organized religion.

Add to that the Holy See’s dire financial state and often dysfunctional bureaucracy, and the job of being pope in the 21st century seems almost impossible.

“We need a superman!” said Cardinal William Seng Chye Goh, the 67-year-old archbishop of Singapore.

The cardinals will begin trying to find him Wednesday afternoon, when those “princes of the church” walk solemnly into the Sistine Chapel to the meditative chant of the “Litany of the Saints.” They’ll take their oaths of secrecy under the daunting vision of heaven and hell in Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement,” hear a meditation from a senior cardinal, and then cast their first ballot.

Assuming no candidate secures the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the cardinals will retire for the day and return on Thursday. They will have two ballots in the morning and then two in the afternoon, until a winner is found.

The church in Africa

According to Vatican statistics, Catholics represent 3.3% of the population in Asia, but their numbers are growing, especially in terms of seminarians, as they are in Africa, where Catholics represent about 20% of the population. Catholics are 64% of the population in the Americas, 40% of Europe’s population and 26% of Oceania’s population, according to Vatican statistics from 2023, the last available year.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo, said he is in Rome to elect a pope for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

“I am not here for the Congo, I am not here for Africa, I am here for the universal church. That is our concern, the universal church,” he told reporters. “When we are done, I will return to Kinshasa and I will put back on my archbishop of Kinshasa hat and the struggle continues.”

Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, the chatty French-born archbishop of Algiers, Algeria, lamented last week that there hadn’t been enough time for the cardinals to get to know one another, since many of them had never met before and hail from 70 countries in the most geographically diverse conclave in history.

By this week, however, he said that any number of candidates were possible.

Voting blocs

Italy (17) has the most electors followed by the United States (10). Brazil (7), France and Spain (5 each) follow in third and fourth place respectively.

Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal have 4 electors each.

Here is a regional breakdown of the full 135 cardinal electors, according to Vatican statistics and following the Vatican’s geographic grouping.

Europe: 53. (An elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Spain, so the actual number of Europeans is expected to be 52.)

Asia (including the Middle East): 23

Africa: 18. (Another elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Kenya, so the number of Africans is expected to be 17.)

South America: 17

North America: 16 (of whom 10 are American, 4 are Canadian and 2 are Mexican)

Central America: 4

Oceania: 4 (1 each from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga)

Source: Africanews

The Maravi Post