Washington, USA, 26 November2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The World Bank Group today approved $45 million in grant financing from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the Government of The Gambia’s efforts to enhance domestic revenue mobilization, lay key infrastructure, regulatory and skill foundations for private sector development, and strengthen climate resilience.
“The Gambia is on a good growth trajectory despite the external shocks of recent years, but growth remains fragile due to a combination of structural weaknesses including climate vulnerability. To sustain its growth and improve the living standards of the population, it is essential for The Gambia to pursue and accelerate transformational reforms,” stresses Ephrem Niyongabo, World Bank Economist and Task Team Leader of the project.
This is the first development policy support operation designed to underpin reforms conducive to inclusive and sustainable growth. The program is based on three pillars. The first pillar seeks to increase government revenue by broadening the tax base and rationalizing tax expenditures. The second pillar seeks to foster private sector-led growth by tackling bottlenecks in key enabling sectors such as energy, telecom and business environment while advancing human capital development, with a focus on expanding opportunities for women and youth. The third pillar aims at strengthening the foundations for The Gambia’s resilience to climate challenges by establishing a robust institutional and legal framework to guide climate action and coastal zone management.
“This financing will enable The Gambia to carry out reforms to build fiscal space, facilitate the development of key sectors, improve human capital and business environment to enhance participation of the private sector in the economy. The proposed operation provides a critical line to improve access to essential services, enhance women and youth employment opportunities while enhancing environmental sustainability” said Franklin Mutahakana, World Bank Group Resident Representative in The Gambia.
This operation has been designed to meet the authorities’ priorities outlined in the Gambia Recovery-Focused National Development Plan, 2023-2027. The reform program supports the green, resilient, and inclusive development agenda by strengthening the country’s adaptation and resilience to climate change through robust legal and institutional framework for climate governance and climate resilience, ensuring that territorial and sectoral planning integrate climate adaptation and disaster risk management.
LAGOS, Nigeria, 8 September 2025/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The 2025 edition of the West Africa Telecommunications Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition (WATISE) has ended in Lagos with a strong call for governments, regulators, and industry players to deepen collaboration, protect telecom infrastructure, and prioritise inclusive digital access across the region.
The event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, brought together critical stakeholders from the telecommunications, technology, and financial services sectors under the theme “Digitalising West African Economy: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Critical Stakeholders.”
In his address, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said the telecom sector in West Africa is witnessing renewed growth, with investments at their highest since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that telecoms remain the backbone of the digital economy, enabling banking, fintech, telemedicine, education, commerce, and emergency services across the region.
Adebayo, however, warned against vandalism, multiple taxation, and Right of Way restrictions that continue to stifle expansion. He commended the Federal Government’s ongoing tax reforms, set to reduce over 56 levies by January 2026, and urged states across West Africa to create enabling conditions for faster digital rollout.
In his goodwill message, the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr Tony Emoekpere said that , the next ten years will define West Africa’s place in the global digital economy stressing ‘If we build the infrastructure, harmonize policies, and encourage collaboration, we will unlock unprecedented economic growth, create millions of jobs, and give our young population the tools to compete globally.
He noted that investors must recognize that while risks exist, the upside of digital West Africa is unmatched saying that this is a frontier market with the potential of doubling its digital economy contribution to GDP within a decade.
Dr. Nnenna Achife, Head Commercial Business, Business Development, AfriGo Payment Financial Services Limited, speaking on one of the lead presentations, Leveraging Connectivity And Technology To Transform Card Payment System In Africa, revealed how AfriGO is powering card payments through technology and inclusion.
He AfriGo has helped to reduce operating expenses through transparent pricing and billing settlement in local currency as well as support welfare and social Intervention programs via providing access to government social intervention programs.
She added that AfriGo has been supportive of Instant merchant credit and same-day settlement ensure steady cash flow for business operations including promoting cashless economy by encouraging the adoption of affordable electronic payments options, which are (cards).
Achife said that AfriGo is instrumental for the enhanced offline payment to support authorisation where there is limited or unreliable internet access, saying that the Embedded NIBSS Quick Response Code (NQR) has been formidable for the for P2P & P2M payment and collection capabilities.
And in his keynote speech, Mr Adewunmi Adesina, Managing Director of Trade Lenda, the digital bank for SMEs said that there are opportunities for Stakeholders to unlock the full potential of digitalisation, we must act collectively but that Governments must invest in infrastructure and harmonise digital policies across ECOWAS.
He called for private sector players collaboration to build scalable platforms that serve the underserved adding that development Partners must support capacity-building and digital inclusion programs.
Adesina said entrepreneurs must continue to innovate boldly, solving local problems with global ambition saying that at “Trade Lenda, we are proud to be part of this movement providing micro and small businesses with access to credit through digital channels, enabling them to grow sustainably.”
Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, Vice President of FintechNGR and MD/CEO of CreditRegistry, cautioned against the risk of “digital apartheid,” where millions of Africans remain excluded as “digital ghosts” from the formal economy.
She stressed the need for inclusive access to data and credit through innovative use of alternative data sources such as mobile usage and e-commerce, warning that failure to act could turn Africa’s youthful population into a lost economic opportunity.
A fireside chat led by the Chief Executive Officer of WTES Project Limited, Mr Chidi Ajuzie and panel session led by a robotic engineer, Mrs Racheal Anorue highlighted the pressing challenges of rising USSD costs, poor connectivity, and risks faced by mobile agents. Panelists agreed that stronger collaboration, public sensitisation, and technology-driven infrastructure security are key to driving financial inclusion and lowering transaction costs.
At the close of the summit, participants called for:
Protection of telecom infrastructure against vandalism.
Harmonised and enabling policies across ECOWAS states.
Urgent steps to reduce the cost of USSD and digital transactions.
Greater investment in workforce training and digital security.
Regional collaboration to unlock West Africa’s trillion-dollar digital economy potential.
The summit concluded with optimism that with sustained investments, regulatory reforms, and inclusive strategies, West Africa’s telecom and fintech sectors are well-positioned to drive economic transformation across the sub-region.
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.
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.
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.
Tunisie Telecom, BSA telecommunication and COMATEL announce the signing, on March 14, of an exclusive agreement with the company TELECEL Group for the sale of 100% of the shares of the company Mauritano-Tunisienne des Télécommunications (Mattel).
Mattel is the first mobile operator in Mauritania to have launched the GSM service. Since its creation on May 11, 2000, the result of cooperation between Mauritanian and Tunisian economic operators, Mattel has always relied on the quality of its network, the professionalism of its staff, the leadership of its management team and proximity to its customers.
Mattel is a major player in the ICT sector and digital transformation in the country. As such, Mattel plays an essential role in the development of broadband in Mauritania through its 4G and fiber optic infrastructures deployed in the main cities of the country.
Mattel holds nearly 33% market share and in 21 years of existence, Mattel has constantly modernized its network thanks to the latest generation of technical equipment and the knowhow of its engineers.
Mattel offers its services throughout the country with a network of more than 120 agencies spread throughout the national territory.
– –
Telecel is mobile operator present in Africa since 1986. The Group is experiencing strong growth on the continent. It has completed four transactions since 2018.
The company plans to invest more than $700 million over the next 3 years, mainly in mobile operator acquisitions, fiber optic infrastructure construction and infrastructure. Thanks to its activities, Telecel Global Services, Telecel Play and Africa Startup initiative Program have become major players in the digital economy in Africa.
Mattel Shareholders have declared that “After a competitive process, we are pleased to announce that Telecel Group has been selected for the sale transaction of Mattel’s shares. We are satisfied with the interactions with Telecel group and remain confident for the rest of the process.”
