Africa has unveiled it's first-ever 'smart parking' system' in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa in an effort to reduce urban congestion and parking problems in the city. The innovative project cost around $2.2 million to construct - and it is hoped the 'smart parking' system can finally resolve the issues around mobility in a city notorious for its traffic jams. However, Addis Ababa's motorists are plagued even more by the fact the city has insufficient parking facilities.

Mobile data will be the main driver of growth in the African telecoms market, with the number of mobile broadband connections on the continent set to more than double over the coming five years, and rise from 419 million at the end of 2017, to 1.07 billion at the end of 2022, according to analysis and consultancy firm Ovum.

Government officials in Rwanda have announced its plans to deploy a city-wide IoT network in the capital city of Kigali as it renews its effort to improve every day services for its citizens. The IoT network will be the established courtesy of mobile satellite communications provider, Inmarsat, and low-power wide-area network company Actility.

African nation Namibia has suggested it is preparing itself to capitalize on forthcoming 5G technologies following an intensive workshop on the next-generation technology. Telecommunication providers in Namibia were given a presentation on the country's 5G capabilities and spectrum requirements. The workshop was conducted by Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and LS Telecom, which is an ICT consulting firm that specializes in engineering services and systems solutions suppliers.

An African nation has appealed on the country's private sector to invest in cybersecurity to complement the government's ongoing efforts to combat the rise of cybersecurity. Kenya's ICT Ministry Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru has called for increased investment in cybersecurity following after another spike in incidences of cyber-crime which is harming the country's digital economy.

Malawi has launched Africa’s first drone-testing center which has been established to explore how drone technology can help developing countries deal with humanitarian disasters or issues in its healthcare system. The project has been created following the collaboration between Malawi and UNICEF who hope the innovative drone technology can help regions cope with humanitarian crisis such as floods, or a breakout of a disease such as Ebola, or with regards to the healthcare sector it can help with the delivery of blood for HIV tests.

An African nation has released details of a hugely ambitious project in which it intends to build a 'smart eco-city' from scratch that will cater for 137,000 residents and 500,000 commuters. The innovative project is being developed in Nigeria - and the new 'smart eco-city' will be located just outside the Nigerian capital of Abuja which is just a short drive from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

A leading expert in telecommunications has warned that African telco's need to adapt to the ever-changing information technology landscape in a bid to attract and retain customers in order to remain competitive - in what is already a saturated market.

An African National Park has introduced a high-tech 'smart park' system which has been specifically implemented in an attempt to protect animals from the incessant threat posed by poachers. Rwanda's National Park has this week launched the 'smart park' system which it claims will enable rangers to monitor animals, visitors and equipment in real-time.

Global online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb has indicated that it expects to maintain and enhance the rapid growth it has enjoyed in Africa in the last twelve months. Forecasters are predicting that the company is set to double its customer base from 765,000 to 1.5m in the next year.

A number of African hospitals have adopted the technology that fuses Artificial intelligence with Big Data in order to help medical professionals diagnose cancer in patients. Swiss firm Sophia Genetics developed the cutting edge technologies that combine data and medicine. One of its products is an artificial intelligence solution that analyses swathes of genetic data in a bid to help diagnose patients with cancer and congenital disorders.

Spending on blockchain solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is set to more than double this year, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation. The global technology research and consulting firm's recently launched 'Worldwide Semiannual Blockchain Spending Guide' shows spending in the region totaling $80.8 million for 2018, up 107% on the $38.9 million spent in 2017.

In September 1999 a national project for a technological renaissance was announced in Egypt reflecting the commitment of the government to developing the country's IT sector. That commitment is reflected today by the introduction of 4G services, the nation's pledge to improve ICT education, and its vision for a more digital and sustainable future.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn looked to collaborate with Huawei to build the ICT industry in Ethiopia during his meeting with the company's chairwoman, Sun Yafang, in Beijing on May 13.

The European Union has pledged its support behind the rural electrification of Tanzania by signing a program worth €50m to support the ambitious project aimed at providing local residents with access to modern energy.

ICT experts have claimed that increased investment is a 'necessity' if Africa wants to benefit from the forthcoming 5G revolution. Globally, the sector is currently advancing its networks in an attempt to deploy 5G early. However, one prominent ICT expert has recommended greater investment in 4G-LTE for the Africa continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron has formally announced at a technology conference in Paris that it will invest €65m into technology-based startups in Africa. The charismatic French leader made the declaration at the third edition of the Viva-Tech trade fair which attracts some of the world's leading innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.

French telecommunications operator Orange has announced it has agreed to partner with US technology colossus Google, in an effort to explore opportunities to fund and potentially acquire start-ups in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The Ghana Health Service is currently working with the drone company Zipline to provide health services to combat post-maternal yellow fever which has been a pressing issue within the country.

US search engine behemoth Google is attempting to address the many economic, political and environmental issues currently affecting Africa by opening a state-of-the-art AI center in Ghana.