Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 09 | Page 7

NEWS RippleNami announces partnership to accelerate use of blockchain in West Africa RippleNami, Inc., provider of the only blockchain map-based data visualisation platform, has announced a partnership with Data Edge Revenue, a Sierra Leone-based systems integration company focused on advancing digitisation in West Africa. The partnership provides blockchain-based solutions to help public and private players deliver economic opportunities, critical services and resources to improve the lives of the people of West Africa. “Data now serves as a key currency in today’s economy,” said Jaye Connolly-LaBelle, President and Chief Executive Officer of RippleNami. “This partnership accelerates the local and global benefits that this new currency delivers, while sparing West African countries the inefficiencies and costs of legacy data silos.” African countries to leapfrog legacy systems to quickly make essential services affordable and accessible on a large scale.” The partnership reinforces RippleNami’s commitment to serve Africa’s nascent technology market. Connolly-LaBelle said, “Our experience in East Africa shows that map-based visualisation unlocks the power of big data technologies like blockchain. Without providing visual context, blockchain- based systems will struggle to deliver large-scale, advanced social, economic and civic benefits.” “Our partnership comes at the right time. Today, West African countries lack physical records, much less the digital data needed to connect their citizens to social services and economic opportunities,” said Malador Sowe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Data Edge Revenue. “Fortunately, blockchain and cloud computing advancements, as well as the embracement of mobile lifestyles, enable West TMT Finance Africa event announced for March 2018 in Cape Town TMT Finance, the global telecom, media and tech investment news and events provider, has announced the launch of the inaugural TMT Finance Africa in Cape Town, South Africa conference on 15 March, 2018. The senior executive only conference, supported by Standard Bank and IFC (World Bank Group), will gather key leadership from telecom, media and technology companies, global and regional financial institutions, government representatives, investors and professional and legal advisers to assess the best opportunities for co-investment and partnership across Africa. “We are really excited to bring the conference series and our global www.intelligentcio.com infrastructure and services, as well as media and tech businesses, and the event will assess some of the most exciting opportunities for partnership and investment across the region.” The agenda will feature a series of leadership panels, breakout sessions, keynotes and networking sessions. network of industry and finance executives to Cape Town for the first time, to meet the massive demand for investment into Africa’s TMT sector,” said Dominic Lowndes, Managing Director of TMT Finance. “South Africa is a critical hub for investment in telecoms “We are inviting companies and representatives from across the region, as well as global players, to participate and we encourage local players to contact us if they would like to take part,” said Lowndes. “We will announce the first round of key speakers in November.” For sponsorship or speaking opportunities, contact enquiries@ TMTfinance.com. INTELLIGENTCIO 7