Hello,
Victoria here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- South Africa to launch digital nomad visas
- Access Holdings gets an interim CEO
- Airtel Africa rolls out wholesale fibre unit
South Africa to launch digital nomad visas
The Home Affairs Department has amended the laws concerning critical skills and digital nomad visas to attract highly skilled individuals to South Africa.
In his usual Monday newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of having more skilled people to keep up with the global economy. He pointed out that these changes would allow folks working remotely for foreign companies to get a visa to work in South Africa.
If these changes go through, South Africa will join the likes of Namibia, Cape Verde, Mauritius, and the Seychelles in offering digital nomad visas. Typically, these visas target skilled workers in the tech sector, such as programmers and software architects.
The proposed regulations for the critical skills visa include a point system based on age, qualifications, language skills, work experience, and whether the applicant has a job offer from a local company. This system is similar to that used in other countries.
Ramaphosa noted that introducing a remote working visa is a response to the changing world of work, particularly in the tech industry, where more skilled workers are attracted to remote work for its lifestyle benefits.
South Africa's status as a tourist hotspot means it has the potential to draw in a lot of remote workers and skilled individuals. Aside from the professional benefits, these folks can help boost the economy by spending their earnings locally.
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Access Holdings gets an interim CEO
Access Holdings Plc has named Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group CEO after the unfortunate passing of its co-founder, Herbert Wigwe, on Friday, February 9, 2024.
It's tragic news as Wigwe, along with his wife and son, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the US, along with a few others, including Abimbola Ogunbajo, former Chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group.
The National Transportation Safety Board suspects bad wintry weather might have caused the crash. Wigwe had a stellar career, holding various high-profile positions within Access Bank and other organisations.
Wigwe has led the group since March 2022, and he has significantly impacted its growth and operations.
Agbede, who used to be the top honcho for business support at Access Bank, will be stepping into the CEO role, pending approval from the central bank.
She isn't new to the game. She has nearly three decades of experience in banking and consulting, beginning at Guaranty Trust Bank in 1992. She's been with Access Bank for quite a while, climbing up the ladder and proving herself as a leader, including a stint as Head of Group Human Resources.
Her appointment is predicated on a track record of successfully implementing organisational culture changes and integrating staff during mergers.
Airtel Africa rolls out wholesale fibre unit
Airtel Africa has launched a new fibre unit, Telesonic, aiming to shake up the wholesale data market on the continent.
It has combined its fibre assets and submarine cable systems, covering 75,000 kilometres of terrestrial fibre across 14 markets.
Remember Nxtra, its new data centre? Nxtra is in the game, with a facility in Lagos set to go live in mid-2025.
The telco is betting on Nxtra and Telesonic to provide secure and scalable solutions to global players, startups, and governments.
In the middle of all of this, CEO Segun Ogunsanya is stepping down; he made his retirement known in January. On July 1, 2024, Sunil Taldar will take over as managing director and CEO. Ogunsanya will remain an Airtel Africa advisor for a year.
Ogunsanya highlighted the significance of Telesonic, stating that it signifies Airtel Africa's commitment to fueling the digital revolution in Africa.
On the Nigerian front, Airtel Nigeria is making moves by committing to over 3,900 tenancies on IHS Towers in the next five years. This deal includes 2,500 colocations, 5G amendments, and build-to-suit sites.
The collaboration between Airtel Nigeria and IHS Towers aims to strengthen mobile connectivity in Nigeria, reflecting a longstanding partnership between the two companies.
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What I'm reading and watching
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Opportunities
- Selar launches Selar Tuition Funds, offering ₦100,000 to 50 final year Nigerian students to ease education costs. Additionally, internship opportunities will be provided to enhance their career growth. Apply by February 21, 2024, here.
- Application for the Innovest Afrika accelerator programme is open. Apply by February 14, 2024, here.
- Kenyan startups focused on embedded finance, future fintech, SME productivity tools, and content like local gaming and mobile advertising can apply for Safaricom’s Spark Accelerator programme. For more information, check this out.
- The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is looking for an editor to support the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship. Apply here.
- Application for the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Class of 2025 is now open. Check out the one-year, fully sponsored, graduate-level programme in tech entrepreneurship here before March 18, 2023.
- Do you live in Nigeria and work with a local or foreign company? Whether it's remotely, on-site, hybrid, full-time, part-time or as a freelancer, @TheIntelpoint is trying to understand the Nigerian workspace: how you work, and toxicity in the workspace among others. Please, fill out the questionnaire here.
- Explore this website to find multiple job opportunities in Data that align with your preferences.
- If you are a software engineer, creative designer, product manager, design researcher, or a techie looking for an internship role, please, check out this website.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
