As organisations deploy more cameras, access control systems and automated license plate recognition tools, the data generated by physical security infrastructure is becoming both an operational asset and a growing concern.

Genetec Inc., a global provider of enterprise physical security software, has outlined a set of best practices aimed at helping organisations safeguard sensitive data without undermining the effectiveness of their security operations.

The company argues that physical security systems now produce vast streams of video footage, access logs and vehicle data that increasingly feed into investigations, compliance reporting and operational decision-making. But as reliance on this data grows, so too does regulatory scrutiny and exposure to cyber threats.

Mathieu Chevalier, principal security architect at Genetec, cautions that physical security data can be highly sensitive and should not be treated as a commercial asset to be exploited beyond its original purpose.

He warns that some market approaches risk expanding the use of collected data in ways that create privacy vulnerabilities. Instead, he says, organisations should demand clear limits on how their data is used, enforce strong lifecycle controls and adopt technologies designed to respect privacy by default.

The emphasis on “privacy by design” reflects a broader shift in corporate governance, where compliance is no longer limited to IT departments but extends to facilities management, risk teams and executive leadership.

Genetec’s first recommendation is the development of a clear and documented data protection strategy. Organisations are encouraged to regularly assess what data they collect, why it is collected, where it is stored, how long it is retained and who has access to it.

Such documentation, the company argues, reduces unnecessary data exposure and helps identify policy gaps before regulators or cybercriminals do. It also enhances transparency, an increasingly critical factor in maintaining trust among employees, customers and the public.

In many jurisdictions, evolving data protection frameworks have blurred the line between physical and digital security. Video footage and biometric identifiers, once viewed as operational tools, are now squarely within the scope of privacy regulation.

A second pillar of Genetec’s guidance focuses on designing systems with privacy controls integrated from the outset. This includes applying purpose limitation and data minimisation principles to ensure that only data necessary for defined security objectives is collected and retained.

The company recommends encrypting data both in transit and at rest, enforcing strong authentication protocols and implementing granular access controls. It also points to privacy-enhancing technologies such as automated anonymisation and masking to reduce identity exposure while preserving the operational utility of footage and records.

This approach reflects growing concern that surveillance technologies, particularly when combined with artificial intelligence, can expand beyond their intended scope if not tightly governed.

Treating cybersecurity as continuous

Genetec also frames data protection as an ongoing operational discipline rather than a one-time compliance exercise. Regular system hardening, vulnerability management and timely software updates are described as essential safeguards in a threat environment where attack vectors evolve rapidly.

The convergence of physical and cyber domains means that a breach of surveillance infrastructure can compromise not only privacy but also operational continuity. As more systems become networked, physical security teams increasingly find themselves operating within the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

The company further highlights the role of cloud-managed and software-as-a-service deployments in strengthening resilience and compliance. Cloud environments can simplify patch management and ensure that privacy controls remain current, while also offering flexibility in balancing scalability and data residency requirements.

However, Genetec underscores that technology choices alone are insufficient. Organisations are urged to evaluate vendors based on transparent data governance practices, clearly defined limits on data use and independent security certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27017 and SOC 2 Type II attestations.

Vendor vulnerability disclosure processes and the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence—particularly where personal data is involved—are also identified as critical due diligence factors.

The recommendations signal a broader industry recognition that physical security can no longer be managed as a siloed operational function. As video management, access control and analytics platforms become more sophisticated and interconnected, they create expansive data ecosystems that demand robust oversight.

Founded in Montreal more than 25 years ago, Genetec serves over 42,500 customers across 159 countries, providing video management, access control and automatic license plate recognition solutions built on an open architecture.

Its latest guidance suggests that in the race to enhance security capabilities, organisations must give equal weight to the governance frameworks that protect the very people those systems are meant to secure.

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Pan-African network services provider Paratus Group has switched on a 2,000-kilometre terrestrial fibre route connecting Mombasa to Goma via Nairobi, Kampala and Kigali, creating what the company describes as a protected digital highway for carriers, internet service providers and large enterprises operating across the region.

The Goma-to-Mombasa (G2M) route is now live and carrying traffic for its first wholesale customers, delivering direct access from inland markets to global subsea cable capacity on the Kenyan coast. Officials say, for eastern DRC, Rwanda and Uganda in particular, the link reduces reliance on fragmented routes and improves latency, reliability and redundancy for international connectivity.

The launch reflects a broader shift in how Africa’s digital backbone is being built. Rather than isolated national networks, operators are increasingly investing in continuous, multi-country corridors designed to support regional trade, cloud services and cross-border data flows. By directly linking eastern DRC to coastal cable landings, the new route brings one of the continent’s most underserved markets closer to global networks.

Paratus said the route runs through fully licensed operating companies in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, with local partnerships underpinning the build. In Uganda, the project was delivered in collaboration with Roke Telkom, while MoveOn Telecoms partnered on the Kenyan segment. The network interconnects with key data centres in each major city along the route, allowing carriers and enterprises to localise traffic while maintaining international reach.

For businesses in eastern Congo and neighbouring countries, the implications extend beyond faster internet speeds. Reliable fibre connectivity is increasingly seen as foundational infrastructure, enabling sectors such as fintech, mining, logistics, energy, manufacturing and digital services to operate at scale and integrate into regional and global value chains.

Paratus Group Chief Commercial Officer Martin Cox described the link as more than a technical upgrade, framing it as infrastructure with economic consequences for the region. He said the protected route from the coast into Goma dramatically improves resilience while opening new commercial opportunities across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC.

The G2M route also strengthens Paratus’ broader continental network strategy. It complements the company’s East–West fibre backbone, which stretches from Maputo to Swakopmund in southern Africa and interconnects with the Equiano subsea cable, providing redundancy and low-latency links between Africa and Europe. Together, the networks position Paratus among a small group of operators offering seamless regional and cross-continental connectivity through a single provider.

East Africa, home to more than 200 million people, is one of the continent’s fastest-growing economic regions, with rapid expansion in ICT-driven sectors. As cloud adoption accelerates and governments push digital trade and services, demand for secure, enterprise-grade connectivity is rising sharply.

With the Mombasa–Goma corridor, Paratus is betting that Africa’s next phase of growth will depend as much on digital highways as on physical ones. Much like historic trade routes that linked the interior to the coast, the new fibre link is designed to pull inland economies deeper into regional and global commerce—this time through data rather than traditional commodities.

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Airbus Defence and Space has secured a major contract from Eutelsat to manufacture 340 additional OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, expanding Europe’s role in the rapidly escalating global competition to dominate satellite broadband infrastructure. The award, announced in Paris on 12 January 2026, brings Eutelsat’s total orders from Airbus to 440 satellites following an earlier batch of 100 procured in 2024.

The satellites will be built on a newly installed production line at Airbus’s Toulouse facility, with deliveries expected to begin at the end of 2026. Airbus described the deal as a significant step in strengthening European sovereignty in LEO satellite manufacturing.

Eutelsat’s existing OneWeb network comprises over 600 satellites operating in 12 orbital planes at 1,200 km above Earth. The constellation delivers high-speed, low-latency internet globally, including to underserved regions across Africa and remote markets where terrestrial networks remain patchy or economically unviable.

The new satellites will replace the earliest spacecraft as they reach end-of-life while incorporating upgraded technology, including: advanced digital channelisers for improved onboard processing, enhanced efficiency and flexibility, optimised architecture for long-term performance, and hosted-payload capability, opening room for new commercial and government applications

Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher said the satellites will guarantee service continuity for a growing customer base benefiting from OneWeb’s low-latency coverage. Airbus’s Head of Space Systems, Alain Fauré, described the contract as confirmation of Airbus’s leadership in LEO satellite design and production.

China Files Plans for Over 200,000 Satellites in Sweeping Orbital Expansion

The Airbus–Eutelsat deal comes amid a dramatic surge in global competition for orbital and spectrum resources. Reporting by The Blueprint indicates that Chinese companies have filed proposals for more than 200,000 internet satellites with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), signalling Beijing’s intent to match or surpass US-based megaconstellations.

More than a dozen filings were submitted late last month, including the two largest proposals — CTC-1 and CTC-2, each targeting 96,714 satellites. Additional filings include China Mobile’s 2,520-satellite L1 system and the Shanghai Spacecom submissions for the Qianfan constellation. Larger projects such as Guowang (13,000 satellites) and Qianfan’s 15,000-satellite network continue to advance toward deployment milestones.

China’s accelerated filings follow complaints raised last year about congestion caused by SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently constitutes the majority of active satellites in LEO.

SpaceX Continues to Expand as Collision Concerns Grow

Starlink remains the dominant global operator. The US Federal Communications Commission last week approved 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, on top of a planned 42,000-satellite architecture already on SpaceX’s books.

The intense pace of deployment has amplified fears of orbital collisions. In December, a Starlink satellite malfunctioned and began an unplanned descent; earlier this month, SpaceX said it would lower the orbits of about 4,400 satellites to reduce collision risk.

Under ITU rules adopted in 2019, operators must deploy at least one satellite within seven years of filing, 10pc of their constellation within two years of launch, 50pc within five years, and 100pc within seven. With filings from the US, China, Europe, and emerging private operators surging, orbital pathways and radio frequencies are becoming scarce strategic assets.

The new OneWeb order strengthens Europe’s manufacturing base and positions Airbus as one of the few global players capable of mass-producing LEO satellites at competitive scale. For African governments and telecom operators exploring satellite-enabled rural connectivity, the stability of the OneWeb network offers an alternative to US- and China-led constellations.

As the world edges toward a future defined by tens of thousands — and soon hundreds of thousands — of satellites in low Earth orbit, decisions taken now will shape who dominates global broadband services, spectrum access, and space governance for decades.

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Africa’s cryptocurrency boom is accelerating faster than regulators and security systems can adapt, widening exposure to financial crime across the continent. New data shows Africa processed USD 205 billion in on-chain crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025, cementing its status as the world’s third-fastest-growing crypto market. But the rapid uptake has also drawn increased attention from cybercriminals exploiting gaps in regulation and digital infrastructure.

Fuelled by economic uncertainty, high remittance costs, and interest in alternatives to traditional banking, cryptocurrency has become a lifeline for many Africans. Yet this growing reliance is unfolding against a backdrop of weak cybersecurity capacity, creating vulnerabilities that governments are struggling to contain.

“Fraud, hacking and illicit transfers are on the rise, targeting countries that lack adequate protection,” says Allan Juma, Cybersecurity Engineer at ESET Africa. “Anti-money laundering frameworks only work when supported by robust cybersecurity. Without secure systems for transaction monitoring, identity verification and platform integrity, even the strongest regulations can be bypassed.”

Africa already loses an estimated USD 88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows, with crypto-related scams now forming a notable share. These losses drain public finances, create uncertainty for businesses and investors, and threaten the long-term stability of digital finance across the region.

Governments are beginning to respond. Countries such as Kenya and Ghana have recently enacted Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) laws that combine compliance requirements with mandatory security standards for crypto platforms. The goal is to close gaps exploited by cybercriminals and ensure that digital transactions become safer and more transparent.

“Africa has become a testing ground for financial cybersecurity,” Juma notes. “The challenges African countries are facing now are the same issues other emerging markets will confront as digital finance expands. The frameworks taking shape here—built on threat intelligence, secure infrastructure, and regulatory oversight—could become templates for securing digital economies in high-risk environments globally.”

But policymakers must strike a delicate balance. Excessively restrictive security rules could exclude millions who rely on crypto for financial access, while weak protections will fuel fraud that erodes trust in digital currencies. With over 350 million unbanked Africans, maintaining both accessibility and safety is an economic and social priority.

“The path forward lies in treating cybersecurity and compliance as complementary,” says Juma. “When strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, and resilient digital systems work alongside clear legislation, they create digital finance ecosystems that people can trust.”

Africa’s crypto future will depend not just on innovation, but on whether its digital infrastructure can keep pace with demand. As adoption accelerates, the continent’s ability to secure its financial systems may decide whether cryptocurrency becomes a transformative tool for inclusion—or a growing risk in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.

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Scheduled to take place between October 21 and 23 at the Kigali Convention Centre, the Mobile World Congress for Africa (MWC) is a major annual connectivity event organized by the GSMA that brings together leaders from government, industry, and tech to discuss and advance digital transformation across the continent.

Angela Wamola, Head of Africa, GSMA said, “This year’s event switches gears beyond counting connections and coverage to delivering the connectivity, skills, and innovation which confronts the challenges still ahead, and accelerates Africa’s growth for decades to come. Let’s join leaders from across the ecosystem in Kigali next week in pressing forward through action.”

President Paul Kigali will officially open the three-day event which includes several fringe discussions and exhibitions. senior executives from major operators and technology players, including Airtel Africa, Amini, Axian Telecom Group, Ethio Telecom, Huawei, MTN Group, Orange, and ZTE will be in attendance.

Mobile connectivity is a key driver of digital transformation and socioeconomic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Governments and businesses are also increasingly using 4G and 5G networks alongside technologies such as AI and IoT to enhance productivity and service delivery. However, despite growing demand for mobile services, a significant usage gap persists, indicating substantial untapped market potential.

According to 2024 GSMA report, the adoption of 4G continues to rise in the region and is forecast to account for 50% of total connections by 2030. 5G adoption is accelerating and forecast to contribute $10 billion to the region’s economy by 2030, accounting for 6% of mobile’s total economic impact. Meanwhile, the mobile ecosystem supported 1.5 million jobs directly and more than 2.2 million jobs in other sectors in 2023.

The conference programme is structured around four key themes shaping Africa’s technology ecosystem over the next 12 months and beyond;

• Connected Continent: Exploring how expanded connectivity, affordable smart phones, and the rollout of 5G are enabling millions across Africa to access services and participate in the global digital economy.
• The AI Future: Examining AI’s potential to double Africa’s GDP growth by 2035 and drive innovation, while emphasizing skills, collaboration, and ethical practices.
• Fintech: Showcasing how mobile-powered fintech solutions are transforming financial systems, enhancing inclusion, and fostering economic resilience.
• Africa’s Digital Frontier: Highlighting the continent’s fast-growing digital sectors, from entertainment to healthcare, and the innovations defining Africa’s next chapter of transformation.

Founding and Headline Sponsors of MWC Kigali include Huawei, MTN, and ZTE, with Airtel and Orange as Industry Sponsors, alongside Event Partners the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) and Smart Africa

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The partnership will tap into startups, technology providers, accelerators, and industry partners to pilot innovations aimed at making travel smarter, faster, and more seamless. Ethiopian Airlines expects the collaboration to strengthen operational efficiency and deliver smoother journeys for millions of passengers transiting through Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport – now ranked among Africa’s busiest hubs.

“Ethiopia is realising its ambition to become a sophisticated, dynamic destination for investment, trade, and tourism. Ethiopian Airlines plays a central role in making that vision a reality,” said Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO. “Creating the best first and last impressions for business and leisure travellers is crucial, and this partnership puts us in the best position to deliver exceptional experiences while taking full advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

With travellers increasingly expecting digital-first services, African carriers face mounting pressure to adopt smart technologies that cut queues, optimize scheduling, and enhance the end-to-end travel experience.

“Africa is experiencing unprecedented growth in air travel just as passengers’ expectations are being reshaped by rapid advances in digital technology,” said Selim Bouri, President, Middle East & Africa at SITA. “Hubs like Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport need to provide a frictionless passenger journey so airlines can optimize flight schedules and deliver smooth, memorable trips. This collaboration is about driving the innovation needed to meet these demands and help shape the future of African aviation.”

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Named in honour of the late President John Pombe Magufuli, the bridge forms a critical part of Tanzania’s Trunk Road T4 corridor, which links the country to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By replacing the long-standing ferry transport system, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve the efficiency of movement across the Lake Zone.

“The Magufuli Bridge is proof of our nation’s ability to mobilize domestic resources towards transformative development,” said Works Minister Abdallah Ulega. “It will facilitate movement from Kigongo to Busisi, reduce reliance on ferry transportation, and open up economic opportunity throughout the Lake Zone.”

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who toured the bridge site recently, confirmed the opening date and called on citizens to take pride in the achievement. “This is a time to be proud of our country,” he said. “I urge citizens to turn out in large numbers to welcome the head of state for the official opening.”

Built entirely with domestic funding at a cost of TZS 700 billion (approximately USD 270 million), the bridge stands as a symbol of Tanzania’s capacity to independently finance and execute large-scale infrastructure projects. It was constructed under the direction of the Ministry of Works and has been lauded for its use of in-house engineering and oversight without reliance on foreign funding.

Beyond its headline-grabbing length, the Magufuli Bridge is bolstered by 1.66 kilometres of access roads and is supported by two major feeder routes—the 54.5 km Sengerema–Nyehunge and the 32 km Kamanga–Sengerema roads. Together, they form a strategic logistics hub, strengthening rural access, service delivery, and regional mobility.

The bridge is more than a physical crossing. It is viewed as a catalyst for economic transformation, promoting trade, facilitating regional integration, and enhancing livelihoods across Tanzania’s Lake Zone. Officials say the project will deepen cross-border commerce and integrate communities that were previously divided by the lake.

With the June 19 opening on the horizon, anticipation is building across the country as Tanzania prepares to celebrate an engineering achievement that is not just a national triumph but a beacon for infrastructure-led development across Africa.

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Based on this performance, the Board of country’s leading telecom company, with a market share of over 53 pc or 22 million subscribers (up 13 pc from 2023), has approved an increase in the final dividend declaration by 32.8 pc to UGX8.50 per share (UGX190.3 billion).

In her remarks on their latest audited accounts, Sylvia Mulinge, the CEO said, “We attribute this growth to significant expansions in our data and fintech offerings and a continued commitment to driving Uganda’s digital transformation. We contained overall operating costs growth despite the expansion in our network footprint and capacity, benefiting from the sustained revenue growth momentum, a more benign inflation environment and implementation of ongoing cost efficiencies in our operations. Our EBITA grew by 20.7 pc to UGX1.7 trillion with a 52.2 pc margin.”

Mulinge said growth was delivered as a result of investments in their network totaling UGX418 billion. “Our 4G and 5G population coverage increased to 87.9 pc and 15.3 pc respectively with growth in our 5G sites rising to 538 from 37 in 2023. Notably, we were recognized at the 2024 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for having the fastest network in Uganda and the fastest LTE network in Africa,” she said.

The company’s 2024 performance was improved by a stable macroeconomic environment allowing for these investments to bear fruits. Data sales were up by 22.4 pc while fintech returns rose by 13.9 pc.  Data subscribers now number 10.1 million while those for fintech services have reached 13.8 million.

Mulinge said, “We also registered a significant reduction in churn underpinned by our sustained network investment and effective customer value management.”

MTN Uganda paid UGX1.3 trillion in taxes during 2024 and its Corporate Social Responsibility spending topped UGX4.6 billion. The MTN Uganda Foundation impacted more than 6800 direct beneficiaries across such areas as education and youth empowerment prgrammes, healthcare and humanitarian relief assistance.

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Convened under the ICT Infrastructure Development Cluster under Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIPs), the meeting that ran from February 24-25, 2025, received the report of the Technical Committee on the establishment of a Regional Owned and Operated Communication and Broadcasting Satellite.

Delegates agreed that common ownership and implementation of the project presented the least-cost opportunity to address current gaps in access to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and last mile connectivity solutions in rural areas. The meeting heard that all existing regulatory frameworks of the Member States favored establishment of the proposed satellite, and have inbuilt flexibility to accommodate future scenarios.

“The meeting committed to finalize the roadmap for the establishment of satellite and eventual mobilization of funding for the feasibility study. The meeting also reviewed and assessed the progress on implementation framework of NCIPs, and explored collaborative approaches to address the underlying challenges,” says a media statement by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The project was initiated by President Yoweri Museveni during the 14^th NCIP heads of state summit in June 2015, in Entebbe. In attendance were his then Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

This week’s meeting in Juba was chaired by Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of ICT & National Guidance who also doubles as Chairperson of the ICT Infrastructure Development Cluster. In attendance also were Dr. Lado Wani Kenyi the, Undersecretary for Telecommunication and Postal Services, in South Sudan’s Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Postal Services (MICT&PS), and representatives from the Member States of Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda. 

The Northern Corridor is a transport corridor that links the landlocked countries of Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Kenya’s Maritime Port of Mombasa. The Northern corridor currently serves a population of about 120 million people including the southern reaches of Ethiopia and North Tanzania.

The ICT Infrastructure Development Cluster was introduced at the 3^rd NCIP Summit of Heads of State to facilitate fast-tracking the integration process. This Cluster is coordinated and chaired by Uganda under the Ministry of ICT & national Guidance. By the 14^th Summit, 21 Directives had been issued under the ICT Infrastructure Development Cluster, including the directive for partner states to finalise the concept note for the establishment and launch of a Regional Owned and Operated Communication and Broadcasting Satellite, and also to fast track the operational modalities for this Satellite that will provide high-quality, dependable broadband internet services and broadcasting capabilities.

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