The European Commission has announced the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme, an initiative, backed by a €100 million (about US$103.8 million) investment, that, the EU says, forms a critical part of its Global Gateway strategy to deepen space cooperation between the EU and Africa.

The programme will focus on three key priorities. It will advance the green transition by developing space-based services that enhance early warning systems for hazardous weather and climate-related events. 

It will also strengthen institutional collaboration between the EU and African nations to enhance decision-making and improve policy frameworks in the space sector. 

Finally, the programme will strengthen the private sector by enhancing the capabilities of the space industry, driving innovation, and fostering a dynamic space-based data economy to promote sustainable growth across the continent. With this in mind, it will actively engage European private companies in areas such as service provision, capacity building and innovation. 

The Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme leverages European space technologies to support Africa’s sustainable development in sectors like agriculture, climate monitoring, and disaster risk reduction.

It relies on Copernicus, a programme looking at our planet and its environment, for Earth observation, along with Galileo, the EU´s Global Navigation Satellite System, and EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, for improved navigation. It also aims to support Africa’s space ambitions through the African Space Policy and Strategy.

Initiatives like the GMES & Africa (another Earth observation programme) enable access to and utilisation of crucial satellite data to develop applications in the fields of land, water, and natural resources, and marine and coastal areas.

By increasing the uptake of space-based data and fostering institutional and private sector capacity the EC says the programme will empower African countries to monitor environmental changes more effectively and reduce risks from natural disasters through advanced early warning systems.

It will also support sustainable economic growth, including through safer air traffic management enabled by the development of Africa’s satellite navigation system.

Two financial moves and two upgrade projects: … [visit site to read more]

This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Dario Betti & Nicholas Rossman, Mobile Ecosystem Forum

2025 offers the mobile industry the opportunity to redefine possibilities for consumers and businesses alike with enhanced user experiences and fresh revenue streams. However, the sector will also face significant challenges. Here are a few thoughts on what to expect. … [visit site to read more]

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A Reuters report says that Zayo is at the front of the pack of potential buyers for Crown Castle’s fiber and small cell business business. There’s certainly no doubt there is a process underway, as Crown Castle has been trying to figure out what to do with its fiber business for a couple years now and the only question left is how they find the door they seek. And Zayo is perhaps the most obvious potential buyer as well, but they aren’t past the finish line yet. … [visit site to read more]

CoreX has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the businesses of Volteo Digital.

This acquisition will bolster CoreX’s team through the addition of over 100 ServiceNow consultants and significantly enhance its presence in Latin America and EMEA, including a Centre of Excellence in Guadalajara, Mexico, that will be leveraged across the platform. CoreX is a ServiceNow consultancy and a NewSpring Holdings platform company.

« The ServiceNow ecosystem is experiencing unprecedented demand for digital workflow transformation, » said Rick Wright, the CEO of CoreX. « Volteo Digital’s deep roots in Latin America and Europe, combined with their elite technical talent and proven track record serving Financial Services and Telecommunications clients, immediately establishes CoreX as a major player in these markets. The acquisition is about more than geographic expansion – it’s about bringing together two innovative organisations to create a differentiated, scaled, and industry-first consultancy in the ServiceNow space. »

The strategic combination will dramatically expand CoreX’s global delivery capabilities and strengthen its position in key growth markets across the Americas. Volteo Digital’s established go-to-market and delivery operations in Mexico, Costa Rica, the US, and Spain create a delivery model that enables 24/7 support for global enterprises. The Guadalajara Centre of Excellence, recognised as a top player in the North Latin America market in terms of customer satisfaction, provides a springboard for regional expansion while supporting clients worldwide.

« Latin America represents a massive growth opportunity for ServiceNow solutions, » said Fernando Gordoa, CEO of Volteo Digital. « Bringing together Volteo Digital’s regional knowledge and established delivery capabilities with CoreX’s strategic vision, executive leadership team, and investment backing creates an organization poised to capture this market opportunity. Our Center of Excellence in Guadalajara will be the foundation for this expansion, allowing us to scale our talent pool and delivery capabilities across the globe. »

The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. The combined company will maintain Volteo Digital’s operations in Mexico, Costa Rica and Spain, with plans for significant expansion across all locations.

A few items, both international and domestic, to catch up with at midweek. … [visit site to read more]

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Nokia has revealed three deals in the IX space from around the world. The deals will put more of the company’s gear to work in interconnection fabrics in the UK, in Spain, and in Japan. … [visit site to read more]

Indonesian telco Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison said on Monday it has signed a MoU with Indian AI firm AIonOS – a joint venture between InterGlobe and Assago Group – to develop AI for smart agriculture, AI talent development and tourism in Indonesia.

The MoU was signed under the auspices of a government-led initiative between India and Indonesia to develop a shared vision of AI billed as “AI for Indonesia and India” (AI³, or “AI Cube”) that will leverage AIonOS’s AI technologies and Indosat’s local market knowledge.

According to a statement from Indosat, the AI Cube initiative aims to create AI-based solutions for Indonesia focused on three strategic pillars – tourism, the knowledge economy, and sustainable agriculture – to reshape Indonesia’s digital economy and strengthen Indonesia’s global competitiveness.

For example, AI Cube aims to boost Indonesia’s travel sector contribution to GDP by “promoting diverse local experiences and improving connectivity”, which Indosat says will broaden revenue opportunities for local businesses and “sustainably integrate Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage with global travel networks.”

The knowledge economy aspect means mainly collaborating with educational institutions in Indonesia and India develop an AI-enabled workforce. The partnership will also leverage AI and technology solutions to increase agricultural productivity and resilience, particularly in the face of challenging climate conditions.

“By leveraging Indosat’s local expertise with AIonOS’s AI innovations, this initiative aims to empower Indonesians with AI skills, boost growth in key sectors like tourism, sustainable agriculture and strengthen Indonesia’s human capital to drive its digital transformation,” said C.P. Gurnani, co-founder and CEO of AIonOS in a joint statement.

He added that the initiative with Indosat is “a watershed moment” for India and a vital step towards an ‘AI-for-all’ ecosystem. “As an enabler and accelerator of progress, this positions India to build an enterprise-scale AI platform and unlock industry-wide adoption globally.”

“By focusing on key sectors like talent development, food security, and tourism, this initiative aims to support Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045 through technological advancement,” added Indosat’s president director and CEO Vikram Sinha.

The AI Cube inititiave is the latest tie-up betwen Indosat and AIonOS after the two companies formed a strategic partnership in July 2024 to transform businesses into AI-native enterprises and accelerate AI sovereignty in Indonesia.