Google Cloud Taps Telecom Veteran to Lead Security Push in Middle East, Turkey and Africa




Google Cloud Taps Telecom Veteran to Lead Security Push in Middle East, Turkey and Africa

Google Cloud has appointed Noor Al-Sulaiti as head of security business development and government relations for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, tapping a telecommunications industry veteran to spearhead the tech giant’s cybersecurity expansion in those regions.

Ms. Al-Sulaiti, former chief executive of Ooredoo Oman, will foster strategic partnerships with public-sector organisations to leverage Google Cloud’s cybersecurity solutions, including CyberShield, the company said Tuesday. CyberShield is a comprehensive offering designed to improve national security through technology, processes and resources for enhanced threat monitoring.

The hiring underscores the growing importance that Google Cloud, a unit of Alphabet Inc., is placing on cybersecurity as it competes against rivals like Amazon.com Inc.’s Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Corp.’s Azure in the cloud-computing market. Governments are key customers for such services.

“Google Cloud is continuously helping governments around the world enhance their security capabilities and respond holistically at the national level to keep their citizens and critical assets safe, and I’m ready to lead the charge to bring these capabilities to the Middle East, Turkey and Africa,” Ms. Al-Sulaiti said.

At Ooredoo Oman, Ms. Al-Sulaiti established herself as the youngest and first female CEO in the company’s history, Google Cloud said. She previously served as CEO of Starlink, a retail and IT service provider in Qatar, and held executive roles at telecom providers in Kuwait.

Ms. Al-Sulaiti has been recognised by publications such as Forbes Middle East as one of the region’s most powerful businesswomen and notable leaders.

Google Cloud said CyberShield provides technology and resources to deliver comprehensive visibility into cyberthreats. The offering can help improve national security while accelerating innovation and supporting continuous cyber defense, according to the company.

Read next: Cloud security myths that could be holding your small business back

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Africa’s Youthful Population a Golden Opportunity, if Nurtured by the Right Ecosystem




Africa’s Youthful Population a Golden Opportunity, if Nurtured by the Right Ecosystem

Africa is on the cusp of an economic transformation driven by its rapidly growing and youthful population. However, capitalising on this demographic dividend hinges on fostering robust entrepreneurial ecosystems, according to Catherine Young, founder of Thinkroom Consulting and Thinkubate.

“Strong, interconnected entrepreneurial ecosystems that help businesses thrive and grow sustainably are the bedrock of good economic growth,” Young emphasises. “An entrepreneurial ecosystem is a supportive network that develops entrepreneurs, nurtures startups and grows existing companies.”

These vital ecosystems typically encompass schools, accelerators, incubators, mentors and coaches, working in tandem to nurture entrepreneurial talent. Young likens them to “an interconnected network of institutions, funders, organisational players, individuals and enterprises with a common goal – to grow economies by enabling entrepreneurs and SMEs.”

Funding: The Lifeblood of Ecosystems

Central to these ecosystems are the active funders, foundations and organisations that invest in and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs. “Without the funds invested in SMEs and entrepreneurs, Africa would not be able to realise the potential of its demographic dividend,” Young argues. “This is why funding plays a crucial role in the development of Africa.”

Collaboration: The Secret Sauce

Collaboration is a crucial feature of effective entrepreneurial ecosystems. When institutions and entrepreneurial support organisations (ESOs) collaborate, they can better achieve their shared goal of building robust economies. “Through collaborative networks, entrepreneurs can get resources, market access, knowledge, insights and the funding needed to thrive,” says Young.

The Pivotal Role of ESOs

ESOs like Thinkroom Consulting play a pivotal role in building entrepreneurial capacity and enabling ecosystems to flourish. Young outlines some of the key ways ESOs contribute:

• Capacity-building programmes that provide coaching, workshops and mentoring to equip founders with essential skills.
• Facilitating access to funding by connecting entrepreneurs with investors.
• Fostering networking opportunities, mentorship and access to new markets.
• Advocating for entrepreneur-friendly policies and lobbying governments.
• Facilitating cluster development by fostering interconnected regional business communities.
• Providing affordable shared office spaces and collaborative working environments.

“ESOs are often the voice of entrepreneurs,” Young explains, “and they play a crucial role in shaping supportive ecosystems.”

By 2050, Africa’s youthful workforce will power an ageing world. However, as Young concludes, “To enable this, big corporations, funders and organisations can achieve more by working with ESOs to build these ecosystems – the future drivers of Africa’s economic growth.”

Read next: Mastercard partners with YES to train and empower South African youth

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AI unlocks $15.7 Trillion opportunity, but hurdles await Africa




AI unlocks $15.7 Trillion opportunity, but hurdles await Africa

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is hard to overstate, with a projected $15.7 trillion contribution to the global economy by 2030, according to PwC estimates. This staggering figure underscores AI’s role as the biggest commercial opportunity in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

In South Africa, major corporations and smaller businesses alike are recognizing AI’s capacity to enhance productivity, elevate customer experiences, and propel growth. However, as detailed in a study by IBM’s Institute for Business Value, local organisations confront numerous obstacles in their quest to modernise and embrace generative AI technologies.

The Barriers

South African businesses grapple with a multitude of challenges, shared by their regional counterparts, including market and regulatory factors, workforce readiness, skills gaps, and ethical and governance concerns. For many local firms, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), navigating these hurdles can be a daunting endeavour.  

Overcoming the Obstacles

The key to unlocking AI’s full potential lies in a robust strategy aligned with specific business goals. “It is critical that CEOs in Africa establish and implement clear and consistent standards concerning the utilisation of AI across all strategic focus areas,” I said. “This will determine the level of investment and, ultimately, an organisation’s success in a rapidly advancing digital economy.”

Collaborative partnerships are critical for filling gaps in skill sets, developing robust data strategies, and guiding the organisational change necessary for successful AI adoption, especially for SMEs.

Umbono Cloud Services exemplifies the power of such partnerships, leveraging IBM’s watsonx and IBM Discovery to build a natural language intelligent assistant capable of assisting businesses with customer service, online purchasing, booking appointments, and more.

Ethics, Governance, and Trust  

As AI adoption accelerates, prioritising ethics, governance, and trust is paramount to ensure the deployment of responsible AI. IBM’s research indicates that investments in AI ethics are growing, projected to reach nearly 9% of AI spending by 2025, up from 3% in 2018.

“Integrating AI in business operations has become a business imperative,” I noted. “But all of these benefits fall away if AI is not implemented responsibly or lacks trust.”

To aid organisations in applying AI responsibly and preparing for forthcoming global regulations, IBM released watsonx.governance last year – an integrated platform to help businesses manage AI at an enterprise scale and adhere to a broad range of AI regulations.

Addressing the Skills Gap

The rising demand for automation across sectors underscores the pressing need to address the AI skills gap. Over the next three years, an estimated 40% of the organisational workforce will require reskilling in AI and automation. 

IBM has committed to democratising AI education, aiming to train two million learners, with a focus on underrepresented communities, in AI over the same period. This initiative will be achieved through collaborations with university partners to deliver AI training and generative AI coursework via IBM SkillsBuild, which offers enhanced access to AI education and in-demand technical roles.

The Future of AI  

As nations worldwide prioritise AI as a strategic asset, South African businesses must stay abreast of emerging trends, such as the rise of enterprise AI, increased use of open-source AI models, the rapid expansion of APIs, and a heightened focus on AI safety and ethics. Embracing these developments will be crucial for maintaining competitiveness and relevance in a digital-first global economy.  

While the journey to AI adoption in South Africa is riddled with challenges, the potential rewards are immense. By embracing a strategic approach, fostering collaboration, prioritising ethics and governance, addressing the skills gap, and staying attuned to emerging trends, local organisations can harness AI’s transformative power to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and propel the country toward a brighter future.

By Ria Pinto, General Manager and Technology Leader, IBM South Africa

Read next: Google leverages AI to combat threats in digital advertising

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Trading Platforms: How Do They Work and How to Choose the Best One?




Trading Platforms: How Do They Work and How to Choose the Best One?

Trading Platforms: How Do They Work and How to Choose the Best One?

Many people decide to become investors and traders in order to make a profit. But to do this properly, they need a good platform, which is not easy, especially when you’re just getting started. When it comes to trading platforms, the internet offers many options, and it’s hard to figure out which one suits your needs and goals the most. 

If you’re in this tough spot, then this article is for you. But first of all, you should probably check the list of brokers offering trading platforms with the most low spreads in the fx industry. Explore the broker reviews on the list, so you can get more information about the pros and cons of each platform offered. Without further ado, let’s get started.

What Is a Trading Platform?

A trading platform refers to a program or online “marketplace” where you can purchase financial products or sell them. They are generally offered by financial institutions and brokerages, and they let you make trades anonymously. 

The transactions are done in a network environment, with the broker serving as the intermediary between the trader and the market. Investors and traders are then able to keep doing transactions and maintain a savings account. 

Trading platforms come in several types. They can be:

• Mobile Trading Platforms – As the name suggests, these platforms work on your smartphone and can be installed on both iOS and Android. You simply need access to Internet to use them. 

• Web-based Trading Platforms – These can be accessed only from your browser. They don’t require any download or installation. You just have to open your preferred browser and access the platforms. However, these options may be a bit limited in terms of features.

• Desktop Trading Platforms – Desktop platforms are downloaded and installed on your laptop and computer. Due to their wide range of features, they represent the most popular option among experienced traders. 

On top of that, trading platforms can also be commercial or proprietary. Commercial ones are made mainly for retail investors and day traders, whereas financial institutions make prop trading platforms for their own activities and purposes.

How to Choose a Trading Platform?

When you’re a beginner, choosing your own trading platform can be very challenging, especially when you are still learning about trades and working on a strategy. But fear not – with a few simple tips, you will be able to select a trading platform that suits your needs without too much hassle. 

Here are some things you need to consider when making a selection:

• User-Friendliness

One of the main things you should pay attention to is whether or not the platform is easy to use. Some programs are more suitable for experienced users, while others are better for beginners. Moreover, certain platforms have more intuitive interfaces and features than others, and this is another thing you must keep in mind. 

User-friendliness and accessibility make the trading experience easier and more convenient for you. Check out the platform’s layout and features to get an idea of how good it would be for you.

• Pay Attention to the Tools

Bear in mind that each trading platform offers different tools. These features can be used to help you during your trades and boost your activity. The best thing to do is go for the ones that will significantly increase your chances of success. There are many tools available, such as indicators, customizable alerts, trading charts, and trading analytics. 

• Platform Costs

You will have to deal with several costs and fees when you use some platforms. So, before you join one and start trading regularly, you should know these fees. In most cases, creating your account is free. However, when you trade on certain stocks, you can expect to pay commissions. 

• Think About What You Want

What are your goals and needs? This is one of the first things you should consider when choosing a trading platform. Since each platform offers a unique experience and different tools, you must find something that aligns with your goals. 

Analyze and compare each platform and pick the one that is equipped accordingly. 

• Look for a Demo Account

One of the easiest ways to choose the right platform is by looking for options with demo accounts. These let you test the waters before you commit, allowing you to become familiar with the features and tools. 

Final Thoughts

It’s not easy to choose a trading platform, but there are some tips to consider. Think about your goals, look for a demo account, check the fees, pay attention to the tools, and search for user-friendly options. This way, you can find something that suits you.

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