Tech
Why Digital Public Infrastructure is Africa’s Game-Changer (AcadPass™ Explained)
Why Digital Public Infrastructure is Africa’s Game-Changer (AcadPass™ Explained)
By Al Humphrey Onyanabo
AcadPass™ is a bold and vibrant innovation created by Creestgate Limited, a Nigerian company harnessing homegrown talent to design transformative digital solutions for Africa. This pioneering digital ecosystem exemplifies how local expertise can address continent-wide challenges in education, identity, and access, while setting a new standard for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Africa stands at the brink of a historic transformation. With its young population, rapidly expanding urban centres, and the urgent need for inclusive development, the continent has both the challenge and opportunity to redefine how its people access essential services.
At the heart of this transformation lies Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—a framework that empowers governments, institutions, and communities to deliver secure, scalable, and equitable digital solutions. AcadPass™ leads this charge, bridging gaps in education, access, and identity across Africa, all powered by Nigerian innovation.
What is Digital Public Infrastructure?
Digital Public Infrastructure refers to the shared digital systems, platforms, and standards that enable societies to thrive in the digital age. Just as roads, railways, and electricity were foundational to the industrial era, digital identity, secure data exchanges, and access platforms form the bedrock of today’s interconnected world. DPI ensures that essential digital services are not locked behind exclusivity but instead become accessible, reliable, and inclusive for all citizens.
Across the globe, DPI has proven to be a game-changer. India’s Aadhaar system, for instance, demonstrates how digital identity can revolutionise financial inclusion, welfare distribution, and governance. Africa, with its unique challenges and vast potential, requires homegrown solutions tailored to its educational, economic, and cultural realities.
Why Africa Needs DPI
Africa’s demographic realities present both an urgency and an opportunity. With over 60% of the population under the age of 25, education and access to opportunities are critical for sustained growth. However, fragmented systems, poor record-keeping, and inadequate infrastructure often exclude millions from equitable access to learning, mobility, and empowerment.
Without DPI, the continent risks falling further behind in the global digital economy. With it, Africa can leapfrog traditional barriers, creating inclusive digital ecosystems that empower students, institutions, and entire communities.
AcadPass™: Africa’s DPI for Education and Access
AcadPass™ is a visionary initiative designed to function as a Digital Public Infrastructure for Africa’s education and identity ecosystem. It provides a secure, interoperable, and scalable platform that enables students, educators, and institutions to thrive in a connected world.
At its core, AcadPass™ addresses one of Africa’s most persistent challenges: the lack of a unified, verifiable, and accessible system for academic identity and access management.
Through smart ID systems, access control, and digital verification, AcadPass™ ensures that students can seamlessly access campuses, online resources, and cross-border opportunities. This infrastructure not only enhances security but also unlocks mobility and trust, making education more inclusive and globally competitive.
Alignment with the African Union and World Bank Vision
AcadPass™ is not a standalone innovation; it aligns with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) and the World Bank’s push for inclusive digital economies. By building DPI that is scalable, interoperable, and accessible, AcadPass™ contributes to the AU’s ambition of a digitally empowered Africa and the World Bank’s vision of shared prosperity through digital inclusion.
How AcadPass™ Works
At the heart of AcadPass™ is a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to simplify, secure, and enrich the student and institutional experience. Key components include:
Digital Passport – The central hub of a student’s academic identity, providing secure verification and seamless access to educational and institutional services.
School Handbook – A digital guide containing institutional policies, academic calendars, and essential resources, ensuring students and staff are always informed.
Smart ID – A secure, multi-functional ID that grants access to physical and digital facilities across campuses.
AcadLife – A platform connecting students with learning resources, events, and community engagement opportunities.
Zena AI – An intelligent assistant that helps students navigate academic schedules, course selection, and personalised learning pathways.
AcadMart – A digital marketplace where students can access books, materials, and other essential services conveniently.
AcadPass Debit Card – A financial tool linked to the AcadPass account for cashless transactions on and off campus.
AcadPass Healthcare Card – Provides streamlined access to healthcare services, ensuring students’ well-being is supported wherever they are.
Together, these tools create a unified, secure, and accessible digital environment, transforming how students interact with their campuses and empowering them to thrive academically and socially.
Why AcadPass™ is Africa’s Game-Changer
AcadPass™ is transformative because it does not just solve today’s problems; it anticipates tomorrow’s needs. By serving as a trusted DPI, it enables governments, universities, and private partners to build on its infrastructure for innovation.
From campus safety to international scholarships, from financial services to career mobility, AcadPass™ opens doors to endless opportunities. It redefines the African student experience, secures campuses, and empowers the next generation with tools to compete in a globalised economy.
Open for Partnerships
Creestgate Limited, the driving force behind AcadPass™, recognises that building a truly inclusive digital public infrastructure requires collaboration. We are open to strategic partnerships with governments, institutions, development organisations, and private sector players who share the vision of a digitalised and empowered Africa.
Conclusion
Digital Public Infrastructure is Africa’s game-changer, and AcadPass™ stands as a bold step toward realising this potential. By bridging gaps in access, connectivity, and education, it is positioning Africa’s youth for success in the digital era.
The journey has begun—and with collaboration, innovation, and resilience, Africa’s future is digital, inclusive, and unstoppable.
Tech
Global nuclear technology takes a major leap with installation of Core Catcher at El-Dabaa NPP
Global nuclear technology takes a major leap with installation of Core Catcher at El-Dabaa NPP
Nuclear energy technology has recorded a major milestone as specialists started to install the core catcher body at Unit 2 of El-Dabaa NPP in the Arab Republic of Egypt ahead of schedule. The Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division is the general designer and general contractor.
The official ceremony dedicated to the commencement of the core catcher installation was attended by Dr. Amged El-Wakeel, Board Chairman of Nuclear Power Plants Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt (NPPA), Eng. Mohamed Ramadan, Deputy Board Chairman of NPPA, Mr. Andrey Petrov, Rosatom State Corporation First Deputy General Director for Nuclear Energy – ASE JSC President, Mr. Alexey Zhukov, ASE JSC First Vice President for Construction, Mr. Alexey Kononenko, ASE JSC Vice President – Director for the El-Dabaa NPP Construction Project, as well as project teams of the Rosatom Engineering Division and the Nuclear Power Plants Authority of Egypt.
“Our project continues to develop rapidly. The installation of the core catcher at power unit two is one of the key construction milestones planned for 2024, which was completed ahead of schedule in November 2023. It is worth mentioning that less than two months ago, namely in October, we installed a core catcher at power unit one which demonstrated almost simultaneous construction of the first and second power units.
By the end of this year, we plan the first concreting in the foundation slab of power unit four; therefore, it will spell the end of the preparatory period of and the transition to, the main stage of the four-unit El Dabaa NPP construction. This is the result of the coordinated work of the Owner and the General Contractor’s united team”, said Andrey Petrov.
Dr. El-Wakeel expressed his appreciation to all the workers from the Egyptian and Russian sides, adding that “what the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant site is witnessing today is not the result of coincidence, but rather the consequence of diligent and unrelenting efforts from all Project participants working day and night in order to reach the Project’s milestones. This could not have been achieved without determination, persistence and ceaseless diligent work.”
The core catcher consists of several elements whose total weight amounts to 700 tons.
In October 2023, the similar equipment was installed at power unit No. 1.
El-Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt which will be built in the city of El-Dabaa, Matrouh province, on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 km North-West of Cairo. The NPP will consist of four power units, 1200 MW each, with generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors (pressurized water reactors). This is the newest generation technology which has references and is already operating successfully. There are four operational power units of this generation: two reactors at Novovoronezh NPP and two at Leningrad NPP. Outside Russia, one power unit of Belarus NPP with VVER-1200 reactor was connected to the grid in November 2020.
The NPP is being constructed in accordance with the package of contracts which entered into force on December 11, 2017. In accordance with the contractual obligations, the Russian party will not only construct the power plant but will also supply nuclear fuel for the whole life cycle of the NPP and will provide assistance to the Egyptian partners in training of the personnel and support of operation and service of the plant during the first 10 years of its operation. Under a separate agreement, the Russian party will build a special storage and will supply containers for storing spent nuclear fuel.
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Why you should get the all new OPPO A78 device
Why you should get the all new OPPO A78 device
Sahara Weekly Reports That The most amazing experience in the 21st century is the swift transition in technological evolution. Only a few years ago a cell phone was only confined to making calls and sending SMS messages. Today, there is just so much more you can do with a mobile phone and that’s on the technological advancements of the times we live in. A mobile phone has moved from just a communication tool to being an important companion meeting different needs as they arise on a very regular basis.
Here are five interesting features of the new OPPO A78 that will blow the minds of its teeming customers across the country.
Trendy design that gets you noticed
The OPPO A78 takes your attention from the very first moment you behold it and that’s thanks to its Ultra Slim Retro design that stands it out in midst of so many mobile devices. Its 2.5D right-angled middle frame and smoothed edges gives it an unmatched sleek appearance. Contributing to its comfort design is the device’s 180-gram weight and 7.93mm thinness which makes it very easy to hold and carry around in one’s pocket.
The OPPO A78 is available in two colour options, with both having their unique character. Inspired by water, the Aqua Green model has been crafted using a double-layer process to superimpose a Diamond Matrix Design on a water-green base layer. The Mist Black variant, on the other hand, uses the OPPO Glow process to add a CD texture to the coating layer and it gives the phone a unique metallic gloss.
Excellent cameras to capture those special moments
The photography experience on the OPPO A78 is powered by its super 50MP dual camera setup. The camera showcases details in both shadows and highlights irrespective of whether the photos were taken in daylight or at night. The complementary 2MP depth camera is a great addition as it facilitates truly awesome portrait shots. And then there’s the 8MP front camera, which apart from producing stunning selfies, it also countryside Dual-View Video that allows you shoot simultaneously with the front and rear cameras to combine them into a single frame for fun and stylish vlogs.
Long-lasting battery that will keep your device unplugged through the day
All day companionship and entertainment are guaranteed, thanks to the adoption of a 5,000mAh battery. There are no significant drops in the battery percentage even after playing games on the device for a longtime. The battery allows the phone to offer 30.75 hours of talk time and a whopping 658.71 hours of standby time. Like other OPPO phones, it offers Battery Health Engine which extends the battery life to 4 years. The OPPO A78 offers one of the fastest flash charging speeds on any smartphone in its price range. The A78 can be fully charged in just 44 minutes.
For office workers who often leave their phones connected to a charger throughout the day, Optimized All-Day Charging can automatically stop charging the battery when it reaches 80% capacity and then resume charging to 100% just in time for the end of work. This reduces constant charging of the battery to improve safety and overall battery longevity.
Binge-watching?
A78 Immersive Audio-Visual has got you covered!
If you are the sort of person who likes to watch movies and videos on the go and your phone is usually your go-to device for this job, then the OPPO A78 is surely your most reliable companion because it is designed as an entertainment powerhouse. It holds a 90Hz 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display that showcases its visuals in vivid detail. While watching contents from streaming services providers, the device produces colours that are impeccably accurate and contrast levels are superb as well. The A78 also provides more immersive and crystal-clear surround sound through its Dual Stereo Speakers and Real HD Sound 3.0, delivering optimal sound adjusted for different scenarios such as music, video and gaming.
Durable like no other
In the present scheme of things where people have had to make adjustments owing to the prevailing economic circumstances the country and indeed the world over, it is only right for manufacturers to produce devices that will perform optimally for a good number of years. The A78 is a device built with a long -lasting battery life that would serve its purpose for up to four years.
The A78 is powered by the Snapdragon® 680 Mobile Platform, delivering powerful performance with optimized power consumption built for everyday tasks. The phone features an 8GB RAM + 128/256GB ROM configuration with up to 1TB of additional storage through the SD card slot. It also includes OPPO’s RAM Expansion technology, which can be used to temporarily convert free ROM space into a maximum of 8GB of RAM to keep the phone running smoothly during heavy-load scenarios.
Tech
Artificial Intelligence Can Now Steal Your Passwords With 100% Accuracy
Artificial Intelligence Can Now Steal Your Passwords With 100% Accuracy
PASSWORD- Hacking is becoming easier day by day, and now let’s explore how keyboard button presses are used for hacking.
With the help of AI, you can easily be hacked by keyboard keystroke sounds
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a new method. They have introduced AI tools that can determine all your passwords from keystrokes. In other words, when you type, the AI can analyze the keystrokes and accurately determine your passwords with 100% accuracy.
Researchers train the AI model using keystrokes(sound) as keywords. The same keystrokes are then listened to by this AI model, which is later implemented on a smartphone.
It uses the microphone to capture the sound of keystrokes and then replicates this sound on a MacBook, accurately noting the keystrokes with a 100% accuracy rate.
The team applied the same method during a Zoom call, where they were able to determine the victim’s password by listening to the sound of their keystrokes with a 93% accuracy rate. They also conducted a similar experiment on Skype, achieving an accuracy rate of 91.7%.
While artificial intelligence has made things easier in many aspects, it has also introduced significant challenges. We now need to be vigilant everywhere in our lives to prevent hacking. To safeguard against this, you can employ various strategies, such as using a high-quality keyboard that doesn’t produce distinctive sounds. This way, the AI model won’t be able to accurately listen to your keystrokes and compromise your security.
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