Editor’s Note: This is a 2nd post by Angello Obel on his “Future 101” series . The series seeks to explore the most futuristic concepts and technologies that you might have heard about and several you might have missed. His first article was on Tissue Engineering and 3D bio-printing and now he talks about the possibilities in Mobile money and banking.
First some clarification, a mobile money service isn’t necessarily a mobile banking service. MTN mobile money for instance is more western union than it is a banking service. It is more a money transfer platform than it is a savings platform. Economists often equate savings with investments because savings in a bank or other fund are typically invested in various ventures. Money transfer platforms typically make the bulk of their revenue from fees, savings and banking platforms make the bulk of their revenue from investments and interest.
To significantly increase the savings rate and improve financial services accessibility, mobile money would have to be a true banking platform. As a mobile banking platform, we can expect a lot of changes from what the system looks like today. Advanced mobile banking already exists in the world however since it didn’t evolve as the predominant form of payments and banking, what mobile banking in the developed world develops into might be a very different animal. Here is a rosy outlook on some of its features:
Extremely low transaction fees
Several banks in Uganda such as Stanbic bank already offer free digital transactions between accounts on its online banking platform. Part of the reason is that digital transactions cost the bank a very tiny fraction of what cash transactions cost and no money actually leaves the bank. With digital transactions they don’t have to pay a teller, they don’t have to pay for the security to make sure bank staff behaves. They have to pay much less in insurance. No armoured trucks to move the cash around, its just changing a few fields in a database. Cash is well understood to be the most expensive form of payments. Since banks today largely support a cash economy, their costs are likewise high. Once mobile money operators are allowed and start investing deposits the way banks do, they’ll be able to run without charging fees, they’ll even pay you an interest.
Standardization
Right now all mobile money service providers are pretty independent and each is running the service on their own proprietary system configurations and designs. However, just like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard(PCI-DSS) creates security standards adhered to by the world’s major debit, credit, prepaid, e-purse, ATM, and POS cards; Eventually a standards body will be formed that will create standards for mobile money systems. It might even be the PCI-DSS that does this as they are probably the closest thing to experts in this nascent field in the world.
UCC and the Bank of Uganda will push the mobile money service providers towards forming or joining a standards body. The ISO , IEEE , ITU and a other global standards bodies will provide significant input to it to make sure the standards are international. With time we’ll start hearing Mobile money service providers talking about things like ‘MMI-DSS certification.’
These standards will define specifications for many different communication technologies such as cellular GSM networks, IP networks, Bluetooth LE and Near Field Communication (NFC).
Interoperability
Standardisation will lead to interoperability between mobile banking networks and even across international boundaries. This will mostly work off the same standards international banking and money transfers use today, just optimised for fast mobile transactions.
A public Standardised Mobile Money API
An Application Programming Interface or API is like it says an interface through which one application interacts with other applications. Typically an application’s API defines what kind of access that other applications have to it.
Part of the standardisation of mobile money will be defining a specification for an API. If ever mobile money is to be opened up to global e-commerce and allow innovative new applications to be built by third parties, there will have to be an API for it. A public standardised API will have better security and thus be more open than current closed, private APIs that mobile money service providers are using with the few partners they have now.
Network agnosticism
The future of mobile money is network agnostic, you will not need to be on a particular network to access the mobile money services. We received a hint of that lately when Airtel released an Airtel money application that doesn’t require you to have an Airtel SIM card to use.
The Internet Protocol suite that the internet runs on has a layered architecture; Modern telecommunications including cellular networks are supported by Internet Protocol(IP) networks. The IP networks separate applications from the networks they ran on. Mobile money will follow this design logic. The proliferation of smart phones means that richer IP based services will take over from the USSD based interface ( with its problems ) mobile money currently uses.
Phone number agnostic
Today, the key identifier on mobile money platforms is also a phone number. This means that people doing mobile money transactions are leaving their phone numbers everywhere. This is not ideal. While it is useful that a seller confirm that it is you who sent the money, you might not want to leave your phone number with every one you carry out transactions with. Instead of your phone number being used for your mobile money identity, or perhaps including it, mobile money will adopt the numbering format used by banks for credit and debit cards, this will make future interoperability that much easier. Separating the phone number from your mobile money account ID will also enable another feature …
Multi-User accounts and multiple account users
Divorcing the phone number from the account identity will allow for people to control multiple accounts from the same device or multiple users to have access to a single account, optionally with different access rights and limitations per user. This will be of particular use to the corporate world and organizations where access rights are often shared among multiple individuals. Just like joint bank accounts joint mobile money accounts would also be possible.
Integrated digital invoicing and receipt system
Since a lot of transactions people make involve invoicing and/or receipts the standards body will define a specification for digital invoices and receipts for mobile money transactions. This will increase the appeal to businesses and people who would like more accountability. Digital records of transactions such as receipts and invoices will also help people trust digital financial services a lot more.
Escrow features and smart transactions
Credit and Debit cards already have escrow features. This is where an amount of money on your account is held/frozen pending the fulfilment of some condition, after which it is transferred to the vendor or returned to you if the condition is not fulfilled. This will enable services like pre-orders for products and more complex transactions. It will also help to build trust in the system. When it comes to transactions. And when it comes to people and their money, trust is everything.
These are by no means the only features that define an advanced mobile banking ecosystem. These are just the ones I could fit in here and still call this an article and not an e-book. Future 101 will discuss more of mobile money and mobile banking in the future.
Featured Image: By Intel Free Press [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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12 years ago some smart people modified an inkjet printer and cartridge to enable it to print out living tissue. Since then, working heart valves , liver tissue and kidneys have been made outside the body using the body’s own cells. In 2011, Anthony Atala, a surgeon at the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine presented one of the then most popular Ted Talks (embedded above) discussing regenerative tissue engineering. Now, 2015 is likely to see the first transplant ready 3D printed organ.
Tissue Engineering and 3D bioprinting get round one of transplant medicine’s biggest problems, compatibility. Often, they can’t just transplant anyone’s organ into you, it has to be a match for your body otherwise your body’s immune system will reject it and attack it. Even successful transplant recipients are often long on immunosuppressant drugs. 3D printing organs gets around this by using your own cells to grow you new tissue. Since it’s your own cells being used to grow you new tissue, the chance of your body rejecting the new tissue is greatly reduced.
In an over simplified nutshell here’s how it works; Say a patient is in need of some new tissue or replacement organs, instead of getting on the transplant wait list and waiting for a compatible donor organ to be found, a sample of the patients own existing tissue is taken out and the cells separated. These cells are then multiplied in a nutrient bath. The cells are then added to a scaffold where they will multiply into the desired shape.
Decellularized mouse heart (7) with dye(8)
In 2008, researchers at the University of Minnesota showed that it is possible to remove all the cells from an organ using enzymes and detergents(yes detergents!) in a process called decellularization which exposes what is called the extracellular matrix (ECM) which is the scaffold that provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells. In 2013, another group of researchers took it a step further . They stripped a mouse’s heart of it’s cells exposing its translucent ECM. They then went ahead to inject the mouse ECM with Human heart cells and provided nutrients for the heart cells to multiply. 20 days later the human heart cells had multiplied into the mouse ECM and the had a beating mouse heart made up of human heart cells.
The potential of tissue engineering is a future where if you need a heart transplant, your own cells could be used to grow you a new heart in a lab over a few weeks instead of waiting months or years for a compatible transplant candidate. Even if your organs are just old, cells preserved from your younger days could be used to grow you younger organs. Tissue engineering doesn’t only apply in medicine, it can also be used to create lab grown meat for consumption (Which we’ll cover in-vitro meat later in Future 101). Further ahead we might be able to engineer less homogenous parts of the body like entire limbs.
There are still many challenges to overcome however many research institutes and companies like Organovo are investing and steadily advancing the field beyond what we thought possible a few years ago. I for one, will welcome our faux meat future!
I wonder what vegetarians will say about petri dish meat that an animal didn’t have to die for!
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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