Fourteen people walked a 13-mile route to raise funds for a borehole in a Ugandan village. 

Starting from April 2, 2025, citizens of all EU countries, including Bulgaria, will be required to obtain an electronic transit and short-term residence permit to travel to the United Kingdom, even though they currently do not need a visa for short stays. This electronic travel authorization (ETA) must be obtained in advance for trips up to six months for tourism, business, or private visits.

The ETA will remain valid for two years or until the expiration of the passport, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries into the UK for stays of up to six months each. A new ETA will be required if a traveler obtains a new passport.

Applications for the ETA can only be made through the official British government website. The online process will begin on March 5, 2025, requiring a valid passport, a credit or debit card for the £10 fee, and an email address. In most cases, decisions on applications will be made within three working days, though processing may take longer in certain instances.

From April 9, 2025, the cost of the ETA will increase to £16. Travelers from the EU, including Bulgaria, will not be allowed to board planes, trains, or ferries to the UK without a valid ETA. However, possessing an ETA does not guarantee entry into the country.

Certain individuals are exempt from needing an ETA, including those holding a UK visa, British or Irish citizenship, or residency permissions for the UK. The requirement also does not apply to heads of state, diplomatic personnel, or employees of international organizations based in the UK, as well as participants in pre-approved international conferences. Full details on the process and exceptions can be found on the official UK government website. Novinite.com

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed a network infrastructure-sharing agreement in Nigeria and Uganda, aiming to reduce costs and expand mobile connectivity in underserved areas.

Under the agreement, both companies will explore various models of network collaboration, including Radio Access Network sharing and fibre infrastructure partnerships. This could involve the construction of new fibre networks where necessary.

The telecom giants announced the deal on Wednesday, highlighting its role in optimising operational expenses and enhancing service delivery, particularly in rural regions where access to digital services remains limited.

MTN and Airtel, which control 51.79 per cent and 34.11 per cent of Nigeria’s telecom market, respectively, have both been impacted by foreign exchange losses due to the depreciation of the naira.

To mitigate FX exposure, both MTN and Airtel have reduced investments in network infrastructure. This slowdown is part of their strategy to minimise foreign exchange losses and manage rising operational costs, such as surging energy

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita said the demand for data services continues to grow across Africa, reinforcing the need for strategic investments.

“At MTN, we are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress and will continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets.

“To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers. That said, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns,” he said in a statement.

Following the Nigeria and Uganda agreements, both operators are exploring similar infrastructure-sharing opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar described the partnership as a practical approach to building a more extensive digital infrastructure while ensuring cost efficiency.

“As we compete fiercely in the market on the strength of our brand, services and offerings, we are building common infrastructure within the permissible regulatory framework.

“This provides a more robust and extensive digital highway to drive digital and financial inclusion while avoiding duplication of expensive infrastructure to drive operational efficiencies and benefits for our customers,” he said.

Airtel Africa serves over 156 million customers across 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, while MTN Group operates in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, with a customer base of 287 million. By Justice Okamgba, Punch