ADB approves $47 million loan to support digital transformation of Azerbaijan Railways

ADB approves $47 million loan to support digital transformation of Azerbaijan Railways

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the allocation of a $47 million loan to Azerbaijan for the implementation of the digital transformation project of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY), Azernews reports citing ADY. The loan funds will help Azerbaijan digitize its railway system and increase the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the country’s railway networks. The project also aims to support the digitization of ADY’s core processes, including rail transport management, asset management, investment planning, and the customer data processing system, as well as corporate functions. "The modernized and digital railway system will support Azerbaijan’s main role in connecting the economies of East and Central Asia with the Caucasus and Europe. We are pleased to support this initiative, which will help Azerbaijan maximize its strong potential as a trade and communication hub," said Yevgeny Zhukov, Director General of ADB’s Central and West Asia Regional Department. ADB believes that digitization is crucial for increasing operational efficiency and competitiveness, and for fully exploiting Azerbaijan’s role in regional transit corridors. It will also improve ADY’s operational and financial performance through optimized data management, asset management, and overall rail operations. It should be noted that since Azerbaijan joined the ADB in 1999, the […]

From Black Hawks to digital threads: Lessons in digital transformation from aerospace engineering

From Black Hawks to digital threads: Lessons in digital transformation from aerospace engineering

The Interview Business innovation Aerospace veteran Mike Ambrose shares his insights on pulling off a successful digital transformation in one of the world’s most complex industries…. In an exclusive interview at IMD in Lausanne, Aerospace veteran Mike Ambrose shares valuable insights from his 38-year career at Sikorsky Aircraft, a company that builds military helicopters, owned since 2015 by US defense giant Lockheed Martin. It’s no secret that pulling off a successful digital transformation is no mean feat. In fact, research from McKinsey shows that a staggering 70% fail to meet their original expectations. So, attempting it in a complex industry like aerospace can seem like a Sisyphean task. With its complex engineering systems design, long product life cycles, huge supplier ecosystems, and strict regulatory requirements, it’s a risky business. As the former chief engineer and vice president of engineering and technology at Sikorsky, Ambrose led digital transformation projects including major upgrades to the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, probably the most iconic helicopter in the US military, and revolutionary development aircraft designed and built in a digital environment. Think digital integration before digital transformation One of his key takeaways is the need to first shift the mindset from digital transformation […]

MTN Holds Bilateral Talks with African Leaders to Drive Digital Transformation

MTN Holds Bilateral Talks with African Leaders to Drive Digital Transformation

MTN Group recently participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), engaging with ministers and heads of state from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda. The company was represented by Chairman Mcebisi Jonas, President and CEO Ralph Mupita, Senior Vice President of Markets Ebenezer Asante, MTN Nigeria Chairman Ernest Ndukwe, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, and Acting Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer Thato Motlanthe. MTN’s leadership held meaningful discussions with several esteemed leaders, including President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, as well as key South African ministers Ronald Lamola, Solly Malatsi, and Parks Tau. In Nigeria, MTN representatives met with ministers Yusuf Tuggar, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and Dr. Aminu Maida, and in Rwanda, they engaged with Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation. The conversations focused on advancing Africa’s digital economy, fostering investment, and strengthening public-private partnerships across the continent. MTN emphasized its commitment to collaborating with these governments in realizing a more connected and inclusive future for Africa. The engagements reflect MTN’s ongoing role in shaping Africa’s digital transformation, driving connectivity, and building sustainable digital infrastructure.

Ghanaian president, AfCFTA secretary general, and business leaders drive digital innovation at Africa Soft Power Symposium

Ghanaian president, AfCFTA secretary general, and business leaders drive digital innovation at Africa Soft Power Symposium

#Featuredpost Africa Soft Power Symposium This week, global policymakers, industry leaders, and experts convened in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where side events tackled a broad range of topics. Among them, the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium , organized by Africa Soft Power (ASP) in collaboration with Convene Africa, brought a sharp focus on remittances and the need for a unified digital economy across the African continent. ADVERTISEMENT Recommended articles leaders Nigeria’s N30 trillion Ways and Means debt fully repaid – President Tinubu leaders UNGA 2024: Women in Philanthropy and Impact Africa (WIPIA) set for New York launch at Goals House leaders Key takeaways from President Ruto’s United Nations General Assembly speech The symposium, which is part of ASP’s ongoing mission to amplify underrepresented African voices in global conversations, gathered a diverse range of influential figures. Notable attendees included H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom Group; H.E. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of Gambia; Joy Kategekwa, Director of Regional Integration at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group; Jules Ngankam, CEO of the African Guarantee Fund; […]

Build-A-Bear Workshop: Digital Transformation, Different Stores, And Undervalued

Build-A-Bear Workshop: Digital Transformation, Different Stores, And Undervalued

Summary Build-A-Bear Workshop’s expansion into digital and diverse store formats, including tourist destinations, is expected to boost net sales growth and free cash flow. Partnerships with well-known brands like Pokémon, Disney, and Nintendo are likely to accelerate revenue growth and enhance product offerings for kids and adults. The company’s share repurchase programs and special dividends are anticipated to attract new investors and potentially increase the stock’s fair price. Despite risks from marketing strategies, mall traffic, and economic factors, BBW appears significantly undervalued.

Redefining work with AI agents: The next frontier in digital transformation

Redefining work with AI agents: The next frontier in digital transformation

[Images: Adobe Stock / ipopba] The terms “digital workers,” “digital agents,” and “AI agents” have frequently been used interchangeably in industry discussions, especially with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, generative AI, and automation. While artificial general intelligence (AGI)—where machines learn and think like humans—is at least a few decades away , the terms above reflect the growing reality that technology is reshaping how businesses operate today. The distinctions between them may be subtle, but the overarching goal remains consistent: to leverage AI, machine learning, robotic process automation (RPA)/workflows, and data analytics to automate complex business functions traditionally managed by humans. WHAT IS AN AI AGENT, AND HOW READY ARE WE? AI agents are digital entities designed to emulate human workers by automating various tasks while allowing humans to collaborate and maintain overall control. As Forrester describes, AI agents are “a combination of [intelligent automation] IA building blocks, such as conversational intelligence and [robotic process automation] RPA, that work alongside employees. They understand human intent, respond to questions, and take action on the human’s behalf, leaving humans with control, authority, and an enhanced experience.” Subscribe to the Compass Newsletter.Fast Company’s trending stories delivered to you daily Privacy Policy | […]

5 Ways to Advance Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

5 Ways to Advance Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

​5 ways to advance digital transformation in manufacturing In the digital age, long-standing manufacturing companies must adopt new technologies to streamline their processes and stay competitive in the market. However, it can be overwhelming for leaders to know where to start or what to do next. Fortunately, digital transformation doesn’t have to happen all at once. Manufacturing leaders can focus on using current technology in a specific business area, division, location, or function before implementing new technology across the entire business. This gradual approach can yield meaningful digital transformation improvements while minimizing unnecessary disruption to the business. Regardless of where companies are in their digital transformation journey, Microsoft™ solutions can help leaders achieve their goals. 5 ways manufacturing companies can accelerate digital transformation 5 areas where manufacturing companies can accelerate digital transformation Unify business systems While manufacturing merger and acquisition (M&A) activity was stable in 2023 , initial results and forecasts for 2024 indicate a growing transaction market. One disruptive result of most M&A activity is the business functioning with multiple systems and various processes across facilities. Regardless of what causes companies to operate with multiple, disparate systems, not having a unified platform can make it difficult for executives […]

Digital Transformation: Temenos Enters Agreement with Bahwan CyberTek

Digital Transformation: Temenos Enters Agreement with Bahwan CyberTek

Temenos ( SIX: TEMN ) announced that it has signed a Multi-Country Model Bank development agreement with Bahwan CyberTek (BCT) , a global digital transformation company. Temenos Country Model Banks offer financial institutions a faster go-live experience with Temenos solutions, “while simultaneously reducing costs and risks through pre-configured banking functionality and country-specific localization.” The agreement will see BCT develop “further and market Temenos Country Model Banks, using the latest cloud-native technology and extensibility framework, for financial institutions in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines and Taiwan.” Additionally, BCT becomes the Temenos preferred upgrade “partner for banks in these markets.” Country Model Banks are a key “differentiator for Temenos and through such agreements, Temenos can scale this competitive advantage, with partners further developing and building new model banks compatible with Temenos’ composable banking solutions and SaaS offerings.” With a network of 4,500 product engineering and digital services practitioners and consultants, BCT will “support Temenos clients’ modernization programs.” BCT has committed to invest in “developing localized functionality to further enhance the Temenos Model Banks for financial institutions in the seven countries.” This new agreement extends the “close collaboration between the two companies with BCT signing a strategic agreement with Temenos […]