Category: ICT
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VANKLIA, the automated National Payment System of Vanuatu launched in 2023, faced technical issues affecting all banks. Payments scheduled for August 18, 2025, may be delayed until the problem is resolved. While critical payments will be prioritized, customers are advised to contact their banks for urgent needs and avoid duplicate transactions.
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In August 2025, Australia and Vanuatu established the AU$500 million Nakamal Agreement to boost Vanuatu’s digital infrastructure through two new data centres. Aimed at enhancing secure communications, data storage, and disaster recovery, this initiative promotes digital sovereignty and economic growth while reducing reliance on foreign technology. Construction is set to begin soon.
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Starlink’s Direct to Cell service allows standard 4G LTE mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing traditional towers. Currently available in the U.S. and New Zealand, it promises to enhance connectivity in remote areas like Vanuatu, facilitating emergency communication and supporting various local services, pending regulatory and partnership approvals.
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Ted Waitt, founder of Gateway 2000, transitioned from revolutionizing personal computing to marine conservation, significantly impacting ocean management through the Waitt Foundation. His partnership with Vanuatu led to extensive coral research, earning him a presidential medal for contributions to ocean sustainability, blending innovation with ecological responsibility in his groundbreaking work.
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Vanuatu could consider adding Bitcoin to its national reserves, following examples set by countries like the US, Bhutan, and El Salvador. While this diversification could protect against inflation and foster innovation, it also comes with risks such as volatility, security challenges, and public perception issues. Careful planning and legal changes would be necessary.
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A one-day Virtual Assets (Blockchain) Training will be held in Port Vila this month under the #YumiStanap Vanuatu initiative, aiming to equip financial professionals, regulators, and industry stakeholders with practical, up-to-date knowledge on blockchain, digital currencies, DeFi, and Vanuatu’s new Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Act. As Vanuatu moves toward digital finance, this training will…
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In the age of artificial intelligence, even the past can come alive. AI-powered tools like Deep Nostalgia™, Animate Old Photos, and MyHeritage AI now allow people to animate old photos, bringing still faces to life with blinks, smiles, and subtle head movements. These animations use deep learning and facial motion capture to generate short, realistic…
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In Vanuatu, the concept of a “jobs-pocalypse” is already a reality, as many youth struggle to find well-paying jobs after school. Seasonal work in New Zealand and Australia provides essential income for families despite the emotional toll of leaving home. To combat this, Vanuatu needs to develop local industries and create sustainable job opportunities.
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At the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders’ Summit, leaders endorsed the MSG Travel Card for easier regional travel. This card aims to enhance trade, cultural exchange, and cooperation, particularly benefiting Vanuatu. With modern technology for secure processing, the initiative will be developed under Fiji’s leadership, aligning with Melanesian unity and economic goals.
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The post discusses the challenges Vanuatu artists face with traditional music distribution platforms like Spotify, which require intermediaries for payment. It highlights Tune.FM, a decentralized platform using Hedera Hashgraph, enabling artists to receive instant payments in JAM tokens. The recent Digital Assets Law in Vanuatu supports this innovative model, promoting transparency and legal protections for…
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