Initial focus areas include:

• Sustainable and Secure AI Co-Development: The companies will develop sustainable and highly secure private AI solutions for organizations in regulated sectors such as financial services, insurance, defense, and the public sector. The companies will provide end-to-end solutions from infrastructure to business processes powered by AI applications for clients operating on private clouds.

• AI-Driven Innovation for IT Infrastructure & Customer Experience: The companies will pioneer the integration of Mistral AI technologies into NTT DATA’s customer experience platforms, beginning with agentic AI call center solutions in Europe and Asia Pacific. Joint projects could include co-development of LLMs for specific languages, which will further AI innovation tailored to local markets and specialized needs.

• Go-To-Market Expansion: NTT DATA and Mistral AI will jointly develop and execute regional go-to-market strategies tailored to the unique dynamics of countries, including France, Luxembourg, Spain, Singapore, and Australia. End-to-end AI services will range from use-case development and customization to implementation, support, and managed services. Dedicated sales teams will be assigned to address key client needs and priorities.

To drive innovation and implementation excellence, NTT DATA will establish a Mistral AI Center of Excellence staffed with subject matter experts and dedicated resources. In addition, Mistral AI will launch a technical enablement and certification program for NTT DATA personnel.

Abhijit Dubey, CEO and Chief AI Officer*, NTT DATA, Inc.

Arthur Mensch, CEO, Mistral AI.

Brochmann Laurent, Global Chief Digital Officer, Dennemeyer.

In another early effort, NTT DATA Luxembourg and Mistral AI will co-develop a sovereign platform in Luxembourg for clients in the regulated financial services and insurance industries.

Olivier Posty, Head of France and Luxembourg, NTT DATA.

* Additional role effective Sept. 1, 2025

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INDIA: In a landmark move to strengthen Regional energy security and support the clean energy transition, Tata Power Company Ltd (Tata Power), one of India’s largest integrated power companies, has entered into a strategic partnership with Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd (DGPC), a subsidiary of Druk Holding and Investments Limited, sole generation utility of Bhutan, to collaborate and develop at least 5,000 MW of clean energy generation capacity in Bhutan.

This is in keeping with Bhutan’s vision for its energy sector which is to take its overall generation capacity to 25,000 MW by 2040 for its energy security and regional energy integration. Bhutan plans to achieve this target through diversification in its energy portfolio beyond traditional hydropower, which would include solar and geothermal energy. This will extend to diversifying project structuring and financing through such strategic partnerships.

With the support of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India, this marks the largest partnership between two of the leading power companies of the two nations in Asia’s clean energy sector. Both companies have a stellar track record in the energy sector and a long-standing relationship having worked together for over 15 years.

This strategic partnership signifies Tata Power’s pre-eminence as the most preferred clean energy partner not only in India but also as a regional leader. This partnership will help unleash Bhutan’s great potential for hydropower and its important role in ensuring energy security in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at Thimphu in Bhutan between Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD – DGPC and Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD – Tata Power, in the esteemed presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay; Minister for Energy & Natural Resources, Lyonpo Gem Tshering; Chairman – Tata Sons, Mr

N. Chandrasekaran; Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Mr Sudhakar Dalela; and other senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan, Embassy of India, DGPC and Tata Power.

Through the collaboration, at least 5,000 MW of renewable energy projects; including 4,500 MW of hydropower comprising the 1,125 MW Dorjilung HEP; 740 MW Gongri Reservoir; 1,800 MW Jeri Pumped Storage; and 364 MW Chamkharchhu IV will be developed in phases together. Another 500 MW of Solar projects will be developed by Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power.

As a precursor to this collaboration, Tata Power recently acquired a 40% stake for Nu/INR

8.30 billion in the 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydroelectric Project where an investment of over Nu/INR 69 billion will be made to develop the project.

Tata Power has had a long-standing relationship with DGPC since 2008 when the two companies joined forces to successfully develop the 126 MW Dagachhu Hydropower Plant as the first Public Private Partnership in Bhutan’s hydropower sector.

Tata Power also has a transmission project of a 1,200 km long Tala transmission line that evacuates clean power from Bhutan to India.

Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, of Tata Power, said, “Tata Power’s partnership with Druk Green Power Corporation reinforces our credentials as the most preferred clean energy partner in the region. Together, we are building 5000 MW of clean energy capacity that will help harness Bhutan’s hydropower potential and support both countries’ growing energy demands with reliable and round-the-clock clean energy supply. Together we are shaping a new energy era.”

Tata Power has emerged as a leader in the renewable energy space, with a robust clean and green portfolio crossing 12.9 GW (6.4 GW operational, 6.5 GW under construction) which constitutes 42% of its total capacity, and is well-positioned to expand this to 70% by 2030. Tata Power has over 100 years of experience in hydropower generation and is emerging as a key player in pumped hydro storage projects. The Company is committed to supporting India’s successful energy transition.

Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, DGPC said, “This strategic partnership with Tata Power is in keeping with Bhutan’s aspirations to maximize benefits to the people of Bhutan through fast-tracking the harnessing of its huge renewable energy resources for its economic development and long-term energy security. Bhutan places a lot of confidence in Tata Power and the partnership to deliver on these expectations.”

With Bhutan’s economy projected to grow by 7.2% in FY25, the country’s energy requirements are bound to increase. Largely driven by hydropower—a vital part of Bhutan’s economy, capitalizing on this national asset will ensure that its growing power demands are met while also ensuring economic benefits including green job creation and infrastructure development.

Bhutan’s hydropower generation which peaks during the monsoon months complements India’s demand patterns that also peak in the summer months. More importantly, Bhutan sees its hydropower as critical in ensuring round-the-clock availability of power with India’s

huge investments in renewables such as solar and wind and the plans to further accelerate investments in these renewables over the next two decades. With the recent agreement reached for Bangladesh to import power from Nepal through India, there are also growing opportunities for regional energy integration that would boost investments in Bhutan’s hydropower.

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MUMBAI: IBM (NYSE: IBM) & Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (Mahindra Finance) today announced a strategic collaboration to build a super app that would serve as a single digital interface for consumers to access multiple businesses within Mahindra Finance.

This app will enable consumers from both metros and non-metros to have 24×7 digital access to avail and manage products & solutions in a secure, streamlined, and simple manner. This would be by housing Mahindra Finance’s various vehicle and non-vehicle lending businesses, including personal loans, enterprise loans, mortgage loans, leasing solutions, payments, fixed deposits, insurance solutions, and other investment & wealth management solutions under one roof. The app will further provide superior and immersive experiences to the customers of Mahindra Finance and strengthen the company’s position as the financial solutions partner of choice for emerging India.

Speaking on the development, Raul Rebello, MD & CEO-Designate, Mahindra Finance said, “We at Mahindra Finance are keen to accelerate delivery of our digital financial solutions to better serve our customers. The super app is a strategic lever that will expedite the growth of key businesses in an operationally efficient manner that combines omnichannel capabilities. It will also empower us to create hyper-personalised solutions for emerging India”. 

“Super apps have the potential to bring a paradigm shift in the financial services industry, enabling significantly superior customer engagement and unleashing new business models,” said Rishi Aurora, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting India & South Asia. “Having worked with multiple financial organizations that are in different stages of their growth journeys in India and across the world, we are happy to collaborate with Mahindra Finance in their endeavor to build a seamless digital journey. Leveraging future-ready hybrid cloud capabilities, the super app will help Mahindra Finance move up the value chain through unique differentiated customer experiences.”

IBM Consulting will leverage human-centered design methodology to enhance the super app experience, covering every stage of the customer journey. This approach will involve integrating a deep understanding of Mahindra Finance’s customer needs with superior application UI design to offer an experience that creates customer value as well as unlocks business value for the company. At the foundation level, IBM Consulting will bring cloud transformation and cloud management expertise to help design a secure, scalable, and resilient digital platform architecture to be deployed on a hybrid multi-cloud environment that will enable easy integration of new technologies in the future, including generative AI.

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INDIA: Primetals Technologies and JSW Steel USA have agreed to upgrade the slab casting infrastructure at its Mingo Junction, Ohio, plant. The project encompasses steelmaking, secondary metallurgy, and continuous casting processes, the project is expected to enable JSW Steel USA to produce a wider range of sophisticated slab steels to diversify its product portfolio for additional markets.

Work on the project has begun and is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2025.

Installing the largest vacuum tank degasser in North America

Primetals Technologies will install a 230-metric-ton vacuum tank degasser (VTD) with a dry mechanical vacuum pump system. This will be North America’s largest twin station vacuum tank degasser (VTD), allowing JSW Steel USA to produce cleaner steel and reduce levels of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur in different process steps.

“JSW Steel USA wanted to install this VTD at their existing Mingo Junction site with significant footprint and height restrictions,” said Joerg Buttler, Head of Upstream Business for Primetals Technologies USA. “Working closely with JSW’s Mingo team, we were able to create a custom design that worked for the space, budget, and metallurgical targets.”

The VTD design includes all the mechanical and electrical equipment for the plant, including the mechanical dry pumps, vacuum filters, and dust catcher. It includes integrating new material handling technologies, associated auxiliary systems, metallurgical process models, and complete Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems.

“We look forward to the successful completion of these upgrades to strengthen our service capabilities and meet the growing needs of the renewable energy and infrastructure markets while in line with the Build America – Buy America Act (BABAA),” said Jonathan Shank, Chief Operating Officer of JSW Steel USA – Mingo Junction. “The project will strengthen our commitment to sustainability while providing additional momentum for growth by widening our product portfolio.”

Remarkably short downtime for the caster upgrade

For the 2-strand continuous caster upgrade, the project scope includes key mechanical equipment, Level 1 automation for strand No. 2, a complete Level 2 automation system, and the mold monitoring system Mold Expert. Moreover, JSW Steel USA has signed up for a long-term software subscription model, based on a software as a service (SaaS) concept.

Revamping a continuous slab caster usually means a shutdown period of several months. However, in this project, Primetals Technologies managed to cut the downtime to 30 days. This timeline is possible by keeping the concrete foundations and strand-supporting structure. In that way, there is no need for time-consuming demolition work. The new strand containment will be fixed with a specially designed adapter solution, which is another important factor influencing the short downtime.

A patented continuous bending and straightening process, Smart Segment allows for online and remote adjustments of the roll gap at one of the strands. This strand will be dedicated to producing API grades and plates of high quality for the US market. The setting of the Smart Segments is based on advanced mathematical models developed by Primetals Technologies. These models ensure that the caster already in the design phase is optimized to eliminate the risk of unsteady mold-level bulging.

Models for quality improvements

Having real-time knowledge about the exact temperature at any point within a continuously cast strand is highly valuable for achieving fully optimized secondary cooling of the slabs. This is made possible with Dynacs 3D, a secondary-cooling model for adjustment of cooling setpoints. Additionally, the model calculates the point of final strand solidification, which enables exact control of the cooling process. The caster will also be equipped with DynaGap Soft Reduction 3D, a dynamic soft-reduction package that gives operators precise control during slab solidification and significantly improves internal quality by reducing center segregation. DynaGap is a strand-guide system, allows operators to adjust the roll gap at the push of a button.

Key facts: JSW Steel USA’s new vacuum tank degasser

• Plant type: Twin-type vacuum degasser with vessel car and fixed and liftable cover
• Capacity: 230 million tons
• Major Equipment: vacuum filter, dust catcher, and set of dry mechanical pumps

Key facts: JSW Steel USA’s new slab caster

• Thicknesses: From 228.6 to 304.8 millimeters
• Widths: From 991 to 2,032 millimeters
• Radius: 10.5 meters
• Metallurgical length: 26.45 meters

Key facts: automation systems subscription model

• JSW Steel USA receives new releases, upgrades, and updates regularly
• The service package included in the annual license fee also includes remote support for troubleshooting, advice, training, fine-tuning, or optimization
• The automation systems stay compatible with the latest hardware and operating systems, new functions can easily be integrated in the future, and capital investments are replaced by annual operating expenses

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The collaboration between ICIEC and GE Vernova aims to accelerate the deployment of capital, goods, and services necessary for sustainable energy projects in ICIEC member states. The partnership reflects their dedication to fostering economic growth while adhering to the principles of Shariah and upholding the highest environmental and social standards.

Mr. Oussama Kaissi, CEO of ICIEC, emphasized this cooperation’s developmental potential, stating, “Our collaboration with GE Vernova is a significant stride towards fulfilling our mandate of promoting sustainable development and climate action. By combining our strengths, we are uniquely positioned to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and support our member states in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement.“

ICIEC and GE Vernova share a mutual aspiration of empowering economies and enhancing the quality of life through sustainable energy solutions. The collaboration is expected to accelerate the deployment of capital, goods, and services necessary for sustainable energy projects in ICIEC member states.

ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States, promote intra-OIC trade, and facilitate investments by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions. The Corporation is uniquely the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world. It has delivered a comprehensive suite of solutions and services to the public and private in its 49 Member States and globally.

The collaboration between ICIEC and GE Vernova is a significant step towards promoting sustainable development and climate action across ICIEC’s 49 member states. The partnership is expected to accelerate the deployment of capital, goods, and services necessary for sustainable energy projects, reflecting their dedication to fostering economic growth while adhering to the principles of Shariah and upholding the highest environmental and social standards.

The products’ suite includes Documentary Credit Insurance Cover, Credit Insurance Cover, Bank Master Policy, Non-Honouring of Sovereign Financial Obligation, and Investment Insurance Products. ICIEC has maintained for 15 consecutive years an “Aa3” insurance financial strength credit rating from Moody’s, ranking the Corporation among the top of the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) Industry. ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting, reinsurance, and risk management policies. Cumulatively, ICIEC has insured more than US$ 100bn in trade and investment directed to specific industries, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

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NEW YORK, USA: The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and Google today formalized cooperation aimed at advancing digital transformation in Africa. The parties signed a Letter of Intent during the Global Africa Business Initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The agreement underscores a shared commitment to harness emerging technologies, extend and improve infrastructure, and refine talent and skills in the continent.

Both parties have a history of fostering digital evolution. Over the past decade, the African Development Bank has invested $1.9 billion in projects emphasizing the development of broadband infrastructure, conducive policy and regulatory environments, digital skills, and innovative technology startups.

“Our journey from a 2% telephony penetration in 1998 to today’s era of 4G, 5G, and AI signifies immense progress. With 70% of sub-Saharan Africans under 30, our focus is on catalyzing businesses to create jobs and offer innovative solutions,” said Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank.

Google has been a longtime partner in Africa’s economic growth and digital transformation. In 2005 Google invested in a major submarine telecommunications cable – the Seacom cable. Since then, Google has been committed to digital transformation by supporting talent development, innovation, infrastructure, and regulatory advancements across the continent.

Working together with the African Development Bank, Google will offer technical assistance to bolster entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in digitizing their businesses, securing financing, mastering digital marketing, and advancing private sector development.

Dr. James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Technology, and Society, said: “With advanced technologies like AI, the most profound transformation is yet to come. Collaboration will be essential if Africa is to realize this opportunity, building for everyone and ensuring no one is left behind. We are excited to collaborate with the African Development Bank to work towards this shared commitment.”

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NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s premier digital communications solutions provider, and Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”) today announced a collaboration to support the growth of India’s digital ecosystem. Airtel and Meta will jointly invest in global connectivity infrastructure and CPaaS-based new-age digital solutions to support the emerging requirements of customers and enterprises in India.

Foundational connectivity infrastructure such as subsea cable systems is crucial for supporting the rising demand for high-speed data and digital services as India prepares to roll out 5G networks later this year. With the constant endeavor to augment the nation’s infrastructure, Airtel will partner with Meta and STC to extend 2Africa Pearls to India. 2Africa is the world’s longest subsea cable system and is expected to provide faster internet connectivity to almost 3 billion people globally. Airtel and Meta will extend the cable to Airtel’s landing station in Mumbai and also pick up the dedicated capacity to further strengthen its submarine network portfolio. The 2Africa cable will significantly boost India’s cable capacity and empower global hyper-scalers and businesses to build new integrated solutions and provide a high-quality seamless experience to customers.

As members of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) Open RAN project group, Airtel and Meta have been pioneers of Open RAN technologies with the shared goal of increasing ecosystem diversity, driving innovation, and cost-efficiency in connectivity networks. Airtel has signed an agreement to help increase the operational efficiency of Open RAN and facilitate energy management and automation in radio networks using advanced analytics and AI/ML models.  Airtel is currently conducting trials for 4G and 5G Open RAN solutions on select sites in the state of Haryana and will commercially deploy the solution across several locations in India over the next few quarters. Airtel will share its learnings with wider ecosystem partners within the TIP community, including Meta, to help accelerate the deployment of Open RAN-based networks across the world.  

Businesses in India are rapidly shifting to cloud-based solutions to serve their customers digitally. Airtel IQ, the world’s first network-embedded Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) ecosystem, offers cloud communication across voice, messaging and video channels to help enterprises transform their customer engagement and drive profitability by leveraging automation and boosting revenue. Airtel will integrate Meta’s WhatsApp within its CPaaS platform. With this integration, businesses will now be able to use WhatsApp’s rich features and reach to provide unparalleled omni-channel customer engagement to enterprises.            

Vani Venkatesh, CEO – of Global Business, Bharti Airtel said: “We, at Airtel, are delighted to deepen our partnership with Meta to serve India’s digitally connected economy by leveraging the technology and infrastructure strengths of both companies. With our contributions to the 2Africa cable and Open RAN, we are investing in crucial and progressive connectivity infrastructure which is needed to support the increasing demand for high-speed data in India. We look forward to working closely with Meta to deliver best-in-class digital experiences to our customers in India.”

Francisco Varela, vice president of mobile partnerships for Meta said: “Subsea cables and open, disaggregated networks continue to play a huge role in the foundational infrastructure needed to support network capacity and fuel innovation. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Airtel to further advance the region’s connectivity infrastructure that will enable a better network experience for people and businesses across India.”

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