Technology
Sage One Payroll for Launch in Kenya, Nigeria
**Unveils Next Generation of Cloud Solutions
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The acclaimed market and technology leader for integrated accounting, payroll & HR, and payment systems, Sage, today announced new products and features that will take Africa and Middle East’s business builders and entrepreneurs closer to a world where admin is invisible.
It made the announcements at Sage Summit Tour in Johannesburg South Africa.
From industry-leading cloud and desktop accounting and payroll software for start-up companies to fully integrated business management solutions for large enterprises, the new product announcements from Sage enable organisations to streamline admin and make better business decisions.
Key product launches and developments announced included Sage Live, Sage One Payroll in Kenya and Nigeria, Sage X3 with Cloud deployment and Fast Start configuration options.
“Sage’s vision is to empower entrepreneurs and business owners to spend less time on admin and more time on what they love doing,” said Anton van Heerden, Managing Director and Executive Vice-President, Africa & Middle East at Sage. “We see our customers as the heroes that build the region’s economy and we are giving them the tools and technologies they need to be successful.”
Built on the Salesforce Lightning user interface, Sage Live is a powerful, customisable, and cost-effective cloud accounting solution for scale up businesses.
Customers can manage multiple locations and currencies all in the palm of their hand, while taking advantage of the add-on solutions available on the Sage market place and the Salesforce App exchange. Sage Live will be available to business builders in South Africa later this year.
Meanwhile, Sage plans to launch Sage One Payroll in Kenya by end-March and in Nigeria by end-June.
The cloud solution integrates smoothly with Sage One Accounting, offering a complete business solution for start-up and small businesses.
Easier than spreadsheets, Sage One is the essential online accounting and payroll solution for start-up businesses. It lets companies conveniently manage everything from sales and purchasing to cash flow and taxes.
It offers online invoicing and allows collaboration with the bookkeeping or accounting team from anywhere.
Sage One Invoicing
The new online entry level offering of Sage One Accounting, Sage One Invoicing, will be launched in sub-Saharan Africa by the end of April. It gives start-ups the ability to produce professional quotes and invoices from a mobile device or PC, at any time or place they have access to the internet. It also provides reports and dashboards to monitor the outcome of quotes, and track due and overdue invoices.
In addition, a Customer Zone provides customers with the ability to easily pay invoices by activating a secure Pay Now service through Sage Pay. Full reporting is available to monitor gross profits and identify popular and fast-selling items. Customers can upgrade to the full Sage One solution as their business needs change.
Sage X3 Version 11
The latest release of Sage X3 is an open and modular solution for companies who want to move away from maintaining their own data centres. There are no hidden costs as it is priced per user per month and includes upgrades and maintenance.
It gives enterprises even more control over and visibility into their businesses with features such as ecommerce management, manufacturing project management, automated bank statements and a Salesforce CRM connector.
Sage X3 Version 11 also introduces a rapid implementation methodology called Sage X3 Fast Start. This enables growing enterprises to deploy a preconfigured Sage X3 solution with the financial and distribution modules in a matter of weeks rather than months.
The solution is ideal for businesses that have less complex processes and that are open to adopting best practices from a business management solution—for example, companies in the services sector. It delivers a solid, integrated enterprise backbone, which gives organisations the freedom to plug in modules for extra functionality as and when they need them.
Sage 300c
The smart choice for growing services and distribution businesses, Sage 300c is a hybrid web-based business management solution suite that provides small and medium businesses with a highly adaptable solution for finance and operations.
New enhancements include any-device mobile access to business and transactional data, critical to supporting today’s increasingly mobile and geographically dispersed operations, as well as a new modernised interface, customisation options, and inventory management capabilities.
Independent Software Vendors can look forward to the new Sage 300c web APIs to help accelerate the products into the Cloud.
Sage Summit
During the Summit, customers and business partners will also see new technology in action, such as Pegg, the world’s first accounting chat bot from Sage that helps business owners to track and manage expenses through popular messaging apps.
Launched in 2016 in Beta, Pegg now has 20,000 users in 110 countries and is part of the company’s vision of leading business builders towards an “invisible accounting” environment so they can focus on building their business.
Vanilla building is fine. But after your tenth dirt house, you want more.
That’s where a minecraft building mod comes in. More blocks. Better tools. Fancy features.
Here’s what actually helps.
What Is a Building Mod Minecraft?
A building mod minecraft is just… a mod for building. Adds new blocks. New ways to place them. Sometimes entire new mechanics.
Could be as simple as more colors of concrete. Could be as complex as machinery that builds for you.
Some popular ones:
- Chisels & Bits — lets you carve blocks into tiny pieces
- Create — gears, contraptions, moving parts
- MrCrayfish’s Furniture Mod — couches, tables, kitchen stuff
I use Chisels & Bits for detailed work. Create cool moving doors. Furniture mod for interiors.
Why Use Minecraft Building Mods?
Vanilla has limits. 16 colors of wool. Basic stairs. No furniture.
Minecraft building mods break those limits. Suddenly you have:
- Slopes and curves (not just blocks)
- Furniture that actually looks like furniture
- Micro-blocks for tiny details
- Schematics — copy and paste builds
It’s not cheating. It’s just more options.
But fair warning — mods can lag. Especially on weak computers. And servers need to install them too.
Finding Good Mods
CurseForge is the main spot. Also Modrinth. Both have tons of minecraft building mods.
Here’s how I pick:
- Check downloads. More downloads usually means it works
- Read recent comments. If people say “crashes on 1.20” — skip it
- Look at screenshots. Does it actually look good?
- Check the last update. Abandoned mods break on new versions
I avoid anything that hasn’t been updated in a year. Minecraft changes. Old mods die.
Installing Stuff
You need a mod loader. Forge or Fabric. Pick one.
Some mods support multiple loaders, but many are made specifically for Forge, NeoForge, or Fabric. Always check before downloading.
Steps:
- Install Forge or Fabric
- Download the mod .jar file
- Drop it in the mods folder
- Launch the game
- Done
If it crashes, you probably got the wrong version. Or missed a required library. Read the error. Google it. Fix it.
My Favorite Builds With Mods
Last month I made a working elevator with Create. Gears, pulleys, the whole thing. It took three hours. Broke five times. Worth it.
Also built a modern house with furniture mods. Couch, TV, kitchen sink. Actually, it looked like a real house. Not a dirt box with windows.
And a castle with Chisels & Bits. Carved stone faces into the walls. Tiny details you can’t do in vanilla.
That’s the thing — minecraft building mods let you make stuff that actually looks good. Without being a god-tier builder.
The Community Side
Building alone is fine. But showing people? Better.
I post on Reddit sometimes. r/feedthebeast for modded builds. r/Minecraftbuilds for anything.
But the real talk happens in Discord servers. Specific mod communities. Or general minecraft hosting discussion for communities where people share server ideas.
That’s where you find modpack recommendations. Troubleshooting help. People to play with.
Hosting Modded Servers
Want everyone in the same world? Then you’ll need a server for that. And modded servers are heavier than vanilla.
More mods = more RAM. More CPU. More potential crashes.
That’s why minecraft hosting discussion for communities matters. People share which hosts actually handle modpacks well.
Some hosts advertise “mod support” but lag with 5 mods. Others run 200 mods smoothly. Real user reviews tell the truth.
What to ask:
- How much RAM for my modpack?
- SSD or HDD? (SSD, always)
- Do they help with mod setup?
- What’s their actual uptime?
Common Mod Problems
I’ve hit all of these.
Version mismatch. Mod is for 1.19, you’re on 1.20. Crash.
Missing dependency. Mod needs another mod to work. Read the description. Install the required stuff.
Conflicting mods. Two mods change the same thing. Hard to fix. Remove one.
Server-client mismatch. You have mods the server doesn’t. Or vice versa. Exact same mod list on both sides. Every time.
Lag. Too many mods. Or one bad mod. Test by removing half. See if lag stops. Repeat.
Modpacks vs Individual Mods
Downloading mods one by one sucks. You forget dependencies. Version mix. Headache.
Modpacks fix this. Curated collections. Everything tested together. One download.
Examples:
- FTB Academy — teaches mods gradually
- All the Mods — huge collection, everything included
- Create: Above and Beyond — focused on Create mod with progression
I use modpacks for multiplayer. Individual mods for single player when I want specific stuff.
The Future of Building Mods
1.21 changed some things. New block formats. Mods had to adapt.
But the community is fast. Most popular minecraft building mods updated within weeks.
NeoForge vs Forge split affects things too. Some mods only support one. Check before you install anything.
Fabric is lightweight and full of performance mods, while Forge and NeoForge still support many of the biggest content-heavy modpacks.
Bottom Line
Building in vanilla is fine. But a good building mod minecraft makes it way better. More blocks. More detail. More fun.
Find mods on CurseForge. Test them. See what fits your style.
Join minecraft hosting discussion for communities if you need server advice. Real people, real experience. That’s it. Go download something and build weird stuff.
The Rise of AI Face Swap Technology
AI face swap technology has evolved from a novelty into a powerful creative tool. What once required professional video editing software and hours of manual work can now be done in seconds with a single click. Fueled by advances in deep learning and generative AI, face swap tools have become remarkably realistic and accessible. By 2026, millions of content creators, marketers, filmmakers, and everyday users rely on these tools for entertainment, business, and personal projects. As the technology matures, choosing the right tool has never been more important — or more competitive.
How to Use AI Face Swap in Your Work and Daily Life
AI face swap tools are no longer just for fun — they’re reshaping how we work and communicate:
- Content Creation & Social Media: Swap faces to create viral memes, funny videos, or personalized content that drives engagement on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Marketing & Advertising: Brands use face swap to localize ad campaigns by replacing models with regional faces, saving time and budget on reshoots.
- Film & Video Production: Indie filmmakers use AI face swap for de-aging effects, stunt doubles, or recreating scenes without expensive CGI.
- E-Commerce & Fashion: Virtual try-on experiences let shoppers see how they’d look in different outfits or hairstyles.
- Personal Fun: Swap your face onto movie characters, historical figures, or your favorite celebrities for entertaining social content.
- Education & Training: Create realistic training simulations or educational videos with customized faces.
How to Judge a Good AI Face Swap Tool
Not all face swap tools are created equal. Here’s what to look for:
- Realism & Quality: Smooth blending, accurate skin tone matching, and consistent lighting.
- Speed: Results in seconds, not minutes.
- Ease of Use: An intuitive interface for non-technical users.
- Privacy & Security: Clear data policy — no storing images without consent.
- Multi-Format Support: Handles photos, videos, and real-time swaps.
- Customization Options: Fine-tuning for expression, angle, and lighting.
- Pricing & Value: Transparent pricing with a free tier or trial.
Part 4: Top 5 AI Face Swap Tools in 2026
🥇 1. Easemate — Best Overall Pick
Website: https://www.easemate.ai/
🔑 Key Features: Supports photo & video face swapping with real-time preview, batch processing, automatic skin tone matching, intelligent lighting adjustment, and multi-face detection for group photos. Privacy-first design — images are never stored without consent.
✅ Pros: Exceptional realism with accurate edge detection and shadow rendering. Lightning-fast even for HD video. Beginner-friendly interface with zero technical knowledge required. Flexible, affordable pricing for individuals and teams. Strong privacy policy for peace of mind.
❌ Cons: Batch video processing and 4K export require a paid plan.
2. DeepFaceLab — Best for Advanced Users & Filmmakers
🔑 Key Features: Deep neural network-based swaps with full control over face alignment, blending modes, mask refinement, and custom model training on personal datasets.
✅ Pros: Completely free and open-source. Unmatched customization for experienced users. Huge active community with tutorials and pre-trained models. Ideal for long-form video and cinematic-quality projects.
❌ Cons: Steep learning curve, requires high-performance GPU, no cloud version.
3. Reface — Best for Fun & Social Media
🔑 Key Features: Mobile-first app with a massive library of celebrity clips, movie scenes, GIFs, and meme templates. Real-time facial landmark mapping and one-tap social sharing to Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
✅ Pros: Extremely easy to use — just take a selfie and pick a template. Library updated regularly with trending pop culture content. Perfect for casual entertainment and viral social content.
❌ Cons: Mobile only; not suitable for professional or high-resolution output.
4. FaceSwapper.ai — Best for Quick, No-Fuss Photo Swaps
🔑 Key Features: Browser-based, one-click photo face swap with no account required. Supports JPG, PNG, and WEBP formats. Developer-friendly API for app integration and automated workflows.
✅ Pros: Zero-signup experience — incredibly accessible for one-off tasks. Fast, straightforward, and frictionless. Robust API for developers needing programmatic access.
❌ Cons: Limited video support and fewer customization options. Best for simple, single-image use cases.
5. Vidnoz AI — Best All-in-One Video Platform
🔑 Key Features: Full video creation suite including face swap, AI avatar generation, text-to-video, voice cloning, lip-sync dubbing, and multilingual video translation. Face swap integrates seamlessly with the broader production workflow.
✅ Pros: Outstanding value as a multi-function platform. Solid video output quality with regular improvements. Generous free tier available. Great for businesses producing localized or multilingual video content at scale.
❌ Cons: Face swap is a secondary feature — lacks the depth and advanced controls of dedicated tools.
Part 5: Conclusion
AI face swap in 2026 is smarter and more accessible than ever. Among all options, Easemate stands out as the best all-around choice — combining professional-grade quality with an effortless experience and a privacy-first approach. Start with Easemate today.
Part 6: FAQ
Q1: Is AI face swap legal?
Yes, for personal and creative use. Using it for deception or non-consensual imagery is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Q2: Is Easemate free?
It offers a free tier; premium plans unlock batch processing and high-res video output.
Q3: Can these tools work on videos?
Yes — Easemate, DeepFaceLab, and Vidnoz AI all support video face swapping.
Q4: How do I protect my privacy?
Choose platforms with clear privacy policies. Easemate is known for its privacy-first approach.
Q5: Photo vs. video face swap — what’s the difference?
Photo swap is faster and simpler. Video requires frame-by-frame processing but delivers more impressive results.
Q6: Do I need technical skills?
Not at all! Tools like Easemate are designed for everyday users — just upload and let the AI handle the rest.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the latest Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), climbing 42 places globally in just two years.
Nigeria rose from 80th globally in 2024 to 38th in the world with a score of 45.93.
The GIRIA ranking boosts Nigeria’s appeal as a destination for AI talent, innovation and investment.
According to the Cape Town-based independent research and policy think tank, the ranking is one of the world’s most comprehensive assessments of responsible AI. It evaluates 135 countries across five pillars: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and AI use in public services.
Despite that rapid adoption, the report found that public governance capacity remains weak. Average GIRAI scores stand at only about 35 out of 100 globally, while evidence of implementation exists in just 55 per cent of countries with responsible AI frameworks, dropping to 45% across the Global South.
Nigeria’s rise reflects deliberate policy efforts to strengthen its AI ecosystem.
According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, the government has accelerated work on its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), expanded digital public infrastructure, invested in digital skills, developed governance frameworks for emerging technologies, and strengthened international partnerships to ensure AI is deployed responsibly.
“This recognition is a testament to Nigeria’s deliberate efforts to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with our development priorities,” he said.
“We believe that Africa must not only participate in the AI revolution but also contribute meaningfully to shaping how these technologies are governed and deployed globally.
“Our focus remains on creating the infrastructure, talent, and policy environment that will enable AI to deliver real value for our people and support President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy,” he added.
The report identified Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for combining AI skills development with safeguards for children and vulnerable groups.
The index noted that Nigeria is among the few African countries that have attempted to simultaneously prepare citizens for an AI-driven future while strengthening protections against the risks posed by emerging technologies.
It highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which mandates AI literacy programmes, teacher training and broader capacity-building initiatives across the country.
The report also cited the Federal Government’s flagship 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme for delivering structured AI and machine learning training through a hybrid model designed to reach young people nationwide.
In terms of regulation, GIRAI recognised the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 for introducing enhanced safeguards for children’s personal data, including parental consent requirements and restrictions on decisions based solely on automated processing.
The report said these initiatives position Nigeria as an example of how governments can pursue AI adoption without overlooking digital rights and citizen protection.
