Africana X plosion – From Nigeria to the World; Africana set standards for success in Africa

Africana X plosion – From Nigeria to the World; Africana set standards for success in Africa

The merry sound of clinking glasses, hearty laughter and afrobeats music permeated the cool September evening at Rue Marconi Zone 4, a posh business district in the Ivorien port city of Abidjan. The motley crowd of extremely well and colourfully dressed individuals gathered at the brilliantly lit venue were celebrating the grand opening of an Africana X (https://shopAfricana.co) flagship store – the first of its kind outside of Nigeria.

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By establishing this new store in Abidjan, a city that widely reflects the culture of French speaking West Africa, the Africana (https://bit.ly/3R7Wv8m) brand made significant statement of intent – that they are taking the lead in the movement to propagate African fashion on a global scale.

Perhaps, this explains the fanfare and overwhelming outpouring of goodwill that greeted the event by friends and the teeming fans of the brand, both at the venue and online, across the brand’s social media platforms. To many who follow, patronize, collaborate with, or look up to Africana Couture, this ceremony signified more than just expansion, this was a celebration of African excellence and a milestone in Africana Couture’s (https://bit.ly/3Rbw3KW) masterplan to redefine what African fashion is, and ultimately rebrand Africa.

The brand, Africana Couture

Birthed by a vision to put African fashion on the world map, Africana’s focus was to change the way traditional African attire was perceived locally and internationally. The strategy to do this was simple; fuse the uninhibited creativity of African design concepts with the very best in tailoring methods/technology and top it off with unwavering commitment to excellence in process execution and service delivery.

More than 10 years down the line, this strategy has proven extremely effective. This is evidenced by the fact that Africana Couture (https://AfricanaCouture.com), boasts amongst its clientele, a wide assortment of presidents, industry leaders, celebrities and expatriate connoisseurs of great fashion, who are enamoured with the brand’s consistent track record of distinctive excellence.

However, with inclusiveness as one of the core edicts of the Africana brand, it became essential to devise a means to involve more people whose tastes might defer from the usual bespoke traditional offerings and this necessitated the creation of Africana X.

Africana X, or Africana Xperience (https://shopAfricana.co), is a subdivision of the Africana corporation that disrupts the market place for bespoke fashion by offering ready-to-wear pieces, at affordable prices, at its physical boutiques and e-marketplace. Africana Xperience caters to the needs of sophisticated individuals who want to enjoy the sartorial standards offered by bespoke tailoring, without the wait time that is usually required.

Taking its maxim of inclusiveness even further, Africana X goes beyond its primary offering of traditional pieces. With the Africana Heritage collection (https://bit.ly/3LA00Dp), it offers streetwear that pay homage to Icons of African history; the Africana Traditional Bags and Clan Scarf collections offer premium ancillary items; and even sneaker heads are not left out as the store offers a range of specially crafted sneakers to satisfy even the most avid collector.

The Africana X (https://shopAfricana.co) store expands the range of the brand’s service delivery potential from just luxury fashion to luxurious lifestyle, and in service of the promise of the brand’s moniker, has become a curator of the luxurious side of the African experience.

The incredible journey and success of the Africana brand can be attributed to the passion, dedication and creativity of the over 150-man team, however, none of these would have been possible without the vision, leadership and design of Charles ‘Africana’ Oronsaye (https://bit.ly/3dIYDpc).

The Man, Charles Oronsaye

Despite a degree and a promising career in Law, Charles Oronsaye (https://bit.ly/3Spo5Ph), the founding creative director of Africana Couture (https://bit.ly/3xKVnAO), made up his mind pretty early to deviate from the beaten path and follow his own way. Possessing a fiercely independent mind and rebellious spirit, he knew acquiescing to the dictates of societal expectations would never suit him, and so, after brief detours in music and the entertainment industry, his journey brought him to fashion.

From humble beginnings in Benin city, Nigeria, Charles had a very clear idea of what it was he was building. Even as a fresh-faced university graduate in early 2010s, Charles was adept at spotting opportunities; which in this case was the social media following he had built during his time in the media. In the absence of financial capital, he leveraged on his social capital to build a network of clients, partners and staff.

Operating exclusively from his social media platform, Charles learnt the trade on the journey, calling upon all his tenacious resolve, creativity, affable personality and ability to adapt and evolve. One decade later, the daring young man who had big dreams has been replaced by a seasoned businessman, Forbes entrepreneur and inspiration to a generation of young African fashion professionals.

The Africana X store expands the range of the brand’s service delivery potential from just luxury fashion to luxurious lifestyle

According to him, one key element in the success of the brand is that he has never lost sight of the principles which informed the mission in the first place. This is illustrated by the fact that despite the fact that he has assembled some of the brightest minds to build this dream with him, he remains deeply entrenched in the process, ensuring that the vision maintains its heading.

The fact that the name, Africana is interchangeably used to identify the man and the brand is testament to Charles’ hands-on approach to doing business and his determination to ensure the brand stays true to its founding edicts.

Under his leadership and guidance, Africana Couture has transformed into more than just a fashion label selling men’s clothing. it is now widely viewed as a lifestyle and aspirational brand that curates one of the most exciting versions of the African experience- one of luxury, minimalist beauty and consistent excellence.

Abidjan today, Tomorrow the world (After Abidjan, What Is Next?) (https://bit.ly/3C5Bhnn)

Following the launch of African X in Abidjan, plans are underway to replicate the success of Africana’s private tailoring business model in Dakar, Senegal, the style capital of French West Africa, and an even more audacious campaign to plant seeds in the original concrete jungle, New York City by the end of the year.

The proliferation of the brand into New York City is strategic, as the Big Apple is not only an important fashion capital, but is also a nexus for global commerce. It therefore makes sense to first setup shop here and then spread its tendrils across the Americas, Europe and eventually Asia.

Africana beyond fashion (https://bit.ly/3C3fb4H)

Over the course of the last decade, Africana has metamorphosed into an industry leader, credited with making definitive contributions to the African fashion ecosphere such as creating the first-ever African measurement template which takes into consideration, factors that are uniquely African in nature which were largely overlooked by the dimensions recommended by western fashion industry.

In its role as an industry gatekeeper, Africana is a standard against which other brands can measure progress and a beacon providing a guiding light to newcomers who seek direction.

In addition to these bold strides in the fashion industry, Africana has pivoted and branched into other economic sectors including Fin-Tech, with its foray into Blockchain technology and is making moves in real estate with its plan to launch Africana Smart HQ.

On the philanthropic/social awareness front, the brand also manages to combine industrial finesse with corporate responsibility with moves such as; ensuring it remains an equal opportunity employer, creating a fund dedicated to catering to the welfare of needy women and children and ensuring that the stringent Covid-19 rules are adhered to in all its dealings.

There is also Africana H2O, a brand of bottled water available in a handful of locations across the continent which exists to reiterate the importance of access to safe drinking water for everyone.

In conclusion

Africa is experiencing a renaissance which has mostly been championed by the creative industry within the continent. This afrocentric wave has increased the love for, and influence of most things afroculture. The world is paying attention and more people are looking to Africa; no longer just a destination for pity and charity, but as a veritable source of inspiration and ideas.

This paradigm shift is one that comes with far-reaching attendant benefits and with ambassadors such as Charles Oronsaye (https://bit.ly/3UuqRom) and his band of merry innovators at Africana Couture (https://bit.ly/3R5SBwH) leading this new movement, we can rest assured that the African story is getting a happy and beautiful ending.

Nigerian Law Enforcement agencies open investigations on Hawilti and company executives for criminal breach of trust, cheating, defrauding investors scheme

Nigerian Law Enforcement agencies open investigations on Hawilti and company executives for criminal breach of trust, cheating, defrauding investors scheme

We welcome the steps taken by Nigerian authorities to open investigations on Hawilti. Hawilti, Mickael Vogel and other co-conspirators are not above the law.

 

The company’s executives cannot mislead investors, African businesses, and Nigerians with impunity. Some of the investors’ critical information from the CRM databases are being used in partnerships that Hawilti entered into without approval by investors who funded Hawilti.

We urge all law enforcement authorities to share information with various prosecuting agencies who may be able to prosecute and bring speedy relief to the investors

The facts seem pretty obvious based on what’s been put on the public record that there are serious questions or alarms to incentivize prosecutors to proceed in a more formal way.

We urge all law enforcement authorities to share information with various prosecuting agencies who may be able to prosecute and bring speedy relief to the investors. Nigeria is a country of laws and it should not be used by so called foreign investors to extort funds from everyday investors and citizens.

Our clients are confident by the efforts to hold Hawilti, Mickael Vogel and other co-conspirators accountable in our legal system. It’s time for those with a mandate to protect the public to exercise their power to get answers and hold Hawilti, Mickael Vogel and other co-conspirators accountable.

Prosper Cashew Convenes Industry Stakeholders to Transform Cashew Processing in Nigeria

Prosper Cashew Convenes Industry Stakeholders to Transform Cashew Processing in Nigeria

Today, representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, international nonprofit TechnoServe (https://bit.ly/3r8yRxV), ISF Advisors, Nigerian cashew processors, and the investment community gathered in Abuja under the auspices of the Prosper Cashew project to identify areas to jointly build a more sustainable cashew processing industry in Nigeria.

 

Since cashew was introduced in West Africa as an agricultural crop in the 1960s, the region has grown into the world’s number-one producer and exporter of the nut. Nigeria’s share of global production has doubled as raw cashew nut production volumes tripled over the last 15 years to 210,000 MT annually.

However, only 20 percent of the country’s production volume gets processed where it is harvested. As a result, willing and able workers are left to watch from the sidelines as hundreds of thousands of metric tons of raw cashew nut each year are loaded up for their long voyage to be processed overseas and then shipped thousands more miles to market.

The Prosper Cashew project expects to create more than 4,500 new jobs (at least 50% for women), facilitate $61 million of investment in the cashew sector

The event in Abuja was designed to help address this challenge by spurring collaboration between stakeholders in Nigeria’s cashew processing sector. It also presented the progress and objectives of the five-year Prosper Cashew project, which will act as a catalyst for the sector, strengthening and reviving existing cashew processing facilities, facilitating access to critically needed working capital, demonstrating the business case for additional investment flows into the sector, and bringing together investors and high-quality investees.

The convening included remarks from USDA Agricultural Counselor Gerald Smith, senior officials from TechnoServe, representatives from the cashew processing sector, and the Prosper Cashew team.

It took place at the tail end of the African Cashew Alliance’s 16th annual conference, which was held in Abuja from September 12-15. A key investor in the West African cashew industry, USDA was the title sponsor of the conference. Team members from Prosper Cashew led conference sessions focusing on kernel and byproduct processing to create a more sustainable industry in Africa, marketing of kernels and cashew by-products, and blended finance for catalyzing investment in the sector.

“Nigeria has enormous potential to grow its cashew processing sector, creating high-quality jobs and economic activity right here in the country,” said Krishanu Chakravarty, Prosper Cashew’s chief of party. “This meeting was an exciting step in realizing that potential, and we look forward to working with stakeholders across the industry to create a sustainable, inclusive, and profitable cashew sector.”

Over five years, the Prosper Cashew project expects to create more than 4,500 new jobs (at least 50% for women), facilitate $61 million of investment in the cashew sector, and support processors to sell more than $200 million of cashew products into domestic, regional and international markets.

MOPPET BABY FORMULA:AFTER ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS NIGERIANS ARE HAPPY WITH THE PRODUCT!!! 

MOPPET BABY FORMULA:AFTER ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS NIGERIANS ARE HAPPY WITH THE PRODUCT!!! 

 

Baby formula has been expensive and one of the biggest fear that new parents have. In short in Nigeria they will tell you that one should use protection because the cost of NAN and other cereal is expensive. Having seen and noticed the plight of Nigerian in terms of feeding their infants with good foods that are created specifically for the Nigerian infants. Roberta Edu, a serial businesswoman and a core IT expert established Moppet to cater for these sets of Nigerians.

Just after a year of doing business. A business that came up during the COVID 19 lock down when shops where closed and there is need to feed kids. Being a mother Roberta researched on the best way to feed her lovely child when the shops and malls are closed. She came up with Moppet. A business born out of idea and COVID 19 lock down.

Speaking on the one year anniversary. Roberta Edu, the CEO and the founder of Moppet said “Today is exactly 1 year since the first Moppet pack with a NAFDAC registration number went into the market.Akinfolahan Joshua was the first customer all the way from the North, we are sending you a carton of the new Moppet.What started with a passion to solve a personal problem, has evolved into a dream and a solution for many parents.

She added that “This 1 year has been purely for building, we’ve built so much our first pack that was sent out looks laughable to us.Last weekend, we drove through the mixture that has changed, the addition and introduction of new ingredients, the change in the mix, the methods, and the texture, while retaining the rich and nutritious essence.”

Talking about ups and down of the business, the delectable Roberta said” We’ve cried, we’ve laughed, we have not really lost but have won, lot.We’ve broken new grounds, established ourselves in the market and have shaped the market.We’ve moved from nowhere to taking leadership on related keywords on Google search, establishing our presence online.We’ve moved from nowhere to entering over 500 shelves nationwide.We’ve learned…. yes we have learned a lot. ”

She thanked the workers and her friends in the social media and she said” And we on the Moppet Foods workers list can not take all the credit for all the success.The social media community has been the leading force, recently at interviews, I was asked how we were able to penetrate the market and all I could say was Meta for Business Moppet is a brand build totally from the Internet, 100% social media driven.I thank all distributors who supported this dream, they’re many and have been highly impactful.”

She also thanked special people” But I will like to specially mention Chichi F. Maduka she was the first who signed up to us in Lagos as a distributor, she gave us our first supermarket entrance at Goodiss SUPERMARKET at Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja Lagos.And then Chichi became instrumental than just distributing the product. She edited our pack, make corrections, and suggest additions.She’s been like a big sister, always chatting to me, do this, do that, I think this would work. Her recommendation fixed our date coding on the pack, cos we kept talking until we found the right machine.”

My Internet family, y’all are too many, Moppet wouldn’t be a brand without you, yes and I mean every word of it.

And my husband and partner Oyedokun Omowale you have been so intentional about my success, starting Moppet has opened my eyes to how lucky I am to have you by my side.

My entire family, my Mom 🙈🙈🙈 most of our workers, she has recruited them, Esther Usoro baby, she opened all our social media accounts and social content, and my sister Helen Edu who left her lecturing job to be Moppet Operations Manager.

How can I ever forget my boyfriend Oyedokun Olaoluwa and Dr…. he designs all our main creative, pack, roll up etc.

In the future she said that… “And looking to the future, we are working to give you more and diverse products that we aimed to launch by Janaury 2023 so that the mission to fight malnutrition in African children and create a healthier Nigeria, would be easily achieved.”

Over the months from the humble begining in Lagos, Moppet baby food has founds its way from shelves in Lagos to big malls all over the country. With the vision of bringing organic infant formula to Nigerians which is in line with global best practices. Moppet has been described by industry watchers as a game changer.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Ukheshe and Digital PayGo drive Zambian business growth through the SME in-a-box Merchant Solution

Ukheshe and Digital PayGo drive Zambian business growth through the SME in-a-box Merchant Solution

Ukheshe’s SME in-a-box solution is making tangible changes to the lives of millions in Zambia through a partnership with Digital PayGo, improving financial inclusion and enhancing business dealings for entrepreneurs.

Digital PayGo, a local Zambian fintech driving a mobile-first approach, enhancing the digital payment space for SMEs, is the first partner to utilise Ukheshe’s SME in-a-box solution to its fullest extent and provides a range of virtual financial services to its customers.

“We’re so proud to be the technology partner enabling Digital PayGo in their partnership with Zambian bank Zanaco and Mastercard to implement this solution,” says Mark Dankworth, President of Business Development in Africa at Ukheshe.

“In line with Mastercard’s vision of enabling 50 million SMEs by 2025, the relationship between Ukheshe and Digital PayGo was a natural fit, given our shared values of driving financial inclusion with relevant solutions that address the needs of individuals and businesses. To be able to make a difference such as this in the Zambian Merchant payments ecosystem is truly exciting.”

The SME in-a-box suite of services includes acceptance of virtual and physical card payments; tap-on-phone (SoftPOS) and QR payments; digital onboarding; instant access to funds for money transfers and payments; virtual card issuing – all powered by Ukheshe’s award-winning Eclipse API.

But the benefits go far beyond just providing this functionality to consumers and businesses – useful as it may be, says Charity Mwanza, CEO – Digital PayGo. “SME in a box – Lipila Na PayGo will cater for the pressing need of SMEs which is to make and receive payments seamlessly, while keeping a track record of all transactions thus making reporting and access to finance a possibility. We believe the solution will not only improve access to finance and financial inclusion but will increase trust in digital financial solutions as well.”

The convenience and safety of mobile and digital financial solutions, especially through Ukheshe, eases the way SMEs conduct business, therefore, contributing to the eventual push for a cashless society in Zambia.

For Ukheshe, this is another big step in the direction of its ultimate goal – being a global embedded finance enabler with the focus of providing innovative digital payment solutions to improve and address financial inclusion within emerging markets. “Ukheshe is focused on democratising digital financial services through the accessibility of disparate technologies. Our technology has already improved financial access in locations across the continent, and we believe this partnership will do the same in Zambia and other emerging markets – changing millions of lives for the better,” says Dankworth.

NITDA INTENSIFIES COMMITMENT TO CREATE A DIGITALLY FORMIDABLE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE

NITDA INTENSIFIES COMMITMENT TO CREATE A DIGITALLY FORMIDABLE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE

NITDA INTENSIFIES COMMITMENT TO CREATE A DIGITALLY FORMIDABLE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has continued to display its commitment to the sustainability of a digitally transformed Nigeria by engaging the workforce of various Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) in capacity development programmes to create a digitally formidable federal public service towards the realization of a digital Nigeria.

This was revealed at the closing ceremony of a capacity-building programme organised by NITDA for 100 participants from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Military and Paramilitary agencies who were trained on Digital Literacy and Skills, Cybersecurity Essentials and Cloud Computing.

Giving his closing remark at the event, the NITDA Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE expressed his pleasure at the participants for their active participation and contribution to class activities throughout the programme while urging them to be good ambassadors of the knowledge gained in their various organisations.

The DG who was represented at by the Agency’s Director Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Usman Abdullahi, stated that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has developed initiatives to ensure that the digital transformation of the country is achieved.

Echoing the agency’s ambitious target of attaining 95% digital literacy by the 2030, the DG said that digital literacy and skill is a key pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDPES) strategic document which was launched by Mr. President in 2019.

He said, “In order for Nigeria to attain 95% digital literacy by 2030, we need your collective effort in ensuring that the NDEPS serves as a guidance and guideline in all our processes at our various workplaces.”

Speaking on the NITDA’s effort on the implementation of NDEPS, Inuwa stated that the agency developed its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024 document in which, Digital Literacy & Skill, Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies are part of the seven pillars which it is anchored on.

“Among the pillars are the Digital Literacy & Skill, Cybersecurity and you have been trained in Cybersecurity Essentials. Another pillar is emerging technologies and you have been trained in cloud computing. There are 7 pillars in total and each pillar is key to our journey towards the realisation of the digital economy,” he noted.

While laying emphasis on the Agency’s commitment to implementing and complimenting the efforts of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through the development of SRAP, Inuwa averred that the agency is focused on building the skills and capacity of people which is highly essential in digitally transforming the nation.

He added that NITDA has set up Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups (DTTWG) in 200 MDAs in the country with the aim of driving digital transformation agenda as well as adding value to their processes for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“The importance of this programme cannot be overemphasized and now that you have been taught, the expectation is that you go back to your various organisations and implement all you have been taught,” he concluded.

On her part, the Acting Director, Digital Literacy and Capacity Development department, Dr. Amina Sambo-Magaji appreciated Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) for starting the journey and extended her gratitude to the DG NITDA for creating the enabling environment in making the programme a success.

She congratulated all the participants and admonished them to be ambassadors of the programme by implementing all they have learnt and propagating the programme to their colleagues so that the entire citizenry can harness the benefits of digital technology.

OHANEZE NDI IGBO INAUGURATES NEW MEMBERS AT MOSAN OKUNOLA LCDA LAGOS

OHANEZE NDI IGBO INAUGURATES NEW MEMBERS AT MOSAN OKUNOLA LCDA LAGOS

 

The Igbo community in Alimosho, one of the biggest Local Government Areas in Lagos state and Moson LCDA was literally on standstill as the new elected chairman of Ohaneze Mosan LCDA , Moses Nwokolo and his cabinet members were inaugurated at GOWON ESTATE, Alimosho LGA. This event is in line with the constitution of the apex Igbo organization and also have demonstrated that there no leadership vacuum in the chapter

With the presence of who is who and creme de la creme of Igbo community in Alimosho LGA presence. The Ohaneze Ndi Igbo president Lagos State Chairman, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene was at the scene to do the inauguration and present documents and certificates. With lots of encomium being poured on the chairman for his uncommon impact in seeing that the association gets to a greater height and ensuring that the Igbo and their host – Yoruba are in sync.

During his opening remarks, Moses Nwokolo said “I thank you all for making this day a great and memorable day for us all. That with the capable executives that he is working with that, I will ensure that the welfare of members is taken care of. I will also ensure that there is due representation between us and our host. “

Moses Nwokolo has over the years made an impact in the lives of Igbo community in the area through interventions and assistance where there is need. With sterling leadership qualities over these years, the people of the locality decided to make him the chairman to pilot the affairs of OHANEZE MOSON OKUNOLA LCDA and also work in hand with the OHANEZE Head office.

In line with the goodwill being poured on the new chairman, Onyekachi Egwim, one of the strong members of the association described Moses Nwokolo as a man that loves to carry everyone along. He said that Moses has over the years shown passion to the upliftment of members in the community and he said that he deserved this winning and thanked God for making the day a success.

Jerry Nwezeigwe added that “we are happy that such a fine gentleman with all the humility he has is piloting the affairs of this association. We believe that the era of working with no blueprint is gone. These few years that I have known him, he has demonstrated capacity in areas of leadership and capacity building. He has successfully built a bridge between us and the local council development. Today we have a secretariat we ca call our own.”

Apart from the Igbo community that was presented, the Yoruba were also there to give their support to Nwokolo, the LCDA chairperson of MOSAN OKUNOLA LCDA, Princess Olabisi Adebanjo aka ABISCO. She commended the new chairman for the cordial relationship that he has created between the Igbo and the LCDA and she promises to make her office available whenever there is need.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

 

 

 

 

d.light Launches In Nigeria With Life Transforming Solar Energy And Device Financing Solutions.

d.light Launches In Nigeria With Life Transforming Solar Energy And Device Financing Solutions.

 

 

d.light, a global leader in social transformation has officially launched into the Nigerian market with a promise to transform one billion lives globally by 2030. Founded in 2007 by Ned Tozun a Canadian & Sam Goldman an American who met at Stanford Business School, d.light has operated in several markets globally like India, China and Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia in Africa before expanding to the Nigerian market with over 25 million sustainable products including solar lanterns, solar home systems, TVs, radios and smartphones sold globally across over 70 countries.

Speaking about d.light’s passion to transform and impact billions of lives across the globe, the chairman of the board, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika explained that the goal of the company is to bridge the gap and ensure inclusiveness for everyone. “Our vision is to change the lives of billions of people on the face of the earth who are crying for equity to have a chance to live a better life.” We are in Nigeria to transform Africa one community at a time, and this is our driving force she said.

Giving the opening address at the launch, co-founder and president Sam Goldman said “The reality is that we are still so far from where we need to be in terms of our population and their needs. Hence our target market are the low income individuals; not just the rural communities which is why the company adopts the ‘pay-as-you-go” model. Access to sustainable energy will not be possible except we solve the funding problem.

The co-founder and CEO, Ned Tozun in his own address stated that d.light has provided employment for over 6,000 people across Africa. He added, “Our target is lower income individuals. There is sun in the village and the cities, so when we just say a rural market, it is not. The guy who lives in Lagos, but doesn’t have a generator shouldn’t even use a generator if he can have a solar solution. Why? Because of environmental sustainability. So, when you think about all the ESG matters, you will encourage more people to use alternate sources of energy rather than polluting sources of energy and that helps everywhere; whether you are in the city or in the village. It is about lower income. What we’ve done is to think of the entire problem chain. Firstly, innovate the product. Two, how do you deliver it? Deliver it to them at the most reasonable price. Thirdly, make sure it’s affordable for them. How is it affordable? It is pay-as-you-go. They don’t have to look for the capital to buy. They look for signing-up, proving they have the ability to be able to pay every week – they have different system: every week, every month, every day – are different options that are available and as you increase your credibility ratio in terms of your performance, you then have opportunity to get into more.”

The highlight of the event was the official launch of the iMax 10 Solar Power System an inverter battery system that can give Nigerians the freedon to live their best lives.

Dignitaries at the official country launch included the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo; CEO, who gave his virtual goodwill message and Florian Seche, CEO of HMD, Global strategic partners to d.light.

 

-End-

NCC urges NSSB to create awareness about Digital Literacy

NCC urges NSSB to create awareness about Digital Literacy

 

 

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board (NSSB) to support the NCC in creating awareness about the intervention projects of the Commission concerning research and digital literacy in order to provide more opportunities for the citizenry.

 

Director of Digital Economy at the Commission, Dr. Augustine Nwaulune, who hosted a delegation of the Board, led by the Board’s Executive Secretary, Hajia Saadatu Yahya, on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, recently, recalled that Nasarawa State is one of the beneficiaries of NCC’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) intervention projects such as the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP) for secondary schools, the Advanced Digital Appreciation Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI), the Wireless Cloud, as well as the E-Health programme.

 

“While we don’t give scholarship to students, the NCC has continued to give research grants to lecturers and students in the universities, and provided additional opportunities including sponsoring competitions involving students, as well as endowing professorial chairs in universities across the country. In the last seven years, the financial value of the endowments and grants is more than N500 million.

 

“Therefore, I will appeal to NSSB to create awareness about these initiatives of the NCC among stakeholders in the academia, particularly the research grants to enable stakeholders to leverage such opportunities offered by the Commission to scholars interested in carrying out telecommunications-based research,” he said.

 

Nwaulune said the NCC has been upbeat in ensuring implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-2030, in which one of its eight pillars, rests on digital literacy, while the Digital Economy Department has been set up and equipped by the Commission with the human resources required to coordinate its programmes in concrete terms.

 

Yahya, whose delegation visited to discuss areas of collaboration for deepening digital/technical training and skills acquisition in Nasarawa State, commended the Commission for the central role it has played in promoting digital awareness and skills across the country, and pleaded that Nasarawa State should be given more opportunities to  benefit from NCC’s social investments and other digital economy-focused interventions, being the closest State to the Federal Capital Territory, the base of the Commission.

 

“The purpose of our visit is to seek collaboration with the NCC in whatever ways possible, especially in the areas of scholarship, and ICT skills and literacy for our people. The ICT is, today, the engine room of global economy and we do not want to lag in this new digital order, hence, our decision to seek collaboration with organisations in the ICT space such as yours to work which, especially because you are contiguous to our State,” Yahya, the NSSB Executive Secretary said.

 

Other members of the delegation, including Senior Special Assistant to Nasarawa State Governor on Information and Communication Technology, Haruna Sani; and the President, Nasarawa State Students Association, Sani Jibrin, spoke in favour of a greater collaboration with the NCC which would add the needed impetus to the current efforts by the state government to leverage ICT for economic development.

AfriTECH 2.0: Theme, Date and Venue Announced

AfriTECH 2.0: Theme, Date and Venue Announced

 

Trailblazers in the technology and business circle in Africa are set to gather in Lagos, Nigeria (West Africa) on 9 November 2022 for another edition of Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 2.0) as the continent’s sought-after technology Forum, exhibition, and awards ceremony.

AfriTECH 2.0 scheduled to hold at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, is focused on ‘Sustainability and The Company of the Future’, as the central theme.

According to the organisers from TechCastle Foundation and TechEconomy.ng, AfriTECH 2.0 will convene Business leaders/CEOs of Companies and Organisations, Innovators, Government Representatives, International Organizations, Diplomats, Investors, Academia, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs in their numbers.

The array of industry leaders, and tech-entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and tech ecosystem players from across the continent, will unpack the various challenges, scenarios, and mind-blowing economic opportunities in ‘Harnessing Digital Identity for Digital Economy Agenda’; ‘Creating Sustainable Future through Connectivity’; ‘Blockchain & Cryptocurrency – The Future of Money’; and ‘Cloud Computing in 5G Era – Everything-As-A-Service’.

According to Statista, 97% of respondents to a digital transformation survey stated that the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, sped up digital transformation processes in their respective organisations.

Global spending on digital transformation is projected to reach $1.78 trillion in 2022. But in what ways will this transformation manifest?

Africa Tech Alliance Forum 2021 to center on digital transformation solutions - ITPulse.com.ngThe answer lies in trends that will shape the businesses of tomorrow. The case is no different for the Government: The current, incremental pace of economic and social advancement shows too many of Africa’s expanding youth population will be denied the opportunity to live up to their potential. Therefore, Africa should think big on digital development.

“Digital technologies offer a chance to disrupt this trajectory – unlocking new pathways for rapid economic growth, innovation, job creation and access to services which would have been unimaginable only a decade ago.

“Yet there is also a growing ‘digital divide’, and increased cyber risks, which need urgent and coordinated action to mitigate. Access to the internet remains out of reach for many citizens in the continent. Too few citizens have digital IDs or transaction accounts – locking them out of access to critical services and e-commerce”, said Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the co-Convener AfriTECH 2.0 and Co-Founder of TechCastle Foundation.

Continuing, he said, “Digital startups seek more funding and ‘traditional’ businesses are only slowly adopting digital technologies and platforms to boost productivity and sales. Few governments are investing strategically and systematically in developing digital infrastructure, services, skills and entrepreneurship.

“To become tomorrow’s innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, Africa’s youth need to be empowered with the digital skills and access to technology and markets that are essential to thrive in an increasingly digitized global economy. The time for action is now! Join us at AfriTECH 2.0

On his part, Peter Oluka, the Editor of TechEconomy.ng, said that AfriTECH 2.0 will be a consolidation on the last year’s edition with massive publicity and industry participation, adding that delegates should expect issue-based Forum through Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Exhibitions, Innovation Management Workshops, and AfriTECH AWARDS 2022.

“Africa Tech Alliance Forum 2022 will culminate in awards ceremony which aims to celebrate and reward companies and individuals on the African continent that have demonstrated excellence in the areas of innovative product/service development, policy/regulations, amongst other areas”.

“We are very excited about the feedbacks so far with regards potential speakers, panellists and even the potential awardees.

Delegates will be exposed to unique insights into the different ways 5G networks, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain/cryptocurrency, digital identity, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will shape the future of Africa’s development.

With only 300 in-person passes available to the public, interested attendees are encouraged to secure their spot by going to AfriTECH 2.0 or click the link here to register: https://registration.africatechallianceforum.africa/