Anambra remains one of the few states currently implementing the Zero ROW policy – Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA)

Anambra remains one of the few states currently implementing the Zero ROW policy – Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA)

Anambra State ICT Agency Achieves Significant Milestones in Digital Transformation

 

Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Anambra State ICT Agency, recently shared the remarkable achievements made by the agency and the state government in advancing digital transformation. The strides include notable accomplishments in full digitization, Right of Way for Telecom Infracos, collaboration with the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), and engagement with Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

In a media parley with journalists, Chukwuemeka Agbata emphasized, “The Anambra state government has taken a bold step as part of its determination to deepen infrastructure enhancement, leading to the full implementation of a zero Right of Way policy. This initiative has inspired many Infracos to expand their tech infrastructure in the state through the installation of fiber ducts, resulting in an enhanced quality of ICT services across Anambra.”

He further added, “Anambra remains one of the few states currently implementing the Zero ROW policy, marking a significant stride towards fully deepening broadband penetration.”

Highlighting collaborative efforts, Chukwuemeka Agbata revealed that the state government has partnered with IXPN to establish an internet exchange point, making Anambra State the first in the zone to host such a facility. He emphasized that this development will improve interconnectivity, reduce the cost of internet access, and deepen penetration in the state and the South East region.

Taking a cue from international standards, the implementation of public Wi-Fi, known as ‘Solution Wi-Fi,’ has been activated around university areas in the capital city of Awka, including Aroma Junction, Book Foundation, and Unizik Gate. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity for the populace, particularly the youth, and reduce operating expenses for small businesses in these areas.

Speaking on e-Government solutions, Chukwuemeka Agbata stated, “The adoption of the new domain has been highly successful. As a pioneering move in the state’s e-governance efforts, we have successfully transitioned to the Federal Government-approved .ng second-level domain. This transition has facilitated the relocation of Anambra State’s online digital assets, in line with Federal Government directives, to the ‘anambrastate.gov.ng’ and ‘an.gov.ng’ state-owned domains.”

The Anambra State ICT Agency continues to drive technological advancements, fostering a digital ecosystem that benefits residents, businesses, and the state’s overall development.

 

 

Taking a cue from international standards, the implementation of public Wi-Fi, known as ‘Solution Wi-Fi,’ has been activated around university areas in the capital city of Awka, including Aroma Junction, Book Foundation, and Unizik Gate. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity for the populace, particularly the youth, and reduce operating expenses for small businesses in these areas.

New Research Shows Mobile Finance Can Increase National Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

New Research Shows Mobile Finance Can Increase National Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

New research from Vodafone Group, Vodacom Group (https://www.Vodacom.com/), Safaricom, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicates that the successful deployment and adoption of mobile financial services is associated with a positive impact on GDP growth in developing markets as it helps businesses to reduce cost, access credit to invest, and to connect with consumers that were previously excluded from financial services.

 

 

The econometric modelling research[1] – which examined 49 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America – found that countries with successful mobile money services had an annual GDP per capita growth rate up to 1 percentage point higher than countries where mobile money platforms had not been successful or not introduced.

 

Based on previous World Bank research on the relationship between economic growth and reductions in the number of people living in poverty[2], this GDP per capita growth implies that countries with successful mobile money adoption could reduce poverty by around 2.6%.

 

The analysis was conducted as part of the companies’ Africa.Connected (https://bit.ly/3SGqW6l) campaign, an initiative to drive sustainable development through collaboration and help close the divides that prevent progress in Africa’s key economic sectors. The findings are part of a new research paper, Digital Finance Platforms to Empower All, the fourth research paper developed and released under the Africa.Connected umbrella.

 

Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO of M-Pesa Africa and Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom, said:

 

Mobile financial services platforms like M-Pesa are vital drivers of financial inclusion in society which can improve individual life chances

“Mobile financial services platforms like M-Pesa are vital drivers of financial inclusion in society which can improve individual life chances and enable enterprises to launch and expand, bringing wealth and jobs into developing economies. There remains though barriers both to accessing platforms – including digital literacy and smartphone accessibility – and to developing them – with an un-level regulatory playing field for non-traditional financial services providers in many countries.”

 

As part of the Africa.Connected research, consumer surveys were conducted focusing on users of M-Pesa in Kenya and Tanzania, and results were extrapolated to Ghana and Mozambique. A business survey was also conducted in Kenya. The resulting research underpinned the continuing importance of the world’s first mobile money service 15 years after it launched in 2007. The researchers estimated that:

 

  • 17.6 million current users in the four countries did not have access to any formal financial services before using M-Pesa;
  • 98% of businesses surveyed said that M-Pesa helps them to do business, with the main benefits of M-Pesa being its facilitation of faster and safer payments and enabling the sale of goods and services online; and
  • 95% of businesses surveyed indicated that they use M-Pesa for at least half of their business transactions.

 

Ulrika Modeer, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy at UNDP, said:

 

“Financial inclusion is both a pre-condition and a key enabler for meeting many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing poverty, boosting economic growth, promoting market access and championing investment in key sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare. But more importantly, it is about putting people at the center, empowering them with more agency over their money and increasing their resilience. Eliminating financial exclusion in Africa, and across the globe, must be a priority if we are to deliver on inclusive, sustainable prosperity for all on a healthy planet.”

 

Click here to read the full Africa.connected financial inclusion paper:https://bit.ly/3U4QAmp

[1]The econometric model made use of data covering the period 2003 – 2019. More recent data was not included in the modelling due to the effects of the pandemic.

[2] Adams, 2003, Economic Growth, Inequality, and Poverty: Findings from a New Data Set. World Bank. Available online:  https://bit.ly/3TQWoQi

NIGERIA: NO CONTEMPLATION OF LOCKDOWN – #PTFCOVID19

NIGERIA: NO CONTEMPLATION OF LOCKDOWN – #PTFCOVID19

The attention of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 has been drawn to some mis-information circulating on the social media to the effect that the Federal Government is contemplating another lockdown this weekend.

The PTF wishes to state categorically that there is no such consideration at any of its meetings nor has any recommendation been made to this effect to the President.

The PTF frowns at such unpatriotic mis-information which is capable of causing unnecessary panic and anxiety among the populace.

It urges Nigerians to disregard the mis-information and join hands with the Federal Government to contain the spread of the virus in the country by adhering to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI’s) as recommended by the PTF.

Willie Bassey
Director, Information