Category: e-Business

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the latest edition of the popular Galaxy A series, giving consumers more options and a great device to stay connected and enjoy a remarkable mobile experience.

The company said in a statement that the Galaxy A24 LTE comes packed with amazing features and a clear mission to redefine awesome through a brilliant display, a brand-new design and a camera that shoots sharp and steady. It tops it all off with a large storage capacity that allows you to safely keep your important documents, music, apps, downloads and collection of all your life’s special moments captured in pictures and video.

“The Galaxy A24 LTE boasts the latest software in Samsung’s One UI 5.1 to give you an even finer mobile experience that is one up on the Galaxy A23 LTE, which it replaces.

“All your apps and files will be safe and secure in the phone’s ample built-in memory of 4 or 6GB of memory and 128GB storage that is expandable by up to 1TB with MicroSD1.

“The Galaxy A24 LTE looks the part too with Galaxy’s signature design language that is inspired by Samsung’s flagship line.

“From the back of the phone, the improved design sports a glossy finish and prism pattern back cover with a refined and polished camera deck. The optimised ratio between the corner and the camera modules gives the phone a sophisticated look while the no camera housing is straight out of the apex Galaxy S series design playbook,” the company said.

It added that the phone’s sleek and premium design is complemented by its exquisite flat body pattern with one of the phone’s three beautiful colors that include black, silver and light green.

The Galaxy A24 LTE’s super AMOLED 6.5-inch full high-definition screen gives a brilliant, vivid display. With its eye care display3 and low blue light emission that’s always clear even under bright sunlight, scrolling through your phone, binging on your favorite shows or playing games would be a pleasant experience that is comfortable on your eyes.

“Capture all your different vibes and gain awesome perspectives with the triple-lens camera that includes an excellent 13-megapixel (MP) selfie lens that will be sure to deliver your pictures and videos in immaculate quality. The main super sharp and steady 50MP Triple camera is supported by an ultra-wide 5MP and a macro 2MP lens to give you even more options and angles for your beautiful shots.

“You’d be happy to learn that all these exciting features of the Galaxy A24 LTE will not quickly deplete your battery power and you’ll be able to enjoy them for much longer thanks to the powerful 5,000mAh battery which can last for more than two days on a single charge4.With video playback time up to 20 hours5, the battery can last long enough to keep you connected and should you need a quick recharge4, the 25W fast charger6 will handle things for you to pick up where you left off in no time. You can charge up to 50per cent in 30 minutes,” Samsung said.

The Galaxy A24 LTE is available in retail stores from 10th May 2023 at a recommended retail price of N166,900 for 6gb+128gb and N156,900 for 4gb+128gb.

An Information Technology (IT) solutions company, Tenece Professional Services Limited, at the weekend in Lagos, said it is eyeing more expansion into the African continent and looking to make an impact in agriculture, real estate, entertainment and other sectors of the economy.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Kingsley Eze, who spoke during a panel discussion entitled: Excelling Beyond All Limits on the occasion to mark the company’s 15th anniversary in Lekki, said the road has been rough but the company has remained focused on delivering excellent solutions that have deepened the industry in the countries where it currently operates.

 He said, like every other business, the company has also taken a huge hit on foreign exchange fluctuations which has sometimes eroded some of its gains. According to him, the company had to lose money in the course of executing projects for clients because it would not be fine for projects associated with the company to fail.

He underscored the place of trust in all businesses, especially in the IT environment that is competitive. He said the customer must trust the organisation; the end user must trust the organisation will deliver, adding that this must also cascade to the ordering process which involves the distributor who will also order through the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). He said trust is not a commodity that could be purchased on the shelf but something that is won. “You must work on how the people in the value chain will perceive you,” he said.

He said the company has learnt not to be pushed by fear but could be paranoid. He recalled that when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, it caught every organisation unawares, especially those that had not witnessed a global pandemic before. And when it happened, he recalled that management called for a meeting where he urged everyone to brace for the challenge for at least one year. The workers, he said, had to redouble their efforts to ensure that the company pulled through, adding that management had to embark on a pay cut. He said revenue jumped 40 per cent thereafter.

On the Japa epidemic besetting every sector of the economy, he said the company has not suffered ‘attrition’ saying the workers that left the organisation either travelled out to further their education or got a better work offer.

With the theme: “Beyond our Dreams” he acknowledged that the company’s achievements in the IT solutions industry over the past 15 years have been exemplary, exceeding all set projections.

Founded in 2008 with a vision to be the foremost Enterprise Technology Consulting Services firm in Nigeria and Africa by 2030, Tenece has expanded beyond the 36 states of Nigeria to  become a truly pan- African tech company with presence in other African countries such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and Ethiopia, and the UAE.

He said since inception, Tenece has no record of a failed or uncompleted project, no capital injection, and over 3,000 successfully implemented solutions to customers in the educational sector, financial service institutions, fintechs, oil & gas, government, telecommunications, and manufacturing across the 36 states of Nigeria and Africa.

MD of Tenece Hold Co, Lina Eze (Ph.D.) said the occasion is a significant milestone for the entire team, particularly the pioneers, as it beams light on all the passion-driven efforts that have morphed Tenece into a remarkable pan -African tech solutions provider.

As Nigeria welcomes back the first set of evacuees fleeing Sudan, MTN Nigeria is offering free airtime and data to the returnees to support their resettlement in Nigeria.

The North African country has been embroiled in a bloody conflict since April 15 and after waves of assurances by the Federal Government on evacuating Nigerians stranded in the country, over 300 of them landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday morning. More evacuees are expected to return through the course of the week.

Receiving the evacuees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, said various organisations were supporting resettlement efforts for the returnees.

 “Today, we are very happy to receive them. They have gone through a very traumatic period but we give thanks to Almighty Allah that all of them are back safely. No life was lost which is the most important thing. All the efforts put in place were not in vain. I thank every member of the Committee that has put all efforts to ensure that these people are brought back safely and with dignity. We thank the transport companies for their support.

 “There is N100,000 that would transport them back to their families which is supported by the Dangote Foundation by giving them the transportation fare as well as the dignity kits and 25,000 recharge cards from MTN and 1.5 GB data courtesy of MTN. All efforts have been put in place and everyone has contributed to ensuring that at least these Nigerians have some comfort when they return home,” the minister said.

To revolutionise and democratise e-learning in Nigeria and indeed Africa, a firm has launched Educatial, which it said creates great institutions, unlocks the great potentials of Africa’s young population and creates wealth among the people.

The launch of Educatial platform is coming as Android phones, e-learning tablets, laptops and other modern gadgets are now available to students to aid their studies, thus shifting emphasis from predominantly physical classrooms as centres of learning to online classrooms through smartphones and other devices of the user.

At the launch in Ikeja, Chairman and Founder of Educatial, Mr. Francis Muofunanya, noted that globally, education, like every other sphere of life, has over the years, witnessed great evolution in methods and content of teaching and learning, thus, the need for the launch of Educatial.

“Today is a special day in my life, the life of our organisation and educational development in Nigeria. I stand on the threshold of history as we undertake this journey of discovery to usher in quality and affordable education at all levels: primary, post-primary and tertiary – in Nigeria, Africa and beyond through our digital platform,” Francis said.

He argued that as more learning happens online, education is overwhelmed and in need of a learning ecosystem that provides a unified solution to it.

According to him, Educatial was developed by indigenous systems engineers. It is an exciting software-as-a-service ecosystem platform for the education sector focused on transforming learning for present and future generations.

It provides a ‘one-stop-shop’ including hardware, software, infrastructure, hosting and support. Its focus is on teaching learners how to learn, training professionals in career-focused skills and equipping educators for success.

“Educatial will engage the youths and help them acquire the relevant skills that will empower them to play on the global stage and hence curb excessive migration to other developed countries otherwise known as japa in search of better education and good-paying jobs.

“Educatial developed 20 uniquely different but interconnected educational tools that are engaging, effective, impactful and fun but at the same time are useful in community-led learning.

“Educatial will birth young professional billionaires in media, film making and other content creation hubs. Universities and other educational institutions will be able to exponentially increase their internally generated revenues through some of our digital bouquet without taxing students and their guardians,” he said of the special features of the app.

Technology is developing almost at the speed of lightning. New technologies such as artificial intelligence(AI), robotics, machine learning and more are changing how health care delivery, agriculture, and others are delivered across the world. LUCAS AJANAKU writes on the need for collaboration between the private and public sectors to tap into the immense opportunities of the internet.

Technology is arguably the 21st-century child’s currency. As toddlers, they learn to swipe the touch screens on electronic devices faster than nursery rhymes. Parents and guardians of these children expose them to modern technology as a pastime at an early stage. Animated videos, computer games, and other forms of entertainment have shaped the contemporary culture of youth development.

This trend has been received with harsh criticism in some quarters, especially by custodians of traditional culture, educators of children, and policymakers. Exposure to media content is considered a factor in the character formation of a child, therefore excessive exposure to digital media content may have an adverse impact on a child’s development. Researchers such as Akidi have blamed the poor reading culture of some students on digital intrusion.

On the contrary, another school of thought suggests that digital technology can help enhance education, reduce youth unemployment, and promote socio-economic development.

In an article by UoPeople, Technology was cited as a tool that provides access to numerous online resources that support independent learning and research for students. A 2022 review by the National Library of Medicine equally suggested that digital engagement via various technological devices, platforms, and tools has become necessary for youth to accomplish key developmental tasks.

Nigeria stands at a turning point, and there’s an opportunity to make technology the foundation for sustainable learning solutions so as to fill the tech manpower skill shortage on the continent.

And the figures are impressive. Total connected lines as at February, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stood at 227,179,946 while internet penetration rate stood at 55.4 per cent of the total population at the start of 2023. Kepios analysis indicates that internet users in Nigeria increased by 2.9 million (+2.4 per cent) between 2022 and 2023.

According to the World Bank, raising internet penetration to 75 per cent of the population in all developing countries (from the current level of approximately 35 percent) would add as much as $2 trillion to their collective gross domestic product (GDP) and create more than 140 million jobs around the world.

A 2011 research by McKinsey Global Institute entitled: “The great transformer: the impact of the internet on economic growth and prosperity”, noted that from an obscure network of researchers and technology experts three decades ago, the internet has become a day-to-day reality for more than a quarter of the world’s population. Today, two billion people are connected to the internet and almost $8 trillion exchange hands each year through e-commerce.

On its contribution to GDP growth, McKinsey said across a range of large and developed economies, the internet exerts a strong influence on economic growth rates.

“Our research shows that the internet accounts for, on average, 3.4 per cent of GDP across the large economies that make up 70 per cent of global GDP. If internet consumption and expenditures were a sector, its weight in GDP would be bigger than energy or agriculture industry. The internet’s total contribution to global GDP is bigger than the GDP of Spain or Canada, and it is growing faster than the GDP of Brazil,” the McKinsey’s report noted.

In 2016, Microsoft partner Dynamiss Solutions to launch LP+365 learning solutions to boost digital learning in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The LP+365 digital learning classroom solution is a cloud-based learning platform that transforms Microsoft Office365 into a school’s virtual learning environment, enabling teachers to design and plan the curriculum, deliver subject material, manage coursework, and communicate with students using simple drag-and-drop technology. This learning platform has since made learning easier as it provides 24-hour access to learning for both teachers and students.

Another such case would be the launch of the Nigeria Digital Learning Passport (NLP) by United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Lagos State government.

Nigeria Learning Passport is an online, mobile, and offline learning platform designed for pre-primary, primary, and secondary school learning. The platform was designed to give children, youth, and teachers access to a digitalized curriculum providing learning materials in all core curriculum subjects for primary one to six, and all junior and senior secondary school classes. In 2022, NLP provided continuous education to 3 million students and will serve an estimated 12 million by 2025.

Tech companies such as MTN Nigeria have developed initiatives to boost digital learning in Nigeria. By partnering with the government and educational institutions and leveraging the power of technology, the company has enabled easy access to educational content by activating digital learning platforms and educational play zones.

Since 2018, when it introduced MTN mPulse, young scholars have enjoyed unlimited opportunities for learning at an individual’s pace, which may not necessarily be available in the four-wall classroom environment. An interactive online portal from MTN, mPulse equips students between 9 and 15 with the resources they need to maximise their potential in any chosen endeavour. The service has two features namely the mPulse tariff and the mPulse website.

The mPulse package comes with a voice plan and a fun, educative website which hosts a wide variety of courses and study aids to help children from Primary to Secondary level excel. The portal also provides a bouquet of single and multiplayer games, as well as life skills videos. A wide variety of skills to learn on the platform include computer programming, fashion designing, medicine, blogging, engineering, writing, data science, and motivational speaking. The portal has built-in parental controls that enable a registered parent or guardian to track and control what the child is accessing on the internet- thus allaying fears of negative media influence.

To commemorate the 2022 Children’s Day, MTN Nigeria also partnered Google to host over 200 children for a special Children’s Day celebration themed “Tech Makers: The Next Wave.” Geared toward inspiring young children to become tech entrepreneurs, the digital empowerment initiative was created to expose young children to a world of incredible opportunities. The celebration resonates with MTN’s culture of impacting children. For instance, some select secondary schools have benefited from MTN’s outreach programmes where students, as well as teachers, have received gifts from the ICT company, including ICT laboratories and upgraded libraries.

Undoubtedly, the increasing number of youth-centered projects by MTN proves the technology giant’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment across all sectors of the economy to institute a future-proof economy.

A momentous season for primary and secondary school-age students came when MTN launched the mPulse Spelling Bee competition, Nigeria’s first digital spelling bee competition, in 2020. Aimed at improving the English spelling and vocabulary of the participants, aged between 9 and 15, the competition is a huge contribution to Nigeria’s knowledge economy through youth development. Accessible through the mPulse portal, participating students can practice with sample materials repeatedly at their convenience. In 2022, the technology company announced the return of the third edition of the spelling bee competition, with the top 20 spellers receiving gifts. The overall winner, along with the first and second runners-up were rewarded with cash prizes for themselves and their English teachers. In addition, the spelling bee champion’s school was rewarded with ICT devices, while the winner, Kate Ene, got the opportunity to become MTN Nigeria’s CEO for a day.

The case of Kate Ene David, who emerged as the winner of the 2022 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee competition, paints the closest picture of the upshot of youth empowerment in Nigeria. The 14-year-old student of Intimacy with Christ Secondary School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, along with 19 other top students, had exercised their spelling prowess, and quick wits, and expanded their wealth of vocabulary knowledge at different phases of the competition. With their dedication to win and join the league of spelling bee champions, Nigeria’s future is a cut above the rest, as educational development at the grassroots level is rapidly moulding the younger generation for excellence.

Following her win, Kate was onboarded as the first female CEO of MTN Nigeria for a day. This accomplishment exposed the teenage spelling bee sensation to the practicalities of the business world at a tender age, further promoting youth participation in decision-making, processes, and structure, and thereby creating an easier roadmap for school-to-work transitioning. This notion is supported by the   World Economic Forum   in a 2020 article that identified investment in public education with proactive engagement by businesses as a mechanism to transform the skills landscape for the next generation and ease school-to-work transitions

Nigeria can only reach the UN sustainability goals by investing in youth. Skills development in youths will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on the economy. In a 2020 article published by the International Development Law Organization, UN Envoy, Ahmed Alhendawi described the youth as the greatest asset for the development agenda. To flip the coin would mean a nation in distress, and a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

Empowering the Nigerian youth with resources to thrive in a digital economy has answered the overarching question of how innovation in education, science, and technology can be used to build on the momentum of Nigeria’s economic growth, and Africa at large.   MTN Nigeria’s world of possibilities for youth development in education and tech innovation is, beyond doubt, contributing to the achievement of Africa’s transformation agenda (2020-2030) aimed at building an integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa that improves the quality of life of Africa’s citizens, strengthen the existing economic sector, and enable diversification and development.

House of Salem Ministry has announced the launch of a cryptocurrency, Kingdom Coin.

The coin according to prophet Joel Ogebe titled, ‘The Kingdom Coin (TKC) Cryptocurrency is a great vision that we must embrace. The Kingdom Coin was launched on May 1, 2023.

“Thanks be to God who has empowered the church to triumph gloriously in every area of dominion according to his good pleasure. 

“Kingdom wealth transfer is one of the warfare strategies of God at this end time to aid the church in spreading the gospel mandate and bringing the nations into obedience to the gospel. 

“Since we are at war and the mountains of influence of this world must be subdued and made into the mountain of God, it is expedient that we conquer every aspect of society including the financial world, taking advantage of every possibility offered to us for the righteous advancement of God’s kingdom.”

The Pioneer said Kingdom Coin is “a kingdom-oriented agenda providing a Goshen system for the body of Christ ahead of the anticipated global economic meltdown. 

“By prophetic revelation, we have discerned that in the coming days, the world is about to go through a great financial restructuring, a trial by the economic collapse that will see banks fold up and businesses crumble.

“By the wisdom of God, build on the blockchain, a kingdom-oriented cryptocurrency ecosystem that will help the church navigate through the coming storm.”

f

Original equipment manufacturer, ASUS, has restated its commitment to the environment with the production of eco-friendly products.

It also said the display of its product has been certified for eye care by TÜV Rheinland and SGS with 70 per cent-lower blue-light emissions, ensuring that the user’s eyes are comfortable even during long viewing sessions. ASUS also provides free OLED screen exchange for any burn-in issues during the warranty period.

The company restated its commitment in a statement announcing the unveiling of the new Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304), which it said is the world’s slimmest 13.3-inch OLED laptop. It’s also the most eco-friendly Zenbook ever, and takes the brand’s signature qualities of ultraportable design, sustainability and on-the-go performance to a new level, proving conclusively that less can be more.

With a world-beating super-slim one centimetre profile and a super-light 1 kg chassis, the Zenbook S 13 OLED delivers no-compromise performance, connectivity and battery life, making it the epitome of ultraportable design, and finished in brand-new Basalt Gray or classic Ponder Blue. It’s also designed with the environment and carbon neutrality firmly in mind, using recycled metals and plastics in its construction, FSCTM Mix-certified packaging, an elegant new eco-friendly plasma ceramic aluminum for the Basalt Gray model, and halogen-free electronics, to make this the most eco-friendly Zenbook model we’ve ever produced.

“The Zenbook series excels at delivering unrivaled on-the-go performance, and Zenbook S 13 OLED is no exception, harnessing the power of up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processors with 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1 TB PCIe  4.0 x4 SSD. There’s a full set of I/O ports for on-the-go connections, and a long-lasting 63 Wh battery.

“For immersive true-to-life visuals, Zenbook S 13 OLED has a gorgeous 16:10 2.8K (2880 x 1800) ASUS Lumina OLED display that’s Dolby Vision certified, with Pantone Validated color rendering and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, ensuring incredible detail and the deepest black levels.

“To achieve the super-slim 1 cm profile and super-light 1 kg weight of Zenbook S 13 OLED, several advanced techniques and materials are used in its design and construction to reduce the weight and dimensions compared to the previous generation, without compromising performance, connectivity or battery life.

“To achieve the incredibly slim profile, we’ve embedded a thinner yet fully featured FHD IR camera directly into the CNC-machined lid. We’ve also used a specially designed ultraslim OLED panel, resulting in a lid that’s 30per cent slimmer.

“Optimized internal layout: By using precision CNC machining, we make more space available in the interior for components. We use circuit boards with fewer layers and a higher wiring density, with many more transistors, giving better performance with less weight in a more compact space. The motherboard is precision-engineered to house an additional, ultrathin fan that increases airflow for better cooling. This makes the lower part of the laptop about 25per cent slimmer.

“Materials choice: To minimize weight, durable and lightweight magnesium-aluminum alloy is used for the keyboard deck, formed with a CNC cutting process to create a rigid structure that doesn’t need any extra support. An extremely thin glass covering is used for the touchpad, resulting in a further 25per cent reduction in thickness in the keyboard deck,” the statement explained.

The result is a class-defining ultraportable laptop that takes thin and light to a whole new level without compromises: it supports up to 14 hours of video streaming, while offering improved cooling and performance compared to its predecessor. And despite its world-beating compact dimensions, Zenbook S 13 OLED retains full usability and features a comprehensive set of standard I/O ports.

ASUS is committed to do more with less through Zenbook. This device is an EPEAT Gold registered product that has a positive environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle, from material use and manufacturing, through to assembly, use, and end of life. We have mitigated its carbon footprint by incorporating recycled materials and designing more eco-conscious packaging.

The device is the most eco-friendly Zenbook ever made, incorporating post-industrial recycled (PIR) magnesium-aluminum alloy in the keyboard cover, chassis and lid, reducing its carbon footprint by more than 50per cent. The keycaps and speakers incorporate post-consumer-recycled (PCR) plastics, and the speakers also use ocean-bound plastics. We have redesigned the packaging to be 100per cent recyclable, with reusable and compostable materials. It uses 100per cent FSC Mix-certified paper from responsibly managed forests, controlled wood and recycled sources. The paper packing inserts can also be easily transformed into useful laptop stands. In addition, Zenbook S 13 OLED also exceeds the ENERGY STAR energy efficiency standard by 43per cent to reduce the electricity consumption. Via above mentioned sustainable actions, the overarching goal of this device’s sustainability initiatives is to achieve carbon neutrality.

For the first time, the company used a special manufacturing process to create an ASUS-exclusive plasma ceramic aluminum material for the lid. This process uses pure water and electricity, and no organic compounds, strong acids, or heavy metals are required. Instead, this low-environmental-impact bath-based method produces a physical and chemical transformation of the aluminum. This results in increased wear resistance, corrosion protection, thermal management, hardness, and lifespan.

Along with the physical advantages, the look and feel of this material is similar to natural stone that resonates with the spirit of the Zenbook series. Incredibly, this makes each lid individually unique. No two are alike. A longer laptop lifespan also reduces long-term waste, so Zenbook 13 S OLED is stringently tested using the latest MIL-STD-810H US military-grade durability standard, with up to 12 test methods and 26 individual tests – the world’s most strictly tested laptop durability.

The Intel Evo-certified Zenbook S 13 OLED delivers the perfect blend of performance and portability, featuring up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor that can be boosted by 20per cent to a thermal design power (TDP) of up to 20 watts. This is supported by up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and an ultrafast 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD, with a long-lasting high-capacity 63 Wh battery. WiFi 6E enhanced with ASUS WiFi Master Premium ensures fast, stable connections.

Even though it’s ultra-compact, Zenbook S 13 OLED includes a full complement of I/O ports, so users don’t need to carry dongles or adapters on their travels. The two ultrafast Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports support fast charging, 4K external displays, and up to 40 Gbps data transfers, and there’s also a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

For enhanced video conferencing experiences on the go, the FHD IR camera includes AI-powered visual effects and AI noise-cancelation technology. It also supports fast and secure face login with Windows Hello. The powerful Harman Kardon-certified audio system with immersive Dolby Atmos sound has a smart amplifier combined with ASUS Audio Booster technology to boost volume by up to 5.25X.

The 9.5per cent-larger ASUS ErgoSense touchpad allows easier navigation and is smooth, comfortable, and responsive, with an easy-to-clean anti-fingerprint coating

For an immersive viewing experience, Zenbook S 13 OLED is equipped with a 16:10 ASUS Lumina OLED display – our brand-new name that’s only given to superior OLED displays that meet our strict quality criteria, and offer a visual experience that’s more accurate, more adaptive, and more reliable. ASUS Lumina OLED displays standardize highly-crafted visual solutions around the best OLED experience. The name also highlights the unique advantages and superior visual experience that go beyond traditional OLED displays. ASUS Lumina OLED displays feature exclusive ASUS technologies, such as ASUS Splendid and ASUS OLED Care, as well as new features like Delta E <1, power-saving, and panel protection. By integrating these elements, ASUS has created a highly-crafted solution that represents the pinnacle of OLED technology.

With a resolution of 2.8K, a 0.2 millisecond response time and a color accuracy of Delta E <1 , the stunning ASUS Lumina OLED display on Zenbook S 13 OLED delivers clearer, brighter and more vivid colors. As well as offering Dolby Vision certification, the display is also DisplayHDR True Black 500-certified for brilliant whites and the deepest blacks, and carries the Pantone Validated badge for industry-standard color fidelity. The cinema-grade 100per cent DCI-P3 color gamut delivers ultravivid colors, and ASUS Splendid allows the user to easily switch between this gamut and sRGB, Display-P3 or the native OLED gamut.

E-Commerce platform, Konga, said consumers will have an opportunity to acquire the best gadgets this week as it begins this year’s edition of its Tech Week which begins today and end on May 12.

The company, in a statement, said in addition to offering bargain-hungry shoppers the widest assortment of genuine tech products and accessories from the biggest brands, this year’s edition of Konga Tech Week will equally witness best prices and massive deals across various product categories. From mobile phones, computing – laptops, desktops and monitors, printers and scanners – to tablets, PC gaming, computer and mobile accessories, etc., as well as a wide range of electronics and home and Kitchen appliances, among others, The Week offers something for  shoppers.

In addition, plans are in place to make this edition of the Konga  Week an unforgettable experience for shoppers. On the line-up is a variety of exciting initiatives designed to excite customers, including treasure hunts, flash sales, freebies and giveaways, bundled offers, app-only deals and special price slashes. Interestingly, there is the added option of guaranteed same day delivery for shoppers via Konga Now.

”No one does Tech Week quite like Konga. I can’t wait for this year’s edition. During last year’s edition, I was able to purchase several gadgets which were much higher-priced in the market at unbelievable prices on Konga. But that’s not all. I made sure to share the secret with many of my friends, some of whom bought online and in various Konga stores nearest to them.  We are all waiting patiently for Tuesday,” Sonia Omatedjor, a long-time shopper on Konga.com, said.

Also, Ibe Ben Christian, another frequent shopper, lauded Konga for  delivering value with its Tech Week sale.

”I run a small tech company and for me, Konga Tech Week is one campaign I look forward to. Usually, I use this opportunity to stock up on essential tech gadgets, devices and accessories required by my customers. I also take advantage of the unbeatable prices Konga offers to buy in bulk and resell at good margins. Konga Tech Week is good for me and for my business,” he said.

Shoppers are also in for unprecedented swiftness in the delivery of their orders, with all products tagged Konga Now primed for same day delivery.

Konga Tech Week will run across multiple channels including online on the Konga website – www.konga.com, offline in its growing chain of retail stores across Nigeria and on Konga Bulk.

Meanwhile, Tech Week will also afford bulk buyers, business owners, corporate organisations, educational institutions, cooperatives, and other potential heavy shoppers a chance to take advantage of the special prices and bulk deals on offer. Several top brands and globally renowned Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to jostle for the attention of shoppers with juicy offers during the Konga Tech Week sale.

On the strength of a Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) February circular in 2021, crypto exchanges in Nigeria were banned from working with financial institutions, thereby officially shutting the country out of an estimated $1.25 trillion global crypto market. LUCAS AJANAKU writes on the need for regulators to expedite action on its regulation as operators wait in the wings.

Operators in the crypto currency space say they are in discussion with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over lifting the ban and deepening the ecosystem so as to tap from its immense benefits and deepen financial inclusion.

According to the operators, the regulatory authorities are upbeat over the issue as they don’t want the country to lose out in the race.

They said Allied Market Research, the global cryptocurrency market size was valued at $1.49 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $4.94 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8 per cent from 2021 to 2030. Cryptocurrency is known as virtual currency. It is a form of currency that exists digitally only and has no central issuing or regulating authority above. It uses blockchain technology to authenticate the transactions. Blockchain is a decentralised technology spread across many computers that manages and records transactions. Furthermore, it does not rely on banks to verify the transactions but is used as a peer-to-peer system that enables users to send and receive payments from anywhere in the world.

Allied Market Research noted that the increase in need for operational efficiency and transparency in financial payment systems, rise in demand for remittances in developing countries, increase in data security, and improved market cap are the major factors that drive the growth of the global cryptocurrency market. Moreover, high implementation cost and lack of awareness of cryptocurrency among the people in developing nations hamper the cryptocurrency market growth. Furthermore, increase in demand for cryptocurrency among banks, and financial institutions and untapped potential on emerging economies are expected to provide lucrative opportunity for the market expansion during the forecast period.

Director, Product Management, Yellow Card Financial, Ogochukwu Umeokafor, said the feedback the firm is getting from the CBN is positive, adding that very soon, a definitive policy statement around crypto will be made.

According to her, the firm prides itself as being one of the largest exchanges in Africa, providing a secure and reliable platform for buying, selling, and storing various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum, USD Coin, Cardano, Solana, and Celo Dollar.

The objective, she said, is to make basic financial services and cryptocurrency accessible to everyone on the African continent. “We currently operate in 16 African countries, serving a user base of over 1.4 million individuals, and rapidly expanding our pan-African crypto network. With a team of experts from all around the world, we aim to facilitate easy access to cryptocurrency for everyone on the continent, empowering them to take control of their finances,” she said.

Regional Marketing Manager, West Africa for Yellow Card Financial, Rachael Akalia, said the firm has sent application for operation to SEC, adding however that the N10million requirement is not easy to meet for many operators in the sector.

The move comes at a time the SEC started taking steps towards regulating crypto currencies, issuing guidelines for initial coin offerings, and other cryptocurrency-related activities.

Under SEC’s new rules, all crypto exchanges providing service to Nigerians are now required to secure a permit, which gives the Commission access to its records.

Crypto exchanges are also expected to submit weekly and monthly trading information as well as quarterly and annual financial and compliance reports.

According to Akalia, the ban on the trading of crypto by the CBN alongside the galloping inflationary trends have raised more awareness about crypto as people, especially the youths, want to store their cash value in crypto currencies.

She is optimistic that there will be regulatory light at the dark end of the tunnel before the end of this year.

Like Yellow Card Financial, another blockchain United States-based tech firm, Gluwa believes crypto currencies can play an important role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion in Nigeria with the right policy framework.

Gluwa founder and CEO, Tae Oh, said: “Our proposals have been sent to the SEC, the Ministry of Finance, and the CBN. We look forward to working with them to create an environment that fosters innovation, encourages investment, and supports the growth of the Web3 industry.”

Oh believes cryptocurrencies have the potential to transform the financial landscape of Nigeria, and the African continent. By working closely with the Federal Government, he hopes to create a policy framework that encourages the responsible and regulated use of cryptocurrencies while prioritising the protection of consumers and preventing illicit activities.

Luno’s Head of Compliance for Africa, Johan Hetzel, said millions of investors have been drawn to cryptocurrency by the prospect of rising prices. To this end, a growing number of young global investors see cryptocurrency as a viable alternative to gold, the world’s oldest safe-haven asset. A recent CNBC Millionaire Survey indicated that 83per cent of millennial millionaires held cryptocurrency. Luno is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange with over 10million customers globally.

He said currently, there are around 20,000 cryptocurrencies offered with over 300 million users globally with 48 million of these users from the African continent. Crypto’s potential to bridge the economic divide, serving personal and entrepreneurial demands such as remittance, e-commerce, payments, wealth preservation, and social good, is a significant reason for its growing popularity in Africa.

Despite this, African countries have taken a significantly different stance toward cryptocurrency than most other governments around the world. Nigeria and Kenya are two countries in this region that have decided to prohibit the use of cryptocurrencies or have issued warnings and in some instances outright ban, to their banking systems about the risks associated with using them.

Yet, Nigeria’s enthusiasm knows no bounds, and it is anticipated that the country could reach a rate of 100 per cent adoption by the year 2030. Other countries, such as South Africa, are simultaneously supporting the exchange of digital assets.

The Luno chief averred that cryptocurrency regulation has grown in popularity over the years. Globally, 33 countries regulated cryptocurrency in 2018. As of 2021, this number had risen dramatically to 103 nations.

Akalia said Yellow Card is promoting financial inclusion because of the belief that everyone should have access to financial freedom. “We understand the challenges that our users have been facing in the crypto market, and we wanted to do something to support them,” she said.

To further push the adoption of Crypto in Africa and facilitate cross-border payments using Cryptocurrencies, Yellow Card has partnered with Block -a publicly traded company behind the popular payment apps Cash App and Square, co-founded and led by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter. This partnership is an effort to bring more financial inclusion to African countries. With Yellow Card’s extensive network in Africa and Block’s expertise in payments and cryptocurrency, the two companies aim to provide users with a seamless and secure way to transfer funds across borders. We are proud to be a face for cryptocurrency on the continent and to be promoting financial inclusion and education.

SEC had released a new regulatory framework for the country’s crypto sector, signalling a major shift in attitudes from authorities towards the industry’s growing popularity.

Reacting to the SEC’s proposed framework, Country Manager for Nigeria at Luno, Owen Odia, had said: “At Luno, we strongly believe today’s developments could mark a major breakthrough in not only delivering much-needed clarity and protection for crypto customers, but also for businesses.

 “Since launching in Nigeria in 2015, we’ve always prided ourselves on consistently adopting an open and proactive approach towards regulation and with the SEC’s new framework, our hope is that our current and potential users will have even greater confidence to trust us with their funds as we strengthen our push to raise the standards of our industry.

 “We are well-aware that regulators such as the SEC share this same mission; however, we are also conscious that this is by no means an easy task for them. They have to get to grips with a new technology that very few are yet to understand but it is for this reason why they should continue to collaborate with industry players over the coming months and years.

 “Due to our expertise, we believe we can play a crucial role in helping the SEC navigate the nuances of this technology so any eventual regulations manage the need to protect consumers without stifling the huge innovation we’ve seen in Nigeria over the last few years.”

Currently, Luno has more than 3 million customers in Nigeria and secures an average of more than 4,000 installs of its app per day in the country alone. The platform is also registered with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and adheres to stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes in all of its 40 operating countries.

Additionally, Luno undergoes full verification of the existence of its customers’ cryptocurrency by an independent audit firm, Mazars, on a quarterly basis and has achieved an ISO 27001 certification, which is a globally recognised standard for an Information Security Management System.

Nigerian fintech startup, Kredete, has officially launched its lending platform to deepen accessibility to formal credit, financial education, and innovative financial solutions.

The launch, which took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, hosted tech specialists and entrepreneurs, who convened to discuss the future of lending in Africa and Kredete’s commitment to bridging the significant credit gap and financial exclusion faced by Nigerians who lack access to formal credit through traditional means.

Kredete aims to revolutionize the sphere of lending in Nigeria and beyond by leveraging AI-driven technology and strategic partnerships with financial institutions to create a complete lending infrastructure that enables lenders to be more efficient and cost-effective while empowering users to access credit products suited to their needs. With AI, the pre-approval odds for users enhance by providing tailored loan options based on their credit history and financial profile, while for lenders, it becomes easier to assess risks, reduce non-performing loans, and make informed lending decisions.

Kredete is also passionate about strengthening financial literacy in Nigeria and will achieve this by offering free credit scores, reports, and monitoring tools to help users understand their credit standing and make informed financial decisions. These financial literacy tools prove mutually beneficial for lenders to help streamline their operations and provide loans to creditworthy borrowers, thereby fostering a healthier lending ecosystem. The app can be downloaded here from Google Play Store and theApple App Store.

Adeola Adedewe, Founder and CEO, Kredete said: “Kredete was founded out of my personal experience trying to secure a loan to start a business, and the difficulties experienced inspired me to help Nigerians access loans. Thus, we embarked on a mission to bridge Nigeria’s $360B credit gap and foster financial inclusion for the 82% of Nigerians who lack access to formal credit. We are deeply motivated by the importance of access to credit in any country – from empowering SMEs to spurring economic growth. So, we have positioned Kredete to leverage AI-driven technology to facilitate loans for Nigerian entrepreneurs that are faster and simpler to help their businesses scale.

“While analysing the digital lending outlook in Nigeria, we identified that one of the limitations to accessing lending opportunities is the difficulty in determining creditworthiness. Therefore, we have included free credit scores, reports, and monitoring to empower users to obtain credit products that meet their specific needs while equipping lenders with insights to make effective lending decisions. This way, we will modernize Nigeria’s lending industry, provide a competitive edge, and set new standards for loan origination, risk assessment, and approval processes,” he added.

In only a few months since Kredete’s establishment, the company has formed strategic partnerships with 25+ financial institutions, including the largest African-based credit bureau, CRC Credit Bureau, and secured funding from prominent investors, including being backed by Techstars, a renowned startup accelerator powered by J.P. Morgan. In its beta phase, the platform attracted over 70,000 users, demonstrating the strong demand for its services, and signifying the high demand for credit access in Nigeria. 

Alongside its founder, Kredete is led by Hakeem Oriola, Chief Technical Officer, Feyisetan Sowunmi, Head of Customer Experience, and Ebuka Arinze, Head of Product. Kredete envisions a future where financial access, opportunities, and literacy are equitable for all Nigerians, regardless of their socioeconomic background or credit history. While the Company’s immediate focus is on the Nigerian market, it aims to scale its platform and lending infrastructure across Africa to bridge the gap within the continent’s unbanked/underbanked populations.