The Nation Newspaper

Category: e-Business

  • Telecoms consumers at operators’ mercy

    Telecoms consumers at operators’ mercy

    About two decades after the telecoms revolution, subscribers are still at the whims and caprices of their service providers. But the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has put measures in place to protect the consumers. LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

     

    GOODNESS Timileyin, a 20-year-old student, suddenly had his subscriber identity module (SIM) card blocked. According to him, he had bought airtime, made calls and even used data only for his service provider to send a text message notifying him that his SIM has been deactivated.

    He was shocked because, according to him, he had bought the SIM card three weeks earlier, done the registration as directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before it was activated.

    He had promptly put a call to the customer care line of the operator.  That marked the beginning of another nightmare for him. One, its took almost eternity for a customer care agent to pick his call. When one eventually appeared, she only said: “I am sorry, your SIM card has been deactivate.” When pressed for further details, she said the line has not been “profitable.”  Reminded that the line is not up to 90 days let alone six months of non-sue which might have led to its deactivation, she insisted that the SIM had been blocked.

    Timileyin’s experience is but one of several other telephone subscribers that have either suddenly experienced data and airtime disappearance

    But the NCC said it doesn’t take customers protection for granted.

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Prof Garba Danbatta, who spoke on the occasion to mark this year’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), said the NCC celebrates the consumers daily, weekly and all year round, because it is a self-evident truth that the telecom consumer is the lifeblood of the telecom sector being regulated.

    He said in keeping with NCC’s commitment to the tradition of celebrating the consumer, it  joined the global community to celebrate the consumers. “In doing so, we are reiterating the commitment of NCC to safeguarding the interest and ensuring the satisfaction of the consumer as the central factor of the telecom ecosystem.

    “This is in keeping with our mandate under the law, and congruent with extant subsidiary legislations and guidelines that enjoin us, as a regulator, to institute processes that will ensure effective protection of the consumer and qualitative service delivery across the networks of our licensees,” he said.

    Consistent with the provisions of Sections 104-106 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003; the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007; the Quality of Service Regulations 2013; and the pre-eminence attached to the telecom consumer,  Danbatta said the  Commission unveiled an Eight-Point Agenda in February 2016, a roadmap, designed with the underlining determination to align regulatory efforts to complement emergent priorities of the Federal Government and streamline focus in the quest to put the country in the league of structured telecom development.

    “As a strategic vision, the Agenda is pivoted on three ‘A’s, which are the hallmarks of universal access and service. They include availability of service, accessibility of service, and affordability of service, which align with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari, representing an ideological shift in creation of structures for social benefits and inclusiveness for national development. It bears restating that in the marching order given to the Commission by Mr. President, NCC was mandated. “To promote innovation, investment, competition, and consumer empowerment in and on top of the communications platforms of today and the future – maximising the power of information and communications technology (ICT) to grow our economy, create jobs and enhance national competitiveness through the deployment of broadband infrastructure to facilitate rollout of broadband services that will hold out opportunities and higher network quality of service for all Nigerians.”

    He said item six of the agenda speaks to consumer protection and empowerment.

    “In this regard, our vision is to protect consumers from unfair practices through availability of information and education required to make informed choices in the use of ICT services. In the implementation of the vision, the NCC has strengthened initiatives to educate and inform consumers in their use of communications services and act swiftly and consistently whenever necessary in the use of enforcement to protect telecom consumers’ rights and privileges,“ Danbatta said

    He said as a concrete demonstration of the commitment to consumer protection and empowerment, NCC declared 2017 as the Year of the Telecom Consumer, during which it came up with consumer-centric initiatives and programmes aimed at addressing consumer issues and concerns with respect to service delivery in the sector.

    He said to strenghten  homeland security, the NCC  undertakes periodic audit of subscribers’ database to ensure that operators adhere to the provisions of the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulations 2011.

    “The Commission’s effort in this regard was bolstered by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who directed in September 2019 that we issue fresh directive to service providers “to block all improperly-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards, pending when their owners regularise their registration.”

    He recalled that the NCC had reduced the number of improperly-registered SIM cards to 9.2 million but within a week of that directive, a further reduction to 2.2 million was achieved. This 2.2 million have also been deactivated in the second phase of compliance with the directive.

    He said improperly-registered SIM cards have implications for security of lives and property, pledging to continue to monitor the networks to ensure it is rid them of improperly-registered SIM cards.

    He recalled that in February 2019, the Commission, worried by the recurrent cycle of fraudulent deployment of fake and substandard mobile devices, collaborated with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other relevant government agencies, set up and inaugurated Project Steering and Project Delivery committees to ensure the implementation of Mobile Devices Management Systems (DMS).

    “This initiative is designed as a Public-Private Partnership aimed at combating the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned communication devices in the telecoms industry. This is in line with our mandate, which requires us to type-approve all equipment used in the telecommunications industry. Importantly, we do this because of the connection between quality of devices and quality of service,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Firm to boost MSMEs’ profitability launched

    Firm to boost MSMEs’ profitability launched

     Daniel Essiet

     

    A DIGITAL firm Excite Enterprise has unveiled its platform to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    According to a Director, Excite Enterprise, Bolaji Okusaga, SMEs have faced a lot of problems in Nigeria, especially in funding and other logistics because the government cannot reach out to all of them, hence the need for the firm to lead the way to the development of the country’s economy through the proliferation of viable SMEs.

    Okusaga, the Chief Executive, Precise Platforms, said Excite will deliver on its promise to revamp the MSME sector through its partnership with organisations across countries that are willing to support entrepreneurs in the country.

    Excite Enterprise, he explained, provides innovative services to develop and deepen markets for MSMEs, thus providing entrepreneurs across the business space an opportunity to reach consumers; boost brand names; sales; competitiveness; and improve rendered services. These businesses will not only be able to access funding to scale up their potential, they will also have entry to a bigger market.

    Another, Director, Excise Enterprise and Chief Executive of Mobinet, Hong Kong, Mr. Andrew Otiko, said: “Excite platform has the sole aim of using technology to make life easy for SMEs. It will also facilitate funding from some of our partners that are involved in providing grants and also facilitate other services that will mitigate challenges faced by MSME.

    ”The only way the economy can grow is by providing jobs to the citizenry which can only happen if we change the narrative for SMEs, if processes are in a place where things are simple, there will be massive employment opportunities for everyone if each SME can sustain its growth and recruit just one person.”

    On how the features can spread across the country, especially for those in the rural areas to access the platform, Okusaga said those within that category would be able to pick the language they want when on the platform, which will make the communication.

    Also, Mr. Chinonso Ukwandu, the firm’s Chief Technology Officer, said the platform would assist business owners could meet agencies that could facilitate fund for it, do bookkeeping, build personal websites and engage influencers in marketing its products.

    He said there was also a recruitment and training tool on the platform, where prospective employers could meet the right fit, and facilitate training for the small business owners.

    He said the first edition of the training had been held and that more would come.

     

     

  • Promoting adire entrepreneurship in Ogun

    Promoting adire entrepreneurship in Ogun

    The Ogun State administration is providing training and support for entrepreneurs to access skills on adire fashion to drive the industry and improve the livelihoods of communities. DANIEL ESSIET reports

     

    IT’S a new dawn in Ogun State. The government is supporting small firms to move up the value chain with potential for growth and development.

    The objective of the government is to upgrade the textile design and fashion production hub in the state. It has analysed manufacturing needs, assets, gaps, and opportunities available in the adire sector, such as job creation and neighbourhood development for small to mid-size firms.

    To this end, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, said the government is creating favourable conditions for garment production and the export of products.

    The dream, she said, is to establish an academy, where high-potential design and fashion entrepreneurs can get prototypes made and produced without the obstacles that exist in the industry.

    An academy and increasing number of businesses in the state, the government believes, would train workers to sew, cut fabrics, make patterns, and operate emerging technology in fashion making.

    The government, she explained, was ready to drive more entrants into the industry with the hope of engaging unemployed youths.

    Mrs. Longe, during the State Treasury Board Meeting on the 2020-2023, said the Garment Institute, which would be in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) as well as the private sector.

    She said the institute would go beyond increasing the production to enabling more entrepreneurs tap into the benefit of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to export products duty-free. And with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) just a few weeks away from its kick-off, Ogun State will have a lot to benefit.

    The Press Officer, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Wale Osunbiyi, said the state has favourable conditions to support adire value chain, especially fabrics and clothing, for manufacturing and exporting.

    Osunbiyi added that the adire market at Itoku is known globally as the major point of production in Nigeria.

    According to him, adire fashion design and small fashion businesses are alive in most parts of Ogun State and that the plan is to sustain and keep design and fashion talent there and help young people create successful businesses and fulfill their dreams.

    He said, in the bid to address unemployment, the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration is promoting the use of adire textile materials among public school children as part of their school uniforms with effect from the next academic term.

    With the administration taking the bold step on adire, he said implementation of the policy would create more demand with the population of over 870,000 students in primary and secondary schools.

    With the new policy, he noted more youths were likely going to find it a lot lucrative.

    Also, the policy, he continued was an interesting as it addressed the challenge which has limited the growth of that sector, that is restricting the business, to a large extent, to an Itoku or Abeokuta affair.

    The government, he added, believes the garment industry could contribute to strengthening domestic strong economic linkages, ensuring a source of skilled labour in the industry as well as increasing the attractiveness of the industry.

    Commendably, he said the past administration in the Gateway State under the leadership of Ibikunle Amosun had constructed the Itoku Strip Mall and initiated a policy that requires civil servants wear adire on Fridays, but that had not proved sufficient.

    In fact, if the projection that the Federal Government is considering opening the Nigerian land borders is right, Osunbiyi said it was going to be a blessing, especially for garment businesses in the state that are also determined to export their products to other West African countries.

    The adire policy, he noted, however, requires efforts from stakeholders and the government and that access to capital was important. In support of it, the administration was still rolling out the Ogun State Government and Bank of Industry (OGSG-BOI)/loan at seven percent interest rate.

    Similar, he said the entrepreneur could benefit from the Federal Government’s N75billion micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Survival Fund.

    To take advantage of it, he advised entrepreneurs, especially those in the adire business to get their businesses registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and ensure proper documentation to be qualified to access more capital from government and other sources.

    He said there were incentives to expand textile and garment industry.

    He said there was a transition to help local producers scale and upgrade  production chain.

     

     

     

  • How Titan Trust Bank raked N500m profit in first three months

    How Titan Trust Bank raked N500m profit in first three months

    By Theophilus Onyewgu

    When Titan Trust Bank Limited, one of the three newest entrants into the banking industry, began operations in October 2019, many people gave it just a passing glance.

    But within a year, the achievements of the lender have taken industry watchers by surprise and this, has further warmed it into the hearts of its customers and Nigerians alike.

    Established on the 12th of December 2018 with a solid post-capitalisation financial base in real cash, the bank has proven that it is ready to compete with long-standing and well-rooted Nigerian banks.

    With a mission to take advantage of the identified gaps in the banking sector and address the unmet needs of the retail mass market, SMEs and corporates, Titan Trust Bank, has risen to become a financial institution to reckon with and as a result is experiencing an influx of business-minded customers.

    At the inception of the bank’s operations in October 2019, the management team led by seasoned banker, Mudassir Amray, the group managing director/CEO, drew up a holistic and integrated approach to business modernization, which has formed the foundation for the Bank’s superior customer-centric experience. The impact of this strategic decision led to a positive impact in the Bank’s performance within its first three months of operations where the bank recorded a profit after tax (PAT) of N500 million.

    In addition, despite the rage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the bank has opened four branches in strategic locations in Lagos and Port Harcourt with more still under consideration. The bank positioned itself for delivering service to its customers during the pandemic, by continued investment in its alternative banking channels: the Titan Mobile Application, Titan Internet Banking platform and the Titan *922# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) solution.

    Titan Trust Bank is a financial service provider passionate about the future, committed to tomorrow, and laser-focused on building a pan-African world class financial institution with innovation, youth, and strength at its heart.

    In demonstration of its commitment to deliver superior, convenience and innovative banking solutions to its customers, the bank has invested substantially in technology and developed fully integrated service models that enable its customers enjoy banking services through a wide range of channels and these have also placed the bank on an upward trajectory.

    The bank’s mobile-based banking application, Titan Mobile App, has exciting user-friendly and interactive features to aid banking, whilst allowing customers to perform unlimited transactions with simple taps on their mobile phones.

    Customers enjoy many benefits and access self-service options such as easy account opening, expanded list of bill-payment options, easy activation of standing instructions and fund transfers in a secure environment anytime, anywhere. With Titan Mobile App, the bank is always open 24/7.

    The lender’s internet banking solution, Titan Internet Banking has improved features to promote and safeguard the electronic banking experience of customers vis-à-vis payment efficiency, versatility, and productivity in their business transactions.

    The user-friendly and secure internet banking tool, which can be carried out on one’s computer or mobile device is designed for both individual and corporate customers to experience with ease, cutting-edge banking services anywhere, at any time and place, with good internet connection.

    Some of the leading-edge features on the Titan Internet Banking include self-verification for intercepted transactions, statement download in different file formats, multiple transactions with a single token entry, bills payment, creation and cancellation of standing orders or recurring transfers, improved security, to mention a few.

    Titan Trust Bank’s *922# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) solution is another effort by the bank to provide cutting-edge, round-the-clock and seamless banking services to its customers.

    With Titan’s *922# banking channel, customers can carry out various banking activities on the go, wherever they are.

    Launched in December 2019, the *922# USSD solution is an easy-to-use, convenient, fast, user-friendly mobile that enables the bank’s customers to conveniently perform third-party transfers to both Titan Trust and other bank account holders in Nigeria, open Titan Trust accounts, buy airtime, pay bills, BVN enquiry, and access mini statements such as balance enquiry. The solution also allows customers to request, activate and manage their cards using their mobile phones without necessarily having internet data or airtime.

    The *922# USSD service works on all GSM networks, on any type of handset or device; iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and even simple-feature phones.

    The bank has also introduced a SMART number – 07000200200, for customer support. This eliminates the need for customers to remember multiple numbers while removing the uncertainty as to which of the lines are actively engaged.

    These and many other moves leveraging technology and building a culture of innovation have positioned the bank on an upward trajectory.

    As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and a robust effort to combat the deadly Coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, the bank donated N50 million for the purchase of relief materials, critical care facilities and protective gear to contain the spread of the virus.

    The fund was made through the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Committee against COVID-19 which was coordinated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    With the robust and steady growth of the bank, without mincing words, it is clear that the bank means business and has really come to redefine retail banking in Nigeria.

    – Theophilus Onyegwu, a financial analyst writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

  • AfCFTA: Stakeholders, CSEA seek awarness for MSMEs

    AfCFTA: Stakeholders, CSEA seek awarness for MSMEs

    Agency Reporter

    The Centre for the Study of Economies of Africa (CSEA) has stated developing a context-specific awareness dissemination strategy will make Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) familiar with the workings of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    CSEA Director, Education and Governance Research, Dr Adedeji Adediran, stated this at an AfCFTA Media Launch for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) last week.

    The webinar organised by the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) had in attendance Manufacturing Association of Nigeria,MAN, National Association of Small medium enterprise,NASME and other stakeholders.

    Adediran said that developing the strategy was pertinent following its findings that most MSMEs were unaware of the existence of AfCFTA. And SMEs is the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy.

    According to him, key findings of a survey reveal that 67 per cent of respondents showed a low level of awareness regarding the existence of the AfCFTA.

    Adediran said that a significantly more substantial portion of 67 per cent of the medium-sized enterprises declared their awareness of the agreement.

    He said that special attention should be given to non-digital dissemination strategies to ensure the full reach of Nigerian businesses irrespective of their technological participation levels.

    “Many MSMEs are often disenfranchised from international trade as a result of the complications associated with compliance to Free Trade Areas ( FTAs).

    “Ensuring localised training programmes through partnerships with the private sector and international donors can help fill the technical skills gap that will hamper MSME’s uptake of AfCFTA.

    “Businesses need to partner with specific agencies such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure adherence to standards.

    “This will boost the capacity of Nigeria businesses to compete in AfCFTA,” he said.

    Adediran said that disaggregation by enterprise sectors showed that 97 per cent of agricultural MSMEs were not aware of the agreement, while 50 per cent of manufacturing sector enterprises were also not aware of the agreement.

    He added that results showed modest positive welfare gains to Nigeria with machinery, other transport, textile and metal products as well as textile industries accounting for most of the positive effects on real wage.

    He said that Nigeria also recorded modest positive welfare effects compared to other African countries.

    “Our simulation results indicate that agriculture, mining, food, and machinery dilute the overall gains from terms of trade as the price of export for these commodities declines relative to the price of their imports.

    “Although there is growth in the export of agricultural products, the terms of trade deterioration in this sector dilutes the overall gains from trade and changes in real wage from the agricultural sector.

    “Based on predictions, Nigeria’s imports from several African countries including Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, and Namibia declined by more than 10 per cent as well as imports from China and Canada by 29.5 and 11.3 per cent respectively.

    READ ALSO: Afreximbank sets up $1b AfCFTA facility

    “On export, Nigeria records growth in exports of agricultural products, food, electrical, and machinery products while exports decline significantly in the wood and paper industry,” he said.

    The CSEA director stated that respondents expressed concern over some potential adverse effects of the AfCFTA to MSMEs in Nigeria.

    According to him, a predominant concern is the deficient human and technological capacity of MSMEs in Nigeria which predisposes them to the negative spillovers potentially associated with free trade and investment exchanges within the continent.

    “Most prominent among the threats is the fact that cheaper goods from other African countries will be competing against local goods in Nigeria.

    “Other threats to MSMEs in Nigeria that could be associated with the AfCFTA include an increase in foreign competition, reduction in the demand for local goods, and dumping of sub-standard products,” he said.

    Speaking on the survey report, the DG NACCIMA, Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni said the organisation will partner with other stakeholders to ensure that the survey has an impact, as findings and recommendations will receive adequate attention.

    Francis Anatogu, Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on the Public Sector and the Secretary of the national action committee, AfCFTA who represented the Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, formally launched the survey.

    The survey report, he noted will be studied and the government will see what can be adapted while enjoining the industry groups to do their part.

  • Long road to Lagos smart city dream

    Long road to Lagos smart city dream

    The Lagos State government is hoping to deliver on its six-pillar development agenda. It believes that fuelling technology-driven innovations will help transform the state into a 21st-century digital economy and smart city. LUCAS AJANAKU reports on the challenges.

    Measured by any barometer, Lagos State is a pacesetter in every ramification in the country. Other states, and indeed, other countries do understudy some of the initiatives of the state. But the path to the state’s digital economy and smart city appears not to be that rosy, it is laced with thorns.

    Wikipedia defined a smart city as an urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data. “Insights gained from that data are used to manage assets, resources and services efficiently; in return, that data is used to improve the operations across the city. These include data collected from citizens, devices, buildings and assets that is then processed and analysed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, utilities, water supply networks, waste, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services,” it explained.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has not hidden his desire to drive the state’s economy with technology.

    Hear him: “Here in Lagos State, we are on the journey of properly identifying, resourcing, enabling and building the great human potential of Lagos State. Flagship projects such as the metro fibre and the smart city initiative are key enablers for achieving this. We are also working to transforming our civil service by encouraging innovative thinking and deploying technology tools and processes.”

    Lack of constant power supply would be one of the greatest obstacles to this ambition. With a population of about 200million, Nigeria has 12,500 megawatts (Mw) of installed generation capacity, largely dependent on hydropower and fossil (gas) thermal sources at 12.5per cent and 87.5per cent respectively. Currently only between 3,500Mw and 5,000Mw is available for onward transmission to the final consumer. Attempts to wheel power in excess of this to the consumers have led to collapse of the national grid, no thanks to weak transmission infrastructure.

    Lagos, with a population of about 22 million should explore solar energy as a source of power. Wind and water energy can also be harnessed along with biodiesel and other renewable energy sources.

    A partner at Deloitte, Tope Aladenusi, said there’s need to plan smart security too as the proliferation of smart devices will lead to the invasion of cities and home because of IoT.

    But the state government at the weekend, assured that its smart city project was on course in view of the steps it has taken to realise the dream.

    The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Innovation and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, who spoke at a virtual Media Roundtable on: Impact of the 2021 Lagos State Budget Proposal on the Economy and Youth Empowerment at the weekend, said the impact of technology cuts across all the state’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), adding that the focus was how to digitalise governance.

    Alake said the state government launched a strategic master plan which has access, talent, funding as cardinal pillars. He said the open government data project was designed to construct a complete data architecture for the state to ease governance, promote citizen engagement and raise the level of technology adoption in the state.

    According to him, open data will allow software developers to write the appropriate sotware tailored to solving the problems of the state.

    He said the 6000km metro fibre being embarked upon by the state is another giant stride that will digitalise the state and actualise the smart city dream. He said the project, which will form the base for smart city will be executed in two phases, stressing that the first phase will cover 3000km.

    According to Alake, the metro fibre will be accompanied by duct so that any operator that is desirous of expansion will not need to start digging but would just plug into the fibre provided by the state government. This will not only help businesses to safe cost but help to expand the frontier of technology democratisation.

    “Unified fibre infrastructure will lead to proliferation of infrastructure in the state,” he said, adding that the open source project will democratise software for smart products.

    Since there can never be a smart city without security, he said 2000 close circuit camera (CCTv) have been procured for installation to provide security for the city. He said some of the cameras would be able to track the number plates of automobiles in the city.

    He said the state government is neck-deep in research with the creation of the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) with a seed fund of N250 million as demonstration of its commitment to develop Lagos into a 21st-century digital economy and smart city.

    Alake said N100million has been disbursed to innovators as grants from the N250million fund.

    Some of the notable innovation beneficiaries were “PricePally” a food aggregating platform, “DoCi-HealthCare”, “GiVo”, a circular economy company that offers recycling solutions on IOT devices. On the other hand, research initiatives were made up of  “Bioprospecting for anti COVID-19 remedies from indigenous medicinal plants” led by Abimbola Sowemimo at The African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research; “Development of Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensors for Detecting Post Harvest Deterioration and Preparation of Chitosan-Derived Materials for Cassava Shelf-life Elongation” led by Wesley Okiel at the University of Lagos.

    The smart city concept integrates information communication technology (ICT), and various physical devices connected to the internet of things (IoT) network to optimise the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens.

    Smart city technology allows city officials to interact directly with both community and city infrastructure and to monitor what is happening in the city and how the city is evolving.

    ICT is used to enhance quality, performance and interactivity of urban services, to reduce costs and resource consumption and to increase contact between citizens and government. Smart city applications are developed to manage urban flows and allow for real-time responses, Wikipedia added.

    Some smart city solutions for better governance include smart waste management systems, gunshot detection technology, smart traffic control systems, smart air quality sensors and smart street lighting.

     

     

  • Paga, Whitefield Foundation partner to assist MSMEs

    Paga, Whitefield Foundation partner to assist MSMEs

    Paga Limited, a leading mobile payments platform, has, in keeping with its objective of “Making Life Possible” partnered Whitefield Foundation to identify small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) owners who were caught in the #ENDSARS protests in Lagos State.

    The initiative called PAGA BOOST has benefited SME owners across Lagos State with about 60 per cent of the beneficiaries in the Lekki axis.These include artisans, plumbers, Uber drivers, small event place owners, shop owners, and petty traders.

    Building on the work of driving efficient payments for online and offline businesses of which they have over 26000 agents across the country, Paga’s intention is to help in making life easy for young entrepreneurs to enable them contribute to nation rebuilding.

    The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Whitefield Foundation and Paga for their intervention that has made life possible again.

     

  • Airopay app unveiled

    Airopay app unveiled

    A firm, Airopay, has unveiled Airopay app, a payment solution. It said it allows users, both individuals and corporates across the world to make local and international transaction from within the comfort of their mobile devices.

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Charles John Oyakhilome, said the idea was to digitise payments in Africa and beyond. “The ultimate goal of the brand is to make mobile payments across borders very easy’’, he said.

    He said it was designed as a one-stop-shop app to enable payments for users when at home or abroad because it provides users the ability to directly pay bills, make transfers receive cash regardless of their geographical locations at super fast speed all from a mobile phone.

    Its  Director of Strategy and Business Growth, Kelechi  Mbah said the app has many unique services to offer in the Fintech space as it is set to ensure ease in transaction. While it may look like the market is saturated, there are still many gaps which Airopay has carefully designed its services to fill. Also, the app is set to give the general public a unique experience of ease and swiftness for both international and local fund transfers with zero per cent downtime.

    Furthermore, the platform will provide economic empowerment for entrepreneurs, merchants and retailers.

    “Our users will enjoy an unbeatable interest rate of 16 per cent on savings, access to loans within 24 hours and bill payment transactions, different from what the general public has experienced,” its Chief Financial Officer, Adedayo Johnson said.

    Johnson said Airopay  was developed to include several layers of transaction security for a users’ peace of mind. Furthermore, the app is designed with Azure security centres which helps in detecting and blocking cybersecurity threats. The frame work, he said, is secure from XML external entity injection also known as XXE as attackers cannot interfere with the application’s processing.

    “Simply download the App from Google Play Store for Android Users or iOS for Iphone Users. Sign up and move cash from your normal accounts to the Airopay e-account. Users will be able to easily fund, withdraw, save, transfer money and pay for goods and services (locally or internationally) with their mobile devices,”he said.

    He said AiroPay Mobile Money accommodates deposits and withdrawals, including cardless automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals, transfer between accounts, domestic remittances, third party or non-registered user deposits to accounts, payment of utility bills (including water, electricity, PayTV ), purchase of   flight tickets for local and international flights, international and local airtime top up, payment of  tuition for 100+ educational institutions, international and local fund transfers, bill payments for betting, lottery and games at zero per cent downtime.

    Termination of international remittances to wallet, QR code supported retail and merchant payments and registration of any payment card on the end-user application for recharge and QR code supported retail payment systems.

    On its benefit to user, he said with the app, users stand to benefit from the online and mobile based loan application for customers, get access to instant loans without collateral and save money with up to 16per cent interest rate per annum. Moreso, approved micro-loans are automatically credited to the Airopay wallet account within 24 hours.

     

  • Rising digital entrepreneur

    Rising digital entrepreneur

    A medical doctor, Nkem has come a long way from ordinary digital marketer to one of the most prominent tech entrepreneurs in the South-south, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

     

    Ifiok Nkem,  a Certified Internet Webmaster,  and  Chief Executive , ProtonWEB, is the proud owner of a thriving web-design, development and internet-consulting agency based in  Port-Harcourt, Rivers State .

    An  expert in  software development, Nkem  excels even beyond his limits by imprinting his name in the elite list of internet entrepreneurs  in Nigeria, aiming to also make a name globally.

    Having  carved his own niche in the digital world, the Founder, SnapiLABs  has become an inspiring example to many other youngsters like him.

    Mixing his talents of creativity and innovation in digital marketing with his love and passion for his work together has given him an individual successful path for him to create more such successful feats in his life.

    A medicine and surgery graduate of the University of PortHarcourt,  Nkem  experienced a massive career shift from medicine to technology and founded Snapilabs, a technology company.

    SnapiLABs – a tech innovation lab,  has created and successfully launched multiple SaaS Bestsellers.

    At SnapiLABs, they mix ideas, codes and passion to create digital products that help people and businesses leverage the power of the internet to increase their growth.

    His entrepreneurial journey started with web designing, before moving into digital products.

    Starting early was difficult, but the support from family and friends helped him.

    Today he is working with best names around the globe.Nkem taking Nigeria on Global platforms as an entrepreneur with pride.

    He has been accepted into the Forbes Business Council, the foremost growth and networking organisation for successful business owners and leaders worldwide.

    Nkem was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

    “We are honoured to welcome Ifiok Nkem into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Business Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

    As an accepted member of the Council, Nkem has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence.

    He believes in learning and adapting to the digital marketing trends that continue to evolve each year as new technologies are born and new companies enter the market. He has brought a revolution in South-Souht market with his remarkable digital skills.

    This achievement came from the hard work he has put in, into his digital marketing career.

    For him it is about hustling around the internet and online world and taking on all the changes in search engines.

  • Bolt updates App with new security features

    Bolt updates App with new security features

    Agency Reporter

    Bolt, an on-demand transportation platform in Africa has up-scaled security and safety features on the platform to improve the safety and well-being of passengers, riders, and drivers during a Bolt trip.

    The update has become necessary due to the increasing case of safety reports received in the past months.

    Amongst other things, the App will now have a real-time biometric verification solution to serve as an additional layer of technology that will further intensify the driver verification process.

    The solution which is the first of its kind and in partnership with YouVerify will cross-match all information and documents provided by drivers against various government databases including the Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and driver’s license databases.

    Along with this, will be a state-wide driver re-training and re-education programme conducted regularly to ensure that drivers are updated on the principles of customer service and equipped with knowledge of routes and actions to take in cases of emergencies. The driver’s ratings will also be reviewed to 4.6 to ensure that only the most recommended drivers are available on the App and the Customer Support Team will be expanded to ensure that enquiries are attended to quickly and more effectively.

    READ ALSO: Bolt Nigeria introduces Trip Protection, free on every trip

    Speaking about the update, the Country Manager, Femi Akin-Laguda described the effort as a continuation of Bolt’s dedication to improved service hence the direction the company is taking ahead of the new year. “2020 has been quite an exciting year for us as a company and we are very excited about the prospects of the coming year.

    “We have observed, listened attentively, and even engaged a lot of our customers to understand how we can better deliver a great service and I am happy to say we are on our way to being in alignment with the expectations of our customer’s needs.

    “In the coming weeks, we are updating the App with more security features and launching a lot of initiatives to help riders and drivers alike have reliable, affordable and very importantly, safe rides”. he said.

    Since it began operations in November 2016, Bolt has continued to pride itself as a customer and safety centric service platform, providing affordable millions of Nigerians every day and helping them commute without worries.