Category: Infotech

Our Reporter

Digital technology company, Dochase, has introduced products that helps businesses navigate through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the heat of the pandemic in 2020, Dochase added WhatsApp Chatbot, rewards systems and customer data builder, “these are aimed at helping businesses acquire and retain customers.”

The statement remarked that the Dochase WhatsApp Chatbot, is an innovative product that enables businesses connect directly with the right audience online, simulating conversations between the business and the customer on WhatsApp and build closer relationship between businesses and customers.

According to the statement: “Your customers do not have to come to you directly at your office and you don’t have even have to own a website anymore to interact directly with them.

“With the WhatsApp Chatbot, the bot will help you take orders and make sales. And the processes is not as complicated as you’d think. All that is required is that you enroll the bot, run adverts, and convert advertising response to buying customers. It gets more interesting.

“Your payment processes can be automated saving both the business and the client the hassle of dealing with offline payment. The time has never been more right to roll in the WhatsApp Chatbot.

READ ALSO: Driving oil, gas industry with digital technology

The statement by the organisation said Dochase technology enables businesses run all marketing projects from a centralized platform.

The statement explained that the platform uses advanced artificial intelligence to target advertising messages to users on thousands of websites, apps, Facebook, Google and mobile phones, “while they have reach to 97% of the people on the internet.”

The statement further stated that the superior AI targeting ability help businesses identify their customer in the crowd and target their advertisement to them in form of banners, interactive rich media, native or in banner videos.

“The Dochase rewards system enables businesses deliver incentivized advertising campaigns, build customer loyalty, generate leads and automatically send rewards to target customers. The rewards can be airtime, data subscription our shopping vouchers.

“The agency platform by Dochase enables advertising agencies create and manage their individual customer advertising campaigns on internet.

“With great features like account management, google targeting, Facebook integration in addition to the wide reach of Dochase, this provides all the agencies need for media buying, performance campaigns and reporting.

“Putting it together, businesses can build a database of loyal customers, past and present user, potential audience and use that for advanced customer engagement and continuous marketing.

“Since its launch years ago by its founder Chibuike Goodnews, Dochase has been assisting businesses with innovative marketing goals. They are charged towards helping businesses understand how their advertising spend is impacting on their overall business objectives. This coupled with several other factors made them to adopt continuous innovation in products, service standards and deliverables.”

The Chief Operation Officer at Dochase, Mr. Saint-Germain Onwukeme, revealed that the WhatsApp Chatbot uses deep AI to take out the complex sales funnels, stating that it makes conversion possible with only few clicks, interestingly; you would think it is a one size-fits-all thing, but you would be wrong to assume that.

Continuing, the statement added: “Let’s be honest, this is a time where businesses need to opt for digitalized means of running their businesses. The pandemic hit hard and that isn’t anyone’s fault. The ball is however in your court when it comes to your business shutting down because it cannot operate physically. Dochase is the preferred partner for businesses to disrupt themselves before being disrupted by external factors.

“It is understandable that not every business can be operated virtually. Take for instance transportation companies. However, if your business is not amongst these set, and you have yet to move digital, then you need to reconsider. How long the pandemic is going to last, we can’t say but what we can say is that this has become our new normal and adjusting to it may seem challenging. Every sector is doing what it can to help ease whatever impact of the pandemic has caused. In the business sector, Dochase has taken the lead.”

Our Reporter

Although social media facilitates business development, it also promotes the appearance of its users across all channels.

Today, there are lots of businesses in Nigeria that have established themselves on all social media platforms, especially Instagram.

The various handles of these firms, however, should be visible and assessable. A social media growth company explains how this works.

Almighty Plug and Almighty Gains Group, is a social media agency that provides real Nigerian likes and comments to active Nigerian and international followers.

We have all seen how exhausting it can be to promote one’s company or profile to a wider audience. It does, however, get better with a well-thought-out plan.

Nevertheless, Almighty Plug and Almighty Gains Group were formed, as a business that specializes in assisting others in extending their social media networks and boosting engagement.

READ ALSO: Almighty Gains Group explores social media development

This was formed by Ohiomokhai Stephen Agbomokhai, as he wants Almighty Gains Groups to become one of Africa’s largest social media production companies.

Finally, the challenges he is now facing are mostly due to social media. As a result, a large number of people are creating fictitious profiles on his personal and professional social media accounts. There are actually over a hundred impersonating accounts of Almighty Gains and Almighty Plug sites on Instagram. But he has not been able to deal with it.

Our Reporter

With this enormous rise, Bitcoin no longer occupies the space of the most powerful and leading cryptocurrencies in the world.

ZUGACOIN traded above 48,000 Dollars while Bitcoin traded at the highest ever price of above 28,000 Dollars.

The currency which is the first of it’s kind in Africa Specially created to help Nigerians and other Africans at large to tackle poverty in terms of buying and trading with Zugacoin owned by Archbishop Dr. Sam Zuga a Tiv Indigene of Benue State, Nigeria is expected to hit 100,000 Dollars before the end of 2021.

“So, you are strongly advised to invest in ZUGACOIN for a brighter financial future by buying on index, Coingeko, CoinMarket Cap, and other exchange platforms,” Sam Zuga noted.

The founder, Archbishop Sam Zuga added, “We are going to teach State Governments in Nigeria and the Federal Government how to increase their IGR by 300% through ZUGACOIN in 2021. We will start giving loans to all African countries in 2022. Nigerians would get financial stability through ZUGACOIN. We have many projects that will improve the lives of Nigerians. If God is for us, who can be against us?”

READ ALSO: Benue Gov adopts Zugacoin

Just a few weeks ago, the Benue state government adopted and endorsed Zugacoin when honourable Speaker to the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Titus Ubah alongside, Hon. Bem Mngutyo minority leader Benue state house of Assembly officially became registered members of Zugacoin.

The Honorable Speakers expressed their excitement over the establishment and the progress of Zugacoin as the first Cryptocurrency in Africa founded by a Nigerian.

In addition, the Honourables said many members of Benue state house of assembly and other top government officials are already registered members of Zugacoin.

They assured Archbishop Dr. Sam Zuga of the Benue government’s full support and backing towards the establishment of Zugacoin in the State as its aim is in line with the Archbishop’s vision 0202-2020; to make the able Nigerian youths millionaire.

Our Reporter

A leading cryptocurrency trading company in Nigeria, AJ Global has taken steps to develop another version of its mobile app, ‘AjGlobalV’.

This development has given birth to a massive modification to the already existing version of the AjGlobalV app which was launched on Play Store and App Store respectively earlier in the year.

Speaking during one of the routine testing exercises of the beta, the Founder/CEO, Amb. Ngoka Aloysius Ebuka stated that the company will conclude the development process in due time to enable its launch for public use within the first quarter of 2021.

“With the remarkable increase in the usage of cryptocurrency among young people as a store of value and also for payment of goods and services across countries, there is a decline in usage of traditional means of payment. Version 2.0 will provide for better user experience by exceedingly making transactions among cryptocurrency users easier and faster than usual.”

READ ALSO: Expanding financial services access with cryptocurrencies

Also, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Adibe Chukwuemeka assured that with this development, they will cut down their current processing time for crypto-based transactions by an average of 37%.

According to him, the app is currently on Beta and at this time, the cryptocurrency trading company Aj Global is impressed by its performance reports from various testing exercises.

The use of cryptocurrency has significantly advanced over the years. No doubt, many businesses, and investors have taken advantage of this opportunity to make our daily business lives better.

Our Reporter

Tech giant Huawei has hosted its second annual TrustInTech Summit, which was attended by ICT industry experts, academia and economists from around the world.

Speakers included Huawei’s Executive Director of the Board and President of the Carrier Business Group, Ryan Ding, international investor Jim Rogers, GSMA CMO Stephanie Lynch-Habib, and others.

Focusing on the new challenges the world faced in 2020, the Summit highlighted ICT’s critical role as the key digital infrastructure to support societal wellbeing and economic recovery. Given the rising trend of technology decoupling, the Summit emphasized the need to embrace open collaboration, as well as the call to defeat the unnecessary fear of adopting new technologies.

In 2020, ICT played a vital role in resuming work and production during the pandemic. Meanwhile, 2020 has witnessed the exponential growth of 5G business applications. Global consultancy firm STL Partners estimated that 5G-enabled scenarios will raise the global GDP by US$1.4 trillion by 2030.

READ ALSO: Huawei AirPON to accelerate African fibre broadband connections

At the Summit, STL Partners co-founder Chris Barraclough stressed the transformative role of 5G in manufacturing, energy, and healthcare sectors. Huawei Enterprise’s digital transformation expert Edwin Diender also concurred, explaining the role of how 5G, AI, big data, and cloud computing pushed for faster drug screening and diagnosis, intelligent monitoring, and remote working and education during the pandemic.
GSMA CMO Stephanie Lynch-Habib shared that 5G’s rollout in 2020 brought over 100 5G networks in 47 countries, and some regions are leading in making 5G a mature application. 5G will influence consumer-oriented industries such as e-commerce, as well as boosting innovative services like virtual reality and augmented reality.

Standard network slicing models and edge computing will provide high reliability, low latency, high throughput, and service customization. “Our working groups are continually supporting and enhancing global standards,” stressed Lynch-Habib.

During the virtual, live streamed event, Huawei Carrier Business Group CTO Paul Scanlan called 2020 a ‘Sputnik’ moment.

“Similar to how the first man-made satellite Sputnik was successfully launched in 1957, bringing humanity into the age of space exploration, as 5G matured in 2020, everything changed,” said Scanlan. “The industry began to accelerate 5G adoption, offering spectrum discounts, innovating business models, and driving industry transformation. That’s never happened in the last 10 years.”

Several guests at the event commented on early adoption and major technological breakthroughs by saying there has always been a mistrust and fear of new things. For example, during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, as there was fear for automated production, factories were destroyed. As the events in 2020 led to more isolation and nationalism, there’s been a rise against transnational cooperation, and more countries are closing their doors and decoupling from each other over technology.

“Anybody taking a unilateral approach to anything, certainly to technology and economics, are going to have problems,” said international investor Jim Rogers.

“Foreign policy should be around opening. We need to avoid protectionism, especially in technology.” He also said that protectionism was bad for the world as seen throughout history.

Professor Jin Keyu of the London School of Economics also echoed during the Summit, “[In today’s world], it’s less about competition, rivalry, and substitution, and more about collaboration, complementarity, and cooperation.”

At the end of the summit, Ryan Ding, Huawei’s Executive Director of the Board and President of the Carrier Business Group, emphasized that an open and trusted ecosystem is required for everyone to share the prosperity brought by technology. To do so, the ICT industry needs to continue adopting unified technical and security standards. Given the current complex geopolitical environment, he stressed, “Politics should stay away from technical issues. We need to remain fair and open to drive technological cooperation. Industry cooperation is not a zero-sum game. If an isolated approach is adopted now, while new technology is unlocking social and business value at a faster rate, the victim will not be one company.”

Chinyere Okoroafor

TECNO, Africa’s most preferred smartphone brand, has recently garnered a series of recognition for its innovative smartphones, from Techuncode and Africa Tech Radio.

Techuncode is an independent online media that solves the negative perception of Africans and Technology.

At their recently concluded Techuncode awards, TECNO clinched the award for the Most Innovative Phone Brand for its POVA smartphone.

Africa Tech Radio is an online radio station focused solely on technology topics from start-ups, to tech reviews and tech disruption. At their maiden awards event, TECNO was recognised twice.

The brand took home the award for the Most Innovative Smartphone 2020- TECNO POVA, as well as the award for the Most Preferred Smartphone Brand 2020.

Recall that TECNO POVA was officially launched in November 2020.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: TECNO Foundation supports health care workers, donates medical supplies to NCDC

Some of the features that set the device apart and endear consumers to it include Battery: 6000mAh battery provides users with a standby time of 30 days and the ability to play music for 8 days straight, Flash Charger: 18W dual IC, increases 20% charging efficiency, Camera: 13 megapixel-focal length cameras on the rear and an 8-megapixel AI selfie front camera, Operating system: HiOS, the customized version of Android™ 10 mobile permits a wide range of user customization. The operating system also features an all-new design to bring consumers an intelligent and delightful system experience, Display: 6.8-inch dot in display screen offers immersive displays that avid gamers and streaming enthusiasts will appreciate. It gives you a screen with a 90.4% perfect screen ratio allowing for a much viewing experience that provides an extremely sharp display, Color: Magic Blue, Dazzle Black and Speed Purple

TECNO is no stranger to awards. Over the years, the brand’s innovative efforts have been recognised and applauded in diverse ways. Just a few months ago in September, TECNO’s CAMON 16 Premier won the “Camera Technology Innovation Smartphone Gold Award” for its outstanding camera functions at IFA Germany– the world’s largest and most influential home appliance and consumer electronics event.

TECNO is the premium mobile phone brand of TRANSSION Holdings with a comprehensive mobile device portfolio that cuts across feature phones, smartphones, and tablets. As a brand, TECNO is dedicated to transforming state-of-the-art technologies into localized products under the guideline of “Think Globally, Act Locally”. Established in 2006, TECNO has a presence in more than 50 countries across the globe. It is now one of the top three mobile phone brands in Africa and a major player worldwide. TECNO is also the Official Tablet and Handset Partner of Manchester City Football Club.

Gypsy Capital Limited, a leading consumer financial services provider in Nigeria, has introduced Consumer Credit, a loan product designed to address the urgent needs of customers who are salary earners.

A statement by the retail lender said the new product allows salary earners to apply for loans up to N1 million and pay back over a 6-month period at a very competitive interest rate without need for collateral.

Managing Director/ CEO of the firm, Ayodeji Mekuleyi, said the fintech is committed to empowering its customers to fund their urgent needs through trusted simple and smart solutions, within 24 hours.

“At Gypsy Capital, we have a commitment to help individuals achieve their personal goals through financial intermediation and that is why our offerings are designed to conveniently meet the financial needs of our customers.

“No matter what your personal goals may be, at Gypsy, we are invested in you, if you have the credible financial data.

“As a retail financial institution focused on digital finance services, we offer unsecured, easy and fast lending to Nigerians who can show a verifiable and stable means of repayment.

“Our loans are easily accessible through physical and digital channels, with structured tenures between 3- 6 months to suit our customer needs,” Mekuleyi said.

He stated ‘Consumer Credit’ is one of its novel products tailored to the needs of its customers.

“The product is straightforward and more affordable than many other loan products in the market and we do not require any collateral from customers to be eligible to apply.

“All our customers need to apply for our loan is to visit our website, create a free Gypsy Capital account, complete the application form and receive their money within 24hours, if eligible.”

Established on July 30, 2019, the retail lender headquartered at Landmark Towers, 5B Water Corporation Road, Oniru Rd, Victoria Island, Lagos, has continued to blaze the trail by delivering unique and customer-focused services through investment and loan products accessible via physical and digital channels.

Our Reporter

OPPO, a leading smart device company, has showcased multiple new conceptual designs based on its human-centric design philosophy at the 4th China International Industrial Design Expo (CIIDE).

The conceptual designs were created for OPPO by leading Japanese design studio nendo, founded by Oki Sato.

These results from the close collaboration between OPPO and nendo, exploring the possibilities of future design.

During the exhibition, OPPO also exhibited a series of its classic product designs, showcasing its unique insights and exploration into form designs, materials and interaction that have occurred since the company’s inception.

The China International Industrial Design Expo is a national-level event focused on industrial design in China.

With this year’s theme of “New Designs, New Trends, New Momentum,” OPPO put on a retrospective exposition, showcasing classic industry-leading product designs from throughout its history.

In 2008, OPPO launched its first smartphone, the “Smiley Face” A103, marking the beginning of its pursuit of the perfect synergy of ultimate aesthetics and innovation.

These innovations have proved numerous over the past 12 years: In 2012, OPPO launched Finder – one of the world’s thinnest phones – designed to be easier and more comfortable for users to hold.

In 2014, it introduced the 2.5D curved design on Find 5, while 2016’s R9 took inspiration from snow-covered mountain ridges to provide a smartphone with improved grip and looks. More recently, OPPO launched Reno3 in 2019 as the world’s thinnest 5G phone at the time.

OPPO’s breakthrough in design also extends to its cutting-edge camera technology. In 2014, OPPO released the world’s first motorized rotating camera smartphone –N3.

In 2018, its full-screen display smartphone, Find X, utilised a pioneering sliding design which enabled the camera to pop out from within the phone when activated.

This innovation integrated 11 components, including front and rear cameras and sensors, and resulted in a screen-to-body ratio of 93.8%.

In 2019, OPPO broke even more boundaries with the launch of the Reno 10x Zoom and its unique pivot rising structure, which has since inspired new design ideas within the smartphone industry.

In November 2020, OPPO demonstrated its latest exploration into mobile phone form factors with the OPPO X 2021 rollable conceptual handset at the OPPO INNO DAY 2020 event.

The size of the conceptual device’s rollable display is infinitely adjustable within a specified range, offering a new perspective on the future of devices and how humans might interact with them.

Our Reporter

There is no doubt that the digital revolution has dramatically transformed the world, along with the lives of those who live in it, with unprecedented speed. This phenomenon has also delivered opportunities and generated wealth for Africans all over the world in record time.

But for Ayuk believes digitization has its own unique challenges and demands creativity, policy experimentation and greater global cooperation for us to enjoy its potentials for the benefit of the world.

The transformative power of the digital economy is real and impactful he explains saying, “In 2040, one-third of the global workforce will be in Africa, according to rough calculation. Today about 90% of the people on the continent work in the non-standard sector. Improving their fortunes requires a creative mindset change. So increasing the digital economy in developing countries will require a new way of thinking.” Nyce Ayuk stated.

According to Nyce Ayuk while many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Information and Technology (ICT) sectors in other developing countries have yet to switch to digital technologies, a digital transformation is happening across Africa, led by SMEs Technology (ICT) sectors and young entrepreneurs who are willing “to take a risk and pioneer new business models as game-changers.”

By its nature, platforms facilitate transactions, networking, and information exchange. But measuring the digital economy and the value it creates is beset with difficulties. It is however estimated that the size of the Digital economy ranges from 4.5 – 15.5 per cent of the world’s GDP.

The United States and China account for about 40 per cent of the value-added in the Information and Technology (ICT) sector. On a daily basis, millions of transactions are completed in Africa through cards, mobile money and digital payments but transactions in cash is still dominant.

Over the past decade, mobile payments have enjoyed phenomenal success on the African continent, but it is my considered position that given the unfolding trends, it is the technology most likely to be a game-changer for substantial financial inclusion for the productive informal economy.

This revolution resides with the Digital payments platform which is merchant centric and benefits the artisans, SMEs, and small farmers. It is this payment platform that drives the productive economy.

Presently, the use of cash still dominates in many African countries, accounting for about 50 per cent of transaction value in South Africa. This is in spite of the fact that South Africa has one of the most sophisticated banking and payment spaces and the deepest card penetration rates in the continent.

Ayuk is part of the entrepreneurs in the digital and technology space who operate on open platforms related to e-commerce, ecosystem and more. He offers a unique learning experience about the transformative impact of e-commerce and technology as well as follow-up sessions on lessons learned, including a monthly private class section for his students.

READ ALSO: ‘Africa needs data to boost digital economy’

Admonishing entrepreneurs he stated, “As pioneers and champions for the new economy, you have a role to play to make transformations happen across Africa and other countries especially Nigeria. With your background and experience, you have a lot to give and you owe this much to Africa.”

The entrepreneur also believes that although challenges persist, according to Brookings, intra-African trade is at 17 percent compared to 59 percent in Asia and 69 percent in Europe.

But the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) is expected to boost Intra Africa trade by up to 52 percent through the elimination of import duties and other barriers to trade.

Already, the Common Market to Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is implementing regulations that will assist small scale traders in crossing borders with simplified clearance procedures. Since global trade is mostly dollar-dominated, the lack of USD liquidity in some African countries constitute a problem. Despite these challenges, the future of digital payment is bright in Africa.

Central banks and banking regulators are playing active and supportive roles in the growth of payment services in Africa. For instance, Banque Centrale des Etats de I’Afrique de I’Quest (BCEAO) based in France approved KYC-friendly bank accounts aimed at expanding financial inclusion and digital payments. In Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria is continuously pushing a cashless agenda by reducing card fees, limiting ATM withdrawals, and levying large cash deposits.