Author: ITPulse

The Nigerian School on Internet Governance (NSIG), championed by the Internet Society Nigeria Chapter has successfully concluded its 5th cohort, graduating a new wave of leaders poised to shape the future of the digital world. The President of the Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter, Engr. Kunle Olorundare in his opening address at the ceremony held last week at the Center for Information and Communication Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, noted that the school, a prestigious institution dedicated to developing future leaders in Internet governance, has been instrumental in increasing Nigeria’s representation in international discussions and motivating participants…

Verve International, Africa’s leading domestic payment network, celebrates another significant milestone: surpassing 70 million issued cards in Nigeria. This achievement solidifies Verve’s position as the dominant player in the Nigerian market, with a staggering 40% growth in card issuance year-over-year. This, Vincent Ogbunude, CEO of Verve International, highlighted as the company’s dedication to providing secure and convenient payment solutions across Africa. While emphasizing the importance of partnerships and their role in driving financial inclusion on the continent, Verve is thrilled to celebrate this milestone, adding 20 million new cards in Nigeria, and expresses gratitude to its partners and loyal cardholders.…

At the 2024 Nigeria Fintech Week, Branka Mracajac, CEO of 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), emphasized the crucial role of innovation, investment, and collaboration in propelling Nigeria’s fintech sector forward. The three-day event, themed “Positioning Africa’s Fintech Ecosystem to Accelerate Inclusive Growth,” brought together industry leaders to discuss strategies for leveraging generative AI and shifting from revenue-driven to profitability-focused business models. In her keynote address, Mracajac highlighted the significant advancements Nigeria has made in fintech. The influx of startups and foreign investments is reshaping how financial services are delivered, with innovations like digital and mobile wallets addressing the needs of…

Zinox Technologies, Nigeria’s premier technology company, celebrated its 23rd anniversary. Founded by Leo Stan Ekeh, a visionary entrepreneur recognized as the leading tech icon in Africa, Zinox has been at the forefront of providing advanced technology solutions across the continent. Established in 2001 to fill a void in Nigeria’s ICT sector, Zinox quickly emerged as a pioneer, becoming the first indigenous company to design and manufacture internationally certified computers in Nigeria. This achievement solidified Zinox’s position as a leading force in the country’s digital landscape. Over the years, Zinox has garnered numerous accolades and certifications, underscoring its commitment to innovation…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to disrupt the agriculture sector, offering solutions to numerous challenges and boosting efficiency throughout the value chain. According to GlobalData, a data and analytics company, AI’s ability to support precision agriculture, automate labor-intensive tasks, verify supply chain sustainability, and accelerate crop gene editing has the potential to supercharge the industry. GlobalData’s recent report, “Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture,” highlights the transformative potential of AI in addressing the sector’s complex challenges. Generative AI’s natural language capabilities can enhance knowledge sharing and skill acquisition, while AI farm management systems can optimize resource utilization by monitoring crop yields and…

Eight years after its launch, TikTok continues to dominate the social media landscape with impressive download figures. According to data from OnlyAccounts.io, the video-sharing app amassed a staggering 488.2 million downloads in the first half of 2024. This achievement marks the second-highest number of downloads in TikTok’s history, falling just short of the record set in 2020. Despite occasional controversies and threats of bans, TikTok’s global popularity remains undeniable. This success can be partially attributed to its strategic acquisition of Musical.ly in 2017, adding a significant user base, particularly in the United States. Data from Statista and AppMagic reveals the…

A leading initiative dedicated to empowering startups across Nigeria, STEP, partnered with StartupSouth9 to host a two-day event in Port Harcourt on October 3rd and 4th, 2024. The event aimed to strengthen the South-South and South-East regions by connecting startups with essential resources like growth strategies, funding opportunities, and mentorship. Over 2,500 attendees and 70 speakers, including notable figures like Jane Egerton-Idehen (MD of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited), Arthur Uche (CEO of Beyond Clothing), and Abayomi Adebanjo (Regional Head at Main One), participated in panel discussions, workshops, and side sessions. The event featured 15 workshops offering valuable insights and actionable…

By Brighton Chidoma Africa’s financial sector is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mobile technology. Despite the notable progress in mobile banking and fintech, the continent continues to face a significant financial inclusion gap, with over half the population remaining unbanked. This paradox is particularly evident in South Africa, where a sophisticated financial sector coexists with deep inequality. To bridge this divide, South African banks are leapfrogging legacy hurdles by embracing technologies like generative AI (GenAI), focusing on socioeconomic trends and using advanced tools to reshape customer interactions and underwriting processes. Breaking down barriers…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its dedication to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and ensuring inclusive economic growth. Speaking at the 3rd edition of the TeXcellence Conference, which is hosted by CWG Plc, a Pan-African systems solutions company, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa outlined the agency’s strategic vision and roadmap encapsulated in the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0. The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnerships department, Dr Aristotle Onumo, explained that the SRAP 2.0 focuses on eight strategic pillars aimed at empowering Nigerians and fostering economic development…

The Federal Government is taking a proactive stance to address Nigeria’s food security challenges by integrating emerging technologies into the agricultural sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Agriculture Development Fund (NADF) underscores this commitment to enhancing productivity and sustainability. In a statement quoting NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, the collaboration between NITDA and NADF aims to harness the power of digital technologies to revolutionize agricultural practices. The MoU focuses on leveraging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics to optimize farming operations, improve…