Author: ITPulse

The global connectivity gap persists as a staggering 43% of the world’s population, or approximately 3.45 billion people, remain unconnected to the digital world, according to a new report by the GSMA. This, according to the report is hindering economic growth and social progress. To bridge this digital divide and achieve universal mobile internet access, the report estimates that a massive investment of $418 billion is needed. Key barriers to connectivity include affordability, digital skills, and network coverage. Thus, the GSMA urges governments, mobile network operators, and international organizations to collaborate and take decisive action to address these challenges by…

MoMo PSB is revolutionizing cross-border financial transactions with the launch of its outbound remittance service and innovative Gift Card service. “We are committed to delivering quick, easy, and user-friendly financial services, breaking down barriers to ensure seamless transactions across Africa,” said Phrase Lubega, Acting CEO of MoMo PSB. With the launch, MoMo users in Nigeria can now seamlessly send and receive money to and from 19 African countries including Benin Republic, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. Also, users can receive money from South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda,…

Ecobank Nigeria has taken a significant step towards empowering the next generation by partnering with Opolo Global to deliver AI and digital skills training to Lagos schools. As part of its annual Ecobank Day initiative, the bank focused on igniting young minds with the power of technology. The 2024 theme, “Ignite Learning with AI,” aimed to enhance children’s literacy, numeracy, and digital proficiency through the strategic use of artificial intelligence. Oluwafemi Ajayi, Head of Product Development and Lagos Operations at Opolo Global, commended Ecobank’s commitment to equipping students with essential 21st-century skills. He emphasized the transformative potential of AI in…

By Martin Ekpeke Nigeria’s mobile subscriber base has taken a significant hit, shrinking by over 30% after the September 2024 SIM-NIN linkage deadline. Telecommunication companies in Nigeria have reported a loss of approximately 66 million SIM cards following the enforcement of the SIM-NIN linkage policy. This drastic reduction in active lines has brought the total number of mobile subscribers down to 153.32 million. The stringent SIM-NIN linkage policy, implemented to enhance security and identify criminals, has led to the deactivation of numerous SIM cards that failed to meet the verification requirements. As a result, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has…

More accolades for the Minister of State for Defence H.E Dr Muhammed Bello Matawalle MON for his commitment and dedication to his duties and the latest is the remarks of goodwill of the minister made by the newly elected National Speaker of the leading Youth’s body in Nigeria, the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Comrade Famuyibo Oluwasegun, during his acceptance speech at the national election held at Agura Hotels, Abuja weekend. Comrade Oluwasegun, who hails from Ekiti State, described the Minister as a Youths role model who has demonstrated rare courage in fighting bandits and terrorists to their standstill in…

Recently, key stakeholders in Africa’s internet ecosystem gathered in Lagos for the Nigerian Peering and Interconnection Forum (ngPIF), where they explored strategies for expanding Nigeria’s rapidly growing internet infrastructure. Hosted by the Nigerian Network Operator Group (ngNOG) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), the forum attracted government officials, industry leaders, and technology experts committed to enhancing digital connectivity in Nigeria. In his opening remarks, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasized the critical role of internet connectivity in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development. Represented by Ganiyu Oseni, Senior Adviser on Technology, Broadband & Innovation, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated the…

In a recent announcement, Starlink has decided to temporarily halt a planned service fee increase in Nigeria. This decision comes as a relief to many Nigerians who were anticipating the launch of affordable satellite internet services. Starlink explained that the initial price hike was intended to address inflationary pressures and sustain operations. However, due to ongoing regulatory challenges, the company has chosen to pause the increase. Users who have already been charged the higher rate will receive a one-time credit to their accounts. This move is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s digital landscape. By offering affordable, high-speed…

Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged both the public and private sectors to invest more in cybersecurity training to combat the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria. Speaking at the National Cybercrimes Summit 2024, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Inuwa emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative approach to address this issue. He highlighted the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, noting that they are no longer limited to traditional computers but extend to mobile devices, smart TVs, and even cars. Inuwa identified five major categories of cybercrime, including technical product…

Zoho Corporation has announced a powerful collaboration with NVIDIA. This partnership leverages NVIDIA’s AI technology to develop next-generation Large Language Models (LLMs) specifically designed for businesses. Zoho recognizes that current LLMs prioritize consumer needs, offering limited practicality for businesses. Their mission is to create business-specific LLMs that integrate seamlessly with Zoho’s existing suite of over 100 business-focused products (across ManageEngine and Zoho.com). This “full-stack” approach allows Zoho to leverage the crucial element of AI effectiveness – context. Zoho prioritizes user privacy. Their LLM development builds privacy regulations directly into the models, eliminating the need for later retrofitting. By utilizing NVIDIA’s…

Prudential, a leading insurance provider, has partnered with Google Cloud to revolutionize its medical claims processing. By leveraging Google’s MedLM language models, Prudential aims to streamline and expedite claim approvals and payouts. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the use of generative AI for medical claims processing. By harnessing the power of MedLM, Prudential is poised to deliver faster, more accurate, and more efficient claims services to its customers, setting a new standard for the insurance industry. Arjan Toor, CEO of Health at Prudential plc, expressed enthusiasm about this breakthrough, stating, “Prudential’s early tests with MedLM demonstrate the transformative…