Author: ITPulse

  By Martin Ekpeke Services and professional advisory company, KPMG has advised companies who want to remain relevant in the ever changing business environment to adopt digital innovations or slowly phase out. The advice was given on behalf of KPMG by Bunmi Akinyemiju, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Venture Garden Group at the 2018 KPMG Alumni Cocktail, held in Lagos last week. Akinyemiju argued that given the vulnerability of industries as a result of the taking over by digital disruption, there is a heightened customer expectation, and that any business that is not able to leverage digital offering to scale…

  One of Africa’s leading Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce platform, Afrimart has officially launched its E-Commerce platform specially designed to create new business opportunities for African Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), general merchants and service providers. The platform, according to Afrimart  will create visibility and accessibility to African buyers and suppliers and ultimately, lead to growth. Speaking on the platform, which is a one-stop-shop for all things African, Fredrick Igbinedion, Afrimart’s President and Founder, said the central aim of Afrimart is to create an infrastructure that supports rapid growth of seamless trade of goods and services across Africa and…

  By Martin Ekpeke The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), is presently intervening in the sealing of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited office by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS). Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, also known as 9mobile as a member of ALTON, had written to the association complaining of unlawful sealing of its Port Harcourt Regional Office on Tuesday, the 26th of June 2018 based on an alleged N107,958,536.96 tax liability arising from the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) of expatriates erroneously believed by the RIRS to be on EMTS’ payroll. But ALTON in a letter dated…

  By Martin Ekpeke One of Nigeria’s leading Information Technology companies, FPG Technologies & Solutions Limited has unveiled plans and strategies that will see the company providing flexible business solutions, which are focused on helping them accelerate their business using world-class technology and expertise. FPG unveiled these growth plans in Lagos last week in a press conference, as part of activities to mark its five years of rolling out cutting edge technology solutions, which it boasts has helped businesses in Nigeria to grow and expand. “Today, we are happy that we are five years in business. I believe it is…

The UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s Working Group on Broadband for the Most Vulnerable Countries, has again identified some lingering challenges, which are considered as setbacks to broadband access, especially in Africa. The Working Group, in a report Broadband for national development in four LDCs: Cambodia, Rwanda, Senegal and Vanuatu, argued that lack of relevant local content and applications, low digital literacy and unaffordability are the drawbacks why the use of broadband has not fully matched its increasing supply. This, according to the report is worrisome as high-speed Internet improves economies and livelihoods in least developed countries. To…

  By Martin Ekpeke Carrot.ng, a one stop shop to estate planning has unveiled its digital platform, that would ultimately alter the usual ways of estate management in Nigeria. Specifically, the digital platform has been created for subscribers to securely create, update and schedule execution of their Wills or other Testamentary instruments such as  Deed of Gifts or other Revocable Living Wills in real time, anytime, anywhere. “Carrot.ng is an online platform that turns the unexpected into comfort for your loved ones,” said Odunayo Willaims, Chief Operating Officer of Carrot.ng at a press conference in Lagos on Saturday. Odunayo explained…

  By Martin Ekpeke The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s website has been declared the best in the government  Ministry, Department and Agency category at the Maiden Edition of Nigerian Online Merit Award, NiOMA, held in Lagos on Friday. Narrating how the NCC’s website was adjudged the best, the organisers of the award, News Express Online noted that NCC won the award, given that its website stands out among other websites in the MDA category. The organizer said apart from its unique and aesthetic design, the website is the most interactive, when compared with those of other MDA’s. “In a survey…

  The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), last week awarded Galaxy Backbone the most Digital Innovative federal Government agency at its annual .ng awards ceremony, which was held in Lagos. According to NIRA, the award is a confirmation of Galaxy Backbone’s status as the Digital Infrastructure & shared services provider to Federal government Agencies, saying in the last 5 years, Galaxy Backbone (GBB) has continued to drive digital innovation and inclusion amongst government agencies through the delivery of digital services that improve the way agencies engage and communicate with other agencies and the citizenry.  Responding, an elated Chief Executive Officer…

  Even though cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin tend to steal the limelight, it is their underlying blockchain technology that is proving to be of practical benefit. This technology, which goes beyond financial application, is expected to disrupt global supply chains by boosting transaction speed across borders and improving transparency. Essentially, the blockchain is a shared virtual public ledger where encrypted transactions are confirmed by outside parties. Confirmed transactions are placed in a “block” and added to the chain, hence the name blockchain. It is this technology that the Fintechs are leveraging to disrupt the traditional banks Here in Nigeria, blockchain…

The Nigerian Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) has released its latest figures showing that Central bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy is gaining traction, especially in the last six months as Nigerians spent N1.01 trillion using the Point of Sales (PoS) terminals. This is a far different from 2012 – 2017, when the number of transactions carried out via PoS was valued at N1.4 trillion. A breakdown of the figure shows that that deals worth N152 billion were executed over the electronic platform in January, while N144 billion was recorded in February. In March and April, N177 billion and N172…