Author: ITPulse

By Obinna Nna  I have seen the same mistake happen over and over again while building payment products in Africa and Europe for the past three years. A product team makes a payment experience more relevant to a specific area by translating text, changing currency symbols, changing the onboarding process to fit local ID formats, and adding a few payment methods that are only available in that area. They send it off to a new market with confidence, but within weeks of launch, they see failure rates rise, support tickets multiply, and conversion rates drop. Usually, the post-mortems look at…

A new collaboration between Google and GOMYCODE, called “Build with AI,” will provide up to 1,000 Nigerian developers with essential generative AI skills. This program aims to cultivate a new generation of tech talent capable of creating innovative and globally competitive products that address local challenges. The 11-week program will provide access to advanced AI tools, such as Gemini, and a curriculum overseen by Google experts. It will be delivered through GOMYCODE’s network of hackerspaces, using a blended approach of in-person instruction and hands-on, mentored lab work. The goal is to bridge the skills gap and accelerate the development of…

From Segway’s stumble to fintech’s rise in Kenya and Nigeria, the lesson is clear: innovation works best when it solves real problems and aligns with business vision. In today’s hyperconnected world, technology and business are in constant dialogue each influencing the other in a race to meet evolving consumer demands and market pressures. Yet in that race, there is a critical question every leader must ask: When should technology lead the business, and when should it follow? There are moments when technology rightfully takes the driver’s seat. Breakthrough innovations have historically created entirely new markets — from the personal computer…

In a bold move to curb exploitation and restore order in the digital lending sector, Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has introduced new regulations that took effect on July 25, 2025. These new rules are designed to clean up the country’s online and non-traditional lending space by enforcing strict consumer protection standards. The regulations mandate higher standards for consumer protection, improved complaint resolution systems, and the monitoring of interest rates to prevent predatory practices. The message from the FCCPC is clear: all entities must operate fairly or face consequences. The rules’ scope is extensive, covering a wide…

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUB) has received a major boost in its mission to produce globally competitive graduates, thanks to a generous donation from the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF). The foundation has provided a state-of-the-art Tech Experience Centre, a multimillion-naira facility designed to equip students and staff with the essential digital skills needed for success in today’s world. The center, commissioned on behalf of Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, the founder of LSEF and Chairman of Zinox Group, by the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, is outfitted with the latest Zinox computers. It…

…. Joint Collaboration Enables Real-Time Intelligence Sharing and Mutual Anti-Tamper Protections to Accelerate Ransomware Detection and Response Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, has announced a strategic threat intelligence sharing partnership with Halcyon, the leading anti-ransomware solution provider. This collaboration brings together two of the most experienced teams in ransomware defense to accelerate detection, enhance protection, and improve response capabilities for more than 300,000 organizations worldwide. The collaboration between Sophos and Halcyon will exchange threat intelligence in real time, including indicators of compromise (IOCs), adversary behaviors, and attack patterns, to enhance ransomware prevention and accelerate…

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) is set to reposition the .ng domain as a foundational element of Nigeria’s digital growth. According to NiRA President Adesola Akinsanya, this strategic initiative will be built on three key pillars: Policy Alignment, Ecosystem Expansion, and Capacity Building. During a recent webinar, Akinsanya emphasized that the .ng domain is more than just a domain extension; it is a critical piece of infrastructure for the nation’s digital transformation. The new roadmap aims to address the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of .ng and solidify it as a symbol of national identity online. The three…

Chowdeck, a leading on-demand delivery platform in Africa, has successfully raised $9 million in Series A funding. This investment will fuel the company’s expansion into more cities across Nigeria and Ghana and support the launch of a new quick commerce strategy. The funding, led by Novastar Ventures and with participation from other key investors like Y Combinator and AAIC Investment, will be used to enhance delivery speed and reliability for food, groceries, and medicine. The new quick commerce strategy will utilize dark stores and a hyperlocal logistics model to further improve delivery times and coverage. This expansion builds on Chowdeck’s…

PalmPay, a leading fintech platform, has teamed up with AXA Mansard Health, Nigeria’s largest health insurance company, to provide accessible and affordable digital health insurance to millions of Nigerians. This collaboration allows PalmPay users to easily access a variety of health insurance packages from AXA Mansard directly through the PalmPay app. Starting at just N500 per month, the insurance plans are designed to meet diverse needs. For example, the AXA Digital Health plan provides telemedicine consultations with doctors, N5,000 worth of medications, and up to N40,000 in surgical coverage. For a monthly fee of N1,000, users can opt for the…

By Martin Ekpeke Africa’s financial landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution, marked by a significant shift from speculative cryptocurrency trading to utility-driven adoption. Over-the-counter (OTC) crypto is emerging as a transformative force for African businesses. Obinna Iwuno, President of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), posited this during a webinar organized by Techcabal in collaboration with Quidax, with the theme: ‘The Quiet Revolution: Is OTC the Future of African Business Payments?’ According to Obinna, a key factor driving this change is the government and regulatory interest, which has yielded to the increase in the usage and adoption…