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MTN Collaborates IDC on Affordable Smartphones for Internet Penetration

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MTN Nigeria has once again suggested that massive rollout of LTE broadband services can become more profitable through increased shipment of affordable smartphones in the country.

Speaking during quarterly seminar organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) in Lagos recently, Mr. Olusegun Salami, senior manager, Transmission Access Planning Network Group at MTN, said that the actual journey of broadband penetration started in 2007, with the launch of the third generation technology called the 3G, which ended the era of narrowband service provided through the 2G networks.

In a paper presentation titled: ‘Foreign Direct Investment-An Impetus To Achieving Ubiquitous Broadband Penetration,’ Salami said Nigerians were beginning to see significant improvement in broadband penetration, but explained that by 2017, when more service providers must have launched their LTE services the broadband landscape would change.

According to him, Nigerians would experience faster browsing speed and navigation, while on the internet stressing that smartphone, which would help drive the use of broadband internet, must come cheap.

Salami’s position falls in line to Q4 2014 Handsets Tracker released by International Data Corporation (IDC), which indicated that smartphone shipments to Nigeria soared 135 percent year-on-year (y/y) in 2014, spurred by the increased availability of low-cost models and dual-SIM devices.

According to IDC, smartphone penetration in Nigeria today is arguably the highest in the world.

In 2013, over 10 million smart devices worth $1 billion (N167bn) were sold in Nigeria, according to analysts.

Smartphone shipments to the Middle East and Africa (MEA) saw unprecedented y/y growth of 83 percent in 2014, the majority of the growth in the smartphone category was witnessed in countries with larger populations but previously low penetration rates like Nigeria and Kenya. Kenya experienced the second fastest growth of 112 percent in smartphone shipments.

According to IDC, smartphone’s accounted for 41.9 percent of all mobile handset shipments to the region in 2014, up from 27 percent in 2013, with the overall handset market expanding 19.6 percent in volume y/y.

Feature phones have been hit hard by the increased availability of more affordable smartphones, with shipments down 4.5 percent y/y in 2014.

Smartphone priced under $100 captured 20 percent share of the MEA smartphone market in 2014, up from just 5 percent in 2013.

However, Salami said, “It is for this reason that MTN decided to come with low pricing smartphone that will enhance increased use of the internet, through mobile devices”.

He disclosed that fibre system remains the best way to achieve broadband penetration in an economy with population like Nigeria, adding that MTN is appreciative of Government efforts in employing policies to further open up the economy in a manner that the economy will be able to attract more FDI noting that further devaluation of Naira will attract FDI.

Salami lauded Government for moving in the direction of increasing its investment in the development of the nation’s infrastructure particularly in the areas of electricity power supply, roads, telecommunication saying that such would reduce the cost of doing business thereby wooing more FDI.

The Senior Manager, Transmission Access Planning Network Group at MTN, called on the Government to encourage production activity via production incentives and/or subsidies in order to increase the nation’s GDP.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, chairman of the occasion and group chairman, Teledom Group, cautioned against the devaluation of the naira in order to encourage FDIs noting that it place indigenous investors at disadvantage.

According to him, the interest of local investors must not be sacrificed on the altar of encouraging FDIs, adding that local investors are important in local content creation to enable the country compete favorably in the internet business.


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Treepz Doubles Down on Corporate Mobility in Africa with Launch of a New Website

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Treepz, Africa’s leading corporate mobility startup, has expanded its corporate mobility and employee transportation services across the continent with a fresh new look for its website.

 

The company’s new website boasts a sleek, user-friendly interface with added features to better showcase Treepz’s range of services for companies looking to efficiently and sustainably move employees and clients in major African cities. From on-demand employee shuttles, and school bus solutions to intra-city group trips for events and conferences, Treepz is positioning itself as an all-in-one corporate transportation provider.

Managing transportation logistics across multiple sites has always been an operational nightmare for companies,” said Onyeka Akumah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Treepz. “Our goal is to streamline that experience through Treepz’s powerful technology platform.”

With nearly 6,000 employees of companies daily relying on Treepz’s innovative tech and reliable fleet for employee transportation or staff bus commutes, we understand the complexities of managing corporate transportation firsthand. “Our revamped website simplifies the process, offering businesses a seamless solution to optimize their transportation needs and empower their workforce in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana,” Onyeka added

Key Features of the New Treepz Website

  • Trackable Dashboard for a bird’s eye view of all guests’ trips in real-time when using Treepz.
  • 24/7 customer support to assist with all mobility inquiries.
  • Wide selection of vehicle options, each with professional drivers tailored to specific needs.
  • Friendly interface for easy navigation and booking.
  • Client testimonials and case studies showcasing Treepz’s success stories.

Treepz’s mission extends beyond just transportation – they aim to revolutionize how over 1 million daily commuters experience mobility across Africa. Since its launch in 2019, the company has provided employee transit for top firms like Tekexperts, Wakanow, Somasource, and Brighter Monday across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. This has resulted in the transportation of about 5 million passengers since then.

With this digital reinvention, Treepz doubles down on transforming corporate mobility through tech-driven solutions. The company welcomes businesses seeking smarter ways to move their people to explore the new website www.treepz.com.


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Nigerian Business Leaders Partner Google for Strategic Advantage, Seeks Competitive Edge in Privacy-First Era

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Leading companies from Nigeria joined Google West Africa at a roundtable to discuss the shift towards privacy-first marketing as third-party cookies are phased out. The forum brought together leaders from FairMoney, Konga, Mondelez, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank, highlighting a collective commitment to redefining consumer engagement in the digital age.

Businesses recognize that building consumer trust is essential in a world that increasingly values privacy. In this new era, adapting marketing strategies to be more privacy-focused is not just a necessity but a strategic move towards building sustainable customer relations. This transition challenges businesses to innovate while maintaining transparency and respect for consumer data privacy, turning potential constraints into avenues for deeper consumer engagement.

“Customer trust is the new currency,” noted Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google. “Consumers are demanding more control over their data, and the savviest businesses are seeing this shift as an opportunity. This is about reimagining how we engage with technology and data, ensuring that innovation and privacy go hand-in-hand.”

The discussions emphasised this point, highlighting the competitive advantage of adopting privacy-first strategies. Google showcased innovative solutions like Google Tag and Enhanced Conversions. These tools demonstrate a commitment to both high performance and privacy standards. Success stories illustrated how other businesses have successfully navigated this shift, offering valuable insights.

“We stand at a crucial juncture,” remarked Oluwadamilare Akinwunmi, Chief Data & AI Officer at Interswitch. “The winners of tomorrow will be those enterprises that strike a balance between innovative, data-driven marketing and a profound commitment to data protection and privacy-first practices. The essential dialogues we engage in, and the subsequent actions we take, set us on the path to achieve precisely this”

The roundtable underscores a pivotal shift towards privacy-first strategies in Nigeria’s digital marketing sphere, emphasising the critical role of collaboration and innovation in this transition. It marks a collective stride towards a future where consumer trust and data privacy form the cornerstone of business growth and competitive advantage.

“We are committed to empowering Nigerian brands in building a privacy-forward future. By harnessing AI and privacy-centric technologies, we aim to empower our partners to thrive amidst these changes,” stated Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google.


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MTN Nigeria, PAU Open Applications for 3rd Edition of MTN Media Innovation Programme

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the School of Media & Communications, Pan-Atlantic University have announced call for applications from qualified media practitioners to participate in the 3rd edition of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP-3), which will commence on May 20, 2024, at the Main Campus of the Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. 

MTN Nigeria in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, launched the Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP) in 2022 to enable media practitioners gain deeper insight into the ever-evolving media landscape.

The six-month, fully-funded certificate fellowship, which includes a study visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and an innovation hub to incubate ideas, is open to media practitioners across all strata of the media industry including the print, electronic and online platforms. The programme is also open to social media content creators.

Speaking on the impact of the programme, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria said: “The media play a crucial role in shaping the society. It is important that they are enabled with tools and opportunities to do their jobs better as this ultimately benefits the society.

“Our commitment is to continue to empower media practitioners, regardless of platforms, to be able to innovate and create technological-driven solutions to our world. This is what the MTN Media Innovation Programme seeks to accomplish.”

On his part, the Dean School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, stated that the programme brings into play the wide experience that the School has in the training of media practitioners.

In our various programmes targeted at journalists, we at the School of Media and Communication have always laid a lot of emphasis on the importance of creativity, ethics and professionalism.

“The Media Innovation Programme is one more opportunity to drive home these values but with a new emphasis on innovation.

“Journalism remains as important as ever to the society, and it is driven by the same values, but journalists require a retooling to meet the technological changes and challenges of today.

“This is the role that the Media Innovation Programme aims to play, and we are quite happy to be able to partner with MTN to achieve this goal.”

At the end of the training, the 20 successful applicants will qualify as Fellows for the 2024 cohort. The Fellows would be coached on Nigeria’s technology sector, the relationship between media and technology, and equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing realities that guarantee career and financial success in their professional practice.

Fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from PAU’s erudite faculty.

Interested journalists, bloggers and content creators can apply for the Fellowship at https://smc.edu.ng/mtnmip

Applications open on Friday March 23 and close Wednesday April 10, 2024.


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