E-Business
WAFICT Congress to Focus on Big Data, Cloud Computing

As big data and cloud computing increasingly occupy the core of global activities in service delivery for both private and public sectors, how can governments and businesses in West Africa key into those areas through robust infrastructure to provide broadband to transform their countries?
This is the central focus of discussions for this year’s West African Information and Communications Technology Congress (WAFICT 2014) whose theme is “Broadband for Transformational Development: Empowering peoples, governments and industries in West Africa with technologies and solutions to transform societies.”
When government officials, regulatory agencies in telecom and information technology, telecom operators, computing and software firms, technology companies, manufacturers, and other stakeholders converge this year, therefore, their task will be to provide answers on how to maximally utilise the infrastructures that already on ground in the sub-region as well as increase or add new ones in order to deploy broadband as a transformational tool for development.
Consolidating on the gains of past editions, the 2014 WAFICT Congress will open new frontiers for all-round economic development across West Africa using technology.
The two-day event, which will draw participants from across the sub-region, is billed to take place between October 30 and 31 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island, Lagos.
Running for the sixth consecutive year, the Congress is upping the ante this year, as it brings people at the highest levels of government, regulators, and operators as well as all stakeholders in the ICT industry together with one full focus of finding ways to leverage on technology for economic development.
Globally, broadband technology is seen as veritable tool in driving economic growth and this is not without verifiable evidences from countries with huge broadband penetration.
From Agriculture to power, education to healthcare, as well as commerce and financial services, how can Nigeria and West Africa leverage on broadband for an all-sector development? What progress has the sub-region achieved so far with broadband plans and blueprints? What is the current level of technology input in agriculture, healthcare, education etc. and how can this be improved upon? These and many more questions are waiting to be answered by industry experts, regulators as well as the operators.
According to the organisers, Africa’s foremost ICT magazine, IT & Telecom Digest, WAFICT 2014 is a grand platform to hear from Governments and Regulators in West Africa their policies, plans and strategies towards developing their economies with technology, especially as original equipment manufacturers as well as big data and cloud computing companies and professionals will feature prominently at the event.
The Congress, which holds alongside Exhibition, will provide an opportunity to beam further searchlights on cybercrimes and the challenging tasks for cybersecurity, as well as the way forward for local content in the telecom and ICT sectors in the sub-region. Telecom regulators and operators across the sub-region with top notch speakers will thus chart the course for the industry’s growth.
Mkpe Abang, editor in chief of the Magazine, in a statement, said WAFICT 2014 will be building on the success of previous events; but this year’s event presents delegates an even better platform as speakers and presentations will come from across many sectors, all of which sorely need broadband for their growth and the development of the society.
Right here in West Africa, the revolution also beckons but to what extent are the governments, regulators, operators as well as other stakeholders driving this revolution? How will this revolution result into enviable growth in agriculture, education and advancements in our healthcare systems? What policies and laws have governments in the region put in place to support and encourage investment in broadband, and expansion of the ICT industry? Could the governments have done more? Have they done enough? Could the regulators have been better partners in progress with operators than they have been? Are there still challenges preventing operators from rolling out broadband services to West African citizens? These and many more are the salient topics and issues that will occupy the focal points at WAFICT 2014” Abang said.
Big data is simply a blanket term for any collection of data sets are so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process them using on-hand database management tools or traditional data processing applications as we know them in today or in the past.
And, to deliver computing as a service rather than as a product already further compounds the challenges of big data for a region that has difficulties of infrastructure.
According to Abang, “this throws up the challenges of capture, curation, storage, search, sharing, transfer and analysis, among others. As can be seen, the challenges affect both public and private sector, and such challenges are even more in West Africa where the channels of communication are not broad enough; hence, the need for broadband.
While a number of undersea cables area already available in West Africa, last mile and other challenges still hold back the region from reaping the fruits of these cables and provide broadband for the citizenry, which would be a great source for transformation development. WAFICT Congress 2014 will be a great platform for discussion s on the way forward,” Abang stated.
E-Business
Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.
Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity
Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.
When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.
The growing demand for proactive security
One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.
Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.
Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies
The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.
“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.
Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.
When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.
This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.
As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.
E-Business
Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga
The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.
To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.
Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.
Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”
He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”
Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.
As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.
Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.
E-Business
Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.
When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.
At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.
“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.
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