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DEMO Africa Names Top 30 Tech Participating Start-ups

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DEMO Africa on Tuesday released a list of the thirty technology start-ups from across Africa that will pitch at the 2015 edition of the DEMO Africa event.

Last year’s giant, Nigeria, tops the list again with 8 representatives followed by Kenya with 6.

South Africa is third with 3 representatives while Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Zimbabwe each have two. Uganda, Tanzania and new comer, Ivory Coast, will each be represented by 1 start-up.

The presence of Ivory Coast on the list of giants is a strong signal that more African nations are warming up to the ability of the continent to craft her own solutions to various needs.

The highest represented category on the 2015 list is finance and banking with eight products. Other categories are education, transport and logistics, retail, communication and media and entertainment.

Mr. Peter Jack, director general of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), warmly congratulated the start-ups and welcomed them to Nigeria for the epic Pan African technology event.

“We are excited at the opportunities that technology has presented to our African youths in creating jobs and wealth. This is a great moment in the history of Africa, steadily rising to establish its digital footprint in the world. Congratulations to the finalists,” he emphasized.

Harry Hare, executive producer of DEMO Africa, congratulated all the participating entrepreneurs noting the increase in the number of products from the applications received this year.

“I would like to congratulate every entrepreneur that took part in the DEMO Africa challenge, though the stage can only accommodate thirty entrepreneurs this year, our pride is particularly in the large numbers of entrepreneurs that continue to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions,” he commented.

The 30 start-ups have been selected from a list of over 600 hundred applicants with four earning direct nominations during the DEMO Africa pre-pitch events.

The selected start-ups will now be placed under a mentorship programme which will run till September 22, 2015.

This programme is aimed at sharpening the pitching skills of the entrepreneurs readying them for the DEMO Africa stage.

More people continue to book their slots to witness the unveiling of the selected thirty products.

The week-long event will take place between the 21 and 25 September, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos Nigeria. Over 500 guests including investors, IT buyers, IT consumers and media are expected.

Yele Okeremi, chairman of DEMO Africa’s Local Organizing Committee confirmed that preparations for the event are now in the very final stage “We are excited that local and international players in the transport and accommodation industries have come forth to offer their support. I am confident that we will deliver a world class event.” Okeremi assured.

This year, DEMO Africa introduces knowledge streams to delve into critical topics including Business Modelling, Scaling Businesses, Creating an unfair advantage, and Raising Capital.

Top industry players including Jorn Lyseggen-MEST Founder, Harry Tomi Davies-ABAN President, Folabi Esan-Partner, Adlevo Capital, Jason Njoku-IROKO TV CEO among others will lead the discussion.

Other notable activities at the 2015 DEMO Africa event include an investor roundtable forum and the LIONS@FRICA Summit with the uptake of Africa generated technology being expected to dominate the conversations.

The event will be co-hosted by DEMO Africa, Nigerian Ministry of Communication Technology and National Information Technology Agency-Nigeria in collaboration with LIONS@FRICA partnership and VC4Africa.

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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E-Business

Black Friday: How Konga Yakata is Defying Global Inflation

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We have been taught that economics is a force of nature, an invisible hand that giveth and, more recently, taketh away. We watch global indices, inflation charts, and the shrinking purchasing power of our currency with a sense of resigned inevitability. But what if a company decided to push back? What if, instead of merely responding to market forces, it created a counter-force?

That is the story of Konga Yakata, Nigeria’s boldest retail response to inflation. Far from being a shopping festival, Yakata has evolved into a nationwide economic intervention. In the face of rising prices and tightening wallets, Konga’s month-long sales event has emerged as a stabilizing force, helping households stretch their Naira further.

For years, the traditional 24-hour Black Friday rush has felt misaligned with Nigerian realities. A single day of discounts cannot solve month-long financial pressure. Yakata changes the model, transforming it into a 30-day strategic purchasing window. This isn’t a marketing gimmick; it is economic practicality. It gives families time to plan, prioritize, and purchase essentials without panic or strain.

Nigeria’s inflation has driven up the cost of food, housing, and household essentials. Konga Yakata provides relief. By offering genuine products at real and sustained discounts, the campaign helps families save, spend wisely, and maintain their quality of life.

Independent retail analytics show that households that shopped strategically during last year’s Yakata saved up to 35% on essential items: refrigerators, generators, laptops, and groceries. These are not luxuries; they are investments in stability and productivity, made possible by Konga’s pricing and flexible payment options.

Beyond savings, Yakata has reshaped consumer behaviour. It has taught shoppers to anticipate value, plan ahead, and expect quality without compromise. It has evolved into a trusted national tradition.

Industry data reinforces its scale. The 2024 edition generated over ₦12 billion in transaction value across electronics, fashion, appliances, and groceries, with small and medium sellers benefiting through Konga’s marketplaces.

In essence, Konga Yakata is not just a sales event, it is a market stimulus. It challenges the narrative of helplessness in the face of inflation by creating a commercial environment built on trust, affordability, and value. Through innovation, efficient logistics, and consumer-focused fintech, Konga has turned Yakata into a lever of national economic resilience.

As global prices rise and budgets tighten, Konga Yakata stands firm, not only as a celebration of shopping, but as a purposeful act of support for Nigerian households.

Indeed, Konga Yakata 2025 is more than Black Friday Reloaded, it is proof that innovation, empathy, and strategy can rewrite the rules of economics, one household at a time.


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Report Reveals DLL Hijacking Attacks have Doubled since 2023

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Dynamic link library (DLL) hijacking is a common technique in which attackers replace a library loaded by a legitimate process with a malicious one.

It is used by creators of mass-impact malware, like stealers and banking Trojans, as well as by APT (advanced persistent threat) and cybercrime groups behind targeted attacks. Kaspersky reports that DLL hijacking attacks have doubled in the past two years.

Kaspersky has observed this technique and its variations, like DLL sideloading, in targeted attacks on organisations in Russia, Africa, South Korea, as well as other countries and regions.

To further enhance its protection capabilities against this threat, Kaspersky SIEM has introduced a specialised AI-based subsystem that continuously analyses information about all loaded libraries.

The new feature has already proven effective, helping to detect an attack by the APT group ToddyCat. It enabled the threat to be identified and blocked at an early stage, preventing any impact on the targeted organisations. The model also uncovered attempts to infect potential victims with an infostealer and a malicious loader.

“We are seeing DLL hijacking attacks become more common, where a trusted program is tricked into loading a fake library instead of the real one. This gives attackers a way to secretly run their malicious code.

“This technique is difficult to detect, and this is where AI can help. Using advanced protection techniques empowered with AI is now essential to staying ahead of these evolving threats and keeping critical systems safe,” says Anna Pidzhakova, Data Scientist at Kaspersky’s AI Research Center.

Securelist has published two related articles: the first explains how a machine-learning model was developed to detect DLL hijacking attacks, while the second describes how this model was integrated into the Kaspersky SIEM platform. The updated Kaspersky SIEMnow features AI functionality for detecting signs of DLL hijacking attacks, improving detection efficiency.

 


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Meta, NDPC Resolve $32.8m Privacy Dispute Out of Court

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Meta Platforms, Inc., has, reconciled its differences with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in the suit it filed to challenge NDPC’s $32.8m fine imposed against it.

Meta, NDPC Resolve $32.8m Privacy Dispute Out of Court

The legal dispute between Meta and the NDPC ended after both sides agreed on terms to settle the $32.8 million fine earlier imposed on the company.

On February 18, 2025, the NDPC fined Meta $32.8 million and issued eight corrective orders for allegedly violating the privacy rights of Nigerian users through behavioural advertising practices on Facebook and Instagram.

At Monday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Fred Onuobia, SAN, Meta’s counsel, informed the court that the parties had signed terms of settlement dated October 30 and filed on October 31.

“We adopt the terms of settlement and ask my lord to enter them as the judgment of the court,” Onuobia said.

Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Counsel for the NDPC, did not oppose the application.

Justice Omotosho then adopted the agreement as the court’s judgment and commended both parties for choosing to resolve the matter amicably.

“The terms of settlement entered by the parties in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/355/2025, dated October 30 and filed October 31, 2025, are hereby adopted as the judgment of this court,” the judge ruled.

The decision ends months of litigation after Meta challenged the NDPC’s fine and enforcement orders through a judicial review, claiming the agency acted beyond its powers and failed to follow due process.

After several adjournments to allow for discussions, both sides eventually reached a mutual resolution.

The NDPC’s case against Meta is one of its major enforcement actions under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, which seeks to strengthen the protection of Nigerians’ data privacy rights.

 


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