9mobile, Nigeria’s customer-centric telecommunications company has refreshed its ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ offerings with additional benefits to enable new and potential customers enjoy more value on calls, data, SMS and CUG for their Businesses.

The ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ product offering is a flexible and customizable plan with an array of add-on services. The plan gives customers benefits of extra cost-saving tariff within the bundle, and 100% bonus data upon repurchase of select bundles.

With the update, 9mobile customers on this plan will also enjoy free incoming calls while roaming on select networks in the following 10 countries: UK, UAE, South Africa, Kenya, Spain, Egypt, France, Germany, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia when they recharge ₦5,000 and above in a month.

A further benefit of the plan is the ‘Add-on solutions’. With this, companies and institutions will enjoy seamless business operations’ continuity and optimization through Close User Group (CUG), Fleet Tracking, Cloud PBX, Cloud Services, and Device Financing. Others are International Call Bundles, Roaming Bundles, and Special International Destinations Calling.

Commenting on the development, Nneka Owolabi, Director Enterprise Business, highlighted the telco’s unwavering commitment to ensure customers and subscribers enjoy premium customer experience, and wholesome value for their subscription on the 9mobile network.

“At 9mobile we have proven time and again that premium customer experience is important for us. It is the essence of our operations. That is why we have reintroduced the ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ for customers and subscribers, particularly businesses to enjoy value for their loyalty to us, and upscale their businesses”, he said.

Owolabi also stated that the ComboPak combines all business needs in one affordable bundle with cheaper voice calls, data subscription, SMS, and CUG, saying “It’s a ComboPak offering that keeps you, and your business stay ahead of trend”.

“What 9mobile ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ does is to create and sustain an ecosystem where people, in this case, customers and subscribers, and businesses run systematically with a combination of our tools efficiently. This is certain to revolutionize the way Nigerians communicate, stay connected, and transact businesses effectively”.

Subscribers to ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ plan will enjoy unique voice calls, SMS & data.

The service allows flexibility to move across packages based on your needs. For ₦1,000 ComboBasic bundle cost, customers will dial *246*4*33# to enjoy 60k/MB Browsing, 12k/sec in bundle calls, 12k/sec out of bundle calls, ₦2.60/SMS, and CUG; while for ₦1,000 ComboValue bundle cost, customers will dial *246*4*30# to enjoy 700MB, 30 National call minutes, 11k/sec out of bundle calls, 10 National SMS, and CUG.

For customers with ₦2,000 ComboPremier bundle cost, all they need to do is to dial *246*4*33# to enjoy 2.1GB, 60 National call minutes, 11k/sec out of bundle calls, 25 National SMS, and CUG. Customers subscribing to ₦5,000 ComboBlack bundle cost will enjoy benefits of 7GB, 300 National call minutes, 11k/sec out of bundle calls, 25 National SMS, and CUG.

The unique value adds on the ‘MoreBusiness ComboPak’ plan for customers also includes: Bundled Plans – for customers to enjoy flexible and customizable plans with an array of add-on services, and extra cost saving tariff within bundle.

Unlimited Add-ons – this is Add-on solutions – include CUG, Fleet Tracking, Cloud PBX, Cloud Services, Device Financing, Shared Data, International call bundles, Roaming Bundles, and Special International Destinations Calling, for customers.

This is in addition, to free data offer which is a 100% bonus data upon repurchase of select bundles.

Convenience has been embedded into the ComboPak plan for Subscribers also to check account balance by dialling *310#, and data balance by dialling *323#, while migration or opting out of the plan is absolutely free.

Anew report finds that Africa has a ‘moderate level’ of readiness in terms of security culture. KnowBe4, a provider of security awareness training and simulated phishing platforms, released its 2024 Security Culture Report for Africa.

The report delves deeply into the complex interplay between security practices and employee behaviours within businesses.

The research, based on surveys conducted across hundreds of businesses globally, provides a five-year comparative view, showing important changes impacting the cybersecurity landscape.

Africa’s cybersecurity landscape in 2023 faced problems such as limited resources, inadequate cyber awareness, and economic restraints, according to the research; nevertheless, the continent’s cybersecurity preparation efforts are now improving.

According to the research, Kenya scored 76 points, Nigeria 75, and Ghana 74, are leading the way in cybersecurity preparation, demonstrating effective measures supported by their governments.

Furthermore, the report claims Ghana’s strong improvement in cybersecurity, as indicated by its rise in the Global Cybersecurity Index, indicates Africa’s dedication to cybersecurity preparedness.

The security culture score is a global metric used to assess businesses’ security approaches, according to Javvad Malik, Lead Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4.

Malik notes: “This score reflects how much importance different entities worldwide place on cybersecurity within their organisational culture.”

Anna Collard, SVP of content strategy and evangelist for KnowBe4 Africa, says: “This demonstrates the importance of strengthening cybersecurity readiness, given the critical development requirements.

“In its section on Africa, the report reveals that organisations evaluated across 20 African countries exhibit an average security culture score of 72, consistent with the previous year. This shows a moderate level of readiness in security culture.”

According to KnowBe4, there are notable differences among industries and countries, underlining the importance of tailored efforts to improve cybersecurity resilience.

“The banking sector in Kenya is a standout performer, boasting an impressive average score of 83, attributed to its steadfast commitment to maintaining mature security cultures supported by robust security operations,” says Collard.

“However, industries such as public services, construction, education, and hospitality show lower security culture scores. This shows the importance of developing specific approaches to enhance cybersecurity awareness and practices in these sectors.”

Malik adds: “In today’s interconnected world, where a mobile device in a remote area can access sensitive accounts, working in isolation on security is no longer effective.”

He continues: “Collaboration between governments and regulators is essential, not just for creating laws, but also for demonstrating practical ways to strengthen security culture. Organisations need to prioritise the human element of cybersecurity by focusing on continuous awareness and training efforts rather than relying solely on technological solutions.”

In recent years, partnerships between e-commerce platforms and tech companies have been instrumental in driving innovation and progress in various sectors. One such partnership that has garnered significant attention is the collaboration between Konga, Nigeria’s composite e-commerce group, and Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX.

This groundbreaking partnership is poised to revolutionize internet accessibility in the country, bringing about a myriad of benefits for businesses, individuals, and the nation as a whole. For example, educational institutions, business and houses can access internet services anywhere in the country with their enterprise kit.

One of the biggest obstacles to widespread internet adoption in Nigeria has been the country’s vast and diverse geography, which has made it difficult and costly to establish traditional terrestrial infrastructure. Starlink’s satellite-based internet service offers a game-changing solution by beaming high-speed internet directly from space, effectively bypassing the need for extensive ground-based infrastructure. Partnering with Konga has made it easier than ever for Nigerians to access this cutting-edge technology. Those living in remote or underserved areas can now enjoy seamless internet connectivity, eliminating the digital divide that has long plagued the nation.

I am very excited about this partnership because it shows that American companies still have confidence in companies like Konga and in the Nigerian economy. Konga, the exclusive shop in shop ecommerce partner for Apple, Samsung, L’Oreal, and many more has continued to boost the domestic economy with the inflow of foreign direct investments from these global brands with the potential to catalyse economic growth. With this, a lot more deals, I hope, will flow in to ensure a robust and productive market for consumers.

According to a report by the World Bank, a 10% increase in broadband penetration can lead to a 1.38% increase in GDP growth in developing countries. This partnership between Konga and Starlink can open up new opportunities for entrepreneurs, enabling them scale their operations and compete on a level playing field with their international counterparts.

Furthermore, reliable internet access can facilitate academic research and collaboration. This would encourage innovation domestically and allow Nigerian academics and institutions to participate in the global knowledge economy. So, integrating ICT into education will improve learning outcomes, promote digital literacy, and enhance teacher training. By bridging the digital divide, Konga, through Starlink, empowers Nigerian students and educators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the 21st century.

Beyond the economic and educational benefits, the Konga-Starlink partnership has the tendency to foster social inclusion and empower communities across Nigeria. With access to high-speed internet, individuals can stay connected with loved ones, access online services, and participate in the digital economy, regardless of location. By bringing affordable and reliable internet to areas with limited access, the Konga-Starlink partnership can help bridge the digital divide and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in the digital revolution.

The healthcare industry in Nigeria stands to benefit greatly from the collaboration between Konga and Starlink. In places where access to specialized medical treatment is limited, healthcare practitioners can use telemedicine systems to facilitate remote consultations, diagnosis, and even surgery, provided they have dependable internet connectivity. In underserved areas especially, telemedicine has promise for increasing access to healthcare services, cutting costs, and improving care quality.

The partnership between Konga and Starlink represents a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide in Nigeria. By leveraging SpaceX’s innovative satellite-based internet service and offering it at an affordable price point, this collaboration has the potential to transform various sectors. As Nigeria continues to embrace the opportunities this partnership presents, the future looks promising for technological advancement, societal development, and global competitiveness.