E-Business
Knowledge Olympiad: Africa Must Step Forward Digitally- Experts
The knowledge Olympiad is here and Africa must step forward to be counted and digitally ready at all levels, if she must survive the emerging critical challenges, traumatic impact as well as secure the opportunities and benefits presented by ‘globalization order’ of the 21st Century, said Okwu Marcus Eke with contributions from Chris Uwaje, Africa Chair on IEEE World Forum on IoT .
The duo made the appeal in a combined conference keynote speech at the Second Africa and Middle East Conference on Software Engineering (AMECSE 2016)
Organised by the Software Engineering Competence Center (SECC) of Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA).
With a topic & focus on “Africa and Software of Things – Engaging the Knowledge Olympiad”, Eke and Uwaje said that competition has always been the Hallmark of appraising human development at traditional and modern levels. “In the stone age as we knew it, physical muscle was the measure to determine right and progress”, the IT experts said.
The duo re-emphasised that today, humanity lives in a ‘Software-first’ World, where Innovation and disruptive creativity has become the centre of gravity of life and significance of human existence.
“And by extension – in my professional evaluation – the most constructive and strategic pathway to Africa’s future and survivability, resides in the mastery, application and sustainable control of her Intellectual Capital. Africa must Innovate or be digitally enslaved. We must move from abject consumer to respectable creator and producer – with special reference on how to aggregate her Software potentials, skills and capacities for global competitiveness”.
On the keynote which focuses on the concept of “Africa and Software of Things” (ASoTs) within the context of Internet of Things” IoTs, Eke and Uwaje said it “addresses the vision, mission, mechanisms and dynamic approaches for developing the continent’s inter-connected knowledge architecture and Framework – as a creative response for the emerging impact of Internet of Things & Everything. The keynote will make useful recommendation on how to add incremental value to Africa Software Ecosystem – through Africa and Software of Things (ASoTs).
“But today, Knowledge has become and will for a longtime remain the primary key and most critical factor for national development, wealth creation, and promotion of human dignity, productivity, increased GDP and above all, National Security and global competitiveness. The centre of gravity of the knowledge in question resides in understanding the chemistry of Software Development Ecosystem.
“Humanity today, lives in a ‘Software-first’ World, where Innovation and disruptive creativity has become the centre of gravity of life and significance of human existence. And by extension – in my professional evaluation – the most constructive, disruptive, and strategic pathway to Africa’s future and survivability, resides in the mastery, application and sustainable control of her Intellectual Capital. Africa must Innovate or be digitally enslaved. We must move from abject consumer to respectable creator and producer – with special reference on how to aggregate her Software potentials, skills and capacities for global competitiveness.
Concept and Objective
“The concept of “Africa and Software of Things” (ASoTs) within the context of Internet of Things (IoTs) therefore addresses the vision, mission, mechanisms and dynamic approaches for developing the continent’s inter-connected knowledge architecture and Framework – as a creative response for the emerging impact of Internet of Things & Everything. We all know that Rail lanes, Air transport and Sea Transport were the critical tools that drove the western economy which is still a challenge in Africa, but today the Broadband is the proven tool for driving the Sustainable African economy in this digital era. Therefore, Software engineers, developers and architect must leverage on this to create innovations that will transform businesses and lives in Africa.
Africa and Statistics of Internet
“Africa has a population of over 1.1billion people with is 16% of the world population, According to internetlivestat.com, Africa has recorded 9.8% penetration of Internet Users against the 90.2% of the rest of the world. We are not there yet but if we must secure the opportunities provided by the IoTs, Africa must understand the role and impact of Software in actualizing the globalization order. Already we are experiencing rapid growth in Internet Access in many parts of the continent is an engine that will drive the Software world of Africa.
“Within the last half decade, For Instance in Nigeria where Internet Penetration has actually increased from 23% to 46.1%, we have recorded tremendous growth in the area of software development, job creation, education, health, agriculture, digital inclusion etc. It was said that ICT in Nigeria contributes 10% of the national GDP so it means that if platforms are created, skills and capacity developed, policies and strategic plans implemented, Africa will be transformed into a Digital Natives.
In Search of Africa’s Innovation ‘IP Grid’
“Records from her past records of civilization is proof that Africa is a treasure-house of knowledge about ‘Logic of things’. Therefore, Africa must urgently set sail in search of her unique but currently hidden Innovation Grid – through critical Software Engineering Research. SoTs represents the fundamental need for Africa Innovative minds to explore the most dynamic and consistent process for the development of critical knowledge-fusion model for Africa’s Innovation IP Grid’.
IoTs and the Role of Embedded Systems
“The Internet of Things (IoTs) is generally thought of as connecting things to the Internet and using that connection to provide some kind of useful remote monitoring or control of those things. This definition of IoTs is limited, and references only part of the IoTs evolution. It is basically a rebranding of the existing Machine to Machine (M2M) market of today.
“The IoTs creates an intelligent, invisible network fabric that can be sensed, controlled and programmed. IoTs-enabled products employ embedded technology that allows them to communicate, directly or indirectly, with each other or the Internet.”
In the 1990s, Internet connectivity began to proliferate in enterprise and consumer markets, but was still limited in its use because of the low performance of the network interconnect.
“In the 2000s Internet connectivity became the norm for many applications and today is expected as part of many enterprise, industrial and consumer products to provide access to information. However, these devices are still primarily things on the Internet that require more human interaction and monitoring through apps and interfaces. The true promise of the IoTs is just starting to be realized – when invisible technology operates behind the scenes dynamically responding to how we want “things” to act.
“To date, the world has deployed about 5 billion “smart” connected things. Predictions say there will be 50 billion connected devices by 2020 and in our lifetime we will experience life with a trillion-node network. Those are really big numbers. How things are fundamentally deployed today is a barrier to realizing those numbers. The industry will only achieve the reality of 50 billion connected devices by simplifying how things connect and communicate today.
“The IoTs is expected to transform how we live, work and play. From factory automation and automotive connectivity to wearable body sensors and home appliances, the IoTs is set to touch every facet of our lives. We will “author” our life with networks around us that constantly change and evolve based on our surroundings and inputs from other systems. It will make our lives safer with cars that sense each other to avoid accidents. It will make our lives more green with lighting systems that adjust based on the amount of daylight from windows. It will make our lives healthier with wearables that can detect heart attacks and strokes before they happen. There is a long road ahead to the IoTs in Africa. But one thing is for sure, it is going to be amazing.
Special Focus & Impact Areas:
“The next battle field for globalization will be of constructive National Policies and Strategies on Internet of Things (IoTs) and digital Security and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoTs). Other sensitive areas include but not limited to: Empowering the Youth and the New Creative Class; Understanding and Classifying Software as Food & Drugs; Devote great interest to promoting Digital Games with African Content; Engaging and facilitating Access to Mobile Broadband technology/IPv6 and reduce the unavoidable Africa e-Culture Shock of 21st Century.
Keynote Recommendation
“Moving forward, and recognizing the fact that indigenous knowledge content in Africa faces a monumental challenge at the mercy of the current and emerging knowledge Olympiad wrapped up in IoTs, Software Embedded Systems, IPv6, Cloud, Nano of Things, Big Data, etc., the Keynote will solicit the endorsement of Africa Software Engineers, Policy Makers and Stakeholders to:
“1. Declare the current status of Africa Software Development and Application as a “Critical State of Emergency” and establish Africa Software Development Bank as a Subsidiary of Africa Development Bank (ADB)
“2. Advocate the need to establish a Continental Software Knowledge Framework (CSKF) for Africa as a platform to cluster, bank and share critical software knowledge on logic systems at all levels.
“3. Call on Policy Makers and Leadership in Africa establish the Africa Continent Software Research Fund” and by extension, pledge to adopt, advance and promote the concept of Africa IP Knowledge Grid (AIPKG).
“4. Approve the establishment of an Africa-wide e-Knowledge Competition on Africa Software of Things aspect of IoTs.
“5. Retool the Africa Knowledge Workforce from the Kindergarten to Tertiary levels with Software Engineering and Development, skills, abilities and capacities as strategic imperative for the establishment of the “Africa’s New Creative and Innovative Class”
“As a young innovator, I believe in Africa, her strength, her heritage, her potentials skills and the progress she has made over the years and I am confident that the solutions for creating a Digital and prosperous Africa lies from within (Skills/Capacity development) and if we must live our dream of Smart Africa, then Africa must accept Software space as a vital tool that can drive the economy and retooling Africa Knowledge Ecosystem.
In December 2025, organisations globally faced sustained cyber pressure, as the average number of cyber-attacks per organisation per week reached 2 027, a 1% increase from the previous month and a 9% increase from December 2024.
This is according to December 2025 Global Cyber Attack Statistics by Check Point Research, the threat intelligence arm of Check Point Software Technologies.
According to the statistics, Latin America was the hardest hit, with companies experiencing an average of 3 065 cyber-attacks per week, a 26% year-over-year increase.
In contrast, Africa saw a decline in attacks, with Nigeria (4 622 attacks per week) and Angola (4 002 attacks per week) being the most targeted countries on the continent.
The report’s findings highlight the evolving cyber threat landscape, with ransomware and GenAI-driven data risks posing significant challenges to companies worldwide.
Ransomware attacks jumped 60% year over year, with 945 publicly reported incidents in December. Qilin was the most active ransomware operator, responsible for 18% of publicly disclosed attacks.
“Ransomware continues to scale through industrialised operations, while unmanaged GenAI usage is creating widespread data exposure at enterprise level,” said Omer Dembinsky, data research manager at Check Point Research.
The report noted the education sector was the most targeted industry globally, with 4 349 cyber attacks per week; followed by government (2 666 attacks per week); and associations and non-profits (2 509 attacks per week).
The widespread adoption of GenAI tools has introduced new cyber security risks, with one in 27 GenAI prompts posing a high risk of sensitive data leakage.
Experts warn that companies must prioritise prevention-first security, real-time AI threat intelligence and strong governance over AI tools to mitigate these risks.
Hendrik de Bruin, head of security consulting at Check Point Software, added: “Strengthening ransomware resilience, deploying AI-powered prevention and enforcing clear GenAI governance will be critical to reducing cyber risk in the year ahead.”
E-Business
Half of Global Companies Build SOCs to Enhance Cybersecurity, with a Focus on Human Expertise
Among the primary reasons for establishing a Security Operations Center (SOC) are strengthening cybersecurity posture, enabling faster detection and response and gaining a competitive edge.
Interestingly, despite the increasing demand for automated cybersecurity solutions, businesses rely on skilled security professionals to make key decisions, as human expertise remains essential for effective security management.
A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a dedicated organisational unit responsible for continuous monitoring and safeguarding of a company’s IT infrastructure. Its core mission is to proactively detect, analyse and respond to cybersecurity threats.
To identify the main drivers, strategic priorities, and potential challenges in SOC planning and implementation, Kaspersky has conducted a comprehensive global study involving senior IT security specialists, managers and directors from companies with 500 or more employees.
All participants operate without a SOC but have plans to establish one in the near future. The study spans 16 countries across APAC, META, LATAM, Europe, and Russia, providing valuable insights into the emerging trends and best practices in SOC development worldwide.
The findings of the research reveal that 50% of companies intend to establish SOCs to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, and 45% are motivated by the need to address increasingly sophisticated and dangerous threats.
Other drivers include budget optimisation, the necessity for faster detection and response, and the expansion of software, endpoints and user devices – factors that demand more comprehensive and layered security measures.
These are cited by 41% of organisations. Additionally, 40% seek better protection of confidential information, 39% aim to meet regulatory requirements and one-third (33%) expect SOC capabilities to provide a competitive edge. Larger enterprises tend to cite each of these reasons more often, reflecting the broader operational and regulatory pressures they experience.
Continuous monitoring becomes the leading SOC requirement
Among the key functions organisations plan to delegate, 24/7 security monitoring leads at 54%. This around-the-clock vigilance enables early detection of anomalies, prevents escalation and sustains cyber resilience in real-time. This demand highlights a strategic requirement for proactive risk management, as organisations aim to defend against persistent threats that can strike at any moment.
Companies intending to fully outsource SOC operations show a stronger interest in applying “lessons learned” methodologies, whereas those developing internal SOCs focus more on access management to maintain tighter control.
Human expertise drives SOC technology choices
While SOCs use advanced technology, the choices made by organisations show that human analysts are very important. Among the solutions that organisations plan to include in SOC are – Threat Intelligence Platforms (48%), Endpoint Detection and Response (42%) and Security Information and Event Management systems (40%) – sophisticated solutions that automate data collection and reduce operational load, however, they depend heavily on skilled security professionals who provide critical context, interpret complex findings and make final decisions when guiding appropriate responses.
Other solutions chosen include Extended Detection and Response (38%), Network Detection and Response (37%) and Managed Detection and Response (33%). Large enterprises tend to adopt more technologies (5.5 per SOC on average), while smaller ones integrate fewer (3.8).
“To successfully build a SOC, companies must prioritise not only the right mix of technology but also the careful planning of processes, clear goal-setting and effective resource distribution.
“Well-defined workflows and continuous improvement are essential to ensure that human analysts can focus on critical tasks, making the SOC a proactive and adaptable component of their cybersecurity strategy,” comments Roman Nazarov, Head of SOC Consulting at Kaspersky.
Terra Industries, a Nigerian defence technology startup, has raised $11.75 million to expand its development of defensive systems that protect critical facilities across Africa.
The fundraising round was led by Silicon Valley venture firm 8VC, which was founded by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale.
Other investors in the round include Valour Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, and Nova Global, as well as African-focused funds Tofino Capital, Kaleo Ventures, and DFS Lab.
Terra Industries, founded in Abuja by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, provides multi-domain security solutions for both air and land. Its solutions are intended to detect and respond to threats including terrorism, sabotage, and armed attacks on infrastructure.
The company’s product portfolio includes surveillance drones, ground-based robotic systems, and fixed monitoring towers deployed around sensitive locations.
Co-founder and CEO Nathan Nwachuku said the company has now fully embraced its identity as a defence-focused startup, citing the growing urgency of security challenges across Africa.
He said safeguarding critical infrastructure from terrorist threats has become unavoidable.
Nwachuku argues that protecting Africa’s infrastructure requires a different approach, one that combines local manufacturing, end-to-end system control, and software capable of independently identifying and responding to threats over large areas.
The company aims to position itself as a defence prime, similar to the role played by firms such as Anduril Industries and Palantir in the United States.
Nwachuku also disclosed that the company had earlier raised $800,000 in pre-seed funding.
With the new funding, Terra plans to increase manufacturing capacity within Africa, establish additional defence production facilities, and expand its artificial intelligence and software teams.
While software offices are planned for San Francisco and London, the company said manufacturing operations will remain on the continent.
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