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Better Connected, Smarter Cities Attract more Investment

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Blurb: With more than 40 percent of Africa’s population living in urban areas, Africa is embracing urbanization and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Smarter cities are more capable of attracting FDI. For a country and its cells, “Cities”, there is also Maslow-like hierarchy of digital needs. Security assurance is the basic needs.

 

ICT has an important role to play in attracting capital and investment by increasing efficiency and cutting costs, not only for a country but also at a city-level. However, how closely is ICT and investment correlated to each other and what is the implications for Africa, home to most of the hundreds of millions of new city dwellers expected by 2050?

 

A report launched recently by UN Habitat (‘The State of African Cities 2018: The geography of African Investment’) explains how African cities can replicate those of East Asia and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to develop sustainably.

 

The report shows Africa needs to seize a more prominent position in the world economy by enhancing its accessibility, connectivity, markets and urban attractiveness. It finds “reliable mobile networks and internet access attract knowledge-based FDI”.

 

As a leading company in the ICT industry, Huawei fully agrees with many of the report findings include that firstly, improving ICT infrastructure is critical to attracting FDI, whilst secondly, the ICT industry itself is also a crucial sector for FDI. For the latter finding, the report highlights that ICT sector FDI offers the highest growth rates and highest number of direct jobs along with manufacturing, and that the two are closely linked.

 

Connectivity provided by communications network and internet has become as important as water and electricity. The State of African Cities Report notes inward FDI into Africa correlates positively with large urban populations (markets), mobile phone subscriptions, internet bandwidth and full electricity supply, “These factors combined with high-quality ICT and lower transaction costs enhance FDI attraction for multinationals.” This parallels Huawei’s own experiences in Africa over the last twenty years.

 

A better ICT environment can better attract knowledge-based FDI. It starts with having reliable mobile networks and internet access. Internet access itself is not enough though. Huawei believes that in Africa connectivity brought by the network of communication towers and fibre is like the “soil”, which provides the fertile ground for important value-adding crops, which in this case are services including Safe City, E-government, E-education, E-health, E-agriculture and so on that enhance public social services delivery and better allocation of resources. We must keep improving the soil fertility, or the quality, access and speed of the connectivity, so the “crops” can grow successfully improving the ease of doing business and livelihoods.

With more than 40 percent of Africa’s population living in urban areas, Africa is embracing urbanization and the opportunities and challenges that come with it. On the one hand, African countries are gaining agglomeration and economy of scale benefits, but on the other hand they must manage “big city diseases” e.g. congestion, pollution, and even some non-traditional security threats such as financial security and terrorism.

 

The “smart city” concept is a new critical phenomenon in urban development, especially when cities want to expand their global reach. Smarter cities, according to the report’s studies, are more capable of attracting FDI from more and further destinations. City administrations can therefore set up Smart Procurement Agencies and Competition Commissions, for branding their city as an attractive “smart” investment destination.

 

How to make a city smarter?

First, construction of smart cities is a giant system that interacts across systems and is a “system of systems”. It requires coordination of cross-domain coordination through the top-level design, including setting goals, priorities, and implementation paths. The top-level design is also essential rather than optional given that cities are paying more attention to civic experiences, technological frameworks, new technology references, and construction models, In addition to projects and investments.

 

Second, taking a two-step approach starting with Safe City and then moving to Smart City. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety and security together with food and water are basic needs for all human beings. For a country and its cells, “Cities”, there is also Maslow-like hierarchy of digital needs. Similarly, security assurance is the basic needs for a country or a city. It lays a solid foundation for a competitive nation and a dynamic city.

 

Third, to grow the nerve system inside and outside the body. Huawei sees a city as a living organism, which is powered by a nervous system comprises a “brain” (the control center) and “nerves” (the network and sensors). Leveraging leading new ICT such as cloud computing, IoT and AI, Huawei is committed to creating a strong nervous system that powers Smart Cities. More importantly, as the report finds, to establish a national, regional and international network of dedicated smart cities that collaborate and share beneficial information and data.

 

The report is well-timed and chimes with Huawei’s own experiences from our work across the world, including in African countries. With Huawei’s vision to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world, we fully support the recommendations in the report that local policy makers should embrace the digital revolution, develop ICT skills and invest more in regional infrastructure, both physical and ICT, to make our cities safer, our lives better and our future smarter.

 


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How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail – Businesswoman

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Titilayo Ibrahim, Nigerian businesswoman, has shared a harrowing experience of how she narrowly escaped imprisonment after a SIM card she purchased was linked to a N50 million kidnapping and murder case.

How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail - Businesswoman

In an interview with BBC Yoruba shared on Facebook, Ibrahim narrated how a routine business transaction quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.

According to her, the nightmare began on October 16, 2025, when a purported customer contacted her business line to purchase nightwear.

The caller, a woman, claimed her own phone was faulty and that she was using her husband’s device.

After selecting two pieces, the woman asked for directions for pickup. Ibrahim shared the location of her estate junction, but upon arrival, she was met by two men who identified themselves as police officers and immediately arrested her.

The officers accused Ibrahim of being connected to a major kidnapping operation.

They alleged that the phone number she was using had been involved in a January 2024 incident where a N50 million ransom was collected before the victim was brutally murdered.

Ibrahim desperately tried to explain that the number was innocent, stating that she had only purchased the SIM card in April 2025—months after the crime took place—and used it strictly for her MiFi device.

The officers, reportedly led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, claimed that one of the phone numbers linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) was tied to the crime.

They took her to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, and she faced intense harassment and the threat of being detained in Akure and transferred to Abuja.

In a bid to clear her name, Ibrahim and the officers visited an Airtel office.

On October 17, 2025, the telecommunications company officially confirmed from their records that the disputed SIM was indeed purchased and activated in April 2025.

“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” Ibrahim recounted.

Despite the undeniable evidence from the network provider clearing her of any involvement, the police still confiscated her phones, took them to Abuja, and instructed her to report there.

Her revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern online.

Many Nigerians expressed shock at the incident, pointing out the growing dangers and security risks associated with telecommunication companies recycling inactive phone numbers or the hazards of inadvertently purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.

The incident highlights the terrifying reality of how easily innocent citizens can become entangled in complex criminal investigations.


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Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

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Ouranos Technologies Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026.

Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

Ouranos Technologies is an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab in West Africa, specialising in IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation solutions for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mfon Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, also confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode as Non-Executive Directors, further strengthening the Board’s strategic oversight as the company continues its regional expansion and technology leadership.

These appointments mark a significant milestone in the governance evolution of Ouranos Technologies, as it deepens its focus on enterprise technology delivery, cybersecurity innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa.

Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth

Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning consulting, banking, manufacturing, capital markets, and large-scale corporate strategy execution.

He holds a BSc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated as Best Student in both the Department and Faculty, and an MBA, with Distinction, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mr. Ahmed has held senior leadership roles across several prominent institutions including Arthur Andersen / KPMG, Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Variant Advisory Limited, and BUA Group, where he served as General Manager / Group Head, Business Development. During his tenure at BUA Group, he played a key role in the listing of BUA Foods Plc on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and in securing regulatory approvals for the Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt.

He holds Fellowships of other reputable institutions, including National Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP), and Nigerian Leadership Initiative (FNLI); as well as memberships of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (M.CIoD), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB and HCIB), and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ACIS). He currently serves on the Board of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).

Mr. Ahmed currently serves as Associate Director (Deal Origination) at Lead Capital Plc, where he continues to drive strategic business growth.

Experienced Leaders Join the Board

Joining the Board as Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti brings over 24 years of leadership experience in human capital strategy, governance, organisational transformation, and customer experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.

She currently serves as Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group, where she provides strategic oversight for human capital and customer experience across 11 business entities and over 4,000 employees (FTE & non-FTE) spanning insurance, pensions, health, hospitality, and asset management operations.

Mrs. Adeoti has led large-scale transformation initiatives including enterprise restructuring, HR digitisation, and group-wide customer experience optimisation, driving measurable improvements in organisational performance, employee productivity, and customer engagement.

She has also played a key role in mergers and integration programmes, as well as the deployment of enterprise HR systems, enabling operational efficiency and scalability across the Group.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (FCIPM), Mrs. Adeoti is a member of several global professional bodies, including the HR Forbes Council and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN). She has received multiple recognitions for her leadership impact, including Peak Performing Woman of the Year (2023 and 2024).

Also joining the Board is Mr. Olalekan Olabode, a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 18 years of multinational experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight across complex, capital-intensive industries.

Mr. Olabode is a distinguished Finance Executive with over 21 years of leadership at the intersection of maritime logistics, global supply chain, and corporate finance. He has held senior executive roles at prominent logistics operators where he built a reputation for turning financial complexity into strategic advantage.

He has a proven history of making high-stakes treasury decisions under pressure navigating foreign exchange volatility, managing interest rate exposure, and manoeuvring one of the most challenging currency environments in Africa.

His governance frameworks are not simply compliance exercises; they are systems architected for resilience, built on rigorous internal controls that protect value and enable bold decision-making.

What distinguishes Olalekan is his rare ability to align financial performance with long-term strategic intent translating numbers into narratives that drive boardroom conviction and organizational momentum.

He builds teams that outlast his tenure, embedding structures, accountability, and a culture of excellence that compounds over time. His investment in mentorship has produced measurable leadership depth across every organization he has led.

A Fellow of the ACCA (UK), Certified Supply Chain Professional, and Executive MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Olalekan brings both the technical mastery and the executive presence to lead at the highest levels.

Corporate Governance and Legal Advisory

Supporting the Board’s governance structure is Ms. Margaret Akpoyoware (ACIS), who serves as Company Secretary.

A seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance, she previously practised with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Olajide Oyewole & Co. before founding Nero’s Practice, a multidisciplinary law firm providing legal advisory services to corporate and institutional clients.

Ouranos Technologies to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation

“The appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman, alongside the addition of accomplished professionals such as Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode to our Board, represents an important step in strengthening the governance and strategic leadership of Ouranos Technologies,” Mr Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, added.

“As organisations across Africa accelerate their digital transformation journeys, strong governance, strategic insight, and operational discipline become even more critical.

“The depth of experience our new Board members bring will support Ouranos Technologies in delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology solutions for our customers across the region,” Mr Okon said.

The strengthened Board reflects Ouranos Technologies’ commitment to strong corporate governance, innovation, and sustainable growth.

With operations spanning Nigeria and other West African markets, Ouranos Technologies operates as an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab, delivering solutions across IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.

 


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Truecaller Hits 500m Users Milestone – Sets New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

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Truecaller, the leading global platform for safe and trusted communication, today announced that it has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build trust in communication.

Truecaller Hits 500M Users Milestone – Sets a New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

Truecaller

The platform continues to see significant user growth, adding over 50 million users in 2025, and has surpassed 150 million users outside of India as demand for protection against spam, scam and unwanted communication continues to grow globally.

Truecaller also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally earlier in the year, further strengthening one of its key revenue streams.

Crossing the 500 million mark underscores how trust has become one of the most essential layers in digital communication today.

“This is an important milestone for us, but it also says something bigger about the world we live in,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller.

“More and more people need help navigating spam, scams, and unwanted communication every day. Reaching 500 million users shows the scale of that need, and the trust people place in Truecaller to help make communication safer.

“Our commitment remains focused on continuously strengthening Truecaller with smarter technology and new capabilities that protect users before, during, and after every call or message.

“Ultimately, our aim is to build a safer, more trusted communication ecosystem for everyone. We now have our sights set on the next milestone: 1 Billion users.”

With half a billion people using the platform every month, Truecaller has evolved beyond just Caller ID. It has become an essential part of how communication works safely in the digital age; a daily-use trust layer that helps people verify identities, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about who they interact with.

Today, Truecaller operates as a global digital utility platform, embedded into everyday communication habits for hundreds of millions of people. From identifying unknown callers to preventing fraud and enabling safer messaging, the platform has become a habitual, daily-use service that supports safer interactions across the phone ecosystem.

Despite serving more than half a billion users globally, the company remains relatively lean, with a team of approximately 470 employees building and operating the platform for users around the world.

The company will continue to report the average number of monthly and daily active users on a quarterly basis in connection with its interim financial reports


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