Telecom
Shittu says Boosting Local Content in ICT Sector will benefit Everyone
Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications, has expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with any group or stakeholder toward transforming the Information Communication Technology local content for rapid development of the sector.
The minister said this at the second Annual Local Content Roundtable and Technology Fair in Abuja.
The fair, which focused on homegrown solutions to challenges confronting the ICT sector has “The Pathway to Sustainable Digital Transformation and Economic Growth” as its theme.
Shittu reiterated the commitment of the ministry to initiatives that would attract local and international investments into the country, with a view to boosting development in the technology sector.
According to him, the private sector service providers and government have critical roles to play for local content programme to succeed in Nigeria.
He, however, said that while government would provide guaranteed order for the local products, the private sector must ensure quality services and products.
He added that “the Ministry of Communications is committed to the implementation of the local content programme and the executive order on local content.
“Local content does not mean excluding foreign participation in our economy. Rather, it means concerted and collaborative efforts by all players to build a strong indigenous economy.
“For instance, the win-win formula plays out in a situation where the locally assembled computers must run on Microsoft operating system and Intel processors.
“Therefore, for every locally assembled computer bought by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Microsoft and Intel would be the key beneficiaries along with our own local original equipment manufacturers. Everyone benefits.”
He said that the ministry would soon issue directives to encourage MDAs to use emerging technologies and other platforms, noting that: “I am happy to report that there has been an increase in patronage of locally-assembled ICT devices and services in Nigeria since the inception of the present administration.”
The Lead Facilitator of the fair, Mr Inye Kemabonta, emphasised the need to take advantage of the enormous potential in the country to create jobs and wealth.
He said “Nigeria is a country with huge potential, but experts and policymakers have predicted that its development as a regional economic power, can only come from reliance on its own human and material resources.
“Opportunities for utilising and building indigenous human and technological capacity exist in all sectors of the economy.
“There is an urgent need, therefore, to take advantage of the opportunities and harness them for job and wealth creation, and for the overall growth of the country.”
Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.
MTN Nigeria
The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”
Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.
Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.
The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.
Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.
The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.
Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”
To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.
MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.
MultiChoice
The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.
The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.
The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.
MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.
Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.
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