Telecom
Tech Experience Centre excites Corporate Nigeria
Thursday 1st October, 2020 was celebrated in Lagos with the launch of the Tech Experience Centre, a revolutionary technology project spearheaded by TD Africa – Sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost tech, lifestyle and solutions distributor – aimed at bridging the gap to cutting-edge technology for millions of Nigerians.
The Tech Experience Centre houses a convergence of globally renowned tech giants such as Cisco, HP, Microsoft, Dell Technologies, Zinox, Schneider Electric, Samsung, Apple and Bosch, among others, all under one roof to create an immersive experience of the latest technologies.
Equally important, the official unveiling of the centre provided a unique opportunity for invited guests to witness first-hand some of the amazing devices, gadgets and cutting-edge tech solutions being exhibited by the tech giants occupying the centre.
The event, a highly successful one, attracted a number of dignitaries from both the public and private sector to the high-rise Yudala Heights on 13 Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, venue of the high-profile commissioning.
Also present was a strong representation from Corporate Nigeria, with a number of Chief Executives from various sectors of the economy on hand to witness the unveiling of the unprecedented technology initiative.
The quality of attendance by corporate eggheads gave immediate endorsement to the launch. Some of those who experienced it described the Tech Experience Centre as the birth of a New Nigeria, while affirming the ambience, tech-infused set up and demonstration witnessed as worldclass.
One of the attendees, aformer Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Chairman, Agrited Nigeria Ltd., Ernest Ebi hailed the launch of the Tech Experience Centre as a commendable initiative, even as he congratulated the management of TD Africa and the Chairman, Zinox Group, for the successful birthing of the landmark project.
‘‘The Tech Experience Centre is a place worth visiting. The ambience and layout of the centre is amazing and the various technologies on display are exciting to see. I congratulate TD Africa and Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh on the successful launch of this project.
‘‘Indeed, it is a thing of pride that such a wonderful initiative can originate from Nigerians. This is another aspect of the Tech Experience Centre that makes it all the more delightful,’’ he said.
On his part, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc., Nnamdi Okonkwo hailed the Tech Experience Centre as a very impressive concept.
‘‘I trust TD Africa and the Zinox Group to always lead the way. So, I am not surprised with the world class Experience Centre that was unveiled. It is a very impressive concept.’’
Also expressing her thoughts on the launch of the Tech Experience Centre, Group President, YGroup Holdings Ltd., Fatumata Soukouna Coker described the innovation as an excellent statement of Nigeria’s emergence in the global tech space.
‘‘It was a privilege for me to be present to witness the launch of the Tech Experience Centre. It is a laudable project which will boost Nigeria’s profile in the global technology space.
“I will definitely be visiting the Tech Experience Centre after this launch. I was excited by all I saw on the day of the launch, especially some of the smart home appliances and kitchen piece displayed on the second floor.’’
In addition, another bank CEO, who spoke on condition of anonymity,was effusive in his encomiums when asked his experience about the Tech Experience Centre.
‘‘Sincerely there is nothing missing here from what you see in Silicon Valley and in other advanced climes. This Tech Experience Centre has shown that things can happen properly in Nigeria.
“I commend TD Africa and the Zinox Chairman, as well as other key players who visualized this project for executing it to worldclass standard,’’ he enthused.
The Tech Experience Centre was officially commissioned on Thursday, October 1, 2020, the occasion of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who was the Special Guest of Honour. Also present as Chief Host was the Lagos State Governor, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
In addition to providing access to latest technologies for Nigerians and reducing the decision-making cycle for CEOs as well as Chief Information/Technology Officers in the public and private sector, the Tech Experience Centre will also play a very essential role in building capacity among Nigerian youths.
Head of the Tech Experience Centre, Chidalu Ekeh says the centre will expose many to advanced trainings and certifications in the area of Information Technology, with many of them subsequently expected to build apps, crafts and other solutions that will address peculiar challenges in Nigeria and solve global problems.
Among the attendees at the event was the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), InuwaKashifu Abdullahi; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, Dr. Hakeem Fahm; Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Founder/CEO, MainOne, FunkeOpeke; Chairman, Stanbic IBTC, PetersideAtedo; MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. SegunOgunsanya; MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, LaminManjang; Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings, U. K Eke; MD/CEO, Ecobank, Patrick Akinwuntan; Managing Director, Polaris Bank Ltd., Innocent Ike; former Chairman of Accenture, Mr. Dotun Suleiman; Chairman, Officine Gullo, Alhaji Usman Mohammed; MD/CEO Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mr. FunsoAkere; Executive Director, Access Bank, Mr. Victor Etuokwu; MD/CEO, Providus Bank, Mr. Walter Akpani; CEO, CWG Plc., AdewaleAdeyipo; Chairman, Aso Savings and Loans Plc., Alhaji Ali Magashi; former CEO, Diamond Bank, Mr. EmekaOnwuka; Founder/CEO, Britannia Oil and Gas, Mrs Catherine IjuIfejika and her husband, Mr. Emmanuel Ifejika; media entrepreneur and ace blogger, Linda Ikeji; renowned fashion couturier, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, just to mention a few.
The Tech Centre is widely expected to boost Nigeria’s relevance in the global technology race and shore up the country’s march to technology independence.
For the first time, Nigeria will play host to the latest global technologies including those not normally available in Africa, offering all classes of visitors a first-hand experience of new gadgets, solutions and infrastructure that would have previously required a visit abroad, thereby saving corporate organizations, government establishments and individuals money or scarce foreign exchange expended on these trips.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
Nigerian fintech unicorn Moniepoint Inc. has finalised its acquisition of a 78% stake in Kenya’s Sumac Microfinance Bank, gaining a key deposit-taking licence for credit expansion in East Africa’s biggest economy.
The deal, marked by a Nairobi reception, bypasses the Central Bank of Kenya’s licence freeze, letting Moniepoint rival giants like Safaricom and Equity Group after a stalled Kopo Kopo bid.
It signals Africa’s fintech shift to licensed banking and mergers, equipping Moniepoint to roll out high-speed SME lending via Sumac’s 20-year-old infrastructure and branches.
The acquisition builds a cross-border merchant ecosystem beyond fees, integrating recent Orda buyout (cloud restaurant software) for “business-in-a-box” tools like inventory, payroll, and capital amid Kenya’s digital lending scrutiny.
Moniepoint, which hit $294 billion annualised transactions in 2025, eyes Kenya’s SMEs with Nigeria-honed retail expertise.
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