Alex Otti, governor, Abia State, has said that the N306 million grant, called NKATA, is to support technology driven businesses across the 17 local governments of the state.

Alex Otti, governor, Abia State at the launch of NKATA

The governor unveiled the programme while receiving the management team of Abia State Technology Skills Acquisition Centre (ATSAC) in Umuahia.

Governor Otti noted that the programme, a carefully targeted macroeconomic intervention, is capable of raising business productivity, strengthening local enterprises, widening the tax base, creating employment and accelerating the emergence of a technology-enabled economy across the 17 local government areas of the state, with a strong emphasis on youths, small businesses, entrepreneurship, innovation and digital transformation, adding that, “the grant could turn Abia’s small businesses into a new engine of growth.”

He explained that the N306 million intervention fund had already been earmarked for qualified beneficiaries who meet the programme’s requirements, expressing optimism that the initiative would produce a measurable impact.

He said: “I want to congratulate everyone. The N306 million is available, but beneficiaries must meet all necessary conditions. In a few months’ time, I want to hear that this intervention has yielded results, not just in monetary terms, but also in job creation, poverty reduction and empowerment of our people.”

The Abia governor said the programme aligns with his administration’s vision of building a productive, self reliant and innovation-driven economy.

The most significant aspect of NKATA, the governor stressed, is not even the amount involved, but its deeper economic meaning, which lies in the structure of the intervention, adding that: “The programme is not designed as an indiscriminate cash-distribution exercise in which beneficiaries simply receive money that may immediately disappear into pressing household consumption.

“Rather, ATSAC has explained that support will be channelled through technology service providers, software companies, hardware suppliers, internet service providers and business mentors, who will help to select businesses, acquire practical tools capable of improving operations, efficiency, competitiveness and growth.”

Pan-African talent accelerator ALX is expanding its footprint and shifting to a fully self-paced learning model to train and integrate young Africans into the workforce, as the global economy reorganises around artificial intelligence (AI).

Partnering with the MasterCard Foundation, the technology training provider and career accelerator designed to equip African talent, says it enables learners to access tech training for $5 a month.

It emphasises a shift in demographics saying that by 2035, more young Africans will enter the workforce annually.

ALX notes that its model has graduated 347,100 learners, with 63% finding employment within six months. Women represent over half of all graduates. To increase flexibility, the organisation emphasises that learning is now entirely self-paced.

“Learners progress through modular blocks, earning credentials as they go, ensuring that the training fits around their existing responsibilities,” says Shana-Michelle Rabonda, Chief Operating Officer of ALX.

Rabonda adds that global employers are taking notice: “We are building a direct pipeline to the global digital economy. When companies look for elite tech talent, they are looking at Africa.”

Due to this demand, firms such as Absa, Stanbic Bank, MTN, and KPMG now employ between 50 and 180 ALX graduates each. Meanwhile, community entrepreneurs have created over 60,100 jobs through AI startups like Signvrse and Edulga.

With Africa’s AI market projected to grow to $16.5 billion by 2030, ALX operates alongside competitors like Moringa School and GoMyCode to secure mindshare.

“With the right skills and networks, young Africans can seize these opportunities,” Rabonda emphasises. “Africa’s youth should not just be consumers of AI; they should be creators shaping innovations that will define the global economy.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the advertisement of a winding-up petition filed against telecommunications service provider, Swift Network Plc, over its alleged inability to settle a debt exceeding N115 million.

The order followed an application filed by Optics and Wireless Limited through its counsel, Bimbo Adebayo-Ogunlaja, urging the court to permit the publication of the winding-up petition instituted against the company.

In the petition, Optics and Wireless Limited alleged that Swift Network Plc is indebted to it in the sum of N115,482,302.88, being the outstanding payment for network devices supplied to the telecommunications firm since April 2024.

The petitioner is also seeking the payment of N70,530,062 as accrued interest arising from a loan facility allegedly obtained to finance the transaction between both parties, as well as general damages for breach of contract.

According to court documents, the dispute arose from a series of transactions carried out between April 2024 and February 2025, during which Swift Network Plc, through its procurement officer, allegedly requested the petitioner to manufacture and supply various network devices based on purchase orders issued by the company.

The petitioner stated that payment for the supplied items was expected either immediately after delivery or within 30 days of supply, but alleged that Swift Network repeatedly failed to honour the agreement despite receiving the products.

Optics and Wireless Limited further claimed that it became apparent after the final order for servers in April 2025 that the respondent was either unwilling or unable to settle the accumulated debt.

The petitioner also informed the court that its solicitors, Messrs Zionla Legal Practitioners & Solicitors, subsequently issued a statutory notice of demand dated December 11, 2025, demanding payment of the outstanding sum and accrued interest.

According to the petitioner, all efforts to recover the debt proved unsuccessful, adding that the situation has exposed the company to serious financial challenges and possible legal action from the bank that allegedly granted it the loan facility used to execute the supply contracts.

Optics and Wireless Limited argued that Swift Network Plc is insolvent and unable to meet its financial obligations, urging the court to wind up the company in line with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act and the Winding-Up Rules.

Among the reliefs sought, the petitioner asked the court to order that Swift Network Plc be wound up by the court and that any voluntary winding-up process involving the company should continue under the supervision of the court.

Justice Lewis Allagoa subsequently adjourned the matter till July 10 for further hearing.