Telecom
Anambra Govt Takes Major Leap towards Domestication of Nigeria Start-Up Act with Stakeholders’ Engagement
Anambra State Government has restated its commitment to supporting the streamlining of the state governance systems for greater efficiency, through development of frameworks, laws and procedures.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Ibezim made the disclosure during a forum to kick off a two-day stakeholders’ engagement on the domestication of the Nigerian Start-Up Act in Anambra State, held in Awka.
Dr Ibezim re-echoed the dedication of the Chukwuma Soludo-led administration, to making Anambra a technological hub, adding that with the disruptive changes the governor is introducing to the state governance, anyone who fails to keep pace, will be left behind.
He praised the collaboration between the government and partners supporting startups, emphasizing the importance of a tech-driven administration, a promise kept by Governor Soludo’s administration.
He said; “You all seated in this room are the gold we have; we are not looking elsewhere. The journey has just begun and I encourage you to deliberate and chart the course forward for a better Anambra.”
Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, MD/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency, in his goodwill message, posited that the stakeholders’ engagement was imperative to ensure that the Act meets the peculiarities of the state and does not just stand as an imposition of a national law.
CFA de-emphasized the notion of a one-size-fits-all approach to the Nigeria Startup Act, highlighting Anambra’s unique strengths in commerce and trade.
Citing instances with successful ecosystems worldwide and in Lagos on a national level, he attested to Governor Soludo’s commitment to laying the groundwork for innovation through the installation of high-speed broadband internet and the ongoing deployment of fibre cables across the state.
“Innovation lies in the private sector while the government will come up with policies,” he said, urging the ecosystem stakeholders to take charge.
He emphasized that, similar to global trends with OpenAI 4.0 and Google’s Gemini, the private sector should not wait for government intervention but should proactively drive the agenda for a thriving tech ecosystem, with the government playing catch-up.
Describing the Nigeria Startup Act as a co-created legislation emerging from the intersection of displacement and disruption, Mrs. Tracy Okoro Isaac, the State Adoption Lead for the Nigeria Startup Act, reminded the stakeholders that the engagement was history in the making.
She quipped; “In 10 years, you will fondly recall being part of the group that collaborated to establish an ecosystem capable of nurturing Anambra’s unicorns”
Mrs. Okoro-Isaac disclosed that the Act is hinged on four pillars- funding, human development /capacity building, and infrastructure (both software and hardware, internet connection), adding that the Act aims to ensure accessibility and prevent unnecessary migration by fostering innovation, underscoring the Act’s importance for establishing accountability and responsibility, providing concise regulations with clearly defined roles.
She highlighted the success stories of local entrepreneurs, such as those behind Flutterwave and Paystack, who built their startups independent of significant government support, urging attendees to envision the possibilities of creating a united ecosystem that supports startups collectively.
Expressing satisfaction with Governor Soludo’s commitment to innovation, Mrs. Isaac stated that participants were there to contribute to creating a modular startup law, that would shape Anambra’s future.
The convener of the session and Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli, described the session as more than a legal formality, asserting that it is a profound statement of intent to propel Anambra into a hub of innovation.
“We are fortunate to have a governor who comprehends the transformative influence of technology, setting the groundwork for a state driven by innovation. Our purpose here, therefore, is to participate in this game-changing initiative which is a catalyst for growth and a blueprint shaping the future of our dear state”, she added.
On her part, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning underscored the importance of sustainability, urging stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the startup ecosystem.
Emphasizing the need to protect both investors and investments, her remarks set the tone for a session that sought not only to embrace change but to ensure its lasting impact.
For the MD of ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye, stakeholders must commit to actualizing the potentials of the numerous state government’s infrastructure efforts.
The State Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Chinemerem Oguegbe, lamented the current lack of structure and synergy in the ecosystem as it were while advocating for a more organized approach to attract opportunities.
“The ecosystem in Anambra state is quite different but we are not organized as entrepreneurs nor structured to attract opportunities.
“Let us look for ways to import IT and tech into our businesses,” he urged.
The Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. K.K.Nwozor, while transitioning to the crux of the matter, acknowledged the need for mentorship beyond youth-focused initiatives and highlighted the untapped potential within Anambra’s universities.
He however applauded Mr. Governor’s appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha as the Acting Vice-chancellor of the university, describing it as one that will further support the technology drive in the state.
Mr. Dilibe Chinweze, representing hub owners, echoed the call for synergy, emphasizing the importance of investing locally.
As the event concluded, the overarching message was clear – Anambra State is on the brink of a technological revolution and the ICT Agency MD’s impassioned call to stakeholders, amongst other voices, echo as a rallying cry for the private sector to seize the opportunity, taking the lead in shaping a future where Anambra’s innovation ecosystem thrives on its own terms.
The event also featured a presentation on understanding and leveraging the opportunities of the Nigeria Startup Act by Mrs. Okoro Tracy, along with a Startup Pitch Competition with prizes presented by ANSIPPA, SID, and partner, VFD group.
Starlink, the satellite internet provider operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has stopped taking new orders for residential kits in parts of Lagos and in Abuja after network capacity was reached, the company’s online ordering page shows.
Neighborhoods listed as sold out include Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island and Surulere.
Prospective customers in those areas can join a wait list by paying a deposit and will be notified when service space opens.
At Chevyville Estate in Lekki, one resident trying to subscribe was met with a message that read: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. However, you can place a deposit now to reserve your spot on the waitlist and receive a notification as soon as service becomes available again.”
That experience mirrors what consumers in other busy districts are seeing.
A Starlink engineer who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal limits said the company temporarily closes new sales in zones where adding customers would degrade service for existing users.
“It happens when the area cannot take a new customer due to its designed capacity at the time,” the engineer said.
“This also helps preserve a steady connection for people already online.” Remedies can include adding more ground infrastructure, securing regulatory clearances, or expanding satellite coverage.
Since entering Nigeria, Starlink’s monthly fee has climbed: the service began at about N38,000 (roughly $25), rose to about N45,000 ($30) and — by 2025 — was charging roughly N56,000 ($37).
Starlink has cited naira depreciation, higher operating expenses and costs tied to meeting rules set by the Nigerian Communications Commission for the increases.
Those higher prices, and the service interruptions, appear to have affected subscription numbers. After a near eight-month pause that began in November 2024 and was tied to limited bandwidth and regulatory issues, orders resumed in late June 2025.
Still, data from the NCC show active Starlink users in Nigeria fell from 65,564 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 59,509 in the first quarter of 2025, a decline of more than 6,000 users, or about 9 percent.
Analysts point to the price rises, service holds and economic pressure as key reasons for the drop; some customers have switched to cheaper alternatives or stopped service.
As Elon Musk maintains his position as the world’s richest individual, with a net worth of $429 billion (according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index), his commitment to global digital inclusion through Starlink remains a central focus.
Starlink’s activity in Nigeria is part of a wider push across Africa.
The company has recently moved to enter markets including Lesotho and Somalia and secured permission to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo after earlier restrictions,
SpaceX is also working with operators such as Airtel Africa to reach rural areas where wired internet is scarce.
For many users in Nigeria, the appeal of Starlink remains clear: a reliable option where terrestrial networks falter.
But until the company expands capacity or adjusts pricing, consumers in dense urban pockets may have to wait for access or turn to other providers.
Credit excluding Headline: Pm News
Telecom
Google Expands Digital Infrastructure with Four New Subsea Cable Hubs and $9m AI Fund for Africa
Google has announced a new set of investments in Africa, reaffirming its nearly two-decade commitment to the continent’s digital transformation.
The latest commitments focus on empowering Africa’s next generation through AI, unlocking opportunities and expanding on the innovation capacity of young Africans. They cover internet connectivity; youth-led learning and innovation; and skills training.
Connectivity
Google is announcing four strategic subsea cable connectivity hubs in the north, south, east and west regions of Africa. This investment creates new digital corridors within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world – ultimately deepening international connectivity and resilience, as well as spurring economic growth and opportunity.
This is the latest addition to Google’s Africa Connect infrastructure program, which sees the company build vital connectivity across the continent: including the Google Cloud region in Johannesburg serving users across the continent, the Equiano cable running along the entire western seaboard of the continent, and Umoja, the first fiber optic route to directly connect Africa with Australia (running through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa).
Google’s investments to date have enabled 100 million Africans to access the internet for the first time, and the Equiano cable alone is expected to increase real GDP this year in Nigeria, South Africa and Namibia by an estimated $11.1 billion, $5.8 billion and $290 million, respectively.
Youth-led learning and innovation
Enabling Africa’s young people to learn, innovate and lead is critical to Africa’s development and economic growth. That’s why Google is today also announcing free one-year subscriptions to Google AI Pro plan for college students (18 or older) across the continent – starting with Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The subscription provides advanced AI to students – from Deep Research, which helps save time with custom research reports and in-depth information from hundreds of sources across the web, to Gemini 2.5 Pro, which provides help with assignments or writing.
Building skills and solutions
Equipping people with AI skills is critical. To date, Google has trained 7 million Africans and plans to train an additional 3 million students, young people, and teachers by 2030. Google is also bolstering local capacity by providing African universities and research institutions with over $17 million in funding, curriculum, training and compute and access to advanced AI models over the past four years – with an additional $9 million planned for the coming year.
On the announcements, Alex Okosi, Managing Director for Google in Africa, said: “Africa’s digital economy holds immense potential, and it will be driven by the talent and ingenuity of its next generation. Today’s announcements, spanning AI education, advanced tools for students, and expanded connectivity, are a unified investment into the upward trajectory of the continent.
“We are committed to providing the foundational infrastructure, the cutting-edge tools, and the financial support necessary for Africa’s youth to innovate, lead, and build a thriving digital world.”
Google’s long term partnership
These announcements are the latest chapter in Google’s long-term investment in the continent, which has delivered on $1 billion of investment. Google’s sustained commitment to Africa has included driving connectivity; training more than 7 million people across the continent in digital skills to support the future workforce; and supporting 153 startups from 17 African nations through the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, helping them raise $300 million and create 3,500 jobs.
AI creates an unprecedented opportunity to benefit everyone, and Google is committed to making that a reality for people, businesses and communities across Africa. Today’s announcements are another example of how Google is continuing to expand connectivity, increase product access and skills across the continent and enable African-led innovation – with more to come.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has secured regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to lease frequency spectrum from T2 Mobile Limited (formerly 9Mobile), marking a strategic shift in its network expansion plans.
Effective October 1, 2025, MTN will lease 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 15MHz in the 1800MHz band from T2 Mobile for a period of three years.
This move supports MTN’s national roaming agreement with T2, enabling shared infrastructure to manage growing network traffic and improve service delivery
According to MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, the agreement aligns with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which emphasizes cost-effective, sustainable growth, industry collaboration, and digital inclusion.
In a related development, MTN Nigeria has announced it will not renew its current spectrum lease with Natcom Development and Investment Ltd (Ntel). That lease—covering 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 10MHz in the 1800MHz band across 17 states—is set to expire on November 29, 2025.
MTN reaffirmed its commitment to investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to deliver high-quality, innovative telecom services across Nigeria.
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