Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to assist small and medium businesses in the country to become more cyber-aware and less vulnerable to developing cyber threats.

The MoU reflects a shared view that SMEs, being the backbone of economy, require strong cybersecurity measures. Kaspersky and SMEDAN will work together on information sharing, training programmes, and other practical steps to raise awareness of digital threats and cybersecurity measures.

“Small and medium business owners are juggling a dozen things – accounting, promotion, legal issues. They are not cybersecurity experts. But they are being targeted by cybercriminals through malware, phishing, and online schemes using social engineering tactics that make them look realistic.

“Our aim is to provide these organisations with some best practice tools and inform about measures that will help them stay safer online,” says Chris Norton, General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Kaspersky.

The cooperation will feed into SMEDAN’s wider SME development efforts, with Kaspersky contributing cybersecurity knowledge and joining forces on awareness campaigns. The idea is to bring cybersecurity-focused guidance into existing business support channels, and to do it in a way that actually makes sense to entrepreneurs who may not have technical teams behind them.

Charles Odii, DG/CEO of SMEDAN, comments: “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, digital adoption among business owners has accelerated significantly. Many now operate WhatsApp shops, use online banking, and send invoices via email, which has increased their exposure to cyber risks.

Together with Kaspersky, we intend to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and practices across Nigeria, helping SMEs protect their businesses as they embrace the digital economy.”

SMEDAN has long been a government agency that has consistently shown up for small business owners in Nigeria. Its work cuts across industries, regions, and stages of growth from traders and artisans to early-stage tech startups trying to get formalised. This partnership gives it another tool to help those businesses operate more securely in a digital world. For Kaspersky, the collaboration is part of a wider push across the continent to support under-resourced sectors that are quietly being targeted online.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has launched a digital platform to attract local and international investors to Nigeria’s sub-national infrastructure projects and close the country’s estimated $100 billion annual financing gap.

Unveiled in Abuja, Investopedia will serve as a transparent “one-stop shop” for investment opportunities across Nigeria’s 36 states, said the forum, offering detailed project information and clear entry points for prospective investors.

NGF chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, described the initiative as a “strategic tool to unlock Nigeria’s full potential by mobilising global and African capital for critical infrastructure”.

He stressed that the platform should be seen as more than an investment catalogue, but a gateway that combines opportunities with guidance and institutional oversight.

Investopedia is backed by partnerships with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

NGF director-general, Abdulateef Shittu, hailed the launch as a “new dawn” for sub-national investment readiness, noting that Nigeria attracted only $1.87 billion in foreign direct investment in 2023, well below Africa’s average.

By curating a pipeline of bankable projects, he said the platform would boost investor confidence and expand Nigeria’s global visibility.

Shittu added that beyond financing, the platform would foster technical partnerships, capacity-building, and risk mitigation, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

“This is about more than funding, it is about actionable, bankable projects that will drive jobs, inclusive growth, and long-term prosperity,” he said.

TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading technology distributor, has once again raised the bar for the continent’s digital transformation journey by attaining the ISO 42001 (Artificial Intelligence Management Systems) and ISO 27701 (Privacy Information Management Systems) certifications.

These globally recognized certifications, which set the highest benchmarks for responsible AI deployment and data privacy, position TD Africa as a pioneer in preparing Africa for an AI-powered future.

Speaking on the milestone, Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, stated: “These certifications are not just badges of compliance; they reflect our deep commitment to building Africa’s digital resilience with trust, governance, and accountability at the core. At TD Africa, we believe Africa must not remain a passive consumer of global innovation but must actively shape and co-create solutions that reflect our unique realities. From financial inclusion to agriculture, healthcare, and digital governance, AI presents limitless opportunities—our role is to ensure Africa is prepared to harness them responsibly.”

ISO 42001 provides the world’s first governance framework for the ethical and transparent deployment of artificial intelligence, ensuring solutions align with human values and global best practices. On the other hand, ISO 27701 guarantees that TD Africa manages personal data with unmatched integrity and security. This is an essential pillar in a time where data privacy is increasingly under threat.

For nearly three decades, TD Africa has anticipated and shaped the future of technology on the continent, not by chasing trends, but by building enduring structures. Beyond its certifications, the company has invested in world-class infrastructure, resilient distribution systems across 47 African countries, and a thriving technology ecosystem. Its TecHerdemy program has empowered over 400 women in technology, further cementing its position as a catalyst for inclusive digital growth.

With trusted partnerships with global technology leaders, TD Africa has consistently delivered on its promise to bridge global innovation with African realities. The attainment of these ISO certifications reinforces its ability to responsibly distribute and support advanced AI technologies across its vast network of resellers.

As the world prepares for the dawn of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with breakthroughs such as GPT-5, TD Africa is ensuring that Africa is not left behind. The certifications demonstrate the company’s readiness to give Africa not just access to innovation, but the muscle, discipline, and confidence to use it sustainably.

“This achievement is not just about TD Africa,” Mrs. Ekeh added. “It is a milestone for Africa. The global AI conversation cannot be left to Silicon Valley or Beijing alone. Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Kigali, and Johannesburg must also have a strong voice. And TD Africa is proud to amplify that voice. We are no longer waiting for tomorrow to happen; we are preparing tomorrow, today.”

With this bold move, TD Africa has reaffirmed its legacy of leadership in technology distribution, while signaling a new era where Africa plays a decisive role in the global digital renaissance.