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Counterfeit Software is the Most Difficult Type of Illegal Software – Ntamack
Serge Ntamack, is License Compliance Manager, Microsoft Nigeria. His organization has been in the forefront of fighting the war against piracy. He spoke to emeka okafor on Software Piracy
What is intellectual property?
It’s often said that ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law. And to a certain extent, it’s true, especially when it comes to issues like theft.
You can’t plead ignorance to stealing something, killing someone or driving drunk. But the issue of intellectual property theft still falls into a “grey area” where it is very easy to be involved in software piracy and not know that what you are doing is wrong.
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind. These include inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, and designs used for business purposes.
Intellectual property is divided into two categories: industrial property, which includes inventions (patents), trademarks and industrial designs and copyright, which includes literary and artistic works (music, movies and poetry) artistic works (drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptures and architectural designs) and lastly, computer software.
While intellectual property is intangible (i.e. you can’t physically touch it because it is not a material item), in this modern information age intellectual property carries as much, if not more, monetary value than material possessions.
As a result, intellectual property and copyright laws have been put into place both to recognise that it not only retains value but also protects the rights of the creators and owners of the IP.
In essence, what lawmakers have set out to achieve is, in the same way that taking something of value without the owner’s permission is considered theft, intellectual property can also be “stolen” and it is considered illegal to do so.
What is software piracy?
By its most basic definition, software piracy is the unauthorised copying or distribution of copyrighted software – essentially stealing the intellectual property within the software.
Normally, a person would require a licence to use a piece of software, which entitles the user to install and use the software on one or many computers – depending on the terms of the licence.
However these licences can be abused, leading to software being misused. This “misuse” can include piracy and the different methods of software piracy are defined below:
Hard-disk loading – This is the most common form of piracy and is normally employed by computer shops and resellers, who aim to cut the cost of computers by loading unlicensed copies of software onto multiple computers without paying for it.
Simple copies – Simple copies are the easiest to identify because they do not resemble the original packaging and “look” of genuine software. Software is typically burned onto an unbranded CD or DVD and comes with no accompanying documentation or certificates of authenticity (COAs) to prove that they are genuine.
Counterfeits – Counterfeit software is the most difficult type of illegal software to identify. Software is typically shipped on an official-looking CD or DVD and comes in packaging that appears to look original. Visible mistakes like mismatched colours, spelling errors, bad printing and generic CD cases are indicators that the software may be a fake.
So if you’re planning to go out and buy a new computer or laptop, be sure to keep your eye out for any of the above examples.
And remember to ask for all the media (i.e. CDs, DVDs, software licenses, COAs and manuals) associated with the software that you are purchasing for the computer. If the retailer doesn’t have these for you, then turn around and take your business to a certified Microsoft reseller.
News
Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.
The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.
Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.
According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.
Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.
“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.
She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.
“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.
Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.
The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.
News
IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.
Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.
She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.
According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.
The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.
Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.
News
CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.
The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”
The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.
Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.
He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.
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