Huawei, a global technology leader, has introduced a revolutionary new masterpiece to its smartphone lineup—the HUAWEI Mate XT. This groundbreaking tri-fold phone launched in September earned Best Smart Phone globally.

Before its release, this disruptive gadget had over 8 million preorders. Even though the lowest specification unit’s official pricing was $2800, the price per unit for the privileged few who preordered and chose to sell owing to extreme scarcity and demand reached over $20,000 on the Chinese black market.

While international shipments may take some time, Nigeria is fortunate to have received three units of Huawei’s groundbreaking smartphone. Last week, senior representatives from Huawei presented a sample of this ultra-advanced handset to Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group and Konga Group, at the Zinox Group Corporate Headquarters, Yudala Heights, Victoria Island, Lagos. Mr. Ekeh had the honour of experiencing firsthand a device powered by analytics and AI designed to define the lifestyle of the modern 21st-century individual.

Huawei officials stated that this presentation to Mr. Ekeh was in recognition of his strategic contributions and pioneering role in Nigeria’s tech sector and, by extension, Africa’s digital transformation. Mr. Ekeh’s career includes his tenure as Microsoft’s Global Partner Advisor and his recent acknowledgment as Forbes Best of Africa’s Leading Tech Icon. He has earned numerous accolades for his visionary entrepreneurship and his role in transitioning Nigeria and other African nations from analog to digital democracy. His groundbreaking work encompasses innovations such as digital dispensing pumps, e-commerce platforms, WiMAX, wireless cloud solutions, and advancements in the health and educational sectors.

Expressing gratitude for being the first Nigerian to experience the device, Mr. Ekeh conveyed his appreciation to the Huawei team for this honour. He remarked on his prior interest in securing  units of the handset but noted the high global demand and limited availability. Upon unpacking the smartphone in the presence of his guests and staff, Mr. Ekeh described the elegant device as a “testament to God’s definition of a new lifestyle.” He concluded by stating, “With this remarkable innovation, I feel inspired to strive for longevity, embracing the possibilities technology brings. Thank you, Huawei, for your incredible contributions to the industry. Our partnership will remain steadfast.”

Huawei Technologies, a global leader in telecommunications and electronics, has always been at the cutting edge of innovation, breaking boundaries with innovation. Known for its advanced technologies, Huawei aims to extend its dominance and challenge competitors like Apple. The launch of the Mate XT is part of its strategy to maintain leadership in the global smartphone industry.

The HUAWEI Mate XT, unparalleled in power and design, is truly a world-class device with an inverse dual-hinge design that allows it to fold in a unique “Z” shape. This feature enables the phone to transform between a traditional single-screen phone and a 10.2-inch triple-screen foldable device, providing flexibility for various uses. The OLED display measures 6.4 inches when collapsed, delivering exceptional clarity and colour. When unfolded, it offers users a larger, immersive experience perfect for multitasking or entertainment.

Equipped with 16GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB, the Mate XT ensures powerful performance, supported by Huawei’s in-house Kylin chips and an AI assistant for enhanced usability. The 5,600mAh battery powers the device, with fast charging options of 66W wired and 50W wireless, allowing users to stay connected on the go.

The device’s luxurious design and top-tier specifications come at a price starting from $2,800 for the 256GB model. Despite its high cost, the device has already garnered massive demand, with about 8m million pre-orders reported. In some cases, the Mate XT has been resold for up to $20,000 in China’s black market, highlighting its status as a highly coveted product.

Huawei’s partnership with TD Africa will make this groundbreaking device available to the Nigerian market. The collaboration between these two tech giants ensures that cutting-edge devices like the HUAWEI Mate XT are accessible to Nigerian consumers. In addition, shoppers will be able to purchase the Mate XT on Konga, Nigeria’s leading e-commerce platform, when it hits the market.

The exclusive presentation of the very first HUAWEI Mate XT in Africa to Leo Stan Ekeh highlights both his leadership in the tech industry and Huawei’s dedication to Africa. Together, they are paving the way for a future where cutting-edge technology is accessible to all.

Jollof+, a product of Baobab Nigeria, one of the finest leading financial services dedicated to supporting the financially excluded and unbanked communities in Nigeria has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to promote financial literacy and increase awareness of its financial services among corps members nationwide.

This initiative, implemented in NYSC camps in Lagos, Sagamu, Abuja, Keffi, and Uyo seeks to educate young Nigerians on the importance of saving and financial literacy.

Through this partnership, Jollof+ sponsored Mr Macho and Miss NYSC events at Ogun state camp, where winners were awarded amazing items and also provided with valuable insights into how they can use the Jollof+ app to save smarter and manage their money more effectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Joy Micheal-Oti, Business Development Manager, Baobab Nigeria, said: “We believe that financial literacy is the key to financial independence, and it is something every young Nigerian should know.

“Our partnership with NYSC is our way of investing in the future of Nigeria by helping corps members understand how to save, invest, and secure their financial future with Jollof+. These are the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to ensure they are well-prepared for the future ahead of them.

In addition to promoting financial literacy, the partnership also aims to build brand awareness for Jollof+, a fast-growing digital savings platform designed to simplify how Nigerians manage their money. Corps members were introduced to the key features of Jollof+, including its high-interest savings options like Jolloflock, Ajo+, and Babybox, which are designed to cater to various savings goals.

On their part, the State Coordinator NYSC Ogun State, Mrs Nasamu Olayinka Diana said, “We are excited about the partnership with Jollof+ as it aligns with our youth development initiative, where we equip corp members for the future ahead.

When you invest in the youths, you have not wasted anything, they are indeed the best place to invest in. Thank you Jollof+ for this partnership, it will indeed have a great impact on our corp members.

With Nigeria facing rising inflation and economic uncertainty, financial literacy has never been more important. Young Nigerians, particularly corps members, are entering the workforce and facing financial challenges that require them to be financially savvy.

Jollof+ plans to continue expanding its reach to more NYSC camps across the country in the coming months, ensuring that even more young Nigerians are introduced to Jollof+ and the importance of financial literacy

d.light, the global provider of transformational household solar products and affordable finance for low-income households, was today announced as an Earthshot Prize Finalist at the third-annual Earthshot Innovation Summit.

Founded by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is the world’s most prestigious environmental prize designed to discover, spotlight and scale the groundbreaking solutions we need to repair and regenerate our planet.

The five eventual winners will be crowned at The Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa in early November, with each receiving £1 million in prize money to support efforts to expand the reach of their transformational products and services. This year’s shortlist was selected from a pool of close to 2,500 organisations across 139 countries.

d.light is named alongside an inspiring group of global innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and advocates pioneering solutions to our most pressing climate and environmental challenges.

Finalists also earn a place on the Earthshot Fellowship Programme, receiving dedicated mentorship, resources, and technical support, including access to The Prize’s Global Alliance of Partners, a robust network of the world’s largest businesses, donors, investors and environmental organisations committed to climate action.

Commenting on the news, d.light CEO Nedjip Tozun said: “We’re truly honoured to be named as a finalist for such a prestigious award, and recognition from the Earthshot Prize committee is a reflection of d.light’s efforts to support underserved communities by providing access to safe, affordable off-grid solar solutions.

“2024 has been a landmark year so far for d.light and it’s exciting to see that our impact has extended beyond the solar industry to the wider sustainability community.

“Pivotal moments have included raising USD$176 million in securitized financing in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, launching our customer loyalty programme and installing solar in over 1.7 million off-grid households across Africa.

“d.light is the first company in the off-grid energy sector to be nominated for the Earthshot Prize, outlining our credentials as a pioneer in this space.

Since the company was founded in 2007, we’ve developed unique and innovative ways to manufacture, distribute and finance solar projects in the developing world, allowing us to transform the lives of over 175 million people in the process.

“To be named as a finalist helps us amplify our core message that so many still live without access to a safe source of electricity, while supporting our efforts to spearhead the rollout of reliable solar solutions,” Tozun concluded.

“With this milestone, d.light moves one step closer to achieving our wider aim of transforming the lives of one billion people by 2030 by giving them access to safe, clean, affordable renewable energy.”