E-Business
HP Unveils More Insights-Driven Services for Nigeria
Global ICT company, HP, producers of premium laptops and printers, today announced its latest insights-driven services for the Nigerian market as part of its commitment to help IT teams in the country rise to the challenges that organisations are facing today.
The new services include:
- HP Active Care for proactive device support and maintenance
- HP Proactive Insights for intelligent fleet monitoring
- HP Proactive Endpoint Management for multi-OS, endpoint management
Sumeer Chandra, Global Head and General Manager, Personal Systems Services, HP Inc. said HP has a portfolio of insight-driven services that put actionable insights at IT’s fingertips by securely collecting device telemetry and applying analytics and deep learning via the HP TechPulse platform.
During CES 2021 HP announced HP Smart Support that helps IT teams reduce HP Support call times. With this capability, which is available at no additional cost to customers, HP Customer Service Agents now have access to device-level insights through cloud-based telemetry. This allows the agents to improve the customer support experience and reduce the amount of time end users spend on support calls. HP Smart Support is expected to be available via download in early March.
“With half of the global workforce working remotely, IT teams are facing unprecedented challenges. They have been tasked with managing, securing, and supporting computing devices for a workforce that is spread across multiple locations, often without the ability to help them in-person. At the same time, it has become paramount for IT to help deliver higher productivity and improved employee experiences with technology,” Chandra said.
Ensuring today’s working environment has minimal impacts on productivity means identifying and resolving device issues before they become problems: “Even before the global pandemic began, more than half of IT managers identified that increased predictive technology analytics will be prioritised when it comes to their device management strategy,” he said.
He revealed that the HP Active Care uses artificial intelligence from HP TechPulse to help IT proactively identify needed device repairs and make replacements, if needed, saving valuable employee time and frustration. “
The service provides a combination of predictive device health analytics, proactive help desk ticket creation, remote support, remediation services, and next business day onsite response to keep employees up and running. IT teams can also reduce downtime with automatic case generation, which opens a help desk case when an issue is detected and triggers the customer’s IT team to schedule a repair,” he added.
“Paramount to businesses is the ability to have a single solution that efficiently monitors their fleet of employee devices regardless of what type of PC it is or what operating system it runs on.
“HP Proactive Insights does just this. It provides fleet analytics on multi-vendor, multi-OS devices to help organisations reduce the cost and complexity of device management. Predictive insights delivered by the HP TechPulse platform help IT manage the health and performance of their endpoint devices, while measuring and optimising the employee experience,” Chandra said.
IT managers can now measure, track, and improve their employee end-user experience using analytics and employee experience campaigns, or surveys. Employee engagement is largely driven by their experiences with technology and engagement is correlated with retention. “HP wants to help organisations proactively identify and address technology-related issues that can improve employee experiences and engagement,” he said.
HP Proactive Insights allows both IT managers and HP channel partners acting on their behalf to ensure that employees have the right technology for their work based on their actual usage data. IT managers can proactively mitigate device or application issues before they affect employees or the organisation. Proactive Insights suggests recommendations for remediation, which can be fed through customers’ IT Service Management (ITSM) via API integration, if desired.
Managing devices effectively and efficiently has never been more critical with widely distributed workforces. HP Proactive Endpoint Management is an endpoint management service that can help customers and partners reduce the amount of time spent on arduous device management tasks. IT teams can now offload their most arduous device management tasks such as asset tracking, device performance, and device utilisation.
HP Service Experts serve as an extension of the organisation’s IT team – using analytics from HP TechPulse and leading cloud-based tools to help manage endpoint devices regardless of platform or manufacturer – so IT can focus on optimising the employee’s overall technology experience. The service is compatible with systems like ServiceNow, Microsoft Intune, and VMware®, making it easier for organisations to optimise their existing investments.
“With today’s announcement, HP is providing insight-driven services leveraging unique capabilities and AI from the HP TechPulse platform, enabling IT managers to prioritise improvements to maximise productivity and improve employee experiences. HP Active Care is available now, with HP Proactive Insights and HP Proactive Endpoint Management expected to be available in March,” Chandra said.
E-Business
Kaspersky Reveals a New Malicious Framework Targeting Cryptocurrency Users with the Use of OkoSpyware
At its recent annual Cyber Security Weekend for the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region, Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) shared insights about the new OkoBot campaign targeting cryptocurrency users.
The new sophisticated framework employs TookPS to exfiltrate seed phrases and uses a new OkoSpyware module to monitor Chromium-based browsers and deploy various malware strains, including the Rilide stealer.
It has already targeted hundreds of victims across over 25 countries, with the highest number of affected end users recorded in Brazil, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico and Turkiye. According to Kaspersky experts, the threat remains active and primarily poses a risk to cryptocurrency users.
In January 2026, experts from the Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) identified multiple attacks involving a previously unknown malware capable of capturing the contents of cryptocurrency wallet windows. Dubbed Okobot, the new sophisticated malware framework comprises more than 20 malicious payloads and implants designed to perform a wide range of functions, including collecting local files, executing remote commands, downloading arbitrary browser extensions, stealing cryptocurrency wallets, harvesting seed phrases and credentials, recording video and carrying out other malicious activities.
One of the new implants used in the campaign is a loader that modifies browser memory to load and hide malicious extensions. OkoBot also includes a new OkoSpyware module, which captures keystrokes and the video stream of a target application’s window.
Currently available information does not allow the campaign to be attributed to any known crimeware actor with high confidence. However, the techniques and infostealer involved are widely used by Russian-speaking threat actors, and technical analysis has also revealed code artifacts in Russian.
The initial infection typically occurs through two main vectors: ClickFix attacks, in which threat actors use social engineering to trick users into running malicious code, and malware distributed via GitHub under the guise of legitimate software. During the investigation, researchers identified one such case involving a fake installer for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), a widely used Microsoft database management tool.
The malicious framework includes SeedHunter, a malware component that monitors active system processes and injects an implant into Trezor Suite, Ledger Wallet, and Ledger Live, – official applications used to manage cryptocurrency assets. When it detects a connected Trezor or Ledger hardware wallet, it triggers the hooked functions to display a hard-coded phishing page aimed at stealing the user’s seed phrase, using a distinct layout for each wallet type.
“The OkoBot campaign has been active for more than a year and remained ongoing as of July 2026. The observed infection vectors strongly suggest that developers are among its primary targets. Of particular concern is the malware’s continued evolution, which indicates that the framework is being actively maintained. As distribution efforts persist, the campaign has the potential to reach more users and expand into additional countries in the near term,” says Dmitry Galov, Head of the Russia and CIS unit at Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team.
PalmPay, one of Africa’s leading digital financial services companies, is considering a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after attaining a valuation of more than one billion dollars, according to a Bloomberg report.
PalmPay
The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, said the fintech company was also seeking to raise between 150 million dollars and 200 million dollars in fresh funding ahead of a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO).
According to the sources, the additional capital is expected to support PalmPay’s next phase of expansion across Africa and selected Asian markets.
If completed, the IPO would rank among the most significant public market debuts by an African fintech company and could encourage other technology firms on the continent to explore listings beyond the traditional financial centres of London and New York.
Founded in 2019, PalmPay has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing consumer fintech platforms, providing digital payments, money transfers, savings, lending and merchant payment solutions.
The company has established its strongest market presence in Nigeria while expanding operations into Ghana, Tanzania and Bangladesh as part of its international growth strategy.
PalmPay says it currently serves more than 35 million registered users and supports over one million businesses and merchants, processing millions of transactions daily.
Its rapid growth has positioned it among Africa’s leading fintech firms, alongside companies such as Flutterwave, Moniepoint, OPay, Wave and Onafriq.
Unlike many technology startups that have prioritised rapid customer acquisition over profitability, PalmPay reportedly achieved profitability in 2025, a development analysts say could enhance investor confidence as the company prepares for another fundraising round and an eventual stock market listing.
The report noted that Hong Kong could offer strategic advantages for PalmPay due to its strong commercial ties with Asian investors and the company’s growing presence in emerging Asian markets.
PalmPay’s early investors include Transsion Holdings, the maker of the Tecno, Infinix and itel smartphone brands, as well as investors linked to NetEase and MediaTek.
Industry analysts believe these long-standing relationships could make Hong Kong a natural destination for PalmPay’s public listing while broadening access to investors already familiar with its business model.
The company’s IPO plans come as venture capital investment in African startups has slowed considerably since the record funding years of 2021 and 2022, prompting many technology firms to focus on profitability, stronger balance sheets and sustainable long-term growth.
Against that backdrop, PalmPay’s proposed fundraising and listing are expected to serve as an important test of international investor appetite for profitable African fintech companies.
The company’s valuation also underscores the resilience of Africa’s digital payments sector, driven by rising smartphone adoption, expanding internet access and increasing demand for cashless transactions across the continent.
Although PalmPay has yet to make a final decision on either the fundraising or the IPO timetable, the reported preparations indicate that the company is positioning itself for its next phase of growth.
Industry observers say a successful Hong Kong listing could provide fresh momentum for Africa’s technology sector and create an alternative pathway for high-growth startups seeking access to global capital markets.
E-Business
CMS T&M Launches TMO Rides to Enable a Faster & Cashless Transport Experience for CMS – Ajah Passengers
CMS Transport Management (CMS T&M), one of Lagos’ longest-standing and most trusted transport operators, officially launches a new service known as TMO Rides.
This new initiative is designed to simplify the daily commute by introducing seamless cashless payments for passengers across its bus network.
For over 58 years, CMS T&M has played a significant role in moving millions of passengers daily along the CMS – Ajah routes through its fleet of high-capacity buses popularly.
The launch of TMO Rides marks another milestone in the company’s journey toward building a smarter, more efficient transport experience.
Through the initiative, passengers will have access to TMO Cards for a seamless transport. This is more exciting because TMO launches with 2 consecutive apps.
These apps help to eliminate the need for cash transactions while reducing boarding delays and create a more convenient experience for passengers.
Beyond introducing digital fare payments, the initiative reflects CMS T&M’s broader commitment to modernize public transportation through innovation, operational efficiency and improved customer experience.
CMS T&M operates within Nigeria’s regulated transport ecosystem as a registered member of the BRT Association of Nigeria (BRTAN), where it is also an equity stakeholder, reinforcing its commitment to a cooperative-driven transport system.
The company is equally registered with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the agency responsible for planning, regulating and franchising public transportation in Lagos State, and is also a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that promotes safe and organized road transport operations.
Speaking on the launch, Andy, Managing Director of CMS T&M, said: “For nearly six decades, our focus has remained the same, which is moving people safely and efficiently.
“As the transportation needs of Lagos continue to evolve, we must evolve with them. TMOx Rider is about making everyday commuting easier by giving our passengers a faster, more convenient way to pay while improving the overall travel experience.
“This launch represents another important step in our commitment to building a smarter, more accessible transport system for everyone.”
The launch of TMO Rides forms part of CMS T&M’s long-term vision of embracing technology to improve public transportation without compromising the trust and consistency the passengers have relied on for generations.
The cashless payment infrastructure empowering TMO Rides is enabled by Treepz, whose mobility technology supports digital fare collection and operational efficiency.
By providing the technology behind the initiative, Treepz is helping CMS T&M expand access to modern, seamless transportation while advancing a shared vision of making everyday mobility more connected, convenient and accessible across Lagos.
Visit our website: https://www.cmstaxiandmotor.com/
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