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IDC Plans ICT Capacities Match Making of Nigeria with Egypt

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International Data Corporation (IDC) as part of an exciting new strategic program with Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) called ‘Africa Together’ program, will match the capabilities of Egyptian ICT companies with the needs of African channel and end-user companies.

This match-making process will culminate in two three-day events to be held in Lagos and Nairobi towards the end of 2014, where IDC will bring Egyptian ICT players face to face with leading end-user organizations and channels from the West and East Africa regions to discuss the potential for future cooperation and partnerships.

In a further effort to assist Egyptian ICT companies in expanding their exports and market reach into the rest of Africa, IDC will host an exclusive CIO Forum in Cairo early next year. IDC has a long and proven track record of facilitating profitable new business relationships through large-scale networking events, and will build on this reputation by flying in 50 hugely influential CIOs from across Africa to interact directly with more than 100 Egyptian ICT leaders.

The result will be the country’s foremost gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives, with though-provoking and actionable insights delivered through a series of compelling presentations and case studies that will facilitate a deeper understanding of global ICT best practices and the latest trends shaping international markets.

The statistics certainly suggest there will be no shortage of opportunities for them to tap into. While the world’s second largest and second most populous continent is currently in the midst of an unprecedented period of economic growth, ICT usage and penetration levels remain significantly lower than in the rest of the world.

But as the continent becomes more and more connected, ICT adoption is set to explode at rates barely imaginable in the world’s developed markets.

Indeed, IDC’s latest forecasts show IT spending across Africa (excluding South Africa) reaching $26.4 billion by 2018, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.03% — close to double the worldwide figure of 3.81%. So the unparalleled potential of the region is clear to see.

“The considerable demand that exists across the wider African continent for skills and knowledge transfer makes it an extremely appealing prospect for Egyptian ICT companies, as does the ability to introduce innovative, cost-effective, and relevant IT solutions to these markets.

To this end, the ‘Africa Together’ initiative exploits the natural synergies that exist between IDC’s unrivalled market insights and ITIDA’s quest to increase the global competitiveness of Egypt’s ICT industry. Working together, we will identify the key growth markets and segments across Africa that will provide the greatest opportunities for Egyptian companies,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.

Another key facet of ‘Africa Together’ is IDC’s Industry Technology Advantage Program (ITAP), which will empower ITIDA with comprehensive data and trend analysis of ICT markets across the entire world.

Bundled with unstinting access to IDC’s expert analysts and strategic workshops, this valuable information tool will support ITIDA’s mission to promote trade in international markets and become a strategic advisor to both local and international companies.

“IDC’s wealth of data covers all domains of ICT, including software, infrastructure, services, and telecommunications,” says Lalchandani.

“We can provide in-depth insights into markets throughout the Middle East and Africa, as well as Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North/South America, enabling ITIDA policy and program makers to develop data-driven strategies and initiatives tailored to the unique strengths of Egyptian ICT companies.”

“The signed agreements with IDC come in line with ITIDA’s endeavors to boost the exports of local IT firms, help them expand beyond Egypt and tap into the business opportunities in the targeted countries in Africa,” says Hussein El-Gueretly, ITIDA’s CEO.

“Along with ‘Africa Together’ Initiative, hosting the CIO Forum in Cairo in collaboration with IDC will be a unique opportunity for ITIDA to rebrand Egypt an IT hub in the region and a rewarding experience and an excellent venue for CIOs to exchange information on current topics as well as create opportunities for cooperation with senior decision makers and business leaders from across the region”.


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E-Business

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

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Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has expressed its commitment to balance information around data privacy and protection.

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stated this in Abuja, at the National Data Privacy Summit with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies,” organised by the commission.

Olatunji said the NDPC, at the moment, was looking at balancing information around data privacy and protection.

“What we are doing is just to look at how to balance information around privacy and protection, which is really important, because as we are innovating, at the same time, we have to consider issues around privacy and protection,” he stated.

He added that the commission has been very bold in taking risks that would bring about growth.

“Our starting point is growing at a very alarming rate, and we are not afraid of anything. We can take risks. And that is why a lot is happening in Nigeria, and this is the level of clarity,” he explained.

In his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  stated that Internet of Things holds promise for Nigeria’s economy.

The EVC, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), noted that, “in an era in which digital assets, Internet of Things, future digital computing and other transformative technologies are key, and both a cornerstone of building trust for the adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.

“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s grand economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal and individual rights.

“So, balancing innovation through post-ethical safeguards and public trust is the first step to ensuring that global digital advancement benefits all Nigerians without compromising their privacy or their security,” he added.

“As we just heard from the Nigeria Police, telecom operators have a vast amount of sensitive historical information daily, including connectivity apps and collaboration on privacy, security, and number protection, both to their and their inheritors,” he said.

Dr. Bako Shurkuk, commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Plateau State, who represented Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, said, emerging technologies can be harnessed to attain sustainable growth.

 


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OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit

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Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Lagos has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s data protection and digital transformation agenda through its sponsorship and active participation in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) National Privacy Week Summit.

The National Privacy Week Summit, organised by the NDPC, convened policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to promote data privacy awareness, strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and advance conversations around data security, sovereignty, and responsible data governance.

As a sponsor of the event, OADC Lagos demonstrated its continued support for the Federal Government’s drive toward local data hosting and data domiciliation, which are increasingly critical to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing regulatory compliance, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Through its carrier-neutral, Tier III Design certified data centre in Lekki, Lagos, OADC provides secure, resilient, and compliant infrastructure that enables government institutions and private sector organisations to host and manage data locally while meeting international best practices.

Commenting on the engagement, Adesola Adesugba, Country Marketing Manager, Open Access Data Centres Nigeria, said: “We are proud to have supported the Nigeria Data Protection Commission through the National Privacy Week Summit and to stand alongside the government in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

“Strengthening local data hosting and domiciliation is fundamental to national data sovereignty, improved security, and sustainable digital growth, and OADC Lagos remains committed to enabling this future.”

OADC’s participation at National Privacy Week Summit underscores its role as a trusted digital infrastructure partner to government and enterprise, supporting secure cloud connectivity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Open Access Data Centres is part of the WIOCC Group and operates open-access, world-class data centres across Africa, serving cloud providers, network operators, enterprises, and public sector institutions.


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Kaspersky Launches OT Calculator to Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Goals

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Kaspersky’s new online tool has been specially developed for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs associated with insufficient operational technology (OT) security.

By offering detailed financial forecasts, the calculator empowers senior management to make well-informed decisions regarding security investments.

Industrial organisations increasingly depend on interconnected systems, elevating cybersecurity to a critical factor in business resilience and profitability.

According to VDC Research, over 60% of industrial companies last year reported that cybersecurity breaches had led to significant costs. Despite this, a persistent disconnect remains between security teams and executive leadership as security professionals focus on minimising risk, while executives must balance cybersecurity concerns with broader business objectives. This misalignment often results in competing priorities and underfunded security initiatives.

To bridge this gap, Kaspersky has launched the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator, an innovative online tool designed specifically for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs of inadequate operational technology (OT) security¹.

The primary aim of this tool is to translate cyber risks into tangible financial metrics and support strategic discussions around priorities and budget allocation. By entering details such as their sector, sub-sector, region, company size, breach history, and existing cybersecurity measures, organisations can estimate their potential cost savings and receive customised, actionable recommendations.

The calculator benchmarks performance against industry peers and highlights the company’s position within the current threat landscape.

“We believe this calculator is a powerful resource for transforming complex cyber risk data into straightforward financial insights. It enables OT leaders, security professionals, and executive teams to develop clear, data-driven business cases and recognise the value of cybersecurity investments. With actionable guidance, it promotes a comprehensive approach to resource management and strengthens overall organisational resilience,” comments Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky.


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