E-Business
Ideas, Startups That Could Benefit From #ProudlyMadeInAba Campaign
Except you live in the Mass – you’d have noticed the renewed push for ‘Made In Aba’ support. TBWA with Support from The Ford Foundation is currently running a ‘Proudly Made in Aba Campaign.’
Aba is a cosmopolitan industrial city in the South-Eastern State of Abia in Nigeria. While Nigerians were more comfortable with imported products, not so many of them knew that perhaps some of the ‘foreign products’ were indeed ‘Made in Aba.’
In the ’80s, Aba was one of the industrial powerhouses of Nigeria. Years of neglect and lack of vision from leaders led to the decay of infrastructure and public utilities. This, in turn, led to many of the factories shutting down.
The factories could shut down but not the families who had no place to go. On the heels of the departing factory owners and devastation, ruin and oblique future, rose a generation of innovators and industrialists who fought neglect and lack of support to produce world-class goods/products fitting enough for the foreign market but not for Nigeria!
The story continued until Nigerians – beaten by the hard times occasioned by the loss of value from the recession and inflation arising from global oil price slump – suddenly realized that dependence on oil was a big mistake and started the #BuyNaijaToSaveTheNaira Campaign on Social Media. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQJPLw-tRFg
The timing of the #BuyNaija Campaign coincided with the ascendance of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who quickly seized the moment to launch the Made in Aba campaign.
However, it is TBWA in partnership with The Ford Foundation that have taken the campaign to heights hitherto unimagined.
Everywhere you turn from social media to International Television, the #ProudlyMadeInAba campaign sticks out. That the campaign is successful isn’t debatable, but, are the people on ground aware and positioning for the benefits of this campaign? There’s a consensus for a massive knowledge/technology intervention in the city to help modernise and position the hard working business people in Aba to reap benefits of this campaign.
This presents huge opportunities for startup in different areas and this article will shine light on some of those.
Quality Control / Assurance Agency
The #ProudlyMadeinAba campaign is reconstructing the narrative and perspective of how business is done in the region while also showcasing the volume of quality products being produced in the space. This no doubt will raise awareness and increase demand for goods and services.
Any company that can figure out how to convince the manufacturers to pay for QA, while earning the trust of the rest of the world will no doubt be in business. And this can be replicated across the other manufacturing hubs/clusters across Nigeria.
Standardisation
Startups also can set up training facilities and modular courses to teach quality/standard concepts and procedures to meet with global best practices.
Easy to use training courses that could utilise innovative mobile technology to help manufacturers in Aba seem like a big enough market that can be replicated in other hubs.
Logistics
Innovative Logistic solutions will definitely be worth the time and energy. Existing companies might want to look into expanding there. The solution(s) must be centred around shortening the delivery time and security of products while considering cost.
Marketplace Solutions
Technology driven Marketplace Solution will also benefit. The website and app development market around Aba is about to peak. Companies offering these services might want to set up shops now.
Business Process Automations
Technology driven Automation processes will soon be in high demand. As business struggle soon to meet-up with increase in demands, they’d be looking for ways to improve efficiency and maximise profit.
Tax & Statutory Compliance Consulting
Startups also have a huge market opportunity in building a business around creating solutions for the public sector. Areas to consider majorly should include modernizing taxation processes in the various markets and manufacturing clusters in Aba. Taxes and other related compliance matters are easily sorted out both for businesses and for the agencies (both private and public).
Conclusion
These don’t scratch the many opportunities that are present and open for startups to benefit from as the #ProudlyMadeInAba campaign continues and its impact grow more and more.
Joshua Triumphant contributed to this article.
E-Business
NITDA, NIMC Partner for Seamless Data Exchange Capabilities
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have announced a collaboration on National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance synergy between digital identity, payment ecosystems and secure seamless data exchange capabilities for Nigeria.
NITDA, which made the announcement on its X handle, said that the collaboration was to further strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,
During the meeting, Kashifu Inuwa, director general of NITDA, and Bisoye Coker-Odusote, director general of NIMC, with some management staff of both organisations, discussed various initiatives, which include building DPI stacks for a secured and seamless data exchange and forming partnerships to transform the national identity system.
This collaboration also aims to harness the potential of the innovative ecosystem and emphasise the use of public-key infrastructure (PKI) to drive digital transformation in Nigeria.
To ensure a smooth implementation, a 12-man committee was set up.
This committee will play a crucial role in kickstarting and harmonising the initiatives and is expected to deliver a comprehensive implementation report within the next 4 weeks.
E-Business
Expert Urges FG to Harmonise NIN, BVN to Tackle Crimes
Noble Ajuonu, head, Sydani Technologies Ltd., has urged the Federal Government to harmonise National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to tackle crimes and insecurity in the country.
Ajuonu made the call at a media roundtable, organised by Sydani Group in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable focuses on driving sustainability through a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s key development areas.
Ajuonu said that Nigeria could overcome its security challenges and pave the way for a safer, more secure future for all Nigerians by embracing technology and implementing practical solutions,
“We need to harmonise data, prioritise seamless integration of databases like NIN, BVN, and security agency records, establish clear protocols for data sharing and access, with robust safeguards against misuse,’’ expert said.
According to him, the unified data pool will empower intelligence gathering and targeted operations.
He also called for investments in smart surveillance, intelligent video analytics software, training of personnel in data analysis, interpretation of data in real-time to combat crimes.
“There is need to implement a legal framework for call interception in criminal investigations, with strict oversight to prevent abuse, encourage community cohesion, training of tech savvy security personnel with tech-enabled tools.’’
Ajuonu also urged the government to address infrastructure deficit in technology, saying that technology was all encompassing to address insecurity.
“According to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as of December 2023, only 104.2 million Nigerians had been enrolled for the National Identity Number (NIN).’’
Ajuonu added that over 122.2 million citizens left uncaptured for NIN were people in rural areas where enrolment centres, digital services were limited.
“Most crimes are being perpetuated from rural communities and this lack of comprehensive identification creates a gap where elements not captured in the national database can constitute public nuisance, crimes.
“There is the inadequacy in the integration of NIN, BVN and Voters Identification Number (VIN).
“Advanced call interception and analysis tools, used successfully in other countries, could provide invaluable insights into criminal networks and operations but infrastructure is lacking,’’ he said.
Also, Mr Godfrey Petgrave, the Agricultural Expert, Sydani Group, called for empowerment of smallholder farmers with access to finance and training to enhance productivity.
According to Petgrave, Nigeria requires policy reform and institutional strengthening to improve agricultural practices and embrace digital agriculture solutions to address food insecurity.
Mr Akolade Jimoh, another expert of the group on health, advocated for expanded community-based health insurance programmes for rural and underserved areas.
Jimoh added that the country needed to encourage Public Private Partnership to revolutionise products design and quality improvement on health services.
E-Business
Konga launches Infinix Brand Week with Incredible Deals
Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce group, is thrilled to announce the launch of amazing deals at its Infinix Brand Week. Infinix, a leading global smartphone brand known for its innovative products and cutting-edge technology promises exclusive discounts and special offers on select smartphones, marking an exciting milestone in the realm of online shopping.
Shoppers can expect nothing short of extraordinary deals on a wide range of Infinix products, all available exclusively on the Konga online platform. With discounts of up to 30% off, this partnership between Konga and Infinix aims to redefine the shopping experience for tech enthusiasts across Nigeria.
Konga Brand Week has become synonymous with excitement and unbeatable deals, and this year’s edition is no exception. In addition to exclusive discounts on Infinix smartphones, shoppers can explore a diverse array of products across various categories, including electronics, fashion, home essentials, and more.
“At Konga, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best shopping experience possible,” said Rita Ohaedoghasi, VP Marketing at Konga. “The Infinix Week during Konga Brand Week allows us to continue delivering on that promise by offering incredible discounts and special offers on some of the most sought-after smartphones in the market.”
To stay updated on the latest developments and exclusive deals during Konga Brand Week, shoppers are encouraged to connect with Konga across all platforms, including social media and the Konga website. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to score big savings and elevate your tech game with Infinix and Konga.
- Telecom3 days ago
Starlink Users in SA to be Cut Off April 30
- Broadcasting3 days ago
Canal+ Offer for MultiChoice Gains Shareholders’ Support
- Telecom3 days ago
NCC Advises Subscribers to Opt for Strong Passwords to Beat Hackers
- Telecom2 days ago
Imperative of Upholding Nigeria’s Telecoms Lifeline
- News2 days ago
Kaspersky Warns of Data Stealers Hunting for User Credentials
- E-Business3 days ago
Expert Urges FG to Harmonise NIN, BVN to Tackle Crimes
- E-Financial3 days ago
Fidelity Bank Reports N124.3Bn Pre-Tax Profit for 2023
- E-Financial2 days ago
Hydrogen, CCHub Partner to Encourage Fintech Startup Success