Telecom
IT Heavy Weights @ BoICT Lecturer/Awards Set Agenda for Buhari
The crème de crème in the Nigerian information technology (IT) space gathering in Lagos at the week during this year’s Beacon of Information Communication Technology (BoICT) distinguished lecturers and awards 2015, have urged the incoming government to look closely into challenges bedeviling the sector.
However, Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) reiterated Government will remain pious in the pursuit of legislative measures to protect the interests of investors and consumers alike.
In spite of the stiff competition for market share among foreign investors, home grown solution providers and potential broadband buyers in the industry, the regulator said reforms and broadband plan would not grow short of the widely acclaimed standard across sub-sectors and international best practices.
Eugene Juwah was speaking through Mr. Reuben Mouka, head of Public Affairs and Media at NCC, shortly after receiving ‘Government Agency of the Year’ award at BoICT awards 2015, showered encomium on private investors that have over the years contributed significantly to Nigeria’s e-Commerce, digital enterprise solutions and communication and internet penetration growth.
According statistics by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, the industry recoded close to 10% contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product in 2014.
The EVC added that “The commission is hoping to catalyse the use of ICTs for different aspects of national developments and in other to achieve its mandate, we have put in place the necessary licensing and regulatory framework for the supply of telecommunication services and technology facilities.”
He alluded to the fact private organizations require the best enabling environment to render greater service provisions to the undeserved and un-served areas of the country, in terms of broadband and mobile network services; expressing confidence that the new government will continue to drive the economic growth of the country by addressing the industry limitations and challenges.
The State government and distinguished private investors companies who were recipient of awards at different categories were elated noting that their efforts to the Nigeria economy project were being recognised despite obvious challenges inhibiting progress and work-flow in the country.
In a keynote address, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, managing director and chief executive officer, VDT Communications, said that to sustain the growth level in the industry, Government is expected to prevail in three key areas.
He identified the areas to include steady power supply; stable and predictive economic indices, and encourage the banking sector who will in turn cater for the funding of enterprises.
Omoniyi added that the incoming administration must live beyond rhetoric, roll-up its sleeves and get down to work immediately after it receiving the baton of power on May 29, 2015.
According to him, VDT Communications has joined the comity of organizations that believe ICT will in the nearest future rival the oil and gas and power, owing to the enormous potentials embedded in every facet of the sector.
Earlier, Leo-Stan Ekeh, founder and group chairman of Zinox Group, said that IT is the force that will uphold the present and future economy of the nation.
He advised youths to ‘sharpen’ their skills and be ready for the next phase of information technology (IT) revolution in the country spurred by broadband.
To this, Omoniyi nodded in agreement, adding that Bitflux Communications, a brainchild of VDT communications, will by May 2015 roll out wireless broadband services that will give users unique and improved broadband usage experiences.
He explained that BitFlux Communications will be delivering service through Internet Protocol/MPLS network in three major cities which include Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, Editor-In–Chief/Chief Executive Officer, Communications Week Media Limited, publishers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek e-newsletters and newspaper, said that efforts put by Nigerians on the global information and communications technologies map in security, education, banking and government cannot be hidden.
He cited Mr. Willie Obiano, executive governor of Anambra state, who was honoured for using ICT to tackle insecurity in the State, and has opened the State for business by using “Drone Technology for mapping purposes against crime and use of ICT in education.”
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
Nigerian fintech unicorn Moniepoint Inc. has finalised its acquisition of a 78% stake in Kenya’s Sumac Microfinance Bank, gaining a key deposit-taking licence for credit expansion in East Africa’s biggest economy.
The deal, marked by a Nairobi reception, bypasses the Central Bank of Kenya’s licence freeze, letting Moniepoint rival giants like Safaricom and Equity Group after a stalled Kopo Kopo bid.
It signals Africa’s fintech shift to licensed banking and mergers, equipping Moniepoint to roll out high-speed SME lending via Sumac’s 20-year-old infrastructure and branches.
The acquisition builds a cross-border merchant ecosystem beyond fees, integrating recent Orda buyout (cloud restaurant software) for “business-in-a-box” tools like inventory, payroll, and capital amid Kenya’s digital lending scrutiny.
Moniepoint, which hit $294 billion annualised transactions in 2025, eyes Kenya’s SMEs with Nigeria-honed retail expertise.
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