E-Business
Konga Makes List of Top 20 Brands to watch in 2020
The Management of e-commerce giant, Konga, has underlined its determination to continually take the lead in elevating standards, improving customer satisfaction and deepening the growth of the Nigerian e-commerce sector.
Making the assertion was Nick Imudia, co-chief executive officer, Konga Group.
Equally important, Imudia was reacting to the recent inclusion of Konga in an exclusive list of top 20 global brands to watch in 2020. Unarguably, the impressive leadership credentials and groundbreaking strides of Konga in the Nigerian retail sector since its acquisition by the Zinox Group in 2018, was further affirmed by its inclusion in the rarefied list.
Indeed, the Board of Editors of ThisDay Newspapers had identified Konga in a list of top 20 brands to watch in 2020 released in January.
The rating consisted of both local and international brands across banking, FastMoving Consumer Goods (FMCG), telecommunications, media, agriculture, software engineering, financial technology, among others.
Among the brands listed are Dangote, GTB, Facebook, Instagram, MTN Group, Globacom, Google, Zenith, Access Bank, Interswitch, Twitter, YouTube, Flutterwave, Paystack, Andela, Chivita, Indomie, Lake Rice, Wacot Rice and ARISE Play.
Konga was the only e-commerce brand that made its way into the list.
The report hailed Konga for growing the Nigerian e-commerce market with its novel omni-channel model fusing online shopping with brick- and-mortal stores, which has seen the brand becoming number one choice for consumers.Also, it took a look at some of the strategic investments made by the new owners of Konga, even as the Board explained that such investments would go a long way in shaping up the e-commerce space in 2020.
‘‘Konga, which was acquired by Zinox Group in January 2018, has contributed to the growth and sustainability of e-commerce in Nigeria,’’ the citation on Konga stated.
‘‘Two years down the line, Konga has maintained leadership position in Nigeria’s e-commerce space.
“One of the strides recorded is the roll out of brick-and-mortar stores in various Nigerian cities, which have grown its physical store presence to more than 30 nationwide.
‘‘Today, Konga is nearest to the customers as a result of its ubiquitous physical stores which dot Nigeria’s landscape.
“Interestingly, these stores also serve a very important dual function; not only as ordering centres but equally as fulfillment centres where customers can pay and collect their items, including those ordered online.
“Having invested in critical infrastructure with the set-up of major regional warehousing facilities, Konga is set to shape the e-commerce industry in 2020.’’
Reacting to the development, Imudia expressed his delight at the rating which he described as well-deserved.
Further, Imudia revealed that the entire management and staff of Konga is further encouraged by the high expectations placed on Konga by the unbiased judgement of the assessors.
According to him, Konga has no reason not to perform beyond expectations in 2020, even as he disclosed that the company has lined up a suite of exciting initiatives which will thrill the market.
“We are delighted by the inclusion of Konga in the list of top 20 global brands to watch in 2020 by the ThisDay Board of Editors.
“The rating is proof of the huge strides and landmark achievements that Konga has recorded in the sector.
“As a matter of fact, our determination to continually lead from the front in meeting and exceeding the aspirations of our growing customers, no matter where they may be, while also growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s e-commerce sector, is unmatched.
‘‘This recognition has further emboldened all of us at Konga to show the world what makes Konga stand out in the market-place, especially as we continue to add new business units while unveiling our revolutionary strategies.
“The future is certainly bright for Konga and the e-commerce sector in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general,” he concluded.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has kicked off a three-day training program for 388 personnel aimed at enhancing the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process across the country.
The training, tagged “Refresher Training of Trainers on NIN Integration to the National Social Register: Technical and hands-on devices and field operations and procedures”, is in collaboration with the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office.
The training is also to equip personnel with the necessary skills to efficiently handle the complexities of enrolment processes
In her address at the event held in Port Harcourt on Monday, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director-general and chief executive officer, NIMC, noted that the initiative aligns with the commission’s overarching goal of achieving secured and great success for the Renewed Hope social initiatives.
Represented by Adedapo Adedoyin, her technical advisor on ICT, the NIMC DG said the event is a pivotal initiative that marks a significant step forward in our mission to enhance and modernize the National Identification Number enrolment process across Nigeria.
She stated, “Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive training program aimed at refreshing the technical and operational skills of the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office State Operations Coordinating Unit and NIMC staff.
“This initiative focuses on practical and field-based exercises, ensuring that our teams are well-equipped to handle the complexities of enrolment processes with precision and efficiency.
“This initiative aligns with our overarching goal of achieving secured and great success for the Renewed Hope social initiatives. Through verified digital identification, we aim to improve the lives of Nigerians by providing them with access to essential services and opportunities that require a reliable and secure identity verification system”.
Coker-Odusote explained that the training program will be conducted in two batches, encompassing four states: Kwara, Nasarawa, Kano, and Rivers. A total of 388 attendees will participate in this initiative, including 225 NASSCO State Operations Coordinating Unit representatives, 35 NIMC facilitators, and 128 State support staff.
She added, “The sessions are meticulously designed to foster knowledge sharing and hands-on experience with NIMC’s enrolment device and software, ensuring that our personnel are adept at using these tools to their full potential.
“By empowering our teams with enhanced skills and practical experience, we are setting the stage for more efficient and accurate NIN enrolment processes across the nation”.
Coker-Odusote further said the training program “is a crucial step toward achieving the World Bank’s Identification for Development Initiative target of enrolling 180 million Nigerians with secure digital IDs.
“By bolstering our technical and operational capabilities, we are ensuring that NIMC is well-positioned to meet and exceed this target, thereby contributing to the global vision of inclusive and accessible digital identification for all”.
The NIMC boss8 called for collaboration between all stakeholders saying, “As we embark on this journey, I urge all participants to embrace this opportunity for growth and development.
“Together, we can build a robust and efficient National Identification System that will serve as the cornerstone for Nigeria’s social and economic progress.”
Kaspersky experts have uncovered a new phishing scam targeting businesses that promote their pages on Facebook. Scammers send emails allegedly on behalf of Meta for Business – Facebook’s platform for businesses – claiming the recipient’s page contains prohibited content.
The email suggests users provide explanations in order for their account and page to be unblocked. The goal of the attackers is likely to get access to users’ business accounts.
Kaspersky’s anonymised data shows that such emails started reaching users on 14 December 2024, with complaints coming from organisations all over the world, including the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa.
By examining the “From” field in the email it can be seen that the domain does not belong to Facebook. According to Kaspersky data the emails that this campaign used were sent from different domains.
The link in the email redirects users to Facebook Messenger. On Messenger, the account posing as Facebook’s support team appears legitimate, creating a false sense of trust.
There is an indication that this is a fan page, but it is easy to miss in a situation of high stress after being accused of spreading illegitimate content.
This scheme stands out for its sophistication. Unlike earlier scams that accused users of copyright violations and directed them to respond via email, this approach simulates internal communication on the Facebook platform itself.
“In 2025, we anticipate a rise in attacks leveraging social engineering and user trust in major platforms. Scams like this are becoming more sophisticated as attackers strive to mimic official services closely.
“Users must remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of messages, and avoid clicking on suspicious links. We strongly advise users not to engage with suspicious accounts and to activate additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication.
“If you receive such an email, report the incident to Facebook’s support team and update your passwords immediately if any information has been compromised,” comments Andrey Kovtun, Email Threats Protection Group Manager at Kaspersky.
Lagos State government and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) are joining forces to revolutionise e-commerce logistics in Nigeria’s economic capital.
The collaboration aims to enhance last-mile delivery and optimise connectivity within Lagos and beyond.
During a courtesy visit to governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ms. Tola Odeyemi, postmaster-general and CEO of NIPOST, highlighted the strategic importance of Lagos in driving innovation in the e-commerce sector.
“As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, Lagos leads the charge in this growth. Through enhanced postal and logistics services, we seek to empower small businesses and individuals engaging in this expanding sector,” Odeyemi said.
She underscored her commitment to fostering partnerships that would align NIPOST with the demands of a modern economy, identifying Lagos as a pivotal partner.
Lagos is central to achieving our vision of efficient and future-ready postal services, she added.
Odeyemi applauded Lagos state for its vibrant programmes that drew global attention during the December festivities, stating that such initiatives could drive further economic growth and diaspora engagement.
She pledged enhanced postal and logistics support to drive e-commerce growth and empower small businesses in Nigeria., highlighting NIPOST’s readiness to collaborate with Lagos State to enhance last-mile delivery, foster innovation, and improve public service delivery.
Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, is a critical partner in our vision to make NIPOST’s services more efficient and relevant in today’s world, Odeyemi stated.
She commended Lagos State for its strides in infrastructure and governance, underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships to optimize connectivity within Lagos and nationwide.
Governor Sanwo-Olu challenged NIPOST to rethink its approach and embrace technology as a transformative tool for business facilitation.
“For NIPOST to remain relevant, you must challenge the status quo, revamp your services, and adopt innovative strategies that address today’s needs and anticipate future demands,” the governor advised.
He also pledged Lagos state’s support in upgrading NIPOST’s infrastructure to improve service delivery and create an enabling environment for seamless e-commerce operations.
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