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Konga Partners Edo State Govt to Empower SMEs, Create Jobs

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, has partnered with the Edo State government to create jobs for millions of youths in the state, while also empowering entrepreneurs, business owners and other beneficiaries in the state by bringing their products and services to the consciousness of a global audience.

Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki with Konga staffers

The partnership, unveiled at a citizens’ engagement session held in the state capital on Thursday, August, 26, 2021, has been hailed by the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki as a landmark development.

In his speech at the event, Gov. Obaseki disclosed that Konga was chosen for its cutting-edge technology and remarkable leadership in the e-commerce, even as he reiterated the importance of the partnership to the job creation strategies of the state government.

‘‘We are delighted to partner with Konga on this very significant development in Edo State. We have continued to create opportunities for Edo youths as our administration is open, transparent and competent in all we do. Therefore, we urge Edo people to trust us, as all the opportunities that we present are real, and life-transforming for Edo people.

‘‘We needed information to transform the state. As such, we embarked on the collation of data through our youths with the Data for MEGA project. In Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), we have 11,152 small and medium businesses. In Owan West LGA, we have 501 small and medium businesses; the same data were collated across the state.

‘‘These businesses and others will be exposed to a global audience and more patronage through Konga,’’ he stated.

The event, held at the Government House, in Benin City, also witnessed the unveiling of a N2bn fund for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI)to support entrepreneurs in the state.

The agreement with the state government will see Konga onboard Edo State on its online marketplace, with products and services from the state listed exclusively on the store. In addition, the e-commerce platform will offer mentorship and capacity-building programmes to aid the development of business owners and other merchants from the state on the platform.

The ambitious plan, according to the management of Konga, is to bring online over 10,000 businesses starting from remote villages, towns and local government areas to the capital, Benin City within the first year of the partnership.These merchants include makers of indigenous products from Edo State including furniture, hair manufacturers, artifacts, handcrafts, production machines, fashion wears and spare parts, among others.

Speaking at the event, Co-CEO, Konga Group, Nick Imudia also noted that the partnership with the state government will translate to tons of job creation opportunities for qualified Edo natives.

‘‘Edo state has shown its readiness for digital transformation and has an environment highly conducive for the people of the state to thrive.

‘‘With the advent of COVID-19, the new normal is that governments and agencies the world over have begun to source multiple ways of reducing cost and deliveries. With Konga, not only would you have a great partner to help with this transition, you’d also be able to cut costs through our platforms that have been built to cater for changes in the marketplace. This is exactly the reason we are working to continue this initiative we believe will create gainful employment and, most importantly, promote products from Edo state.

‘‘In addition, we intend to bring a variety of products to the marketplace at cheaper prices. These include FMCG products, mobile phones, electronics, Computing products, genuine health care products for pharmacies, chemists, cheaper data and much more. We also plan to bring onboard these sellers from Edo State on our CBN-licensed Fintech platform – KongaPay – to enable these beneficiaries enjoy the benefit of our lower transaction charges and other incentives,’’ he disclosed.

In attendance alongside the Edo State governor at the event was his wife, Betsy Obaseki; Konga Co-CEO, Imudia and other Management Executives of the e-commerce company; MD, BOI, Olukayode Pitan; Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. OsaigbovoIyoha, among others.

The event witnessed a tour of the Edo Production Hub, financed by the state government, which plays host to a number of SMEs and other businesses. In addition to unveiling the Edo Online Marketplace on Konga, the team also commissioned the new Bank of Industry Building in Benin City, the Edo State capital.


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MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

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MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


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IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


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NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


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