Telecom
Mart Networks Rallies Stakeholders to Deepen Commitment in Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem
Mart Networks Group, a global value-added IT distributor, on Thursday convoked an international stakeholders conference for its partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) geared towards empowering local partners with the necessary skills and support that would ensure the successful implementation of its solutions in the Nigerian market.
L-R: Alex Nderitu, System Engineer, Roijie Networks; Peryan Aydas, Channel Manager, Mitel; Moiz Malooo Managing Director, Mart Networks Group; and Motunrayo Adigun, Sophos Product Manager, Mart Networks at the Stakeholders Conference tagged “Delivering Tomorrow’s Technology, Today” organised by Mart Networks Group in Lagos on Thursday.
Moiz Maloo, Managing Director of Mart Networks, speaking at the conference themed: “Delivering Tomorrow’s Technology, Today” reiterated the company’s focus on local talent development, technology transfer, and empowering Nigerian businesses with a comprehensive range of infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions.
The event held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos highlighted the company’s dedication in knowledge transfer as well as showcasing its comprehensive solutions tailored to the Nigerian market.
Maloo emphasized the global nature of the business, with team members traveling from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to engage with local partners and discuss the latest in technology offerings.
Operating in 10 countries, Mart Networks established its Nigerian base in 2013, focusing on the distribution of a wide array of technological infrastructure.
Maloo explained, “We sell various technologies, including data centre infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and cloud solution training,” adding that the company also offers cutting-edge services such as compute, storage, hyper-converged infrastructure, video collaboration, and unified communication.
The event, aimed at strengthening relationships with local partners, saw product managers and technical engineers from across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa sharing their expertise, with these professionals providing insights into Mart Networks’ diverse product portfolio and its application in the Nigerian market.
“Our goal with this event is to showcase the full range of solutions we provide,” Maloo noted. “By sharing knowledge with local system integrators, we empower them to deliver even greater value to their customers in Nigeria.”
With a strong presence in Nigeria for over a decade, Mart Networks is reinforcing its role as a key enabler of digital transformation, offering essential tools and training to help Nigerian businesses thrive in the technology-driven future.
Maloo who reiterated the company’s commitment to technology transfer and local talent development as it continues to expand in Nigeria, highlighted the company’s investment in knowledge transfer and training, emphasizing the importance of understanding the products they sell and the local markets they operate in.
“We believe strongly in knowledge transfer. If you don’t know what you’re selling or how to use it, it’s very hard to implement, especially on our continent. That’s why we invest heavily in training and building a strong technical team to support our local partners,” Maloo said.
He stated that Mart Networks takes pride in being a Pan-African distributor, unlike many competitors that bring in talent from outside the region.
“We understand the culture and business here. Our entire team in Nigeria is Nigerian, just like in Kenya, Tanzania, and wherever we operate. We focus on nurturing local talent and adding value to the market.”
Despite the volatility of the Nigerian naira, which has been a challenge for many businesses, Mart Networks has adapted through strategic planning and partnerships.
As an importer of technology—mainly hardware not manufactured locally—the company has worked closely with banking partners to hedge against currency fluctuations. “We plan better, speak to our banking partners, and hedge funds to ensure we have access to dollars,” Maloo explained.
Reflecting on Mart Networks’ 11-year presence in Nigeria, Maloo noted the company’s steady growth since its entry into the market in 2013. “We’ve grown year on year, despite challenges, including the pandemic.
“Over the last 18 to 24 months, we have restructured, invested in more resources, and have faith in the Nigerian market,” he said, adding that comparing the first nine months of 2023 with the same period in 2022, the company has already seen growth, and Maloo is optimistic about the future.
“Nigeria is a very promising market with great potential. If the naira stabilizes further, the economy could be even stronger. We’re committed to being a part of that growth and continue investing in the market and its talent,” he said.
With a focus on empowering local partners, Mart Networks is poised for further expansion, helping to shape the future of IT infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond.
Meanwhile, IT Horizons, a leading IT systems integration company, has commended Mart Networks Group for its consistent support and long-standing partnership over the years.
Speaking at Mart Networks’ conference in Lagos, Stephen Asishana, Head of Sales and Business Development at IT Horizons, highlighted the crucial role Mart Networks has played in the company’s success since its inception 12 years ago.
“When we started on this journey, Mart Networks was one of the distributors that supported us, ensuring products were available at the right time, helping us fulfill our customers’ needs quickly,” said Asishana. “Our relationship has grown over the years as Mart Networks has expanded its portfolio, adding more brands, OEMs, and solutions. It’s truly a win-win relationship.”
Asishana who lauded the company’s commitment to engaging with its partners, not just through large-scale events like this, but with continuous interaction throughout the year, described the event as a key feature of Mart Networks’ annual calendar, which brings together local partners to showcase the distributor’s latest offerings.
“Mart Networks does this annually, but the great thing is that it’s not just a one-off. They stay in touch with partners throughout the year, constantly engaging us and providing insights into their products and services,” he added. “This event helps us as partners learn about the solutions they distribute, so we can pass that knowledge on to our customers.”
Asishana emphasized the significance of attending such events, noting that IT Horizons stands to benefit greatly by staying updated on the latest technological innovations. “Technology is always evolving, and events like this keep us informed about the latest trends. For us at IT Horizons, it opens our eyes to new possibilities, helping us identify solutions that can address the challenges faced by our customers.”
As the event progresses, IT Horizons expects to continue gaining valuable insights into cutting-edge technologies that can enhance their service offerings. “We know our customers’ pain points, and this event helps us discover solutions that can effectively address them,” Asishana concluded.
With a solid partnership and continued collaboration, IT Horizons and Mart Networks are poised to drive further innovation and deliver greater value to businesses across Nigeria.
In a related development, Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity, has commended its long-standing partnership with Mart Networks Group during the distributor’s annual event, “Mart Day,” which brings together key partners, OEMs, and end users from across West Africa.
Sandra Nnadozie, Channel Account Manager for West Africa at Sophos, highlighted the importance of the event as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and showcase cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.
“Mart Networks is our distributor in West Africa, covering Nigeria, Ghana, and other regions,” Nnadozie said. “Today’s event is a chance for us to meet with our partners and end customers, celebrate with Mart Networks, and continue building on the solid foundation we’ve developed over many years.”
Sophos’ relationship with Mart Networks spans well over a decade, not just in West Africa, but also in regions like East Africa and the UK. “We’ve had a very cordial relationship, working together for more than 15 to 20 years. It’s like family. The partnership continues to grow stronger year after year,” she added.
Nnadozie emphasized that the primary goal for Sophos at the event was to further solidify its relationship with Mart Networks while also promoting the importance of cybersecurity. “We’re here to spread the ‘gospel of cybersecurity.’ The future of cybersecurity lies in Managed Detection and Response (MDR), which helps organizations manage their cybersecurity infrastructure, especially in the absence of a dedicated security team,” she explained.
As organizations face increasing cyber threats, Sophos is focused on educating businesses about advanced cybersecurity solutions like MDR to prevent data breaches and security lapses.
Sophos’ presence at the event underscores its commitment to helping businesses in West Africa safeguard their operations against evolving cyber threats while reinforcing its partnership with Mart Networks. “We are here to show that we stand strongly beside them,” Nnadozie concluded.
With cybersecurity becoming an increasingly critical concern across industries, Sophos and Mart Networks continue to work together to provide comprehensive solutions, ensuring that businesses in West Africa are better equipped to defend against the threats of tomorrow.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that more than 5,000 fibre-optic cable cuts linked to road construction, excavation and related civil works were recorded in the first six months of 2026.
The commission said that the damage is disrupting telecommunications services, increasing operators’ costs and exposing businesses and essential public services to avoidable interruptions.
Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, disclosed the figure at a stakeholders’ workshop on the protection of fibre-optic infrastructure during road construction and rehabilitation.
He said the scale of the incidents showed the need to prevent damage rather than wait to repair networks after they had been cut
Maida said fibre networks support banking, healthcare, education, government services, commerce, security and emergency communications.
He recalled the widespread telecommunications disruption in February 2024, when fibre cuts affected millions of Nigerians and caused congestion on alternative networks as subscribers switched providers.
He said a Standing Committee on the Protection of Fibre Optic Cables had been established by the Federal Ministries of Works and Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to improve coordination before, during and after road construction.
The committee was later expanded to include the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps because of the critical nature of telecommunications infrastructure.
Raphael Adelador, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, said road construction and telecommunications infrastructure often occupy the same physical space, making coordination essential.
Adelador called for better mapping of fibre routes and improved information sharing so contractors and consultants know where telecommunications infrastructure is located before excavation begins.
He said damage to fibre networks could lead to service disruptions, lost productivity, financial losses and inconvenience to citizens.
Representing Nadungu Gagare, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Stanley Musa, director of Telecoms and Postal Services, said the protection of telecommunications infrastructure was a shared national responsibility.
The Permanent Secretary said that the government was working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen compliance with technical standards and right-of-way requirements, improve information sharing and develop clearer procedures for infrastructure protection.
Air Vice Marshal Effiom Ewa, director of Critical National Standards and Infrastructure Protection at the Office of the National Security Adviser, said fibre-optic infrastructure had been designated as critical national information infrastructure and warned that damage caused by negligence, interference or actions that expose the infrastructure to damage could attract legal consequences.
Air Vice Marshal Ewa called for strict compliance with established procedures during construction and maintenance activities.
The two-day workshop brought together representatives of government ministries and agencies, security organisations, telecommunications operators, contractors and other stakeholders to develop practical measures for reducing fibre damage during construction projects.
The stakeholders are expected to strengthen coordination, information sharing and accountability so that road development does not undermine the digital infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s economy.
Telecom
ipNX Joins Calls for Innovation-Friendly Ecosystem and Stronger Local Opportunities at Regenesys AI Summit
ipNX Nigeria has joined stakeholders at the Regenesys AI Summit to call for innovation-friendly regulations and stronger local opportunities. Chief Technology Architect, ipNX Nigeria, Oluwaseun Oluboyo, made the call for a collaborative approach to advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria, and emphasized the need to foster innovation while developing enabling frameworks that support responsible adoption and sustainable growth.
Speaking during a panel session at the summit themed “The Future of Nigeria in the Age of AI,” Oluboyo encouraged business leaders, policymakers and technology stakeholders to create an environment where innovation can flourish through experimentation, collaboration and continuous learning.
“If you don’t try new things, if you only stick to what is familiar, we are not going to go progress as a society or an ecosystem,” he said. “Innovation requires the confidence to explore new ideas, while ensuring that customers remain protected.”
Reflecting on the rapid evolution of AI technologies, Oluboyo noted that governance frameworks should remain adaptable to accommodate emerging innovations and evolving industry needs.
“As technology continues to evolve, it is important that we focus on the outcomes we want to achieve while creating room for innovation. Organisations naturally build on what works, but continuous improvement is essential to unlocking new possibilities.”
He observed that creating a supportive innovation ecosystem will enable organisations to deploy AI responsibly while accelerating digital transformation across industries.
Oluboyo also highlighted the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s technology ecosystem by creating more opportunities for local talent to innovate, build and thrive within the country.
“We should continue creating the environment that makes Nigeria an attractive destination for innovation and enables our brightest talents to contribute meaningfully to national development.”
He noted that sustained investment in digital infrastructure, skills development and innovation ecosystems will be instrumental in positioning Nigeria to maximise the economic and societal benefits of Artificial Intelligence.
Held recently in Victoria Island, Lagos, the Regenesys AI Summit convened technology leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and industry experts to examine how Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, reshaping business models and redefining leadership priorities.
Other speakers on the panel were Ugo Umeseaka, COO, Redtech Limited; Oladele Adedoyin, Partnership Development Manager, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and Dr Oluwatomi Kogo, Managing Director, Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals.
The summit, themed “The Future of Nigeria in the Age of AI,” provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing and practical insights into the opportunities AI presents for economic growth, business innovation and national development.
As AI adoption continues to accelerate across Nigeria, conversations such as these remain essential in fostering collaboration among industry, academia and policymakers to ensure Artificial Intelligence is deployed responsibly, inclusively and for the benefit of society.
Google News Initiative (GNI) has selected six Nigerian independent news creators to participate in its Emerging News Voices Growth Lab for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The selected Nigerian creators are Onlinebanker, Adetunji Films, More Branches TV, Wearegst, Iswellthecapitalist and The Republic.
They are part of a cohort of about 20 emerging news creators from across Sub-Saharan Africa participating in the multi-month virtual programme, which runs through September 2026.
The initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of creator-led and digital-native newsrooms through practical training in artificial intelligence, video production, audience development, direct reader engagement and sustainable revenue strategies.
The GNI said the programme was developed in response to the changing way Nigerians, particularly younger audiences, discover and consume news through social-first channels and digital platforms.
According to the initiative, while creator-led journalism is expanding rapidly, many independent newsrooms operate with limited resources and do not have the same access to technology, training and revenue expertise available to established media organisations.
Participants in the Growth Lab will work with Google trainers and product experts across four key areas.
The first is AI in the newsroom, where participants will receive hands-on guidance on integrating tools such as Gemini, NotebookLM, Google Trends and SynthID into newsroom workflows for research, transcription, translation and verification.
The programme will also focus on video and audience growth, providing practical strategies for building YouTube channels and using both Shorts and long-form video to reach new audiences.
Another area is direct reader relationships, with participants expected to strengthen their open-web presence and newsletters in order to develop first-party audiences that newsrooms can directly engage.
The fourth area is sustainable revenue, with sessions covering monetisation strategies, product differentiation and audience growth models.
Marianne Erasmus, News Partnerships Lead, Middle East and Africa at Google, said independent news creators and digital-native newsrooms were increasingly shaping how Africans, particularly Nigerians, find and understand news.
“Independent news creators and digital-native newsrooms are shaping how Africans, and Nigerians in particular, find and understand the news,” Erasmus said.
She said the Growth Lab would equip emerging newsrooms with practical AI skills, video and audience strategies, direct relationships with readers and approaches to sustainable revenue.
Erasmus added that strengthening the capabilities and financial independence of emerging news voices would contribute to a more resilient, diverse and sustainable news ecosystem.
Wale Lawal, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Republic, said the programme was providing practical ways for the publication to combine audience insights, product thinking and responsible AI use.
“Google’s Emerging News Voices Growth Lab is giving us practical ways to combine audience insight, product thinking and the responsible use of AI as we build a more sustainable future for The Republic’s journalism,” Lawal said.
Similarly, Nasir Achile Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder of MoreBranches, said the programme had provided practical resources, new tools and opportunities to connect with experts and fellow journalists.
Ahmed said the initiative had also provided information that validated some of the newsroom’s previous observations while equipping its team with knowledge on how to use new tools effectively.
He said the engagement with experts and fellow journalists had created a supportive environment for strengthening storytelling.
The Growth Lab emerged from the Global News Gap Project, a continent-wide mapping initiative conducted with Project Oasis and Code for Africa to identify independent African news creators and areas where emerging newsrooms require additional support.
The programme is part of Google’s broader support for the Nigerian media industry.
Since 2018, Google has supported newsroom transformation projects through the Google News Initiative and provided publishers with opportunities to strengthen their advertising revenue capabilities through the Ad Manager Academy.
Google said that since 2024, it had trained more than 1,500 Nigerian journalists and editors in areas including online safety, advanced Search, digital verification and audience analytics.
It also supports media skills development through its collaboration with the MTN Media Innovation Programme, where fellows receive practical training on AI as a productivity partner and newsroom technologies, including News Consumer Insights and Gemini.
The latest initiative reflects the growing importance of digital-native journalism as news consumption continues to shift towards social media, video platforms and other online channels.
Through the Growth Lab, GNI is seeking to help emerging news creators build stronger digital operations, expand their audiences and develop sustainable business models while responsibly adopting emerging technologies.
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