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Minister Urges Africa Leaders to Unite on AI Infrastructure

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Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has urged African leaders to unite in building shared AI infrastructure or risk marginalisation in the global economy.

Tijani made the call on Monday in Abuja at the inaugural GITEX Nigeria Summit 2025, a four-day technology event focused on advancing digital transformation and innovation with nationwide.

He urged continental collaboration to close Africa’s productivity gap and secure the continent’s place in the emerging AI-driven global economy.

Tijani said Africa faces a clear threat: without intentional action, artificial intelligence could deepen the global productivity divide. In his keynote address, he stated, “If we are not deliberate, AI will widen the global productivity gap. Countries that are already ahead will accelerate further, while those still trying to catch up will fall behind.”

To illustrate this, he referenced agriculture, noting that Nigeria yields about 2.5 tonnes of maize per hectare, compared to 6 tonnes in South Africa and 12 tonnes in Brazil.

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The difference, he explained, is not due to land or rainfall, but to productivity gains driven by technology and AI-powered precision farming.

Tijani identified four key pillars to guide Africa’s approach to AI: balancing national sovereignty with shared governance, equipping young people with technical skills, digitizing local realities to develop relevant datasets, and making joint investments in infrastructure — including internet connectivity, computing capacity, and clean energy.

He highlighted the importance of Africa’s youth, calling them the continent’s greatest asset. As an example, he pointed to Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which aims to build a workforce prepared for the demands of an AI-driven economy.

The minister emphasized that without digitizing African datasets related to language, health, and agriculture, the continent will continue to rely on foreign AI models built from data that “do not represent us.”

Following the sessions in Abuja, the event will move to Lagos for the Tech Expo & Future Economy Conference, scheduled for September 3-4 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre. A Startup Festival will also take place at the Landmark Centre.

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On infrastructure, Tijani stressed that no single country can bear the financial burden alone.

He explained, “AI relies on three essentials: connectivity, computing power, and clean energy. These resources remain costly and unevenly distributed across Africa. We must work together on medium- and long-term strategies to reduce costs and enable inclusive participation.”

He added with an inspiring message, “Our children should one day look back and say: our leaders prepared us, our leaders secured our future, and our leaders made sure Africa was not left behind.”

Trixie LohMirmand, the executive vice president of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN International, highlighted the importance of global cooperation in advancing Africa’s digital economy.

She noted that partnerships between Nigeria and international stakeholders can foster innovation, attract investment, and position Africa as a leader in the global tech arena.

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Also speaking, Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, opened GITEX Nigeria 2025 with a welcome address emphasizing the need for continental unity in Africa’s AI development.

He stressed the importance of building shared infrastructure, developing algorithms rooted in African values, and establishing strong policies to ensure the continent takes an active role in the AI revolution.

Nigeria has emerged as a leader in AI innovation on the continent. Ranked among the world’s top 60 countries in AI development, Nigeria recently unveiled a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy created through collaboration between academia and industry.

To advance this strategy, the government launched the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence Collective Industry, aimed at connecting local researchers with international experts and fostering cross-border cooperation.

The four-day event, held from September 1 to 4 in Abuja and Lagos, is supported by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy alongside the National Information Technology Development Agency.

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Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

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Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.

The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.

Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.

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According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.

Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.

“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.

She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.

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“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.

Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.

The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.

 

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IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

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Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.

Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.

She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.

According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

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In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.

He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.

The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.

Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.

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CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

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The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.

The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”

The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.

Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women  are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.

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He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.

ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.

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