Telecom
NASENI CEO Mandates Institutes to Use Agency’s Technologies and Products
There is a popular adage, which says, ‘Charity begins at home’. This statement sat appropriately with the new policy unveiled at the weekend by the Management of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), directing all Development Institutes of the Agency to henceforth patronize themselves first, to ensure collaboration and to enhance the drive toward full commercialization of products and technologies from the Agency.
The policy approved by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil S. Halilu, highlights the importance of internal endorsement and usage of the Agency’s products to build market credibility and strengthen internal collaboration, coming as a critical step toward increasing the adoption and success of NASENI innovations in external markets.
Through an internal memo sent to all Acting Managing Directors and Overseeing Officers of NASENI Development Institutes across the country, dated 31st January 2024, the new policy called for inter-institute patronage to support commercialization strategy of the Agency.
The directive is requesting the 11 Development Institutes of NASENI with other emerging ones to patronize one another’s technologies, machines, equipment and innovations first as permitted by the procurement laws, before such products are released to external markets.
According to the circular, the new commercialization drive aims at enhancing inter-institute collaboration to support the commercialization of innovations developed within NASENI institutes, foster patronage and strengthen the overall strategy of the Agency’s products and solutions.
Also, the new policy which encourages active promotion, integration and utilization of products developed within the NASENI ecosystem will not only boost the internal confidence of the Agency’s products but will also help to refine them through real-world applications before being introduced to external markets.
Some key components of the policy include:
Mandatory Product Integration:
This requires all institutes to prioritize products developed within NASENI in their procurement plans, such as NASENI-branded laptops, especially in cases where procurement budgets allow. This initiative aims to create a consistent internal promotion of NASENI innovations.
Internal Pilots and Testing: Each institute will implement internal pilot programs to test products in real-world settings, providing valuable feedback for further product refinement.
Inter-Institute Product Showcases: Bi-annual events will be organized for institutes to showcase their innovations, share insights, and collaborate on integration opportunities. Also, Institutes are encouraged to create mini-showrooms in key urban locations to exhibit both their products and other NASENI innovations.
Promotion of Cross-Institute Training: Training sessions will be conducted across institutes to equip staff with the skills necessary to use and promote products from other institutes effectively.
Internal Endorsement and Support for Partnerships: Internal leadership will endorse the usage of NASENI’s products, enhancing market credibility for external commercialization. Institutes are encouraged to prioritize products from existing partnerships like the NASENI-IMOSE collaboration.
Reporting and Evaluation: A review mechanism will be put in place to monitor the progress and challenges related to product adoption. Regular reports from each institute detail product usage, feedback, and challenges faced, aiding continuous improvement.
According to the new policy, it is expected that Stronger Internal Confidence is built to enhance internal usage and validation of products, making them more attractive for external markets, enhanced collaboration, foster a collaborative culture amongst institutes and facilitating support for one another’s innovations.
Other expected outcomes are: External Commercialization Model for Successful internal integration expected to provide a reliable model for external adoption and Improved Product Development for feedback, ensuring products meet high standards before market introduction.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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