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New AfDB Partnership to Stem Gender-Based Cyber Violence

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African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched a partnership with Facebook, the Kenya ICT Authority, Judiciary and the Kenya Police to increase awareness on cyber-based gender violence.

The event, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, was part of the Bank’s activities to mark International Women’s Day.

The Bank was represented by AfDB’s Special Envoy on Gender, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, and the Regional Director for East Africa, Gabriel Negatu.

The partnership will build capacity of the Kenya Police and Judiciary to handle gender-based cyber violence. The initiative recognizes that online violence against women and girls is rampant in Kenya as in many parts of Africa, but is not being addressed adequately, especially due to lack of data.

“This is a new area. When we look at cyberspace, it is not something we can say there has been adequate data gathered on. But what we have seen is more cases of women being harassed,” said Fraser-Moleketi.

The 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Survey indicates that 41 % of women aged between 15-49 years have experienced violence.

While cyber violence was not captured as a form of violence under the indicators of the KDHS, cyber violence against women and girls if taken into account could significantly increase this figure, says the United Nations.

Fraser-Moleketi added that while ICT had been used positively to achieve development, even improving access in financial services sector, it had also been used as a medium for cyber bullying and harassment, where people’s personal spaces are being violated. Cyber-stalking, hate speech, wrong use of personal information, all on the increase in Africa, constitute abuse of technology.

They have created a platform where women and girls on the continent feel marginalized and threatened based on their gender, experts say.

The increase in viral rape videos, for example, has become particularly commonplace in South Africa, adding to forms of gender-based cyber violence, according to the Institute of Security Studies.

Some African countries including Uganda and the Republic of Congo are reportedly taking measures to improve regulatory frameworks and strengthen the use technology to respond to the growing concern of digital gender-based violence.

The new partnership launched to fight cyber violence in Kenya seeks to empower police and judiciary on how to handle cybercrimes; reprimanding perpetrators and protecting victims, drawing from existing and new legislation.

“Sanctions must include supporting justice for victims and prosecuting offenders including supporting consistency in clamping down on users who, through cyberspace, perpetuate violence against women and girls,” said Zebib Kavuma, UN Women Kenya Country Director.

The launch was preceded by a panel discussion on “Women at the Forefront of Development: The Fight against Cyber-Based Violence”.

The importance of creating awareness of standards that govern how online spaces should be utilized emerged as key in stemming cyber violence. “We need to do better at raising awareness and informing people of the resources we have. We need to partner with each other and empower populations,” noted Akua Gyekye, Facebook’s Public Policy Manager for Africa.

The African Development Bank reiterated its commitment to support the government to ensure the new initiative that seeks to fight cybercrime in Kenya succeeds in its mandate.

“Through our programs, we will boost measures that counter cybercrime in order to protect women rights in the cyber world,” said Negatu.


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NDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has joined sixty (60) other Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) in endorsing the “Joint Statement on Al-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy.”

NDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al

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The Joint Statement was coordinated by the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group (IEWG) of the Global Privacy Assembly.

This underscores the growing concerns regarding the privacy risks posed by Artificial Intelligence tools capable of generating realistic images and videos of identifiable individuals.

The Joint Statement highlights concerns over the misuse of Al-powered tools to create non-consensual imagery, defamatory content, and other harmful materials, particularly affecting children and vulnerable groups.

It calls on organisations to implement strong safeguards, ensure transparency, provide effective content removal mechanisms, and comply fully with applicable data protection laws.

The current effort forms part of a continuum of steps being taken by Nigeria to ensure the responsible use of Al. It will be recalled that the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, led the initiative for the development of the National Al Strategy.

The NDPC also issued the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), which, amongst others, mandates privacy by design and privacy by default in the development and deployment of Al tools.

The National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has directed that the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) Compliance Audit Returns (CAR) by data controllers and processors of major importance will serve as a yardstick for monitoring and evaluating responsible use of Al for data processing in Nigeria.


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Jumia Tech Week 2026 Begins with Tech Deals on Smartphones, Electronics, and Everyday Technology

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Jumia Nigeria has announced the launch of Jumia Tech Week 2026, a two-week campaign offering customers access to discounted technology products across key categories, including smartphones, computing, home entertainment, and wearable devices.

Starting from March 2 to March 15, Jumia Nigeria’s Tech Week 2026 is themed ‘Tech Products for Less’ – a deliberate commitment by the e-commerce giant to drive down the cost of technology products for Nigerian consumers. The campaign offers significant price reductions across key product categories, enabling more Nigerians to access the devices they need at prices that reflect the company’s dedication to affordability and consumer value.

Jumia Tech Week will feature deals across a wide range of product categories, including mobile phones, computer systems and accessories, televisions and audio equipment, gaming products, home appliances, portable power solutions, health technology,, and wearable devices.

Customers will also have access to curated recommendations, including top smartphone deals, must-have accessories, gaming essentials, and home technology upgrades.

According to Temidayo Ojo, CEO of Jumia Nigeria, the campaign reflects Jumia’s broader commitment to making everyday technology more accessible to Nigerians.

“Technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and access to the right devices enables more people to participate fully in the digital economy,” said Ojo. “At Jumia, we remain focused on expanding access and improving the shopping experience as we continue to build Nigeria’s everyday retail destination.”

The campaign will include a range of customer engagement initiatives such as flash sales, brand days, anchor deals and interactive activities designed to enhance the online shopping experience.

Special highlight periods, described as Explosion Days, will take place on March 6 and March 13, featuring limited-time offers across selected technology categories. Customers will also be able to participate in interactive activities, including product-based games, treasure hunts,, and live shopping sessions during the campaign period.

The campaign will feature participation from leading brands including Oraimo, Silver Crest, Samsung, Ecoflow, Nivea and Aeon, offering customers a wide selection of technology, household and lifestyle products. Early access promotions already begun during the teaser period from February 16 to March 1, allowing customers to preview selected deals ahead of the official launch.

Jumia Tech Week forms part of the company’s broader strategy to expand e-commerce adoption by improving access to essential products and enhancing the customer experience across its platform. As Nigeria’s e-commerce market continues to grow, Jumia remains focused on strengthening its product assortment, logistics capabilities, and digital experience to serve customers better nationwide.

Customers can participate in the campaign by using the Jumia mobile app or visiting the Jumia website and following the conversation online using #JumiaTechWeek.

 


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House Queries NDIC: ₦5m Max Payout for Failed Bank Depositors

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Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) pays between ₦2 million and ₦5 million as deposit insurance to customers of liquidated banks, Managing Director Thompson Oludare Sunday told the House Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters during 2026 budget defence.

House Queries NDIC: ₦5m Max Payout for Failed Bank Depositors

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House Spokesperson Akin Rotimi Jr sought details on depositor entitlements, citing Heritage Bank’s June 2024 collapse and public concerns over financial confidence.

Sunday explained NDIC’s mandate: banks pay risk-based premiums (now under 1%, down from 15/16 of 1%) to guarantee deposits. Coverage is ₦5 million for deposit money banks, primary mortgage banks (PMBs), and microfinance banks (MMOs); ₦2 million for other financial institutions.

Using BVN, NDIC auto-pays guaranteed sums without visits for amounts up to the limit. For Heritage, post-revocation, NDIC liquidated assets—selling buildings, recovering loans, realizing investments—and paid a second ₦24.63 billion dividend on January 6.

“Anything above ₦5 million or ₦2 million depends on recoveries,” Sunday said, noting ongoing asset sales and debt chases.

Committee Chairman Ahmed Jaha Babawo commended the clarity, noting the limit rose from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million recently. Over 90% of Heritage depositors got insured sums in under four days, meeting International Resolution Deposit (IRD) standards.

Babawo added liquidation dividends would be discussed in executive session.


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