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Nigeria Hosts, Tops List of Start-Ups for DEMO Africa 2014

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(L-r): Deremi Atanda, executive director, SystemSpecs  Limited, Yele Okeremi, managing director, Precise Financial Systems (PFS) and chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Kola Oyeneyin, Founder, Venia Business Hub, and Tunji Eleso, director, Pre-Incubation Co-Creation Hub, all member of Local Organizing Committee of DEMO Africa at the press briefing of the forth coming DEMO Africa event in Lagos…on Thursday.
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DEMO Africa, one of the flagship initiatives of LIONS@frica, has released the names of the 40 start-ups that have qualified to launch their products on the DEMO Africa stage in September 2014.

Interestingly, Nigeria tops the list with a total of 14 start-ups followed by Kenya, Ghana and Egypt.

Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa and Ethiopia will each have two representatives while Tunisia, Benin, Cameroon, Uganda and Zimbabwe have earned their space at the DEMO Africa platform.

During the DEMO Africa event in Nigeria, the 40 startups will take the centre stage to launch products for addressing sectors namely communication, education, finance and banking, health, media and retail.

The event which is being hosted in Nigeria for the first time since its debut in Kenya two years ago is in recognition of the increasing ICT innovation and entrepreneurship springing up across the country.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has promised that the event will be a major eye opener as Nigeria will prove itself in the comity of IT nations with necessary applications and business models for investors delight.

According to Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology who has demonstrated her penchant interest in Nigeria hosting the event, “it is our vision to make Nigeria the ICT Hub for Africa by harnessing and consolidating the growth of the ICT sector, as well as increase the integration of ICTs across all sectors in a manner that supports the diversification of the economy while achieving job and wealth creation”.

For the first time in history, Federal Government has focused attention on how to assist the ICT industry through various initiatives being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology. One of such is the ICT innovation project that is to catalyst the innovation ecosystem and create successful ICT entrepreneurs.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the DEMO Africa Local Organising Committee, Johnson mentioned that, “Africa may have missed out on the industrial revolution, but we surely will not in the ICT revolution. Through innovation, we will put Nigeria and Africa in general on the ICT map. Realizing the huge potential of the software industry, we have put in place a set of initiatives that will assist the tech startups to create successful businesses, which will directly create jobs and wealth”.

On behalf of the Committee, Mr. Yele Okeremi, chairman DEMO Africa Local Organising Committee [LOC, Nigeria], expressed confidence that this is a great event that is not only celebrating the amount innovation coming out of Nigeria, referring to 14 Nigerian startups out of 40, but also beaming light on the impact that ICT is beginning to make on the economic development in Nigeria and across Africa as a whole.

Harry Hare, DEMO Africa Executive Producer, acknowledged the efforts by all the participating start-ups and called upon the investors to support the work of these young entrepreneurs.

“We had really amazing entries this year, but unfortunately the DEMO Africa team can only accommodate forty for now. The high number of entries is inspiring. It only shows that entrepreneurs have risen above the fear of venturing into new waters to create new products. This in itself shows that confidence levels in Africa made solutions are steadily rising. I am confident that we will get to levels where we can generate solutions that can be applied globally,” Harry said.

Ben White, VC4Africa Founder, observed that the standard of applications continues to rise each year with Victor Okigbo one of the DEMO Africa’s jurists supporting him by commenting that the judges task to shortlist the final forty was not easy.

The application for this year’s DEMO Africa opened in March 2014 and closed in June and a panel comprising top minds in business and technology leaders from across Africa sifted the applications.

The criterion for adjudication was the ability to link creativity, innovation, effectiveness and scalability.

The selected forty start-ups are currently undergoing coaching and mentorship with global experts and mentors, supported by DEMO Africa and the US State Department.

The DEMO Africa 2014 event is scheduled to take place between 22nd and 26th of September at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria whereby these forty startups will have a chance to launch their products to an ecosystem of Venture Capitalists, investors, technology acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe.

This event hosted by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and LIONS@FRICAis being organized in collaboration with the LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, US State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa among others) and DEMO Africa Local Organising Committee.

It is believed that start-ups springing up from the event will help in addressing issues in Nigeria such as Agriculture, Health, Education, Manufacturing, Retail, Media and Entertainment, Communication and Transport and Logistics.

Others are Energy, Finance and Banking, Water and Sanitation and Waste Management and Recycling.


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Olatunji, NDPC Boss Calls for Integrated Strategy on Data Privacy, Cyber-Security

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Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has emphasized that data privacy, protection, and cybersecurity are “inseparable pillars of the digital age” and must be prioritized in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

Olatunji, NDPC Boss Calls for Integrated Strategy on Data Privacy, Cyber-Security

Dr Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC

Dr. Olatunji made this assertion during his keynote address titled “Data Privacy and Protection: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Compliance” at the ongoing National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja.

He underscored that while data protection focuses on safeguarding personal information from misuse, cybersecurity protects the systems that store this data. “Data privacy is a basic human right that empowers individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, and shared,” he said.

“Strong cybersecurity is essential to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. Conversely, robust data protection frameworks help guide effective cybersecurity practices and foster a culture of privacy.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s progress, Dr. Olatunji noted the country’s recent Tier 3 (“establishing”) ranking in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index and its top position in Africa particularly in the area of data protection. He traced the evolution of Nigeria’s data protection journey, culminating in the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

He described the NDP Act as the cornerstone of the country’s data governance framework. “The Act regulates the processing of personal data in Nigeria and guarantees the privacy rights of individuals,” he explained.

It applies to both local and international data controllers and processors handling data of Nigerian subjects and provides clear guidelines on data collection, storage, consent, data subject rights, and penalties for non-compliance.

Dr. Olatunji cited the recent ₦766.2 million fine imposed on MultiChoice for non-compliance as an example of the Commission’s enforcement capacity. He also revealed that the NDPC has generated over ₦2 billion in the last two years, with the data protection sector now valued at ₦16.2 billion alongside the creation of numerous job opportunities.

He further highlighted ecosystem growth, citing the certification of 455 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) under the National Certification Program and verification of 3,343 Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) by 2025.

While celebrating progress, Dr. Olatunji also pointed to key areas for improvement, including building institutional capacity, enhancing data literacy and workforce development, and strengthening collaboration across sectors.

In conclusion, he urged stakeholders to “embrace a culture of data protection, implement robust cybersecurity practices, and stay attuned to the evolving regulatory landscape” in order to reduce risks, protect assets, and support long-term national growth.

 

 

 

 

 


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Kaspersky Experts Warn of the Risks Hidden Behind QR Codes

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In today’s digital world, QR codes are placed on almost everything – from yogurt containers and restaurant menus to museum exhibits, and even utility bills and parking lots.

People use them to open websites, download apps, collect loyalty programme points, make payments and transfer money, and even for charity donations. The accessible and practical technology is convenient for many, including cybercriminals, who have already rolled out a variety of QR-based schemes.

Kaspersky experts have identified the top security risks when scanning QR codes:

  • Phishing and redirection to malicious sites: QR codes can direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal or financial information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Attackers can impersonate legitimate sites, such as banks or streaming services, and trick users into entering their credentials.
  • Malware download: Some QR codes can trigger the download of malicious applications that compromise the security of the user’s device, especially if it is not protected against unauthorised installation.
  • Payment fraud: During special events or sales periods like holiday sales, a fake QR code can redirect users to make payments to fraudulent accounts.
  • Unsafe automatic connections: A QR code can also automatically connect the user to Wi-Fi networks controlled by cyber attackers, allowing them to intercept their communications.

“QR codes are a fertile ground for potential manipulation, especially as they appear in various everyday contexts such as receipts, flyers, and signage. Attackers have nearly endless possibilities to exploit them.

“As these codes have already become an integral part of our daily lives, it is essential for users to know how to use them safely and responsibly,” says Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel for META at Kaspersky.

In order to not fall for a scam when scanning a QR code, Kaspersky experts recommend:

  • Verify the source: Scan QR codes only from trusted and known sources. Avoid scanning codes in public places that may have been tampered with.
  • Check the URL: If you really need to scan a publicly available code, verify that the web address it directed you to is legitimate before taking any action on this website.
  • Don’t share personal information: Avoid entering sensitive information if you’re not completely sure of the origin of the QR code.
  • Protect your digital life: Install a cybersecurity solution with anti-phishing and anti-fraud protection, such as Kaspersky Premium, on all your devices; it will alert you to any danger timely.

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Firm Highlights Top Risks of Quantum Computing

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Kaspersky is addressing one of the most debatable technological challenges of the coming decade: the rise of quantum computing and its potential impact on digital security.

In this context, experts have identified the main quantum threats that demand immediate action from the cybersecurity community.

As classical computers approach their physical limits, their performance growth is slowing — constraining progress in areas that depend on complex computation.

At the same time, quantum computers offer the potential to solve specific problems far faster than classical systems. For now, however, their practical use remains limited to narrow and experimental domains.

Nevertheless, experts estimate that we may see a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer within the next decade — a development that could unlock significant advances, but also unleash a new era of cybersecurity threats.

Supporting this urgency, Deloitte’s 2024 Global Future of Cyber Survey reports that 83% of organizations are already assessing or taking steps to address quantum computing risks, demonstrating growing awareness and proactive strategies in the private sector.

To better understand the scope of the evolving threat, Kaspersky has identified three of the most urgent quantum-related risks that demand action from the cybersecurity community:

The top three risks:

Quantum computers could be used to compromise the traditional encryption methods that currently protect data in countless digital systems — posing a direct threat to global cybersecurity infrastructures.

Threats include the interception and decoding of sensitive diplomatic, military, and financial communications, as well as the real-time decryption of private negotiations – something quantum systems could handle much faster than classical machines, turning secure conversations into open books.

  1. Store now, decrypt later: the key threat of the coming years

Threat actors are already harvesting encrypted data today, with the intention of decrypting it in the future once quantum capabilities advance. This “store now, decrypt later” tactic could expose sensitive information years after it was originally transmitted — including diplomatic exchanges, financial transactions, and private communications.

  1. Sabotage in blockchain and cryptocurrency

Blockchain networks are not immune to quantum threats. Bitcoin’s Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), is especially vulnerable.

Potential risks include forging digital signatures, which threatens Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies; attacks on ECDSA that secure crypto wallets; and tampering with blockchain transaction history, undermining trust and integrity.

  1. Quantum-resistant ransomware: a new front

Looking ahead, developers and operators of advanced ransomware may begin adopting post-quantum cryptography to protect their own malicious payloads. So-called “quantum-resistant” ransomware would be designed to resist decryption by both classical and quantum computers — potentially making recovery without paying a ransom nearly impossible.

At present, quantum computing does not offer a way to decrypt files locked by current ransomware. Data protection and recovery still rely on traditional security solutions and collaboration among law enforcement agencies, quantum researchers, and international organisations.

Building quantum-safe defenses

Quantum computers are not yet a direct threat — but by the time they are, it may be too late to respond. Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography will take years. Preparations must begin today.

The cybersecurity community, IT companies, and governments must coordinate to address the risks ahead. Policymakers should develop clear strategies to migrate to post-quantum algorithms. Businesses and researchers need to begin implementing new security standards now.

“The most critical risk lies not really in the future, but in the present: encrypted data with long-term value is already at risk from future decryption. The security decisions we make today will define the resilience of our digital infrastructure for decades.

“Governments, businesses, and infrastructure providers must begin adapting now, or risk systemic vulnerabilities that cannot be retroactively fixed,” states Sergey Lozhkin, Head of Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis Team for META and APAC.


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