Telecom
Nigeria Startup Act Secretariat, ONE Campaign, Urge State Governments to Unlock Digital Economy with Startup Act
The ONE Campaign, in collaboration with the Nigeria Startup Act Secretariat, calls on state governments to embrace the Nigeria Startup Act and harness its provisions to unlock the vast potential of the digital economy.
This call follows the completion of the first phase of the Startup Act State Adoption campaign in six states – Kwara, Osun, Ondo, Kano, Plateau, and Oyo.
The Nigeria Startup Act provides a comprehensive roadmap to establish supportive policies, regulations and programs that can create a flourishing ecosystem that fosters innovation, attracts investments, and generates much-needed employment opportunities for the country’s vast population of unemployed youth.
Stanley Achonu, Nigeria Country Director at ONE Campaign, said: “Nigeria is facing an alarming unemployment rate, and the dire need for job creation is evident, particularly for the teeming young population. Unlocking the immense potential of the digital economy is crucial to addressing this pressing issue.
“By embracing the Nigeria Startup Act, state governments can unleash a wave of innovation, attract investments, and foster job creation on a significant scale.
“Already, ONE and the Startup Secretariat have taken proactive steps to drive engagement and awareness in six states, bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors within the tech ecosystem to highlight the substantial benefits of the Act and assist the state governments in customising and drafting the state versions to suit their specific needs.
“We call on other states to acknowledge the transformative potential of the digital economy and take swift action to adopt and implement the Nigeria Startup Act.”
Mrs. Tracy Okoro Isaac, State Adoption Lead, Nigeria Startup Act Secretariat, spoke about the success of the program and lessons learned, saying, “65% of the young people for whom we are creating poverty eradication and employment programs and initiatives are in the states; and as such, the State Adoption Program is driven on the premise that unless states and local governments create an enabling environment for citizens to thrive, every other endeavour or initiative that is deployed in the country will not be sustainable.
“The State Adoption Program encourages and supports state governments to adopt the Act, create and support digital economy ecosystems, ensure a conducive environment for wealth creation, and promote a balanced approach to managing disruption and displacement.”
The Act encompasses essential provisions such as streamlined business registration processes, tax incentives for startups, access to affordable financing, intellectual property protection, investment promotion, and other measures that are vital for startups to navigate the complex business landscape, engender a culture of entrepreneurship, and attract both local and international investors.
When implemented effectively, the Nigeria Startup Act has the potential to trigger a transformative ripple effect throughout the nation, transforming local economies, empowering youth, and driving inclusive growth. By seizing this opportunity, state governments can become drivers of change, paving the way for a prosperous future built on innovation, job creation, and shared prosperity.
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.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
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.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
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.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
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.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
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.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
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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