Telecom
NITDA Provides Capacity Training for 442 DT-TWG Members
Mallam Kashifu InuwaAbdullahi, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has said that Digital Literacy is a pre-requisite to Digital Transformation of the Nation’s economy, hence, the need for citizens to have the requisite knowledge in Digital Technology.
This he emphasized at the closing ceremony of the first phase of the capacity building for members of the Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups (DT-TWGs) of the Federal Public Institutions held Thursday, 22nd October2020 at the e-Government Training Centre, Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Kubwa, Abuja.
The training programme is a follow up to the inauguration of Chairmen of Digital Transformation Technical Working Group (DT-TWGs) across the first phase of the Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) held on Thursday last week by the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
MallamAbdullahi explained that DT-TWGs members are to coordinate the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), National e-Government Master Plan (NeGMP) and Digital Transformation related activities in the public sector at the Federal level and ensure that all IT projects are designed and implemented in accordance with the provision of the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) and the Nigeria e-Government Inter-operability Framework (NeGIF).
The capacity building programme which commenced on 28th September 2020 with training for the Batch A of the DT-TWGS members lasted for four weeks.
The Director General in his remarks reminded participants that NITDA, by this programme, has fulfilled the promise it made to embark on massive training with the sole believe that enhancing the capacity of the participants is the first point of call to ensure efficient implementation of the responsibilities bestowed on them.
Speaking further, Mallam Abdullahi noted that public service is the engine room for the implementation of government policies and programmes and as such building the capacities of government officials to deliver on government mandates is a number one priority of any government.
“NITDA being the Apex IT development and regulation Agency, our primary focus is your capabilities to deliver on the Federal Government digital economy mandates”, he added.
He however urged and encouraged the participants to use what they have learnt to train their colleagues and also get their buy-in for the journey into digital Nigeria as he believed that all participants now have a 360 view of what Government is trying to achieve.
While responding to some of the issues raised by participants on change management and leadership, he assured participants that the Agency has already designated courses for CEOs and Management so that they can all key into capacity building programme and the vision of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The twelve courses covered in the training were: National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy (NDEPS) & Nigeria e-Government Master Plan (NeGMP);Digital Transformation: Public Sector Perspective; Government Digital Service (GDS) Innovation; GOV.NG Domain Management & Sensitization; Implementation of the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) and Nigeria e-Government Interoperability Framework (Ne-GIF); Implementation of the Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT by FPIs;IT Clearance Requirements and Processes; ICT Systems Security in the Public Sector;IT Project Management;Organizational Change Management;Government Business Processes Management, and Digitization Approach and Implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR): Public Sector Perspective.
At the end of the programme, information available to NITDA indicated that 126 Federal Public Institutions, with NITDA inclusive, were invited for the programme and total of 442 members of DG-TWGs from 89 FPIs were successfully trained and awarded certificates at the conclusion of the training.
The Director General who expressed his delight at the outcome of the training has dubbed the successful 442 members as ‘Champions of the National Digital Transformation’.
He promised all the participants and the various institutions they represent that NITDA will support them and ensure all their concerns are addressed after due consultation with the Honourable Minister.
In a strategic move to deepen its presence in emerging economies, global cryptocurrency exchange MEXC has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) trading support for three new fiat currencies — the Nigerian Naira (NGN), Ethiopian Birr (ETB), and Pakistani Rupee (PKR). This expansion reflects the company’s increasing focus on localising crypto access in high-growth, underbanked regions.
The addition of NGN, ETB, and PKR to MEXC’s P2P platform enables users in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan to trade major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC) directly with their local currencies.
The trades come with zero transaction fees, in line with MEXC’s strategy to lower entry barriers for users and encourage grassroots participation in the digital asset economy.
The update is more than a technical expansion — it underscores MEXC’s recognition of Africa and South Asia as rising crypto frontiers. Nigeria, often cited as one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets, and Ethiopia, where digital finance is beginning to surge amid reforms, represent key territories for crypto adoption. Similarly, Pakistan’s growing youth population and fintech appetite offer strong potential for crypto-enabled financial inclusion.
To support the rollout, MEXC is actively onboarding new merchants to its P2P platform. Merchants benefit from zero transaction fees, dedicated customer support, a special verification badge, and invitations to exclusive community events. The goal is to nurture a local network of verified sellers and buyers who can facilitate seamless and trusted crypto trades.
P2P trading — which allows users to transact directly without third-party intermediaries — is especially relevant in markets where banking infrastructure is either insufficient or heavily regulated. By bypassing traditional systems, P2P provides a lifeline for users seeking stablecoins, alternative stores of value, or more flexible remittance solutions.
This latest expansion signals MEXC’s intent to compete aggressively for market share in underserved territories while enabling more users to access and benefit from Web3 technologies. As global exchanges race to localise their services, MEXC’s early moves into fiat integration may prove pivotal in shaping the next wave of crypto adoption across the Global South.
At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
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