Telecom
Paradigm Initiative Launches ‘Ripoti’ a Platform for African Citizens to Call Out Digital Rights Violations

Paradigm Initiative, PIN, has launched ‘Ripoti’, a groundbreaking platform geared towards the protection of digital rights of all African citizens.

The platform’s aim is to fight the worrying trend of increasing digital rights violations across the African continent was launched on Friday by PIN, during the closing session of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2021.
Ripoti –the first of its kind on the continent—allows citizens across Africa to report violations of their digital rights, then connects them with experts who can help them seek justice.
Speaking during the launch, ‘Gbenga Sesan, Director of Paradigm Initiative, said, “Digital rights are just as fundamental as all other human rights.
“We have seen a worrying increase in digital rights violations across Africa.
“Until now, citizens have had no easy way to protect their rights by tracking and reporting these violations. Ripoti empowers them to do that now.”
He further stated that digital world has become a critical space for economic activity, access to emergency services, and the exercise of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Sesan however decried the growing instances of cyber bullying, online gender violence, internet censorship, or the illegal use or accessing of an internet user’s information, a trend emboldened by health surveillance during the pandemic.
He added that with the Covid-19 pandemic pushing many more people online, many of the vices and violations that used to exist only offline have now started to crop up in the digital space, including violence against women, the illegal use of user information, the violation of e-consumer rights, and more.
Boye Adegoke, Senior program manager at Paradigm Initiative, said “For many years, Paradigm Initiative has actively documented cases of digital rights violations and offered litigation support to victims.
“Eventually, we started to get overwhelmed by the number of violations we had to monitor.
“It became clear that we needed to create a communal, strategic, and systemic response to these many incidents of digital rights violations.
“RIPOTI is the answer, and we’re excited to share it with people across Africa.”
Digital rights violations in Africa: A worrying trend
A growing number of Africans are using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on a regular basis, which has made digital technologies critical to the enjoyment of their rights and improvement of their livelihoods.
However, many governments have taken steps to undermine internet access and even encroach on civic participation and the right to freedom of expression online. Some countries have also cracked down on human rights defenders or journalists who challenge the state authorities.
∙ In Ethiopia, the internet has repeatedly been cut off during times of social unrest. The same phenomenon has been reported in Cameroon.
∙ In Nigeria in January 2021, a news website known for being critical of the government was blocked, allegedly on government orders.
∙ On the eve of the Ugandan general elections in January 2021, the country’s internet was shut down for weeks. The president justified the shutdown by saying that it was in retaliation for Facebook removing some pro-government accounts.
∙ In Tanzania, telecom companies in the country were ordered to suspend bulk SMS, bulk communications and individual messages with keywords”CHADEMA”, “LISSU” until after the elections in a bid to weaken the opposition
∙ In Burundi, on election day Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and Yahoo mail were all made inaccessible. Authorities cut access to social media networks.
“Citizens’ rights to express themselves online and offline and gather and disseminate information and ideas are critical to the fate of democracy in Africa,” said Sesan of Paradigm Initiative.
“Not only that, but the absence of data privacy and protection, illegal and blanket surveillance, internet shutdowns, and other rights violations all impact negatively on democracy and economic development. The centrality of digital rights makes them the business of all citizens.”
Telecom
Telecom Operators Invest Over $1Bn on 2,850 New Sites in 2025 – NCC

Telecom operators in Nigeria invested more than $1 billion in 2025 to deploy over 2,850 new sites, boosting nationwide coverage and capacity, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

NCC
The investment details emerged in the just-released 2025 Network Performance Reports, announced by Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC), NCC.
Speaking at an engagement on the reports, Dr. Maida emphasised the regulator’s focus on transparent, data-driven oversight.
“Through our collaboration with Ookla, we are providing independent insights into real-world network performance and the lived experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones,” he said.
The Q4 2025 reports highlight steady gains in network quality, including improved median download speeds in urban and rural areas compared to Q3.
The video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural zones has also narrowed, bolstered by a stronger 4G backbone.
Dr. Maida noted ongoing challenges, such as 5G service gaps and upload speed disparities. “We are actively engaging with operators to address these issues, including gaps in mobile service coverage,” he added.
Operators have committed to surpassing their 2025 investment levels in 2026, with infrastructure rollout set to intensify.
“We look forward to continued collaboration with industry stakeholders as we translate these insights into better connectivity, improved service quality, and a more inclusive digital future for all Nigerians,” the EVC concluded.
Telecom
Konga Launches “Black Valentine” to Redefine Valentine’s Celebrations

The Valentine’s season has long been painted in hues of romantic partnership, underscored by campaigns targeting couples. This year, Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, is broadening the palette with the bold and insightful launch of its Valentine campaign, “Black Valentine: Special Love Series”. It is a strategic and empathetic shift designed to redefine how Nigerians celebrate the season of love.

Konga
The campaign, which runs from February 1 to 16, 2026, delivers deep discounts of up to 60 per cent and same day delivery across high-demand categories including Home and Kitchen, Computing, Electronics, Beauty and Personal Care, enabling customers to shop affordably for personal upgrades, thoughtful gifts, and everyday essentials.
Traditionally, February’s marketing focus leans heavily on coupledom. However, demographic realities and evolving social trends present a compelling case for a more inclusive approach. Recent analyses and lifestyle surveys indicate that a substantial portion of Nigeria’s young, urban, and economically active population is single.
This group is not defined by a lack, but by independence, self-investment, and discretionary spending power. They are tech-savvy, and increasingly prioritising wellness, personal grooming, and the curation of their living spaces. Konga’s Black Valentine campaign is a direct response to this consumer insight, reframing the season as a period for self-appreciation and and create a more inclusive shopping experience that resonates with both singles and those in relationships.
“The narrative around Valentine’s Day needs expansion,” says Irfan Vayani, Senior Vice President at Konga. “Love is multifaceted, and the most foundational relationship one can nurture is the one with oneself. ‘Black Valentine’ is our way of honouring every individual’s journey. It’s a campaign built on the principle that whether you’re single, coupled, or simply focused on your own growth, you deserve to celebrate your worth. We are creating a platform for people to invest in their happiness, comfort, and aspirations on their own terms.”
Beyond price incentives, the Black Valentine campaign is supported by a comprehensive omnichannel marketing drive, spanning digital advertising, social media engagement, influencer collaborations, and on-platform promotions. This integrated approach ensures extensive reach, sustained visibility, and strong conversion across Konga’s expansive customer base, which spans millions of shoppers nationwide.
The campaign also reflects broader shifts in consumer behaviour, where shopping is increasingly tied to emotional fulfilment, lifestyle expression, and convenience. In a market where digital adoption continues to rise, Konga remains at the forefront, leveraging technology, logistics infrastructure, and customer insights to deliver seamless shopping experiences at scale.
By championing self-love alongside romantic gifting, Konga is positioning Black Valentine not just as a seasonal promotion, but as a lifestyle statement, one that encourages individuals to prioritise wellbeing, confidence, and intentional living. This approach aligns strongly with global retail trends, where self-care, personal development, and emotional wellness are becoming central drivers of consumer purchasing decisions.
As Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga continues to set the pace in innovation, customer-centric retail, and market leadership. The Black Valentine: Special Love Series reinforces this positioning, combining compelling discounts, inclusive messaging, and a robust digital platform to deliver a campaign that resonates emotionally while driving measurable commercial outcomes.
Customers can access the Black Valentine deals exclusively on Konga.com and across the Konga mobile app, with offers available for a limited time. With significant savings, wide product selection, and seamless delivery, the campaign presents an unmissable opportunity for Nigerians to celebrate themselves this Valentine season.
Telecom
Airtel Africa Records $586m Rise in Profit on FX Gains, Tariff Hike

Airtel Africa’s profit after tax grew to $586 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2025, up from $248 million in the corresponding period of 2024.

According to the company’s nine-month financial results released on Friday, the higher profit after tax in the current period was driven by higher operating profit and derivative and foreign exchange gains of $99 million, as compared to $153 million in derivative and foreign exchange losses in the prior period.
It disclosed that the group’s revenues in reported currency increased by 28.3 percent to $4,667 million, with constant currency growth of 24.6 percent. Reported currency revenue growth at a premium to constant currency growth reflects currency appreciation in key markets. In Q3’26, constant currency revenue growth improved to 24.7 percent from 24.2 percent in the previous quarter (Q2’26).
“Constant currency revenue growth was supported by tariff adjustments driving a 50.6 percent growth in Nigeria and a strong performance in Francophone Africa, which saw revenues accelerate to 17.0 percent in the nine months.”
In Nigeria, revenue grew by 50.4 percent in constant currency, largely driven by continued strength in the demand for data services, further supported by the tariff adjustments. The constant currency revenue growth was driven by ARPU growth of 39.6 percent and customer base growth of 7.8 percent.
“In reported currency, revenue grew by 52.1 percent to $1,123 million, with Q3’26 revenue growth accelerating to 70.9 percent compared to constant currency growth of 52.9 percent.
“Significantly higher reported currency growth during the quarter compared to constant currency growth was due to the appreciation in Nigerian naira from a weighted average NGN/USD rate of 1,627 in Q3’25 to NGN/USD 1,456 in the current quarter,” it disclosed.
Insights from Airtel’s financials revealed that voice revenue in Nigeria grew by 35.8 percent in constant currency, driven by voice ARPU growth of 26.0 percent, reflecting the tariff adjustments earlier in the year.
Data revenue also grew by 65.4 percent in constant currency as a function of both data customer and data ARPU growth of 8.0 percent and 49.7 percent, respectively. Data usage per customer increased by 26.2 percent to 10.7 GB per month (from 8.4 GB in the prior period), with smartphone penetration increasing 4.6 percent to reach 54.1 percent. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 13.4 GB per month compared to 11.2 GB per month in the prior period.
Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer, said these results highlight the strength of our strategy, with strong operating and financial trends across the business.
He added that “During the quarter, we accelerated investment to enhance coverage and data capacity while also expanding our fibre network. Coupling this investment with innovative partnerships strengthens our customer proposition and positions us to capture the considerable growth opportunity across our markets.
Digitisation, technology innovation, and embedding AI in our processes will also optimise the customer experience with increased digital offerings and closer integration of GSM and Airtel Money services, allowing us to unlock the strong demand across our markets.
Smartphone adoption continues to increase with a penetration of 48.1 percent, and we are seeing solid progress in the development of our home broadband business, reflecting the need for reliable, high-speed connectivity across our markets.
“Our push to enhance financial inclusion across the continent continues to gain momentum with our Mobile Money customer base expanding to 52 million, surpassing the 50 million milestone.
Annualised total processed value of over $210 billion in Q3’26 underscores the depth of our merchants, agents, and partner ecosystem and remains a key player in driving improved access to financial services across Africa. We remain on track for the listing of Airtel Money in the first half of 2026.
“Disciplined execution on cost efficiency, alongside accelerating revenue growth, has enabled another sequential improvement in our quarterly EBITDA margin to 49.6 percent, underpinning constant currency EBITDA growth of 31 percent, and we remain focused on driving further incremental margin improvements.
“Our strategic priorities remain clear: to continue investing in best-in-class connectivity, accelerate financial inclusion through our mobile money platform, and deliver an exceptional customer experience. These results reinforce our confidence in the long-term potential of our markets and our ability to create value for all our stakeholders,” he added.
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