General News
Private Sector Thinks ‘Out of the Box’ on South Africa’s Woes
The private sector should collaborate with government to solve South Africa’s problems and brainstorm workable solutions that lend themselves to public-private partnerships.
A more proactive approach, innovative thinking and the willingness to work together could achieve far more than the general tendency to point fingers and complain.
This was one of the main points made at the first “Brain Trust” on Infrastructure Development held in Johannesburg on December 3, a private sector platform hosted by DuPont that seeks to generate discussion on new approaches to the socio-economic dilemmas of South Africa and the rest of the continent.
“Government keeps asking how the private sector can contribute and we always say government must make the environment conducive. Let’s see how we can meet government halfway,” said Macfarlane Moleli, facilitator of the discussion.
This first Brain Trust was a collaborative effort involving four private sector players concerned about the lack of productive engagement between government and the private sector.
The companies consist of global science company DuPont, law firm Hogan Lovells, investment company Shanduka Group, and REDISA (Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa).
There are plans to introduce similar forums involving other private sector players from various industries in the future.
At the discussion, representatives of all four organisations emphasised the importance of pooling knowledge and sharing experience.
“Issues could be solved if we think innovatively and collaborate, because no company or organisation can solve Africa’s challenges alone,” said DuPont P&IP Business Leader, Richard Ntombela, referring not only to collaboration between the private sector and government, but also between business in South Africa and in other African countries.
“South Africa is well developed and has the resources and know-how, but how do we take our knowledge and share it with the rest of Africa”?
Stacey Davidson of REDISA said one area where South Africa had been highly successful in public-private collaboration – and could share with other African countries – was the tyre recycling industry.
“This is an example of real out-of-the-box thinking. Instead of focusing on the linear economy where products are sold, distributed and thrown away, we should perhaps start focusing on stimulating the circular economy, where waste is turned into worth and not thrown away.”
Julian Nixon of Shanduka Group said another successful example of public-private partnership in South Africa was the ongoing renewable energy programme, REEP.
“We have seen government take the lead and it is a well-run programme. Through this public-private partnership, an international company has set up a wind tower factory in Cape Town and is making technology that previously was imported. Now we need to take our best practices further and show that when we engage with each other and with international companies, we address issues.”
Commenting on the relationship between business in South Africa and the rest of Africa, Rajen Ranchhoojee, head of the Africa Desk at Hogan Lovells, said South Africa was at a crossroad in a sense.
“South Africa needs to decide whether we want to be a springboard into Africa or an innovator. Do we want to be a country that grows through the benefit of foreign direct investment or do we as the most developed country in Africa want to capitalise on Africa by sharing and investing? South Africa is not nearly active enough in engaging the rest of Africa. It is only in the last five years that South African firms have really taken an interest.”
All four panel members agreed that it was essential to fill the vacuum between government and the private sector by discussing and collaborating on solutions that have already been shown to work and could be extended to other areas of the economy or the continent.
They also agreed that the Brain Trust should not become just another “talk shop” but a platform for putting words into action.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting indigenous technology operators, dismissing allegations that it encouraged the deployment of fake locally made personal computers.
Responding to accusations from the Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) regarding the alleged spread of counterfeit locally produced PCs, NITDA stressed that it limits government IT contract registration to firms with at least 51 percent Nigerian ownership.
The agency stressed that it aligns with the Federal Executive Council–approved “Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy” of May 2025, which prioritises Nigerian-made goods and mandates foreign procurements only when no local alternative exists.
NITDA said it is also investing in talent development through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), supporting startups, SMEs, and training public servants to meet global standards.
Addressing the “SpeedStar PC saga,” NITDA clarified that the project in question dates back to 2019, and any hardware faults after six years of use cannot be attributed to the agency.
Meanwhile, Beta Computers makers of the SpeedStar PC and a founding member of CCMON has petitioned the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy over the alleged deployment of counterfeit SpeedStar units by NITDA contractors.
In an April 3, 2025 petition, Will Anyaegbunam, managing director, Beta Computers’ accused certain contractors of sabotaging presidential directives on patronising locally made computers.
He claimed that despite repeated requests since August 2024, NITDA has refused to reveal the identity of the contractor linked to counterfeit SpeedStars supplied to an institution in northern Nigeria.
Anyaegbunam further alleged possible collusion within the agency and vowed to pursue legal action to protect the brand’s equity, which has been trademarked since 1996.
Beta Computers has also filed a Freedom of Information request to obtain the names of all contractors who supplied SpeedStar PCs to Gombe State University and other institutions since 2019.
Airtel Nigeria has taken another bold step in its digital transformation and quality of service drive with the launch of Airtel Assist, a WhatsApp-based self-service chatbot designed to offer real-time support to millions of the network’s customers.
Built to meet the growing needs of today’s digital consumer, Airtel Assist provides round the clock full-service experience that allows customers to check balances, buy airtime or data, make secure payments, troubleshoot issues, and access personalised assistance all from the convenience of WhatsApp.
At the core of this innovation is Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to putting people first, ensuring customer experiences are faster, more intuitive, and deeply personalised.
Speaking on the launch, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, said, “This is Airtel meeting Nigerians exactly where they are, on platforms they trust and use every day.
With Airtel Assist, we are adapting technology at the personal level. It’s fast, secure, and always available, designed to serve real people with real needs, in real time. As a company with a constant focus on customer satisfaction, this is one of the ways we make customer care more accessible.”
The new chatbot highlights Airtel’s continued integration of AI-powered tools to scale service delivery, reduce wait times, and maintain secure customer interactions, solidifying its position as a customer-first, innovation-led brand in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.
It also demonstrates the company’s clear ambition to lead innovation in Nigeria’s telecom sector by adopting tools that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.
To emphasize this perspective, Ismail Adeshina, Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, noted that Airtel Assist was developed with both convenience and empathy in mind.
Ismail said, “Everything about Airtel Assist is designed to simplify and enhance the way our customers engage with us. Whether it’s to check data balance in the middle of a conversation, buying data while commuting, or resolving issues after hours, Airtel Assist is always available, right there on their phones.”
Meanwhile, the product’s intuitive design and ease of use is a demonstration of adaptive technology, adapted for the nuances of local consumers, added Oyebowale Akideinde, Head of Digital Products & Innovation.
“With Airtel Assist, we’re unlocking a human way to connect on one of Nigeria’s favourite digital platforms: WhatsApp! You can now recharge, check balances, and get help instantly,” he said. He also noted that all Airtel subscribers may activate Airtel Assist by sending a WhatsApp message to +2348028800000 or clicking https://wa.me/2348028800000.
By bridging the gap between digital sophistication and everyday convenience, Airtel Nigeria is setting a new benchmark in customer care, one that puts the power of self-service, choice, and real-time resolution into the hands of every user.
Reported cyber attack on the Information Communication Technology (ICT) platform of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has caused significant disruptions to cargo clearance operations at ports across the country.
Licensed Customs agents are already counting their losses to demurrage charges on their consignments as a result of the disruption.
Confirming the development, Mr. Maiwada Abdullahi, spokesman and assistant comptroller of Customs, told Vanguard that the attack occurred sometime ago, adding however, that the system has been restored.
He stated: “Yes, our platform was attacked some time ago, but it has been rectified and is now fully operational. We have strengthened our systems to ensure that cybercriminals will find it much more difficult to penetrate in the future.”
Regarding potential compensation, Abdullahi disclosed that discussions are ongoing with several stakeholders on the matter and hinted at possible relief measures for importers whose goods were delayed during the system outage.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, president, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, (NCMDLCA), said that there is a default in the new B’Odogwu home grown ICT platform being promoted by the Customs.
Amiwero also said that the same glitch being experienced also occurred before the B’Odogwu initiative.
He, however, lampooned the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA), for their docile stand against happenings at the Port.
He stated: “The government needs to overhaul the newly introduced B’Odogwu ICT platform, there are defects that needs to be corrected.
“The same defects that was experienced during the era of West Blue before Ngozi Okonjo Eweala who was the Finance Minister at that time intervened, is the same issue currently affecting the B’Odogwu system.
“The glitch has resulted to huge demurrage, huge storage charges, distortion in business plan and high cost of clearance.
“Manufacturers Association, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) are all there doing nothing. They cannot even react to the situation. All they do is to hold conferences.
“These groups ought to be at the Vanguard of protest against these anomalies rocking the port industry but they chose to keep quiet as if all is well.”
Similarly, Mr. Olawale Odu, an importer and licensed Customs agent, said that the government through the Nigeria Customs Service should engage terminal operators and shipping companies to find a way to assuage the losses to importers by granting them waivers.
NITDA Reacts as Firm Petitions over Deployment of Fake PCs
Airtel Nigeria Launches ‘Airtel Assist’ on WhatsApp
Cyber Attack Hits Customs Platform, Disrupts Clearance Operations
ATU, AFRINIC Urge Governments, Regulators to Develop Internet Resilience Framework
NDPC, Bauchi State Partner to Boost Data Governance
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