E-Business
Report Shows iOS, Google Play Gained in 1Bn Mobile Game Market

International Data Corporation (IDC) and App Annie on Thursday released the Portable Gaming Spotlight, 2014 Review, a report that characterizes several key portable gaming trends and marketplace statistics for 2014.
Among other findings, the report found global portable game spending increased across all platforms between 4Q13 and 4Q14.
Spending was up more than 75 percent on Google Play, over 30 percent in the iOS App Store, and 5 percent on handheld game consoles (typified by Nintendo 3DS and Sony PlayStation Vita).
These growth rates include direct spending on digital and physical games but exclude all ad-related revenue.
Other Key Findings For 2014 Include:
The global installed base of smartphones and tablets that are regularly used for gaming topped one billion in late 2014 for the first time, while the installed base of handhelds declined marginally to approximately 175 million devices by the end of the year.
iOS continued to generate more direct spending on games than Google Play in 2014, although Google Play closed the gap significantly compared to 2013; in 4Q14 Google Play game spend exceeded that of handheld game spend by a healthy margin (while handheld games generated more direct revenue than Google Play games in 4Q13).
Gaming revenue continued to dominate mobile app stores, representing nearly three-quarters of total app spend in the iOS App Store in 4Q14 (and representing only about 30 percent of all app downloads) and was more than 90 percent of app spend on Google Play (and roughly 40 percent of app downloads) in the fourth quarter —both higher spending shares than in 4Q13.
“2014 saw a convergence of spending shares when viewed on a regional basis,” said Lewis Ward, director of Gaming at IDC. “iOS game spending grew relatively quickly in Asia/Pacific in 2014, for example, and Google Play performed better in North America last year than in 2013.
Ward added, “These shifts brought the app stores closer together from the standpoint of game spending by major region – and closer to the established regional distribution of spending on handheld games for devices like the Nintendo 3DS and Sony PlayStation Vita. This convergence trend implies that competition among portable game developers and publishers will remain fierce in 2015.”
“Games continued to make their presence felt in 2014 as more than 80 percent of combined iOS and Google Play consumer app spending in 4Q14 came from games,” said Bertrand Schmitt, CEO of App Annie. “This is an increase over the already impressive share that games captured in 4Q13 and exemplifies their ability to increasingly engage and monetize across a broad spectrum of mobile device owners. With games accounting for over 90 percent of consumer spending on Google Play in the latter half of 2014, along with Android’s increasing popularity worldwide, we expect to see steady revenue growth for mobile gaming this year given the ample opportunity to leverage this expanding user base.”
Ironically, there wasn’t great turnover at the apex of portable gaming last year: four of the top five grossing games on iOS in 2013 remained in the top 5 in 2014.
Of the top 5 grossing games on iOS in 2014, two of them were from the mobile gaming giant Supercell: Clash of Clans (Supercell); Candy Crush Saga (King); Puzzle & Dragons (GungHo Online); Game of War – Fire Age (Machine Zone) and Hay Day (Supercell).
Aside from slight shifts in order, the key difference between this list and the same top five list for all of 2013 is that Game of War – Fire Age replaced Electronic Arts’ The Simpsons: Tapped Out.
The top grossing game on Google Play in 2014 was Puzzle & Dragons and in the handheld market it was Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire (by Game Freak/Nintendo).
Three of the top five grossing titles in 2014 on both Google Play and handheld game console platforms were new top five grossing titles when compared to the same lists for 2013.
Most of 2014’s top grossing titles supported fairly robust online multiplayer features and rather deep leveling up and/or personalization capabilities and implying that more portable gaming sophistication is on tap for 2015.
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.
With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries.
IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and Events Company.
And App Annie is the number one decision-making platform for the mobile app economy.
App Annie combines the analytics of one’s own apps with a granular understanding of the competition and market to provide a unique 360 degree view of one’s mobile business.
The App Annie platform is relied upon by over 90 percent of the top 100 publishers and more than 675,000 apps.
Customers of our Intelligence product include the likes of Electronic Arts, Google, LinkedIn, Line, Microsoft, Nexon, Nestle, Samsung, Tencent, Bandai Namco and Universal Studios.
The company has tracked over 79 billion downloads and more than US $24 billion in gross revenues to date, the industry leader by far. App Annie is a privately held global company of more than 300 employees headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
The company is backed by leading venture investors including e.Ventures, Greycroft Partners, IDG Capital Partners, Institutional Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital with $94 million raised to date.
E-Business
CAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
E-Business
FG Launches Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
E-Business
NITDA, CISCO Empower Youth with Digital Skills

Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
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