Telecom
NITDA, Sweden Strengthens Digital Economy Ecosystem
Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has reiterated the commitment of the agency in exploring more opportunities in developing the digital literacy and skills of Nigerians in order to drive the Nation’s economy and ultimately achieve a digital Nigeria.
The DG said this in his office during a courtesy visit by the Sweden Ambassador to Nigeria, Grand Carl-Michael.
He noted that one of the plans of the agency is to strengthen the ecosystem of the Federal Capital Territory and the nation at large.
Kashifu appreciated the existing partnership the agency has had over the years with the Embassy of Sweden, especially with the SchoolTry platform, a Sweden-based EdTech company offering innovative solutions towards the digital transformation of the Nigerian education sector.
He expressed the fact that “achieving digital economy is something that no one can succeed in isolation; particularly as the world is increasingly becoming global, which has necessitated the need for more collaborations such that whatever you do, you think global and act local.”
According to the DG, working towards building the nation’s GDP in a global economy would attract foreign markets and investments into the country. He encouraged the Swedish team to go beyond the SchoolTry project and execute more IT driven initiatives, assuring the team of a mutually beneficial partnership.
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, while underscoring the commitment of SchoolTry with its HQ in Stockholm, Sweden, to lead the digitalization of education delivery in Nigeria, expressed appreciation to the NITDA Boss for the collaborative efforts enjoyed so far. Adding that he is looking forward to getting more investments from Nigeria in order to grow and expand the company.
He added that, “As Swedish ambassador to Nigeria, we work with a lot of different projects on digitalization because it’s a huge problem for many countries, Sweden included, and also for Nigeria with her huge population.
“When I learnt about this company ( SchoolTry) founded by a Nigerian in Sweden and working with Education and E-Learning I know that it will be very interesting for Nigeria to engage in because education is a social responsibility for Nigeria and also for Sweden.”
He appealed that the company is also seeking to leverage on some softwares in some of the schools that have NITDA’s IT infrastructures.
Founded in 2018, the SchoolTry, which falls under Digital Literacy and Skills of the NITDA’s seven pillars of Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP- 2021-2024), and also inline with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, is an Integrated mobile and web solution for schools to connect in real-time with teachers, parents and students. The features and functionalities from SchoolTry app is said to reduce cost, improve data management and boost overall efficiency.
The meeting ended with a unanimous agreement for a deepened collaboration in critical areas of the digital economy that is expected to benefit both countries.
Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.
MTN Nigeria
The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”
Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.
Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.
The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.
Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.
The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.
Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”
To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.
MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.
MultiChoice
The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.
The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.
The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.
MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.
Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.
GCR Affirms Afreximbank’s International Scale Ratings of A, A2
SmartCash Launches ‘No Be Cho Cho Cho’ Campaign to Boost Digital Banking in Nigeria
MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role
Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians
MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation Bolsters Nigeria’s Education Drive with ₦2.7m Student Support
Kaspersky Brings more Transparency to Threat Detection with New Hunt Hub
NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information
PwC Reveals AI Scaling Gap Slows Africa’s Digital Transformation
Firm Reviews the Evolution of Phishing Threats in 2025
E-Financial2 days agoNRS Targets N40trillion in Tax, Royalty Revenue in 2026
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Revokes Registration of Kensington Agro Trading Limited
General News2 days agoPurple Woman 3.0 Is Back, to Empower Women in Tech this IWD 2026
News2 days agoEFCC Arraigns Two FSDH Bank Officials Over $307k, €50k Fraud
Telecom2 days agoKonga Launches ‘Berekete Sales’ with Up to 50% Discounts Across Major Categories
E-Business2 days agoNDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al
General News2 days agoNCDC Raises Alarm over Lassa Fever Ravaging 18 States in Nigeria
E-Financial1 day agoBinance Cuts Illicit Activity Exposure by 96%, Leads Global Crypto Compliance Push