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The AI-Blockchain Nexus: Redefining Tech’s Future

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By Emmanuel Ebanehita, the Chief Marketing Officer of Fuse Network

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain has emerged as a transformative catalyst. This fusion promises to disrupt industries and redefine how we transact, interact, and innovate.

This symbiotic relationship between decentralized ledger technology and machine learning is not just a trend; it’s a profound shift that promises to transform industries, reshape economies, and revolutionize our understanding of data-driven opportunities.

AI and blockchain have already caused significant disruptions in the tech landscape. A recent market research analysis by Facts and Factors predicts that the global AI market will grow from $29.86 billion in 2020 to $299.64 billion in 2026, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.6 percent.

Likewise, experts forecast that the global blockchain market will experience a CAGR of 67.3 percent, taking it from $3 billion in 2020 to $39.7 billion in 2025. In terms of functionality and impact, AI, with its capacity to process extensive data and make intelligent decisions, has found applications in fields from healthcare to finance. On the other hand, blockchain has showcased its capability to improve transparency, security, and trust across various sectors.

However, their convergence becomes formidable because it creates a harmonious ecosystem where organizations can execute data-driven decisions transparently and immutably.

This synergy extends beyond a single industry; it can simultaneously disrupt and transform multiple sectors. An IBM Consulting report supports this idea, stating that the intersection of AI and Blockchain yields various positive ‘combined values,’ including ‘Augmentation, Automation, and Authenticity.’ Recent reports also project that the global blockchain-AI market will increase from $230 million in 2021 to nearly $1 billion in 2030.

Africa, with its vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and burgeoning tech scene, stands to gain immense benefits from the convergence of AI and blockchain—an alignment with the continent’s aspirations for inclusive economic growth and technological empowerment positions the synergy favorably. Consequently, Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities create fertile ground for innovative solutions powered by AI and blockchain.

In particular, blockchain technology can enhance transparency and trust in supply chain management and financial services. Meanwhile, AI can drive efficiency and data-driven decision-making in healthcare, agriculture, and education. Together, they can create a virtuous cycle of innovation and economic development within the continent.

As the blockchain AI market expands and matures, numerous organizations have made strides to offer innovative services that allow consumers to benefit from the best of both worlds.

Among the vanguards of this technological synergy is Fuse.io. Founded in 2019, Fuse is more than just a platform; it’s a visionary solution that empowers businesses and developers with end-to-end capabilities for Web3 payments. With over 1.8 million users, over 128 million successful transactions, and a presence in 12 countries, Fuse.io exemplifies the potential of AI and blockchain to transcend borders and empower small and medium-sized businesses.

Fuse’s value proposition is profound. It offers businesses an alternative to traditional payment methods, sparing them from the demanding fees associated with credit cards. Through Fuse’s Software Development Kit (SDK), smaller merchants with limited technical abilities can seamlessly integrate payment solutions at lower costs and with heightened reliability. The future is undoubtedly non-custodial, and Fuse is at the forefront of this movement, providing security and control with its non-custodial wallet SDK.

What are Fuse’s unique propositions, and how is the brand leading the way in the convergence of AI and Blockchain?

Speaking at the just concluded Tech Next Conference, themed: Disruptive Tech: New Frontiers, New Opportunities, Emmanuel Ebanehita, the Chief Marketing Officer of Fuse Network, explored numerous measures through which Fuse.io is leading the way in the convergence of AI and Blockchain.

AI-Powered Mobile Payments:

Fuse’s mobile-first approach perfectly aligns with the trajectory of mobile-centric payment solutions. By integrating AI into its mobile payment infrastructure, Fuse enhances the user experience by anticipating spending behaviors, offering financial guidance, and fortifying security measures to detect potential fraud.

This seamless blend of AI and mobile payments amplifies convenience. It fosters a heightened sense of security and trust among users, especially in developing economies like Africa, where security concerns are highly palpable, thereby shaping the future of digital transactions.

Data Transactions for AI:

Fuse’s microtransaction capabilities are a game-changer for AI companies aiming to acquire data directly from individuals. In today’s AI landscape, where human-generated content is the lifeblood of machine learning, microtransactions play a crucial role. They enable fair compensation for content creators, driving the development of generative AI models. Fuse’s cost-effective transaction model provides the perfect solution, making this symbiotic relationship between AI and human creativity economically viable and sustainable.

Decentralized AI Marketplaces:

Fuse extends its influence far beyond the realm of payments. It provides businesses the tools to create personalized decentralized applications (dApps), enabling access to platforms where AI models and services can be decentralized. This democratization of AI capabilities enhances accessibility and fosters an environment for innovation to thrive.

In these ways, Fuse.io is pivotal in transforming AI into a force that empowers individuals and small enterprises, reshaping the landscape of technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Overall, the convergence of AI and blockchain signifies a significant transformation in the technological landscape, and its impact will reverberate worldwide, not just in Africa. As we harness this synergy, we unleash a future brimming with limitless possibilities, and Africa, with its dynamic tech ecosystem, holds a unique position to spearhead this transformative journey.

Fuse’s pioneering role exemplifies how technology can bridge gaps and empower businesses, providing a preview of a future teeming with data-driven opportunities. Together, AI and blockchain have the potential to shape the future of technology, leaving an enduring impact on industries, economies, and societies.

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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IFC, AfDB Collaborate with EbonyLife Media to Explore Supporting the African Film Industry to Drive Job Creation

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As part of their ongoing efforts to support the growth of Africa’s creative industries and drive job creation in the region, IFC and the African Development Bank have announced a collaboration with EbonyLife Media, Nigeria’s leading media company, to explore the conditions for the creation of a pan-African investment vehicle targeted at the region’s film sector.

The aim is to improve access to financing for productions that promote original African stories around the world. EbonyLife Media has built a reputation for bringing compelling African narratives to global audiences through innovative storytelling.

The company has produced some of the highest-grossing movies in the region and enjoys strategic collaborations with global media companies, including Sony Pictures Television, Westbrook Studios, Starz, Macro Film Studios and Idris Elba’s 22 Summers.

This effort is in line with IFC’s strategy to expand Africa’s creative industries, recognizing the sector’s potential to drive job creation – especially for youth – promote inclusive narratives, and stimulate economic growth across emerging markets.

Despite the growth of film production across the continent over the last few years, Africa’s film sector remains untapped. According to UNESCO, the sector currently supports approximately 5 million jobs and contributes $5 billion to the continent’s GDP.

However, the industry faces significant challenges that inhibit its growth potential, including persistent financing gaps, policy barriers and lack of a robust intellectual property regulatory framework and implementation, which results in up to 50 percent revenue loss to piracy by film producers in the region.

In this context, IFC, AfDB and Ebony Life are exploring ways in which they can crowd in more capital into African film productions and support the expansion of the film industry at scale in the continent, while working with governments to introduce protection of intellectual property and film incentives, essential to strengthen the economics of film production in the continent.

“Africa’s creative economy is a cultural asset and an engine for inclusive growth, youth employment, and global influence. Through this partnership, we aim to unlock new capital for the continent’s storytellers, helping them bring authentic African voices to international platforms while boosting job creation in one of the most dynamic sectors of the future,” said Dahlia Khalifa, Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at IFC.

Ousmane Fall, The African Development Bank Group’s Director for Private Sector Operations, said: “This collaboration reflects the African Development Bank Group’s growing interest in creative industries as a growth sector supporting entrepreneurship and job creation for young people and women in Africa.

“By joining forces with EbonyLife, Nigeria’s premium media conglomerate, and IFC, a like-minded DFI institution, we are seeking to support the creation of a sustainable investment vehicle for film production in Africa”.

“This has been a long time coming. For nearly two years, I’ve been quietly laying the groundwork—defining and building an ecosystem designed to scale, to unlock opportunity, and to provide the vital capital African filmmakers need to create stories that resonate across borders and generations.

“Today, I am thrilled and deeply proud to welcome the IFC and AfDB on this journey. Together, we will identify ways in which we can catalyze a new era of African storytelling that can thrive on the global stage” said Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Media.

 


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Prioritising Security: The Bedrock of Stronger Workplace Collaboration in Nigeria

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By Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head, Zoho Nigeria

In Nigeria’s dynamic and often demanding business landscape, robust workplace collaboration is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for sustainable growth and resilience. As per a study, 86% of employees believe that a lack of collaboration can lead to workplace failures; its significance cannot be overstated. As enterprises in 2025 increasingly adopt digital tools to enhance teamwork, one critical foundation must support this transformation: unwavering security.

Today, the need to prioritise security goes far beyond protecting sensitive data. It is about fostering trust and laying a solid foundation upon which effective, innovative collaboration can thrive—especially in an era marked by ever-evolving cyber threats.

Security: The Hidden Pillar of Effective Collaboration

Collaboration flourishes in an environment grounded in confidence and safety. When employees trust that their tools are secure against the sophisticated cyber threats of 2025, they are more likely to share information freely and engage deeply. A secure environment nurtures the psychological safety required for open and meaningful contribution.

Conversely, environments that lack adequate security measures not only deter open collaboration but also expose businesses to data breaches, operational disruptions, and the erosion of client and stakeholder trust—risks no forward-thinking enterprise can afford.

Therefore, security must be treated as a core strategic priority rather than an afterthought. This involves implementing best practices such as strict data access controls based on the principle of least privilege and comprehensive data protection measures—encryption, vulnerability management, and safeguarding data at rest, in transit, and in use. Such a commitment becomes the foundation for enduring, high-performing collaboration.

Integrated Platforms: Enabling Secure, Seamless Collaboration

Striking the right balance between agile collaboration and stringent security requires a deliberate, policy-driven approach. Nigerian businesses should adopt integrated platforms where security is built into the very core of the solution. These platforms offer a unified environment for communication, project management, and data sharing—underpinned by a comprehensive data security policy that includes clear protocols for data handling, processing, and privacy.

Here, the value of an all-in-one, inherently secure software suite becomes evident. Solutions that are both affordable and designed with embedded security features empower businesses to protect critical data while facilitating efficient teamwork. Features like data classification, minimal storage of sensitive information, and built-in compliance tools ensure that security is always active—shielding organisations from complex modern threats.

Moreover, these platforms streamline communication and task management, reducing meetings considered ineffective. By providing coordination and information flow, they foster stronger collaboration and drive sustainable growth in Nigeria’s competitive market.

Building a Secure Future for Collaboration

The path to truly collaborative workplaces begins with an unshakable commitment to security. It is an investment that yields significant returns in the form of increased efficiency, stronger team cohesion, and increased stakeholder trust.

For business leaders, the mandate is clear: make security an integral, non-negotiable element of your collaboration strategy. Doing so not only protects your present operations from an increasingly hostile cyber landscape but also establishes a resilient foundation for future innovation and growth.

The future of work in Nigeria is undoubtedly collaborative. Its long-term, however, will be determined by how securely that collaboration is built and maintained.


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CCPT Dismisses Class Action Suit against MultiChoice over Tariff Hikes

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Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has dismissed a class action suit filed by one Uche Diala and 961 other DStv and GOtv subscribers against MultiChoice Nigeria and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), citing lack of jurisdiction.

CCPT Dismisses Class Action Suit against MultiChoice over Tariff Hikes

The suit challenged MultiChoice’s subscription price increases in November 2023 and May 2024, which the claimants described as arbitrary, exploitative, and unfair.

Diala and others sought to reverse the hikes and compel the company to adopt a more flexible billing model, such as a pay-as-you-view system used in other countries like South Africa.

They also accused MultiChoice of price discrimination against Nigerian consumers.

MultiChoice, through its counsel, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that pricing decisions do not fall within the tribunal’s remit and that the suit was improperly filed as a class action without first seeking the tribunal’s leave.

In its ruling on Thursday, the tribunal’s three-member panel led by Justice Thomas Okosun held that the core issues raised, which were pricing and tariff regulation, fall under the exclusive purview of the executive branch, particularly the President, as stipulated under the Price Control Act.

“The issue of price regulation is a matter that falls within the exclusive purview of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Okosun stated.

While the tribunal acknowledged it holds both original and appellate jurisdiction under the FCCPC Act, it emphasized that such authority does not cover general price control unless abuse of market dominance is established—a point the claimants failed to prove.

On the procedural matter of filing a class action without prior approval, the tribunal noted that although it is ideal to obtain leave, failure to do so was not fatal in this instance since the claimants demonstrated a shared grievance and common interest.

Nonetheless, the tribunal upheld MultiChoice’s objection, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.

“The preliminary objection of the first defendant succeeds,” the panel held. “This suit is accordingly struck out for want of jurisdiction.”

This ruling follows a similar outcome on May 8, when a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld MultiChoice’s price increases after the company sued the FCCPC.

In that judgment, Justice James Omotoso declared that the FCCPC lacked the authority to fix or suspend subscription rates.


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