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Thomson Reuters Inaugurates 4th Trading Africa Summit in Cape Town

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Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, has inaugurated the 4th Trading Africa Summit in Cape Town, South Africa.

The summit, sponsored by Barclays Africa, attracts more than 600 senior delegates from the regional trading and investment community including capital markets authorities, government bodies, investment firms, and companies.

In his keynote speech, David Craig, president of Financial and Risk, Thomson Reuters, said: “The Continent is becoming a key market for global business, but also a magnet for investment.  Global demand for goods and services remains subdued, but Africa continues to challenge this trend. Many nations in the developed world talk about the challenges of the old, for the continent of Africa I like to think about the opportunities of the young and the new.”

He added: “We believe that African economies can leapfrog traditional markets through technology – the pace of mobile innovation on the continent is testament to this, empowering everything from education, financial inclusion and healthcare. Africa is more connected than ever before – connected across borders, across industries and crucially across the world’s financial markets.”

“Thomson Reuters is now the official calculator for 22 of Africa’s essential benchmarks beginning the process which will move currency benchmark from a manual telephone-based system to a state-of-the-art automated process,” he concluded.

The first panel discussed doing business in Africa and highlighted the best investment approach across the continent’s markets. Pascal Agboyibor, Partner and Board Member, Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe, stressed that mega projects have had a transforming impact on African economies. 

“Investors should be focusing on these blue chip projects given the growing need for electricity and power. Tourism is another happening sector and we are seeing investors focusing on this interesting sector,” he added.

Hans Kuipers, partner and managing director, The Boston Consulting Group, said: “It is critical that governments roll out appropriate infrastructure programs that will benefit other sectors and support the economy. The trust aspect is significant and governments, communities as well as the public sector need to collectively work towards executing major infrastructure projects.”

Thomas Wilson, director, Africa Practice, highlighted the importance of government communications.

“Governments should improve their communications as opposed to following procedures and processes. Investors need clarity over regulations and governments have to cater to that need and enhance transparency. The rise of intra African trade is very promising and a sign of maturity across the continent’s economies. It is no longer Western money invested in Africa, but Africa business driving growth,” he added.

Steven De Backer, Founding Director, Afriwise, said: “The growing middle class is driving wealth across the continent. International firms are now actively looking at opportunities. Risks of commodity prices continue to pose challenges; however, the investment appetite is gradually growing.”

The second panel titled “Africa rising” vs. Afro-realism in a complex global economic environment debated the upside and downside risks of the commodity cycle, China’s cooling economy, Europe’s woes, the global economy and domestic demand.

Mohammed Nalla, head, Strategic Research, Global Markets, Nedbank Capital, said: “Africa has a unique opportunity as the global economy facers serious challenges. Currently, Africa is competing with global markets and attracting international investment. The African infrastructure was built to serve the world, not only Africa. Intra African integration has a long way to go.”

Christopher Becker, Lead Economist & Strategist, African Alliance, said: “We have seen strong growth rates. That said, the performance of banks does not reflect these rates.”

He pointed out that decreasing oil prices have only impacted the high income segments, while the low income segment was not really affect as in Nigeria’s case.

“Africa can benefit from the liberalization and reform experience of South East Asia. People need to have the right tools and business environment to achieve the right productivity potential.”


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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