General News
Uber Lobbies African Govts to Ready EV Policies

E-hailing firm Uber is engaging governments across Africa, urging the creation of a favourable regulatory environment to help accelerate the rollout of electric vehicles (EVs) on the continent.

This was shared by Frans Hiemstra, GM for Uber in the Middle East and Africa region, speaking at an Uber event held in Cairo, Egypt, at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to open its doors to the public at the end of 2023.
According to Hiemstra, the world’s largest e-hailing company is working to draw governments’ attention to the importance of developing a clear policy framework that will help better prepare the continent for the electrification of transport.
This, as global countries race to establish zero-emission vehicle policies and incentives to increase rollout, generate interest and make EVs more affordable for the general public.
In 2020, Uber announced a global commitment to become a zero-emission mobility platform by 2040, through its Green Future programme. This initiative provides access to resources valued at $800 million, to help thousands of drivers transition to battery EVs by 2025 in Canada, Europe and the US.
The company also established a collaboration with Go Green Africa, a network of organisations committed to accelerating Africa’s transition to a green economy in a just and inclusive way.
“Government lays the foundation of the country moving in a more sustainable environment, but government cannot do that alone,” commented Hiemstra.
“They need companies like Uber to be able to execute on their sustainable vision. The challenge with electric vehicles today is [mainly] affordability – total cost of ownership. Private companies and governments have the opportunity to influence this by trying to influence policy-makers to introduce the right incentives, and trying to influence OEMs to provide more affordable vehicle components.”
Uber is already engaging SA’s government regarding the matter, as the country sees slow but steady growth of EV adoption compared to the rest of the globe. SA had 4 764 new energy vehicles on local roads by the end of 2022, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.
According to the 2022 AutoTrader Mid-Year Industry Report, although there is demand for EVs from South African customers, the high prices and range anxiety due to the lack of charging infrastructure are among the biggest hurdles to increased adoption.
Local vehicle industry players have for years brought to light the numerous challenges hindering the country from progressing in the EV market.
These include the lack of supportive regulatory frameworks and additional incentives to safeguard EV sales from the high costs resulting from the economic downturn, and insufficient public charging stations across the country.
In 2021, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition released the Draft Auto Green Paper as a step towards establishing a clear policy foundation that will enable the country to coordinate a long-term strategy that will position it at the forefront of advanced vehicle and vehicle component manufacturing.
“We have to use the partnerships that private companies have with governments to be able to influence and push countries forward to a more sustainable future,” said Hiemstra.
“A sustainable future is not necessarily just about EVs; it can include a broader range of multi-modal transport. And we have taken a few steps to launch these types of vehicles across various markets through Uber Green.”
Uber Green − a low-emission ride option that connects riders with hybrid and electric vehicles − has already been rolled out in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Middle East and North Africa, and in certain parts of Canada, Europe and the US, he added.
“In the UAE, we have made a specific commitment – to have one in four trips done in an electric vehicle by the year 2030. We are making really good strides towards this and we are pretty much at 10% already. I look forward to us beating this commitment before 2030.”
General News
FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.
Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.
He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.
President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.
The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.
General News
FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.
He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.
“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.
The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.
The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.
The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.
For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.
General News
Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
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