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What Nigerian Government Can Do to Help the Tech Ecosystem
Nigeria is no doubt, a great country by all ramifications, based on the natural and human resources it is endowed with. Fact is, however, that it can achieve more greatness if it is serious about harnessing these natural and human resources to develop and enhance its tech ecosystem that can further enhance growth.
The roles that the Nigerian government could play to complement the selfless efforts of the other stakeholders in the tech ecosystem in order to make this happen are numerous.
I will, however, duel on only about four in this piece, that I feel are key, which are easy for the government to work on to help the situation.
One of the ways in which the Nigerian government can stimulate development of the tech ecosystem in Nigeria is to find a way of reducing the cost of tech gadgets and accessories necessary for the smooth operations in the ecosystem.
This is in the face of the high cost of these gadgets and accessories due to the high exchange rate of the Dollar to the Naira as most of these gadgets are not yet being manufactured here in Nigeria.
The truth is that these gadgets and accessories are way out of the reach of many young actors in the tech ecosystem as they are not financially capable. One of the ways that the government can help out here is in the area of the reduction of import duties for these tech gadgets and accessories or outright removal of import duties.
The government can also decide to subsidize the exchange rate of the Dollar and the Naira for the importation of the tech gadgets and accessories just like it did for those going on pilgrimages in the past, all in a bid to reduce the prices of the imported gadgets and accessories.
Another area where the government can quickly intervene to assist in the development of the tech ecosystem is in the rea of fast tracking the provision of the Broadband internet access in the ecosystem.
This is against the backdrop of the horrible, slow, breaking and annoying internet provision that we are currently witnessing in the ecosystem from some of the service providers.
The effects of these are the inability of the users of the internet to complete tasks on time, which can be frustrating and this also dovetails into high cost of their output.
Government should galvanize all its agencies that are working towards the achievement of the Broadband internet access such as the NCC, NITDA, etc., to work in synergy with the other stakeholders to speed up the realization of the Broadband internet access in the country to enhance the output in the Nigerian tech ecosystem.
Thirdly, one of the challenges facing the Startups in the tech ecosystem in Nigeria is the paucity of funds, especially, to enable them rent office premises and purchase all the needed equipment, furniture as well as services to help facilitate their activities.
To help in this regards, some Co-working spaces and Hubs are already available, especially in the Lagos and Abuja axis of the ecosystem where these Startups rents at affordable prices and share the facilities of such Hubs.
It is, however, still inadequate to serve the teaming youths that have joined the ecosystem. I was with Doyin Adewola, the Founder of one of the Co-working spaces in Abuja, Box Office, and he suggested that the government can help the tech ecosystem by turning many of the abandoned properties of the government as well as seized properties into Co-working spaces that these Startups can rent at affordable prices with shared facilities. I tend to agree with him and expect the government to look critically at that option to help the development in the tech ecosystem.
The fourth thing that the government can do to help the development of the tech ecosystem is to give the electricity Gencos and Discos that bought of the electricity assets of Nigeria the marching order to get their acts together and provide regular electricity to the populace, and by extension, the ecosystem.
They should be given a time frame with which to perform or exit the system forthwith, with the provision of prepaid meters to the users for fairness and equity.
No nation can grow any of its sectors effectively with the current epileptic supply of electricity because it breeds high cost of power through the use of expensive diesel to run generators as well as paying for electricity not used as the Discos will still bring an estimated electricity bill in spite of the fact that the electricity supply was epileptic.
I believe that, if the government can assist the tech ecosystem in these four areas, as a matter of urgency, there will be tremendous impact in the development of the Nigerian tech ecosystem.
CFA is the Founder, www.CFAtech.ng & Co-producer/Presenter,Tech Trends on Channels Television
The World Bank Group has announced the 31-month debarments of United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu, its owner and president, “in connection with fraudulent practices under the Enhancing Niger Northeastern Connectivity Project,” according to a press release issued by the multilateral development bank.
The statement said that the project aims to enhance connectivity and road safety along the Zinder-Agadez Road section and improve access to basic socioeconomic infrastructure for selected communities in that road section.
However, according to the statement: “UNASEL and Mr. Mamu presented false experience documents in a prequalification application to qualify for a contract under the project. This was a fraudulent practice under the World Bank’s sanctions framework.”
“The debarments make UNASEL and Mr. Mamu ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by Bank Group institutions. The debarments are part of two settlement agreements under which UNASEL and Mr. Mamu admit culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices,” it added.
The statement further said: “Per the Bank Group Sanctioning Guidelines, the settlement agreements provide for a reduced period of debarment in light of UNASEL and Mr. Mamu’s cooperation.
As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, UNASEL and Mr. Mamu commit to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines, and Mr. Mamu further agrees to complete corporate ethics training.
UNASEL and Mr. Mamu also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.
“The debarments of UNA SEL and Mr. Mamu qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in Enugu, the state capital, for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.
Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The ITF disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
According to the statement, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20tn to the global economy in the coming years.
He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.
Earlier, Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the ITF, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He explained that the Fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into public-private partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The ITF delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
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