Connect with us

E-Business

Would the Startup Ecosystem Really Benefit from Aso Villa Demo Day (AVDD)?

Published

on

Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, presenter of Tech Trends on Channels Television and Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook
Kindly share this post

Aso Villa Demo Day (AVDD) 2016 has come and gone, one key question on my mind is, would the startup ecosystem really benefit from this and if yes, how? Would it be because that three of them will reportedly get three million Naira each or is it because the finalists got to pitch before the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Mark Zuckerberg along with other top dignatries?

Looking at the goal of the project as stated on the AVDD website: “Aso Villa Demo Day is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation and economic growth through the use of new and emerging technologies. This event will celebrate some of the best Nigerians in technology innovation and creativity and also feature inspiring talks from thought leaders and experts from different economic sectors in Nigeria.” It is possibly intended to add value but whether it achieved that or not in this maiden edition is a different ball game.

The intention of this piece is to contribute to the conversations because I am not only a stakeholder, I am also on the streets with the startups. Sometimes I go with my Tech Trends crew to very unbelievable places where some of these startups are trying to make a difference from. So I have no choice but to look beyond the blitz and excitement and analyze if a project like this would truly add value.

At this point, may I ask again, beyond the media hype, PR and Glitz of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo gracing the grand finale and it being held in the seat of power, what really is the value of Aso Villa Demo Day (AVDD) to this ecosystem that is still very much in struggle mode? Is the Silicon valley model which we all refer to built on this sort of grandiose national event?

I would imagine that this event must have cost a few millions to put together. Yes, I know it is likely fully sponsored by the private sector but then assuming the event cost say Fifty Million Naira to organise (which I doubt), would you say this event would eventually add commensurate value to the ecosystem after doling out a massive 3 million Naira each to the three finalists?

In today’s Nigeria, three Million Naira translates to 7,500 USD if you use a conservative black market rate of N400 to $1 as at today. I honestly wonder what startups who got a chance to pitch before the number two man in the country, the 5th richest man in the world and other top dignitaries would achieve with $7,500?

As far as I know, Facebook and Google will swallow this amount in no time if used for PPC advert same would be the case if they opt for traditional media. Ok, maybe I don’t have all the facts, this prize might be all the startups need to grow but then would we have achieved better results if these “sponsored” funds were spent organising smaller events through already established pipelines (hubs and similar initiatives) in various states rather than a massive event like AVDD?

At the end of the day, it is important that we all look beyond the media hype and come up with projects that will make a difference. It is also important for those in leadership positions to listen when trying to implement stuff that they assume will add value because at the end of the day it may just be another jamboree. Let me therefore remind the organisers and everyone reading that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Finally, Congrats to Shuttlers NG, Tracology and RecyclePoints for pitching and winning on the national stage, I wish you guys all the very best.


Kindly share this post

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

E-Business

Jumia Expands Nationwide Footprint, Deepens Reach Across Underserved Nigerian Cities

Published

on

Kindly share this post

e-commerce company, Jumia Nigeria, has announced a significant expansion of its logistics and pickup network across Nigeria, extending its reach into underserved regions and strengthening access to e-commerce services for millions of consumers.

The expansion, executed during the first quarter of 2026, marks a deliberate shift toward upcountry growth, with new and expanded operations across Northern Nigeria, including Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kaduna, while also strengthening presence in strategic cities like Zaria. The move is designed to close long-standing coverage gaps in high-potential areas and bring its services closer to more customers.

According to the company, the expansion reflects a convergence of customer demand, infrastructure strategy, and long-term market development, as more Nigerians outside major urban centres seek reliable access to digital retail.

“We are seeing a structural shift in where demand is coming from. What this expansion does is align our infrastructure with that reality. By extending our network deeper into the country, we are not only improving service delivery, but we are also unlocking new demand, enabling more sellers to participate in the digital economy, and building a more inclusive retail ecosystem that reflects the true scale of the Nigerian market,” said Temidayo Ojo, CEO of Jumia Nigeria.

The rollout includes a significant increase in pickup stations and delivery touchpoints across both established and emerging cities. Existing urban centres such as Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja and Port Harcourt have seen network density increase, while new and previously underserved locations are being integrated into Jumia’s logistics grid. This broader footprint is supported by investments towards parcel distribution centres, designed to decentralise inventory flow, reduce delivery time, and optimise operating costs across regions.

As part of the expansion, Jumia has also strengthened its logistics partnerships and delivery capacity, enabling more efficient last-mile fulfilment while creating income opportunities for a growing network of logistics partners and JForce agents. The company notes that these investments are critical to sustaining scale as order volumes increase across a more geographically diverse customer base.

Looking ahead, Jumia plans to extend its expansion into the South-East and South-South regions ahead of the peak retail season, further increasing its national coverage and reinforcing its position as a leading e-commerce platform in Nigeria.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

RHUCE Taps Into Africa’s $3Bn Creator Economy with New Monetisation Platform

Published

on

Kindly share this post

RHUCE, a new social platform designed for African creatives, has officially launched today, introducing a new model for how creators across the continent can turn their skills, learning, and content into income.

RHUCE Taps Into Africa’s $3B Creator Economy with New Monetisation Platform

RHUCE

As Africa’s creator economy, estimated at over $3 billion, continues to grow, millions of young people are building digital skills but struggle to convert them into sustainable opportunities. RHUCE aims to bridge this gap by combining professional identity, creator monetisation, and opportunity discovery in a single ecosystem.

“Across Africa, talent is everywhere, but opportunity is fragmented,” said Simeon Ifeoluwa Adeyanju, CEO of RHUCE Limited. “Creators are learning, building, and sharing their work, but they lack a structured way to turn that into visibility, credibility, and income.”

Unlike traditional platforms that prioritise virality or finished work, RHUCE enables users to document their growth in real time, transforming their learning journey into a living portfolio.

“We believe your journey is your greatest asset,” Adeyanju said. “On RHUCE, your growth becomes your portfolio, your consistency builds your credibility, and opportunities can discover you based on what you’re becoming, not just what you’ve done.”

The platform introduces a shift from application-based hiring to discovery-driven opportunities, where creators are matched with jobs, gigs, and collaborations based on their evolving skills and documented progress.

“Instead of chasing opportunities across WhatsApp groups, DMs, and multiple platforms, we’ve built a system where you can post once and be discovered continuously,” he added.

RHUCE also provides monetisation tools that allow creators to earn through digital products, paid learning content, and brand-sponsored campaigns, unlocking new income streams within Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.

With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, the platform positions itself as infrastructure for the continent’s next generation of talent.

“RHUCE is not just a platform for finished professionals,” Adeyanju said. “It is for people becoming something. Our goal is simple: help Africans turn learning into opportunity, and opportunity into income.”


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Kaspersky Warns of Digital Medicine Risks on the Occasion of World Health Day

Published

on

Kindly share this post

On World Health Day, Kaspersky warns of risks tied to the digitisation of healthcare and use of telemedicine. Recent incidents show that medical services can be breached, and as a result, medical records may be leaked and then traded on the dark web.

The operations of healthcare services can get disrupted. Another aspect is that healthcare platforms may share user data with third parties that handle it irresponsibly.

Telemedicine has moved from a convenience to a core part of healthcare delivery, but its security model has not kept pace with its adoption, and the risks are not theoretical. Recent incidents highlight how real these risks have become.

In 2023, it was disclosed that Cerebral, a major telehealth provider focused on mental health services, had been sharing sensitive patient data – including mental health assessments, intake information, and personal identifiers – with third-party platforms such as social media and advertising networks. Millions of users were affected over several years.

More broadly, incidents in 2025 illustrate a different but equally critical risk – large-scale disruption of digital healthcare infrastructure. The breach of the ManageMyHealth patient portal exposed sensitive medical records of more than 120,000 patients, while the attack on SimonMed Imaging compromised over a million records and led to ransomware demands. These cases show that both telemedicine platforms and the broader digital healthcare ecosystems are increasingly targeted by attackers.

In parallel, scam campaigns focusing on medical topics are evolving, inviting patients for check-ups or follow-up consultations. Often the domains of the alleged “medical services” websites were created just a few weeks ago, links to the social media accounts on their pages are not working, and the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy pages are absent.

At the same time, these pages request users’ personal information, including photos of documents and even photos of parts of the body that need medical attention. Such websites often try to convince users with branding, fake doctor profiles, and urgent calls to action.

Users risk submitting sensitive personal data that can be either sold on the dark web, be used for identity theft, or subsequently used in more sophisticated attacks in the future that are targeted specifically at them for further data extortion.

To safeguard sensitive data, use a reliable security solution with an AI-powered anti-phishing component which prevents clicking on malicious links.

“The digital healthcare experience is transforming access to care, but it is also expanding the attack surface in ways many users underestimate. Medical data is highly valuable and actively traded on the dark web, making patients a prime target for fraud and targeted phishing.

“At the same time, health-related scams exploit urgency and trust, using fake consultations or discounted offers to trick users into sharing sensitive information. Patients should approach digital healthcare with the same caution as financial services – verifying providers, avoiding unsolicited links, and understanding how their data is used. Security and privacy must become a core part of the digital healthcare experience,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending