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Zain Nigeria Wins Global Award for Rural Telephone

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Zain Nigeria has won a global award in London, the United Kingdom, for introducing a rural telephone micro franchise programme, aimed at empowering rural people to communicate and create wealth and employment

The company got the global recognition in the "Emerging Markets Expansions Innovation award" category with its Rural Acquisition Initiative (RAI), beating competition from other big players in the international telecom industry.

The organizers of the award explained that Zain’s RAI which was first introduced on a pilot scale in the South East region of Nigeria in 2006 followed by a national rollout in 2008 is the first of such an approach to serve rural consumers in Africa.

Also, Zain Group, the leading telecommunications company in Africa and the Middle East, won the Global Telecoms Business Wireless network infrastructure innovation award for ‘One Network’, the world’s first borderless or roaming free mobile telecoms network service.

The awards were presented in a glittering ceremony at the Sheraton Park Lane hotel in London, to the architects of the most innovative projects in the global telecom industry. The ceremony which was organised by Global Telecom Business attracted many high profile players in the industry.

Zain RAI which is targeted at low income consumers in most rural and poorest parts of Nigeria is a massive but still under-tapped market centres on an innovative micro-franchising plan for base stations management. The telecom franchise programme initiative is designed to involve rural residents in base station management and distribution programme, creating jobs, wealth, and improved products and services availability in the process.

Franchisees selected for the programme are the drivers of the programme as local entrepreneurs and in turn recruit representatives from their locality to sell services and protect local base station at the centre of their area. They are given necessary technical, marketing, sales and financial support by Zain to help grow their businesses.

Lars Stork, chief operating officer, Zain Nigeria, said that RAI demonstrates the company’s commitment to empowering the 50% of Nigerians who live and work in rural communities to communicate and boost their businesses.

According to him the award is an acknowledgement of the success of the programme which has brought about sustainable job creation, local wealth generation, and improved availability of Zain’s products and services as well as reduction in security threat by unemployed youths in many local communities.

On the other hand, ‘One Network’, the world’s first borderless mobile telecoms network service was adjudged a ground breaking innovation and hence deserving of the award.

Zain ‘One Network’ service reduces the cost of making telephone calls by allowing customers to communicate freely across geographical borders and continents without roaming call surcharges and without having to pay to receive incoming calls wherever they travel in the 16 countries that currently participate in Zain’s One Network. In addition the customers are able to top up their prepaid accounts with airtime purchased from more than 1 million sales outlets in any of the countries in which One Network is operational.

In acknowledgement, Dr Saad Al Barrak, Zain chief executive officer, said the the award is testament to the considerable investment and commitment to a project that connects customers across the many countries in which Zain operates. "The GTB Innovation Award also honours those whose hard work has gone into the One Network initiative, which delivers on our promise to provide unique and innovative products and services for Zain customers," he said.


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MTN Awards N2.5m to Top Fellows at Media Innovation Programme Graduation

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MTN Nigeria recently celebrated the graduation of the third cohort of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP), awarding a total of NGN 2.5 million in cash prizes to three outstanding fellows. The graduation ceremony took place at the Pan-Atlantic University in Ibeju-Lekki, highlighting MTN’s commitment to fostering innovation in the media sector.

Launched in partnership with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, the MIP is designed to equip media professionals with essential skills in traditional journalism while emphasizing the importance of technology in storytelling. Over six-months, fellows engaged in a comprehensive curriculum that included topics such as media entrepreneurship, ICT in media, and ethical journalism.

During the graduation ceremony, three fellows were recognized for their exceptional contributions including the MTN Nigeria Chairman Award for Innovation awarded to Augustus Aigbe of Cool FM; the MTN Foundation Chairman Award for Innovative Reportage to Moninkanola Ogidan of Adaba 88.9FM, Akure and the MTN Award for Best Reporting awarded to Chiemelie Ezeobi from ThisDay Newspapers.

The Executive Director of MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, emphasized the importance of the media innovation and adaptability in media, stating that these awards represent an investment in the future leaders of journalism. “At MTN, we believe a lot in excellence, which is why the partnership with Pan-Atlantic University is still ongoing. We recognise that the future of media lies in innovation and adaptability.

“These awards do not just celebrate the Fellows’ achievement; we are investing in the next generation of media leaders. In an era where digital platforms redefine how stories are told, media practitioners must be equipped with the skills and resources to thrive.”

Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communication, highlighted the significance of investing in future media professionals to drive positive societal change while maintaining ethical standards. “In recent times, technological innovation, social media, Artificial Intelligence and the likes have been viewed as dangerous, due to their misuse, although they are not in themselves bad.

“And this is one thing that drives our programs for media practitioners. Our vision is to train and equip competent and professional persons who will use these technological advancements and platforms as a means to contribute to the good of the society.”

The ceremony ended with the Class President, Nifemi Oguntoye expressing his gratitude towards MTN and Pan-Atlantic University for providing a transformative experience that fostered cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and South Africa. “We’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best minds in the industry. The lessons learnt during our study trip, discussions and engagements have been invaluable. We are eternally grateful to Pan-Atlantic University and MTN for the commitment to empowering Nigerian journalists. A number of our colleagues look forward to having this experience in the next cohort and we know they will not be disappointed”, he said.

To date, MTN Nigeria has invested over NGN 300 million in the media. MIP not only aims to enhance the skills of individual practitioners but also seeks to contribute to a more robust media landscape capable of navigating the complexities of a digital economy projected to reach $18.3 billion by 2026. The event reflects MTN’s ongoing dedication to bridging the digital divide and enhancing media capabilities within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving landscape.


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MTN Commits to Nigeria’s Digital Growth at South Africa-Nigeria Summit

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MTN Group and MTN Nigeria have expressed delight at participating in the 11th South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission held in Cape Town on Tuesday, during which the strong bonds between the two countries were reinforced and plans were made to accelerate cooperation.

MTN Group CEO/President, Ralph Mupita and MTN Nigeria Chairman, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe with President Tinubu

The MTN delegation – led by Group President & CEO, Ralph Mupita, MTN Nigeria Chairman, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Olutokun Toriola – was honoured to engage with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the sidelines of the meeting, which was hosted by South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Hon Parks Tau.

MTN Nigeria is an important MTN subsidiary, accounting for some 27% of all MTN subscribers and some 23% of Group service revenue.

MTN has long established itself as a company that is a proud supporter of the Nigerian economy, remaining committed to contributing to the nation’s progress across several fronts.

“We believe in the Bi-National Commission’s objectives and the pivotal role of the digital economy in driving inclusive growth in Nigeria. We look forward to continuing our support for economic development initiatives,” says a MTN LinkedIn post.


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NiRA Honors Ikechukwu Nnamani with Prestigious Presidential Award

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Digital Realty Nigeria’s CEO, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, has received a prestigious Presidential recognition from the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) at the 7th .ng Awards.

Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani

This accolade recognizes his significant contributions to the growth and evolution of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem over the past three decades.

“Nnamani was honored for his innovative spirit and leadership in shaping the future of the digital landscape,” said NiRA President, Adesola Akinsanya, while commending him and other awardees for their exceptional work in driving digital transformation in Nigeria.

A visibly humbled Nnamani dedicated the award to his dedicated team at Digital Realty Nigeria, acknowledging their pivotal role in the company’s success. He expressed gratitude to NiRA and the broader industry for recognizing his contributions.

This latest recognition adds to Nnamani’s impressive list of accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards and the prestigious Titans of Tech Hall of Fame.

The 7th .ng Awards, a biennial event, celebrated the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made significant strides in Nigeria’s digital landscape.

The two-day event featured insightful discussions on emerging technologies, digital trends, and the role of the .ng domain in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.


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