General News
Solo Phone Leverages Digital Contents & Services for Growth- Ogundipe
Tayo Ogundipe, is co-founder of Solo, an experience-driven digital content and smartphone company focused on delivering the best content and services on the mobile platform to African consumers.
Ogundipe, a Nigerian-born, former senior global executive with HTC and Sony Ericsson together with other Solo management team bring an unusual blend of global sector expertise and deep knowledge of African markets that enable the team to conceive and implement a market-leading, mobile consumer proposition uniquely suited to African markets.
Solo, among other things, is packaged with competitive data bundles from mobile operator partners, content and service offerings, to create a revolutionary, new customer-centred user experience, never before been seen on the African continent, he told peter ugwu in this interview.
Concept of Solo Phone
The very premise of Solo, is a belief that the digital contents and services huge, obviously, globally, and incredibly huge in the emerging markets, because Solo, is really an emerging market player. Probably, we started in Nigeria, but the vision is to go across the emerging markets.
The way we look at it is that the digital contents are not enough to have them, especially in the value added services (VAS) are, they will have life-changing and transformative impacts on our quality of live, how we executive services and will hopefully increase quality of live in the emerging markets.
We believe that the direction to digital contents and services is set; nothing is going to stop that, but how quickly the adoption happens is a function of who the players are in the space.
And Solo Phone hopes to be one of the catalysts to help in the adoption of those digital contents and services in this market in the ways that create wealth, profitable and valuable to the end users.
So, we look at it from the point of view of contents first, value added services later.
Contents are around entertainment: music, movies; we will be talking about games very soon, to complete the entertainment side of the content.
On the VAS area, we are actually looking at it becoming the most interesting part in the coming years; where there will be incredible innovative solutions on digital platform around critical sectors like health, banking & finance, education, commerce, and other significant aspects of our economy or way of life.
In those cases, we believe that the mobile platform will be the primary media through which these things will be consumed. We feel strongly about that.
We see Nigeria and other country on this continent leapfrogging the personal computer, laptop world into smartphone world, because of the economics of it; it is cheaper to buy it, the mobility, ubiquity that makes it possible to go anywhere and do a lot with it.
It could be your voice, internet, music, mobile Tv device; there is just a lot one can do within the smartphone arena. It is going to enable a lot of things and digital content and services are going to play a big role.
The whole idea of Solo is to be a key player in that help to accelerate the directions it go. As a local pedigree, we will help speed up the process.
Market Penetration
The way to look at Solo is, we are primarily in the digital content and services business. What we do on the hardware side is driven by the need to provide the platform for consuming the contents.
So, in the device side of the business, we are barely one year in the market. For us, it is about setting the foundation for success.
This is a long time play. We are not going to sell and disappear like many do. A huge chunk of our time, last year, was on building that foundation: establishing brand presence, distribution partners with critical players like Slot, Micro Station and other big names, establishing regional presence and of course, establishing our digital apps around music.
So, the actual sells and penetration didn’t kick off till the second half of last year, but in terms of how it works, were we have distribution we do extremely well.
It is a sign of how far we are going. Although, we are new, we are present in every regional chain. And the retailers are happy to carry us along as they expand nationwide.
We are on the process of growing that distribution. Clearly, the preposition is resonating with the consumers; they are willing to work with us and embrace the platform.
Solo View Application
Like I said earlier, it is part of the continuum of our entertainment package in the digital platform. We started with Solo music, which is at this point limited to solo phones, because we have some exciting things coming down the pipe.
The way we started that, we entered into agreement with the top three global labels that offer us access to millions music catalogues and they keep getting better by the day.
When you benchmark Solo music with other platforms out there, it sets itself apart both on the depth of our offering, experience and everything that is done around it.
At the moment, you have to buy Solo smartphone phones to enjoy it. Beyond music, everything we are doing is available on Android platform.
So in Solo View we moved from music to movies. The way we look at it is this: mobility is the core of the preposition; the ability to take these stuffs to the subscribers.
If we look at the quality of our lives coupled with busy-engagements of the day; traffic, running from one place to another, we spend more time outside than at home.
To add insult to injury, not all time we spend on the road are productive. So, the ability to take entertainment with you has value anywhere in the world, here, it has magnifying value. To us, entertainment is the combination of music, movies, games and other interesting things that get people excited.
What prompted Solo View was the urge to set ourselves apart in the market. We looked at the market and saw people trying to do amazing things, but they have fundamental limitations often dictated by infrastructure.
Most solutions, before we came were streaming based, which was tied to protecting the intellectual property right of the company.
That affected the consumer experience. Well, the operators have done magnificent job by investing in the 3G network, but the truth of the matter is that growth in usage and demand is still outpacing investment in the networks. So, the customer experience is still lagging in so many areas.
If it is hard to make a call, you can imagine trying to stream a movie on such network, probably, while you are traveling.
That is a challenge and a limitation to the consumer. When we came into the space, we asked ourselves the pertinent question as what we can do to differently.
Therefore, we decided that one essential thing for good customer experience is a download solution; the ability to sit at a place, download as much content into the device or any Android Device that you have.
One, the experience is better. Two, it is more predictable. And that affects our pricing model. For us, the idea it is about that optimal experience for an average customer to enjoy the device, even on the go.
Solo view is a rental service. If it were a Nigerian content, it gives you 15 days window to watch it as many times as you want. It expires on its own.
If it were a Hollywood movie, for instance, it stays on your phone for 30 days. So, we don’t just make it easy for download, the pricing model enables the subscriber to enjoy the content. At the expiration, you delete and create more space for the next one.
Promotion of Local Digital Content
That is the goal and we are achieving it. On the music side we are getting good traction on the local content.
The basic assumption is that 70% of the content is local. For us at Solo, we believe that when you have a movie or video platform, like the Solo View, you actually optimize the platform with the richness of the offering.
When it comes to richness of offering it has to be tied to relevance with the target market which makes local content very compelling. We have huge Hollywood stuffs; they are compelling, current, good quality of 2014 movies of SD/HD option, we are very proud of them.
We get it faster than any other person in this market does. But as we still look at how to enrich the overall experience, we still think the local part is going to be critical. We believe that in not too distant future we will work with the content generating platforms-the publishers, writers, directors, even the artistes; probably, to engage on production of custom-made proprietary content to be deployed on our platform, maybe redistribute afterwards.
We will look beyond the traditional movies. Ours is a society that has some defined segments-religion, finance, et cetera.
The bottom-line is: we are looking at multiple ways to generate contents. It goes to show that this is a customer-centric business.
Solo View and Other Online Content Providers
Obviously, we have the download option. The depth of our offering expands to Nollywood, Hollywood, and others.
And we have to consider the vision. We see are just starting, but in the next three to six months, people will get more abreast with the concept. We see the foundations we are laying as critical in the business continuum.
To us, it not just an isolated movie offering, rather an entertainment offering. For us, we are not a one-shop-movie play station rather a digital entertainment company that is trying to maximize what we have for customer satisfaction.
You cannot take away our commitment to constantly search for that content that makes sense for the people.
Our goal is to build Solo Loyalists to trust us and be at the forefront of innovation around the entire digital content spectrum.
Connectivity Challenge
That is an excellent observation, but that is the principal thing that sets us apart. We deploy our own Solo Hotspots.
Others don’t! The primary deployments were done around our retail locations. We have more than 100 hotspots deployed nationwide and on the second phase to deploy at non-retail location, like where people congregate.
Therefore, aside the arrangements we have made, we are still looking at solving the data issue. It is expensive to pay for data to be able to access contents. We decided that music is more data-friendly, and even went ahead to partner operators to offer free data at some points.
For instance, if you buy Solo phone you get 500mgbyte of data for a period of time from either Etisalat or Airtel.
On the movie side, even with the download solution, it is still expensive. So, we came into the market with our hotspots. At any point of sale, you use Solo phone or any Android device, go to the playstore, download our application and download movies as you like.
The speed is unbelievable. You can download a full length of Nollywood movie in less than two minutes.
The bigger catch is: it is free data. We are using that to solve connectivity problem. So, for the movie, you are just paying for the content and should not the data.
If there is no hotspot close-by, it gets to the next level which is click to use either the WiFi or 3G network. So, we go through that three-stage progression to make sure connectivity experience is optimized and the reduction in the cost.
Solo’s Preparedness towards Digital Migration
The design of our devices (the hardware part of the business) is critical when you talk about the digital era in Nigeria and the experience.
We have our 5” product and still looking at tablets and others. We try to optimize the experience to the consumer with power banks, ear-phones, and other features.
In terms of opportunities beyond the mobile platforms, in the content business, the key is finding ways of monetizing the services. Good enough, we are not limited in any way, to a particular content.
Solo In 2015
A lot of people see Solo as just a device company, which is cool; we are proud of that too. However, in 2015, we are going to emerge more in the digital content space. We have the roadmap on how to revolve our experience.
Like I said earlier, in music, we will be leading the way. We will be making more noise in the digital content and services business. So, we start filling-in the true picture of Solo; what it represents to every segment of the society.
General News
EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money

Ola Olukoyede, chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised the alarm that some corrupt Nigerian politicians are now hiding their illicit wealth in cryptocurrencies to evade scrutiny and detection by anti-graft agencies.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC
The EFCC boss said the agency had uncovered a growing trend where fraudulent public officials now used cryptocurrency wallets to stash stolen public funds and conduct illicit transactions.
Olukoyede made the revelation at an event commemorating Africa Anti-Corruption Day.
The event was held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State.
Other speakers at the event lamented that Nigerians usually fell victim to crypto fraud, including the recent CBEX scam, where Nigerians lost over N1.3tn.
Olukoyede said, “Virtual asset fraud is on the rise. Our findings show that fraudulent politicians are already perfecting schemes and hiding their loot in cryptocurrencies to beat the investigative blackness of anti-corruption agencies.
“Stolen funds and unexplained wealth are being warehoused in wallets and payment for services are being done through this window,” he said.
Olukoyede warned that while the rise of virtual assets had transformed financial transactions globally, it had also created new avenues for money laundering and financial crimes.
He said, “Technology is moving at a supersonic speed around the world.
“The advent of virtual assets is a response to one of the qualities of money as a store of value like it is known in our elementary economies.”
“However, as with every progressive innovation, fraud starts to usually evolve, evolve ways of perverting their genuine purposes,” he said.
He added that the EFCC was not helpless in the face of the sophisticated schemes, noting that proactive training and intelligence sharing had enabled the commission to identify and investigate such cases.
General News
Airtel Nigeria Drives BFSI and Utility Sector Innovation with Industry-wide Workshop

Airtel Nigeria, telecommunications and digital solutions provider, has reemphasised its commitment to national development with a two-day workshop for companies in Nigeria’s Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) and utility sectors.
Held from July 8 to 9, 2025 at the Lagos Continental, the exclusive event brought together C-suite executives and industry thought leaders to co-create transformative and tech-driven solutions for these critical industries.
Themed “Banking on Innovation: Powering Financial Services with Connectivity” on 1 and “Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Leap: Smarter Networks, Smarter Business” on Day 2, the sessions were designed to identify critical pain points, unlock business potential, and drive smarter, more connected operations across two of the nation’s most essential sectors.
Delivering the keynote address, Dinesh Balsingh, Managing Director/CEO of Airtel Nigeria, reaffirmed Airtel’s dedication to enabling and driving Nigeria’s digital transformation across the finance and energy sectors.
Speaking on the timeliness of the workshop, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh said, “From power and water to finance, transportation, and logistics, this is a defining moment for every sector. The real question isn’t whether to adopt digital solutions, but how quickly and intelligently we can do so. At Airtel Nigeria, we’re moving beyond basic connectivity and becoming a true digital partner to the industries we serve.”
He highlighted Airtel’s categories of enterprise solutions that has been created to improve quality of life. These groupings include Internet of Things (IoT) for such services as smart metering, leak detection, energy optimisation, and real-time asset tracking; Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), which enables secure, multi-channel customer engagement via SMS, WhatsApp, Voice, and USSD; as well asl Network as a Service (NaaS), which delivers flexible, secure connectivity with cloud-ready agility.
Mr. Balsingh added that, “Nigeria’s power and energy industries are under growing pressure to modernise. Legacy infrastructure, fragmented systems, and lack of real-time visibility are major obstacles. Airtel is stepping in with the right tools, not just to connect, but to transform. With IoT, CPaaS, and NaaS, we’re laying the groundwork for smarter operations, improved service delivery, and better outcomes for businesses and consumers alike.”
Abhishek Biswal, Chief Business Officer, Digital Services at Airtel India, brought substantial insight to the discourse with a demonstration of Airtel’s IoT Hub and its transformative impact on energy distribution.
Biswal said, “The future of finance and energy is digital, and that future must be secure, scalable, and seamless. When financial players and utility providers partner with telcos like Airtel, we’re not just connecting systems; we’re building a smarter digital ecosystem for everyone.”
Reinforcing the CEO’s position, Ogo Ofomata, Director, Airtel Business, called for collaboration among the participating sector and their stakeholders.
“We don’t take lightly the trust you have put in us. Airtel operates in what we call the enabler industry. Sometimes we don’t even know there’s a problem until we come together like this. This workshop is about understanding your needs and working side by side to design solutions that truly fit,” she said.
In his remarks, Luc Serviant, Group Enterprise Business Director at Airtel Africa, highlighted the company’s role in driving digital transformation through sustained investments in 5G and LEO satellite connectivity, aimed at boosting remote operations and expanding access in underserved regions across the finance and energy sectors.
He said, “At Airtel, we understand that the future of is going digital, and reliable connectivity is the backbone of that future. From 5G to LEO satellite integration, we are investing in intelligent infrastructure that empowers service providers to operate more efficiently, respond in real-time, and deliver uninterrupted services to millions of Nigerians. This isn’t just about innovation; it’s about building the digital foundation that will power the nation’s next chapter.”
This workshop, which continues the series of sectoral engagements within Nigeria’s growing economy, concluded with feedback from stakeholders who called for the inclusion of regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in future editions.
General News
AfCFTA Credit Fund Makes First Investment With $10m Loan

The Credit Fund of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund has successfully closed its first investment, committing $10 million to Telecel Global Services Ltd, through a senior secured amortising loan.
The transaction marks a significant milestone in the operationalisation of the Fund. The Credit Fund is one of three Funds under the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established by the AfCFTA Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to provide targeted transitional support to AfCFTA State Parties and private sector entities as they adjust to the requirements and opportunities presented by the AfCFTA Agreement.
Telecel Global Services, a subsidiary of the Mauritius based Telecel Group, provides wholesale voice and SMS services and enterprise connectivity solutions to more than 250 telecoms operators across Africa and globally.
With digital connectivity being at the heart of the trade and economic integration and success of the AfCFTA, this facility will support Telecel’s expansion in Ghana and Liberia, strengthen its infrastructure, and contribute to bridging Africa’s digital divide through enhanced connectivity and digital inclusion.
By investing in digital infrastructure in underserved markets, the Fund is helping reduce trade barriers, foster cross-boarder productivity and accelerate inclusive industrialization. Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman of the Board of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Corporation, stated: “
The closing of our first deal marks a historic milestone for the Credit Fund and the broader vision of the AfCFTA.
This US$10 million investment in Telecel Global Services is a clear demonstration of how targeted capital can drive meaningful impact—accelerating digital connectivity, enabling intraAfrican trade, and supporting private sector-led development in priority sectors.
It is our commitment to ensure that such investments continue to bridge critical gaps, stimulate economic resilience, and unlock Africa’s vast potential.”
H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, noted: “This transaction demonstrates how the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund is beginning to serve its intended purpose – supporting State Parties and the private sector as we work to make this Agreement commercially meaningful.
By investing in digital infrastructure, we are addressing some of the most critical enablers of trade facilitation, industrialisation, and regional value chain development.”
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, added: “Today, we make another bold statement of our unwavering intent to ensure that Africans reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
We are proud to have commenced the operationalisation of the Credit Fund. With this Fund, we will provide vital support to African corporates, helping them retool and expand their operations necessary to capitalise on the AfCFTA opportunities.
The investment strengthens a critical enabler, the digital economy and regional connectivity, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to transforming the structure of the African economy.”
Marlene Ngoyi, CEO, FEDA, the Fund Manager of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, said: “This investment exemplifies the strategic intent of the Credit Fund – to catalyse growth and resilience in sectors that are vital for Africa’s structural transformation.
We are proud to partner with Telecel, whose operations directly advance intra-African connectivity and digital trade.”
The Credit Fund will continue to prioritise commercially viable investments that enable trade, support diversification, and promote inclusive growth in line with the broader AfCFTA implementation agenda.
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