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General News

HP Strengthens Portfolio with its Largest Launch @ CES 2022

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HP Inc. has unveiled new devices and solutions designed to enhance collaboration and creation experiences so people can work and create wherever they are.

Hybrid work requires more than simply collaborating and working together. It challenges technology to provide the same experience no matter where people are.

Workplaces are now wherever people want them to be, but the expectations of their work doesn’t change. People need to be seen and heard clearly and be productive and inspired.

“Hybrid changed everything. We now have more freedom to be productive and creative from anywhere,” said Alex Cho, president, Personal Systems, HP Inc.

“Our hardware, software, and solutions innovations deliver the experiences needed to thrive in a hybrid world, providing the power to blend our most productive environments for work and creativity with our most inspired ideas.”

Continuing to build on the recent launch of HP Presence, HP added exciting new features for better video conferencing experiences. People can now enhance their onscreen image to personalize how they show up in meetings with the Appearance Filter, while the myHP application provides a single dashboard to control and customize their PC experience – like applying video settings across their conferencing apps with a single click.

HP has also made its advanced collaboration technology available across more of its portfolio, including the EliteBook 800 G9 Series PCs, EliteBook 1000 G9 Series PC, ZBook Firefly G9, and Z40c and Z34c G3 Curved Displays, and newest Elite Dragonfly PCs. From 5MP cameras with HP Auto Frame to AI-based noise reduction filters and dynamic voice leveling technology, HP Presence delivers a better way to be seen, be heard, and share ideas for people outside of the meeting room.

Taking workforce collaboration to a whole new level, HP has expanded its portfolio of Elite Dragonfly devices, delivering on the customer demand for premium mobile devices when it comes to hybrid work. These devices drive progress towards increasing sustainability with recycled magnesium, aluminum, and ocean bound plastics.

The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 with Windows 11 empowers mobile professionals to bring their best to every meeting. Still lighter than air at under 1kg and available in Slate Blue or Natural Silver, the HP Elite Dragonfly G3 is powered by 12th Gen Intel processors. The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 features a 13.5” clamshell design, while giving users more screen with a taller 3:2 aspect screen ratio to keep them productive.

Enhanced by HP Presence, the Elite Dragonfly delivers an exceptional collaboration experience with Audio by Bang & Olufsen and four discrete amps working together to create immersive sound, HP Dynamic Voice Leveling automatically optimizing voice clarity, and AI-based noise reduction 2.0 enhances audio so people can be heard even when wearing a mask.

Equipped with intelligent charging, the battery learns work patterns to optimize power consumption. HP Wolf Security for Business provides a resilient defense against malware and hacking.

Purpose-built for the mobile intensity of cloud-centric workstyles, the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook Enterprise is the world’s most advanced Chromebook for business.

Delivering breakthrough collaboration experiences and security, the new premium Chromebook empowers business and cloud users with the simplicity of Chrome OS to collaborate, share and capture ideas.

The HP E24m, E27m, and E34m Conferencing Monitors are the world’s most advanced conferencing monitor series that deliver the most authentic face-to-face meetings in your dedicated workspace.

Present your best self on any call with a 5MP tiltable privacy webcam, improved lighting sensors, Windows Hello login, noise-cancelling mics, and front-firing speakers. Meeting over 200 quality benchmarks, these monitors are Zoom Certified so you can rest assured that you can be seen and heard with high-quality video and audio.

For people looking for a sleek and easy-to-use conferencing experience, the HP M24 and M27 Webcam Monitors are ideal for connecting with friends and family or learning from home via a 5MP webcam, front-firing speakers, and noise-cancelling mics. Connect your device with just one USB-C® cable and get seamless connectivity to any Chromebook with Works with Chromebook certification.

Every company needs their workforce to have improved productivity, collaboration, and security for how they work in a new hybrid world.

Additional new Windows 11 devices created with this in mind include the HP Elite x360 1040 G9 and HP EliteBook 1040 G9 which push the limits of performance and lightness for mobile workers everywhere.

Others include the HP EliteBook 800 G9 Series PCs which have been redesigned with an ultra slim chassis, a new 16:10 ratio screen, and a larger clickpad ratio, the HP EliteBook 600 G9 Series PCs, the powerful, easy to manage, and highly secure PCs that allow easy standardization into existing IT environments, while giving users the tools they need to work from almost anywhere; and the HP ProBook 400 G9 Series PCs which combine lightweight, upgradeable designs with commercial performance, security, and durability ideal for growing businesses.

In today’s hybrid world, we have entered a world of multi-device experiences, constantly swapping one device for another while navigating quick bursts of creativity on the go to extended focus times at a desk. Creators in this new environment need digital solutions that are accessible, consistent, complementary, and continuous.

This is where the HP ENVY Desktop PC comes in. It is the new expansive powerhouse for creatives, designed to be the central hub to help you learn, create, and manage every aspect of modern life.

The device keeps up as your creative skills grow with Windows 11, up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti graphics, along with one touch tool-less expandability for easy upgradeability.

Next is the HP Z2 Mini G9, the world’s most powerful mini workstation, which brings high performance that’s packed into a new versatile, contemporary design. Architects and graphic designers in need of a device small enough to fit space-constrained environments no longer need to sacrifice performance.

The Z2 Mini G9 comes equipped with low-profile NVIDIA RTX™ professional graphics, combined with next-gen Intel® Core™ processors, including K-Series, for seamless transitions between multiple applications for design, rendering, and simulation and the ability to power 2D to 3D workflows.

Another is the HP Z40c G3 and HP Z34c G3 Curved Displays, designed for creators and power users who want to replace their dual monitor setup with one large, immersive, and color accurate display.

The HP Z40c G3 Curved Display, the world’s largest conferencing monitor with an integrated 4K webcam, lets you see every detail on a sharp 5K:2K 40” screen with a high aspect ratio, critical pixel density, and get a seamless and fast connection with Thunderbolt 3 – enough to charge two PCs at once.

When creators are working on multiple devices, files, and projects at once, HP Device Bridge 2.0 brings uninterrupted creativity to your workstream. Connect both the Z2 Mini and Firefly – or any Windows® or Mac® devices – to either display and simultaneously work with the ability to drag and drop files between the two computers effortlessly.

Additional new devices and accessories for creators include the ZBook Firefly 14 G9, HP’s most mobile ZBook workstation, and ZBook Firefly 16 G9 which brings professional-level performance, an AI-enhancing webcam, and a 16:10 color-accurate HP DreamColor display to a truly sleek and light mobile workstation.

Also Designed for creators by creators is the new HP ENVY 27- inch All-in-One Desktop PC which lets you be at your best when you create, connect, and collaborate. A smaller but equally powerful version of the recently announced 34-inch model – this 27-inch 4K version features true-to-life color, powerful performance, and a detachable magnetic camera.


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General News

NITDA Makes Case for Inclusive Tech for Special Needs

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National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasized the importance of developing policies that intentionally include approximately 35 million persons with special needs in digital literacy and technology empowerment initiatives.

NITDA Makes Case for Inclusive Tech for Special Needs

Ms. Grace Jerry, executive director,  Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and  Malam Kashifu Inuwa, director-general, NITDA.

This was stated by Malam Kashifu Inuwa, director-general, NITDA, in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), a disability advocacy organization led by Ms. Grace Jerry, its executive director.

Inuwa noted that integrating persons with special needs into these programmes supports President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of economic reform and inclusive growth.

“This has brought to my attention the need to be more intentional in the way we design our programmes because there is no way we can achieve 95 per cent digital inclusion if we exclude 35 million Nigerians.”

“The agency has always been conducting targeted training for people with special needs in various parts of the country in the past.

“We will ensure that we expand our initiatives to all parts of country and our office facility have that in consideration but our programmes going forward will reflect this inclusion,” he said.

The Director General recommended including representatives from the disability community in national ICT committees tasked with setting standards, designing training curricula, and shaping policy frameworks.

He emphasized that their participation would ensure adequate representation and facilitate implementation beyond bureaucratic constraints.

He further advocated for the integration of disability-focused initiatives into national programmes such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) tech schemes, women’s training cohorts, and other major technology-driven activities. According to him, these platforms offer vital opportunities for networking, skills development, and enterprise support.

“For us, it’s beyond just training. The real goal is empowerment, how we can train people to use IT to expand their businesses and improve their lives,” Inuwa said.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strategic collaboration and invited disability-focused organisations to partner with NITDA in shaping an inclusive digital economy.

Earlier, Jerry expressed appreciation to the agency for the engagement and highlighted the digital gap within the disability community.

She said the government’s goal of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 would only be realistic if it was truly inclusive.

“Digital literacy is fast becoming a foundational skill for employment, and without deliberate inclusion, millions will be left behind,” Jerry said.

The meeting highlighted NITDA’s growing commitment to inclusive policy development, aligned with the nation’s economic reform agenda.

 

 


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Interswitch, Bank of Sierra Leone Champion Financial Inclusion @ Sierra Leone Fintech Forum 2.0

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As part of its sustained efforts to accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital finance transformation, Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, in collaboration with the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) has successfully hosted the second edition of the Sierra Leone Fintech Forum, bringing together key stakeholders across the financial ecosystem to chart a course toward broader access, inclusion, and growth through digital payments.

The event, which held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, convened senior representatives from both the public and private sectors, including regulators, banks, fintechs, mobile money operators, and development organisations, for a day of high-level dialogue and engagement.

Building on the success of the inaugural edition, this year’s theme, “Access, Inclusion and Growth – Deepening Digital Payments in Sierra Leone,” reflected a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and resilient financial system through collaboration and innovation.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Building on Progress: Expanding Access, Driving Inclusion, and Fueling Growth for National Prosperity,” Akeem Lawal, Managing Director, Payment Processing and Switching (Interswitch Purepay), reinforced the company’s commitment to co-creating value in the markets it serves.

“Financial inclusion goes beyond launching more apps or issuing more cards, it’s about solving real problems with solutions that are scalable, secure, and grounded in local realities. Since the first edition of the Fintech Forum, Sierra Leone has made clear progress, with strong mobile penetration and a forward-looking Central Bank. What’s needed now is execution that is sustained, coordinated, and responsive to the realities on the ground.

“By applying lessons from multiple African markets and tailoring them to local needs, Interswitch is committed to supporting Sierra Leone’s digital transformation. That means enabling agency networks that function effectively, driving merchant acceptance to reduce cash reliance, and working closely with regulators to co-create policy that drives real progress and inclusive growth.”

In his remarks, Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone, commended Interswitch’s continued investment in the country’s digital transformation journey. He highlighted the Central Bank’s commitment to driving regulatory innovation and building an inclusive ecosystem. He said,

“The Bank of Sierra Leone recognises the critical role of digital financial services in building a more inclusive and resilient economy. Events like the Sierra Leone Fintech Forum, in collaboration with innovators like Interswitch, help accelerate the adoption of technologies that bring more Sierra Leoneans into the formal financial system. We remain committed to creating an enabling regulatory environment that fosters innovation while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability.”

A key highlight of the forum was the live demonstration of Interswitch’s Agency Banking solutions, designed to bridge the gap between traditional banking infrastructure and underserved and remote communities. Attendees experienced firsthand how the platform supports secure, efficient, and accessible financial transactions across Sierra Leone through a decentralised network of agents.

The event featured a series of insightful panel discussions, interactive Question & Answer sessions, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the ecosystem. As mobile connectivity expands and Sierra Leone’s digital agenda accelerates, the forum provided a timely platform to align actors, surface practical solutions, and build collective momentum toward a more inclusive financial system.

The Sierra Leone Fintech Forum reaffirmed Interswitch’s role as a catalyst for digital finance transformation in the region and across the continent. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the company remains committed to supporting the country’s financial inclusion goals through innovation, shared infrastructure, and strategic partnerships that power a more inclusive, digital and future-ready economy.


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AFC Proffers Action Plans for Nigeria, Africa to Unlock $4trn from Investors to Grow Economy

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Nigeria and other African nations can tap up to $4 trillion in capital from institutional investors, an amount that could be used to fund the continent’s infrastructural gaps and engineer much-needed economic growth, according to the Africa Finance Corporation.

While there are as investable domestic capital across banking assets, institutional funds, and reserves, the multilateral lender revealed on Thursday that funds are still being channeled into “low-risk and short-term instruments instead of being channelled into the real economy.”

“Redirecting more savings into the real economy is critical,” said Rita Babihuga-Nsanze, AFC chief economist and director of strategy, speaking during the AFC’s 2025 State of Africa’s Infrastructure briefing. “Africa must build its intermediation infrastructure to match its development needs.”

Nigeria is however demonstrating how Africa can unlock domestic capital for infrastructure, with its pension fund investments in the sector rising from just $6 million in 2015 to more than $155 million in less than a decade.

This milestone, driven largely by reforms and credit enhancement mechanisms like InfraCredit, underscores the growing role of pensions in financing long-term development on the continent.

Data from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) shows that as of February 2025, Nigeria’s infrastructure-related pension assets had grown to N250.87 billion, representing 1 percent of total assets under management (AUM).

This is a sharp increase from the N1.19 billion recorded in 2015, which stood at just 0.02 percent of AUM.

A turning point came in 2017, with the launch of InfraCredit and Nigeria’s maiden corporate infrastructure bond. The credit guarantee initiative helped de-risk infrastructure projects, attracting conservative institutional investors like pension fund administrators (PFAs).

Chinua Azubike, managing director of InfraCredit said the credit-guarantee institution has helped facilitated bonds to build critical infrastructure, citing the bond raised for the construction of the Lagos Free Zone.

Azubike noted that while perception of risks persists, the company has “zero default rate” despite being involved in well over 12 sectors.

But while Nigeria’s growth is notable, pension allocations across Africa remain largely skewed toward low-risk, short-term instruments such as government securities and money market funds.

In countries like Ghana and Uganda, over 75 percent of pension assets are held in government bonds. Nigeria itself still holds 63 percent of its pension assets in these instruments.

This conservative stance, analysts say, reflects both regulatory caution and the underdevelopment of local capital markets.

In contrast, economies like India and OECD countries show a more balanced allocation, with significant exposure to corporate debt, real estate, and alternative investments. For example, OECD pension funds allocate nearly 20 percent to alternatives, according to AFC data.

To replicate Nigeria’s model, experts are calling for a coordinated effort to deepen capital markets, build risk assessment capacity, and create vehicles that can intermediate long-term finance effectively.

Beyond returns, pension investments in infrastructure have the added benefit of creating jobs, boosting productivity, and supporting economic resilience, critical needs in a post-pandemic, climate-vulnerable Africa.

 


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