Telecom
NGO Unveils Website to Fund MSMEs

MSME Crowd Funding Foundation, a non-profit making organisation on Thursday unveiled a new donation based website built specifically to raise funds and grants to support start-up, micro, small and medium sized enterprises.
Mr Magnus Nmonwu, a Trustee of the foundation, said the website was owned and operated by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Crowd Funding Foundation.
Nmonwu said at the official launch in Lagos that crowd funding was the practice of raising funds, capital or money for a project, business in small amounts from a large number of people, especially through the internet.
He said that it was also an alternative means of raising funds without going to the bank or financial institution.
“In Nigeria, the potential for crowd funding are untapped, inexhaustible and yet to be fully embraced, in spite of its successes as funding alternative in other countries.
“We, however, believe that with huge investment in education and stronger regulations in crowd funding activities, Nigeria would be on the path to crowd funding revolution, like in other notable fields of the economy.
“It is a known fact that MSMEs are the drivers or backbones of world economies.
“There are about 50 million SMEs, 100 million internet users and 120 million mobile phone users in Nigeria.
“MSMEs employ about 60 million people as at January 2014 which contributed to about 48 per cent or N38 trillion of Nigerians GDP and seven per cent of export earnings,’’ Nmonwu said.
He said that with all the natural resources that abound in Nigeria, it has yet to meet the basic needs of the citizens.
Nmonwu said that with the recent ratings of Nigeria as one of the poorest countries in the world, it was high time to start supporting one another in the little way to eradicate poverty.
He said that the platform would not only provide funds for start-ups, small and growing business, but also change the way Nigerians and the world support business operations.
“We plan to build the biggest network of entrepreneurial hub and act as the voice needed to change the landscape (policies and regulation) and challenge the status quo in favour of MSMEs.
“Our mission through www.fundanenterprise.org is to lighten the burden of doing business in Nigeria and help build, as many as possible, thriving enterprises or businesses in and beyond.
“By doing this, we believe we will support jobs creation and help improve the standard of living of Nigerians and the economy by extension.
“MSMEs in Nigeria are confronted with a number of issues, which include funding or access to funds to start or scale.
“www.fundanenterprise.org is a bridge to this gap and is here to serve as an alternative funding source for start-up, micro, small and medium enterprises,’’ Nmonwu said.
He urged the MSMEs and initiators of creative ideas to look at the alternative sources of funding and consequently, tap into the internet to solicit donations to sustain and expand their ideas.
Mrs. Chukwunonso Onny-Ezeh, Founder and CEO, Assist 2 Sell Properties Limited, speaking at the launch call on Nigerians to propagate the platform so that the visions of the trustees are achieved.
She urged Nigerians who invested in the collapsed MMM pyramid scheme to embrace this Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Crowd Funding project, noting that this will help to build the biggest network of entrepreneurs in the country.
She added that beneficiaries should be properly mentored in order to ensure that the grants given to them are used for the purpose for which it was intended.
Telecom
NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced strict corporate governance rules that will bar its top officials from taking up roles in telecom companies they regulate until five years after leaving office.
Under the new Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Communications Industry, the Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Board Commissioners, both executive and non-executive, are barred from being appointed to any position in a licensed telecom company until five years after their exit from the Commission.
Similarly, Directors of Departments at the NCC face a three-year cooling-off period before they can take jobs with any licensee under the Commission’s supervision.
The move, announced on August 11, 2025, seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in Nigeria’s fast-growing telecommunications industry.
Departmental directors face a three-year cooling-off period before joining any licensee under the agency’s oversight.
This policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure impartial regulation.
By creating a clear separation between regulators and the industry, the NCC hopes to curb undue influence and maintain public trust.
]The guidelines reflect a global trend in regulatory bodies enforcing cooling-off periods.
Similar measures exist in industries like finance and energy to safeguard against regulatory capture.
For Nigeria’s telecom sector, this is a significant step toward aligning with international best practices.
The NCC’s new framework also targets telecom operators’ internal governance.
Board chairmen or vice-chairmen are barred from holding executive powers or serving as MD/CEO of a licensee.
Former board chairmen and non-executive directors must wait five years before assuming executive roles in the same company or its affiliates.
Additionally, no more than two family members can serve on a licensee’s board simultaneously.
These measures aim to promote balanced board structures and reduce nepotism.
Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman, NCC, emphasised the importance of these reforms.
“Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now a strategic imperative,” he said during the guidelines’ launch in Lagos.
Maida highlighted that robust governance correlates with better business performance, citing an NCC internal review. Companies with strong governance frameworks consistently outperform peers in service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance.
Nigeria’s telecom sector is a cornerstone of its digital economy. With over 222 million active mobile subscriptions as of Q1 2025, the industry supports critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and education.
However, challenges like cybersecurity threats, energy shocks, and rising consumer demands have exposed governance weaknesses. The NCC’s new rules aim to address these by fostering transparency, accountability, and innovation.
The guidelines apply to all communications companies holding individual licences and paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022.
The NCC has indicated flexibility in applying the rules across different licence categories, with phased compliance measures to be communicated in writing. While the rules may cause short-term disruptions for operators, the NCC insists that long-term benefits, like improved service quality and market trust, will outweigh these challenges.
Telecom
Airtel, Vodacom sign Network Infrastructure Agreement to Drive Digital Inclusion

Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in key markets including Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries.
The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa.
The initial partnership focuses on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure, to accelerate the roll-out of digital services in these markets, increasing connectivity for customers while reducing operators’ infrastructure costs and improving speed to market.
By leveraging existing infrastructure, the collaboration aims to deliver improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and more reliable services. This will not only enhance customer experience but also assist with providing access to digital services for a broader population, particularly those in underserved areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in Africa.
Vodacom Group’s chief executive officer Shameel Joosub said: “Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent.
Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant.
This partnership provides us with the opportunity to narrow the digital divide, empowering more individuals and communities through digitalisation across the continent. It is aligned with our purpose to connect for a better future,” concludes Joosub.
Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said: “This partnership is aligned with our unwavering commitment to delighting our customers by always making our network available to them even in the remotest locations.
“Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities which will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements.
“Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build resilient network with strong capacity to support the emerging digital technologies as well as the growing need for data-enabled products and services.
“Accelerating the deployment of fibre connectivity is a key enabler in the acceleration of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa to deliver the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connections needed for modern digital applications.
“This partnership allows for further opportunities for both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage, and increase mobile, fixed, and financial services leveraging a broader footprint on the continent.”
Telecom
Truecaller Crosses 100m Users in MEA Region

Truecaller, a global caller ID and spam prevention platform, has reached 100 million active users in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, representing a 19% year-over-year increase.
According to the platform, the region’s main markets include Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Ghana, and Jordan.
Truecaller is routinely utilised on 20% to 45% of connected cellphones in these areas, including Android and iOS devices, according to the business.
The app has gained traction across the African continent with its concept of resolving communication issues for individuals and businesses by blocking unsolicited calls.
It has also collaborated with local businesses, forming major partnerships including a recent cooperation with Telecom Egypt to change consumer communication and experience by providing safe, customised, and seamless calling experiences.
Truecaller’s CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, stated that the service has grown organically in markets such as MEA and India due to the mobile first environment, which uses a user’s mobile number as the primary identifier of calls. He under-lined that the MEA market provides a growth-enabling environment.
“We’re continuing to strengthen our organisation and our partnerships in the region, because we believe that the MEA is poised for significant growth for many years ahead,” said Jhunjhunwala.
- News3 days ago
Google Hit by AI-driven Cyber Attack
- General News3 days ago
Kuwait Busts Nigerian Cybercrime Ring Targeting Telecom Tower, Banks
- News3 days ago
FIRS Rolls out e-invoicing System for Large Corporate Taxpayers
- E-Business3 days ago
Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector
- E-Business3 days ago
PalmPay Partners AXA Mansard Health to Make Digital Insurance Accessible, Affordable
- Telecom3 days ago
MTN Nigeria’s Mega Billion Promo Turns Airtime into Fortune for Thousands Amid Economic Strain
- Telecom3 days ago
I see Crisis, Resignations @ MTN, Airtel, Others – Primate Ayodele
- Telecom3 days ago
T2 Commits to Innovation, Resilience as Customer-centric Ethos Form New Focus