Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

News

AfriTECH 4.0 Unveils QNET, Galaxy Backbone, Digital Realty, Hyperspace, Other Sponsors Driving Africa’s Digital Future

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The organizers of AfriTECH 4.0 are thrilled to announce the official sponsors of this year’s event, showcasing a lineup of renowned organizations committed to advancing Africa’s digital transformation, with QNET emerging as Gold Sponsors.

Set to take place at Oriential Hotels, Lekki Road, Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday November-07-2024, AfriTECH 4.0 is Africa’s premier technology and innovation conference, uniting industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and tech enthusiasts from across the continent.

The theme for AfriTECH 4.0, “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy,” reflects the urgent need to harness technology for sustainable development across the region.

This year’s sponsors include major players in ecommerce (Direct Selling), telecommunications, artificial intelligence/blockchain technology, finance/digital assets, and cybersecurity, each recognized for their contributions to shaping Africa’s digital economy.

Official Sponsors of AfriTECH 4.0:

QNET – GOLD SPONSOR

QNET is a prominent lifestyle and wellness company that uses a direct selling business model to offer a wide selection of exclusive products that enable individuals to embrace a healthier, more balanced life.

Since 1998, QNET’s innovative products and e-commerce-driven business model have helped build a global community of satisfied customers and microentrepreneurs, who are driven by the mission of RYTHM – Raise Yourself To Help Mankind. Popular product brands offered by QNET include the Bernhard H. Mayer range of luxury watches and jewellery, HomePure range of home care products, the Amezcua wellness range, Physio Radiance personal care range, and QVI branded holiday packages.

QNET proudly holds memberships in the Direct Selling Association in several countries, the Hong Kong Health Food Association, the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, and more.

QNET is also active in several global sports sponsorships including in its role as the official direct selling partner of the Manchester City Football Club and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), underscoring its commitment to excellence and global reach.  Discover a world of new possibilities with QNET by visiting www.qnet.net.

Galaxy Backbone

Galaxy Backbone was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to operate a nationwide IP-based network that will provide a common platform for connectivity and other infrastructure services for all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Galaxy Backbone currently owns and operates a 1482Km optical fibre backbone from Abuja across 13 states of the federation, with 19 more states coming. They also own and operate a 375km metro optical fibre network covering Abuja and other parts of the FCT.

As one of the telecommunications services provider in Africa, Galaxy Backbone’s sponsorship underlines the importance of robust connectivity infrastructure in driving digital transformation. GBB will showcase its innovative services and network solutions designed to empower businesses and individuals across Africa.

Digital Realty (Nigeria)

Digital Realty Nigeria is a data center operator that offers colocation, interconnection, and data center solutions. As part of Digital Realty, a global data center provider with over 300 facilities in more than 25 countries, Digital Realty Nigeria offers secure and scalable infrastructure, access to undersea cables, and carriers to connect to Europe and the Mediterranean.

Digital Realty Nigeria has a data center in Lagos, Nigeria, called LOS1, located at 8A Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island. Digital Realty Nigeria also has a data center in the Lekki area of Lagos, and plans for a fourth campus in the Ikeja area.

Hyperspace Technologies

Hyperspace Technologies is a Lagos-based web3 startup that offers web solutions, including websites, web applications, branding, marketing, and hosting. The company also has a focus on security, with a patented product called cipherKEY tap2sign MFA that uses blockchain, public/private key cryptography, and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to protect against identity theft, phishing, and social engineering.

Open Access Data Centres (OADC)

With the development of Africa’s digital economy a significant driving force for the continent’s economic growth, the launch of Open Access Data Centres (OADC) represents a major milestone for Africa: a US$500 million-plus, multi-year investment programme that will strengthen key elements of the continent’s digital infrastructure.

OADC has made a significant impact on the market in terms of its rapid speed in building a network of data centres and flexible client solutions. Learn more about OADC at AfriTECh 4.0.

Honourable Mentions: Several other sponsors, including leading tech startups and industry associations, are contributing to the success of AfriTECH 4.0, ensuring the event delivers on its promise to be a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and thought leadership.

They include, Digital Encode Limited, Tecom, Northsnow, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), AfriGoPay Financial Services Limited, Cyberchain, Lagos Blockchain Week, InnovationBed Africa, amongst others.

AfriTECH 4.0 will feature keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, focusing on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. This year’s sponsors will take center stage to share their insights and offer practical solutions to the challenges facing Africa’s digital economy.

Speaking on the sponsorships, Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener, and AfriTECH 4.0 Organizing Committee Chairman, said:

“We are excited to have such a strong group of sponsors onboard for AfriTECH 4.0. These organizations are not only leaders in their respective fields but also catalysts for change in Africa’s digital ecosystem. Their support underscores the importance of collaboration in shaping Africa’s digital future.”

AfriTECH 4.0 is expected to draw hundreds of attendees, including government representatives, business executives, technology experts, and innovators from across the continent and beyond. With the support of its sponsors, AfriTECH 4.0 is set to be a landmark event, driving conversations and initiatives that will propel Africa’s digital economy to new heights.

For more information about AfriTECH 4.0, including sponsorship opportunities, visit the website: https://africatechallianceforum.africa/.

Participation is free, but you are required to register via the link here: https://bit.ly/3ZPdi88.

 


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

News

ARCON to Tackle Digital, Recommits to Ethical Standards

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has declared its full readiness to confront emerging challenges in the country’s dynamic advertising landscape—particularly those arising from digital media proliferation and unregulated content distribution.

ARCON to Tackle Digital, Recommits to Ethical Standards

Speaking at the 2025 Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) Stakeholders Forum held recently in Lagos, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, director general,  ARCON, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to upholding ethical advertising standards and protecting public interest, especially in an era where virtually everyone has become a content creator.

“The digital economy has become massive, and the boundaries are no longer defined by geography. Ensuring compliance in this space is one of our greatest regulatory hurdles,” he said.

Responding to criticisms that ARCON and the ASP may be stifling creativity, Fadolapo insisted that regulation does not equate to censorship but rather ensures alignment with national values and cultural sensitivities.

“Creativity is vast and fluid, but it must be exercised within the limits of the law and ethical standards. We won’t allow so-called creativity to ignite social unrest or breach advertising codes,” he noted, citing examples where ads had violated laws under the guise of creative license.

Earlier in his presentation, Dr. Emmanuel Agu, chairman of the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), Nigeria’s statutory body for advertisement vetting and regulatory compliance,  reaffirmed the panel’s commitment to upholding ethical advertising standards and protecting public interest, especially in an era where virtually everyone has become a content creator.

“The Panel is aware of the challenges that confront it and is taking deliberate steps to address them,” Dr. Agu said. “We are not oblivious to the current advertising realities, including the increasing volume of digital content and the corresponding need for rapid vetting processes.”

Dr. Agu acknowledged that the digital boom and content decentralization have complicated ASP’s regulatory mandate, with social media platforms now flooded with promotional materials that often evade proper scrutiny.

He warned that misleading product claims, unverified influencer content, and the inappropriate use of minors in advertising are among the most pressing concerns currently facing the panel.

“We’ve observed an increase in digital content disguised as entertainment that essentially functions as unvetted advertising. This undermines consumer trust and can negatively affect public morality,” he stated.

Dr. Agu was unequivocal in stressing that all promotional content, regardless of format or platform, must be vetted by ASP before public exposure.

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

NGX Group Chairman Seeks Regional Collaboration to Unlock West Africa’s Trade, Investment Potential

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Umaru Kwairanga, chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has called for stronger regional cooperation to harness the untapped potential of West Africa’s trade and commodity markets.

Speaking at the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025 held under the theme “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region”, Kwairanga highlighted the critical role of capital markets and commodity exchanges in transforming the region’s abundant natural resources into organised, transparent capital that fuels industrialisation and inclusive economic growth.

The summit brought together key stakeholders from across West Africa to deliberate on strategies for accelerating regional integration, strengthening capital markets, and unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade.

In his remarks during a high-level panel on “Commodities as Capital: Regional Commodities Exchange & Reserves”, Kwairanga noted that despite West Africa’s wealth of raw materials, the region continues to face a paradox of resource abundance coexisting with capital scarcity.

“As a nation and region, we are abundantly rich in raw materials, but often poor in capital outcomes. This paradox is not due to a lack of resources, but due to the way these resources have historically been excluded from structured financial ecosystems.

Commodities, whether agricultural, mineral, or energy, must be seen not just as tradeable goods, but as investable assets capable of powering industrialisation, job creation, and macroeconomic stability,” he said.

Kwairanga emphasised NGX Group’s commitment to building resilient market infrastructure that supports price discovery, clearing, settlement, and investor protection, systems that can underpin thriving regional commodity markets.

He highlighted NGX Group’s role in mobilising capital for commodity value chains through IPOs, bonds, and structured funds, citing the success of NGX-listed companies like Presco and Okomu Oil as models for attracting long-term investment.

On the question of regional versus national commodity exchanges, Dr. Kwairanga advocated for a dual approach that combines the strengths of national platforms with the scale and integration benefits of regional frameworks.

“National exchanges address local needs and build depth, but for West Africa to unlock the full potential of commodity trade, we must connect these markets under a regional structure.

“Regulatory harmonisation will be key, and this is where NGX Group’s experience in governance, coupled with platforms like the African Exchanges Linkage Project and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, can help align standards and enable seamless cross-border transactions,” he stated.

Addressing liquidity challenges, Kwairanga outlined the need for harmonised rules, trustworthy infrastructure, product innovation, and incentives to drive participation. He called for public-private partnerships and regional integration to deepen market liquidity and ensure efficient price discovery.

Beyond the panel discussions, Kwairanga commended the vision of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, for spearheading the summit. “There is power in unity and prestige in size. The great economic powerhouses of the 21st century, such as the United States and China, have risen to prominence partly because of the scale of their markets.

A united West Africa can achieve the same if we work together on initiatives like this,” he said, expressing optimism that the summit would produce actionable frameworks to reduce trade barriers, encourage regional investment, and fast-track economic growth across ECOWAS.

NGX Group, he added, remains committed to supporting cross-border investments, citing its participation in the African Exchanges Linkage Project and the increasing regional footprint of NGX-listed companies such as Dangote Cement, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, and Ecobank.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

DBN Awards N13m in Grants to Tech Startups

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has awarded a total of N13 million in grants to three standout tech startups at the 2025 Techpreneur Summit held in Lagos, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and inclusive growth among Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

DBN Awards N13m in Grants to Tech Startups

The winners include: BuyScrap, a digital marketplace for recyclable materials – N6 million; Qiqi Farms, which connects local farmers to hospitality and export markets – N4 million; Eco-Cyclers, a youth-led recycling initiative based in Enugu – N3 million

Alongside the grant awards, DBN also launched a new digital data asset, a first-of-its-kind platform aimed at enabling data-driven decisions within the MSME ecosystem.

The platform offers deep insights into business trends, sector-specific challenges, and growth opportunities—supporting smarter policymaking and targeted investments.

In his keynote address in Lagos, Tony Okpanachi, managing director/ CEO, DBN,   described the event’s theme, “CTRL + SHIFT: Tech Empowered Movement for Naija,” as a strategic call to reimagine enterprise development in Nigeria.

“This isn’t just a keyboard shortcut,” he said. “It’s a mindset reset—powered by technology—to build a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient business landscape. From financing to innovation, DBN remains committed to enabling MSMEs to thrive.”

Okpanachi emphasized that the Summit aligns with DBN’s AMPLIFI Strategy, which integrates digital transformation, sustainability, and scalability into its core programs.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Digital Shift Workshops and the Eco-Innovation Challenge as key steps toward embedding innovation in Nigeria’s MSME sector.

Encouraging young innovators, he added: “The future belongs to those bold enough to imagine and build it. DBN is proud to support the ideas that will shape tomorrow.”

A major highlight was the unveiling of the DBN Data Asset—a digital platform designed to provide real-time, evidence-based insights into Nigeria’s MSME landscape.

The platform combines DBN’s proprietary data with external sources like the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to offer a comprehensive view of MSME performance by region and sector.

Jeremy Dan Okayi, DBN’s Head of Strategy, Policy & Innovation, described the platform as: “A reservoir of insight, potential, and direction—built on two years of collaboration and shared vision. This tool will support informed decision-making across the public and private sectors.”


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending