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AI Afrique Unveils Platform to Bridge Innovations Gap in Africa

Foremost information technology (IT) solution provider, AI Afrique, has introduced a platform that will bridge the gap of developmental innovations between the advanced world and regions that were historically left behind during major global advancements, particularly, Africa.
Dr. Koyi Ugboma, Founder/CEO of AI Afrique, disclosed this in a statement, that the platform will make up for challenges hitherto faced by Africa through different phases and aspects of global advancement.
He said: “Africa, in particular, was not part of the Industrial Revolution, missed out during the Avant Garde era, and lagged behind during the microchip era. Now, as AI driven by data science reshapes the world, we aim to ensure that Africa does not miss this critical moment.”
Launched on 20th of September, 2024, the platform, also known as AI Afrique, according to the founder will foster relevant connections and effective learning experiences in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analysis, by empowering enthusiasts in Africa to be part of the global AI movement.
Explaining how the platform works, Ugboma said: “Mentors choose their areas of expertise, while mentees indicate their interests.”
He stated further that the platform is designed to bring mentees across Africa’s AI ecosystem in contact with experts from within and outside the continent. This, he explained, will promote collaborative growth, support peer connections, and facilitate exchange of knowledge in multiple languages.
While stressing that the platform is designed to engender relevant connections and effective learning experiences in the field of AI and data analysis, Ugboma noted that the system is in-built with a simple questionnaire that helps to select and match mentors, mentees, and peers in the field of AI and data analysis for the best possible and mutually beneficial collaboration.
“Mentees can connect with one another to collaborate, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities to improve their skills.”
Ugboma added that his organisation is focused on “building skills in Adaptive, Predictive, and Generative AI, connecting experts and learners in these cutting-edge fields.”
In addition to inspiring actions towards a deepened AI inclusion in Africa and other developed countries, the platform offers advertising space for academic lectures, educational materials, AI products, and more, giving learners and professionals an easy way to explore and access resources that support their growth.
Ugboma also explained further that his organisation has developed a strategy to sustain its operations by charging a minimal membership fee to all members.
Encouraging interested members of the public to sign up to the platform and benefit from immense opportunities it offers, the AI Afrique CEO said the fee is meant for the maintenance of the ‘platform content, and technical staff. He said the fee charged will ensure the long-term “viability and impact of our initiatives. Our financial platform has been built, tested, and is fully capable of servicing members globally,” he added.
News
DBN Awards N13m in Grants to Tech Startups

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).
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.”
News
FCCPC Shuts France, Belgium, and Italy Visa Centres in Abuja Over Alleged Consumer Rights Violations

In a bold enforcement action, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), supported by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has sealed off the visa application centres of France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja over alleged consumer protection breaches and obstruction of regulatory investigations.
The affected centres—located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District and operated by TLS Contact, a Teleperformance Company—were shut down following reports that they refused to accept formal correspondence from the FCCPC regarding a consumer complaint. The Commission cited further infractions, including obstruction of investigation and alleged assault of its officers during lawful duties.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the FCCPC, explained: “This is an enforcement operation against TLS. On March 25, 2025, we served them a letter to address a consumer complaint, which they refused to accept. Instead, TLS officers assaulted our team, and in a subsequent visit on June 17, they also allegedly assaulted uniformed police officers.”
Citing Section 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), Mrs. Adeyinka emphasized that failure to comply with Commission directives constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment, fines of up to ₦20 million, or both.
TLS has been ordered to appear before the Commission on June 20, 2025, to provide testimony, submit evidence, and make formal depositions. The company may be held liable for any financial losses suffered by applicants due to the disruption of visa services.
Despite multiple requests for comment, management at TLS Contact declined to respond as of press time.
News
How and Why N210 Trillion is Missing in NNPCL – CFO

Adedapo Segun, chief financial officer (CFO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has explained why there is a missing sum of N210 trillion in the company’s audited financial statement spanning from 2017 to 2023.
According to Segun, the missing funds are cash calls requested by joint venture (JV) partners and settlement to the JVs.
He spokeat a session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Aliyu Wadada.
Segun was responding to an alarm raised by the committee over missing N210 trillion in NNPCL’s audited financial statement.
Recall that Wadada issued a one-week ultimatum to NNPCL to account for the missing N210 trillion.
Reacting, Segun said, “The N103 trillion and N107 trillion are made up of joint venture cash calls that have been requested by the JV operators and JV cash call payments made by NNPCL, which are yet to be reconciled because governance procedures were not done at that time.
“That is why you see the description reflecting those two items would be washed out because they are two sides of the same transaction, which is the cash calls by JV partners and the settlement by NNPCL.”
However, Habu Sadeik, a financial analyst, in a post on X on Thursday, said Segun’s response was unsatisfactory.
Saidik faulted NNPCL’s response about the fund discrepancies, noting that something is not right with the audited financial statement.
“Forget about the senators’ lack of knowledge.
“The CFO’s response is not satisfactory. Are you saying that cash calls worth hundreds of trillions are just appearing on your FS only in 2024 without 31 disclosure?
“If it’s a cash call, why hasn’t the disclosure said so?
“Which cash call is over 100 trillion?
“Something is definitely not right, and I hope they retrospectively correct that FS.
“Someone somewhere did a chef’s work,” he wrote on X.
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