Telecom
Android Inspires Another Bright Quarter for MEA Tablet Market
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) tablet market continued to record strong year-on-year growth in Q3 2014, spurred by a huge increase in shipments of Android-based devices.
The latest figures announced on MOnday by International Data Corporation (IDC) show that the market expanded 29.6% in volume terms during the quarter to reach a total of 4.15 million units. This growth was most evident in the consumer segment, where a number of IT festivals and back-to-school promotions across the region helped boost tablet demand.
“While iOS and Windows OS both suffered year-on-year declines in Q3 2014, shipments of Android tablets increased 47% over the same period,” says Victoria Mendes, a research analyst for systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. “A number of local brands and low-cost Far-Eastern vendors aggressively shipped Android tablets to the region during the quarter. This in turn caused prices to decline even further, spurring yet more demand for these devices.”
After suffering a quarter-on-quarter slowdown in shipments in Q2 2014, Samsung experienced a very good quarter in Q3 2014, shipping 996,000 units.
This represented growth on both Q3 2013 (year on year) and Q2 2014 (quarter on quarter), and saw the vendor maintain its number-one position in the region. Apple remained in second place, despite its 572,000 units representing a decline both year on year and quarter on quarter.
Lenovo was not far behind in third place, with its shipments for the quarter increasing to 525,000 units on the back of aggressive marketing and promotion campaigns across the region.
Fourth-ranked Asus posted healthy growth to total 361,000 units, with the vendor aggressively shipping various low-cost models to the region during Q3 2014.
Huawei secured fifth spot with the shipment of 81,000 units, representing a decrease on Q2 2014 but an increase on Q3 2013.
While the commercial segment suffered an overall slowdown during Q3 2014, a number of significant deals were delivered to government entities and very large enterprises in the region.
And while there were no large tablet deliveries in the education sector, there was a deal for 11,000 2-in-1 devices as part of the UAE’s ongoing ‘Smart Learning Initiative’.
“2-in-1 devices are expected to see strong growth from 2015 onwards,” says Adriana Rangel, research director for systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. “Most vendors are expected to add such devices to their portfolios as they continuously try to bridge the gap between tablets and PCs. And as 2-in-1 devices mainly come with large displays, we are expecting them to perform particularly strongly in the region’s commercial segments.”
Telecom
QNET Named ‘Direct Selling Company of the Year’ at AfriTECH 4.0 Awards
QNET, a leading global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been honored with the prestigious “Direct Selling Company of the Year” award at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards.
This recognition underscores QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa.
The award was presented to QNET by Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards. Onwuegbuchi commended QNET for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth across the continent.
He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation.
Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
He emphasized QNET’s dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Africa.
Fall highlighted the company’s impact on the Nigerian economy, particularly through its advanced technology and robust e-commerce platform.
“QNET’s participation in this event further solidified its position as a key player in the region’s digital transformation journey.
“We are committed to staying in Nigeria, our biggest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to the region’s development,” Fall stated.
During his keynote speech, Fall underscored QNET’s commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and skill development.
He highlighted the FinGreen financial literacy program, which has already trained over 1,350 young people in Nigeria to make informed financial decisions.
Fall also emphasized the potential of direct selling to drive economic growth in Africa. “Our e-commerce-driven direct-selling model provides opportunities for income generation across more than 100 countries, helping individuals pursue their goals while contributing to community growth,” he explained.
Addressing the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and cash dependency in Africa, Fall stressed the importance of financial inclusion for e-commerce growth.
He called for collaboration to accelerate financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in Africa, fostering a financially inclusive future for the continent.
Telecom
Martin Ekpeke Honored with Digital Reporting Excellence Award @ATAEx
Martin Ekpeke, Managing Editor of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards.
The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape.
“We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award.
“His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation.
Ekpeke expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive this award.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ITPulse team.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality, informative content that empowers our readers to navigate the complex digital world.”
The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and institutions driving digital transformation in Africa.
This year’s event brought together tech enthusiasts, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.
Telecom
NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.
He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.
Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.
The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.
She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.
The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.
Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.
The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.
- Telecom3 days ago
AfriTECH 4.0 Holds in Lagos Today
- E-Financial3 days ago
Kekere-Ekun, CJN Blames Reliance on Telecom Services for Online Banking Glitches
- E-Financial2 days ago
9PSB Promotes Financial Literacy @ World’s Savings Day 2024
- E-Business2 days ago
inq. Nigeria Celebrates Double Win at Tech Innovation Awards (TIA) 2024
- Telecom3 days ago
Telcos Scale Down on Network Investments to Reduce Forex Losses
- E-Financial3 days ago
US Elections: Trump Wins! What Does this Mean for Nigeria?
- Telecom2 days ago
NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
- E-Financial3 days ago
Ecobank Serves Customers Notice of Planned Service Disruption