General News
Digital Platforms Provide Opportunity to Target Export Markets-Ehimuan –
Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor is the country manager, Google Nigeria, the global Internet-software giant; with specialisation in internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies.
Ehimuan has registered her name as a Nigerian woman of substance having led somewhat revolution to see more Nigerians and businesses get online. Her experience spans international markets primarily in technology, new media, and Oil & Gas industries.
In 2011 she was listed in Forbes magazine as one of the top 20 youngest power women in Africa. The Nigeria Computer Society also awarded her “IT Personality of the Year” in 2012.
In this interview with peter ugwu, Ehimuan radiates her passion for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and talks about the recent Google’s Share Your Nigeria Content (SYNC) conference.
About SYNC
SYNC stands for Share Your Nigerian Content. SYNC Nigeria 2013 was a 3-day outreach event aimed at helping key individuals, businesses and communities in Nigeria better understand and leverage the power of the internet for social and economic growth.
It included workshops, trainings, demos and 1-on-1 sessions aimed at helping to share more knowledge required for effectively using internet tools to innovate and grow.
The initiative also anchors on the findings of the newly released Dalberg Impact of the Internet study which further reinforces Google’s position on the internet’s power to drive social and economic change.
In addition to the goal of knowledge sharing and forging closer ties with these key communities, this initiative is also aimed at inspiring a new influx of high quality Nigerian content to the internet space.
There is a lot of great content in Nigeria, attractive to a local and global audience; and digital platforms provide an opportunity to target export markets.
You Mentioned the Dalberg Study? What is that?
Google commissioned Dalberg to perform an ‘Impact of Internet’ study which examines the Internet’s impact on, and potential contribution to, social and economic development in Nigeria.
The study was officially launched on June 3rd, 2013 at the Transcorp hilton in Abuja with the Minister of Communication Technology, Ms Omobola Johnson giving a keynote address.
The report highlights the potential of the Internet for social and economic development. It also seeks to help policy makers understand how their constituencies already use the Internet, where the opportunities lie, what future potential for social impact the Internet offers.
It specifies the need for government to continue to play the lead role as visionaries and first adopters of new technologies.
The report revealed that of all the countries covered in the study (Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and Ghana), Nigeria shows the greatest potential in using the Internet to promote good governance, eCommerce and finance, though these sectors have not yet produced solutions that have spread across the region.
It re-emphasizes that continuing investment in core infrastructure and the rapid implementation of the broadband plan will positively impact on economic growth and employment.
What Other Activities were Part of SYNC Nigeria?
The first day was about sharing local creative content. We had 12 hours of Google+ hangouts, where different Nigerian artists performed to a global online audience via Google+ hangouts.
We also had one-on-one intimate hangouts with different personalities connecting with people around the world. Themes ranged form cake making, to entertainment.
The second day was focused on business. It comprised of highly interactive sessions with advertisers, publishers, media agencies and key influencers.
Themes included new business models,successfully monetizing online, and effectively leveraging online reach channels.
There’s a great opportunity for bid brands to expand their marketing reach by adding a digital component to their advertising campaigns.
This is very important, because more users are getting online to look for information, and business need to be able to meet these users.
Day three focused on Nigerian content creators, social media advocates and other media experts in a bid to help them better understand how to take advantage of the internet to boost content distribution.
The internet presents huge opportunities for Nigeria’s creative and content production industry. We intend to work with this community as well as others to fully harness internet tools and platforms like Youtube that have proven to be very successful across the world.
Result of Google’s Empowerment of SMBs in Nigeria Get Online since 2011
In order to ensure that more locally relevant content gets online, in September 2011, we launched, “Get Nigerian Businesses Online”.
We provided free tools to support Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in creating websites that can load on mobile phones.
The businesses were also provided with up to 10 free email address and listing on Google Maps. We also ran a number of workshops to train people on getting online and also succeeding online.
Through our SMB initiatives, we have been able to get over 40, 000 SMBs online, and we have seen some great success stories across multiple industries.
I am constantly inspired by the successes I hear about. Very recently, I met another SMB who’s business has grown tremendously by getting online.
She runs an online bridal shop, a business she started online after attending one of our SMB training programs.
Prior to that she had been relying on word of mouth referrals with very limited results. Now her sales have increased a hundred fold.
After Getting the Contents Online, How About Accessibility?
Our strategy in Nigeria is on three things. One is access, which is exactly what you have mentioned. We are earnestly looking at ways (in collaboration with stakholders in the private sector and government) to make the internet more available and affordable to Nigerians.
We have seen more submarine cables land on the West Coast like MainOne and GloOne, and international bandwidth prices have dropped as a result, but there are still last mile challenges.
We have a number of initiatives under the Access bucket. We have a Point-of Presence at the local exchange and our services are cached locally.
We also have an access program with Universities where we provide last mile grants and pay for international bandwidth for 3 years to support the Universities in getting online.
The program also includes free deployment of Google Apps software for education and training of staff and students
Just recently, Mr. President approved the strategy for broadband for Nigeria, which was put together by a Committee and anchored by the Minister of Communication Technology.
We were part of that committee and have served in others created by the Ministry. It is also clear that accelerating broadband growth in Nigeria is top priority for Ministry of Communications Technology, which is great.
Trust as an Issue in Online Transaction
Yes, the issue of e-payment and trust or fear among some people is quite natural. A lot of people are still cautious about making payments online.
However, we are seeing an increasing trend in the adoption of eCommerce and some strong eCommerce players emerging in the marketplace.
We are also seeing models that “pay on delivery” as an attempt to overcome the trust barrier. As more people successfully transact online, confidence in ePayments will increase.
It is important that providers ensure basic security provisions in the design of their services. A positive customer experience is key to drive growth.
It is quite clear that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is trying to drive e-payment across Nigeria (with the cashless policy and other initiatives); so we expect to continue to see a positive trend.
YouTube, Like Google Would Observe Is A Platform For Developers To Upload Their Contents and Make Some Money, How Have Nigerians Benefited From This?
I think what is important to mention at this point is there are great opportunities and we are seeing Nigerians take advantage of those opportunities.
YouTube is an online video content sharing platform; we have a lot of great content coming from Nigeria like Nollywood movies, music concerts, educational, political and news contents. In essence, individuals and organisations are leveraging the platform to share that content and reach a wider audience.
For example, there are some content producers who are extending their businesses online through YouTube, uploading movies online and monetizing the traffic.
There is global demand for Nollywood content, and Youtube provides a great way to tap into the export market.
Partnership between Google and the Financial Sector in Nigeria
We work with organisations across multiple sectors. Our focus is on digital technology which is applicable to every sector – insurance, media, banking, FMCG, and others.
During my presentation at SYNC I shared the example of GTBank as a business taking advantage of the internet to expand its customer service.
When GTBank launched its mobile money service, they created a GT Community on Google+ which was a destination where uses could go, chat with experts, ask questions, and share comments about mobile money and other GTBank products.
They also ran a Google+ hangout as a way to connect to customers. Customers could dial into the hangout, ask questions and interact with the bank service staff.
The bank also used online ads to drive traffic to its various digital assets including NdaniTV channel on Youtube.
Another example is Ultima Studios. Last year, in parallel to the offline “Project Fame” talent competition, Ultima created a wild card competition on Youtube.
This increased user interaction and engagement as users could post comments online and interact with fans.
So, that is an example of a company extending its customer service offering by leveraging technology. We’ve seen other Nigerian companies successfully create digital assets in a similar way.
The internet revolution is definitely real in Nigeria and we are excited by the momentum that is building. This is just the beginning. As broadband access increases, we expect to see great innovations in the Nigerian digital space.
General News
IHS Nigeria, United Nations Global Compact Host High-Level Dialogue on Sustainability and Greener Business Practices in Nigeria
IHS Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, hosted a high-level private sector dialogue themed “Collaborative Strategies for Greener Business Practices, Innovation and Sustainable Development”.
The event, held in Lagos, brought together key players from different sectors including finance, law, telecommunications, biodiversity, and corporate sustainability to explore actionable pathways to achieve meaningful environmental stewardship in Nigeria.
The panel session offered bold perspectives on integrating sustainability into business frameworks across different sectors, whilst dispelling myths, and highlighting opportunities for organizations, and calling for collective action from all players within the business value chain.
Delivering a keynote address, Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, emphasized the urgency of environmental consciousness: “Sustainability is not a destination — it’s a collective journey.
“It requires courage to transform, vision to lead, and collaboration to scale. Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can either be overwhelmed by the risks or rise to become a beacon of green innovation and inclusive growth in Africa. The choice is ours — and the time is now.”
Sylvie Josel, Lead, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions at the United Nations Global Compact, joined virtually from New York and spotlighted nature as a strategic asset:
“Nature must no longer be treated as an afterthought. It underpins everything, from human rights to supply chains. Embedding biodiversity into a company’s core strategy isn’t just a risk mitigation measure; it’s a smart, future-forward business imperative”.
Lanre Babalola, Group Head, Climate Finance and Sustainability at the Bank of Industry (BOI), provided insights into how BOI is funding sustainable ventures and driving innovation: “We look beyond profitability; we look at environmental and social impact. Whether it’s plastic roads, biogas, or solar transitions, we support businesses that are not only bankable but capable of reshaping the future.”
From the legal perspective, Oyeronke Oyetunde, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN Group, drew attention to the regulatory challenges hindering sustainability adoption: “Our legal frameworks are trailing behind today’s sustainability realities. We need forward-thinking laws, reduced regulatory silos, and incentives that reward the right behavior. Sustainability can’t thrive where enforcement is weak, and taxation is excessive.”
Abimbola Agbejule, Head, Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility at Wema bank, spoke passionately about inclusiveness in sustainable development: “You don’t need to start big to make impact. MSMEs make up a huge part of our economy. Sustainability should be embedded in their day-to-day activities, and we must democratize access to knowledge, tools, and partnerships.”
The session was moderated by Gloria Okorie, Head of Programs at the United Nations Global Impact Center.
The event closed with a resounding call to action for stronger legal frameworks, deeper collaborations, and inclusive capacity building across sectors. The event further reinforces IHS Nigeria’s position as a leader in corporate sustainability and innovation in Nigeria.
“At IHS Nigeria, we recognize that true progress happens when sustainability is not an obligation, but a culture, lived every day, across every unit,” Titilope Oguntuga added.
Through initiatives like this dialogue, IHS Nigeria and its partners continue to champion solutions that protect the planet, empower people, and ensure long-term business viability.
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading digital rights and inclusion nonprofit, has revealed in its 2024 Annual Impact Report that over 707 young individuals across 11 African countries have been empowered through its flagship LIFE Legacy Programme.
The initiative delivers training in life skills, ICT, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship—transforming underserved communities across the continent.
In 2024, the LIFE Legacy Programme ran 25 training cohorts across Cameroon, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan, Liberia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In Senegal, 60 laptops were distributed to local partners, while digital literacy programmes were launched in schools in Cameroon and Tanzania through the LIFE@School initiative.
PIN advanced its advocacy by supporting 29 legal cases in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. A notable success was the landmark judgment in Molehin v. UBA, where the bank was found guilty of violating data privacy laws.
PIN’s research and media efforts made powerful waves. The Londa digital rights report, covering 26 countries, was downloaded 8,457 times. Its fourth short film, Undersight, recorded nearly one million views on YouTube. PIN also developed an AI strategy report with TrustLaw and collaborated with the Centre for Democratic Technology to assess content moderation policies for Kiswahili across Kenya and Tanzania. A separate report highlighted the troubling deployment of surveillance technologies across Africa, which was referenced in direct advocacy engagements with a telecom operator.
The organisation’s advocacy also contributed to the adoption of the African Commission’s Resolution 580, which urges governments to avoid Internet shutdowns during elections—strengthening digital freedom across the continent.
Meanwhile, the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) convened in Accra attracted 1,004 delegates from 61 countries, strengthening regional collaboration and amplifying the voice of civil society. PIN’s strategic communications pushed its media reach to 1.43 billion and social media engagement to 8.8 million.
Alongside training and policy efforts, the organisation inspired young changemakers through youth-focused campaigns and hosted seven fellows under the Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) fellowship.
Crowning a year of impact, PIN earned the maiden PrivCon Privacy Award in Nigeria and was recognised in the Social Innovation Category at the Nigeria Innovation Awards for its work connecting African youth to digital opportunity.
In the busy Fagge Market in Kano, Zahra Bello, a middle-aged entrepreneur who runs a fabric store, speaks about her experience with mobile banking and how this has simplified business transactions and improved her small business.
Behind the growth of these resilient women entrepreneurs lies a story of transformation powered by technology.
“My name is Zahra Bello, I’m from Dambatta in Kano State, and I’m a fabric trader. I first heard about PalmPay from my elder brother in March 2024. He told me how he used the PalmPay Target Savings feature to buy new machinery for his farm and even earned interest. That inspired me to try it too.”
Zahra downloaded the PalmPay app that very day. By December, she’d used the Target Savings plan to restock her shop with new fabrics, an achievement she never thought possible within such a short period. “I was so happy,” she smiles. “The interest I earned on my savings motivated me to save more. PalmPay has become my savings box. I use it for all my transactions now.”
Her story, like many others, is the inspiration for PalmPay’s evolving vision of inclusive banking in Nigeria’s underserved communities.
Women, SMEs, and Technology
Financial exclusion remains a critical challenge in Northern Nigeria. According to EFInA’s 2023 Access to Financial Services survey, an estimated 28.8 million adults in the North are excluded from the formal financial system, with exclusion rates as high as 47% in the Northwest.
Among women, especially those in rural areas, the figures are even more concerning, as these numbers represent the daily reality of millions of women who run informal businesses and contribute to household income without access to banking, credit, or digital tools.
PalmPay’s initiative addresses this gap directly. 5,000 female entrepreneurs in Kano and Kaduna will receive hands-on financial literacy training on mobile payments and their shops are rebranded with signages, aprons, and other kits that will enhance visibility for their businesses.
“I used to write down every sale in a notebook. Now I track everything with my PalmPay account,” says Rabi Abdullahi, a trader in Kano. “Customers trust me more now that I have a business name and branded store.”
PalmPay has done its due diligence to understand the challenges and has offered a tailored approach to solving these issues which includes this social impact initiative.
Social Impact and Strategic Growth
With over 35 million users in Nigeria, the company is keen to expand in regions where smartphone adoption is rising but digital finance penetration remains low.
Femi Hanson, Head of Marketing and Communications, explains: “We see this as long-term ecosystem building. When you give small business owners the tools to grow, you don’t just gain users, you build loyalty, trust, and sustainable impact.” This also aligns with Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion Strategy goal to reach 95% inclusion by 2025, a benchmark that can’t be reached without focused efforts in the North.
The project has earned the support of traditional leaders, most notably His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, who praised the initiative and called for greater collaboration between the private sector and community stakeholders.
With the success of this initiative, PalmPay has continued to expand its solutions in these regions offering support to even more women.
In Northern Nigeria, where the need is great and the gap wide, PalmPay is proving that true impact goes beyond offering products to providing support and meeting the needs of its users at the grassroots.
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