E-Business
E-commerce Firms Promoting Nigeria’s Cashless Economy Policy
With the innovations by e-commerce platforms, more Nigerians including retailers are keying to the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The policy is targeted at tackling some of the negative consequences associated with the usage of physical cash in the economy, including inconveniency and risk of theft and armed robbery.
Business to business transactions are much easier these days as retailers conveniently source fast moving goods from manufacturers and authorised dealers to sell to customers.
Alerzo, for instance, through its Alerzoshop, Alerzopay and PoS terminals provide retailers the means to order goods and make cashless payments. With the PoS machines, retailers can act as agents for customer deposits, withdrawals, utility bill payments, and others.
Through its Alerzopay PoS terminals, the firm said it is supporting the government‘s drive towards a cashless economy, as well as making lives easier for its customers and reducing their cash transactions.
A retailer described how being on the Alerzo platform has brought her ease while increasing her profit margins.
“Doing business with Alerzo got much easier with the PoS payment. Ever since I have been using Alerzopay, customers find it much easier to use their ATM cards to pay for goods. I used the Alerzopay to make payment for the goods I purchased on Alerzoshop.
“I have gained more customers in the sense that they do not need to go far to withdraw money. They use Alerzo PoS to make payment for goods. We have been using it to buy data, pay our electricity bill, Pay-tv subscriptions and life has been easy with Alerzo,” she said.
Buttressing this, Founder and Group CEO of Alerzo, a leading B2B e-commerce company, Adewale Opaleye, pointed out that the e-commerce firm, through technology, provides opportunities especially for retailers to maximize profits and grow.
He said: “We built a financial tool like the POS terminal that accepts digital payment from retailers.
They (retailers) can accept payment from our device called Alerzopay. On top of that, they can order products they need from Alerzoshop platform.”
However, as more Nigerians embrace digital payment solutions provided by e-commerce platforms, certainly the cord of the cashless economy policy will be strengthened.
E-Business
Ozi Launches to Redefine $460Bn Global Package Delivery Market
Ozi (www.ozionline.com), a pioneer community-driven delivery app, launches, offering users a new way to send packages and earn extra cash.
By connecting people traveling with those needing package delivery, Ozi turns everyday trips into profitable opportunities, aiming to disrupt the global parcel delivery industry, also known as the Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) market, currently valued at around $460 billion.
Imagine this scenario – You’re traveling to Abuja from Lagos and have empty space in your car. With Ozi, that unused capacity can earn you extra cash by delivering a package along the way. Or maybe you’re a small business owner who needs to send a package to another state but balk at the high cost of courier services.
With Ozi, you can find a verified traveler heading in the right direction to handle your delivery, Engr. Christian Chime, Ozi’s co-founder and CEO, said during the startup launch held at Four Point by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“Why travel empty when you can earn?” asks Engr. Chime said. “Ozi allows travelers to make the most of their journeys while helping others get their packages delivered with ease.”
“This simple yet powerful idea leverages the daily movements of millions of Nigerians to create a logistics network that is fast, affordable, and efficient.
“Ozi’s unique approach leverages the everyday movement of travelers to bridge this gap, creating a system where everyone benefits”.
He said that the choice of Nigeria as the first launch-location for Ozi was due the potential the country holds in the parcel delivery sub-sector.
“Actually, we had the opportunity to launch OZI in another country outside Nigeria but for our thrust in the Nigerian dream and its potentials made us choose the country as the first to witness Ozi’s innovation”, Engr. Chime said.
“Travelers can now monetize their journeys by delivering packages along their routes, while senders gain access to an affordable and convenient alternative to traditional courier services”.
Ozi combines convenience, innovation, and community to deliver a win-win solution for Nigerians. From quick intra-city deliveries to long-distance trips, Ozi offers an affordable, efficient solution for all.
Whether you’re a traveler looking to earn on your trips or a sender seeking a reliable delivery option, Ozi offers a solution that works for everyone.
In the words of Azubuike Augustine, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Ozi, “Ozi’s mission goes beyond simplifying package delivery. The app represents a broader effort to create shared value for all stakeholders in the logistics process.
“By connecting senders and travelers, Ozi creates a win-win scenario where costs are reduced, trust is built, and income opportunities are created”.
“Ozi prioritizes safety and transparency. Every user, whether sender or traveler, undergoes a comprehensive verification process that includes ID checks and phone number authentication. This ensures that all participants in the system are trustworthy and accountable”.
To enhance security further, the CTO said that Ozi offers real-time tracking for all transactions. Senders can monitor their packages throughout the delivery process, ensuring peace of mind. For high-value items, optional insurance coverage provides an added layer of protection, reinforcing Ozi’s commitment to reliability.
“At Ozi, we understand that trust is critical in logistics,” the Azubuike added. “That’s why we’ve built a platform where every step is designed to safeguard both the traveler and the sender.”
“Ozi is more than an app; it’s a community where everyone wins,” said Ikenna Ani, co-founder/COO of Ozi.
“From today, travelers across the globe can sign up through www.ozionline.com and start making every trip count”, he said. “We have put measures in place to ensure only genuine and verified travelers or senders use the platform. Security is primary for us”.
Ikenna added that the app will be released on Google Play Store and Apple (iOS) on January 1, 2025. Ozi Live on Instagram | Facebook.
E-Business
Ride the ‘Wicked’ Wave: Temu Brings Green Magic to Christmas
Temu is set to enchant the holiday season with its unique blend of green magic, bringing a touch of festive wonder to Christmas celebrations. The initiative, themed “Ride the ‘Wicked’ Wave,” promises to deliver an unforgettable experience, combining technology, entertainment, and commerce to create a magical holiday atmosphere.
Temu’s green magic initiative aims to captivate audiences with a variety of festive offerings, from fashion to home decor, handmade crafts, beauty items, chic clothes, shoes, and more.
The platform’s innovative approach ensures that customers can enjoy a seamless shopping experience, with free shipping on all orders1.
As part of the celebration, Temu has also introduced a magical winter Christmas backdrop, perfect for creating a festive ambiance at home.
This backdrop, made from high-quality polyester, is designed to bring the spirit of the season to life, making it an ideal addition to any holiday decor.
With its commitment to providing exceptional products and services, Temu continues to set new standards in the e-commerce industry, ensuring that customers can enjoy the magic of Christmas in style
E-Business
Kaspersky Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Evolving Holiday Scams
With the holiday season here, it’s not only a time for magic and celebration but also a prime opportunity for fraudsters to exploit the festive rush for gifts and bargains.
Amid the sparkle of year-end celebrations, cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky have identified several prominent scams targeting consumers across various regions and languages.
Fake holiday shops
Deceptive online stores mimic the look and feel of legitimate e-commerce sites, offering seasonal items such as decorations, gifts, and even trees at steep discounts.
These sites often appear highly localised, adapting their language and currency based on the user’s geographic location, leveraging data extracted from browsers.
Victims typically encounter these stores by following links in ads or pop-ups.
These sites aim to steal funds. Often, these fraudulent stores exist only for a short period, as they get flagged by the vendors of goods.
Free mobile data offer
This scam plays on the allure of free services, claiming to provide free mobile data valid across all major telecom providers.
In order to receive the free data, victims are required to share the promotion link with 10–15 contacts via WhatsApp, ensuring the scam spreads exponentially.
After sharing, victims are prompted to enter their personal details — name, phone number, and email — into a form.
The collected data is then sold on the Dark Web or used in other fraudulent activities.
In some cases, victims unknowingly download malware that compromises their devices, leading to further exploitation.
Holiday payments on behalf of government agencies
Fraudsters impersonate government authorities, promising fictitious payments in celebration of the holidays.
This scam has been reported in several African countries, including Kenya and Nigeria.
To receive payment, victims are directed to fill out a survey which requires personal details like name and phone number.
Once the survey is completed the user is asked to share the link to the announcement with their connections via WhatsApp.
These details are collected and added to fraudulent databases, then sold to third parties or used for phishing attacks and identity theft.
This scam exploits trust in government systems and the festive spirit of giving.
Christmas recipe scam
This scam begins with a seemingly harmless email promoting a holiday cake recipe.
Victims are encouraged to pay a small fee to access the recipe.
Once payment is made, the victim’s credit card information is stolen. The fraudsters also collect other personal information essential for accessing banking services.
“Holiday scams are not a new phenomenon, but they have evolved to become increasingly sophisticated, leveraging regional traditions and technology to exploit unsuspecting victims.
The rush of the holidays makes people more vulnerable — they’re distracted, eager to grab a deal, or trust promotions that align with festive themes. Cybercriminals are not just stealing money — they’re building massive databases of personal information that fuel future fraudulent schemes.
The holiday season is a time for joy and giving, but users need to remain vigilant to ensure they’re not unknowingly giving fraudsters the tools to exploit them further,” said Olga Svistunova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.
- Telecom1 day ago
Airtel Africa to Return $100m to Shareholders via Share Buyback
- Telecom2 days ago
From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey
- Telecom2 days ago
Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum
- Broadcasting2 days ago
Aero Contractors Celebrates Long-Serving Employees at Award Ceremony
- E-Financial2 days ago
CBN Permits BDC Operators to Buy FX from NAFEM During Festive Season
- Telecom2 days ago
Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach
- Broadcasting1 day ago
Africa Magic Announces Call for Entries for 11th AMVCA
- News1 day ago
Egueke, Former Bank Manager Jailed for $46,900 Fraud