E-Business
Embracing AI to Help Reshape Business Dynamics and Customer Interaction

By Tamara Rajić, Director of Business Strategy EMEA at Infobip
World Innovation and Creativity Day fell on the 21st of April, reminding us of the boundless potential inherent in human ingenuity and technological advancement. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this celebration, reshaping the landscape of business operations and customer engagement.
The combination of advanced data analytics with cloud computing has propelled AI into the spotlight, making its integration more accessible across industries.
Unlocking AI’s potential – why companies can’t afford to miss out
What is remarkable is how AI adoption is growing its accessibility to the public. Platforms such as OpenAI, ChatGPT, and Dall-E have opened the doors to AI technologies, empowering individuals, and businesses alike to effortlessly explore and incorporate AI-driven solutions into their plans. This has sparked a culture of innovation and empowerment, enabling businesses to harness AI to expand their performance and efficiency.
Take AI-driven communication tools, like chatbots and virtual assistants for example. They are changing customer service experiences by delivering personalised, efficient, and proactive interactions. These solutions not only streamline support processes but also forge deeper connections with customers, fostering satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, business growth. Furthermore, AI empowers businesses to gather actionable insights from customer data, facilitating informed decision-making and targeted strategies.
Data quality plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of AI. Without complete and consistent data, implementing AI-powered technologies can lead to inaccurate results and hinder business decision-making. This is why it is important for businesses to invest in data quality assurance processes. And by analysing customer feedback across various channels, AI offers a deeper understanding of preferences and needs, enabling businesses to tailor their offerings and communication strategies accordingly. This level of personalisation increases the customer experience, promoting long-lasting relationships and brand loyalty.
Chatbots and virtual assistants are some of the most widely used AI-powered communication solutions out there, spanning across multiple industries and business types. They provide instant responses to inquiries, assist with product recommendations, and help with tasks like order tracking and appointment scheduling.
Navigating challenges in AI implementation
AI-driven automation streamlines processes, reduces manual workloads, and enhances operational efficiency, driving competitiveness and revenue growth. By leveraging AI-powered insights, businesses can identify high-value opportunities, estimate market trends, and improve resource allocation, thereby increasing ROI and market share.
This innovation is expected to catalyse significant transformations in traditional sectors such as banking and retail, leading to more personalised experiences and innovative consumer approaches. By understanding individual preferences, behaviours, and purchasing patterns, these sectors can offer tailored product recommendations, targeted promotions, and customised services.
With this being said, it is important to underline the critical function AI serves in customer support. By reducing wait times through AI-powered chatbots and providing assistance through the customer’s preferred communication channel, businesses can ensure a significant uptake in customer satisfaction.
Integrating AI into existing tools and systems does not come without its challenges. Businesses can encounter compatibility issues, data silos, and a shortage of skilled professionals with expertise in AI and machine learning within their talent pool. Demonstrating ROI in the early stages of AI technology adoption can also be challenging due to these obstacles. It is therefore important to identify high-potential use cases and the most impactful areas where AI can drive business growth and positive customer satisfaction and start from there.
Overcoming obstacles – to maximise AI’s potential
With its increasing accessibility and transformative potential, AI is fostering innovation, and amplifying creativity. By taking into consideration AI-driven insights and solutions, businesses can personalise interactions, streamline operations, and anticipate customer needs. However, this journey is not without trial and error. It demands careful navigation of data quality and integration complexities. Nonetheless, businesses should embrace AI as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, to unlock new possibilities, enriching the human experience and propelling organisations towards a future where the boundaries between humanity and technology seize to exist.
E-Business
NITDA, CISCO Empower Youth with Digital Skills

Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
E-Business
Cyberattack Could Cost it Up to $400m – Coinbase

Coinbase forecast a hit of between $180m and $400m from a cyberattack that breached account data of a “small subset” of its customers, the crypto exchange said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
The company received an anonymous email on May 11, claiming to have information about certain customer accounts as well as internal documents.
While some data — including names, addresses and emails — was stolen, the hackers did not get access to login credentials or passwords, Coinbase said.
Still, it will reimburse customers who were tricked into sending funds to the attackers.
Hackers had paid multiple contractors and employees working in support roles outside the US to collect information.
The company has fired those involved, it said.
Separately, the New York Times reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was investigating whether the company had misstated its user numbers.
Coinbase shares extended losses after the report and were last down 6.5%.
“This is a hold-over investigation from the prior administration about a metric we stopped reporting two-and-a-half years ago, which was fully disclosed to the public,” said Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer.
“While we strongly believe this investigation should not continue, we remain committed to working with the SEC to bring this matter to a close.”
The SEC declined to comment.
The latest developments come days before the company is set to join the benchmark S&P 500 index, casting a shadow over what was expected to be a landmark moment for the crypto industry.
Security remains a challenge for the crypto industry despite its growing mainstream acceptance.
In February, Bybit disclosed a hack in which about $1.5bn worth of digital tokens were stolen — widely described the biggest crypto heist ever.
“The cyberattack may push the industry to adopt stricter employee vetting and introduce some reputational risks,” said Bo Pei, an analyst at US Tiger Securities.
Funds stolen by hacking crypto platforms amounted to $2.2bn in 2024, according to a report from Chainalysis, a US-based blockchain analysis firm.
“As our nascent industry grows rapidly, it draws the eye of bad actors, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the scope of their attacks,” said Nick Jones, founder of crypto firm Zumo.
Coinbase has refused to pay a ransom of $20m demanded by the attackers and is working with law enforcement agencies. Instead it has established a $20m reward for information on the hackers.
The company is also opening a new support hub in the US and taking other measures to prevent such cyberattacks, it said.
E-Business
Q1 2025 .ng Domain Name Statistics Reflect Nigeria’s Advancing Digital Landscape

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) presents its report on .ng domain name registration and renewal statistics for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital footprint. The data underscores a consistent and significant adoption of the nation’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), reinforcing its pivotal role in the burgeoning Nigerian digital economy.
During the period spanning January to March 2025, a total of 40,791 .ng domain names were recorded. This figure comprises 22,236 new registrations and 18,555 renewals, indicating a healthy balance between the acquisition of new digital identities and the sustained commitment of existing domain name holders to their online presence.
Analysis of the registration trends within the quarter reveals a notable upward trajectory, with a 13.92% increase in domain name registrations observed between February and March 2025.
This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the importance of a localized online identity by a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and larger organizations.
Notably, the .com.ng extension continues to be the dominant choice, accounting for over 60% of both new registrations and renewals. This reaffirms its status as the preferred domain name extension for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish a credible and locally relevant online brand presence while maintaining global accessibility. The sustained popularity of .com.ng underscores its perceived value among Nigerian entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking to secure their digital real estate.
This upward trajectory isn’t happening by chance. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has remained intentional in its drive for digital inclusion and domain adoption. Through public education, training via the .ng Academy, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, NiRA has consistently advocated for the importance of owning a local domain. The current standing of .ng as the second most registered ccTLD in Africa reflects the efficacy of these efforts.
Digital adoption in Nigeria is no longer just about being online—it’s about owning your digital identity. And with a .ng domain, Nigerians are better positioned to assert that identity, connect with local and international audiences, and gain better control over their digital footprints.
As we look toward the rest of 2025, the Q1 results serve as a strong signal: more people are embracing the digital future, and the .ng domain is increasingly becoming their first step.
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