General News
FG Supports MSMEs with 15% Discount on Logistics Services

The Federal Government, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, has offered a 15 per cent discount on logistics to help small businesses cut their transportation expenses.
It said this was part of efforts to improve business conditions, expand sales, and lower operational costs for Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria.
This initiative, in partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service, aims to enhance business conditions, boost sales, and reduce operational costs and will commence on August 26.
Mr Charles Odii, the Director-General of SMEDAN, said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Postmaster-General of NIPOST, Mrs Tola Odeyemi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odii described the collaboration as a direct response to feedback from SMEs regarding the high cost of logistics and its negative impact on sales.
High transport costs severely impact MSMEs in Nigeria by escalating their operational expenses, which diminishes profitability and can limit their competitiveness in the market.
He said, “We are signing today an offer of 15 per cent discount on logistics for small businesses and maybe in another three months the postmaster can make it 50 per cent or review it better.
“This is the best time for this partnership, and in another three months, we are hoping that we can come back here and review what we have done.
“We will articulate clearly how much we helped small businesses in Nigeria save through our monitoring and evaluation department, and then we can continue to see how we can better this partnership.
He added, “The discount offer will commence on Monday, August 26, and will be available to SMEs registered with SMEDAN in two ways: online pickups and walk-ins,” Odii said.
According to him, the feedback received by the agency through its engagements with SMEs revealed that in some cases, the cost of delivery exceeds the cost of items, discouraging sales and limiting commercial opportunities for SMEs in their immediate environment.
The partnership will leverage NIPOST’s national presence and infrastructure, as well as its ongoing reform and modernization efforts under the leadership of Tola Odeyemi, the Postmaster General and CEO of the agency.
On her part, Odeyemi said the partnership was long overdue and would contribute to the achievement of inclusive economic growth, considering that MSMEs, which represent over 90 per cent of businesses in the country and contribute half of the GDP, serve as the backbone of the economy.
Through this partnership, both agencies will utilize their offices and stations nationwide to initiate, process, and fast-track deliveries, ensuring that small businesses can move goods to remote parts of the country efficiently, timely, and affordably.
“So, we are here to partner with you, to partner with your mandates for small and medium enterprises in Nigeria to come on board our platform, as it is a platform for inclusive economic growth.
“I know that this partnership is one for the ages, one that will spur Nigeria’s economic growth. Any MSME that is registered with SMEDAN gets access to a 15 per cent discount, and it runs as long as Nigeria runs.
“Although a 15 per cent discount might not look much, you have to realise that NIPOST prices are already socially oriented,” she said.
The postmaster said that through the partnership, both agencies would utilise their offices and stations nationwide to initiate, process, and fast-track deliveries.
“It will ensure that small businesses can move goods to remote parts of the country efficiently, timely, and affordably.
“To ensure a seamless and positive experience for SMEs, both agencies will maintain a dedicated customer support unit to respond to complaints and address any issues that may arise.
“This unit will provide prompt assistance, ensuring that SMEs can focus on growing their businesses without logistical hurdles.”
General News
Cybervergent Selected as World Economic Forum’s 2025 Technology Pioneer Company

In affirmation of its global standing, Cybervergent, a Pan-African technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to transform how organisations manage risk, governance, privacy, and cybersecurity, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Pioneers for 2025—a global cohort spotlighting companies transforming industries through breakthrough technologies and responsible innovation.
The WEF, an international organisation committed to improving the state of the world through public-private collaboration, brings together global leaders to shape economic, technological, and societal agendas. Cybervergent now joins this global community.
The company is recognized for its innovative approach to building digital trust, reimagining how organisations manage cybersecurity, risk, privacy and governance.
Commenting on the company’s milestone, Adetokunbo Omotosho, CEO of Cybervergent, said, “I am honoured that Cybervergent has been named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. This is more than an accolade — it’s a validation of our commitment to redefining cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to build true digital trust.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the fact that Cybervergent demonstrates innovation in AI and infrastructure can emerge from any region, challenging conventional perceptions.”
Some past recipients of the Technology Pioneer recognition, including Google, Spotify, and Airbnb have gone on to fundamentally reshape global industries.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers community, Cybervergent will be contributing to discussions shaping cybersecurity, AI, and cyber resilience across industries and the global digital economy.
General News
Moove Plans to Raise $1.2Bn Debt Round for US Autonomous Vehicle Expansion

Moove, an African mobility fintech startup, is on a quest to secure a $1.2 billion debt financing round to support the rollout of a fleet of autonomous vehicles.
This is in partnership with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo in the United States, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.
The startup has since attracted backing, including from Uber Technologies Inc., and entered a strategic partnership with Waymo in December 2024 to provide financing for self-driving cars.
Ladi Delano, co-founder of Moove, noted that the company has a solid financial track record.
“Moove has built strong relationships with some of the world’s leading lenders. We have also fully repaid our first-ever debt facilities, which signals our maturity and marks a key milestone that demonstrates the strength of our platform as we enter the next phase of global autonomous-vehicle infrastructure deployment,” he said.
The round is reportedly oversubscribed, with strong participation from private credit firms and banks.
Waymo has also not made any official statement regarding the funding round. While final details are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, the deal will mark a significant milestone for the firm as it ramps up its global ambitions.
Founded in 2020 by Nigerian entrepreneurs, Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove began by providing vehicle financing for ride-hailing drivers in Africa’s largest cities.
General News
Firm Explores the Evolution of AI-powered Ransomware with Password-gated Capabilities

Kaspersky experts have revealed the inner workings of FunkSec — a ransomware group that illustrates the future of mass cybercrime: AI-powered, multifunctional, highly adaptive and operating on volume with ransoms as low as $10,000 to maximise profits.
Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) constantly monitors the ransomware threat landscape, where attacks continue to rise. According to the company’s latest State of Ransomware report, the share of users affected by ransomware attacks worldwide increased to 0.44% from 2023 to 2024, up by 0.02 percentage points.
While this percentage may appear modest compared to other cyber threats, it reflects the fact that attackers typically prioritise high-value targets rather than mass distribution, making each incident potentially devastating. Within this evolving landscape, FunkSec has emerged as a particularly concerning threat.
Active for less than a year since its emergence in late 2024, FunkSec has quickly surpassed many established actors by targeting government, technology, finance and education sectors. What sets FunkSec apart is its sophisticated technical architecture and AI-assisted development.
The group packages full-scale encryption and aggressive data exfiltration into a single Rust-based executable, capable of disabling over 50 processes on victim machines and equipped with self-cleanup features to evade defenses.
Beyond its core ransomware functionality, FunkSec has expanded its toolkit to include a password generator and a basic DDoS tool — both showing clear signs of code synthesis using large language models (LLMs).
FunkSec’s approach reflects the evolving landscape of mass cybercrime, combining advanced tools and tactics. Kaspersky’s GReAT experts highlight the key features that define their operations:
Password-Controlled functionality
GReAT experts discovered that FunkSec ransomware features a unique password-based mechanism that controls its operation modes. Without a password, the malware performs basic file encryption, while providing a password activates a more aggressive data exfiltration process in addition to encryption to steal sensitive data.
FunkSec packs full-scale encryption, local exfiltration and self-cleanup into a single Rust binary—without a side-loader or a companion script. That level of consolidation is uncommon and gives affiliates a plug-and-play tool they can deploy almost anywhere.
Use of AI in development
Code analysis shows that FunkSec is actively using generative artificial intelligence to create its tools. Many parts of the code seem to be automatically generated rather than manually written. Signs of this generic placeholder comments (such as “placeholder for actual check”) and technical inconsistencies, like commands for different operating systems that don’t align properly. Additionally, the presence of declared but unused functions—such as modules included upfront but never utilised — reflects how large language models combine multiple code snippets without pruning redundant elements.
“More and more, we see cybercriminals leveraging AI to develop malicious tools. Generative AI lowers barriers and accelerates malware creation, enabling cybercriminals to adapt their tactics faster.
By reducing the entry threshold, AI allows even less experienced attackers to quickly develop sophisticated malware at scale,” comments Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky’s GReAT.
High-volume, low-ransom strategy
FunkSec demands unusually low ransom payments, sometimes as little as $10,000, and pairs this with the sale of stolen data at discounted prices to third parties. This strategy appears designed to enable a high volume of attacks, helping the group quickly establish its reputation within the cybercriminal underground. Unlike traditional ransomware groups that seek million-dollar ransoms, FunkSec employs a high-frequency, low-cost model — further underscoring its use of AI to streamline and scale operations.
Expands beyond ransomware
FunkSec has expanded its capabilities beyond the ransomware binary. Its dark leak site (DLS) hosts additional tools, including a Python-based password generator designed to support brute-force and password-spraying attacks, as well as a basic DDoS tool.
Advanced evasion
FunkSec employs advanced evasion techniques to avoid detection and complicate forensic analysis. The ransomware is capable of stopping over 50 processes and services to ensure thorough encryption of targeted files. Additionally, it includes a fallback mechanism to execute certain commands even if the user launching FunkSec lacks sufficient privileges.
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