General News
How Edge Computing Can Transform Businesses in Nigeria
By Valentine Chime
I recall reading a story, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, about a top executive of a major technology company who had taken ill and while in isolation, was unable to hold virtual meetings because he could not figure out how to navigate his way around Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
While we may, rightly or wrongly expect a top tech executive to understand seemingly basic technology, the fact is that in today’s hyper-energized tech space, innovation moves so quickly that it is easy for most people, including business leaders, to be overwhelmed.
Nevertheless, business leaders often must chart a technological path for their organisations and, therefore, need to stay updated on potentially game-changing technologies for their businesses.
Tech-savvy business leaders drove the generational shift to cloud computing and are at the forefront of the increasing recognition of Edge computing as the future of business in Nigeria and globally.
As MD of a leading-Edge computing provider in Nigeria, inq. Digital Nigeria, I am keenly aware of the immense benefits that Edge computing can bring to Nigerian businesses and would like to discuss some of these here.
As you may know, Edge computing is essentially a distributed information technology architecture which allows client data to be processed as close to the originating source as possible, thereby minimizing the need for data to be transmitted to a remote processor.
The elimination of data transmission and the attendant reduction in latency, i.e., the time it takes for data to be moved from one point to another, results in a massive improvement in processing speed.
Although data is currently processed at supersonic speeds, consumers are demanding even faster transactions and as more data is generated and shared, edge computing will be crucial in meeting our speed and reliability requirements.
So how can it help businesses in Nigeria? Let’s start with the Fintechs, with Nigeria being the fintech capital of Africa (attracting 63% of funding raised by African start-ups in 2021) and the rapid growth of the country’s fintech ecosystem enabled by the ability of developers and consumers to enjoy high- speed processing services.
Edge computing will unleash the untapped potential of the fintech ecosystem by providing lower latency and more reliable processing capabilities, which will form the backbone for optimising current fintech applications and developing innovative services in the future.
Based on current statistics, the agricultural sector remains, by some distance, the largest contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, accounting for over 25% of 2021 GDP. It, therefore, remains the backbone of the Nigerian economy and Edge computing can help to increase the sector’s yield, profitability and contribution to GDP.
Edge computing solutions can help farmers track soil condition, crop growth, weather and climatic changes, input usage and stock, crop yield, quality, and water usage among others. This data can help farmers improve yield by improving planning, farming methods and output.
The data can also help farmers anticipate and address environmental factors in addition to continually improving crop growing algorithms towards ensuring that crops are in peak condition when harvested.
In Manufacturing, Edge computing can be used to monitor processes: applying machine learning and real-time analytics to identify production errors and enhance product quality.
Edge computing can enable the addition of various types of sensors throughout the plant which will provide and analyse data relating to the production processes, output of the various production stages, product quality and stock levels for production inputs.
This data can help manufacturers accurately forecast production supplies and outputs as well as optimise the manufacturing process to minimise waste and increase efficiency.
What about the Nigeria healthcare industry businesses that are enjoying significant private investment? This private sector-led growth is producing data-driven hospitals and Health Maintenance Organisations (HMO).
Electronic records are replacing paper-based patient notes used by doctors, and the availability of electronic records provides the possibility for this data to be analysed in order to optimise healthcare delivery.
Edge computing can support the collection and analysis of patient records by hospitals and HMOs with the resulting data guiding patient care by hospitals and financial planning by HMOs.
Healthcare data can also be provided to patients to encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles and reduce the need for repeated or prolonged hospitalisation.
Today, many Nigerian companies maintain a fleet of vehicles as staff buses, operational vehicles and status cars for executives.
Edge computing can significantly help to improve fleet management by helping to gather data such as vehicle location, speed, road and traffic conditions, weather and service cycles, which can enhance fleet planning and management.
Edge computing can also help to considerably improve workplace safety by analysing, in real-time, data from cameras, sensors and safety devices to alert businesses to potential or actual safety issues which can subsequently be proactively addressed to minimize accidents.
Tracking and analysing workplace safety data can also help businesses monitor compliance with safety protocols and provide a basis for the review of these protocols where necessary.
The potential applications of edge computing in Nigeria highlighted above are only a sample of the numerous ways in which Edge computing can significantly improve business operations and profitability in Nigeria. inq. Digital is proud to be at the forefront of Edge computing in Nigeria and I am incredibly optimistic about the opportunities that this technology can unlock for Nigerian businesses.
Valentine Chime is Managing Director, inq. Digital Nigeria
The UK’s Manufacturing Africa programme has formed a strategic partnership with investment firm TLG Capital to enhance funding opportunities for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
L-R: Director, Head of International Affairs, BPI France, Isabelle Bebear; Swedfund Regional Director for West Africa, Kitanha Toure; British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter; Co-founder & CEO of TLG Capital, Zain Latif and IFC World Bank Group, Regional Industry Manager, Alexandra Celestin at the signing ceremony today in Lagos.
This collaboration aims to strengthen Nigerian businesses’ eligibility for financing through Africa Growth Impact Fund II (AGIF II), which has raised $75 million towards its $200 million target.
Supported by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), Swedfund, Norfund, and Bpifrance, the fund seeks to channel capital into promising manufacturing businesses across Nigeria.
Manufacturing Africa will assist companies with due diligence, corporate finance, ESG compliance, gender inclusion, and operational improvements, ensuring they meet investment criteria.
One of the first beneficiaries of this initiative is Terra Aqua, an aluminium recycling company in Ogun State. Terra Aqua is set to receive $7.5 million in debt financing from TLG Capital, contingent on meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarks.
If successful, this deal could create 200 direct jobs and 752 indirect jobs, while utilizing a recycling process that consumes 95% less energy than producing primary aluminium.
Since its launch in 2020, Manufacturing Africa has supported 41 investment deals in Nigeria, aiming to secure over $1 billion in foreign direct investment and create 38,000 direct jobs. Across Africa, the programme has facilitated nearly $2.4 billion in investment, leading to 102,000 new jobs.
UK Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasized the importance of a robust manufacturing sector in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
Manufacturing Africa’s Team Leader, Thomas Pascoe, highlighted the development potential in African manufacturing, while TLG Capital Co-Founder, Isha Doshi, underscored AGIF II’s goal of providing flexible, strategic financing tailored to the African business landscape.
This initiative is set to accelerate industrial growth, create jobs, and position Nigerian manufacturers as viable investment opportunities.
Kuda has launched Kuda Business Perks, a new initiative aimed at providing Nigerian SMEs with discounted services to ease operational costs amid economic challenges. With rising inflation, FX instability, and sluggish consumer demand, small businesses are struggling to maintain profitability.
SMEs make up 96% of businesses in Nigeria and contribute nearly half of the country’s GDP, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and SMEDAN.
However, a 2024 PwC Nigeria MSME Survey found that over 70% of Nigerian SMEs cite high operational costs as their biggest barrier to growth.
To address this, Kuda Business Perks offers discounted services across key business areas, including payments, inventory tracking, staff healthcare, and marketing.
Through partnerships with fintech providers like SeerBit and Paystack, as well as platforms such as Vendy, OneHealth, Lumi, and Braudit, SMEs registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and holding Kuda business accounts can access affordable tools to streamline operations.
According to Nosa Oyegun, VP of Product Innovation and Strategy at Kuda, the initiative is about providing practical solutions rather than generic rewards. He emphasized that small businesses need tools that work and pricing that makes sense, and Kuda is partnering with platforms that matter to lower cost barriers.
The rollout is happening in phases, with each perk addressing a core business need. For example, businesses using SeerBit through Kuda will enjoy lower transaction fees on local payments, while Paystack integration will help SMEs accept payments globally more efficiently.
Kuda Business Perks showcases how digital banking infrastructure can evolve beyond access to affordability, tackling one of the most pressing challenges for Nigerian SMEs today.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that, from January 1, 2026, all local airports and airstrips operating without valid permits will face sanctions.
Speaking at the maiden Airstrip Owners/Operators Stakeholders’ Engagement in Lagos on Monday, Godwin Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, said only a few of Nigeria’s 92 airstrips currently hold valid operational permits. These include operational, non-operational, and airstrips under rehabilitation or construction.
Balang stated that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been informed that, from 1 January 2026, local airports under its management without proper permits will be sanctioned. “FAAN has been apprised that effective from 1st January 2026, local airports without appropriate permits under its management would be sanctioned accordingly. This is not a threat but a collective resolve,” he said.
The NCAA noted that 68 of the 92 airstrips are federal government properties managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while 24 are owned by individuals and private organisations. The authority to enforce these measures comes from Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2022, which empowers the NCAA to certify aerodrome operations and set safety standards.
Balang addressed stakeholders’ pleas to review the N30 million permit fee and other charges to encourage investment. “I completely agree with you because by doing that it would look like the government will be making less money, but we are actually going to be making more money.
“We have a population of over 200 million people with conservatively less than three million people who are actively flying. So, it is also a big opportunity that if we are able to charge less, more people will be able to fly,” he said.
NCAA Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo, outlined the engagement’s goals: to improve communication with state and private airstrip operators, clarify regulatory requirements, address challenges, and promote global best practices.
“It is my fervent hope that these objectives will be fully realised and airstrip operations in Nigeria will, henceforth, be conducted in strict compliance with all regulatory provisions and global best practices,” he said.
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