Telecom
Huawei Takes Wrapper Off Iconic Ascend Mate7 in Nigeria
Huawei has unveiled a new lightning fast octa-core smartphone with superior singe-touch fingerprint technology dubbed Ascend Mate7 in Nigeria.
The mobile device featuring a big 6-inch screen with FHD display for enhanced entertainment viewing, a slimmer 7.9mm body for increased comfort, also has the fastest LTE Cat6 connectivity with download speeds of up to 300Mbps.
Ascend Mate7 is the latest big-screen smartphone from Huawei as it showcases its big ambitions as the number three smartphone vendor in the world.
Speaking at the product launch at Huawei’s office in Lagos, Mr. Yang Fufu, country manager, Huawei, Nigeria, said that the device’s excellent design and features were as a result of Huawei’s implementation of 10% of the annual revenue on research and development (R&D).
Huawei’s revenue as at 2013 was over $40 billion. He added that the company is resolute on becoming the third largest phone brands in Nigeria by 2016, after launching its first smartphone in June this year.
On the phone specifications, Mr. Olaonipekun Okunowo, country marketing manager, Huawei Consumer Business in Nigeria, said, “Today marks the arrival of our fastest and most compelling big-screen smartphone experience for consumers. It is an icon of our relentless commitment to ‘make it possible’ for people everywhere to enjoy our premium quality products. Huawei Ascend Mate7 actually leads the big-screen pack with smarter performance, improved power efficiency, and outstanding convenience with its superior single-touch fingerprint technology”.
On the smart performance, Okunowo said that with octa-core architecture, Ascend Mate7 has an intelligent Huawei Kirin 925 processor made up of four large A15 1.8GHz and four small A7 1.3GHz chipsets which are activated in different configurations depending on the power needs of a specific app or function to enable the device become smarter with power management.
“Ascend Mate7 saves up to 50% of the battery by automatically using smaller A7 cores to power standard apps that consumers use at least 80% of the time, and kicking in the larger A15 during high-performance use such as gaming. The processor will also automatically activate additional cores when it detects that 85% to 95% of a single core-s processing capacity is being used,” he explained.
Ascend Mate7 is possibly the market’s first 6-inch smartphone with instant single-touch fingerprint access to put an end to password fatigue.
This, Okunowo said, enables user to unlock the phone at least 80% faster than devices that use a slower sweeping recognition option.
Located on the back of the handset and measuring 9.16mm x 9.16mm, the reader supports up to five sets of different fingerprint records which can be allocated to normal and guest modes, so a user can switch modes to enhance protection when securing private folders, applications, or payment information.
“It is a higher 508PPI ratio for enhanced reader accuracy so there’s no need to swipe repeatedly before being able to unlock the device, even with wet fingers or under rain conditions. ARM trustZone also stores encrypted data of fingerprint within the chipset for better protection by SecureOs, and prevents direct access by third-parties,” the country marketing manager said.
Featuring the fastest LTE cat6 connectivity with download speeds of up to 300 Mbps, Ascend Mate7 enables HD movies to be downloaded in less than 30 seconds.
And running on a high density 4100mAh Li-Polymer battery, Ascend Mate7, counry marketing manager, added, managed to fit a huge battery in the slim body for more than two days of non-stop normal use.
He said, “With Huawei proprietary power-saving technology, Ascend Mate7 provides three power saving modes, normal, smart and ultra-power saving”.
On style and substance, he added that, a rare find for smartphones of its size, the device is made up of more than 95% metal and features an interior structure made up of a strong aluminum alloy for superior heat reduction.
Ascend mate7 was launched with EMUI 3.0, the new version of Huawei’s intuitive user interface that makes it easier to operate with one hand and features a new look across the entire software interface.
Meta, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE), has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator Program to foster AI-driven solutions across critical sectors in Nigeria.
The eight-month program will support early-stage startups developing AI innovations using Meta’s open-source Llama models. Target sectors include Agriculture, Security & Safety, Healthcare, and a wildcard category for other high-impact applications.
Speaking at the launch, Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, emphasized the initiative’s role in advancing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. “We are thrilled to partner with FMCIDE in supporting local AI talent. Open-source AI should be accessible and relevant to national challenges,” she said.
The program will begin with a six-week incubation period, offering technical training and mentorship from industry experts, followed by six months of extended support, including access to technical resources.
Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, hailed the initiative as a “major step forward” in Nigeria’s AI development strategy. “AI will be a key driver of national growth, and this program equips innovators with the tools to tackle pressing issues,” Tijani stated.
The Llama Impact Accelerator aligns with Meta’s broader mission to democratize responsible AI access while fostering innovation in emerging markets.
In collaboration with academic and government stakeholders, the initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI industry and drive impactful change.
Applications for the program remain open until June 27, 2025. More details can be found at llamaimpactssa.splashthat.com.
In an era where climate change, youth unemployment, and food insecurity loom large over the continent, a powerful new force is rising — young African innovators building a green future from the ground up.
At the just-concluded Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2024, organised by MTN and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Nigerian entrepreneur, Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel, emerged as one of the continent’s top eco-champions, spotlighting the potential of purpose-driven innovation to rewrite Nigeria’s climate and development story.
While Moses Afopezi of Cameroon took home the top prize with AgricFresh, a smart solution combating post-harvest loss, Olabisi’s reusable menstrual products solutions as a waste transformation model earned her national applause and a seat at Africa’s sustainability table, emerging as the second-place winner.
Speaking during the announcement, MTN’s leadership underscored that this challenge goes far beyond accolades. “Together, we have the power to shape a greener, more sustainable Africa — one bold idea at a time,” Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN, said.
The triumph comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the environmental menace of climate change in major urban hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, even as the Nigerian government is clamouring for smart innovations to address climate change issues such as climate funding, carbon trading and just energy transition.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently reiterated calls for tech-based waste management solutions – making Olabisi’s innovation timely and impactful.
MTN says this is just the beginning. With plans to expand the PachiPanda Challenge to more countries and deepen support for eco-entrepreneurs, the telecoms giant is reaffirming its commitment to socio-economic development through green innovation.
As Nigeria sets its sights on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the PachiPanda story is a timely reminder that the answers may lie not in government halls – but in the dreams and drive of Nigeria’s young changemakers.
In what could be a turning point for Nigeria’s global tech ambitions, Zinox Technologies, a strategic integrated tech solution company and pride of Nigeria ICT ecosystem has been officially invited to represent Nigeria at VivaTech Paris 2025, one of the world’s largest technology and innovation events.
The invitation, extended in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, is seen as a strategic endorsement of Zinox’s over two decades track record of delivering digital infrastructure, innovation, and enterprise solutions across the country for government, corporates and homes including some African countries.
The four-day event, taking place from June 11–14, 2025, is a major fixture in the global tech calendar, drawing startups, corporates, investors, and tech leaders from across the world. Zinox is expected to engage with international players at its assigned booth while showcasing flagship projects and solutions that reflect Nigeria’s evolving digital capacity.
“Zinox represents the kind of indigenous innovation the world needs to see more of — practical, scalable, and deeply rooted in local challenges,” said one of the international event leads, who confirmed their excitement about Zinox’s participation. “It’s a unique opportunity to place African tech at the centre of global conversations.”
From Local Execution to Global Attention
Zinox’s reputation has largely been built on its ability to execute high-impact, often mission-critical tech projects for both public and private sector players. The company is known for powering most government and corporate sector tech infrastructure rolling out the most integrated ICT projects and partnering global manufacturers with it’s iPower renewable energy solutions. Zinox is credited with transitioning Nigeria from analogue to digital democracy, amongst many other critical projects for companies like Chevron, Shell, FIRS, CBN, NPC, and educational institutions just to mention a few.
Its inclusion at VivaTech reflects growing international curiosity about Nigeria’s digital innovation and infrastructure story, particularly from brands that have built success indigenously.
Konga, the e-Commerce Engine, Joins the Spotlight
In an interesting strategic angle, Zinox will also showcase Konga, the composite e-commerce group it acquired in 2018. The move united two major tech forces under one umbrella and enabled a fusion of logistics, fintech, and commerce with Zinox’s core technology expertise.
Since the acquisition, Konga has benefited from infrastructural reinforcements, platform upgrades and supply chain optimization, becoming Nigeria’s most efficient digital marketplace.
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