E-Business
iConcepts Boosts Mobile Marketing with New Technology
Imagine Concepts Limited (iConcepts), a mobile marketing and technology company, in its commitment towards expanding the frontier of mobile communication in Nigeria, has introduced a unique product into the mobile communication market space with the launch of Hypertag.
Hypertag is a small electronic device that stores mobile digital content and enables the content to be downloaded into a mobile phone. It is a new global proximity marketing technology which brings the brands and the consumers together, by enabling the brands to reach their consumers with messages.
Ugo Okoye, managing director, iConcepts, said the introduction of Hypertag into the mobile marketing industry will no doubt make a big difference in the way brands reach their consumers with tailor-made messages that suit their purpose.
According to Okoye, for the first time, brands using Hypertag can ensure that they reach their target audience at a time and place that puts their messages in a direct and relevant context to the consumer’s current activity.
"The ability to communicate with consumers based on their presence in a fixed time and place is one of the great features of Hypertag as it makes it possible to access people at various points with tailor-made offers precisely to suit them," he said.
Using ubiquitous short-range mobile technologies such as Bluetooth and infra-red, Hypertag can send content such as video, games, music or vouchers, direct to mobile phones quickly and for free based on their proximity to a fixed physical location.
Consumers can receive the message by simply activating the appropriate technology on their phone and stand near the Hypertag in order to receive the content direct to their handset. Hypertag can be used on outdoor advertising panels, mounted on promotional staff as part of experiential activities and in retail point of sale environments.
Hypertags are compatible with over 500 mobile handsets. As each model has its own set of capabilities, the Hypertag detects the type of phone in use and only sends compatible content, maximizing the reach of each campaign. Most types of digital content supported by mobile phones can be sent from a Hypertag. These include, images, animations, ringtones in various formats, music files, video, Java applications and games.
Arinze Asiegbunam, product manager, iConcept added that the beauty of the product is that consumers simply stand near a Hypertag and activate the relevant technology on their handset to receive multimedia content. The service is free for consumers to interact as it doesn’t use their network connection. This also means it can be used in places where there’s no network reception.
The Hypertag uses a continuous discovery process to make interactions as fast and user friendly as possible. Once an opted in phone is discovered the Hypertag starts to deliver content. The user will then usually receive a message such as "Would you like to receive content from brand X?" On confirmation the transfer will then be completed.
For the discerning brand builder, keen on knowing the number of consumers that have been exposed to the message, Okoye noted that Hypertag can provide a record of the number of interactions from each site, and thus make the assessment of the campaign effective.
National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has urged Nigerian insurance companies to develop and introduce cyber insurance products.
This is in response to the escalating digital risks accompanying global digitalization.
This initiative aims to provide coverage against cyber threats and data breaches, ensuring that businesses and individuals are protected in the evolving digital landscape.
To facilitate this development, NAICOM is collaborating with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
This partnership seeks to promote cyber insurance and ensure compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulations, emphasising the importance of data protection training for industry practitioners.
Despite the growing threat of cybercrime, cyber insurance remains underutilised in Nigeria. Industry reports indicate that many businesses and individuals overlook the importance of cyber insurance, even as global cybercrime losses are projected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
NAICOM’s directive underscores the need for the insurance industry to adapt to the digital era by offering products that address contemporary risks, thereby enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Google has increased the price of its Google One subscription in Nigeria.
The tech giant, in a note to its customers, said, “Price will automatically increase to N1,900/month on 28 Mar 2025 for your Google One subscription. Cancel at any time in Google Play.”
The old price was N1,200. Google One, a cloud storage service offered by Google LLC, provides users with a centralised platform to manage their storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
It added that subscribers who do not cancel their subscription will be charged automatically on the payment method they provided.
In the world of technology and entrepreneurship, few names resonate as powerfully as Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, Africa’s leading technology distribution powerhouse.
Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa
A media-reclusive entrepreneur and quiet achiever, she has made a name for herself not with loud proclamations but through consistent actions that have shaped the trajectory of the continent’s digital economy.
She has steered the company to unprecedented heights, forging strategic partnerships with global giants such as HP, Microsoft, Apple, Starlink, IBM, Dell Technologies, Ring (by Amazon), Cisco, Lenovo, APC by Schneider Electric, Samsung, Bosch, Philips, Logitech, and Vivo.
These collaborations have not only strengthened TD Africa’s position as a market leader but have also contributed to the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem.
At the recently held Accra Synergy Summit, a high-profile event held in Ghana that brought together top strategic partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Mrs Ekeh made a bold declaration: “We are no longer waiting for change — we are driving it. We are no longer spectators in the digital revolution — we are architects, engineers, and visionaries shaping the future.” This statement, emblematic of her visionary leadership, underscores her commitment to driving Africa’s tech renaissance.
Ekeh’s words are not mere rhetoric; they are backed by tangible achievements and a deep understanding of Africa’s digital potential. The data speaks for itself.
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa’s digital economy is on track to reach $180 billion this year, with projections indicating it will soar to an astonishing $712 billion by 2050.
This growth is not just an increase in numbers — it signifies a paradigm shift in how Africa engages with technology and innovation.
With over 570 million internet users today, Africa is undergoing an unprecedented digital awakening, a number expected to double by 2030 according to the World Bank.
From financial inclusion to business automation, Africa is embracing the digital age at an accelerated pace, with 70% of global mobile money transactions already occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
This widespread adoption is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of African entrepreneurs and businesses.
The continent’s tech ecosystem is also attracting significant global attention. In 2022 alone, African tech startups secured over $6.5 billion in investments, a clear testament to the world’s belief in Africa’s digital future.
Ekeh’s message is clear: Africa’s future is bright but requires collective effort.
Rapid transformation does not happen in a vacuum. It is built on strategic collaborations and forward-thinking leadership.
According to Ekeh, “This renaissance is not happening in isolation. It is built on the foundation of strong partnerships. It is fuelled by collaboration — between businesses, governments, and technology enablers like TD Africa. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring that Africa doesn’t just adopt technology but creates, innovates, and leads.”
Her words serve as a rallying cry for businesses, governments, and individuals to strengthen partnerships, increase investments, and take bold steps toward excellence. “Africa is no longer just a consumer of technology. Africa is a builder. Africa is no longer following global trends. Africa is setting them. Africa is no longer waiting for the future. Africa is the future,” she concluded.
Chioma Ekeh’s leadership and vision are a testament to what can be achieved when passion, innovation, and collaboration come together.
As Africa continues its journey toward a tech-driven future, her words and actions remind us that the power to shape tomorrow lies in our hands today.
TD Africa has remained at the forefront of Africa’s tech revolution as the market leader in technology distribution.
Under Ekeh’s leadership, the company has not only expanded its portfolio of global partners but has also facilitated the seamless deployment of innovative tech solutions across various sectors.
By empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology, TD Africa is laying the groundwork for an Africa that does not just consume technology but pioneers it.
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