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MainOne Submarine Cable Systems Scheduled to Land in Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire

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Making good on the strategic partnership with Orange Telecoms and its West African Affiliates (Sonatel and Orange Cote d’Ivoire) signed in September 2018, MainOne has confirmed the scheduled landing of the MainOne submarine cable systems in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire in September and October 2019 respectively.

With the Cable Landing Stations (CLS) in both countries fully built and ready for installation of equipment, in both Dakar and Abidjan, the company is poised to undertake the physical connection of the branching units on its 7000-kilometer-long omnibus fiber pair to the shore and terminal equipment.

The MainOne submarine cable is being installed by the Orange Marine specialized vessel, Pierre de Fermat vessel, which has arrived in Dakar, having picked up the fiber and ancillary equipment, including repeaters from Brest, France earlier in the month.

It will proceed to Abidjan to conclude the laying and final splice in the month of October, with ready for service and commercial launch of the system scheduled for November 2019.

Consistent with its strong preference for deploying top of the range technology to deliver best-in-class services in the West Africa region, MainOne, as part of the landing project, shall deploy on the cable WSS ROADM Spectrum Sharing technology, the first of its kind to be deployed for commercial purpose in the world.

This new technology will optimize the utilization of the MainOne subsea cable, by enabling multiple operators share optical spectrum on the omnibus fiber optic pair to obtain closer to 10 Terabits per second of capacity.

This will be most beneficial for countries directly connected to the MainOne subsea network, and the region in general, by delivering higher volume of connectivity to achieve lower connectivity pricing that will spur the development of new digital services and promote sustainable socio-economic growth across the region.

Speaking on the development, the CEO of MainOne, Funke Opeke, revalidated the company’s mission to deliver world class communication and connectivity services, as the bedrock for the partnership with Orange that broadens the connectivity range in the region.

Opeke states “MainOne is committed to leading the digital transformation across West Africa, driving economic growth and development by enabling and empowering the ecosystem through affordable and ubiquitous connectivity.

“We are determined ultimately to improve the digital services of the region and today marks the realization of that journey for Senegal with the landing of the Submarine cable which will drive substantial impact on both GDP and employment.”

On his part, the CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, Alioune Ndiaye explained that “Africa is experiencing a rapid technological evolution with mobile broadband connectivity enabling a tech ecosystem. Orange, as part of its multi-service strategy, is an important partner in the continent’s digital transformation as demonstrated by our continuous investment.

“Through the partnership with MainOne, we expect to see improved high speed and affordable broadband services in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire that will reinforce connectivity and guarantee reliable access to global broadband networks.”

MainOne’s submarine cable in 2010, became the first private subsea cable to deliver open-access, broadband capacity to West Africa, heralding the advent of high speed fibre-optic broadband in the region.

The MainOne system traverses the coast of West Africa with fully operational landing stations from Seixal in Portugal through Accra in Ghana to Lagos in Nigeria, and additional branching units in Morocco, Canary Islands yet to be connected.


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NCC Calls on Judiciary to Champion Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.

He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.

Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.

The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.

She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.

The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.

Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.

The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.


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Empowering Nigerian Entrepreneurs: 15Wins Ventures Unveils Z-Habitat Hub

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15Wins Ventures, a Dutch-based venture builder, officially launched Z-Habitat Hub in Lagos on Thursday, October 24, 2024, marking a new chapter in the company’s efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

L-R : Nelson Tosin Ajulo, Chief Executive Officer, 15Wins Ventures; Michel Deelen, The Netherlands Consul General in Lagos; Valkamiya Ahmadu, Senior Policy Advisor on Economic & Political Affairs Netherlands Embassy, Abuja; Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Policy Advisor on Entrepreneurship, Youth Employment & Health Care, Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos; Bengt van Loosdrecht, Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, during the grand unveiling of the Z-Habitat Hub, Nigeria’s most advanced incubation hub at Ago Palace, Lagos on October 24, 2024.

The launch was attended by key dignitaries, including The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Bengt van Loosdrecht; The Netherlands Consul General in Lagos, His Excellency Michel Deelen; Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Policy Advisor on Entrepreneurship, Youth Employment & Health Care, Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos; Valkamiya Ahmadu, Senior Policy Advisor on Economic & Political Affairs (Abuja); and Adebola Adebowale, Chief Program Analyst for Lagos State.

Commenting on the significance of Z-Habitat in driving innovation and creating equitable opportunities for underserved communities, His Excellency Bengt van Loosdrecht said, “We see Z-Habitat Hub as a powerful connection point – a place where ideas can take root and thrive through collaboration.

“Many people in the west do not realize that Nigeria is a country on the brink of transformation.

“The domestic private sector, driven by young, well-educated individuals, is flourishing. This is a dynamic I have seen in other rapidly developing regions, and I believe Nigeria’s youth are on the cusp of an exciting future.’’

His remarks preceded the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which officially opened the hub’s doors to the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.

The Z-Habitat Hub will host various programs, including workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events, all aimed at empowering Lagos’s startup ecosystem.

The hub’s mission aligns with 15Wins Ventures’ goal to build a sustainable foundation for African tech development, bridging resources from its base in the Netherlands to local talent in West Africa.

Reflecting on the vision behind Z-Habitat, Nelson T. Ajulo, Chief Executive Officer of 15Wins Ventures, highlighted the hub’s role as a transformative force within Lagos startup ecosystem.

“Z-Habitat is a place where technology, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit come together.

“Our mission is to provide local entrepreneurs and creatives with the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to turn their ideas into impactful solutions,” he said.

“Through Zarttalent, we have trained nearly 500 students and provided scholarships to underserved women. Now, with Z-Habitat, we are expanding our commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth and broader community.’’

Guests were welcomed with a guided tour of the facility, led by Nelson, offering a firsthand look at the state-of-the-art workspaces.

The event also featured an energetic performance by local drummers and a showcase of creative expressions by local artists.

The launch of Z-Habitat underscores 15Wins Ventures’ commitment to fostering homegrown innovation and providing a structured, supportive environment for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

As Lagos startup landscape continues to thrive, Z-Habitat is poised to play a critical role in helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into impactful solutions that drive long-term growth.


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Treepz Drives Innovation, Wins Top Honors at African Union Event

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Treepz, Africa’s leading corporate mobility startup, has been awarded the Best Startup Pitch in Africa at the 15th Annual African Union Private Sector High-Level Conference, held in Lusaka, Zambia on October 31st – November 2nd, 2024.

Amidst the line-up of startups that pitched at the conference, this award, organized by the Global Innovative Initiative Group (GIIG), was presented to Treepz in recognition of its innovative contributions and significant impact on transforming the mobility landscape across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya.

In addition to winning the Best Startup Pitch in Africa award, Treepz was recognized across the continent and was awarded $5000 and $3,500 from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Google, respectively.

Commenting on the award, Onyeka Akumah, Founder and CEO of Treepz, stated, “We are honoured to have received several recognitions on the continent, including the Best Startup Pitch in Africa, for our work in the mobility sector across four countries”.

“We are also grateful to Jo Griffiths, Founder of GIIG for the extended invitation to pitch at the prestigious African Union private sector conference.

“The invitation speaks to our footprints in Africa and how we have consistently delivered exceptional mobility services to our customers, both home and beyond”, Onyeka added.

Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIGvelopment and People at Treepz delivered the pitch and received the award on behalf of the startup.

She expressed her excitement, noting that Treepz is well-positioned to significantly empower millions of daily commuters through the advancement of shared mobility across Afric) is a venture capital investment firm committed to enabling African tech entrepreneurs to thrive in businesses that pioneer innovative global solutions that meet the most pressing challenges of the time.


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