Telecom
Microsoft opens Africa Development Centre (ADC) Site in Lagos
Microsoft over the weekend opened Nigeria’s site of its first Africa Development Centre (ADC). The centre, which is Microsoft’s 7th globally, is recruiting world-class African engineering talent to develop innovative solutions that span the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge.
Increased Microsoft presence in Africa will empower partners and customers as they use Microsoft solutions in fields important to the continent like FinTech, AgriTech and OffGrid energy.
Phil Spencer, executive sponsor of the ADC and executive vice president at Microsoft, said: “The ADC will be unlike any other existing investment on the continent. It will help us better listen to our customers, develop locally and scale for global impact,”
“Beyond that, it’s an opportunity to engage more with local partners, academia, governments and developers – driving impact and innovation in sectors important to Africa.”
For the ADC, Microsoft is seeking engineering talent in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and mixed reality. With the initial team of engineers already starting work, the ADC intends to recruit 100 full-time engineers by the end of 2019 – expanding to 500 across the two sites by 2023. Applications are open on the ADC website.
To support the development of these required skills, Microsoft is also partnering with local universities to create a modern intelligent edge and cloud curriculum, unique to Africa.
Graduates from top Nigerian engineering universities will have access to the ADC to build relevant and meaningful careers in data science, AI, mixed reality, application development and more.
Professor Kayode Alese, professor of Computer Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) said: “For more than 20 years I have taught computer science to enthusiastic African students, but still Africa has been referred to as the last technology frontier.
“The fact Microsoft has taken the giant step of setting up its first development centre in Nigeria is a testament to the huge talent base that exists in our academic institutions. It is a great time to be a Nigerian.”
Alex Kipman, technical fellow at Microsoft and the lead in establishing the first engineering team in Lagos, said: “We have already started our work in Nigeria around our mixed reality offering and I am very much looking forward to the kind of innovation that will come from the ADC.
“I am looking to learn, understand, and work hard so that we can grow together organically.”
The joint investment in ADC infrastructure and employment of qualified local engineers is expected to total US $100 million over the first five years of operation.
“Microsoft recently opened its first hyper-scale datacentres in Africa, and this next milestone is particularly significant for Nigeria,” says Akin Banuso, country manager for Microsoft Nigeria.
“The reason we selected Nigeriaas one of the first ADC sites is to better understand a continent that is rapidly adopting cloud technology and innovation at the intelligent edge.
“We view Nigeria as a leading regional digital innovation hub, and the ADC aims to invest in and accelerate the work being done here.”
Microsoft has operated on the continent for more than 25 years, building partnerships to bridge the gaps in infrastructure, connectivity and capability to accelerate innovation. Microsoft 4Afrika, Microsoft’s business and market development engine on the continent, is preparing the market to embrace cloud technology.
The programme has upskilled more than 1.6 million Africans and brought more than 700,000 small and medium-sized businesses online and connected schools, universities and healthcare clinics to the internet for the first time.
“Microsoft is already empowering many Nigerian innovations at the edge, with partners like Interswitch and fintech start-up Flutterwave,” continues Banuso.
“Energyrathon Consulting in Nigeria is also a recent AI for Earth grant recipient, which is developing AI-enabled systems to track pollution spread patterns in underground water aquifers, and protect fresh water and marine ecosystems. We’re excited to drive more innovations like this from the ADC.”
Mitchell Elegbe, founder and group CEO of Interswitch, said: “We are building an ecosystem driven by data and technology that provides millions of businesses and individuals with intuitive transaction solutions and payment experiences,”
“Microsoft is a partner whose vision aligns with ours as we scale payment innovation across Africa.
“Both organisations provide infrastructure and technology that makes life easier for our customers, and we are using a variety of cutting-edge Microsoft solutions, not only to power our enterprise software stack, but also in application with specific use cases like blockchain-based remittances.
“We are both helping solve some of Africa’s most challenging financial and logistic problems.”
Microsoft Cognition and Microsoft Windows teams will kick-start the ADC efforts, focusing on AI-enabled cloud services, mixed reality experiences and rich applications that power the intelligent edge without disruption.
Airtel Africa has grown its customer base by 9.0% to 169.4 million, with data customers increasing 17.4% to 75.6 million with focus on bridging the digital divide across her markets continues. According to the telecommunications operator’s financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, which demonstrated strong growth across key metrics and a continued focus on expanding its services across its 14 African markets.
The operator reported a significant increase in revenue, reaching $1,415 million. This represents a 24.9% growth in constant currency and a 22.4% increase in reported currency, indicating a more stable macroeconomic environment in its operating regions and effective tariff adjustments, particularly in Nigeria.
The growth was broadly driven, with mobile services revenue increasing by 23.8% in constant currency. Data revenue showed exceptional performance, surging by 38.1%, while voice revenue grew by 13.9%. Mobile money services continued their strong upward trajectory, recording a 30.3% growth in constant currency. This was supported by accelerated growth in Francophone Africa (16.4% in constant currency) and continued strong performance in East Africa (20.3% in constant currency).
Airtel Africa’s profitability also saw a substantial uplift. EBITDA grew by 29.8% in reported currency to $679 million, with EBITDA margins expanding to 48.0% from 45.3% in the prior period. This margin expansion is attributed to sustained operating momentum, more stable fuel prices, and the ongoing benefits from cost efficiency programs.
Profit after tax saw a remarkable improvement, rising to $156 million compared to $31 million in the prior period. Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) stood at 3.4 cents, a significant increase from 0.2 cents in the previous year, primarily reflecting higher operating profit in the current period and the absence of large derivative and foreign exchange losses that impacted the prior period.
Operational highlights further underscored the company’s growth. Airtel Africa’s total customer base expanded by 9.0% to 169.4 million. Data customers increased by 17.4% to 75.6 million, as the company intensified its efforts to bridge the digital divide. Mobile money customer base also grew by 16.1% to 45.8 million, with transaction value increasing by 28.7% in constant currency.
The company’s strategic focus on enhancing customer experience is supported by ongoing network investments. Over 2,300 new sites were rolled out, bringing the total to 37,579 sites, and the fiber network was expanded by 2,700 km, now exceeding 79,600 km. This investment has boosted data capacity across the region, with 4G population coverage reaching 74.7%, an increase of 3.4% year-on-year.
Airtel Africa continued its debt localization program, with almost 95% of its operating company debt (excluding lease liabilities) now in local currency, up from 86% a year ago, reducing foreign currency debt exposure. The company also confirmed it has returned $16.9 million to shareholders through its ongoing share buyback program as of June 30, 2025.
Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer, said: “We are very pleased with the strong growth in our operating and financial performance in the first quarter. The strength of this performance, and the scale of the growth we achieved, reflects the sustained demand for our services and the strength of our business model to meet these demands. Operationally, the acceleration in customer base growth to 9%, and 17.4% growth in our data customers to 75.6m reflects the strong on-ground execution with a relentless focus on digitisation and the simplification of the customer experience.”
Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, executive vice chairman/ceo of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), was honoured with the prestigious African Achievers Award at the 15th edition of the ceremony held at the historic House of Lords, UK Parliament, on July 11, 2025.
L-R: Founder, Startup Arewa, Mohammed Jega; Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy Mete Coban; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu; and Special Adviser to the EVC on Commercialization, Engr. Anas Balarabe during the presentation of the prestigious African Achievers Award to Halilu at the House of Lords, UK Parliament recently.
The award, presented during an event that brought together royals, global leaders, policymakers, and innovators, recognized Mr. Halilu’s outstanding contributions to advancing Africa’s technological infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and industrial growth through his leadership at NASENI.
Hosted by Baroness Sandip Verma, Chancellor of the University of Roehampton and a respected member of the House of Lords, the ceremony was a powerful global showcase of African excellence and transformative leadership. Mr. Halilu joined a distinguished group of honourees including public officials, business executives, and philanthropists shaping the future of the continent.
In his remarks, Mr. Halilu emphasized Africa’s readiness to lead in innovation, manufacturing, and sustainability.
“It is a great honour to receive this award alongside fellow visionaries committed to Africa’s future. At NASENI, we are bridging the gap between ambition and access, turning ideas into industries, empowering indigenous solutions, and driving forward Nigeria’s and Africa’s industrial transformation. Africa is not just rising, it is ready.”
Under his leadership, NASENI has been repositioned as Nigeria’s leading technology transfer agency, delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by enabling local production in critical sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, transportation, and digital infrastructure.
Through strategic partnerships and an Accelerated Technology Transfer & Adaptation Strategy, NASENI is turning Nigeria into a hub for sustainable innovation and industrial self-reliance. Mr. Halilu extended appreciation to the organizers and supporters of the Awards:
“I thank the African Achievers Awards team, Baroness Sandip Verma, and all those across the continent and diaspora who continue to champion African solutions. This recognition is a motivation to do more and a reminder that the future we seek is one we must build ourselves.”
Now in its 15th year, the African Achievers Awards has become one of the most respected platforms spotlighting African leadership and excellence globally. This year’s edition included powerful messages from dignitaries such as King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, Queen Olori Atuwatse III, and Dr. Fatou Bensouda, reinforcing the urgency of building a united and future-facing African continent.
The award to Mr. Khalil Halilu reflects NASENI’s growing continental footprint and its mission to deliver homegrown technologies that respond to Africa’s real challenges, promote sustainable development, and accelerate industrialization across borders.
The 2025 edition of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) & Sustainability Conference has been rescheduled to hold on August 7, 2025, at CitiHeight Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, following a shift from its earlier date of July 30.
The adjustment was made to accommodate a nationwide telecom stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The CNII Conference, jointly organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) and Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), seeks to address the implementation and awareness gaps surrounding the CNII Order, signed into law by the Federal Government in August 2024.
The law designates telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, positioning it as a strategic asset vital to Nigeria’s economic and security framework. Industry groups including the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) have thrown their weight behind the initiative.
Speaking on the new date, NITRA Chairman, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, emphasised that the Act, though laudable, requires industry-wide collaboration and clear implementation strategy for tangible impact.
“The mere proclamation of CNII as an Act does not guarantee infrastructure safety. Stakeholders must address operational and standardisation gaps to make the law work,” he said.
ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, also highlighted the need for regular maintenance and technology upgrades to curb vandalism and ensure infrastructure security.
Focus Areas of the Conference Include:
- Implementation mechanisms for the CNII Act.
- Stakeholders’ roles at federal, state, and industry levels.
- Security enforcement and public education.
- Infrastructure protection and sustainability.
- Collaboration and compliance across telecom companies.
Expected attendees include the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, regulators, service providers, security agencies, and key players in public and private sectors.
The event is themed “Industry Sustainability And CNII Conference 2025 – Way Forward”, with panel discussions aimed at creating a unified approach to safeguarding Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure under the CNII provisions.
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