E-Business
NEPs Can Become Digital Infrastructure Natives- Gartner
Network equipment providers (NEPs) can remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment, said Martina Kurth, research director at Gartner, while discussing how this can be achieved.
Writing on why NEPs should change their business model, Kurth believes that the network infrastructure market is undergoing a rapid shift.
“Traditional telecom equipment providers, he wrote, “must reinvent themselves to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world. Simply selling routers, towers and boxes will not be enough to survive as margins on hardware become increasingly slim. NEPs have to find new ways to leverage their core assets, while simultaneously acquiring new technology skills to align with the new digital economy technology”.
The Research Director at Gartner continued, “The world’s largest wireless equipment provider, Ericsson, is an example of the need for change. It has been through major turmoil recently, struggling with precisely this shift.
Hans Vestberg stepped down as CEO in July 2016, after the company suffered several consecutive quarters of declining growth. The recent merger of Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent, along with Huawei’s aggressive stance in the market, has put enormous pressure on Ericsson, but this also underlines the big efforts all major companies are making to align themselves with the new realities of this market.
Where can network equipment manufacturers find growth in the new digital marketplace?
“Communication service providers (CSPs) are inclined to use a single strategic technology supplier for a combined software and services offering. Infrastructure technology suppliers will be expected to cover the entire end-to-end stack across virtualized network infrastructures, IT software and cloud data center capabilities. This is a big opportunity for those suppliers that can deliver on this need, and a threat to those who can’t.
“However, NEPs must provide more than new software-driven technology architectures — the big challenge is to operationalize and monetize new cloud-based technologies, like software-defined networks and network function virtualization.
“Capabilities that center on software-driven and cloud-based telecom operations will be critical. Eventually, CSPs will expect their suppliers to provide viable end-to-end solutions to capitalize on the market potential that future technologies such as 5G, machine-to-machine, the Internet of Things, cloud and multimedia hold. New digital standards, such as Narrowband IoT, will need new digital operational and support system orchestration capabilities, such as partner management, onboarding and settlement, charging, policy and analytics.
What will a leading NEP look like in the future?
“NEPs must redesign their business to address larger digital transformations. This will require a total transformation of vertical operations support system (OSS)/business support system (BSS) stacks to fully automated, horizontal execution environments. Vendors also need to assist with the design of new operating models, the introduction of DevOps, and the associated organizational and operational network and IT alignment. Development tools and guidance on operational and organizational processes must be part of the solution to facilitate any changes required to a company’s culture and mindset.
“As telecom operators change the way they create, manage and deliver digital services, big changes will also be required in the DNA of technology providers as they must facilitate the shift toward digital infrastructure. The good news for market-incumbent infrastructure providers is that their legacy network and OSS capabilities will be critical. We will mostly see hybrid CSP architectures for some time, before CSPs transition to fully virtualized infrastructures over the next decade. Established players will need to gain credibility in the emerging digital areas by beefing up capabilities in the cloud, data center and enterprise domains.
“There is a huge market opportunity in enabling CSPs’ architectural integration and ensuring interoperability across an end-to-end digital infrastructure.
“However, NEPs must evolve into facilitators that help overcome the challenges between business strategy, technology and operational planning for CSPs. For most providers, this means making the cultural shift to new digital development and operations paradigms. This will require them getting the attention of prospects well beyond traditional CSP constituents, as CIOs and CMOs take a key role in the new digital service delivery models”.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has clarified that all its verification service platforms remain fully functional and accessible to all authorized partners, including security agencies.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, DG, NIMC
In a statement on Thursday, the Commission firmly denied claims that it had denied the Police Service Commission (PSC) access to its verification server.
Dr. Kayode Adegoke, head of Corporate Communications, NIMC, described the reported “inability of the Police Service Commission to access the NIMC verification server” as misleading and inaccurate.
He suggested that any challenges faced by the PSC may be due to internal issues within the commission itself, not from NIMC’s end.
The statement reads: “To set the record straight, the NIMC granted verification access to all Nigerian Police formations for the verification of the National Identification Number (NIN). The NPF, PSC and other security agencies have been enjoying uninterrupted verification services for over five years.
“NIMC has provided top-notch verification services for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, as conducted by the PSC and at no time have there been any complaints or issues regarding NIN Verification by the NPF or PSC.
“The Commission has a robust and harmonious working relationship with the Nigerian Police Force and the Police Service Commission. The Information Communications and Technology (ICT) department of the Nigeria Police Force is actively managing the long-standing verification and integration service between the NIMC and all Nigeria Police formations.Entertainment tourism packages
“NIMC will continue to provide flawless verification services for the purpose of recruitment, security mapping, cybercrime control, and any other security matters.
“The framework by which NIMC provides services to the security agencies was recently restructured for standardization and effective implementation, following consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and NPF has confirmed the verification services have continued to be available. We therefore believe that any service interruption experienced by PSC may be due to internal matters.
“NIMC is committed to providing excellent verification services to the PSC, NPF and all its partners but the terms and conditions inherent must be adhered to for uninterrupted flow of service.”
Nigerian government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has announced a strategic collaboration to strengthen cybersecurity and clean up the nation’s cyberspace.
Recognizing that cybercrime knows no borders, Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger global partnerships within the cybersecurity ecosystem.
This announcement was made during a press conference before the inaugural National Cybersecurity Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja from July 9th to 11th, 2025.
Sa’ad Abubakar, national cybersecurity coordinator from the Office of National Security Advisor, said fighting cybercrime must take the whole of society and the whole of the government approach.
According to him, “Apart from the deterrent approach whereby government agencies such as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrest individuals, take them to court and prosecute them, the youth can be nurtured into better citizens who can showcase their capacity in better ways and be useful to the country.”
Similarly, Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general, NITDA, also stressed the need for collaborative efforts in fighting cybercrimes.
According to him “Then, in addition to that, we also want to build a stronger global collaboration with the global cyber security ecosystem, because when you look at cybercrime in general, it doesn’t respect the borders.
“Someone can commit a crime from Ghana using a Nigerian ID in the US. So you can look at him physically in a different jurisdiction, pretending to be in another jurisdiction, committing the crime in another jurisdiction.
“So without that kind of synergy and working together, it will be difficult to address these challenges. The third one is challenge. The third one is getting an alternative to cybercrime for our kids in Nigeria. We have this as a major challenge.”
Inuwa further highlighted the upcoming conference’s importance, noting that it would tackle key issues through workshops, discussions on emerging threats, cross-border cybersecurity collaboration strategies, and training programmes.
He also announced that the National Cybersecurity Conference 2025 would feature the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, recognising top contributions in the field.
The DG extended an invitation to global partners to collaborate with Nigeria in building a safer digital future.
The press conference was attended by notable figures, including Ahmad Sa’ad Abubakar, National Coordinator of, the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC); Hanniel Jafar, Representative of the President, of Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN); Ankit Shukla, Managing Director, QNA Marketing Management LLC and members of the press and other stakeholders.
XIAN Telecom has acquired an 8% stake in pan-African e-commerce company Jumia Technologies, citing the platform’s fintech and logistics strengths as key drivers of its backing.
This marks the first major telecom investment in Jumia since MTN Group’s exit in 2020.
AXIAN, a fast-growing telecom and digital services provider with operations across Africa, disclosed the purchase in a Schedule 13D filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
While the financial terms were not disclosed, AXIAN Telecom CEO, Hassan Jaber, described the move as a strategic alignment with Jumia’s growth trajectory and digital ecosystem.
“Jumia’s achievements in digital retail and fintech, particularly through JumiaPay and its logistics network, make it a very attractive investment for us. We believe in Jumia’s potential to promote financial and economic inclusion, which aligns with our core values,” said Jaber.
Once dubbed the “Amazon of Africa,” Jumia became the first African-founded tech company to list on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019.
But years of underperformance, leadership changes, and competitive pressures dented investor confidence.
In October 2020, South Africa’s MTN Group offloaded its 18.9% stake for $138 million, well below the $698 million value it once held post-IPO.
Since then, Jumia has undergone a significant transformation. Under CEO Francis Dufay, appointed in 2022, the company exited low-performing markets like South Africa and Tunisia, cut costs, and doubled down on core markets – Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.
The firm is now focused on high-growth verticals, including everyday essentials and digital financial services.
Jumia’s regional CEO for East Africa, Vinod Goel, recently revealed plans to scale up international brand offerings and open its logistics network to third-party businesses.
Jaber underscored that AXIAN Telecom’s investment signals renewed confidence in Jumia’s long-term potential.
The telecom firm’s CEO said the company views Jumia as a key player in advancing Africa’s digital economy, aligning with AXIAN’s mission through its fintech and digital infrastructure brands such as Yas and Mixx by Yas.
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