E-Business
‘Nigeria’s IT Market Is Growing’
Ash Tulsiani is the managing director and chief executive officer of PC PRO (Electronic) Distribution Nigeria Ltd. He spoke to peter ugwu on the company’s vision for the Nigerian IT market, assessment of the CBN’s cashless policy among others issues.
PC PRO in Nigeria
We have been supplying goods to the IT markets in Nigeria in the last fifteen (15) years, however, we arrived Nigeria from England since last year to set up official base. We have been seriously engaged in supplying electronic equipment to the major parts of Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja. The company was established in the last 45 years in the United Kingdom, and our stores are spread in many countries. We have been dealing on major electronic brands like, HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, LG, etc. And the investment runs into several million of pounds. PC PRO Distribution at the same time is gaining more grounds, trying to increase the market shares. For instance, since last year we have doubled our market shares; after that we moved to Nigeria. We want to make sure that the average end-user gets value for their investment or money put in purchasing IT equipment. Even companies benefit from our creditable platform.
How?
Just like we have done in UK, we have kept a class of dealing with genuine equipment. The truth is that quality goods don’t last long in the market it is most beneficial to the users and the economy at large. When people see how genuine your products are, you will witness more patronage. And to re-echo our intention of making sure that the public gets the best value, we are supplying to the retailers at ridiculous low prices, so they can forward to the people. Apart from that, the IT equipments are obtained directly from the manufacturers by our company in UK. And for such consignment to be accepted in UK it must be subject to certain tests. Only when the tests are through that you can sell, if not we are committed to the point that any defective batch must be sent back to the manufactures. So we maintain quality, low price and of course, presently we have wide range of camera, tvs, and new gadgets that enhance businesses.
Investment in Nigeria
Even though I may not be able to quote figures, but we have made significant inputs to the development of IT market in the country, and we are willing to do more. Right now, we are spreading our business operations to other cities in Nigeria with sole of deploying quality product in the market and delivery on time. We have come to realize that low quality products move into the market, especially when the genuine ones are out of stock.
Viability of ICT market in Nigeria
Following the discovery of the viability of the market, we are expanding our distribution network. At present, we have agents all over the country and like I said earlier, we are determined to open up more office, so we can be closer to the customers. In that regard, the pricing can be done right. The Nigerian IT market is growing by the day and it will continue to expand, for instance, we are planning to partner educational administrators in the country and various corporate bodies like banks to give us the opportunity to fix some challenges they are having. ICT has become a way of life. It’s like air we breathe in, no business can succeed today without the help of ICT applications.
Cashless Policy
The Cashless economy is more or less not working at the moment. It is still a kind of shaky ground. One outstanding problem is that most Point of Sale (PoS) deployed in various stores, malls, etc are not working optimally; is disappointing that at the critical time one needs to make use of them you find them not operational. Both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the initiator and regulator and the banks as the operators must align together to see to the success of the economic policy. They must not neglect complaints as they come in, because successful implementation of the policy is dependent on the level of public acceptability and compliance. Although the percentage of mobile users has increased tremendously, but we have to consider how many of them apply the same in fund transfer? What is the sensitization level? Moreso, for all to participate, we must not neglect the importance of high quality products.
Workers
I am sorry, I don’t have workers here. I have a team of experts, who are dedicated to the course. We work together for the progress of the company. They are all happy and go about performing their duties even with less supervision.
Uniqueness of PC PRO
We are driven by two principal standards- to add value to peoples’ life through qualitative service. If the man in the street is satisfied with service rendered to him, of course, I should be confident that he will call-in again. That is one point several organizations have missed to acknowledge. Not only that, they go to the extent of selling to people at exorbitant prices; they don’t care what people say. For instance, we don’t supply equipment and leave them in the dark, we have a technical support team that give them attention when arises for that. We want all to be part of ICT driven economy in the Nigeria. And in our way of aiding the process, we make sure our stock come from Europe, US, Dubai, etc and the quality is not in doubt.
It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.
Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.
This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.
Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.
Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data
Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.
With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.
Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.
Final tips for a secure workation
Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.
Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.
For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.
By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.
E-Business
Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector
Mr Adeoye Oludamilola, managing director, Zequence Digital, a digital agency, has said strong enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) laws , protection of Nigeria’s software industry against piracy will encourage innovation and investment.
Adeoye told reporters lately in Lagos that software piracy and the unauthorised use of proprietary technology are widespread in the country.
According to report Intellectual Property (IP) laws in software refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the mind used in software development.
These rights, which include copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, grant developers exclusive control over their software and related assets, preventing unauthorised use or reproduction.
Adeoye said that many startups do not protect their innovations, due to a lack of knowledge and the cumbersome legal processes involved.
“IP registration and litigation are expensive and time-consuming, which further discourages developers from protecting their work,” Adeoye said.
He added that the lack of awareness among developers about their IP rights contributed to the problem.
To address these challenges, Adeoye stressed the need for the formation of an IP Protection Consortium, comprising tech firms, legal experts, and regulators, to advocate for stronger IP enforcement.
He also suggested collaborating with legal tech startups to create simplified platforms for fast-tracked IP registration.
The managing director further called for joint initiatives between legal bodies and tech communities to launch IP rights education campaigns.
This, he said, would equip developers with the knowledge they needed to protect their innovations and grow their businesses.
Adeoye emphasised the need for the government and stakeholders to create an ecosystem for development and inclusivity by proactively engaging with regulators.
According to him, this will help ensure that policies are created with the input of concerned agencies and industry experts.
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform and full-stack digital neobank for emerging markets, has partnered with Nigeria’s biggest Health Insurance Company, AXA Mansard Health a member of the globally trusted AXA Group, to provide millions of Nigerians with affordable, accessible digital health insurance.
This strategic partnership enables PalmPay users to seamlessly access a range of health insurance packages from AXA Mansard directly within the PalmPay app. With plans starting as low as N500 per month, users can now choose from flexible insurance options tailored to fit their everyday needs.
The plans are designed to meet a wide range of needs; for example, the AXA Digital Health plan offers access to telemedicine consultations with doctors, N5,000 worth of medications, and up to N40,000 in surgical coverage. Users can also opt for the AXA Mansard MicroHealth plan at N1,000 per month, which provides unlimited diagnostic tests and funeral benefits. Additionally, the AXA Mansard Accident plan, available for N500 monthly, offers comprehensive death cover for both accidental and non-accidental cases.
Speaking on the partnership, Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay, said: “Insurance is a key pillar of financial security, yet millions of Nigerians remain underserved. Our partnership with AXA Mansard Health breaks down long-standing barriers by placing reliable and affordable insurance solutions right at our users’ fingertips.”
In her remarks, Jumoke Odunlami, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance said that the partnership with Palmpay presents the AXA with another opportunity to improve health and productivity of Nigerians. “Through partnerships like this, we are covering over 1.8 million Nigerians and ensuring that healthcare is accessible, available and affordable.
“So we are excited about joining forces with a brand like Palmpay to compliment the range of financial possibilities they offer their customers with health plans. It fits well with our mission and our purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters, and we are looking forward to doing even more with Palmpay”, she explained.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
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