Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, joined other key government institutions at the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Award Ceremony, organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

The event, which held in Abuja, celebrated groundbreaking ideas from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that are reimagining public service delivery through innovation.

The ceremony, which attracted notable dignitaries including the Chief Host herself, The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON mni. Others include, former Heads of Service, Dame Amal Pepple and Mr. Danladi Kifasi, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service, Hon. Sani Bala, showcased the vibrancy and ingenuity of Nigeria’s Civil Servants.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Sani Ibrahim, Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Services, underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, digital literacy, and innovative thinking as pillars for national development.

He emphasized that GBB remains deeply committed to supporting initiatives like the Innovation Competition, which foster a culture of creativity, problem-solving, and transformation across the public sector.

“Innovation is no longer a luxury — it is essential to building a responsive, efficient, and digitally enabled government. At Galaxy Backbone, we are proud to align with this vision through our Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), which drives digital infrastructure, innovation, data security, and capacity building across MDAs,” he stated.

The 2025 edition of the competition saw an outstanding 155 entries, with 132 individuals pitching innovative ideas and 66 thematic teams presenting implementable solutions designed to enhance service delivery and governance.

Themed around streamlining bureaucratic processes, succession planning, employee welfare, and change management, this year’s event reaffirmed the role of innovation in shaping a future-ready public service.

Galaxy Backbone recognizes the critical role of digital transformation in empowering civil servants to create lasting impact. By supporting platforms such as the Public Service Innovation Competition, GBB reinforces its commitment to equipping the public sector with the tools, skills, and digital infrastructure necessary for Nigeria’s progress.

As part of this commitment, GBB will also be providing mentorship for all the winners of the innovation challenge, helping them refine their ideas, scale implementation, and drive sustainable transformation across the public service.

As the country advances on its journey toward e-governance and efficient service delivery, GBB continues to stand as a strategic partner in building a connected, innovative, and digitally skilled public service.

Not long ago, cash was dominant in Africa, but digital payments are now rapidly gaining traction.

From Lagos to Kenya and the US, businesses are recognising that embracing digital methods is essential for growth.

A Mastercard-commissioned report forecasts Africa’s digital payments market will reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, fueled by increased mobile phone usage and e-commerce. While cash is still common, mobile money is on the rise.

Zabira is simplifying this transition for SMEs, freelancers, and online merchants. In August 2019, the company launched Zabira to innovate Nigeria’s cashless transaction market, offering services like crypto trading and utility payments.

The Zabira app supports four major fiat currencies—USD, NGN, GHC, and KES, making cross-border transactions seamless. It also provides access to over 20 cryptocurrencies, giving users flexibility and freedom in managing their digital finances.

For small business owners looking to adopt digital payments, here are five easy tips to get started.

1. Choose a Platform That Does It All

Choose a digital payment platform like Zabira that offers multiple services in one app, including cryptocurrency trading, utility bill payments, and fiat transactions, to manage your financial life seamlessly.

2. Integrate Crypto Payments Early

Africa is rapidly growing as a crypto market. Zabira allows businesses to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, facilitating real-time trading of crypto assets. This gives businesses a competitive advantage in international commerce, particularly with diasporan clients.

3. Get Paid Instantly, No delay

Waiting three to five business days for payment to clear can disrupt cash flow. Zabira offers instant fiat payments through a robust blockchain system, allowing businesses to move money quickly, pay suppliers faster, and avoid telling customers to “wait till Monday.”

4. Opt for a user-friendly app

Zabira is incredibly easy to use, with no confusing menus or hidden steps. Users can download the app on Android and on iOS.

5. Offer More Than Just Products

Zabira offers more than money transfers; users can top up airtime and data, pay cable bills, and fund betting wallets within the app. Businesses can learn to add value beyond just selling products.

Visionaries who recognize untapped potential can fundamentally reshape entire economies in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape. Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group and a pioneer in Africa’s tech ecosystem, stands as a testament to this transformative power. For over three decades, Dr. Ekeh has not merely participated in Nigeria’s tech evolution; he has consistently been several steps ahead, anticipating shifts that few could even envision.

Dr. Ekeh’s latest ambitious vision focuses on producing over 10,000 female tech professionals within the next five years, positioning Zinox Group to nurture one of Africa’s largest pools of tech talent. This isn’t merely aspirational rhetoric.

The Group has demonstrated remarkable progress through its subsidiary TD Africa, which has systematically developed more certified tech professionals in sub-Saharan Africa than any other organization, primarily through strategic partnerships with globally recognized Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), such as HP, IBM, Dell, and Cisco.

TD Africa is led by Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, the wife of Dr. Ekeh and an accomplished business leader in her own right. Under her leadership, TD Africa has become a powerhouse in Africa’s tech distribution and training space. Her strategic direction has been instrumental in scaling the company’s impact, proving that when women lead, industries evolve and thrive.

The recent graduation of approximately 400 female ‘techsters’ through TD Africa’s TecHerdermy program represents a significant milestone in this mission. This achievement reflects Dr. Ekeh’s long-standing belief, articulated over 15 years ago, that women would eventually dominate leadership positions across various sectors, particularly technology.

As he predicted, many thriving organisations now have women at the helm of affairs. Recent global statistics strongly support Dr. Ekeh’s vision. According to McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace report, companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Furthermore, the World Economic Forum’s research indicates that economies with higher female labour force participation experience an average of 3.4% higher GDP growth compared to less gender-balanced counterparts.

In the technology sector specifically, Deloitte’s 2023 Global Technology Leadership Study revealed that companies with above-average diversity in their technology teams report 30% higher innovation revenue than companies with below-average diversity. These figures are not merely correlational, they reflect fundamental advantages that women bring to leadership.

The Zinox Group itself demonstrates this philosophy in action, with over five female CEOs leading various business units within the conglomerate. These women are not just occupying positions but driving results.

As the company’s motto suggests, Zinox is truly ‘anticipating the future’. These leaders embody the qualities that research consistently shows make women effective business leaders: fostering positive work culture, maintaining focused execution, demonstrating high emotional intelligence, and bringing emotional and spiritual resilience to Africa’s challenging tech landscape.

Perhaps most impressively, Zinox Group’s commitment to talent development has created a remarkable ripple effect throughout Africa’s tech ecosystem. Former employees now lead multinational corporations, bringing with them the values and vision instilled during their time within Dr. Ekeh’s organizations.

Speaking at a recent AI and Robotics Summit organised by the NCS, Dr. Ekeh urged stakeholders to “compete through exceptional content” to realize the Nigeria of their dreams, a battle he has personally waged for over thirty years. Despite setbacks, including a significant $28 million loss on investments in AI and robotics in Nigeria years ago, his commitment to technology as a transformative force remains unshaken.

Dr. Ekeh consistently emphasizes that technology represents an unparalleled opportunity for scale and impact. While acknowledging technology’s potential for misuse, he remains focused on its positive applications — creating solutions that are “good, useful, profitable, and enduring”.

His advice to entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts emphasizes three key investments: research, human capital development, and spiritual content. This holistic approach reflects Dr. Ekeh’s understanding that technical knowledge alone is insufficient; true innovation requires character, vision, and purpose.

The Zinox chairman’s ambitions extend beyond Nigeria to the entire African continent. By building what he envisions as “the biggest tech solution company in Africa,” Dr. Ekeh aims to transform the narrative around African technology from consumption to creation.

With the African tech market projected to reach $712 billion this year according to the International Finance Corporation, and women-led startups demonstrating 35% higher returns on investment according to a 2023 analysis, Dr. Ekeh’s focus on female tech professionals appears both visionary and strategically sound.

As Africa positions itself in the global digital economy, leaders like Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh demonstrate that the continent’s technological future may well be female, and that future is here.