Broadcasting
RCS: Empowering MNOs to Compete Against OTT Players in Lucrative A2P Messaging Space

By Filip Filković, Regional OP Manager, West Africa at Infobip
As Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms such as WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram continue to gain popularity, SMS messaging still has its purpose and works well for certain types of messaging as a Person-To Person (P2P) communication channel. But with the growing demand for an upgrade in SMS experiences to accommodate Rich Conversational Messaging (RCS) capabilities, branding, security and trust, RCS is gradually taking root, leaving Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with few means to fight back in this segment. At the same time, OTT channels are also becoming dominant in the enterprise communication space, given their prevalence and rich media capabilities, as well as largescale P2P adoption.

Filip Filković
However, Rich Communication Services (RCS) may provide a solution for MNOs to compete with OTT players and claw back some of the revenue they have been missing out on in both the P2P and the lucrative Application-To-Person (A2P) messaging space. RCS is a rich media capable communication protocol that is an evolution of SMS as a native messaging channel, provided by Google in collaboration with MNOs.
With RCS, mobile operators are able to provide their subscribers, as well as enterprises, with a messaging system that has the capability of sharing and receiving content such as images or videos without the need to download a separate messaging app. With many enterprise-focused features such as chatbots or carousels (content slideshows), brands are able to provide a convenient customer engagement channel for various use cases, ranging from tech support to purchases, as part of the conversational commerce paradigm.
Engaging communication experience
Since its launch in 2018, it took a while for telcos to adopt RCS and for enterprises to embrace it as a means of creating a more engaging customer communication experience. However, it is safe to say that RCS is now an established business communication channel.
At the same time, while OTT messaging apps have become the norm in P2P communication, RCS’s rich media capabilities can provide a foothold for MNOs not only in the business communication space, but also in the P2P market where OTT players currently dominate. Therefore, RCS is fast becoming an important part of telcos’ enterprise digital portfolio.
With that said, RCS still lacks wide P2P acceptance, as it is far from being the top choice for P2P communication. Yet, promoting RCS as a channel for P2P communication can add to the efficiency of A2P campaigns by the mere fact that more people would be using the channel and are more likely to respond, further growing already robust engagement stats.
A good first step for MNOs would be to start using RCS as a communication channel for their subscribers, providing tech support, sending statements and invoices, responding to purchase enquiries and other use cases to familiarise users with the channel and its features, while also allowing them to get hands-on experience with it.
No installation needed
A distinct advantage for MNOs is that their customers do not need to install any additional apps, as the messaging app that is native to most Android platforms just needs to be enabled for RCS. The adoption of smartphones and greater internet penetration in recent years means that RCS is likely to gain greater traction among P2P users. This means that the sooner MNOs start using the channel to communicate with their subscribers, the sooner it is likely to see widespread adoption.
Establishing partnerships with Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) providers can go a long way to driving RCS adoption, as CPaaS providers have been at the forefront of bringing RCS to enterprises in conjunction with MNOs, and have a range of tools for crafting customer journeys and managing channels. As such, telcos can avoid the complexities of developing CPaaS-level tools and services by partnering with CPaaS players, and instead focus on their core strengths – that of building an RCS element into their networks.
The future of business messaging lies with RCS messaging – it is what consumers want, it is
what enterprises will need to provide, and will ultimately benefit from it as the engagement it offers is superior to that of any other digital channel.
Broadcasting
How Automated Payments Can Reshape Savings Beyond Local Cooperatives

By Ope Adeoye
In the bustling market of Bodija in Ibadan, you’ll find Mama Fola sitting under her umbrella stall, a ledger open beside her cooler of peppered ponmo and egusi. She’s not just a food seller — she’s also a long-time member of the Ire Ayo Traders Cooperative, a savings group that has supported women in the market for nearly 15 years.

Ope Adeoye
But until recently, that support came with a cost — not just in naira, but in time, energy, and emotional stress.
“Every week, our collection officer would walk stall to stall to collect our contributions,” Mama Fola says. “Sometimes we’d forget. Sometimes there was no change. And sometimes, we’d say ‘come back tomorrow’ — and she’d have to come back again.”
Across Nigeria, cooperative societies have long served as community lifelines — helping everyday people save money, access loans, and weather economic storms. But for all the good they do, many cooperatives still face one silent struggle: getting members to pay consistently, and on time.
And at a time when Nigeria is grappling with record inflation, currency devaluation, and reduced access to formal credit, the stakes have never been higher. If cooperatives — which serve as the main financial entry point for nearly half of adult Nigerians — cannot function efficiently, millions could be locked out of essential economic support.
In markets from Lagos to Kaduna, collection officers make daily rounds, send endless reminders, and often spend more time chasing payments than managing finances. This friction doesn’t just cause stress — it limits the ability of cooperatives to grow, plan, and include more members.
The high cost of missed contributions
For Ire Ayo, late payments weren’t just an annoyance — they were a structural challenge. Delays meant they couldn’t disburse loans on time. New members were limited, because it was too hard to track everyone. And when members dropped out, they rarely came back.
“People think running a cooperative is just about collecting money,” says Titilayo Adebayo, the society’s administrator. “But it’s really about trust. If members don’t pay, the group suffers. And if you’re always chasing people for money, that trust breaks down.”
A 2023 study by Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) found that nearly 46% of adult Nigerians rely on informal financial groups like cooperatives. Yet many of these groups still operate with pen and paper, and struggle to scale or sustain their services.
A quiet shift: From reminders to reliability
In 2024, Titilayo introduced a small but significant change. After consulting with members and local tech partners, Ire Ayo moved to a direct debit system that allowed members to approve a one-time mandate for monthly contributions.
“I was skeptical at first,” she says. “Would members trust it? Would it work with all our banks?”
But within the first month, collection rates went up by 30%. Members started receiving debit alerts — without reminders, without awkward follow-ups. Contributions became predictable. And Titilayo? She finally had time to do more than chase money.
“Now, I help members plan how to use their savings. We’ve started financial literacy sessions. We’re even exploring group insurance.”
What automation unlocked
The benefits weren’t just operational. For members like Mama Fola, the system gave her dignity — and peace of mind.
“Sometimes I’d feel ashamed when I delayed payment,” she admits. “Now, the money goes quietly, and I feel proud that I’m still part of something.”
The cooperative also began welcoming younger traders, okada riders, and even diaspora members who wanted to support family members back home.
One of the tools the group used was PaywithAccount — a direct debit solution developed by Nigerian fintech company OnePipe, which allows businesses and organisations to securely pull payments from customer bank accounts with consent.
For cooperatives, this kind of tool isn’t about going digital for the sake of it. It’s about removing the friction that slows down their mission.
“We’re not trying to be a tech company,” Titilayo laughs. “We just want to help people save better, borrow responsibly, and build something together.”
Why this matters now
Cooperatives are the frontline institutions of Nigeria’s financial resilience — especially for people the formal banking sector still hasn’t reached.
In a country where small businesses account for over 80% of employment, and where trust in digital finance is still growing, making it easier for people to save and contribute consistently can have ripple effects. It can stabilise communities, fuel micro-enterprises, reduce reliance on predatory lending, and help millions move from survival to stability.
“When our people save better, they live better,” Titilayo reflects. “And when they live better, the economy can breathe.”
A new kind of progress
The shift may look like a technical adjustment — but in reality, it’s a quiet revolution. Not just in how people pay, but in how they build control, confidence, and collective progress.
It’s a reminder that financial inclusion doesn’t always mean big ideas or flashy innovations. Sometimes, it’s as simple — and powerful — as making it easier to pay what you already planned to.
And for cooperatives like Ire Ayo, that kind of ease is helping turn every contribution into something greater: a pathway to stability, dignity, and shared success.
Broadcasting
Anambra State Government Launches SolutionLens to Drive Transparency and Citizen Engagement

Anambra State Government has launched SolutionLens, a technology-driven platform aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.
The platform, developed through a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Information, and the Anambra State ICT Agency, was unveiled on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Solution Innovation District (SID) Building in Awka.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, described SolutionLens as a democratic tool that simplifies the Open Government Partnership (OGP) process.
She emphasized its role in planning, budgeting, and fostering investor confidence through community-based feedback mechanisms.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ogochukwu Orji, the State Coordinator of OGP, noted that SolutionLens is designed to shine a light on public projects, empowering citizens to ask questions, hold the government accountable, and ensure resources are used for the common good.
Key Features of SolutionLens
Centralized digital hub for government projects
Interactive maps with a user-friendly interface
Live chat feature to connect citizens directly with MDAs
A live demonstration of the platform was conducted, followed by the formal inauguration of MDA focal persons, who will ensure the platform remains updated and responsive.
Participants commended Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for this forward-thinking initiative, describing SolutionLens as a game-changer in governance.
The government urged citizens to actively engage with the platform and spread awareness, emphasizing that this initiative will safeguard the integrity and prosperity of Anambra State for generations to come.
Broadcasting
Governor Hyacinth Alia Named Among Nigeria’s Top 50 Digital Economy MVPs for 2025

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has been named among the “50 Most Valuable Personalities (50MVPs) in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2025,” a prestigious recognition celebrating visionary leadership in technology-driven governance.
Governor Alia’s administration has prioritized digital inclusion and ICT development, introducing groundbreaking initiatives that position Benue State at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital economy. Under his leadership, the government has established three key institutions: the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), and the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Services Management and Enforcement Agency (BENDISMEA).
Since assuming office, Alia has launched several digital initiatives, including training over 40,000 civil servants in e-governance tools and equipping 10,000 youths with digital skills. Additionally, the government has set up 276 e-commerce hubs across council wards to support local businesses and young entrepreneurs.
The BDIC, a core driver of Benue’s tech transformation, has spearheaded projects in digital financial inclusion, AI education, and broadband expansion. The state has also partnered with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to establish digital training hubs in all local government areas, targeting 23,000 trainees annually.
Alia’s recognition as one of Nigeria’s top digital leaders will be formalized at the West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2025, scheduled for May 22 at The Colosseum, Lagos. The annual event, organized by Knowhow Media, brings together policymakers and innovators shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
Speaking on the selection process, Dr. Sola Afolabi, Chairman of the 2025 Nomination Committee, praised Alia’s contribution, describing his digital initiatives as “transformational steps that set the benchmark for technology-driven governance.”
Previous editions of the 50MVPs in Nigeria’s Digital Economy have honored notable figures such as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and NDPC CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji.
Governor Alia’s reforms reflect a broader shift towards digital governance in Nigeria, highlighting the potential of technology to drive inclusive economic growth and efficient public administration.
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