E-Business
Sage Gives 5 Tips SME Should Consider When Setting Up CSI programme

For many business builders, corporate social investment or philanthropy is an imperative, writes Joanne van der Walt, Sage Foundation Programme Manager for Africa.
There are many good reasons for businesses to roll out a formal corporate social investment programme, from complying with black economic empowerment (BEE) codes to building employee morale and to simply giving something back to the community.
However, the challenge is to ensure that the funds and time you invest in charity deliver the impact you are expecting.
Here are five tips for rolling out a social investment strategy that is meaningful for your business and for the organisations and communities you work with.
Don’t Let It Be About Compliance Alone
If you’re a busy entrepreneur, you might be tempted to simply donate some money to a charity to get a tax break, build relationships with a client or comply with the BEE code for your sector. However, programmes that make a difference are as much about your time and commitment as they are about your money.
Be strategic in your thinking – look at the resources you have available and how you would like them to make a difference. Decide which causes you are most interested in supporting – if you are a supplier of baby products, visiting local orphanages is a great place to start donating to. Or you might be passionate about education or healthcare, and have expertise that can help non-profit organisations (NPOs) in these sectors.
Once you have done that, you can put together a strategy that outlines what resources you will mobilise, to what end and how you will measure success. This gives us a framework where we can make a real impact.
Focus On Measurable Influence
If you are serious about using your resources to make a difference, try to invest in measurable outcomes. Ask your NPO partners what they could achieve with the time, skills and money you are able to donate, and work with them to reach their goals in a sustainable manner. It’s easy to write a cheque, but more meaningful to leave a real legacy.
For example, don’t simply donate R5,000 to a community school – work with the principal and teachers to set up a small library and perhaps partner with local organisations to donate books on a regular basis.
This will also be an opportunity for you to ensure that the library is always well-maintained. Rather than donating a computer, make the goal to ensure that the charity’s administrator can use an accounting package and send marketing mailers to donors.
Listen to your NPO partners
Entrepreneurs and businesspeople often step into a charity or a community with preconceptions about how they will help and what their partner should be doing.
They often think that their strategic insights and business skills mean that they should dictate how an NPO conducts its business.
However, it’s best to start by listening. Ask the people in the community or the people who work full-time in the NPO about their problems, their experiences and their approach.
You’ll usually find out that there are good reasons why they do things in a way that seems strange to a businessperson, or that your ideas about where their problems lie are incorrect. It’s best to approach each engagement in a spirit of humility and partnership.
Get Your Colleagues Involved
Your corporate social investment programmes will deliver the most value to your business and your NPO partners if you get your people involved.
Volunteering makes your colleagues feel good about themselves and proud to be part of your business. It can even help you to retain or attract staff. Millennials, especially want to work for companies that is part of something meaningful.
Be Committed
Effective social engagement is about long-term relationships and commitment. Rather under-promise and over deliver than make commitments you might not to be able to keep.
Many NPOs are badly let down when a company promises them funds or help, then fails to follow through. For example, in some cases, volunteers lose interest before they finish painting the building or planting the garden.
These programmes are not just about Mandela Day or Christmas. They should be long-term investments in helping to make the world a better place. It takes time and sustained effort to make a real difference to the organisations with which you partner.
For us at Sage, we are committed to doing business the right way, by investing and supporting non-profit partners that are helping people reach their true potential.
E-Business
MyLagos App Unavailable despite Launch with Fanfare

“MyLagos App,” which was launched with fanfare by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with MTN Nigeria has remained unavailable for download on app stores, raising questions about its immediate accessibility.
Hours after its official introduction on March 13, a search on Google PlayStore for the app returned the message, “No results for MyLagos App.”
Similarly, attempts to locate it on the Apple Store yielded no results, prompting concerns over the rollout’s status.
The digital platform was introduced as a comprehensive solution to enhance city navigation and improve the overall experience for Lagos residents.
It was touted to provide essential features, including real-time traffic updates, personalized navigation, emergency services, utility payments, business listings, and tourism information.
This reporter’s attempt to download the app proved unsuccessful. Furthermore, tests by Lagos-based individuals mirrored these findings, suggesting the app may not yet be publicly accessible.
The absence of the app has sparked speculation: could it be a work in progress, or was its availability restricted post-launch for undisclosed reasons?
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, described the app as a revolutionary tool aimed at improving governance and service delivery.
“Technology has evolved from being a luxury to a necessity. In our fast-paced world, effectively utilising technology can significantly enhance governance, improve service delivery, and simplify the lives of every resident in this vibrant state.
“With the launch of the MyLagos App, Lagos State is poised to remain at the forefront of digital transformation, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” he said.
Abdulhakeem Giwa, manager of Digital Channel Management, MTN Nigeria, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the app’s potential to transform urban living and enhance navigation for residents.
While the app’s unavailability casts doubt on its immediate implementation, stakeholders remain optimistic about its promised benefits once fully operational. Whether technical challenges or strategic decisions have delayed its rollout remains unclear.
E-Business
Millions of Nigerians @ Risk as NASIMS Leaks over 23m FG Records

National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS) has leaked millions of federal government records in a major system oversight which could be exploited by cyber criminals.
NASIMS is the central management platform for the administration and coordination of Social Investment Programmes under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development
The major leak exposed everything from home addresses to work backgrounds of tens of millions of Nigerians
According to the Cybernews research team, the exposed AWS S3 bucket stored over 23 million files, including passports, birth certificates, educational certificates, and N-Power-submitted applications.
N-Power is a social welfare scheme to combat youth unemployment. N-Power applicants use the NASIMS platform to apply to take part in the program.
“The implications of exposing 23 million application-related documents of N-Power candidates could be severe for the affected individuals. Identity theft, fraud, and targeted phishing attacks are the most likely risks for the leaks’ victims,” Cybernews research team said.
According to Cybernews research team, “Worryingly, the instance remains open to the public, even after multiple attempts to reach NASIMS administrators and relevant authorities in Nigeria. We have also reached out to the ministry behind NASIMS for a comment and will update the article once we receive a reply”
What data leaked, and why is it dangerous?
Documents stored on the exposed instance include different sets of citizens’ data. However, the team surmised that the leak revealed:
Full names
Dates of birth
Places of birth
National Identification Number (NIN)
Email addresses
Phone numbers
Home addresses
Work background
Education background
Exposing sensitive and personal data poses numerous threats to the individuals involved.
Most pressingly, attackers might utilize the information for identity theft and various fraud schemes. For one, malicious actors could try opening fraudulent bank accounts or use stolen identities for illicit activities, masking their own IDs.
“Another way attackers can exploit similar data sets is by exploiting the identities to access financial services or execute unauthorized transactions, potentially causing long-term financial damage to the victims,” Cybernews research team said.
Cybercrooks could also exploit the leak to carry out targeted phishing and social engineering attacks.
For example, malicious actors could attempt to masquerade as legitimate organizations in order to deceive individuals into providing even more sensitive data – such as login credentials – or downloading malware.
“The implications of exposing 23 million application-related documents of N-Power candidates could be severe for the affected individuals. Identity theft, fraud, and targeted phishing attacks are the most likely risks for the leaks’ victims.”
The leaks’ nature empowers attackers to craft spear-phishing attacks custom-made for each individual or group of individuals. Such attacks are hard to distinguish, as they often include targets’ personal details and other data points meant to lure in unsuspecting victims.
“Criminals could use the exposed data to offer fake job opportunities or promise assistance with the N-Power application process in exchange for payments or additional personal information, exploiting the candidates’ vulnerabilities,” the team explained.
Additional attack vectors involve risks to victims’ physical safety. For example, criminals could exploit leaked data to locate and target victims for various malicious purposes, such as stalking, harassment, or even burglary.
To avoid similar leaks in the future, Cybernews research team advised:
Change the access controls to restrict public access and secure the bucket. Update permissions to ensure that only authorized users or services have the necessary access.
Monitor retrospectively access logs to assess whether the bucket has been accessed by unauthorized actors.
Enable server-side encryption to protect data at rest.
Use AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to manage encryption keys securely.
Implement SSL/TLS for data in transit to ensure secure communication.
Consider implementing security’s best practices, such as regular audits, automated security checks, and employee training.
E-Business
MTN, Lagos State Launch ‘MyLagosApp’ to Enhance Productivity, Connectivity

MTN Group, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government (LASG), has launched MyLagosApp, an innovative mobile application designed to improve productivity, enhance connectivity, and transform the lifestyle of Lagos residents.
It also aims to provide a centralised digital hub for accessing essential services, fostering a more efficient and connected Lagos.
Speaking at the official inauguration in Lagos, Karl Toriola, chief executive officer MTN Nigeria, described the app as a one-stop platform for information, services, entertainment, and hospitality.
He highlighted its role in facilitating e-governance and providing essential services to both residents and visitors.
“This app offers access to various services, including restaurant and accommodation reservations, transport options—both land and water—library access, and e-governance solutions. It is designed to simplify life for Lagosians while promoting efficiency and productivity,” Toriola said.
He emphasised that technological innovations like MyLagosApp drive economic growth by increasing productivity and improving societal well-being. He noted that Lagos, classified as a hyper-city with over 20 million residents, has the potential to become Africa’s most important city.
Toriola also revealed that Lagos State’s economy is larger than that of Kenya and reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to deepening investment in Nigeria. He disclosed plans to build a new headquarters in Eko Atlantic City and establish West Africa’s most advanced data centre, addressing the region’s need for large-scale tech infrastructure.
At a Fireside Chat, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, noted that MyLagosApp would support the state’s multimodal transport policy, leveraging user data and feedback to enhance urban mobility.
Aisha Mumuni, chief digital officer, MTN, reiterated the company’s dedication to seamless connectivity despite power challenges, calling for increased collaboration to boost digital literacy.
Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, highlighted Lagos’ daily waste production of 13,000 tonnes and suggested that the app could aid waste management through advocacy, enforcement, and regulation.
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