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Service Providers/Mobile Manufacturers’ Partnership, Transformational- Accenture

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The emergence and growth of digital technologies is one that has had a fast move in the world and has been quickly bought over by individuals, firms, industries and governments.

Also, the advent of digital technology has brought about new ways to communicate, interact and transact business.

An Accenture 2015 Digital Consumer Survey, however reveals that consumers find smart devices increasingly relevant to their lives, and are inspired by the possibilities of the connected world.

Another Accenture research also goes to show that large enterprises believe that digital technologies are a good potential for business transformation.

Knowing that communication is key not only for inter-personal communication but business as well, digital technology has changed the face of business communication with the ubiquitous nature of the internet, instant messaging, teleconferencing and even telecommuting have become possible.

In Nigeria, there has been a proliferation of digital activities with the high penetration of smartphones and tablets.

Studies show that strong global and indigenous mobile manufacturers in Nigeria are now giving in-depth attention to the smartphones and tablet divisions as against the computer.

In the Nigerian market, the activities of service providers are regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). 

This high penetration of mobile devices is attributable to the laudable benefits it brings to end users; individuals and businesses alike.

It has helped individuals build a large network of people, create new ways for interaction and has aided communication by taking away the barrier of space and time.

For organisations, they have learnt new ways to conduct business, reduce employee work load, collaborate with other organisations and outsource jobs irrespective of location.

These are just a few of the advantages digital technology has brought to Nigeria and the world at large.

Holistically, digital technologies are now mainstays in the business world with some organisations even having the role of a “Chief Digital Officer”.

Thus mobile manufactures and Service Providers (SP) have become indispensable in our daily lives.

With the functionality digital technology plays in our world, conferences are held round the globe to discuss issues pertaining to this industry.

The challenges they face, successes recorded and the way forward. It is also an opportunity to make business deals and network. From the 2nd to the 5th of March, 2015; Barcelona Spain, played host to this year’s World Mobile Congress (WMC), which has become a Mecca to anyone interested in things relating to the internet.

Mobile manufacturers also use these events as an avenue to launch their flagship products. South-Korean conglomerate Samsung, launched its Samsung S6 and S6 Edge at the 2015 WMC.

Jim Bailey, group managing director Accenture Digital –Mobility at the 2015 WMC said, “insurance and financial services industry now want to connect everything to the internet, because they see it as an ‘insurable’ opportunity”.

With the potential of digital technology to transform business and thus the economy at large,a unique partnership with mobile telephony manufacturers (MTMs) and service providers should be considered.

Though it may seem like the functions of mobile manufacturers and service providers are clearly different in the business of digital technologies, a collaboration with both parties can transform not just individual lives but the face of business.

Mobile manufacturers should continually design, manufacture and sell wireless technological equipment that allow for seamless business transactions and interactions.

And on the other hand, service providers should ensure that information is efficiently and effectively transmitted.

The benefits of this partnership are innumerable with some including the ability to create new revenue opportunities, increase product and service development speed, an increase in customer engagement and also help create new markets for business.

However, these two key players in the world of digital technology are poised with some short comings.

The issue of security is one that cannot be over flogged in the digital ecosystem.

In recent times, there have been problems of authorization and authentication; with intruders gaining access to secured networks and information (hacking).

Nonetheless, there are a range of security measures and applications available to individuals and firms.

Organisations like the Centre for Internet Security help combat insecurity in the digital world.

In an Accenture global consumer survey, it was discovered that consumers believe that the use of a single service provider to manage communication and entertainment products and services aids security. Tom Loozen, managing director and global Communications Industry lead, Accenture said, “Consumers’ preferences for a single, trusted provider also place SP networks in the spotlight”.  He further goes to say that “this can be a distinct advantage for SPs, because they can combine their expertise in building and managing IP networks with their increased capabilities to develop and deliver new, customer-focused services that incorporate data analytics for highly personalized services. As a result, SPs are positioned to do well in the digital ecosystem.”

However, in Nigeria this is not the case as individuals and organisations use different SPs on their different devices.

Businesses may stand on the fact that the use of different SPs makes it easier to connect with their customers.

Also connected to this is the issue of signals in different areas in Nigeria. Due to the terrain of the country, the networks provided by some SPs may or may not work in some locations.

Thus it may be wise to employ the services of more than one SP in order to be within reach at all times.

Conclusively, organisations must see digital security holistically, treating them as an extension of wider organisation security on an ongoing basis.”

Another hindrance to the advancement of digital technology in business is the complexity associated with using them. People who possess technological devices consider using and managing them a herculean task.

However, Loozen posited that “SPs who establish themselves as ‘trusted providers,’ enabling customers’ products to function effectively within this ecosystem are not only providing a valuable service, but helping drive digital for mass adoption.”

Closely associated with this is the fact that organisations have difficulties in building technological partnership due to the pervasive nature of digital technology. Thus the partnership between mobile manufacturers and service providers will help bridge this gap, and hence remove the difficulties inherent in creating the right partnership in the digital ecosystem.

Loozen also added that “consumers are considering service providers as their facilitators for the digital goals they aim to achieve and as such have an important role to play in the move to the digital age”.

The Nigerian digital ecosystem is a constantly growing field with mobile technology being at the forefront.

NCC as at 2014, put the total number of smartphones in the country at 12 million. This buttresses the point that Nigeria is a viable ground for software engineers, applications developers and technological gurus to invest in, in order to meet the ever evolving needs of digital Nigeria.

Digital technologies have been instrumental in transforming business and industries round the globe and thus mobile manufacturers and service providers who have a key role to play should endeavour to make this trend void of all technicalities and difficulties in order to get the buy-in of organisations in order to make this global village a better place.

 


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E-Business

Naija Shopping Festival: Konga Offers Unbeatable Christmas Deals

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Nigeria’s leading e-commerce platform, Konga, has unveiled the Naija Shopping Festival, a Christmas sales event designed to offer shoppers extraordinary discounts and unbeatable deals.

This exciting shopping extravaganza begins on December 1 and runs through December 30, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

With discounts of up to 70% off on your favourite products, the Naija Shopping Festival is Konga’s way of spreading festive cheer and ensuring no one misses out on amazing deals.

This event caters especially to those who could not participate in Konga Yakata, giving everyone a chance to save big this holiday season.

The festival boasts a wide array of incredible offers across multiple categories, including mobile phones, electronics, FMCG, fashion, groceries, and accessories.

Shoppers can also enjoy specially curated deals such as Christmas Eve Deals, Flash Sales, Santa Shop, and Hamper Packs, ensuring there’s something for everyone this festive period.

Konga is partnering with top global brands such as Apple, Starlink, HP, Zinox, CeraVe, Lenovo, Haier Thermocool, Samsung, and Infinix to deliver the best possible deals. Customers can expect discounts of up to 70% on premium products, ensuring maximum value on every purchase.

Speaking on the launch, Onochie Melvin, E-commerce Manager at Konga, stated, “The Naija Shopping Festival is our way of giving back to our customers and making this Christmas season special for every Nigerian.

“We remain committed to easing the financial burden on Nigerian consumers, especially during challenging economic times. Also, we want to ensure shopping is fun, affordable, and stress-free. With our trusted partners, we’ve curated the best deals to meet the needs of every shopper during this festive period.”

As always, Konga is committed to making shopping easy and convenient for Nigerians.

“By offering substantial price cuts and collaborating with trusted brands, Konga continues to set the standard for e-commerce in Nigeria.

To have a feel of Konga’s Naija Shopping Festival, visit www.konga.com today and make your Christmas shopping a joyful experience.

 


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TD Africa Joins Forces with Check Point to Enhance Cybersecurity in Nigeria

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TD Africa, a leading technology distributor in Sub-Saharan Africa, has joined forces with Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., a global cybersecurity leader, to enhance Nigeria’s cybersecurity resilience.

This strategic partnership, announced at a partner roundtable event in Lagos and attended by industry executives, stakeholders, and IT professionals, facilitated discussions on emerging cybersecurity trends and fostered strategic partnerships.

Participants explored innovative approaches to digital security, concluding with a networking session designed to spark future collaborations and strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Abiodun Idowu, Assistant General Manager for TD Africa, highlighted the company’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions, saying: “This partnership with Check Point reflects our commitment to providing advanced tools that safeguard businesses against today’s complex cyber threats.”

Check Point’s Security Manager, Victor Ugwu, who underscored the partnership’s significance in strengthening cybersecurity frameworks in Nigeria, said, “With this collaboration with TD Africa, we aim to deploy innovative solutions like Harmony and CloudGuard to protect organizations across the country.”

TD Africa now offers Check Point’s Harmony and Email Collaboration solutions, incorporating Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology to enable secure connectivity for remote and hybrid work environments.

Additionally, the partnership provides CloudGuard, an end-to-end cloud security solution, and Quantum Firewall appliances, which scale to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

This partnership reinforces TD Africa’s position as a driving force in Nigeria’s technological advancement. By delivering robust cybersecurity solutions, TD Africa empowers businesses to navigate the digital age with confidence and resilience.


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Kaspersky Contributes to Joint INTERPOL-AFRIPOL Operation Combating Cybercrime Across Africa

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Kaspersky has recently assisted its partner law enforcement agencies INTERPOL and AFRIPOL in a joint effort to disrupt cybercrime across the African region.

Dubbed “Serengeti,” the operation has led to the arrest of more than 1,000 individuals suspected of links to cybercrimes such as ransomware operation and business email compromise (BEC) attacks, resulting in nearly US $193 million in financial losses worldwide.

As Africa is going through a rapid digitisation, the threat of cybercrime on the continent is also escalating. In the African region in general and West Africa in particular, ransomware emerges as one of the most prominent attack vectors, targeting critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and manufacturing facilities, among others.

During the first 10 months of 2024, ransomware detections in West Africa surged by 36% year-on-year, according to Kaspersky data. Other noticeable cyberthreats targeting users and organisations in the region include spyware and password stealers.

Conducted from September 2 to October 31, operation Serengeti dismantled 134,089 malicious infrastructures and networks linked to cybercrimes including ransomware operations, BEC attacks, digital extortion and online scams — all identified as prominent threats in INTERPOL’s 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.

Kaspersky has contributed to the operation by sharing information on threat actors, data on ransomware attacks and malware targeting the region, as well as up-to-date indicators of compromise (IoCs) for malicious infrastructure across Africa.

Among the malware targeting African countries was also a well-known Brazilian banking trojan Grandoreiro – Kaspersky recently released new findings on this trojan at its Security Analyst Summit. Additionally, ransomware families detected in attacks on African organisations among others included LockBit, Rhysida, and Medusa.

The operation has also resulted in the identification of more than 35,000 victims of cyber offenses investigated.

Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL, said: “From multi-level marketing scams to credit card fraud on an industrial scale, the increasing volume and sophistication of cybercrime attacks is of serious concern.

Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together, and these arrests alone will save countless potential future victims from real personal and financial pain. We know that this is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will continue targeting these criminal groups worldwide.”

Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s Acting Executive Director said: “Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has significantly enhanced support for law enforcement in African Union Member States. We’ve facilitated key arrests and deepened insights into cybercrime trends. Our focus now includes emerging threats like AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques.”

“We are proud to contribute to this multi-stakeholder operation orchestrated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL,” comments Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice President, Global Public Affairs, Kaspersky. “The emerging dynamics of the threat landscape in Africa requires a stronger regional dialogue on mitigating acute cybersecurity risks.

Kaspersky firmly supports INTERPOL’s and AFRIPOL’s efforts to prevent and disrupt cybercrime attacks across Africa and shares the holistic approach towards creating a more cyber-resilient environment within the continent.”

Thanks to the cooperation with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, Kaspersky has been an active contributor to fostering a more cyber-savvy environment in the African region.

In addition to the vast record of joint operations in Africa, with the latest being INTERPOL-led operation Synergia II, Kaspersky has recently sealed a five-year cooperation agreement with AFRIPOL to further strengthen its role in creating a more cybersafe climate on the continent by sharing Kaspersky’s extensive data on local cyberthreats and cybercrime trends with the organisation.


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