Telecom
Technext Rallies Blockchain Stakeholders on the Future of Digital Currencies @ Africa’s Largest Cryptocurrency Gathering in Lagos
Technology news platform, Technext, held the maiden edition of its Technext coinference on Thursday, December 9th at the Pistis Conference Center in Lekki, Lagos.
The event, with the general theme “Reimagining crypto as the future of finance,” gathers brilliant minds in the Nigerian blockchain sector to have essential discussions about the future.
David Afolayan, Content chief at Technext, in his opening address reiterates that it is important to have such a conversation around digital currencies as it is the new approach to trade and central to our survival.
“We need instruments to achieve conveniences, and trade is that instrument. Trade has taken different forms, and now we are lucky to be at the foothold of that change where digital currencies are replacing fiat money and we can transact without borders. ” – Content chief at Technext, David Afolayan,
He also noted that the rules guiding trade many years ago are no longer applicable and many people are not finding that convenient. To address these concerns, innovators, enthusiasts, and regulators need to have a conversation, one that the event provides.
The hybrid event brought together individuals and institutions from across Nigeria and beyond. Stakeholders and individuals from regulatory bodies were also present at the event.
Giving a keynote address at the event, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, minister of state budget and national planning, stated that the event captures the mutual desire of the government and its citizens to explore innovative methods towards economic recovery, growth, and development.
According to the minister, the government remains enthusiastic about the numerous possibilities the crypto industry provides despite the seemingly growing restrictions.
“So far, I hope I’ve demonstrated that both citizens and governments see the benefits of cryptocurrencies and share a mutual belief in them.
“I believe it is crucial for all stakeholders to view each player as a key teammate in forging a path toward a healthy crypto space in Nigeria. ”
He noted that cryptocurrencies could be the biggest disruptor in finance and governance the world has ever witnessed. However, the government needs to regulate the industry.
Regulations of the industry don’t mean “a giant hammer slamming down on the activities going on in an industry,” but rather to optimize conditions for growth, tailored towards the industry.
The event also had insightful takes from enthusiasts and innovators in the blockchain industry who addressed lingering questions and myths around the sector.
The first panel discussions involved Uzoma Dozie, CEO of Sparkle; Buchi Okoro, CEO of Quidax; Dickson Nsofor, CEO of Korapay; Austin Okere, CEO of CWG; Nkemdili Uwaje, CEO of Future Software; and Chimezie Chuta, Founder of the Blockchain Nigeria User Group.
The session was focused on untying the regulatory knots in the space, and a key idea that was mentioned by all speakers was the pace at which cryptocurrency is changing the financial system.
A panelist, Uzoma Dozie, spoke about the difficulties of scaling crypto because it is currently one of the fastest payment systems in the world.
He reiterated that the Nigerian CBDC, enaira, is not going to compete with card payments. It will only be one of the many available payment systems.
Buchi Okoro, CEO of Quidax, elaborated that the central bank’s development of eNaira is a step towards meeting stakeholders halfway and will encourage digital liquidity.
He explained that in the same way that WhatsApp can’t replace hugs and physical interactions, cryptos can’t replace fiat cash. Both currencies can only collaborate to bring better lives to the people.
Patricia’s CEO, Hanu Fejiro Agbodje, giving the keynote speech on Blockchain for Africa: The endless possibilities illustrate how Michael Faraday did not envisage that one day, Elon Musk would use his creation, electricity, to power his electric vehicles.
According to him, the world is still in its very early days of blockchain technology. It is one that people will constantly try to understand and use in various ways into the unknown future.
“We have been succeeding in this industry with zero support. Imagine if we got support from the government. He concluded by saying, “We can win and we will win as long as we continue to strive,”
The second panel comprised experts like Emmanuel Babalola, Africa Director at Binance and Interim CEO of Bundle; Modibe Matsepena, Senior Associate of Growth in Africa at Paxful; Founder of Aza Pay, Jacqueline Madu, and Bitmama CEO, Ruth Iselema.
Owing to the popular belief that crypto transactions are not traceable, users wanted to know the veracity behind that claim.
Buchi Okoro replied that Bitcoin is not anonymous. Bitcoin is pseudonymous.
“When you track patterns on ether scan and blockchain explorer, you can actually see every transaction that’s happened on the blockchain up until the very first production of that bitcoin,” he says.
Further highlights from the event were the brand moments, where institutions in the crypto scene gave insights into their various innovative products aimed at making the Nigerian blockchain industry a success.
Most of the conversations from the event centred around regulations and what the future holds for the crypto space in Nigeria.
Telecom
Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing digital rights and inclusion in the Global South, has made significant contributions to the just-concluded 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
PIN’s participation in the prestigious global event underscores the organisation’s commitment to fostering inclusive digital policies and ensuring that Africa’s voices are central in global discussions about the future of the internet.
During the week-long forum, PIN team members played key roles in numerous sessions, emphasising the importance of a digital rights perspective in the development of emerging technologies, advocating for a more inclusive digital future, and addressing the specific challenges the African continent faces in terms of digital access and inclusion.
PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, spoke at high-profile sessions, including the Leadership Panel on ‘The Internet We Want’, which outlined the vision for a global internet that is accessible, secure, and inclusive.
At the Africa Youth IGF Parley, ‘Gbenga provided a platform for young Africans to address pressing issues such as internet restrictions, the digital divide, and digital rights violations.
Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager for Grants and Programmes Strategy at Paradigm Initiative, contributed to Open Forum #12, advocating for policies that ensure a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future. His discussions highlighted the importance of policies that place human rights at the core of technological advancements.
Ihueze Nwobilor, Senior Programmes Officer, spoke at the session, ‘A Rights-Respecting Approach to Emerging Tech Development,’ where he called for the prioritisation of human rights in the development and deployment of emerging technologies across Africa and beyond.
The organisation’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, shared valuable insights during the ‘Better Products and Policies Through Stakeholder Engagement’ session.
She emphasized the role of the private sector in engaging with local communities to ensure that digital products and policies are inclusive and meet the needs of vulnerable groups across Africa.
Bridgette Ndlovu, PIN Partnerships and Engagements Officer, moderated a session on ‘Implementation of the USF in 26 African Countries,’ where she and other speakers, including ‘Gbenga Sesan, discussed the crucial role of Universal Service Funds (USF) in advancing digital inclusion, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
PIN’s participation at IGF 2024 has been an important moment for advocating digital rights in Africa. “Paradigm Initiative’s participation was a powerful reminder that Africa’s digital future must be shaped by inclusive, rights-respecting policies.
“Our participation at the IGF is a continuous demonstration of the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in building a more inclusive and accessible internet for everyone, especially those in under-served communities,” PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan stated.
Telecom
Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach
Lagos-based financial technology firm Patricia Technologies has commenced repayments to customers impacted by a 2022 security breach. This follows a two-year period where the company focused on recovering funds and rebuilding trust.
In 2022, Patricia experienced a significant cyberattack, resulting in the loss of over 600 million Naira from customer accounts. Following the breach, the company temporarily restricted withdrawals and collaborated with law enforcement, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including a prominent politician.
Patricia had previously requested a two-to-five-year repayment window, a plan that has now begun to be implemented. The company has started disbursing funds to affected customers in phases, with the first batch of payments initiated on December 10, 2024.
CEO Hanu Fejiro emphasized the company’s commitment to its customers, stating, “This repayment process represents a milestone in fulfilling our promise to make things right.”
He encouraged customers to update their information on the Patricia platform and monitor official channels for further updates on their individual repayment timelines.
Subscribers who are getting paid in this phase have since been officially notified by email. One of the subscribers, with initials BP (for purposes of confidentiality), expressed appreciation and satisfaction with being paid by Patricia via an email reaction: “I really appreciate your effort. Though it took a long time, I’m satisfied with what I’ve received. Thank you for keeping to your words.”
Telecom
From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey
TikTok’s rise from a niche video-sharing app to a global social media giant has sparked controversies worldwide, with concerns over its links to China and its influence on users and politics.
In Albania, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Saturday that TikTok would be banned for at least a year starting in 2025.
The decision follows a tragic incident in Tirana where a 14-year-old was killed and another injured in a fight stemming from an online confrontation. Rama described TikTok as the “thug of the neighborhood.”
In Romania, the European Union is investigating whether TikTok played a role in far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s unexpected first-round presidential election victory.
The probe focuses on alleged Russian interference and claims of “preferential treatment” by TikTok. This marks the platform’s third EU investigation, potentially risking fines of up to six percent of its global revenue.
TikTok stated it has implemented “robust actions” to combat election misinformation, while Russia denies meddling.
In the United States, TikTok faces mounting pressure after the government passed a law in April requiring ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to divest from the platform by January 2025.
The U.S. claims TikTok allows China access to American user data, a claim TikTok denies. ByteDance admitted its employees had accessed U.S. user data but insisted it does not share information with Chinese authorities.
TikTok could face a nationwide ban if ByteDance fails to comply, threatening its 170 million U.S. users.
Australia recently enacted a landmark law banning under-16s from accessing social media, including TikTok, with hefty fines of up to AU$50 million for noncompliance.
TikTok expressed disappointment, warning the law could push young users to less regulated parts of the internet.
In Europe, TikTok was forced to remove an engagement feature in its TikTok Lite version after EU regulators raised concerns about its addictive nature.
The feature rewarded users aged 18 and older with points redeemable for goods based on time spent on the app.
TikTok also faces criticism for its role in spreading hazardous challenges, some of which have reportedly led to child deaths, such as the blackout challenge.
Disinformation remains a significant issue, with a study by NewsGuard revealing that one-fifth of videos on topical subjects like the Russia-Ukraine war contained misleading or false information.
Despite these controversies, TikTok remains a dominant force in social media, attracting creators and influencers worldwide.
Its powerful algorithm and innovative features have secured its place at the forefront of digital engagement.
However, the platform continues to grapple with mounting scrutiny over its practices and societal impact.
TikTok’s meteoric rise has reshaped the social media landscape, cementing its status as a global powerhouse with over 1.04 billion monthly active users worldwide as of 2024.
This milestone, achieved in less than a decade, underscores TikTok’s unparalleled growth trajectory compared to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which took significantly longer to reach similar heights.
In the United States alone, 170 million people actively use the app, contributing to its $16 billion U.S. revenue in 2023.
Globally, TikTok engages over a quarter of social media users and nearly one-fifth of internet users monthly, with U.S. adults spending an average of nearly an hour daily on the platform.
Its popularity is further evidenced by 137 million downloads in the first quarter of 2024.
Since its 2018 launch, TikTok has grown from 55 million users to over a billion, fueled by its dynamic algorithm and appeal across diverse demographics.
- E-Business2 days ago
Ride the ‘Wicked’ Wave: Temu Brings Green Magic to Christmas
- Telecom2 days ago
NCC Holds Virtual Forum on A2P Licensing Framework
- News2 days ago
PalmPay, Jumia Reward Users in Festive Campaign
- Telecom7 hours ago
From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey
- Telecom7 hours ago
Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum
- Broadcasting7 hours ago
Aero Contractors Celebrates Long-Serving Employees at Award Ceremony
- Telecom7 hours ago
Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach
- E-Financial7 hours ago
CBN Permits BDC Operators to Buy FX from NAFEM During Festive Season