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UK Unveils Plans to Become International Technology Superpower

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The UK has published a roadmap for reaching tech superpower status by 2030 through a new International Technology Strategy.

The Foreign Secretary and the Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary set out at the launch in London on the 22 March, 2023, how the UK will build on the strength of our tech sector, which is already the largest in Europe and the third highest valued in the world after the USA and China.UK

Last week’s publication of the Integrated Review Refresh identified that authoritarian regimes are using technology as a tool of oppression – with far-reaching consequences for the security and prosperity of the British people.

The International Technology Strategy sets out the UK’s alternative. The UK, guided by four principles – to be open, responsible, secure and resilient – will shape the future of technology in a way that promotes its use positively, and drives innovation and UK tech leadership, while boosting our security from new and emerging threats.

The UK government will work closely with governments, academia and industry to leverage the UK’s world-leading strengths in technology through international partnerships with established and emerging science and technology powerhouse nations.

The Prime Minister has made growing the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity across the country, one of his five priorities. Investing in our thriving tech sector will directly contribute to that. The sector was worth $1 trillion in 2022, and our country is home to more than 85,000 start-ups and scale-ups. More investment was generated in the UK tech sector last year than in France and Germany combined, creating and sustaining high quality jobs around the country.

The International Tech Strategy will boost growth in this sector, strengthening our position on the world stage while forging long-term links that will promote the UK as place for investment and collaboration in the technologies of the future

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “Now more than ever, it is important that the UK steps up to promote British tech excellence worldwide and takes a stand against the malign influences that seek to use tech against us.

“That is why we’ve announced this strategy, helping to deliver on our ambition to be a tech superpower by 2030, backing UK businesses and helping us solve the challenges of tomorrow through innovation and international collaboration.”

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “We are a top-class breeding ground for emerging tech, but being a superpower means working with our international partners to turn these nascent technologies into global industries.

“Our International Tech Strategy will ensure we deepen collaboration with our allies on the technologies of tomorrow, driving growth and prosperity for the UK while strengthening our national security.”

Our first tech envoy, Joe White, has helped to boost our ties with tech companies in Silicon Valley. Building on this success, the UK will expand our network of tech envoys and expertise to create the world’s most extensive tech diplomacy network.

We will use this as a platform to enforce our principles, challenge authoritarian narratives and to drive international collaboration with industry. Envoys will bring expertise from the tech sector, ensuring that they can put their lived experience of this industry into boosting the UK’s global leadership.

These aims will further be supported through our new Technology Centre of Expertise. With the first pilots running from later this year, these centres will bring together tech and digital experts from government, private sector, and academia to support countries to transform their economies in a sustainable and inclusive manner through innovation.

The UK Science and Technology Framework set out the ambition for the UK to be internationally recognised as a tech superpower by 2030. Being a tech superpower requires us to collaborate more deeply with other leading nations to tackle the urgent global challenges facing our planet through science and tech. The International Technology Strategy sets out the work being done to build those partnerships.

As part of the strategy, the UK will also work with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Technology to engage with the international community on how to better use technology.

We will also build on the UK’s success in securing a seat on the Council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), working together with partners to increase worldwide connectivity, and provide clear leadership in the telecoms sector.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum

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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.


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Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach

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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.”


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From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey

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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.


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