By Adedapo Adesanya

The sixth edition of Art of Technology Lagos (AOT Lagos 6.0), an annual celebration of innovation and technology, has been scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the Landmark Event Centre.

This year’s conference will bring together a powerful consortium of partners, including Eko Innovation Centre, Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, GDM Group, and The Nest Innovation Park, to create an unmissable experience that will drive conversations on AI and its transformative impact on Lagos and beyond.

According to the organisers, AOT Lagos 6.0 promises an exciting day packed with insightful sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

This year’s theme, AI & the Lagos Digital Economy, will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, Lagos’ digital landscape, and positioning the city as a hub for technological advancement in Africa.

Attendees can look forward to panel discussions, and breakout sessions that will explore topics like data privacy, ethics, AI’s impact on the workforce, and how to leverage AI for social good.

“This 6th edition of AOT Lagos is a testament to our commitment to making Lagos a digital leader in Africa,” said Mr Olatubosun Alake, Honourable Commissioner of Innovation, Science, and Technology. “With the support of our partners and an incredible lineup of speakers, we are excited to explore the limitless possibilities of AI in reshaping our society.”

The event will also feature the launch of the Lagos State Digital Service Platform, a significant step in transforming public service delivery in Lagos.

Other expected highlights will also include high-level discussions featuring top leaders, policymakers, and tech experts sharing insights on AI’s role in transforming Lagos.

There will also be networking opportunities for participants and stakeholders to connect with industry pioneers, investors, and government officials shaping the future of AI in Africa.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The International Criminal Police Organization, commonly known as Interpol, alongside the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (Afripol) in a joint operation across Nigeria and 18 other African countries have arrested 1,006 suspects and dismantled 134,089 malicious infrastructures and networks involved in cybercrime.

The efforts tagged Operation Serengeti commenced on September 2 and ended on October 31, 2024. It targeted criminals behind ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion and online scams – all identified as prominent threats in the 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.

More than 35,000 victims were identified during the operation, with cases linked to nearly $193 million in financial losses worldwide.

Interpol said Nigerian authorities arrested a man accused of running online investment scams, where he made at least $300,000 by luring victims through messaging platforms with false promises of cryptocurrency returns.

Information provided by participating countries of ongoing cases with Interpol fed into 65 Cyber Analytical Reports that were produced to ensure actions on the ground were intelligence-led and focused on the most significant actors.

Speaking on the operation, Mr 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.”

Adding his input, Mr Jalel Chelba, Afripol’s 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.”

Apart from Nigeria, operations were carried out in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

By Adedapo Adesanya 

African integrated digital payments and commerce company, Interswitch has concluded the fourth edition of its TechConnect series, marking the culmination of an impactful journey across five major Nigerian cities including Enugu, Asaba, Abuja, Ibadan, and Lagos.

The grand finale, which was held at Classique Event Place, Oregun, Lagos, epitomised Interswitch’s commitment to shaping the future of financial services in Africa. The series served as a powerful platform for advancing high-level discussions on technology, innovation, and financial inclusion, fostering collaboration across the financial services ecosystem.

The event was a fitting climax to a series that brought together industry leaders, policymakers, fintech innovators, and microfinance practitioners, who gathered to explore the vital role of technology in driving financial inclusion and economic growth across Africa. Throughout the series, Interswitch has reinforced its mission to build digital solutions that provide equal access to financial services for individuals, businesses, and institutions.

Delivering his keynote address, Mr Akeem Lawal, Managing Director, Payment Processing & Switching, Interswitch Purepay, highlighted the transformative potential of digital payment solutions:

“At Interswitch, we are deeply committed to financial inclusion, recognising that digital payment solutions are pivotal in expanding access to underserved populations. By enabling broader participation in the economy, we believe we can create a rising tide that lifts all boats, empowering individuals, businesses, and financial institutions alike.

“Our vision is simple yet profound: to power a seamless, connected payment ecosystem across Africa, turning challenges in the payments landscape into opportunities for economic growth and shared prosperity,” Mr Lawal.

The Lagos finale featured a fireside chat themed “Regulating New Technologies: Strategies for Innovation and Compliance, Harmonising Regulatory Frameworks and Risk-Based Approaches.

The speakers emphasised the critical role of collaboration between regulators and industry players in navigating the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

They also highlighted the importance of designing regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with compliance to create a sustainable fintech ecosystem.

Two thought-provoking panel sessions enriched the discussions at the event, offering diverse perspectives on critical industry topics. The first session, themed “Navigating the Future of Financial Services: Integrating Compliance, Technology, and Collaboration to Combat Fraud and Drive Growth,” focused on leveraging compliance, technology, and collaborative efforts to address fraud challenges while unlocking new growth opportunities.

The second session, themed “Building Financial Resilience: The Intersection of Commercial & Microfinance Banks, Fintechs, & OFIs in Fostering Growth within the Financial Services Sector,” explored strategies for fostering resilience and growth through synergy between financial institutions and fintechs.

A special highlight of the event was the presentation of awards by Interswitch to Zenith Bank, Access Bank, First Bank, UBA, and Fidelity Bank in recognition of their exceptional performance and significant contributions to the financial ecosystem. Moniepoint, Opay, Paystack, VFD Microfinance Bank, Lapo Microfinance Bank, and several others were also honoured for their impactful roles in advancing the sector.

The TechConnect series traversed Nigeria’s key financial hubs, showcasing the transformative power of technology and digital payments in promoting financial inclusion. At each stop, participants engaged in hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge digital solutions, gaining practical insights into the tools and strategies redefining the financial services landscape.

The series underscored Interswitch’s strategic vision of financial transformation, providing a platform for stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities in the sector. The events successfully reflected regional priorities while reinforcing the company’s overarching commitment to innovation and resilience across Nigeria.

“As the TechConnect 4.0 series concludes, it has not only left a lasting impact on Nigeria’s financial landscape but also set a clear direction for future initiatives aimed at integrating technology and financial services across Africa. Interswitch remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering partnerships, supporting innovation, and promoting financial inclusion to empower communities and drive economic growth,” the company said in a statement. 

“Looking ahead, Interswitch continues to lead the charge in shaping the future of Africa’s financial ecosystem by delivering solutions that unlock potential, empower underserved populations, and create sustainable growth across the continent,” it added.