Technology
Nokia Launches Three New Nokia C-Series Smartphones
By Adedapo Adesanya
Hot on the heels of the recent launch of the G11 and G21, HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has announced three new Nokia C-series smartphones –the C21, C21 Plus and C2 2nd edition.
According to the company, this is in response to success for Nokia smartphones within the affordable smartphone market, which saw a 41 per cent smartphone revenue growth for HMD increase from 2020 to 2021 and the company reached its first full year of operational profitability in 2021.
Forecasting one million subscriptions to its Services Suite in the first half of this year, HMD is also announcing a new services-focused division to further continue this period of growth. This will allow the company to foster further growth, attract talent, and better support existing clients by streamlining processes internally.
Speaking on this, Mr Florian Seiche, Chief Executive Officer, HMD Global said, “2021 was a transformational year, resulting in solid revenue growth across the business and today, we are celebrating a profitable new chapter for HMD Global with the release of three new affordable Nokia devices which are not only safe, reliable and durable but ensure as many people as possible can access the latest innovative technology for less.
“I am excited to announce that our services portfolio includes a secure device financing solution for smartphones and other devices. At HMD, we are bringing together these two ingredients, a high-quality smartphone experience and a financing solution that builds upon our mission to make modern mobile technology accessible to everyone.
“Combined with the success of our enterprise services offering to scale to 1 million subscriptions in H1 and delivering the exceptional level of services clients expect from us, we are delivering an accessible and seamlessly connected experience for people and enterprises worldwide.”
Adding his input, Mr Janne Lehtosalo said, “Our range of enterprise IoT offerings has already made a significant impact on multiple industries including logistics, healthcare, and financial technology around the globe.
“Following the creation of the new division, we believe we will be better organised to further grow our offering to more industries, better serve our existing clients, and bring new services to the market. We’re excited to have hit a projection of over one million subscriptions in H1 and are proud that we are able to consistently offer them unparalleled services regardless of where they are on the globe.”
Review of Nokia C-Series
The three new devices epitomise the durability and long-lasting battery life qualities Nokia phones became famous all those years ago. This, combined with the best of Android™ software, and security updates cements HMD’s vision for 2022 and beyond – building Nokia phones that last for longer whilst maintaining excellent build quality.
Nokia phones have incorporated a beautiful Finnish aesthetic that is also functional. The company are bolstering their successful Nokia C-series range, which was introduced in 2020 and already makes up 16 per cent of total company smartphone sales in the last five years.
Nokia C21 Plus
The hero of the C-series family – Nokia C21 Plus – is the smartphone that keeps on giving. It’s designed for durability and is rigorously tested to achieve sleek style and strength, while also delivering on battery life and most importantly, remaining affordable. The device comes with two different battery sizes, 4000 mAh and 5050 mA which deliver up to two- and three-day battery lif] respectively – allowing people to stay connected for longer and recharge less.
Built around a robust inner metal chassis with an IP52 rating protecting against elements, with dirt, dust, and water droplet resistance thanks to a toughened cover glass that protects the dazzling 6.5” HD+ display – ensuring Nokia Hope can stand up to all of life’s hustle-and-bustle.
A 13MP dual camera with panorama and portrait modes allows you to capture life’s best bits in stunning detail. A clean OS with minimal preloads gives you more space for the apps and content you choose. Plus, 2 years of quarterly security updates, and fingerprint and AI face unlock technology ensures the Nokia C21 Plus stays secure, inside and out.
Nokia C21
The Nokia C21 maintains the excellent build quality, security promises and the all-day battery life signature to the popular C-series. The device brings an improved 8MP camera with autofocus technology that seamlessly reads QR codes – so whether people are scanning menus, making payments or simply looking up information – the Nokia C21 ensures scanning QR codes is a breeze.
Enhanced memory capabilities, thanks to a multi-core processor, bring efficiencies without sacrificing the all-day battery life, while AI-powered face unlock is now supported by a fingerprint sensor for extra security and convenience. Two years of regular security updates also come as standard for C-series devices so people can rest assured that the Nokia C21 works hard in the background to keep their smartphone phone safe.
Nokia C2 2nd edition
The Nokia C2 2nd edition comes with super-tough and reliable Nokia build-quality with even more ways to connect. Designed to withstand life’s knocks, thanks to a tough inner metal chassis, and premium Nordic craftsmanship, this C-Series device has been rigorously tested to ensure it meets high durability standards and delivers a thoughtful and purposeful design at an affordable price point.
Giving you greater freedom to connect, and a reliable, super-smooth smartphone experience, the all-day battery life from a single charge enables hours of talk time and days of standby. The generous 5.7” display lets people easily stream, share and scroll through their favourite content and apps in brilliant definition – and capture the best bits of life, day or night, thanks to front and rear flash cameras. 2 years of quarterly security updates also ensure that the Nokia C2 2nd edition stays secure on the inside. The up-to-date OS with minimal preloads helps data go further, freeing up more space for the content and apps you love.
Other C-Series Accessories
HMD’s growth story continues with their accessories range, doubling the accessories business in 2021 with ambitious plans for future growth. Nokia C21, C21 Plus and C2 2nd edition come with a range of accessories including over-ear wired and wireless headphones and truly wireless earbuds offering an easy, hands-free calling experience.
Nokia Go Earbuds 2 + A truly wireless, clear sound and comfortable fit at ultra-high value, whilst environmental noise cancellation (ENC), sweat and splash resistance, up to 24-hour playtime will see users through even the rainiest of days
Nokia Headphones (Available in Wired and Wireless) – a super lightweight design with soft over-ear cushioning and a foldable arm for extra comfort and convenience, make for a seamless experience whether working or listening to music.
HMD Enterprise division
The one million subscriptions are split between the three core products (Connect Pro, Enable Pro, and Softlock) currently sitting under HMD Global Services, and are made up of IoT connections, EMM licences, and device lock licences. The global growth of the existing HMD Global Services lines led to the subdivision, which will further enable the team to focus on improving existing product lines, as well as innovating and creating new product offerings to clients.
Pricing and availability
Local pricing, variants and availability will be shared in-market at a later stage.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The financial technology arm of MTN is mulling a direct shift into lending after bringing on its parent company, MTN Group, as a major investor to help cushion against losses that have plagued the business.
According to MTN Group Fintech chief executive, Mr Serigne Dioum, the company wants to move beyond helping customers access loans through partners.
He said in markets where regulators allow it, MTN wants to lend directly and use its own balance sheet.
“We’ve expanded access to credit for more people, but we also want to move further up the lending value chain,” Mr Dioum told investors at the company’s capital markets day.
“Where appropriate, we will seek licences that allow us not only to facilitate loans but also to lend directly to customers and deploy our own balance sheet.”
This development is expected to create a shift in its current fintech model which provides financial services, including deposits, payments, transfers and digital wallets to individuals and small businesses via digital and mobile‑based platforms.
The company has applied for Payment Solution Service Provider and Payment Terminal Service Provider licences through MoMo PSB, its Nigerian fintech subsidiary. If approved, the licences would allow MTN to handle more payment processing, build merchant payment tools, deploy and manage POS terminals, and reduce its dependence on third-party processors.
Despite the opportunities present in the credit market, direct lending could give MTN a larger share of revenue, but it would also expose the company to credit risk, regulation and tougher competition with banks and digital lenders.
Mr Dioum said only about 4 per cent to 5 per cent of adults have access to formal credit across the African continent. In Nigeria, the funding problem is especially severe.
A 2025 report by the National Credit Guarantee Company said nearly 80 per cent of Nigerian MSMEs lack access to formal credit, while Stears has estimated the country’s MSME financing gap at about $236 billion.
For traders, small shop owners, transport operators and households, access to small loans can determine whether they restock inventory, pay suppliers, cover emergencies or expand a business.
In April, MTN Nigeria announced that its parent firm, based in South Africa, would acquire a 60 per cent stake in MoMo Payment Service Bank Limited (MoMo PSB) and Y’ello Digital Financial Services (YDFS) Limited.
The fintech units are currently loss-making, and this move will help MTN Nigeria to reduce financial risk and share future losses and investment burden. However, it will still keep a significant minority stake (40 per cent).
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The reach of the Meta Business Agent is being expanded to Instagram and other platforms of the social media giant.
Meta Business Agent is an artificial intelligence (AI) that allows business owners to attend to customers’ needs with ease.
Customers expect instant responses, but no team can be everywhere at once. This innovation handles such without hassles.
It helps businesses to answer questions specific to the business, makes product recommendations from the catalogue, books appointments, qualifies incoming leads, and closes sales.
More than one million businesses are already using a Meta Business Agent on WhatsApp and Messenger to respond to customers around the clock.
“We’re now expanding our Business Agent to businesses big and small globally, so within minutes you can have yours up and running, responding in your customer’s local language using your tone,” Meta said in a statement.
“We’re also expanding these agents to Instagram since businesses connect with their customers there, too. Businesses can activate their Business Agent here. Getting started with the Business Agent is free. In the coming months, businesses will access the agent through our paid subscription offerings, with options for businesses of every size,” it added.
Meta also stated that it is making it simpler for people to discover businesses powered by a Meta Business Agent directly on WhatsApp. It noted that starting soon, people will be able to find businesses by typing their name in the Search bar, or by sharing their phone number or contact card in chats with friends and family. This way, when more customers reach out, they get a quick, helpful response.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State government plans to expand the city’s data centre capacity to over 250 megawatts (MW) by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure ecosystem.
This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr Olatubosun Alake, at the launch of the Kasi Cloud LOS1 data centre facility in Lekki. Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) invested in Kasi Cloud through an $8 million convertible loan note in 2021.
Mr Alake said Lagos already hosts nearly three-quarters of Nigeria’s commercial data centre capacity, adding that the government intends to expand its infrastructure footprint significantly over the next five years.
“There are about 146 additional megawatt data centres planned in the pipeline,” he said. “We envisage that by 2030, we would have over 250 megawatts of data centre capacity in Lagos, three times the current capacity growth.”
The expansion comes as demand for cloud services, AI computing power, and local data storage continues to grow across Nigeria’s digital economy, with Lagos at the forefront, housing thousands of businesses and startups.
Mr Alake said the Kasi Cloud facility represents Lagos’ entry into “large-scale hyperscale AI infrastructure,” signalling the state’s ambition to evolve beyond being known primarily as a startup hub into a major centre for digital infrastructure and AI computing.
“Lagos is no longer simply a startup city,” he said. “It is an infrastructure city.”
The Kasi LOS1 facility is designed as a 40MW hyperscale data centre campus, beginning operations with an initial 7.2MW IT load.
According to Mr Alake, the facility includes advanced GPU computing infrastructure powered by Nvidia H100 and H200 chips, alongside liquid cooling systems and cloud infrastructure services designed to support AI workloads.
The Lagos State government believes such infrastructure will become critical as AI adoption accelerates globally.
Mr Alake said the state is investing in fibre optic networks, smart city technologies, university innovation programmes, and digital government systems to prepare for the transition.
“The AI economy is going to require hundreds of megawatts,” he said. “The market has already made its decision about where digital infrastructure belongs.”
On his part, Mr Johnson Agbogun, co-founder and chief executive officer of Kasi Cloud, said the project was built to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign cloud infrastructure and give African businesses more control over how their data and AI systems are developed.
“Nigerian enterprises are currently spending $850 million every year on foreign cloud infrastructure,” he said. “Every naira spent abroad on cloud and AI infrastructure helps build capabilities somewhere else.”
He added that the facility runs GPU-powered AI workloads from local enterprises and described the Lekki campus as “the beginning of Nigeria’s AI factory.”
“As artificial intelligence reshapes economies globally, the nations that control their own compute infrastructure and data will be the ones positioned to lead,” added Mr Kolawole Owodunni, NSIA’s Executive Director and Chief Information Officer.
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