By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The need for accessible, affordable and locally relevant Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive Africa’s digital future has been emphasised by the Managing Director of ipNX, Mr Ejovi Aror.

Mr Aror, whose paper was presented by the company’s Director of Strategic Business Initiatives, Mr Olusola Teniola, at the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE) on June 18, 2028, said AI is not a new concept, but has been in existence since 1955 and is an integral part of today’s digital ecosystem, with intelligent algorithms already embedded in so-called ‘traditional’ telecommunications networks and services.

At the event held in Lagos, Mr Aror, in his paper titled Next-G Telecoms Infrastructure and Ethical AI in Networking Management, stated that, “Artificial Intelligence already shapes how networks are managed, optimised, and secured. The conversation is not about whether AI will transform telecommunications, but how we can ensure that its benefits are responsibly deployed.”

He emphasised that while Africa may not have played a leading role during the earliest stages of AI development, the continent still has a significant opportunity to shape the next phase of innovation by developing technologies that address local challenges and realities.

“Africa does not need to be solely a consumer of AI technologies developed elsewhere. There is a unique opportunity to build solutions that reflect our local contexts, address our specific needs, and create value for our economies and communities,” he stated.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of ethical considerations in AI deployment, particularly as intelligent systems become increasingly involved in network operations, service delivery, decision-making processes, and customer interactions.

Mr Aror stressed that the development of AI must be guided by principles of transparency, accountability, privacy, and inclusivity to ensure that innovation delivers meaningful benefits to society.

He further noted that the success of AI across Africa will depend on continued investment in digital infrastructure, including broadband connectivity, data centres, cloud platforms, and reliable telecommunications networks capable of supporting advanced digital services.

The discussions at WATISE 2026 reinforced the strategic importance of the telecommunications industry as the foundation of Nigeria’s digital economy. While stakeholders highlighted the role of telecom infrastructure in enabling innovation across various sectors, participants underscored the need for improved digital literacy, public awareness, and responsible use of emerging technologies.

ipNX was recognised at the event as the Best Customer-centric Telecoms Operator. As Nigeria’s leading technology and connectivity provider, the brand remains committed to advancing the infrastructure, innovation, and collaborative partnerships required to unlock the full potential of AI and support Africa’s digital transformation.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that Nigeria’s teledensity rose to 86.73 per cent in April 2026, up from 85.67 per cent recorded in March, as active mobile subscriptions increased to 188.01 million, reflecting sustained expansion in access to telecommunications services across the country.

Teledensity refers to the number of active telephone connections (mobile or fixed-line) per 100 people in a specific geographic area.

This growth was driven largely by increasing demand for mobile voice and data services, as more Nigerians integrated digital communication into their daily lives for work, education, commerce, and social interaction.

The NCC’s report provided a detailed breakdown of operator performance, with MTN Nigeria retaining its dominant position as the largest mobile network operator. MTN recorded 96,391,419 active subscribers, accounting for more than half of the country’s total mobile subscriptions.

Airtel Nigeria followed with 64,670,018 subscribers, maintaining its stronghold as the second-largest provider. Globacom, the indigenous operator, recorded 23,178,597 subscribers, while 9mobile had 3,538,021 active subscribers during the period.

The competitive dynamics among these operators continued to shape the market, with each vying for greater market share through innovative data plans, network expansion, and enhanced customer service offerings.

The commission’s data also highlighted a significant technological shift in network usage, as consumers increasingly migrated to faster broadband technologies. Fourth-generation technology remained the dominant mobile network platform, accounting for 54.41 per cent of total network connections in April, up from 53.76 per cent in March.

This steady increase underscored the growing preference for high-speed internet capable of supporting video streaming, online gaming, remote work, and digital learning.

Similarly, fifth-generation technology continued its steady growth trajectory, with its market share rising from 4.20 per cent in March to 4.34 per cent in April. The gradual rollout of 5G infrastructure by operators in major cities and urban centres has begun to yield tangible results, offering lower latency and faster download speeds that are expected to drive innovation in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.

In contrast, the share of second-generation subscriptions declined to 35.93 per cent from 36.74 per cent, reflecting a gradual but clear shift away from legacy networks to higher-speed broadband services.

The third-generation segment remained relatively stable, accounting for 5.32 per cent of total connections compared with 5.30 per cent recorded in March.

This stability suggested that while 2G users were upgrading, a core group of subscribers still relied on 3G networks, particularly in rural and underserved areas where more advanced infrastructure was not yet fully deployed.

The report further showed that of the total subscriptions, 154,347,260 were on mobile GSM networks, while fixed wired internet subscriptions stood at 156,662. Voice over Internet Protocol services accounted for 220,166 subscriptions, indicating a niche but growing interest in internet-based voice communication alternatives.

The NCC also reported significant growth in broadband subscriptions, which increased to 120,684,625 in April from 117,710,397 in March.

Consequently, broadband penetration improved to 55.67 per cent from 54.30 per cent recorded in the previous month. The commission attributed this increase to continued investment in broadband infrastructure by both private operators and government-backed initiatives, as well as the growing adoption of high-speed internet services by households and businesses seeking to leverage digital tools for productivity and connectivity.

Despite the encouraging growth in broadband subscriptions, total internet data consumption declined slightly during the month. According to the report, internet usage fell marginally to 1,414,848.70 terabytes from 1,422,764.54 terabytes recorded in March.

The report suggested that while more Nigerians were gaining internet access, overall data consumption remained relatively stable, possibly due to factors such as price sensitivity, data bundle optimisation, and the varying intensity of usage across different user segments.

This moderation in consumption did not detract from the broader positive trend of expanding connectivity and digital inclusion. The NCC noted that the telecommunications sector continued to play a critical role in the nation’s economy, contributing 9.19 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2026.

This contribution underscored the sector’s transformation from a mere utility provider to a foundational pillar of economic activity, enabling everything from fintech transactions and e-commerce to remote governance and digital entertainment.

The commission added that sustained investment in broadband infrastructure, wider deployment of 5G networks, and improved quality of service would further accelerate digital inclusion, spur innovation across industries, and drive inclusive economic growth in the country.

It also emphasised the need for continued policy support, regulatory stability, and collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to bridge the remaining digital divide and ensure that the benefits of connectivity reach every corner of the nation.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

An initiative providing equity-free capital, technical support, and expert mentorship aimed at empowering African game developers with the skills and resources they need to thrive has been launched by Google Play.

Tagged Indie Games Fund, Google Play is committing $1 million for the scheme, with calls for entries expected to close on July 31, 2026.

Applications are open to independent game developers across 32 countries in Africa, including Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo (DRC), Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

They must be officially registered and based within the eligible African countries. They must also operate as a private, non-publicly listed independent studio with 50 or fewer employees, and must have already launched a mobile, PC, or console game.

Final selections and the announcement of the 10 chosen studios will take place in September. Selected studios must commit to making their game available on Google Play and participating non-exclusively in the Google Play Pass subscription programme for two years.

Business Post gathered that selected studios will receive a share of the $1 million fund, with individual allocations ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 to expand and elevate their games.

In addition to financial backing, recipients will benefit from dedicated, hands-on mentorship from industry experts, and studios will receive direct guidance to optimise their games, refine their technical frameworks, and boost market discoverability

While the African region is rich in creative talent and home to some of the world’s most compelling storytelling, limited access to capital has too often held back promising game studios.

This programme addresses that barrier, delivering the critical financial and technical resources required for African indie developers to refine their creative visions, optimise their games, and share uniquely African stories with a global audience.

“Africa’s unique creativity has fuelled a vibrant game development scene. Bringing this fund to the continent underscores our commitment to unlocking the immense talent of local studios, providing the resources needed to scale businesses, refine creative visions, and share uniquely African stories with a global audience,” the Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Google Play, Mr Ben McOwen Wilson, stated.