ROMOSS Launches RoLink Hybrid Cable

By Aduragbemi Omiyale A 10-week equity-free accelerator for African startups designed to tutor participants on how to use artificial intelligence to solve local challenges has been introduced by Google. The initiative is called Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First. It recognises the transformative role AI is playing across the world, innovating industries and reimagining the realms of possibilities. It also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI. A statement from Google disclosed that application for the programme has commenced. It is for startups up to series

By Adedapo Adesanya Data and AI technology company, Flapmax, has announced 12 startups selected for the second cohort of the FAST Accelerator startup programme, created in partnership with Microsoft to help strengthen and scale Africa’s digital ecosystem. Following the conclusion of its 2-week Online Bootcamp, which saw 60+ tech companies participate in intensive online training with experienced mentors, FAST Accelerator’s cohort of 12 startups will progress to a 5-week comprehensive acceleration experience in Silicon Valley, California, starting in October. Speaking on this, Mrs Mame-Fatou Gueye, SME Program Manager, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, said, “Microsoft believes that African startups and small

New search trends released by Google show that search interest in AI has reached an all-time high in Nigeria. The trends show that people have searched for AI more than ever in 2023 so far, with interest rising 310% since last year, and by 1,660% in the last five years. Google’s research also revealed the top trending questions being asked about AI across Nigeria. Here, Google West Africa Director, Olumide Balogun, answers some of the most frequently asked questions. What is Artificial Intelligence and how does it work? AI is a type of technology that can learn from its environment,

By Aduragbemi Omiyale If urgent steps are not taken, Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, believed to be worth about $75.6 billion, could be at risk because of the widening skills gap. This was the submission of a renowned telecoms policy enthusiast, Mr Omobayo Azeez, at the just-concluded second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023) organised in Lagos by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). In his keynote address on Bridging Skills Gap to Accelerate the Indigenous Telecoms Development, Mr Azeez argued that the rising skills gap in the country was becoming a challenge to the sector. He posited that

Sports betting in Nigeria is becoming increasingly popular, with bookmakers offering more and more options to bettors. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of sports in Nigeria and the availability of reliable online bookmakers, such as Melbet. The most popular sport in Nigeria is football, and this is reflected in the fact that most bets are placed on football matches. However, there are also a significant number of bets placed on other sports such as basketball, cricket, and rugby. Why sports betting is growing in popularity in Nigeria? There are a number

By Dipo Olowookere A total sum of N5.9 trillion was shared from the Federation Account in 2017 by the Federal, the 36 States and the 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria in 2017. This information was revealed by a new report released by the Economic Confidential, a sister publication of PRNigeria, a news release syndication platform. The amount was in spite of the economic recession witnessed during the period. It was revealed that while the Federal Government and its agencies received a total sum of N2.5 trillion, the other two tiers of government shared N3.3 trillion. The total allocation of

By Dipo Olowookere The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited succumbed to profit-taking activity on Monday, shelling 0.46 per cent at the close of business. Selling pressure on banking stocks contributed to the downfall of the domestic stock market during the session as investors rebalanced their portfolios. When trading activities ended by 2:30 pm yesterday, the All-Share Index (ASI) was down by 232.60 points to 50,489.73 points from 50,722.33 points as the market capitalisation decreased by N125 billion to N27.233 trillion from N27.358 trillion. Business Post reports that the banking index dropped 1.10 per cent during the session, the industrial goods space

By Dipo Olowookere A former member of staff of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr David Osahun, has lost his bid to reverse his dismissal from the financial institution. Mr Osahun dragged the lender before the Kano Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court (NIC) after he was fired from the company in October 2016 for “gross misconduct.” The claimant informed the court that on June 3, 2016, he received a query which he responded vide an email dated the same day, and further that on June 6, 2016, he was placed on suspension for months and thereafter, served

By Aduragbemi Omiyale One of the respected financial institutions in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, is seeking the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate in the country’s financial technology (fintech) industry. Stanbic IBTC has built a reputation in the financial services world, including banking, investment, asset management, amongst others. The fintech space in Nigeria is growing, triggering very tight competition among players in the ecosystem. To take a bite of the market, Stanbic IBTC wants to establish a fintech subsidiary, which will primarily function as a Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP), according to a notice filed

By Aduragbemi Omiyale A platform for farmers in Nigeria to access quality and cheap farming tools and inputs like seeds, fertilizer, crop protection products, grains, and water pumps has been created by a fast-growing technology-driven agricultural company, ThriveAgric. The initiative, ThriveAgric Marketplace, established under its new strategy of Farmer Obsession, will increase local food production, boost aggregation of farm produce in high demand, and enable access to premium markets through trade and supply domestic and global off-takers. This year alone, the ThriveAgric Marketplace, with more than 500 warehouses spread across 20 states in Nigeria, has aggregated and supplied over 100,000

By Adedapo Adesanya The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Rishi Sunak, has congratulated Nigeria’s President-elect, Mr Bola Tinubu, on his victory at the just-concluded presidential election. In his message, the PM said he looked forward to fostering the relationship between both Nigeria and its former colonial kingdom, which share a longstanding relationship that has withstood 62 years of independence from the UK. He wrote on Twitter, “Congratulations to @officialABAT on his victory in Nigeria. The UK-Nigeria relationship remains strong,” Sunak tweeted on Wednesday evening. “I look forward to working together to grow our security and trade ties, opening

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Doctors under the payroll of the Lagos State government have kicked against the recent appointment of Mr Segun Adeniji as the Permanent Secretary for the Lagos State Health Service Commission. The aggrieved doctors, under the aegis of Medical Guild, explained that their rejection of Mr Adeniji was based on the fact that the appointee is not a medical professional. Mr Adeniji was among the six new permanent secretaries appointed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on December 27, 2018 and sworn into office on December 31, 2018. He was initially the General Manager of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).