Sparkle Plans Digital Distribution of Insurance by 2021

By Aduragbemi Omiyale Three Nigerian startups are among the 11 small firms selected by Google for its Artificial Intelligence (AI) First Accelerator Program for Africa. The beneficiaries will undergo a 10-week accelerator journey and will get $350,000 as an allocation in Google Cloud Credits, and further enjoy mentorship sessions, technical guidance, and networking opportunities to enhance their reach and impact. The 11 startups were picked from a vast pool of innovative talent. At the end of the scheme, they would be required to use cutting-edge AI to address both the continent’s challenges and broader global issues. “At Google, we’ve been

By Adedapo Adesanya Stakeholders in the tech industry have advocated more investments in resources to boost the training of Nigerian youths in digital technology skills. This call was made by some top speakers and panellists at Tekifest’23, a coming together of tech minds focused on exploring the future of work, technology, innovation, and tech excellence, which took place on November 29 at The Zone, Gbagada in Lagos. Organised by Tekisite, the non-profit organization dedicated to training teenagers in digital technology skills in suburban communities, the event themed The Future Of Jobs: Talent Pipeline Investment hammered the need to take advantage

By Modupe Gbadeyanka On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, stakeholders within the telecoms and ICT ecosystem gathered at Fraser Suites in Abuja to discuss Modernization and Digitization, the theme of an event organised by Airtel Nigeria. The Director of Airtel Business at Airtel Africa Plc, Mr Luc Serviant, while addressing the participants, emphasised the company’s commitment to fostering collaboration and partnerships that drive progress and innovation. He highlighted Airtel Nigeria’s dedication to endowing the public sector through cutting-edge technologies, enabling transformative change on a national scale. “At Airtel, we are happy to discuss connectivity, innovation & technology, digital pillars, cloud security,

By Adedapo Adesanya Leading global provider of technological solutions YNV Group, through its cybersecurity brand, Cytek, has advocated that stakeholders in the financial services sector prioritise cybersecurity and highlighted key strategies for resilience at a recently hosted webinar for the industry. The session which was held on November 22, was themed Ensuring Cybersecurity Resilience in Financial Services Companies in Nigeria, and served as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in the sector. Led by cybersecurity experts in the industry, the webinar analysed some of the pressing challenges and emerging threats faced by financial services companies in Nigeria while

By Dipo Olowookere A new unit has been created by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, to replace the recently disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the spokesman of the police, Mr Frank Mba, disclosed that the new team would be called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). According to Mr Mba, prospective members of this new unit will also undergo a psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment. “They are to commence training at the different police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week,” the

By Investors Hub European stocks are extending gains from the previous session on Thursday as investors took in stride the possibility of more interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and turned their focus back to corporate earnings. While the French CAC 40 Index has jumped by 1.4 percent, the German DAX Index is up by 0.6 percent and the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index is up by 0.4 percent. Dutch insurer Aegon has rallied after its fourth quarter profit more than doubled due to a $554 million gain from U.S. tax reform. Engineering and consultancy company Arcadis NV has also

By Dipo Olowookere The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) floated an OMO auction on Thursday, offering N75 billion worth of the debt instrument to investors at the market. However, when subscriptions for the exercise were compiled, subscribers offered N398.6 billion more than what was auctioned by the apex bank. Business Post reports that the total worth of the subscriptions was N473.6 billion, amounting to 631 percent subscription rate. But at the end of the exercise, the central bank allotted the N75 billion worth of the OMO bills it initially offered to sell at the auction, with the stop rates maintained

By Brian Abel Over the past decade, social media has become one of the single most momentous technological developments the world has seen. This ever-evolving phenomenon continues to change not only how we communicate with one another but also how businesses communicate with consumers. This is particularly true for Africa, with the exponential growth of mobile phone and internet penetration across the continent in recent years. According to the GSMA report on the mobile economy, 495 million people (46% of the population) subscribed to mobile services in Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2020, an increase of nearly 20 million

By Investors Hub European stocks are extending gains from the previous session, with rising oil prices, relative strength in the dollar and encouraging economic data from the U.K. and euro area helping underpin investor sentiment. While the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index has edged up by 0.2 percent, the German DAX Index and the French CAC 40 Index are jumping by 1.2 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. Better-than-expected U.S. car sales data has helped lift automakers, while banks are also trading broadly higher. Meanwhile, French alcoholic beverage company Remy Cointreau has come under pressure after Investec downgraded the stock. Department store

By Adedapo Adesanya Oil dipped by 3 per cent on Thursday as India’s coronavirus crisis worsened and operations to a key fuel pipeline in the United States resumed. As a result, the Brent crude futures slid by $2.27 or 3.3 per cent to trade at $66.80 per barrel, while the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures went down by $2.75 or 3.5 per cent to sell at $63.64 per barrel. India recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths for a second straight day on Thursday as infections stayed below 400,000, a sign that the country’s surging cases may have peaked. According

By Dipo Olowookere The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is set to host stakeholders’ forum with the owners/managers of historical and cultural heritage sites, monuments, beaches and other attractions in the state on Thursday, October 27, 2016. According to a release from the Ministry, the forum is organized to examine challenges and feel the pulse of stakeholders viz a viz the responsibilities of the state government through the Ministry, in preserving, protecting and restoring heritage sites and monuments in Lagos in line with the Listed Sites Preservation Law, 2011. It noted that the ultimate goal of the

By Investors Hub The major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Wednesday following the lackluster performance seen in the previous session. Renewed uncertainty about a U.S.-China trade deal may weigh on the markets after a report from the Wall Street Journal said trade talks are in danger of hitting an impasse. Citing former administration officials and others following the talks, the WSJ said the potential impasse threatens to derail the Trump administration?s plan for a limited phase one deal this year. The Journal said both sides remain divided over core issues, including China?s demand for removing