News Wings

Tag: Machine learning

  • SIFAX Foundation Trains 90 Lagos Students on AI, Technology skills

    SIFAX Foundation Trains 90 Lagos Students on AI, Technology skills

    The Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation, the CSR arm of the SIFAX Group, in partnership with the World Bank, has trained over ninety students of the State Senior Secondary School, Oyewole, Agege in Orile Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, as part of its series of ongoing Community Connections Campaign Projects in Nigeria.

    The training, aimed at empowering students with practical technology skills to help them improve their education, secure jobs, and become self-employed in the long term, covered various areas, including computer literacy, machine learning, and the use of Artificial Intelligence.

    Representatives were selected from different classes across the school, with the hope that they would be able to transfer the skills acquired to their colleagues.

    According to Mrs. Foluke Ademokun, the Executive Coordinator of the foundation, “this initiative is part of a series of efforts to address the issue of youth unemployment and skills gap in the country and it’s expected to benefit not only the students but also the community at large, as the students would be able to apply the skills acquired to improve their lives and contribute to the economic development of their communities”

    Responding on behalf of the school management, the Vice Principal of the school, Mrs Sherifat Ajala, appreciated and commended AAAF for excellent facilitation and the opportunity given to the students to interact with the best minds who facilitated at the training.

    “On behalf of the school management and all these students, I want to say a big thank you to Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation and their sponsor, the SIFAX Group for the good works that they have done in the lives of our students and for the wonderful gift. May the Lord Almighty continue to bless you”, she said.

    Goodluck Innocent and Moses Faith, two of the students who participated in the training were rewarded for good class participation and thereafter expressed gratitude on behalf of their colleagues to AAAF and SIFAX Group for providing them with the opportunity to acquire skills that would enhance their future employability.

    At the end of the training session, the school was presented with the gift of a projector, laptop and projector screen as it is always done in the previous schools where similar programmes have been organised.

    Other schools who have benefited from previous empowerments include; Community Grammar School, Zion Pepe, Ondo state; Osolu Senior Secondary School, Badagry; Pobuna Senior Grammar School, Epe and Baptist Model College, Ile-Epo. Others are Ijaiye-Ojokoro Senior High School, Ifako-Ijaiye and Unity Senior College, Alimosho, all in Lagos state, which brings the total number of empowered students to nearly 600.

  • Google Cloud Celebrates First Cloud Region in Africa, Empowering Continental Digital Transformation

    Google Cloud Celebrates First Cloud Region in Africa, Empowering Continental Digital Transformation

    Today, Google Cloud officially celebrated the opening of its first African cloud region in Johannesburg, a significant milestone in Google’s $1 billion investment pledge to help accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.

    Operational since January 2024, the Johannesburg cloud region directly supports African businesses and multinational corporations operating on the African continent by providing access to cutting-edge technologies: innovative AI and machine learning, powerful data analytics, and comprehensive security solutions. This enables organizations to improve operational efficiency, build groundbreaking tools, and ultimately unlock new opportunities for growth.

    Google Cloud’s region builds on wider infrastructure investments into the continent. In May 2024, Google Cloud announced a new fibre optic cable route from Kenya to Australia – Umoja – which will join Equiano and now the Johannesburg Google Cloud region to form an initiative called Africa Connect that will enhance network access, making it faster, more reliable, and more affordable. These infrastructure investments are crucial for bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their location, can benefit from the digital revolution.

    His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa said: “The Google Cloud region in Johannesburg is a valuable investment in South Africa, fostering innovation across our economy. Google’s growing presence will benefit the people of South Africa and the rest of Africa by allowing firms and entrepreneurs to access the powerful potential of AI, transforming nearly every part of the economy.”

    Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud said: “Google’s longstanding commitment to Africa takes a significant step forward with the launch of the Johannesburg cloud region. By bringing cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies closer to the business and developers that are fueling the local economy, we hope to accelerate African innovation, bringing sustainable growth across the continent.”

    Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, the launch event featured keynote addresses from industry and government leaders, including Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud Europe, Middle East and Africa; Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Google Sub-Saharan Africa; and Honorable Minister Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, demonstrating the revolutionary potential of cloud technology for African businesses and individuals. Business and technical tracks, along with a partner expo, provided attendees with valuable insights and hands-on experience with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies. The event also showcased Google Cloud’s extensive partner network, featuring over 20 sponsors and exhibitors. Premier sponsors included Accenture, ADG, Deimos, Deloitte, Digicloud and Liquid C2.

    The agenda also highlighted customer success stories and executive insights from the likes of 4G Capital, FNB, Government of Benin, Healthbridge, Jaguar Land Rover, Moniepoint, Openserve, Pepkor, Salus, Smollan, Syft, Travelstart, and Vodacom.

    Further demonstrating its commitment to Africa, Google Cloud provides people and businesses with enablement and training on the latest cloud technologies and sustainable business practices. Programs like Cloud OnBoard, Cloud Hero and Google Hustle Academy are equipping learners and business owners across the continent with critical skills in generative AI, machine learning, application and infrastructure modernization, data and analytics, and digital marketing. Since 2022, Hustle Academy has successfully trained over 15,000 SMBs in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa and the 2025 edition will continue to emphasize AI-powered business training.

    Google Cloud is also a driving force behind Africa’s vibrant startup scene. Through programs like Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, Google Cloud has been instrumental in supporting over 260 startups across 17 African countries. Participating startups in the Accelerator Africa program can receive up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits to build and scale their businesses. These startups have achieved remarkable success, collectively raising over $600 million in follow-on funding, surpassing funding levels seen by other startups in the African tech sector. This support has also translated into tangible growth, with a 31% increase in employment and a 25% increase in monthly recurring revenue among the participating startups. 

    According to a Public First digital impact study released in Sep 2024, Google Cloud, together with Google Search, Google Play, YouTube, and Google advertising tools delivered $16 billion of additional economic activity for Sub-Saharan businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers in 2023. Public First found that every $1 invested in digital technology in the region will generate over $2 in economic value by 2030, with an even greater return in front-runner nations.

    Customers have hailed the Google Cloud service. According to Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Cassava Technologies and Econet Group said: “My longstanding aspiration for Africa to lead in the digital age takes a monumental leap forward with Google Cloud’s Johannesburg region. This development is a direct catalyst for African businesses, igniting innovation, creating jobs, and driving economic prosperity through the power of artificial intelligence. Cassava Technologies sees this as a transformative moment, laying the essential groundwork for Africa’s digital future.” 

    Vukani Mngxati, CEO of Accenture in Africa said: “The launch of Google Cloud’s Johannesburg region marks a significant leap forward for Africa,” said. “By bringing resilient cloud capabilities to the continent, Google Cloud is empowering businesses to unlock new levels of agility and scalability. Accenture is committed to working alongside our clients to harness these advancements, enabling them to drive impactful innovation and build future-ready organizations.”  

    Joe Eshun, Managing Partner Businesses, Deloitte Africa said: “This is a transformative moment for African businesses. Google Cloud’s Johannesburg regional work can provide the foundation for a new wave of digital innovation, giving companies access to the same cutting-edge AI and cloud services enjoyed by businesses around the world. We at Deloitte are thrilled to help our clients embrace this infrastructure to help accelerate their digital transformation journeys.” 

    Jason Peisl, CIO of Pepkor, said: “Pepkor IT celebrates the launch of the Google Cloud Region in Johannesburg, a milestone that deepens our six year strategic partnership and accelerates digital transformation in South Africa; this local investment by Google Cloud enhances user experiences, accelerates data-driven insights, and optimizes costs, empowering Pepkor IT to deliver greater customer value while positioning them as an employer of choice by offering access to cutting-edge technologies and collaborative opportunities with a global leader, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth for our workforce at the Southern tip of Africa.”

    Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

  • How Modular Data Centres Can Support Nigeria’s ICT Growth

    How Modular Data Centres Can Support Nigeria’s ICT Growth

    By Gary Chomse

    Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector is experiencing robust expansion, fuelled by the financial services, oil and gas and fintech industries. This brings with it new investment prospects for data centres, to service advances in cloud computing infrastructure and the rollout of 5G technology[1]. 

    According to a 2023 research report, the size of the Nigerian data centre market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 20 percent (17.9 percent) during the period 2021-2027[2]. Critical aspects of Nigeria’s data centre ecosystem include the need to deploy next-generation data infrastructure for agility and sustainability, and the ability to scale up as required. 

    The strategic use of prefabricated modular data centres can help to address these challenges. 

    Adding data centre capacity 

    The complexity of new technologies – including machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) – as well as the spreading of the network edge, is driving the need for enterprise data centres to add capacity. There is a growing need to upgrade data centre facilities to support the required advanced computing and higher-density architectures, including an increased complexity in power and cooling needs. 

    As a result, many local organisations will need to plan to add capacity due to increasing growth and reliance on digital applications, and the realisation that in-house options aren’t sufficient. The requirement is to be able to add capacity quickly and easily, without compromising on network security or the bottom line.

    Prefabricated modular data centre offerings provide sophisticated, customisable and scalable solutions to modern capacity challenges, offering factory-built reliability, rapid deployment, flexibility and efficiency. 

    While prefabricated modular data centres are not new, the technology has been refined since its introduction around 15 years ago, and at the same time, the building practices involved have also been improved. These sophisticated, fully integrated IT solutions can be configured to meet specific needs, as well as for quick deployment wherever computing is required. 

    Benefits of prefabricated modular data centres

    In addition to being an easy-to-implement, affordable alternative to building traditional data centres, prefabricated modular data centres offer the following benefits:  

    • Factory engineered reliability: Prefabricated solutions are engineered, assembled and tested in the factory, resulting in offerings that are rugged, reliable and repeatable. This reliability can pay dividends over the system’s lifespan, reducing the overall need for repairs and service calls.
    • Speed of deployment: Integrated modular solutions can be built while on-site activities continue. In addition, because they are fully integrated and virtually plug-and-play, these solutions can be commissioned and operational much faster than traditional data centres –  up to 30 percent more quickly, in fact. 
    • Customisable: Modern modules are custom-built to customer specs, then the configuration and build can be repeated quickly and efficiently as demand increases. This simplifies operation and service.
    • Flexible: Integrated modular solutions can be built and configured to support various architectures, including high-density computing and liquid cooling. In addition, a modular solution is portable and can be relocated as network demands change, for example to better support a low-latency application.
    • Reduced waste: These integrated, closed systems can be engineered to eliminate waste and be more sustainable than a traditional design. 
    • Cost certainty and scalability: The total cost of ownership is typically lower for integrated modular solutions, which also allow an organisation to add capacity when and where it is required

    Meeting market growth requirements  

    As outlined, the data centre industry in Nigeria is predicted to see significant growth in the next few years, being projected to reach USD 646 million by 2030, after its 2023 valuation of USD 250 million[3] – an anticipated doubling and more, in just over five years. This growth comes on the back of the increasing demand for data storage and processing through the rise of the digital economy and the growth of internet usage in Nigeria[4]. 

    In support of this growth, enterprise data centres looking to add compute, power or cooling in smaller increments can be enabled by these aims through modular solutions from Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions.  

    Vertiv remains committed to addressing critical data centre challenges across the continent, supporting the advancement of ICT enablement and digitalisation throughout the Central African region. The organisation established its office in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2003, manned by highly trained local sales, service and project delivery teams. During this time, Vertiv has built a strong, loyal local customer base, gaining recognition for delivering reliable prefabricated solutions tailored to regional needs. 

    Gary Chomse is the Regional Director for Consolidated, Central and Southern Africa at Vertiv

  • Smartphone penetration, internet connectivity innovation pivotal to increased access to mobile money services- Managing Director, PalmPay, Chika Nwosu

    Smartphone penetration, internet connectivity innovation pivotal to increased access to mobile money services- Managing Director, PalmPay, Chika Nwosu

    The Managing Director, PalmPay, Chika Nwosu has identified smartphone penetration, internet connectivity and innovative technologies as key factors that are crucial to increased access to mobile money services in Nigeria.

    Nwosu stated this during an interactive media engagement at the company’s head office in Lagos on Friday, January 2025.

    According to him, with smartphone penetration projected to reach 65% by 2026 and improved internet infrastructure, more Nigerians will be able to access mobile money services.

    He disclosed that, with fintech companies such as PalmPay evolving through digital wallets and seamless payment gateways, accessibility to mobile money service was bound to expand soon.

    He emphasized that with the demand for affordability of financial services growing, more opportunities would be unlocked for PalmPay in the near future.

     “From under 10,000 agents in 2015 to over 1.5 million agents in 2023, agent networks have become the backbone of mobile money operations in Nigeria. For this reason, we are more likely to see a sharp increase in the number of mobile money agents and merchants. Apart from that, MMOs will increasingly use artificial intelligence to improve customer experiences, such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and fraud detection,” he said.

    Also speaking, Head, Risk and Compliance, MLRO, PalmPay, Donald Ubeh revealed that an effort was ongoing to remove Nigeria from the FATF Grey list. He stated that with more collaboration with regulators and other financial institutions, it was only a matter of time before Nigeria’s name would be expunged from the list.

    While highlighting the impact of fintech companies such as PalmPay, Ubeh explained that the berth of PalmPay has led to economic empowerment, particularly for users and several Small and Medium Scale enterprises.

    He noted that many Nigerians, including bank customers, have migrated their funds to PalmPay owing to its convenience and accessibility.

    He added that mobile money operators were conceived to drive financial inclusion for the underserved and unbanked.

    According to EFInA, increasing adoption of fintech companies by Nigerians has led to an increase in financial inclusion rate by 13% in 13 years.

  • Youverify wins Best GRC and Financial Crime Prevention Solution Provider of the Year

    Youverify wins Best GRC and Financial Crime Prevention Solution Provider of the Year

    Youverify, a leading provider of AML compliance automation solutions for financial institutions, has once again been honoured with the GRC and Fincrime Award 2024 in the “Best GRC and Financial Crime Prevention Solution Provider of the Year” category. This win marks Youverify’s third consecutive recognition in this category by The Morgans, establishing its position as a key player and leader in the fight against financial crime.

     In a fiercely competitive field with notable finalists, and an era of rapid digital transformation where fintechs like Moniepoint, Opay and countless others are reshaping the financial industry, and the risk of financial crime and fraud has never been higher, Youverify distinguished itself through its innovative use of machine learning, explainable AI, and real-time monitoring to tackle the evolving challenges of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and fraud prevention. Youverify’s solutions empower over a thousand financial institutions, including banks, fintechs, and non-banking financial institutions, to onboard customers seamlessly, conduct ongoing compliance checks, and secure their operations against fraud and AML risks.

    Dr. Gbenga Odegbami, CEO of Youverify, expressed his pride in this milestone achievement, saying, “Winning this award for the third consecutive year is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. We are dedicated to making compliance accessible and effective for African financial institutions, enabling them to meet global standards in fraud prevention and risk management.” 

    The award highlights Youverify’s significant role in transforming the compliance landscape across Africa. By blending authoritative and public data sources, Youverify enables financial institutions to properly classify customers based on risk levels, detect and report suspicious activities, and stay compliant across multiple jurisdictions.

    Hakeem O. Akiode, Head of Growth at Youverify, added, “This recognition from The GRC and Fincrime awards motivates us to continue pushing boundaries in compliance technology. Our focus on leveraging data and AI to empower financial institutions across Africa and beyond demonstrates our commitment to making a tangible impact on the financial ecosystem.” As regulatory scrutiny intensifies worlwide, Youverify remains at the forefront, driving innovation to ensure compliance and security for the financial sector.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of work – the opportunity for Africa

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of work – the opportunity for Africa

    …The technology can assist in decision-making, risk assessment, and data analysis, empowering entrepreneurs in their ventures

    Africa has a unique opportunity to influence what the future of work looks like in these early days as large language learning models (LLMs) are evolving, and the environment for applications is still new. This is according to the AI and the Future of Work in Africa whitepaper produced by Microsoft and a collective of industry experts from across the continent.

    Nearly one billion people in Africa are currently under the age of 35, with the continent projected to be home to almost half of the world’s youth population by the turn of the century, in effect making up half of the potential global workforce of the future. Currently, up to 12 million young Africans enter the labour market annually, but according to a report from the International Labour Organisation, more than 20% are neither in employment, education nor training.

    “We see a significant role for generative AI to not only transform work environments, but also foster opportunities for the youth to create jobs, innovate and help drive economic growth and stability across the continent,” says Ravi Bhat, Chief Technology and Solutions Officer at Microsoft Africa.

    According to the whitepaper, many expect generative AI to drastically change knowledge worker jobs, especially in terms of the type of work done, the skills required, and the outputs produced. McKinsey research shows that generative AI (GenAI) could enable labour productivity growth of up to 0.6% annually through 2040, depending on the rate of technology adoption and the redeployment of worker time into other activities.

    “Generative AI has significant potential to advance human capabilities,” says Jacki O’Neill, Director at Microsoft Research Africa. “As more people across Africa get access to GenAI tools through their internet-enabled devices and more affordable data, the barriers to access are being reduced and opportunities for skilling can increase.”

    “But it is not only information workers that stand to benefit from GenAI.”

    The promise of GenAI to transform industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and services must be balanced by equipping the youth with the skills needed for an AI-disrupted labour market to ensure that they are not left behind in this technological shift.

    It is therefore important to build skills across the spectrum, from how to deploy and use GenAI tools effectively at work, to how to build appropriate and innovative applications and technologies on top of these models, to the post-graduate skills of research and innovation in machine learning, natural language processing, human-computer interaction, cybersecurity, and systems to name a few.

    “Investing in this range of skills gives Africans the best opportunity to create dignified, appropriate jobs, to adapt AI sensitively to indigenous knowledge, to create new value chains, and better AI systems which might reflect for example human-centred and community values. Such systems would add value globally and could counter typical tech-centric models of automation and deskilling,” adds O’Neill.

    With culturally and linguistically sensitive design, GenAI can become more tailored to individual workers, learning from interactions and becoming a personalised tool that respects privacy and enhances each worker’s unique skills. It can serve as a guide to foster inclusivity and showcase the diverse skills and abilities of African workers. GenAI can also be appropriated as a community-focused tool that supports collaborative work and communal development.

    The technology can assist in decision-making, risk assessment, and data analysis, empowering entrepreneurs in their ventures. For the informal sector, tailored GenAI tools will elevate the capabilities of entrepreneurs, providing customised assistance for their unique needs.

    According to the whitepaper, ensuring a beneficial outcome with GenAI involves proactive governance, inclusive design, investment in education, and a commitment to regulatory and ethical standards. This is a collective responsibility, requiring engagement from policymakers, technologists, and citizens alike.

    “Technology alone cannot solve the challenges that our youthful continent faces. We need to create policies and practices to ensure that GenAI, and AI in general, is deployed responsibly and that AI-related labour is valued and dignified. It requires the macro-economic, labour, and regulatory markets to adapt and be capable of supporting positive change,” adds Bhat.

    The AI revolution in Africa is no longer just a possibility; it is already underway, and Microsoft is committed to working alongside individuals, governments, partners and stakeholders across the continent to prepare for a future where AI is intricately woven into the fabric of work and society in Africa.

    To learn more, visit AI and the future of work in Africa (http://apo-opa.co/4cBTfxd) to download the whitepaper.

  • Feature: Evolving content for changing times

    Feature: Evolving content for changing times

    by Sanad Kassem

     When you reach a particular career or personal milestone, it can often result in a moment of reflection. This happened to me recently as I marked ten years of working for CNN. Looking back over this last decade led me to think about the locations I worked from (first London, then Dubai), the incredible places I’ve visited, and, of course, the colleagues and partners I’ve met and worked with during this time. However, beyond this, what really struck me was thinking back to the seismic change that has taken place in terms of the way we work and how we deliver campaigns and content.

    At the heart of it, the ethos remains the same – when working on our campaigns, we still focus on telling a compelling story, produced to high production values and delivered to relevant audiences in a premium environment. However, even in the last ten years, the way that we devise, create and distribute engaging content has changed beyond all recognition.

    A major reason driving this change is the continued growth in the platforms where people are consuming content, with particular expansion in audio, newsletters, streaming and newer social media platforms. Some platforms have grown exponentially, and others such as TikTok did not exist a decade ago. As a forward-facing media company, it’s vital that we follow the audience – an approach that has seen us launch or grow our content offerings in all these areas and ensure that our partners can connect with our audiences in these environments as well as the tried and trusted platforms such as TV, mobile and digital.

    With over 75% of the campaigns we develop for clients spanning multiple platforms, it’s now become the norm that we are creating content and distribution strategies for several different formats and environments within a single campaign. Whilst a campaign will have a central theme and purpose, its execution will differ by platform both in terms of format and creative. What’s for sure is that a “one size fits all” approach does not work. Our brand content studio, Create, has many years of experience in this field and has developed our commercial content offering in line with the different platforms we are producing content for. This team of expert content strategists and producers know that we shouldn’t be producing a single piece of content and putting it in as many places as possible. Rather, we are cognizant of the restrictions (and opportunities) of a particular medium and, therefore, adapt our content to best suit the environment it is consumed in and the audience’s expectations. In addition to media executions, our campaigns are also increasingly involving other innovative solutions as we work with partners in new ways to expand presence to events and other experiential formats.

    Another aspect driving the evolution of content is the use of data. Whilst we have had an industry-leading data strategy throughout my time at CNN, the complexity of data’s role in content development and campaign delivery, optimisation and evaluation has changed exponentially. And in this context, complexity is good! The data we are able to draw upon in terms of audience insight, as well as campaign and content performance across multiple touchpoints, is incredibly powerful. It enables us to plan, optimise and evaluate campaigns and creative executions with true insight and for maximum impact.

    The campaigns we are now working on are of course also being supercharged with the accelerated use of AI. At CNN International Commercial we are using AI and machine learning in many ways – from powering decision-making in advertising delivery platforms to using AI tools that make our studio more efficient and free up our creators to spend more time making great content. From a content perspective, this means using generative AI to help automate some operational and previously time-consuming tasks, such as transcriptions and translations from our filmed interviews or helping with auto colour correction or object removal within filmed shots. Whilst this realises efficiencies and optimises what we can achieve with our partners, our usage of AI doesn’t detract from the fact that both our campaign planning and our content creation is very much human.

    In all, it has been a decade of change in many regards and on the surface, many aspects of what we do and how we do it have changed immeasurably. However, an enduring commitment to working with partners, telling stories and reaching engaged audiences remains so intrinsic that I remain confident to still be focusing on these core attributes if I am invited back by Campaign Middle East to write a piece in 2034 about what makes for a successful content and campaign strategy.

    Sanad Kassem is the Sales Director of CNN International Commercial

  • Olashore International School Hosts Digital Hub Training for 107 Ijesa Youths

    Olashore International School Hosts Digital Hub Training for 107 Ijesa Youths

    Olashore International School (OIS), a private co-educational boarding secondary school in Iloko-Ijesa, in collaboration with the Ijesa Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), hosted the induction of 107 trainees in the first inaugural cohort of the Ijesa Digital Hub Training program. 

    The official induction ceremony held at the premises of OlS marked the official commencement of the Ijesa Digital Hub Training Cohort 1 and an exciting milestone in the school’s efforts to empower students and youths with digital and technological skills.

    The Ijesa Digital Hub, a key initiative of IGAD will have the participants trained on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and UI/UX Design. The Ijesa Digital Hub is situated within the premises of Olashore International School and is designed to nurture participants’ passion for technology and innovation, offering youths and students hands-on experience in emerging fields of digital technology.

    Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Board Chairman of Olashore International School and Chairman of IGAD, Prince Abimbola Olashore noted that the school’s dedication to providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. At OIS, we believe in empowering our students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. The Ijesa Digital Hub is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in education.

    His words “OIS has been at the forefront of innovative education, consistently adapting to the ever-evolving technological landscape. The Ijesa Digital Hub, a testament to the school’s commitment to preparing students for the digital age, serves as a hub for cutting-edge technological training”.

    Notably, OIS has also gained recognition for its commitment to fostering innovation and technological prowess among its students. The school recently commissioned its Innovation Hub and this has been a hub for creativity, encouraging students to explore and experiment with cutting-edge technologies. Students at OIS have consistently demonstrated their aptitude for innovation, recently achieving a significant milestone by winning the 2023 African Drone Soccer Competition.

    Expressing his gratitude to all stakeholders and guests at the induction ceremony, Prince Olashore noted that, “At OIS and IGAD we are committed to training youths, particularly Ijesa youths in digital skills and appreciate everyone that has contributed to making this goal a reality.”

  • Qualcomm completes first year of Africa Innovation Platform and announces additional benefits

    Qualcomm completes first year of Africa Innovation Platform and announces additional benefits

    Qualcomm Incorporated today announced the completion of the first year of the Africa Innovation Platform, a suite of mentorship, education, and training programs created to support the development of Africa’s emerging technology ecosystem. The platform has provided resources and support for local universities, ten small-to-medium sized startups, and grant participants. The program exposed these groups to Qualcomm Technologies Inc.’s engineers and its state-of-the-art capabilities suite for mobile platforms and technologies, including 4G, 5G, IoT, AI, and machine learning. Qualcomm also announced several additional benefits to the Innovation Platform for this year’s participants:

    • Social Impact Funds from the Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ Initiative to help QMIA startups scale.
    • Patent filing incentive fund, to help QMIA startups protect their inventions through patenting.
    • QMIA 2024 program launch for mentoring 10 deep-tech startups in Africa.

    During 2023, Qualcomm’s Africa Innovation Platform reached the following milestones:

    • Qualcomm® Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program: As the first initiative of its kind in Africa, this equity-free mentorship program identified promising early-stage startups keen on applying advanced connectivity and processing technologies to innovative end-to-end systems solutions, including hardware, and provided these companies with business coaching, access to engineering consultation for product development, and guidance on protecting intellectual property. The inaugural cohort includes the following startups (listed in alphabetical order) :

    ·         Ecorich Solutions – patented organic composting in Kenya

    ·         Fixbot – Vehicle diagnostics and inspection via OBD dongle in Nigeria

    ·         Karaa – e-Bike tracking, charging, retrofit, and rentals in Uganda

    ·         Maotronics Systems Limited – IOT-enabled precision agriculture in Nigeria

    ·         Microfuse – Affordable plugin computers for the education sector in Uganda

    ·         Neural Labs Africa Ltd – Deep learning and AI for healthcare diagnosis in Kenya

    ·         OneTouch Diagnostics – Diabetes patch and monitoring system in Kenya

    ·         QuadLoop – Leveraging e-waste for solar e-Lanterns and battery storage in Nigeria.

    ·         SLS Energy – Recycled lead-cell battery storage banks in Rwanda

    ·         SolarTaxi – Electric vehicle (EV) taxi and fleet management in Ghana

    • Qualcomm Africa University Relations Program: This program bolsters the research and educational capabilities of select African universities, research labs, and students by enhancing engineering curriculum and providing training on technologies such as Extended Reality, Robotics and AI/ML using Qualcomm platforms and developer kits.
    • Qualcomm Academy: Qualcomm’s education and training arm expanded its 5G University Training Program to students at select African universities and organizations, who received 5G training and certification from industry-leading engineers.

    Qualcomm is pleased to enhance the Africa Innovation Platform with the following new benefits:

    • Qualcomm Wireless Reach Social Impact Funds: Since 2007, Wireless Reach has invested in sustainable programs across Africa that demonstrate innovative uses of wireless technology to advance economic and social development.

    Upon conclusion of the QMIA mentorship phase, Wireless Reach will provide funding to propel the 10 startups as they scale their societal and market impact. These startups are invited to submit proposals demonstrating how their solutions leverage wireless technologies to address a pressing need in their communities. One recipient will be awarded the primary grant to help scale and sustain their impact, while others will receive valuable stipends to continue fueling their growth.

    Wireless Reach is also providing the startups with Qualcomm hardware and software kits for development and prototyping platforms. This will enable them to develop custom innovations and improved capabilities into their products while utilizing Qualcomm’s advanced technologies for connectivity, computing, and AI.

    • Patent Filing Incentive: Qualcomm will offer startups financial reimbursement (subject to a cap) towards filing of a single utility (non-provisional and complete) patent application with a pre-approved patent office or patent union based in Africa. This strategic investment will not only protect the startups’ intellectual property rights but also propel their market reach, positioning them as leaders in the African innovation landscape.

    “With emerging technologies in 5G, AI, robotics, IoT, and multimedia, we are seeing a new era of invention,” said Alex Rogers, President, QTL & Global Affairs, Qualcomm Incorporated.  “Through initiatives like the Qualcomm Innovation Platform, we are enabling companies around the world to build on our foundational technologies and join us in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.”

    QMIA 2024 Launch: Applications for the 2024 Qualcomm Make in Africa startup mentorship program are now open. Details can be found here: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/locations/africa/qualcomm-make-in-africa

  • NCC Underscores Role of ICT in Fighting Financial Crimes

    NCC Underscores Role of ICT in Fighting Financial Crimes

    …As Maida gets inducted into Hall of Fame

    Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said effective application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is critical in combating financial crimes by enabling real-time surveillance, regulatory compliance, and secure data processing, just as it sought a multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaboration to address the issue of illicit financial flows in the country.

    Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was a speaker at the 11th Anniversary Lecture Series of RealNews Magazine in Lagos on Tuesday, where he was also inducted into the RealNews Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contribution as Guest of Honour at the event, said robust ICT systems are critical for preventing and investigating financial crimes or mitigating the risks associated with virtual assets in the financial markets.

    Maida, who was represented at the forum by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, described financial crimes as “criminal activities that involve transactions, abuse, misuse, deception, or manipulation of financial systems for personal gain.” He said the crimes also include a wide range of offenses such as Insider abuse, money laundering, terrorism financing, embezzlement and all kinds of fraud.  

    He said while financial crimes do not only have a huge economic and social impact but can also be linked to violent crimes that lead to loss of lives, they also threaten the integrity, trustworthiness, stability, security, safety, and future of an entity such as a country, enterprise or an individual.

    Maida told the audience comprising representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), among other stakeholders, that the scope of financial crimes has broadened and created further concerns as a result of increasing adoption of digital technologies, the emergence of new technologies, and the often-transnational nature of the crimes.

    The Nigeria’s chief telecom regulator said though, as ICT systems get more complex, so do cybercriminal activities, just as criminal actors take advantage of the inherent and emerging flaws identified in the ICT systems exploiting these flaws and causing harm, the same technology has to be positioned to track movement of illicit movement of funds in and out of the country.  

    “Nigeria’s telecoms sector has grown significantly, resulting in massive amounts of data being generated on a daily basis, the advent of advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) provides a gateway to identify suspicious digital patterns indicative of crime.  Through partnerships with financial institutions data can be filtered to identify these suspicious patterns and nip them in the bud. These technologies provide real-time transaction monitoring, allowing for a proactive approach to crime prevention” Maida said.

    Maida further stated that to combat financial crimes, innovative solutions such as blockchain, instant payments, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, regulatory technology solutions, and automated procedures are being deployed, adding that the use of technological tools has made it significantly easier to deal with financial crime while building a long term strategy for combating it.

    Meanwhile, Maida stated that, aside ensuring increased access to telecommunications services, the Commission has established the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT),  a group of experts in the Commission to handles security incidents that can affect the operations of organisations and individuals; incorporated biometric authentication in the use of telecom services and financial transactions on telecom carriers with strict enforcement of compliance by the licensees; as well as enabling digital forensics, among others.

    In addition to the need for public education and understanding of internet safety, which are important in limiting the risks linked with the spread of criminality via technology, Maida emphasized the need for increased collaboration and international cooperation to effectively tackle financial crime. “Also, continued investment in ICT solutions, as well as a multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder strategy, combining technology specialists, legal professionals, and legislators, as a critical approach in keeping up with emerging criminal methods,” he said.

  • Emirates Flight Catering Opens World’s Largest Hydroponic Farm in Dubai

    Emirates Flight Catering Opens World’s Largest Hydroponic Farm in Dubai

    Emirates Flight Catering is opening the world’s largest farm in Dubai. Bustanica has opened the doors to the largest hydroponic farm on the planet, backed by an investment of over US$40m.

    The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.

    Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the 330,000sqft facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1m cultivars (plants), which will provide an output of 3,000 kgs per day.
    Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced methods – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists.

    A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is super fresh and clean, and grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals. Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can look forward to forking these delicious leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights from July. Bustanica is not just revolutionising salads in the sky – UAE consumers will soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables.

    HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.

    “Emirates Flight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delight customers, optimise operations, and minimise our environmental footprint. Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locally sourced, nutritious produce. By bringing production closer to consumption, we’re reducing the food journey from farm to fork. Congratulations to the Bustanica team for their remarkable achievements so far and for setting global standards and benchmarks in agronomy.”

    Craig Ratajczyk, Chief Executive Officer, Crop One said: “After significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering.

    “It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe.”

    The farm’s closed-loop system is designed to circulate water through the plants to maximise water usage and efficiency. When the water vaporises, it is recovered and recycled into the system, saving 250m litres of water every year compared to traditional outdoor farming for the same output. Bustanica will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources, an incredibly reduced reliance on water and year-round harvests unhampered by weather conditions and pests. Consumers buying

    Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag – even washing can damage the leaves and introduce contaminants.

    Crop One Holdings Inc. (Crop One), headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, is an established and experienced vertical farming leader with continuous commercial operation exceeding 6 years. Leveraging new technological and biological advancements, Crop One has built a scalable, global model to bring fresh, local produce, to previously ungrowable environments.-ends.

    Emirates Flight Catering is one of the world’s largest catering operations. Offering airline, events and VIP catering as well as ancillary services including laundry, food production and airport lounge food & beverage, EKFC is a trusted partner for over 100 airline customers, hospitality groups and UAE government entities. Each day, the company’s 11,000 dedicated employees prepare an average of 200,000 meals and handle 210 tonnes of laundry.

  • Dell Technologies Emerging Africa Forum to Showcase the Power of Transformative Technologies

    Dell Technologies Emerging Africa Forum to Showcase the Power of Transformative Technologies

    With digital transformation being a key priority for businesses and government across East, West and Central Africa, Dell Technologies has reinforced its commitment to providing its customers with advanced technologies that drive business continuity and growth.

    Dell Technologies Forum Emerging Africa takes place on October 6, 2021 and will bring together business leaders and industry experts, to share their insights on how technology can help shape the future success of businesses.

    The event will also serve as a platform for Dell Technologies to showcase its ground-breaking portfolio of enterprise and consumer solutions that accelerate the digital delivery of modern IT services that can differentiate a business, its products, and operations.

    Mohammed Amin, Sr. Vice President – MERAT will lead the keynote session. He will cover topics related to the acceleration of digital transformation and how organizations can build resilience and agility. It will also feature high-level speakers and CXOs who will share their knowledge on how digital technologies can enhance business productivity and profitability, enabling them to be at the forefront of innovation.

    The informative sessions will also examine how organizations across Emerging Africa can prepare for the digital future and drive business success through technologies such as hybrid cloud, edge, 5G, AI/ML, data management and security.

    Habib Mahakian, Vice President – Emerging Africa, Dell Technologies said: “Our primary focus is to help organizations accelerate socio-economic and business transformation initiatives with speed and purpose as we work together to power the innovation agenda of countries across Emerging Africa. The pandemic showed us the positive impact that digital technologies can have on accelerating growth so it’s important that organisations continue to develop their IT infrastructure to compete in a hyper-digital world.”

    In addition, as the future concept becomes a reality for organizations, employees demand the flexibility to work, collaborate and innovate anytime, anywhere and in any way they want. By working closely with customers from sectors such as government, financial services, oil and gas, healthcare and education, Dell Technologies works closely with customer across Emerging Africa to help them harness the power of technology to drive long term business growth.

  • Dataiku Report: AI Implementation to Provide Crisis Recovery Strategy and Future Preparedness

    Dataiku Report: AI Implementation to Provide Crisis Recovery Strategy and Future Preparedness

    By Dorcas Omotayo

    Optimising marketing spend with machine learning-powered attribution for hyper-personalization, moving toward machine learning-powered predictive maintenance to decrease downtime, increase quality, and improve scheduling are areas that can be optimised by Artificial intelligence (AI) processes to improve Return on Investment (ROI) for businesses. This was revealed in a report by Dataiku, a leading Artificial Intelligence and machine learning platform.

    According to the report, the ability to operationalise and quickly deploy machine learning models to production is always important, but even more so in times of change. Because, for new businesses, it’s the only way to realize ROI and actually start optimizing costs, increasing revenue, and seeing change. While for businesses that already have models in production, the underlying data has fundamentally shifted, and slow operationalisation capabilities mean a longer time to deploy new models that better fit today’s or tomorrow’s reality.

    It was also contained in the report that, though spending on AI initiatives has increased exponentially in recent years, it has remained tangential to many companies’ central operations, viewed more as an experiment than an indispensable organisational asset. However, in the second half of 2020 and beyond, this paradigm is poised to shift as Enterprise AI becomes a critical component of companies’ strategy to recover from crisis and bring more preparedness for the future through AI systems that are persistent and resilient.

    However, one of the challenges to ramping up AI efforts quickly across an enterprise is remote distribution. Whether teams are distributed during normal times or exceptional circumstances require everyone working from home, remote work is the ultimate litmus test of the data organization’s robustness. Many inefficiencies may go unnoticed when working in the office that ultimately lead to significant loss of time or of project relevance, but these issues can at least be partially mitigated by informal discussions and water cooler interactions.

    Continuing, the report revealed that, the right data science, machine learning, and AI platforms enable remote work at their core by addressing all of these challenges. For instance, Dataiku allows people across the organization to access all data and work together on projects in a central location, facilitating good data governance practices combined with widespread vertical.

    Ultimately, the fact remains that the goal of many AI systems is not to predict the future with 100% certainty, but to model and prepare for different scenarios. Nonetheless, for companies that survive through the economic downturn, AI will become more important than ever as an organizational asset for handling large-scale change with greater ease. No matter where organizations are on their AI journey, post-2020 should be a time to reassess AI use cases across the board, reduce costs surrounding AI initiatives and ensure robust model maintenance strategies.