Airtel Nigeria CEO urges adoption of intelligent technology platforms to accelerate national growth - ITREALMS

The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, has called on corporate executives and business leaders to accelerate the country's digital trajectory by aggressively embracing intelligent technology platforms designed to spearhead innovation, maximize productivity, and anchor sustainable economic growth, reports ITREALMS.

Balsingh made the call while addressing a gathering of industry captains at the Lagos Business School (LBS) Breakfast Club, on the strategic theme, "From Telco to TechCo." The telecom boss asserted that the telecommunications industry is rapidly evolving beyond basic connectivity to serve as the foundational bedrock for enterprise transformation and the broader digital economy.

Konga @14th: Upgrades tech platforms, BNPL integration, and mega rewards - ITREALMS

Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, Konga, is celebrating its 14th anniversary with a month-long campaign featuring a completely overhauled digital shopping infrastructure, flexible credit options, and high-value consumer rewards, reports ITREALMS.

Running from July 1 to July 31 under the theme “Celebrating Possibilities,” the anniversary marks over a decade of Konga shaping the nation’s digital and retail landscape.

Sophos is leader in 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms - ITREALMS

Sponsored@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP), marking the 16th consecutive time the company has received this recognition. 

Sophos has been recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) since the inaugural publication for this category in 2007.

Ethnos unveils Aquila for mobile security platforms @ZenithBank Tech Fair 2023

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Lagos-based cybersecurity firm, Ethnos marked a significant milestone at the Tech Fair 2023 organized by Zenith Bank by introducing Aquila, a mobile application scanning and security solution, reports ITREALMS.

This, Ethnos disclosed as solidifying the company position as an innovative cybersecurity firms in the country, showcasing their commitment to advancing cybersecurity through groundbreaking innovation.

Should negative externalities of digital platforms be taxed - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!


Talk to any peacebuilder trying to disseminate an alternative, complex narrative about a conflict, and they’ll tell you a version of the same thing: the odds are stacked against peace on social media platforms. It’s always been an uphill battle, but these days it feels like there’s no countering the digitally amplified hate and division.

You don’t even have to be a peacebuilder: this message probably resonates intuitively. We all know online toxicity is a problem. So what would it take to unstack these odds? Over the past months, I’ve been doing some thinking about this question as part of Ashoka’s Next Now initiative. The result is this paper, which in essence argues that online polarization should be seen as a negative externality of surveillance capitalism, just like carbon is a negative externality of industrial capitalism — and as such, it should be taxed.

UNESCO Internet for Trust invites comments on draft 2.0 guidelines for regulating digital platforms - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) under its Internet for Trust has opened for comment the second draft of the Guidelines for regulating digital platforms: a multi-stakeholder approach to safeguarding freedom of expression and access information, reports ITREALMS.

UNESCO said, it would like to thank all the speakers and participants, both in person and online, for your active participation in the global debate around digital platform regulation.

4,300 participants @UNESCO global dialogue to regulate digital platforms - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The UNESCO conference on Internet for Trust, dedicated to discuss the draft global guidelines for regulating digital platforms, to safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information ended with 4,300 participants in person and online, reports ITREALMS.

The conference brought to the table different stakeholders including governments, independent regulators, digital companies, academia, the technical community and civil society. 

MRA drags NITDA to court over failure on details of proposed regulation of online platforms - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) over its failure to provide details requested by the organization on its proposed regulatory framework for social media and other online platforms through a “Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries” reports ITREALMS.

In the suit, ITREALMS gathered that MRA is asking the Court to order NITDA to provide it with all the information it requested in its letter dated June 15, 2022, including a copy of the letter containing the directive given by President Muhammadu Buhari to NITDA to develop a code of practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms as well as copies of documents containing inputs made by stakeholders such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, Instagram, Google and other interactive computer service platforms, civil society organizations and expert groups in the development of the draft code of practice.

FG issues code of practice for computer-related platforms in Nigeria - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the collaboration of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a code of practice for computer-related platforms in the country, reports ITREALMS.

This, NITDA said, is in line with its mandated as contained in the Section 6 of NITDA Act 2007; to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria. 

NCC uncovers cyber threats to Windows platforms, routers - ITREALMS

Press Release@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Computer Security Incidents Response Team (CSIRT) set up by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the telecoms sector, has discovered two new separate cyber threats targeting Windows Platforms and a particular kind of routers respectively.

The discoveries were made known in two separate advisories released by the cyber-space protection team earlier this week.

Chain Reactions transforms, unveils platforms to boost businesses, government - ITREALMS

Sponsored@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The leading public relations and integrated communications consulting firm, Chain Reactions Nigeria, has rebranded and repositioned to become a digital-first platform and 24/7 solution house for governments and brands desirous of winning in Africa’s reputation economy.

The repositioning, which involves a name change from Chain Reactions Nigeria to Chain Reactions Africa, was announced at a colourful 15th-anniversary celebration attended by eminent players in corporate Nigeria and the public sector on Wednesday, March 30, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

'Only NCC can license social media platforms' - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has faulted the recent directive for licensing of social media platforms in the country, declaring that only the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has the powers for such regulatory function, reports ITREALMS.

ALTON chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo gave this insight in an exclusive chat with ITREALMS at the weekend.

Osun: HDP to unveil social media platforms for guber election

ITREALMS:

The Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Osun State Chapter has concluded plans to unveil her social media platforms which will be used for the forthcoming governorship election in the state, reports ITRealms.

The Osun State Chairman of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Mr. Wole Adedoyin told ITRealms as from next month the party will start to intimate herself and blueprints with the people of Osun State through the proposed social media platforms.

“This is in a bid to connect and network with the grassroots people of Osun State,” he declared.

Adedoyin further said that Twitter, Blogs (both Wordpress and Blogspot), Facebook and Instagram are some of the social platforms the party proposed to use for his party’s campaign.

Further, Adedoyin who is also the Coordinator of Osun Redemption Group and Osun Democrats said his vision is to transform HDP into a paperless and electronic party.

Nenye Dom/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Digital platforms, economy of future across Africa

Commentary@ITRealms: 

Many companies, whether they realize it or not, have already taken steps to embed themselves into the digital ecosystems that will drive their growth in future. However, the pace of adopting new digital platforms for doing business needs to increase – especially in Africa. These platforms are business models that create value by facilitating exchanges between two or more interdependent groups, usually consumers and producers.

According to the Wall Street Journal platform companies are major drivers of innovation as the top companies set the standards for the digital transformation taking place around the world. Traditional companies are challenged to keep up or risk being left behind. As platforms become the new normal for how business is done, African companies must seize this opportunity to begin to build a new digital value chain.

Already, more than a quarter (27%) of the executives Accenture recently surveyed report that digital ecosystems are transforming the way their organizations deliver value. And we found that 81% of executives say platform-based business models will be core to their growth strategy within three years. 

The mandate for leaders is to capitalize on new relationships, building a network of digital partners that will not only enhance their existing business, but also allow them to forge their way into newly emerging digital ecosystems.

What we are seeing is that entire ecosystems of customers are aggregating around several new digital platforms, and businesses are more motivated than ever before to take advantage of these entry points. 

Communication platforms like WeChat and WhatsApp, and Artificial Intelligence intermediaries like the Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri represent distinct ecosystems delivering unprecedented access to customers – and businesses are flocking to them. A couple of examples include Hyatt Hotels, which uses Facebook Messenger to let guests do everything from booking and checking existing reservations to ordering room service during a stay, while Capital One bank developed a ‘skill’ for Amazon Echo’s Alexa, allowing people to check their accounts and pay credit card bills via the Echo device.

It is little surprise that the trend two of our Tech Vision 2017 study highlights that in the State of the Cloud survey 95% of respondents reported using public, private, or hybrid cloud technology, while the CIO Strategic Partner Index run by the IDC reports that 29% of IT leaders are spending more than half their IT budget on external providers. Each platform commitment means easier future engagement with other companies on the platform using the same infrastructure.

However, of the 176 platform companies included in a recent report, The Rise of the Platform Enterprise: A Global Survey led by Peter Evans and Annabelle Gawer and sponsored by the Center for Global Enterprise, Asia has the largest number with 82, 64 of which are in China. North America has 64, with 63 in the US. Europe is a major consumer of platform services, but it’s home to relatively few platform companies –27 spread across 10 countries, 9 of which are in the UK. It is concerning Africa and Latin America have a number of small platform companies, only 3 of which have met the $1 billion valuation threshold for inclusion in the survey.

More African companies need to decide which ecosystems to join and which roles to play as the technology changes are only the beginning.

How do African companies begin to close the gaps? An important way to get moving on this journey is to conduct an audit identifying how many internal and external platforms you are using and the goals for their use. Identify and address unnecessary overlaps. Determine the platforms your organization most relies on, as well as those that most depend on you. These are the ecosystems where your organization should hold its strategic and market strengths.

Over the next 100 days, look to essentially develop a comprehensive strategy to establish the foundation for your platform business model and ecosystem. During this phase you should appoint a C-suite sponsor to oversee a team that is responsible for championing your new ecosystem and digital partnership strategies. 

Then ever the next year, leadership should have achieved comprehensive understanding of the new rules of business, developed a platform business model strategy, and started to test it with the launch of a small pilot program.

Companies should keep expanding the conversation: for instance, in the first 100 days have a strategy summit with your closest partners to understand their goals for the future. Uncover shared goals and commit to developing a strategic plan for achieving them together.

Consider your organization’s future through the lens of the biggest disruptions shaping your market, from inside and outside your industry. Craft the ideal role of your company in this future, and develop a shortlist of partners who can help make it a reality. And remember to develop metrics to quantify the results of ecosystem participation.

Many global brands are already taking the bold steps needed. The digital ecosystem is, for instance, totally redefining what automakers do. Rather than just building cars, they’re engaging with customers throughout the vehicle lifecycle, directly managing software upgrades, diagnostics, and safety. In the insurance industry, pulling down driving data from connected car platforms has enabled new services such as pay-per-mile insurance with newcomers like Google and Metromile to challenge the industry status quo. The opportunities are endless, no matter what industry you are in.

General Motors kicked off 2016 with a $500 million investment into ride-share platform Lyft. The move gave GM the inroads to launch their Express Drive service, an exclusive offering for successful, but car-less, Lyft driver applicants to rent a car directly from GM and get to work right away. The program was remarkably successful in the short term, opening a new line of business for GM: by July, 30% of new Lyft drivers were requesting an Express Drive vehicle in their sign-up.

In addition to partnering with Lyft, GM also made a $1 billion-plus acquisition of the autonomous vehicle software company Cruise Automation, and another billion-dollar investment in building an autonomous vehicle testing facility in Detroit.

This shows how platforms are rapidly becoming the central hubs for the rich and complex digital ecosystems that companies want to access. Consider the fact that 70% of ’unicorn’ startups (over $1 billion!) are platform companies. Other companies such as personal car-rental app Turo and group dining experience Feastly have introduced their own offerings, as have dozens of start-ups, each with their own angle and offering. 

LiquidSpace, which lists offerings in more than 500 cities across the US, Australia and Canada, offers a platform for renting workspaces and meeting rooms by the day or hour.

In South Africa, a good example of a company embracing the platform economy and reaping rewards is Discovery Vitality, while Discovery’s proposed bank is another example of the evolution of this concept into other exciting sectors. The retail market for consumer goods in SA received a shot in the arm in 2015 when Kalahari was merged with Takealot, with the technology platform cleverly harnessed to drive growth since then.

Remember the sharing economy brings people together through technology to exchange or rent access to goods and services, so entrepreneurs are building this economy by leveraging emerging digital technologies to meet customer needs in new and disruptive ways.

Digital and mobile technologies have combined with public support to create a host of opportunities to transform the way government manages the infrastructure it has already acquired. For instance, through MuniRent, six local governments in Michigan are already renting equipment to and from each other.

How African companies and governments react to this change brought about the platform economy will define their prospects going forward. The platforms they use will serve as the pathways to the new digital economies that will drive growth and jobs across the continent. They will form the pillars of entire value chains in the future and so African companies need to ensure they make these decisions wisely – and fast because there is no doubt that the digital partnerships African companies make today will determine how successful they will be tomorrow.

Platform economy is one of the topics to be discussed at the Accenture Innovation Conference taking place on 17 October in Johannesburg.

*Contributed by William Mzimba, Chief Executive of Accenture South Africa and Chairman of Accenture Africa

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Nigeria media urged to create 21st century platforms

ITRealms:

Leadership of Nigerian media industry have been urged to ensure they create 21st century platforms and professional group befitting this era, reports ITRealms.

In a keynote address to the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Managing Director cum Editor-in-Chief of The Interview, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, called on media business leaderships to make certain they create and maintain website and social media platforms befitting a 21st century organisaton to keep afloat in business.

Ishiekwene who dwelt on “Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy And Business” also enjoined them to build networks with other professional groups, especially in more developed, open media environments.

“Rejuvenate the Ethics & Disciplinary Committee and let the public know how they may approach it, if they have any complaints … Publish audited accounts,” he declared.

For those wanting to hire a proven executive director, he said, they must ensure having specific, and measurable business targets.

He also advised getting sponsorships from any of the global media giants, with interest in media in developing countries, as well as creation of open, periodic value-driven conversations that will sufficiently interest partnership with corporates.

In addition, he underscored the need to start periodic research-driven solutions for media and allied industries, whilst de-emphasising physical structures, by way of thinking of network and people.

Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Palmchat enters Nigeria app market

ITRealms:

Palmchat, a multi-media messenger that enables friends to connect across all platforms, and make new friends in diverse fun-filled and exciting ways, has entered Nigerian application (app) market, reports ITRealms.

Head, Public Relations, Transision Holdings, Mounir Boukali, told ITRealms that Palmchat, which is an app currently trending in the social application space is expected to transform and create a major swept in the history of instant messaging technology. 

It is also predicted that all outdated Instant Messenger (IM) will be clearly phased out by social media apps that are more engaging, personal and comes with interesting features.

“Having used all the social application platforms we can find around, one can only ask for more and this is what Palmchat offers everyone; a cool new face of social instant messaging, personal and group chatting,” Boukali said.

The Head PR stressed that Palmchat offers really different features from those already in use. Pointing out that users’ could join any chat room of their choice, discussing a range of issues, from sports to romance, and even get discounts from online stores. 

“It enables you to share your cool pictures, music and recordings with your friends, getting in touch with them in private messaging” Boukali said.

Using location based services, Boukali said, Palmchat helps users link-up with friends within their neighbourhoods. 

He further told ITRealms in a press statement, “The ‘shake-shake’ feature gives you that instant experience. One new person pops up every time you shake your phone, and with this cute sound, a new contact is added” he explained.

ITRealms recalls that Palmchat is the IM app everyone should connect to experience instant messaging in a new way. The sign-ups have increased in thousands in recent times with millions of people coming unto the platform.   

 +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

ITREALMS ... delivering news for ICT4D