Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a digital payment hub is a testament to the nation’s adaptability and innovation. From the vibrant markets of Lagos to the remote communities in the North, the shift toward cashless transactions has reshaped how Nigerians engage in commerce. The proliferation of mobile money, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and online payment platforms has introduced unprecedented convenience and efficiency. However, as with any transformative process, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that the benefits of digitalization are accessible and equitable for all.  

The recent Visa report, “Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Nigeria”, underscores the immense potential of digital payments, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It highlights how digital transactions can foster financial inclusion, stimulate economic growth, and empower businesses. Yet, the report also sheds light on a pressing issue: the rising cost of transaction fees, which can hinder the full realization of these benefits for many Nigerians. 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced a new policy, effective March 1, 2025, including ATM withdrawal charges. Under this policy, Nigerians will incur a N100 fee for every N20,000 withdrawal at off-site ATMs, with an additional N500 surcharge at standalone cash points. While this measure may be intended to encourage cashless transactions and reduce the cost of cash management, it has sparked concerns about its impact on individuals and businesses, particularly those in underserved areas where cash remains a primary means of exchange. 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has expressed reservations about the policy, describing it as potentially burdensome for ordinary Nigerians. This perspective highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers the economic realities faced by many citizens, especially in a period of rising inflation and financial uncertainty. At the same time, it is important to recognize the broader context in which the CBN operates, including the need to manage the costs associated with maintaining a robust financial infrastructure. 

 The digital payment revolution in Nigeria holds immense promise. It has the potential to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and create opportunities for millions. However, for this transformation to be truly inclusive, it must address the concerns of all stakeholders. Transparency in pricing, affordability of services, and accessibility for underserved populations are critical factors that will determine the success of Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem. 

 To move forward, several steps can be considered. First, fostering greater transparency in the pricing of digital payment services can help build trust and ensure that users are fully aware of the costs involved. Second, policymakers and regulators could explore ways to balance the need for sustainable financial systems with the goal of minimizing the financial burden on consumers and SMEs. This might include targeted interventions to support vulnerable populations and incentivize the adoption of digital payments. 

Furthermore, expanding financial literacy initiatives can play a key role in addressing hesitations about digital payments, particularly in rural areas. By educating Nigerians about the benefits and practicalities of cashless transactions, stakeholders can help bridge the gap between traditional and digital financial systems. 

 Nigeria’s digital payment revolution is a significant achievement, and the country is well-positioned to serve as a model for other nations in Africa. However, ensuring that this transformation is inclusive and equitable will require ongoing collaboration among policymakers, financial institutions, and the public. By addressing the challenges and building on the progress made so far, Nigeria can create a digital payment ecosystem that benefits all its citizens. 

 As the nation continues to embrace digitalization, it is essential to keep the focus on creating a system that is not only technologically advanced but also fair and accessible. This balanced approach will ensure that the digital payment revolution truly serves as a catalyst for inclusive growth and economic empowerment.

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By Shuaib S. Agaka

The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy workshop recently convened by the Nigerian government stands as a pivotal moment in the nation’s technological journey. Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). this event underscores Nigeria’s concerted efforts to tilt towards AI-driven innovation and sustainable growth.

The move by the Ministry and NITDA reflects a holistic approach to harnessing the potential of AI within Nigeria’s socio-economic framework. By synergizing policy initiatives with technological expertise, the workshop aimed to lay down foundational strategies that align with global best practices while catering to Nigeria’s unique developmental needs.

Within the context of Nigeria’s technological advancement, this workshop holds immense significance. As the world increasingly embraces AI as a transformative force across industries, nations like Nigeria are poised to leverage these technologies for inclusive growth, enhanced productivity, and societal progress.

Over the past decade, Nigeria has witnessed remarkable strides in digital innovation, initiatives such as the National AI Strategy workshop further fuel this momentum, signaling a strategic shift towards harnessing advanced technologies to address complex challenges and unlock new opportunities.

Moreso, on the brighter side, the vision of the workshop extends beyond localized strategies for building AI limited to Nigeria or Africa, encompassing a global approach that addresses challenges and opportunities on a worldwide scale. By championing these principles, Nigeria aims to position itself as a responsible steward of AI technologies, fostering trust among citizens, businesses, and global partners.

Nigeria’s readiness to embrace the National AI Strategy underscores a strategic shift towards harnessing cutting-edge technologies for holistic societal progress. The convergence of policy initiatives, infrastructure development, and human capital investment reflects a concerted effort to position Nigeria as a regional and global leader in AI-driven innovation.

The foundation laid by the National AI Strategy not only addresses immediate technological challenges but also sets a trajectory for sustainable growth and resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As global discourse around AI intensifies, the spotlight is on nations to not only harness AI for economic competitiveness but also ensure equitable access and ethical standards. Nigeria’s commitment to this agenda was palpable throughout the workshop, resonating with global calls for responsible AI governance and cooperation.

Furthermore, the National AI Strategy workshop’s deliberations extend far beyond theoretical frameworks, delving deep into the practical implications of integrating AI into Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric. By envisioning a future where AI spread throughout various sectors, stakeholders explored transformative opportunities and the accompanying challenges that demand strategic foresight and proactive measures.

One of the most profound potentials of Nigeria’s National AI Strategy is expected in the healthcare sector. AI-driven innovations that can significantly enhance medical diagnoses through advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and image recognition technologies. From early disease detection to personalized treatment plans, AI-powered healthcare solutions hold the promise of improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and bolstering overall public health initiatives.

Also, it holds transformative potential for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. AI applications such as precision farming techniques, predictive analytics for crop management, and drone technology for monitoring agricultural landscapes can optimize productivity, minimize resource wastage, and enhance crop yields. These advancements will not only benefit farmers by improving efficiency and profitability but also contribute to food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

Beyond specific sectors, the integration of AI into Nigeria’s economic framework is poised to drive overall economic competitiveness. Data-driven insights derived from AI algorithms will enable businesses to make informed decisions, optimize supply chains, and identify market trends. Automation of routine tasks through AI-powered systems also frees up human capital for higher-value tasks, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Also, a robust National AI Strategy sends a clear signal to domestic and international investors about Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for AI-driven ventures. The convergence of policy support, infrastructure development, and skilled workforce initiatives is likely to attract capital inflows, technology transfers, and strategic partnerships, bolstering the overall innovation ecosystem.

Furthermore, the vision is poised to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems across Nigeria. By leveraging AI tools and platforms, startups and SMEs can unlock new avenues for growth, develop scalable solutions, and access global markets, thereby contributing significantly to job creation and economic diversification.

The climax of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy workshop in Nigeria marks a pivotal milestone in the nation’s technological trajectory, signaling a strategic pivot towards harnessing AI for inclusive growth and global competitiveness. The collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy alongside NITDA underscore Nigeria’s commitment to shaping a future where AI serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation across diverse sectors.

The National AI Strategy not only outlines strategic initiatives but also underscores Nigeria’s readiness to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and its associated technologies. By prioritizing digital literacy, skill development, and collaborative ecosystems, Nigeria aims to foster a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning essential for sustained technological leadership.

In essence, the commendable initiative showcased by the Ministry and NITDA through the National AI Strategy workshop not only reflects a forward-thinking approach to technological advancement but also underscores the nation’s commitment to leveraging AI as a tool for solving complex challenges, driving innovation, and fostering inclusive development. By aligning national strategies with global AI governance principles and collaborative frameworks, Nigeria stands poised to navigate the AI landscape with resilience, responsibility, and a vision for a prosperous digital future.

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Having approximately 40 million small businesses spread across Nigeria and they are responsible for 50 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) and 70 million jobs, Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that the Agency (NITDA) will collaborate with the Small and Medium Entreprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to have joint programmes in terms of Infrastructure, digital literacy, and many more; to build a database that will give insights into happenings and where to appropriately channel interventions.

The DG made this known while receiving the Director General of SMEDAN Charles Odii who was on a courtesy visit to the Agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The purpose of the visit was to seek partnership in terms of infrastructural and human capital development for SMEs in Nigeria. To also submit a memorandum of understanding (MoU) where both Agencies can align and invite DG NITDA to SMEDAN for further discussions.

Mr. Inuwa revealed that there were opportunities for collaboration between NITDA and SMEDAN as stated in the NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) like the first pillar which is to foster Digital Literacy and cultivate talents.

He said the collaboration will facilitate the penetration of digital literacy among Small and Medium Entreprise (SMEs) to enhance productivity. He added that it also aligns with the objective of the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).

“We all know that with digital literacy a market woman can sell her goods without moving from one place to another, as someone can use digital platforms to order for goods and have them delivered to them.”

The DG NITDA stated that the collaboration is apt as it will strengthen policy implementation and legal frameworks like the Nigerian Startup Act. He said SMEs make up about 90 percent of the country’s workforce and more than 90 percent of businesses, saying “We really want to work with you, to explore how we can get them (SMEs) to benefit from all the incentives within the Startup Act and we target those who use innovation to promote productivity or innovation-driven entreprises.”

Mr. Inuwa citing ISF said that there are more than 100 IT hubs in Nigeria and less than 50 percent of these centres are being utilised.

He revealed that both Agencies can utilize these IT hubs as infrastructure for the unserved and underserved areas, which aligns with a pillar of the SRAP 2.0 which is to promote inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services.

“We can come together and decide a benchmark on what an IT hub should look like so that it can properly serve the people.”

On strengthening cybersecurity and digital trust he said “We need to look at how we can come up with cybersecurity solutions for SMEs that will promote digital trust by having SMEs that provide affordable and indigenous cybersecurity services.

Emphasis on another pillar that is SME-centric which is to nurture an innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem he said “We need to come up with ways to promote innovation and entrepreneurship thereby fostering a dynamic ecosystem that propels economic growth.

Speaking earlier, the DG SMEDAN Charles Odii said that the Agency has a couple of digital literacy programmes they had started, and they were at NITDA to have their curriculum looked at to see if it meets global standards and to be sure that it aligns with the NDLF.

Mr. Odii in terms of the Startup Act said, “We understand that NITDA is the secretariat for the Startup Act, and we want to work with you in sensitising them (SMEs), especially those of them who are startups to take advantage of this and also help to add to your database for registration.”

He said : “We have a robust SME database that we are building, and we would like to partner with you to make sure that the framework for this database is in line with what you have for data entrepreneurs.”

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TECH DIGEST- The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed $21.7 million deals with 11 Nigerian firms as beneficiaries for the Delta-2 Projects, a collaborative effort between the Nigerian government and the Czech Republic. The Delta-2 Programme, launched in 2022, aims to fund research, development, and innovation projects in agriculture, mining, and general manufacturing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Under the bilateral collaboration, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) will contribute $11.7 million, and NASENI will contribute $10 million as a counterpart fund. The Delta-2 Programme focuses on generating products and services to stimulate the Nigerian economy, with an emphasis on job creation and advancing technology across sectors.

Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NASENI, highlighted that the program aims not only to produce prototypes but also to bring outcomes to the market, emphasizing the real value of technology lies in market usefulness and application. The Delta-2 initiative aligns with NASENI’s commitment to collaboration, creation, and commercialization, fostering technology and innovation in Nigeria.

The program targets diverse sectors, including agriculture, mining, and general manufacturing, with a focus on creating commercially viable products. The Code of Conduct for Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission was also emphasized during the meeting, highlighting the importance of professionalism and adherence to regulations in the digital landscape.

The Delta-2 Projects represent a pivotal step in NASENI’s dedication to transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape, with a focus on collaboration and commercialization to drive economic growth. The funds allocated to the selected projects are expected to yield substantial returns, job creation, and capacity building, contributing to Nigeria’s technological advancement and competitiveness in the global market. The Delta-2 initiative demonstrates NASENI’s commitment to leveraging technology and talent to deliver multifaceted benefits to Nigeria.

In addition to the Delta-2 Projects, NASENI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the production license of coal-based fertilizers in Nigeria with PT Saputra Global Harvest. This agreement further supports Nigeria’s food security agenda, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to create a self-sufficient and surplus-producing agricultural sector.

The collaboration with Saputra covers key areas such as the establishment of coal-based fertilizer production, the supply of machinery and equipment, capacity development through training Nigerian personnel, and licensing for the production of coal-based fertilizer by established quality standards. The agreement builds on the initial MoU signed in September 2022, reinforcing the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia while supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector development.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, and key parliamentary figures assured NASENI of better-enabling laws and collaborative partnerships to enhance productivity, emphasizing the government’s commitment to advancing technology and innovation in the country. The Delta-2 Projects and coal-based fertilizer initiative underscore Nigeria’s pursuit of technological advancements and economic growth through strategic collaborations and investments in key sectors.

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Google recently called for applications for the Hustle Academy SME Fund, a N75 million equity-free fund dedicated to Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Head, Brand and Reputation, Sub Saharan Africa, Google, Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, said in a statement that the initiative would offer N5,000,000 to 15 Nigerian small business owners.

Aderemi-Makinde said that this initiative cemented Google’s unwavering commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria.

She said that SMBs formed the backbone of Nigeria’s economy but consistently grapple with challenges, notably the perennial obstacle of securing vital funding.

Aderemi-Makinde said that according to the World Bank, African SMBs faced a staggering finance gap of $330 billion.

She said that additionally, only 25 per cent of SMBs in Africa had access to bank loans, a percentage that sharply contrasted the 50 per cent observed in developed economies.

‘’Hustle Academy Fund is a testament to the resilience and innovation of Nigerian small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.

‘’We are hopeful that this fund will further empower them to succeed and drive economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for all Nigerians,’’ she said.

According to her, Google’s Hustle Academy, introduced in 2022, provides SMEs with business and management education, mentoring, and networking, with a particular emphasis on preparing them to package their businesses.

Aderemi-Makinde said that it was in order to raise the necessary capital to take their businesses to the next level.

She said that since its inception, the programme had graduated over 4,000 SMEs in Nigeria, with a notable 74 per cent from the first year reporting marked business growth.

According to her, the fund earmarks a N75 million pool exclusively for Nigeria to support 15 investor-ready SMBs through non-dilutive funding.

She said that this commitment was further enriched with tailored mentorship, ensuring these businesses were primed for success.

Also speaking, Product Marketing Manager and the Hustle Academy Programme Lead at Google, Sinmisola Nojimu-Yusuf, said that the Hustle Academy Fund provided SMBs with the resources and support they needed to succeed.

Nojimu-Yusuf said: ”Wth equity-free funding, mentorship, and opportunities for increased visibility and networking, we are supporting SMBs to grow and thrive.”

She said that Google was committed to supporting the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the fund was a key part of that commitment.

According to her, to be eligible for the Hustle Academy SMB Fund, businesses must be Nigerian-founded, operating within Nigeria for 1-5 years, and have a clear and scalable business plan.

She said that SMBs should have a track record of commitment to growth, operate in sectors aligned with the digital economy or have a digital enablement strategy.

According to her, previous participation in the Hustle Academy programme is an added advantage.

Nojimu-Yusuf said that applications for the fund would open on Tuesday and close on October 12th.

She said that detailed insights into the fund and application procedures are on ‘google/hustleacademyfund’.

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TECHDIGEST – Moni has launched a new range of business loans that will enable market traders, spare part dealers, textile traders, and other small business owners in Nigeria and other African countries to leverage the power of their communities to access the working capital they need to run and scale their businesses.

Community groups and associations serve a vital purpose in many emerging markets, providing essential services and protecting the collective interests, according to the firm.

It stated that it is pioneering a community finance model that builds on the importance of this form of group responsibility in African communities to improve access to essential financial services for small business owners on the continent.

Commenting on the scheme, the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Moni, Femi Iromini, said, “Our community-powered business loans product is just one of the ways we are innovating around our unique context in Africa to make the most of what is already in place to deliver the financial services business owners need to create long-lasting wealth for themselves and their communities.

READ ALSO: APPLY: NITDA Opens Entries for NSIA Prize for Innovation 

“We have ample evidence to show that this approach works. We are excited to bring more businesses on board to drive the economic development we all want to see on the continent.”

The firm noted that it has built a risk engine that combines financial data and business performance with social intelligence to enable more effective credit decisioning for African SMEs.

It stated that small business owners with a positive social reputation simply needed to join a lending cluster with an invite from an existing user of its product, and once their eligibility had been confirmed, they could access financing in about five minutes.

It added, “Once the loan is disbursed, the cluster shares responsibility for the loan, and members are able to access funds from an automated savings pot to bail out members if needed.”

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TECHDIGEST – SMEs have been charged to embrace business growth opportunities offered by digital identity and consumer analytics to scale their operations and unlock growth within the ecosystem.

Co-founder/Chief Executive Officer of VerifyMe Nigeria, Esigie Aguele, made the call while speaking as a special guest at the Fidelity SME Forum, a complementary SME-banking platform by Fidelity Bank aimed at building capacity and driving growth for entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

According to Aguele: “One of the biggest impediments to the growth of SMEs in the country has been the absence of a trust infrastructure that will stimulate sustainable growth within the space. This void not only hinders SME entrepreneurs from accessing financial and other services critical to their growth but also stifles their prospects of scaling due to the lack of credible consumer insights.

READ ALSO: No Plans To Strip NCC’s Powers, Says Pantami

“For example, VerifyMe’s B2B platform, QoreID, connects businesses to trusted identities and consumer analytics, enabling financial institutions like banks, fintechs, and credit lenders to provide loans to SMEs faster and more securely. Our Know Your Business (KYB) verification platform provides lenders with accurate reports on businesses so that these businesses can get assessed easily. We also give reports to our customers on those businesses.”

Continuing, he said: “VerifyMe can deploy our strong team of over 40,000 agents spread across the country to conduct Tier 3 account opening and business checks to ensure that SMEs can scale through the compliance hurdle, drive their eligibility, and access financial products. These are examples of how digital identity drives scale, compliance, and access to capital.

“One of the key deterrents to embracing KYC technology is the belief that the services are too pricey and way above the reach of most small businesses. However, that is far from correct. In fact, digital technology, and particularly, VerifyMe’s services, is at the forefront of crashing the price of conducting KYC in Nigeria.

When we entered the market, it used to cost N25,000 to verify people for account opening. We dropped that to N600. In addition to this, it costs only about N200-N300 for analytics on a loan of hundreds of thousands or even millions of naira.

So, we have ensured that the price is affordable for anybody across the board to use VerifyMe services.”

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TECHDIGEST – Dopals Technologies, a Tech hub in Gombe State, is empowering young ICT firms to grow, Tech Digest reports.

In an interview with Tech Digest, Khalid Abdullahi Yero, the CEO of Dopals Technology, said their ICT firm has helped over 50+ SMEs launch and grow, while also unveiling their KoyaApp project which is helping learners connect to their cultural heritage by learning from people in their own local community.

Mr Khalid opened up how northeastern Nigeria is still trying to catch up with technology adoption, hence patronizing their services.

He also told TechDigest that their hub have trained over 1000 people in 3 years and have provided support, mentorship to many innovators and promised to have more in store for innovators from Incubation programs to bootcamps and networking event in 2023.

He commended government especially NITDA for doing a lot but there is room for improvement especially in making sure those incredible policies are been implemented.

“Our startup is already part of NITDA supported startups and a Key player in Gombe startup Ecosystem called Jewel Entrepreneurs.

“We have partnered with the likes of NITDA, NEPC and NYSC Saed office to deliver trainings and mentorships, we have been selected to participate in startup clinics and exhibitions organized by NITDA but in terms of funding or support in operating our business we still haven’t received anything from any organization yet but I’m optimistic we will get it soon”, he added.

He finally appeal to federal government, state government and private sector to partner and patronize startups, SMEs which will boost the large economy and be a win win for everyone.

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TECHDIGEST – AT3 Resources has announced it would be hosting a week-long digital marketing bootcamp for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

The bootcamp themed ‘Leveraging Possibilities for SMEs in The Digital Age,’ was in commemoration of the firm’s fifth anniversary.

In a statement, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AT3 Resources, Tosin Adefeko, said, “In the course of our journey, we frequently encounter small medium businesses who desire communications interventions but do not have the requisite knowledge or resources to support their growth.

“In commemoration of our milestone 5th anniversary, we decided to lend our support to the growth of small businesses in tune with our belief that SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy.”

READ ALSO: NUJ Commends NITDA for Digital Journalism Trainings at State Level

The firm further stated the bootcamp which is the first edition is designed to empower SMEs to seize the growth opportunities presented by the digital era.

“During the bootcamp, participants will be armed with the best digital marketing tools, tips, trends, tactics, and strategies from leading industry experts that will support them in their quest to actualise their full potential as well as shape how they connect with their target audiences.”

It added, “The digital marketing bootcamp will enable SMEs to take advantage of growth prospects in the digital media era. The bootcamp will include a deep dive into areas such as online reputation management, communications strategy, digital marketing, brand and visuals, and the ‘always on’ entrepreneur.”

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TECHDIGEST – As 2022 rounds off, Meta, the parent body of Facebook, said it has supported sub Saharan Africa with investment and initiatives to encourage small scale businesses, SMBs and content creators.

Reviewing commitment to Africa in 2022, Country Director SSA, Meta Enitan Denloye, said: “We remain invested in Africa and the various communities we support here in the region. Our work continues to be rooted in giving people the power to build community, whilst bringing the world closer together – whether as SMBs, creators or tech innovators.

“We believe Africa, and the immense talent this region holds will continue to play a key role in Meta’s journey.”

According to the tech giant, some of the key 2022 Meta Africa Year in Review highlights include:

AMBER Alerts in Nigeria – In partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Meta launched AMBER Alerts, a programme aimed at helping to find abducted children by sending Alerts to the local Facebook and Instagram community

Facebook Reels – Facebook Reels is a project across 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to help creators monetise their crafts, connect with, and discover new audiences in News Feed and Groups

Facebook Protect – In Mauritius and South Africa, a programme designed to provide increased protections around the world for journalists, activists and human rights defenders

#StaySafeOnInstagram in Ghana and Nigeria – An education campaign focused on enabling users to take steps to protect their accounts from phishing and hacking

Economic Impact Trainings – Trained over 107,000 SMBs and Non-profits across Sub-Saharan Africa through Meta’s Economic and Social Impact Programs including Meta Boost, SheMeansBusiness and Meta Nonprofit Training Program.

WhatsApp’s first-ever global brand partnership – Launched with Nigerian-born NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, this featured a short film about his Nigerian roots – titled ‘Naija Odyssey’

‘Future Africa – Telling Stories, Building Worlds’ – In partnership with Africa No Filter, announced the six finalists of the programme aimed at boosting the use of Virtual Reality in Africa’s storytelling

#ReelAdventures – Created #ReelAdventures aimed at highlighting adventure-focused groups in Kenya who use reels to express themselves and share their travel experiences

#NoFalseNewsZone – Launched a campaign and comic books across Ghana and Francophone Africa, aimed at helping people to think critically about the messages they see and read online

Made in Africa, Loved by the World – Unveiled our 2022 international campaign aimed at celebrating Africa’s ongoing growing cultural impact on the world, whilst spotlighting eight amazing creators and innovators from across the continent, including rolling out Africa’s first Instagram #AfricaMade Reels challenge

No Language Left Behind – unveiled our single AI model that translates over 200 languages, including 56 African languages

Creators of Tomorrow – Spotlighted and celebrated emerging talent from around the world who are inspiring a new movement of creative content online, including here in Africa

2Africa Deployment Genoa Landing – Alongside eight local and global partners, announced the landing of the 2Africa subsea cable system to Genoa, Italy which now connects three continents — Africa, Europe, and Asia, making it the longest subsea cable system ever developed at more than 45,000 kilometres

Launched ‘My Digital World’ in Cameroon – Rolled out a digital literacy program aimed at educating users on responsible social media usage and how to stay safe online

NFT Digital Collectibles expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa on Instagram – Enabled creators to share their digital collectibles on Instagram, including how to leverage their fanbase to monetise their craft

AR/VR Africa Metathon – Partnered with Imisi 3D and Black Rhino VR to launch an AR/VR Africa Metathon across Africa, aimed at supporting African XR talent to build innovative solutions

Flex Naija – Launched ‘Flex Naija’ – Meta’s first campaign in Africa, inspiring Nigeria’s creators to be amongst the first to flex in the metaverse

Digital Literacy Trainings – Trained over 80,000 participants (youth, educators and the general public) through ‘My Digital World’, Meta’s Flagship Digital Literacy Program for responsible and safe use of digital platforms in over 9 countries.

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