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Tizeti rolls out 4G LTE in Edo

Ehime Alex
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Tizeti rolls out 4G LTE in Edo

Tizeti, West Africa’s pioneer solar-based Internet service provider, has rolled out 4G LTE network in Edo State with a monthly fixed broadband cost of N4,000.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Kendall Ananyi, said the 4G broadband Internet would empower more Nigerians in the state.

He explained, “Rolling out 4G LTE broadband Internet in Edo at the cheapest fixed broadband prices in Nigeria, and possibly Africa, is a strategic decision for us. We have been building brand-new, solar-powered, 4G-capable towers in Edo, starting with Benin City, which leverages Edo State’s expansive fibre-network built by some of our partners, MainOne and Facebook.

“Edo State has a large population of vibrant, young people and a high number of higher institutions, which provides a foundation for a robust and thriving ecosystem to enable digital leadership. The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is implementing reforms in investment promotion and determination to build a robust technology ecosystem in the state, with an agenda that prioritises information communication technology-compliant pedagogy in primary schools, improves digital skills for students and graduates and revamps technical education to increase productivity.”

The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, commented, “The launch in Edo State is personal to us as founders of Tizeti because we are alumni of the University of Benin. At N4,000 monthly cost with a one-off installation cost of N4,000, we believe the plan is affordable, especially to undergraduate students. This provides a huge opportunity for people in Edo to benefit from unlimited broadband Internet for use in online learning, eCommerce and entertainment, especially interactive games, video consumption, and music.”

Tizeti currently has 1.7m unique users with broadband services which include a new Skype-like personal and business enterprise communications service.

AfCFTA: Customs awaits committee’s report on duties, other charges

Ehime Alex
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AfCFTA: Customs awaits committee’s report on duties, other charges

As the African Continental Free Trade Area gets under way, the Nigeria Customs Service says it waits for National Action Committee on the list of duties and charges waived for liberalised goods.

The NCS disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah.

According to the NCS, the list includes 90 per cent liberalised National Trade Offers and 70 per cent non-liberalised exclusive goods at the regional level.

The service also awaits another list of three per cent on non-liberalised sensitive goods, it states.

It pointed out that appointment of a competent authority responsible for issuing and authenticating certificates of origin as well as registering enterprises and products within the region was another important issue to be addressed.

“NCS acknowledges the transformational impact this agreement portends for businesses within the continent in general and Nigeria in particular, and are fully committed to its success.

“Further, the Service recommends that each member country should have a representative in the continental Chamber of Commerce to ensure transparency within the body, thereby generating confidence in the system.

“This, in our view, should be complementary to the activities of the various chambers of Commerce of each country in the region.

“While awaiting clear directives concerning tariffs for all goods covered by this agreement, we want to assure the public of our preparedness to fully deploy our services at the shortest notice,” the statement read.

It added, “Our desire is to imbue trust in the system while guaranteeing the economic safety and wellbeing of businesses within the country.

“We look with optimism to an era of complete economic integration, which will lead to growth and prosperity for businesses within the region.”

The NCS added that it was necessary to methodically harvest and integrate all data associated with AfCFTA into the Service’ system for easy deployment, access and use by the trading public.

NBS Bank’s low-cost solution to drive e-commerce

Ehime Alex
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NBS Bank’s low-cost solution to drive e-commerce

Malawi’s NBS Bank has launched an e-commerce platform to expand its offering to power digital payment acceptance among small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, public institutions and individuals.

The solution, powered by Network International, will enable digital commerce transactions for merchants and public organisations through the N-Genius Online payment gateway, the company said in a statement.

The company explained that the solution would enable it and NBS Bank drive Malawi’s goal of becoming a cash-lite economy.

Speaking on the offering, the Chief Executive Officer of NBS Bank, Malawi, Kwanele Ngwenya, said, “e-Ccommerce is the fastest-growing form of commerce in the world. Understanding its role as a key driver of growth for our business, we have launched a world class e-commerce platform with leading payments solutions provider, Network International.

“As a first for Malawi, we are providing a sophisticated, yet low-cost solution, which will not only help grow, but further engage our customer base and help drive online commerce across many segments of the population in Malawi.

“By accommodating all payment types, offering the highest levels of safety and security and enhancing the mobile device experience, our online platform will help many businesses and sectors of the economy grow their online presence and help drive a digital and cashless society.”

Also, the Managing Director of Network International Africa, Andrew Key, said, “Network International already enjoys a long-term, successful relationship with NBS having helped the bank deliver many innovative products to their clients over the years, including both local processing and connectivity to international card schemes.

“Through utilising our proprietary N-Genius platform, Network is proud to provide NBS the latest cutting-edge technology. The NBS has always challenged the traditional banking offering, through technology-driven innovation, and we are delighted to support them as they look to increase online payment acceptance among the population of Malawi and the South African Development Community region.”

AMSP opens COVID-19 vaccines pre-orders for Africa countries

Ehime Alex
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AMSP opens COVID-19 vaccines pre-orders for Africa countries

The Africa Medical Supplies Platform, on behalf of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, on Tuesday commenced the COVID-19 vaccines pre-order programme for all African Union member states.

The development comes on the heels of an earlier announcement made by the African Union Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, that the union had secured provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Africa through its COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team.

In a statement on Tuesday, AMSP stated that the Afreximbank would facilitate payments by providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to $2bn to the manufacturers on behalf of the member states.

“These are historical times. For the first time in history, Africa has secured access to millions of vaccine doses in the middle of a pandemic in most of Western countries,” the African Union Special Envoy, Strive Masiyiwa, said.

“There is still a huge shortage of vaccine doses and that is why this continental collaboration has designed a fair allocation, coupled with timely and equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines across the continent,” Masiyiwa added.

Speaking on the development, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, said, “Afreximbank is proud to expand its support to African economies in their bid to contain the pandemic. Our vaccine financing facility builds on the success of our Pandemic Trade Impact Mitigation Facility to open access to COVID 19 vaccines to African states based on a whole-of-Africa approach favoured by the African Union.”

“By providing advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to US$2bn to candidate vaccine manufacturers, Afreximbank will ensure that African states are able to rapidly access COVID-19 vaccines at competitive prices and in a timely manner, thereby contributing to saving lives and livelihoods,” he added.

AMSP has also launched a new category on vaccine accessories, which will help member states to procure products such as ultra-low temperature freezers, personal protection equipment, cotton wool rolls, syringes and needles.

“The biggest challenges to COVID-19 vaccine access in Africa have been financing of the vaccines and the logistics of vaccinating at scale, but we are glad that this gap is being filled by the Afreximbank financing facility. The critical decision now is how to get started so that once we start there will be no disruptions and this is where AMSP will play a very big role,” the Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Nkengasong, said.

Uganda lifts ban on Internet access

Ehime Alex
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Uganda lifts ban on Internet access

Having shut down Internet access in the heat of the country’s presidential election, the Ugandan government has lifted the ban.

The government had on January 14 blocked Ugandans from accessing the Internet, claiming it wanted to prevent the spread of hate and violence messages from distorting the result of the election.

However, the Internet was switched on after data collected indicated that there would be no violence, the Ugandan government spokesman, Ofwono Opondo, reportedly said on Monday.

“Internet was switched off because people wanted to spread messages of hate and violence, as well as discredit the integrity of our elections. We think now people have come to terms with the results. However, we remain on alert,” Opondo said.

According to Opondo, the action was taken for the good of the country.

“The opposition was affected and the ruling party was also affected. Even the general public was affected,” Opondo said.

He added that although the internet is now on, social media is still blocked.

Buhari to inaugurate national oil centre – DPR

Ehime Alex
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Buhari to inaugurate national oil centre – DPR

President Muhammadu Buhari will inaugurate the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre in Lagos on January 21, 2020.

The centre is aimed to improve oil recovery methods in the nation’s energy industry for the purpose of achieving maximum production at the lowest possible cost.

The Department of Petroleum Resources announced this on Monday.

According to the Director of DPR, Sarki Auwalu, the centre will afford the oil and gas industry the critical elements for competitive advantage, in a changing global energy landscape.

“The integrated centre will also entrench Nigeria’s status as a regional leader and position the nation for significant global impact in the provision of value-added services and breakthrough solutions for the industry in years and decades to come,” Auwalu said.

He noted that the centre was structured to drive safety, value and cost efficiency for the industry.

He said the NOGEC complex was structured to house various flagship centres, which included Search, Rescue and Surveillance; Command and Control Centre and National improved Oil Recovery Centre; Oil and Gas Dispute Resolution Centre; Oil and Gas Competence Development Centre and Integrated Data Mining and Analytics Centre.

“SeRAS is an industry-wide programme established to enhance safety management, emergency preparedness and response, as well as bed space management and logistics services across the industry.

“The SeRAS Command and Control Centre, established at the NOGEC Centre, Lagos, will entrench safe practices, drive cost reduction and improve operational efficiency across the industry.

“Two other Rescue Coordination Centres will be set up at Osubi and Brass, in the first instance, for effective coverage of all areas of operations,” Auwalu explained.

The DPR director further stated that the NIORC was established to formulate and implement strategies for improved and enhanced oil recovery methods in the industry for the purpose of achieving maximum production at the lowest possible cost.

“The centre will partner operators and technology innovators, in their research and development efforts, for achieving its objectives. It will also collaborate with similar international oil and gas regulators in sharing lessons learnt and operational best practices.

“NIORC will focus on the implementation of a robust national IOR framework to enable the country optimise its resources, as well as create greater opportunities for operators,” he added.

AFREWATCH petitions UN over toxic pollution in Zambia

Ehime Alex
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AFREWATCH petitions UN over toxic pollution in Zambia

Africa Resources Watch, a Congolese human rights non-governmental organisation, has petitioned the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child over ongoing violations to the development of children in Kabwe, Zambia.

AFREWATCH drew the attention of the committee to the toxic pollution emanating from the lead mine previously controlled by Anglo American South Africa Limited.

“The situation in Kabwe represents a violation of rights to health and development – one of the founding principles of Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” AFREWATCH said.

It claimed that because of Anglo American’s alleged negligence, young children were suffering from alarming levels of lead poisoning.

Commenting on the incident, AFREWATCH’s Executive Director, Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba, said, “The situation in Kabwe is extremely concerning and we strongly urge the CRC to investigate the claims made against Anglo American by the claimants in the class action lawsuit. Anglo American’s conduct during its 50-year management and supervision of the mine led to today’s conditions, whereby the lives of countless children are at serious risk – including the risk of death.

“The failure by Anglo American to take action to address the ongoing damage to the health and environment of the Kabwe communities does not accord with its publicly-stated commitments. This must change immediately.”

Nkumba added, “AFREWATCH strongly supports the ongoing class action lawsuit against Anglo American, which was filed in the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa in October 2020.”

PIN opens registration for digital rights forum

Ehime Alex
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PIN opens registration for digital rights forum

Paradigm Initiative has opened registration for the ‘Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2021.’

The registration which started today will close on February 18 while the programme is slated to run from April 12 to 30, 2021 with a series of virtual and in-person country interactions in 12 African countries.

PIN announced in a statement that DRIF “is an important platform” where conversations on digital policy in Africa are shaped, policy directions debated and partnerships forged for action.

“In this eighth edition, PIN looks forward to co-hosting 12 in-person DRIF21 sessions with 13 partners in the following countries: Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Chad, Nigeria, Namibia, Cameroon, Zambia, and the Central African Republic,” the Community Manager, Thobekile Matimbe, said.

She added, “This will be an extraordinary platform so timely in these COVID-19 times when deliberations on digital rights and inclusion have become most urgent.”

According to PIN, the forum is open to businesses, civil society, technical community, academia, government, and private sector.

Senegal heavy fuel use hurting earth, says Fortesa boss

Ehime Alex
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Senegal heavy fuel use hurting earth, says Fortesa boss

Senegal is hurting the earth by using heavy fuel which is six times more polluting the environment.

This was stated by Fortesa International’s Chief Executive Officer, Rogers Beall, who said his organisation was interested in exploring and creating a fully Senegalese business.

Speaking on the uniqueness of Fortesa’s gas production business, Beall, in a statement, said energy independence was the key to Senegal’s success.

“Right now, this country is paying $14 per mcf by using heavy fuel oil. [In doing this] they are making six times the pollution, six times the negative effect on the planet, and nearly double the cost.

“We are able to make the investment and take the risk of drilling onshore, and [in this region] only Fortesa is doing this,” Beall added.

Fortesa has built a foundation for Senegal’s emergence as an energy player, even as Beall believed in the potential of the country before many in Europe and North America had thought to examine the country’s subsurface.

“This is one of the most cost-effective operations in Africa. Fortesa has essentially unlocked the value of Senegal’s energy resources. The projects run by Rogers and his team are sound and are an example of projects that can generate cash and deliver the return on capital that investors are looking for,” the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, to AOP, NJ Ayuk, commented.

“I see a team that is focused on improving asset-level economics, reducing capital outlay, and stretching their dollars to do more with less,” Ayuk added.

‘Billions At Play’ prescribes solutions for Africa’s energy sector

Ehime Alex
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‘Billions At Play’ prescribes solutions for Africa’s energy sector

Following the release of his second book, ‘Billions At Play: The Future of African Energy and Making Deals,’ Head, Centurion Law Group and Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, now takes into account new market realities in a post-COVID-19 era.

According to a statement, the oil and gas dealmaker in the book offered pragmatic solutions to the historic challenges the industry faced throughout 2020.

He detailed how a recovery can rely on better gas monetisation, wider energy cooperation, stronger capacity building, and a more sustainable development of African natural resources.

“The edition features a new chapter dedicated to the impact of the CCOVID-19 pandemic on African oil markets,” the statement said.

It noted further, “Billions At Play became number one on Amazon in several categories only a few days after its initial release in 2019, making it one of Africa’s best-sellers.

“The book’s critical solutions to key issues such as investment deals negotiations, electricity shortage or technology have earned it the support and praise of several leading industry executives from North America, Europe and Africa.

“At a time when the continent tries to position itself within the global energy transition debate, this second edition will be offering a comprehensive roadmap for Africa to do a better job at using its vast natural resources to fuel economic growth and improve the lives of hundreds of millions of Africans.”

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