Across Africa, the edtech sector is projected to surpass $7 billion by 2030, driven by rising smartphone penetration and demand for alternative learning pathways.

Yet beneath this growth lies a more fragile reality: many platforms built to serve this demand are not engineered to sustain it.

The visible layer of edtech, including the apps, dashboards, and content, often obscures a deeper question: can these systems actually hold up under pressure?

In Nigeria, where connectivity is inconsistent, devices are often low-spec, and infrastructure costs are dollar-denominated, scaling a digital classroom is not just a product challenge. It is an engineering one.

For Oluwasegun Ige, an Engineering and Operations Leader at Class54, this distinction is critical. With nearly a decade of experience across edtech, fintech, and civic technology, he has built systems that must perform reliably in environments where failure is not an exception, but expected.

“The biggest misconception about edtech in Africa is that growth is a function of features,” he says. “In reality, growth is a function of resilience. If your system cannot handle real-world conditions, no amount of features will save it.”

That reality begins with bandwidth. In many parts of Nigeria, students move in and out of connectivity throughout the day.

A platform that assumes constant internet access is already excluding a significant portion of its users. At Class54, this constraint led to a deliberate architectural choice: build for interruption.

Offline functionality was not treated as an add-on, but as a core system requirement. Learning materials, practice questions, and progress tracking were designed to persist beyond connectivity, with synchronisation mechanisms that reconcile user activity once access is restored.

The result is a platform that behaves less like a live service and more like a continuous learning environment, one that does not collapse when the network does.

But resilience is only one side of the equation. The other is cost.

In many African startups, infrastructure costs quietly scale faster than revenue. Cloud services priced in foreign currency can erode margins long before a company reaches profitability. At Class54, Ige approached this challenge with a clear constraint: operate at minimal cost without compromising performance.

The result was a system capable of supporting hundreds of thousands of users while running on infrastructure costing less than $50 per month.

This was achieved through disciplined engineering such as lean API design, efficient storage strategies, and careful allocation of compute resources.

“In this environment, efficiency is not optional,” Ige explains. “Every unnecessary request, every redundant process. It all adds up. If you don’t design for efficiency from the start, scaling becomes expensive very quickly.”

This efficiency extends to system architecture. In edtech platforms, APIs are not just connectors, they are the system’s nervous system. Poorly designed APIs introduce latency, limit flexibility, and make future development increasingly complex.

At Class54, the API layer was built to accommodate growth from the outset. Features like practice history, leaderboards, and AI-powered explanations were integrated into a structure that prioritizes speed and modularity.

This ensures that new capabilities can be added without degrading performance, an essential requirement in a space where user expectations evolve quickly.

Yet performance alone does not guarantee engagement. In Nigeria’s competitive digital landscape, users have little patience for unreliable systems. A slow-loading quiz or a lost session is often enough to drive a student away permanently.

“People talk about engagement as if it’s a design problem,” Ige says. “But the first layer of engagement is trust. If the system works consistently, users stay. If it doesn’t, they leave.”

Another layer of complexity emerges when platforms integrate with the broader digital ecosystem. Payments, messaging, and identity systems each come with their own constraints and inconsistencies. Ige’s experience across communications and fintech infrastructure underscores the importance of designing for interoperability.

“In Africa, you are always integrating with something,” he notes. “Different providers, different standards, different levels of reliability. Your system has to absorb that complexity without passing it on to the user.”

For edtech platforms, this could mean connecting with examination bodies, enabling payments for premium content, or integrating communication tools for student support. Each integration introduces potential points of failure, and each must be engineered with care.

What emerges is a picture of edtech that looks very different from the one typically presented. It is less about interfaces and more about infrastructure; less about content and more about continuity.

With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, demand for accessible education will only grow. But meeting that demand will require more than scaling user acquisition. It will require building systems that reflect the realities of the continent.

For Ige, the path forward is clear.

“Technology in Africa has to be intentional,” he says. “You design for constraints, such as network, cost, devices, and then build systems that thrive within them.”

That philosophy is quietly shaping Nigeria’s digital classrooms, not through what users see, but through the engineering decisions that ensure they can keep learning.

Designed to enable businesses collect funds in naira or stablecoins and send payouts to the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, the new system handles foreign exchange conversion instantly and locks in rates at the point of transaction.

For years, operators in this space have had to manage cash on two fronts. They collect in naira, then look for foreign currency elsewhere, while also keeping reserves ready for payouts. That process ties down capital and slows transactions.

Nomba says its new API removes that limitation by merging collection, conversion and disbursement into one flow. Once funds enter the system, either in naira or stablecoins such as USDT or USDC, conversion happens immediately and the payout begins without delay.

“Running a cross-border payments business from Nigeria has meant managing frozen liquidity on two fronts at the same time,” said Yinka Adewale, CEO, Nomba.

“Operators collect naira, then go source foreign currency, all while their customers are waiting. We built this API to collapse that operational complexity into a single transaction flow, and to give operators who want to remove naira exposure entirely the option to fund in stablecoins.”

Outlining how the payout routes work, the company noted that transfers to the UK go through Faster Payments, with settlement taking between one and three hours.

In Europe, SEPA transfers are completed in under one hour, while Canada supports Interac for instant transfers alongside bank payments. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, users can send money through mobile money or bank transfers, both processed instantly. Nigeria, meanwhile, is the base corridor.

Another feature is a five-minute exchange rate lock. This ensures the rate a customer sees at the start of a transaction stays the same at settlement, reducing disputes and unexpected losses.

The launch comes at a time when cross-border payments in Africa are expensive. On average, sending $200 costs about 7.9%, one of the highest rates globally. At the same time, stablecoins are gaining ground.

They now account for a large share of crypto transactions in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria alone handling billions of dollars in volume over the past year.

On the regulatory aspect, Nigeria’s tax policies treat foreign exchange conversions, service fees and digital charges as taxable events since the start of 2026. This is forcing payment companies to build systems that can handle compliance automatically.

Nomba, which started in 2016 as Kudi, has moved from agency banking into payment infrastructure. In 2025, it processed N122 billion across 1.85 million transactions. Its virtual accounts now account for most of its API activity.

With the new Global Payout API, Nomba is targeting a long-standing problem in the market, cutting out the need to hold funds in multiple currencies at once. The company is ensuring payment firms can move faster and operate with less capital tied up.

It was simply writer’s block, that stubborn creative demon that shows up uninvited. Combine that with the weekly marathon of producing Responsible Gaming on Radio on Coal City FM (Radio Nigeria) Enugu, and suddenly your columnist is negotiating peace between deadlines and sanity. Spoiler: sanity lost.

But we are back, refreshed, caffeinated, and determined. And this week, we dive into something that should matter to every Nigerian gaming entrepreneur: How do we scale our gaming technology from “local brilliance” to “global contender”?

Nigeria is full of incredibly smart developers building real gaming technology, platforms, payment rails, APIs, fraud engines, analytics dashboards, esports tools, gamified apps – but scaling beyond our borders requires more than just good code. It requires a blueprint.

1. Product Is Everything – But It Must Speak “International”

Having a strong product is the bare minimum. But global markets expect more: intuitive UX, multilingual capability, seamless onboarding, and rock-solid stability. Nigerian gaming startups must design with Kenya, South Africa, the UAE, and even Latin America in mind.

A product that works beautifully in Enugu must also work in Nairobi at 2 a.m. during a Champions League match.

2. Compliance Readiness Isn’t Optional

Scaling means facing regulators, plural. Every new market has licensing rules, technical standards, reporting requirements, KYC frameworks, and responsible gaming obligations. Local operators can forgive the occasional “we’re updating our site” downtime. International markets won’t.

Startups must begin building compliance by design, not as an afterthought.

3. Partnerships Are the Real Passport

To go global, you don’t just need customers, you need partners; Payment partners, Hosting partners, Data protection partners, Distribution partners, Even political partners in some regions.

No Nigerian gaming startup will scale alone. The fastest routes to global markets are through strategic alliances, especially with companies already operating across Africa or Asia.

4. Documentation, Certification, and Credibility

If your platform has no documentation, no audit trail, and no roadmap… it’s not a product, it’s a prayer point.

Global buyers expect:

• API documentation
• Independent audits
• Penetration testing reports
• Clear SLAs (Service Level Agreements)
• Transparent pricing
• Disaster recovery plans

Startups that want to sell internationally must look and feel like global companies.

5. Investor Readiness, Because Scaling Requires Fuel

One reality Nigerian gaming tech founders rarely discuss: “investors don’t understand gaming”. Not fully, not yet.

So founders must build narratives that demystify gaming technology, showing it’s not “gambling”, it’s SaaS, AI, Payments, Data, and Creative IP. A strong pitch deck, numbers-driven storytelling, and clear monetization paths are crucial.

The Bigger Picture: Nigeria is Close, But Not There Yet

With the right structure, Nigeria can have gaming tech companies exporting software the same way fintechs export APIs today.

But we need discipline, strategy, support systems, and government policies that treat gaming tech as a real industry, not a footnote.

The raw talent is already here. The ideas are world-class. What we need now is the blueprint to scale, and the courage to follow it.

Next week, we’ll talk money, specifically, why Nigeria desperately needs a dedicated innovation fund for gaming technology.

Let us also pray agaisnt Writers’ Block!

*‘Gaming Grid’ is your weekly pulse on Nigeria’s gaming industry, its trends, and its trailblazers. Stay plugged in on Techeconomy as we unpack the opportunities beyond the odds. Contact the writer on: ejiofor.agada@gmail.com

Today, artificial intelligence, particularly Agentic AI, represents a new frontier, one that challenges not just our technological boundaries but our ethical, strategic, and existential ones.

At the center of this unfolding narrative is Medinatu Onyoza Musa, a Birmingham City University alumna and a distinguished member of the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN).

Medinatu is not just a cybersecurity expert; she is a national thought leader whose voice is shaping how Africa and the world confront the risks and responsibilities of autonomous systems.

Agentic AI is unlike any previous form of artificial intelligence. It doesn’t wait for human prompts or follow static rules.

It perceives, analyzes, decides, and acts; all independently. This autonomy is what makes it revolutionary, but also what makes it deeply concerning.

Medinatu has been one of the few experts to consistently raise the alarm about the unchecked deployment of Agentic AI, especially in cyber-physical environments where human lives, national security, and societal stability are at stake.

Her analysis is grounded in both technical depth and strategic foresight. She breaks down Agentic AI into its core components: the Data Agent, which collects information from sensors, databases, and APIs; the Analysis Agent, which interprets that data; and the Decision Agent, which acts on it, often without any human oversight.

In civilian applications, this architecture powers autonomous vehicles, delivery bots, smart manufacturing systems, and healthcare robotics.

It optimizes routes, detects faults, reduces downtime, and enhances productivity. In cybersecurity, Agentic AI is already being used to detect threats, deploy countermeasures, and make real-time defense decisions.

But Medinatu’s concern lies in its militarization. She has tracked how countries like the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and France are embedding Agentic AI into their defense strategies.

Shield AI’s MQ-35 V-BAT drone, for example, can autonomously collect data and execute tactical decisions.

China’s CETC unmanned ground systems exhibit Agentic AI characteristics, capable of mass drone deployment and autonomous precision strikes.

Russia’s UAVs are designed for stealth combat, tactical intelligence, and autonomous target engagement. Japan’s Loyal Wingman UAV and AI-assisted command systems are reshaping maritime and aerial defense. France’s ARTEMIS.IA program, backed by €100 million annually, is building AI-driven military decision support systems.

These developments are not theoretical. They represent a shift in global military doctrine, from human-led operations to machine-speed warfare.

Medinatu warns that this shift introduces unprecedented risks: misinterpretation of intent, unplanned escalation, and the erosion of human control in high-stakes engagements.

She points to the estimated $10 billion spent by the U.S. Department of Defense on AI-enhanced capabilities over the past five years, and the growing investments by China, Russia, and France.

The race to develop superior autonomous weapons and surveillance systems is not just technological, it’s geopolitical.

Beyond the battlefield, Medinatu is equally concerned about the societal implications of Agentic AI. As these systems become embedded in mobile devices, smart infrastructure, and online platforms, they introduce a new paradigm of passive surveillance. People’s movements, communications, and behaviours are increasingly monitored, not by humans, but by machines that learn, adapt, and act in real time.

Medinatu challenges us to ask: What happens when an autonomous system misfires? Who is accountable when a machine makes a fatal decision? How do we protect human agency in a world increasingly governed by algorithms?

Her expertise is not confined to critique. Medinatu is actively shaping policy conversations, advising institutions, and educating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

She understands that cybersecurity today is not just about firewalls and passwords, it’s about governance, ethics, and strategic resilience.

She advocates for robust oversight frameworks, technical safeguards, and international norms to ensure that Agentic AI serves humanity rather than undermines it.

Medinatu also highlights the dual-use nature of Agentic AI. In healthcare, it powers robotic surgery and autonomous diagnostics. In finance, it drives fraud detection and intelligent advisory systems. In energy, it manages smart grids and predictive maintenance. In retail and logistics, it forecasts demand and automates inventory. These benefits are real, but they must be balanced against the risks of autonomy without accountability.

What sets Medinatu apart is her ability to connect the dots, from technical architecture to geopolitical strategy, from operational efficiency to ethical oversight.

She doesn’t just describe what Agentic AI can do; she interrogates what it should do, and under what conditions.

Her voice is a reminder that innovation must be guided by responsibility, and that cybersecurity is the foundation upon which safe, ethical AI must be built.

In a world racing toward automation, Medinatu Onyoza Musa stands as a sentinel, urging caution, demanding transparency, and championing human-centered governance. Her work is not just relevant; it is essential.

As Agentic AI continues to evolve, Medinatu’s leadership ensures that Africa is not just a consumer of global technology trends, but a contributor to the ethical and strategic frameworks that will define the future.

Digital Reform Ahead of Schedule

At the launch in Abuja, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the interior minister announced that the ministry had surpassed the December 31 deadline set by the federal civil service to go paperless.

Going forward, all processing and documentation will be fully digital, eliminating traditional paper-based bureaucracy, according to Guardian report.

Sustainable, Mobile-First Infrastructure

INTERAS is powered by solar energy and operates from a resilient Tier-4 data centre, ensuring secure and sustainable data ownership by the government.

As Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized, this system enables mobile service delivery: files no longer stay on desks overnight, and government business can be handled remotely with greater speed and efficiency.

Integrated Digital Services Across Departments

The e-workflow hub connects all agencies under the Ministry of Interior, fully automating services in key areas such as citizenship applications, business permits, and marriage licenses.

The previously cumbersome quota administration process is now fraud-resistant thanks to data synchronization with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Additionally, electronic CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card) issuance has replaced manual forms.

Enhanced Border Security with APIS and Surveillance

Border monitoring systems have also been modernized. The Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), compliant with UN standards, now enables pre-arrival tracking of entrants into Nigeria.

Immigration profiling is now both objective and data-driven, significantly improving border control efficiency.

Digital Governance Earns Accolades

Didi Esther Walson-Jack, head of the Civil Service, hailed the launch as a pivotal step toward digital transformation in Nigeria’s public service, recognizing the Interior Ministry as the 18th ministry to adopt ECM.

She further acknowledged the ministry’s progress in streamlining visa, passport, and residence permit processes, directly benefiting millions of Nigerians and foreign visitors.

Institutional Vision and Leadership

Dr. Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary described the launch of INTERAS as “epoch-making,” lauding it as a milestone in progressive governance.

She emphasized that this isn’t just a technological update but a strategic framework for efficiency, accountability, and institutional continuity.

In just nine months, the ministry transitioned to a fully government-hosted digital platform, even without full equipment coverage.

As of the launch, 275 computers were operational, with plans to stock more in 2025.

The interface, developed by Zimedi Consult, includes hierarchically structured access controls and features such as an internal circular section, departmental filing tools, registry access, out-of-office requests, and payment vouchers.

This growth is being driven by the increasing demand for digital banking platforms and the rising adoption of cloud-based solutions.

With digital transformation accelerating, retail core banking systems are increasingly becoming essential to modern banking operations. 

Banks are shifting from traditional legacy systems to agile, cloud-enabled platforms that offer improved operational efficiency, real-time processing, and seamless omnichannel service.

This transition is also propelled by the growing expectation for hyper-personalized banking experiences, especially from younger, tech-savvy customers.

Retail Core Banking Systems Market Trends

• Banks are shifting toward unified core banking platforms that centralize customer data, transactional records, and product lifecycles across all channels. These integrated systems break down silos between retail, digital, and back-office operations, enabling banks to deliver seamless and consistent user experiences.

• In heavily regulated financial markets, retail core banking systems are evolving to ensure compliance with tightening regulatory requirements, data governance mandates, and cybersecurity protocols. Built-in features such as automated reporting, real-time transaction monitoring, and AI-driven anomaly detection help institutions stay compliant with domestic and international regulations like Basel III, PSD2, and GDPR. As compliance burdens increase, banks are using technology to ensure audit readiness, minimize regulatory penalties, and maintain customer trust.

• AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics are being embedded into core banking platforms to enable intelligent decision-making and proactive service delivery. From credit risk scoring and customer churn prediction to dynamic pricing and personalized product recommendations, advanced analytics are helping banks optimize operations and improve customer outcomes. These tools support smarter lending decisions, fraud detection, and hyper-personalized marketing campaigns, allowing banks to shift from transactional relationships to value-driven partnerships.

In response, banks are adopting advanced core systems that support open banking APIs, cloud computing, and data analytics.

These systems not only facilitate faster product rollouts but also ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

As digital banking becomes the standard, core banking systems are evolving from simple backend utilities to key enablers of innovation and customer engagement.

The rising need for flexible and responsive banking services is reshaping the financial landscape, leading to greater competition and more inclusive services.

As an avid advocate for embracing this transformative journey, I firmly believe that the integration of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) stands at the forefront of revolutionizing user journeys and enhancing overall experiences.

APIs serve as the digital bridges that connect different software applications and systems, allowing them to communicate seamlessly.

This connectivity not only streamlines internal processes within organizations, but also plays a pivotal role in crafting user-centric experiences.

By incorporating APIs into the digital transformation strategy, businesses can unlock a myriad of possibilities to elevate user interactions.

One of the key advantages of API integration lies in its ability to facilitate the smooth flow of data between various services.

This interoperability is the backbone of a cohesive digital ecosystem, ensuring that users encounter a unified and consistent experience across different touchpoints.

Whether it’s accessing information, making transactions, or interacting with customer support, the use of APIs ensures a harmonious journey that transcends siloed systems.

Moreover, the agility and flexibility offered by API integration empower businesses to adapt swiftly to changing market dynamics and user expectations. As services evolve, APIs provide a dynamic framework that enables organizations to introduce new features, functionalities, and collaborations seamlessly.

This adaptability is instrumental in staying ahead in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Consider the scenario of a banking application seamlessly integrating with a personal finance management tool through APIs.

Users can effortlessly track their spending, set budget goals, and make informed financial decisions – all within the familiar interface of their banking app. This not only simplifies the user experience but also demonstrates the potential for APIs to enrich services through strategic partnerships.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. While extolling the virtues of API integration, it is crucial to underscore the importance of robust security measures.

Safeguarding user data and ensuring privacy must be paramount in the design and implementation of API-driven solutions.

A breach in security not only jeopardizes user trust, but can have far-reaching consequences for the reputation of businesses.

In conclusion, digital transformation, when coupled with the strategic use of APIs, has the potential to redefine the landscape of user experiences. The seamless integration of services not only enhances efficiency within organizations, but also creates a user-centric environment where accessibility, adaptability, and security converge. As we navigate the digital era, let us embrace the transformative power of API integration to chart a course toward a more connected and user-friendly future.

• Eniola Boluogun is Delivery Manager, API & Integration, Skipton Building Society, United Kingdom.