He led with strength and conviction. His presence on the Board was unifying. He championed good governance, corporate responsibility, and long-term value, deeply committed to the greater good. In challenging times, he remained a stabilising force.

Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria in a tribute to the pious leader, remembered some of his (Dr. Dozie’s) landmark contributions;

1. MTN Foundation

Dr. Dozie championed the incorporation of the MTN Nigeria Foundation in 2004, signaling the telco’s commitment to dedicating a percentage of profit after tax to social investments;

As part of its ongoing investment in education, the MTN Foundation has awarded 14,728 scholarships in the past 15 years, worth over NGN3 billion.

2. MTN Switching Centres

He fully backed the management team towards the launch of one of Africa’s largest switching centres in 2010. Presently, MTN has a switching center in Ojota, and another one in Ikoyi, Lagos, which are data centers that host servers and IT infrastructure.

3. Resolution of tax issues

MTN Nigeria’s often impressive profit margin faced threats on two fronts as earnings were hit by a weak naira and a tax demand threatens from the tax authorities.

There was a technical disagreement between MTN and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as to how $1.04 trillion Fine should be treated for tax purposes. However, Dr. Dozie played “significant role in 2015 during critical conversations around the regulatory fine and its resolution”, Toriola wrote.

4. 3G Feature Phone

In 2018, MTN, in partnership with KaiOS Technologies, China Mobile, and UNISOC, introduced Africa’s first 3G feature phone, codenamed the “MTN Smart”.

The device was launched to provide affordable connectivity in Africa, initially in Nigeria and South Africa, and later in other MTN markets.

5. MTN listing on Nigerian Exchange

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc was listed on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange by introduction on May 16, 2019.

Following the successful listing, MTN Nigeria became the first Mobile Network Operator to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“His unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential and his dedication to its development were truly inspiring. His leadership at MTN Nigeria laid the foundation for our success, and his legacy will continue to guide us in the years to come,” Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria.

The post Five Landmark Contributions of Pascal Dozie as Chairman MTN Nigeria appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Beginning in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies will deliver affordable payment acceptance devices and stimulate the growth of a more inclusive, connected global economy.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) – especially in developing markets – still struggle to adopt digital payments, from the expenses linked to traditional payment acceptance terminals to technical implementation challenges. This, in turn, makes it harder for these businesses to meaningfully participate in the digital economy and limits inclusive growth.

KaiOS Technologies and Mastercard are collaborating to help millions of SMEs globally accept digital payments using KaiOS devices.

Even the smallest businesses will be able to use their low-cost devices to accept payments safely and easily via Mastercard QR, Mobile Point-of-Sale solutions and Tap & Go contactless payments technology.

Signing up is simple. Business owners can use their KaiOS-powered phone to enroll. After entering their registered credentials and authenticating via a one-time password, SMEs can then access and use a variety of digital payment options.

“Acceptance fuels a successful digital economy, so it’s critical that we meet people where they are today and move them forward together,” said Jorn Lambert, chief product officer at Mastercard. “Whether it’s a micro-merchant in Cote d’Ivoire to an enterprise in Indonesia, our goal is to make it as easy for merchants to accept digital payments as it is for consumers to make them. We’re looking forward to working closely with KaiOS Technologies to bring the best of our technology, scale, and expertise together to drive growth for emerging markets around the world.”

“At KaiOS Technologies, our mission is to connect underserved communities with the digital world. By bringing Mastercard’s secure payment technology to affordable internet phones running KaiOS, we’re unlocking new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs, allowing them to participate in modern commerce more fully. This innovation brings down the barriers and enables an affordable consumer device to become a powerful business tool,” said Sebastien Codeville, chief executive officer of KaiOS Technologies.

This announcement strengthens the alliance between Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies as the operating system continues to grow.

Today, KaiOS Technologies works with major carriers, mobile network operators, and mobile phone manufacturers in emerging regions, with plans to expand to include acquiring banks, payment facilitators, fintechs and more.

Previously, KaiOS Technologies joined Mastercard’s award-winning startup engagement program, Start Path, to embed a range of payment solutions to foster digital inclusion.

As part of this extended collaboration, Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies will focus on African markets first, collaborating with partners like Touch and Pay Technologies (TAP) and Wizzit to extend access to in-market merchants.

What the partners are saying:

“At TAP, we are always looking for innovative solutions that enhance the accessibility and convenience of financial services for underserved populations. Our partnership with KaiOS and Mastercard is a game-changer for our existing and new customers, particularly in emerging markets,” said Olamide Afolabi, chief executive officer of TAP. “By integrating KaiOS into our platform, we’re enabling millions of users with feature phones to access seamless digital payment solutions and financial services that were previously out of reach. This partnership is a vital step in furthering our mission to drive financial inclusion and empower communities through technology.”

“Wizzit is excited to join forces with KaiOS and Mastercard to expand secure payment acceptance solutions across Africa and beyond,” said Dirk Bruynse, chief operating officer of Wizzit. “This partnership will enable us to scale our switching capabilities and deliver innovative payment solutions that cater to the evolving needs of businesses of all sizes. We are confident that this collaboration will set new benchmarks for efficiency and drive greater financial inclusion.”

The post Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies Collaborate to Simplify Acceptance for Millions of SMEs in Emerging Markets appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.