Themed: “Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) in Emerging Economy”, AfriTECH 3.0 is also supported by Comercio Limited, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Datasixth Security Consulting, PalmPay, Reliance Infosystem, Digital Realty, ActivEdge Technologies, Africa Data Centres (ADC), WTES, ESET and host of others.

Hosted by TechCastle Foundation in collaboration with Techeconomy and partners, AfriTECH 3.0 is a unique engagement platform for global thought leaders, regulators, and other stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on contemporary strategies for accelerating technology ecosystem in the African continent and globally.

Speaking ahead of the Forum next week, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener of AfriTECH, reiterated that today, the boundary between hardware and software is blurring. Software is infiltrating more and more technology products that used to function only by mechanical rules and analog signals.

“Different models of driverless cars are navigating themselves with sensors and software. This trend is not stopping. Hardware-based technology companies often find themselves falling behind their innovative software counterparts in identifying new value for customers.

“In more dramatic cases categories of hardware technology got replaced by software. No one still buys radio or CD players anymore.

Thus, software is threatening to replace hardware-based networking. The “commoditization trap” for hardware seems impossible to escape without a product strategy backed by software innovation hence over 70% of the world economy has become services, and this percentage continues to grow worldwide.

As of 2020 the United States produced 79% of its GDP in services. Majority of the companies in Africa are strategizing to compete primarily on a service basis.

This approach referred to as Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS), which is the rising future for technology sectors, will be discussed at AfriTECH 3.0.

Programmes expected at AfriTECH 3.0 include keynotes by Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) & Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO, Open Access Data Centre (OADC), goodwill messages by industry stakeholders, fireside chat, commercial presentations/product launch and media sessions.

The prestigious Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards will be conferred on individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in Africa by leveraging technology to enrich the lives of the people.

“Other key topics to be explored include TaaS-driven last mile solutions, leveraging big data and artificial intelligence, inclusive product innovation, Driving ‘TaaS’ Model through infrastructure deployment, leveraging subscription model to survive tough economic times, cloud computing, omnichannel communications for improved CX, Consumer protection, fraud and data privacy, etc”, Peter Oluka, the co-convener of AfriTECH, said.

“The past editions of AfriTECH were well attended by C-Suite executives, investors, innovators, senior government officials from within and outside the Continent. With over 1,500 participants and feedback on the events overwhelmingly positive, the 2023 edition is much anticipated.

As Media partners;

The Guardian Newspaper (Nigeria), Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, RaveNewsOnline.com, ITPulse.com.ng, ITNews Nigeria, Swift Reporters, TechBuild.Africa, TechTrends.Africa, BusinessMetricsng.com, BusinessRemarks, DigitalTimesng.com, ITRealms.com.ng, GrassRoots.ng, TechTv, TechLifeWithUgo, DigiVation Network, TechnologyMirror, TechandBiz News, APNews, CyberEra, have demonstrated their support towards AfriTECH 3.0 actualization.

AfriTECH 3.0 is also backed by leading industry associations such as the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS); Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ATLTON); Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON); Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN); InnovationBed Africa; Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), amongst others.

“Overall, AfriTECH 3.0 promises to be an insightful and engaging platform for networking with a vibrant and globally diverse community and an eclectic mix of offerings to enrich participants’ in-person and/or virtual experience”, Oluka added.

The Nigeria’s Top 50 Digital Economy Enablers 2023 holds this week in Lagos February 14, 2023 at the prestigious Providence Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

“The Top 50 honours corporate entities and individuals, who embody the struggle, profound insights, stamina, infectious optimism and triumph in the extremely challenging but rewarding Nigeria’s digital economy sector. The Top 50 in itself has become an institutionalised agenda to identify the industry leaders in general and specific aspects of the market,” organises announced at the weekend in Lagos.

“The 2023 edition (with a micro conference) is a coming together of industry players including TechEconomy, TechTV, ITPulse; and TechandBiz.com led by IT Edge News.Africa, to anchor an appraisal of market perforce, market (indigenous) actors and their response to local and global challenges across industry verticals,” said Olusegun Oruame, CEO, Knowhow Media, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa.

The event is a gathering of regulators and operators as the industry recognises its champions to discuss its future in a changing global economy. Confirmed speakers are National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, who will be joining other regulators including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and other industry leaders to share insights on the sector’s opportunities and challenges.

According to Chairman, Top 50 2023, Dr. Sola Afolabi, this year worked through a multitude of identifiable metric as the Top 50 does not necessarily benchmark on “the largest tech companies by market capitalization; or by sales/net revenue; or by employment size.”

The focuses on largely indigenous companies, including public institutions that have embraced change, inspiringly handled customer loyalty and retention; despite their size, and have demonstrated uncanny resilience, robustness and responsiveness to the challenges and inherent market opportunities in no easy way.

The 2023 list include Open Access Data Centres (OADC); FinTrak Software Co. Ltd; Ezzential Global Services Ltd; Crystalfix Nigeria LTD (CNL); Cedarview Communications Limited (CCL); Zora Communication Limited; Information Connectivity Solution Limited (ICSL); Unitellas International Limited; Swift Telephone Network Ltd (STN); HD Technologies; Smart Web Nigeria Limited.

The list also has among others: Skymax Integrated Network Limited; ipNX Nigeria Limited; Infratel Limited; Switch Solutions Limited; Broadbased Communications Ltd; Medallion Data Centres Limited; UNICCON Group of Companies (The UNICCON Group); Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN); Precise Financial Systems Ltd; Tezza Business Solutions; and Data Services Protection Limited (DSPL).

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The Nigeria’s Top 50 Digital Economy Enablers 2023 is a rallying ground for private sector players to mutually advance the interest of the industry.

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Innovative fuelless power generation company, Windelectric Nigeria has availed Nigerians of its unique range of power generation systems that requires no fossil fuel to generate industrial-grade power.

At an event held penultimate Thursday in Lagos organized by Tech TV called Digital Agenda Forum 2022, the proponents of Windelectric Nigeria, explained to a cross section of technology enthusiasts about the fundamental components and work-ability of the fuelless generator.

During his presentation, a director of the company, Professor Ademola Akinrinade, explained that the fuelless generator was from the application of some basic principles of Physics that relied mostly on a magnetic field created to replenish itself and at the same time generate power.

Prof Akinrinade explained that Windelectric Nigeria was born out of a need to not only help Nigeria solve its energy crisis but also to aid the country’s quest at Industrial Revolution.

Citing several sources, Professor Ademola explained that lack of electricity has stunted the growth of the industrial sector within the small and medium-scale Enterprise Arena in Nigeria.

But with the innovative fuelless generator from Windelectric Nigeria, the country now has the capacity to focus less on issues surrounding power supply and focus more on actual production.

He went further to state that in reality, the electromagnetic powered generator from Windelectric Nigeria is a better definition of what green energy actually is. According to him, “unlike some other green energy solutions like battery, wind and solar, what Windelectric Nigeria is bringing to the table is the only real and truly green energy that can power industrial sector alongside thermal power”.

At the event which had in attendance Technology eggheads like Dr. Pius Okigbo jnr, the past president of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr. Macdonalds Chidi from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Rita Ndidi Amuchenwa, country executive leader Intel Corporation west Africa, Her Excellency Samata Gifty Bukari, Ghana Consulate General to Nigeria, Engr. James Agada of Ixzdore Laboratories, Dr. Victoria Ekhomo of Transworld Security, and a plethora of other technology enthusiasts and experts, the focus was basically to discuss and dissect the technology landscape for the country going forward.

With such objective the theme from Windelectric Nigeria which was led by its chairman and chief executive officer, Engr. Tunji Ishola, made a promise that utilizing the advantages or the fuelless generator all other technology advancements of the country can be realized especially when the issue of free and renewable energy is added into the mix.

While receiving the award for Most Innovative Renewable Energy provider from the organizers of the event represented by Don Pedro Aganbi, the CEO of Windelectric Nigeria promised to use the award as a motivator to spread the gospel of renewable energy across the country and continent.

Windelectric Nigeria  is a credible Nigerian company based in Ogun state, Nigeria and its team is comprised of individuals with wide experience in power generation technologies.

They have explored the open source journals of one of the greatest inventors of all time, Nicola Tesla to design & model the Windelectric Magnetic Power Generator (WMPG).

This is in furtherance of the Commission’s determination to fast-track the achievement of the National Digital transformation agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), NCC, revealed this at the TechTV, Digital Agenda Forum which held in Lagos last week.

The session, which had the theme “Looking Forward 2023 – Convergence of 5G, AI, IoT & Blockchain.” was a platform to review the activities and progress in the nation’s ICT industry in 2022 and an insight into expectations for 2023.

Prof Danbatta, speaking through Dr. Chudi Diugwu, Deputy Director, New Media and Information Security at the Commission, “the NCC is working to ensure a comprehensive Digital Transformation as a key driver by converging and harnessing the successes of various emerging technologies at our disposal for the common good of our nation’s transformation agenda.”

He explained that artificial intelligence (AI) programs are necessary for a fully functional and efficient 5G network as conventional 4G networks with all-IP (Internet Protocol) broadband connectivity are reactive, which results in low spectrum utilization.

The field of Al and its subcategories such as machine learning and deep learning has advanced to the point where 5G wireless networks can now be proactive and predictive, which is crucial for realizing the 5G vision of high spectrum utilization by enabling new advanced services based on its support for Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC).

In addition, he added, that the 5G network will be critical to fully implementing the Internet of Things (loTs) that connects computing resources such as sensors, automobiles, and wearable gadgets with people.

Prof Danbatta remarked that to enhance economic transformation, the NCC is making efforts to continually drive initiatives that accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure in Nigeria. It is through this effort that the Commission had in December 2021 awarded two telecommunication companies the bid for the 5G spectrum licenses in one of the most remarkable and successful auctions in Africa.

Ghanaian Consul General in Lagos, her Excellency, Samata Gifty Bukari, thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission for providing an uncommon regulatory prowess that other African telecom regulator are emulating as the NCC continues to create an enabling Telecom environment for investors.

She called on leaders across the continent to be committed to digital economy agenda as it has the potential to transform nations noting that digital education is a panacea not an option in this age.

Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa, Country Executive Leader, West Africa Intel Corporation, who delivered the keynote address stated that the firm is investing in education, especially skills for innovation and artificial intelligence. It is working with state governments to expand access to digital knowledge and skills.

She revealed that Intel is empowering universities noting that it has a project with Baze University to build a platform to enable them to take the know-how to the grassroots.

Pius Okigbo Jnr, CEO, InfoSoft Nigeria Limited, and the Chairman of the Digital Agenda Forum 2022, noted that education is critical to creating the future we desire.

He called on governments at all levels to make education a priority.