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Nigeria, Ericsson Launch Four-Month Hackathon to Strengthen Digital Skills

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The Federal Government of Nigeria and Ericsson will launch a four month innovation hackathon aimed at strengthening digital skills among young Nigerians, as part of efforts to deepen the country’s technology capacity The programme, known as the Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon, will be unveiled at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, according to a statement from the Office of the Vice President. The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding between both parties focused on digital upskilling. The hackathon will run for four months and combine hands on mentoring with an eight week acceleration phase. Participants will work across priority technologies including 5G, Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and sustainable digital solutions. Organisers said teams will develop ideas in areas such as digital inclusion, smart cities, agritech and sustainability. Majda Lahlou Kassi, Head of Ericsson West Africa, said the partnership reflects Ericsson’s long term interest in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. She noted that talent development and policy engagement remain central to addressing connectivity gaps and supporting inclusive growth. In addition, Ericsson will roll out its Educate programme targeted at policymakers and regulators in the information and communications technology sector. The training will focus on emerging technologies shaping industries and public services. The programme is open to university students, startups and young innovators across Nigeria. Applications are scheduled to run from February 11 to March 10, 2026. The initiative adds to broader efforts by public and private stakeholders to position Nigeria as a regional hub for next generation technology development.

News In Brief, Tech

Jumia Narrows Footprint as Algeria Exit Sharpens Profit Focus

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Jumia has formally ended its operations in Algeria, continuing a steady pullback from markets where scale has proved limited and profitability harder to achieve. The decision, disclosed in the company’s 2025 full-year report, reflects a broader effort to concentrate resources in markets with stronger growth prospects, particularly Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco. Algeria accounted for about 2 percent of Jumia’s gross merchandise value in 2025, making it a relatively small contributor to group performance. Founded in 2012 by Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara, Jumia built its early reputation on rapid geographic expansion across Africa. In recent years, however, management has shifted toward operational discipline, cost control and clearer paths to profitability. The company expects to record one-time exit costs related to employee severance and other wind-down expenses. It said the changes to its geographic footprint are intended to improve efficiency and allow management to focus capital on core markets. The move comes as competition intensifies across African eCommerce, with global platforms such as Temu and Shein expanding their cross-border presence. In response, Jumia has strengthened its sourcing capabilities, including opening an office in Yiwu, China, to enhance procurement and price competitiveness. Jumia has reiterated its target of reaching adjusted EBITDA breakeven by the fourth quarter of 2026 and achieving full-year profitability in 2027. For 2026, it expects gross merchandise value growth of between 27 and 32 percent, alongside a narrower adjusted EBITDA loss. The Algeria exit signals a company prioritising sustainability over reach, reflecting a maturing phase for Africa’s eCommerce sector.

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T2 Mobile Records Third Month of Internet Subscriber Gains After Rebrand

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T2 Mobile has added internet users for a third consecutive month, marking its first full quarter of sustained growth after years of decline, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission. The operator, formerly known as 9mobile, added 9,202 internet subscribers in December 2025, bringing its total to 780,237. While the increase remains modest, it signals a gradual stabilisation in a market dominated by larger rivals. The rebound follows T2 Mobile’s rebrand in August 2025 and a national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria. The partnership allows T2 customers to access MTN’s wider 2G, 3G, and 4G network in areas where T2 coverage is limited, improving service quality without requiring SIM swaps or number changes. However, the transition was not seamless. In August, shortly after the rebrand, T2’s internet subscriber base fell below one million for the first time, dropping to 744,044. Momentum began to return in October, when the operator added 10,918 users. Growth strengthened in November with a further 16,073 additions, lifting subscriptions to 771,035 before December’s gains. NCC’s Q4 2025 Industry Performance Report points to technical improvements behind the recovery. T2 ranked first in rural download speeds at about 24.9 Mbps and placed second nationally for overall user experience, supported by new spectrum, roaming access, and network upgrades. Despite these gains, challenges remain. T2 held about 1.8 percent market share with 3.22 million total subscribers and recorded the highest net port out losses in 2025, with around 28,000 customers leaving the network. Still, the recent trend suggests the operator is beginning to steady its position as it works to retain users in Nigeria’s increasingly concentrated telecom sector.

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Cape Town Tests AI Traffic Cameras as Legal Questions Shape Next Steps

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Cape Town is taking a cautious approach to the use of artificial intelligence in traffic enforcement, following early results from a pilot project that used AI powered cameras to detect seatbelt violations, mobile phone use while driving, and other road offences. City officials say there are no immediate plans for a large scale rollout. Instead, the municipality has asked South Africa’s National Director of Public Prosecutions for guidance on whether evidence generated by AI enabled cameras would be legally admissible in court. The response is expected to determine how quickly, or whether, the technology becomes part of routine enforcement. The pilot, launched in late 2024 in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation, tested whether the cameras could reliably track moving vehicles, capture images of suspected offences, and flag them for human review. According to the city, every potential violation identified by the system is verified by an official before any fine or penalty is issued. Cape Town’s interest in AI enforcement reflects growing pressure on traffic authorities. The city recorded more than 2.7 million traffic offences in the last financial year, while enforcement teams continue to face staffing constraints. Officials say technology is increasingly used to support limited human capacity, alongside the city’s existing network of static and mobile speed cameras. Any expansion of AI traffic monitoring would need to comply with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act, which places strict conditions on the collection and use of biometric and image data. Legal experts note that beyond privacy rules, AI generated evidence must also meet criminal procedure standards around accuracy, transparency, and the right of accused persons to challenge how conclusions are reached. For now, Cape Town’s position is measured. The city says AI may play a larger role in road safety over time, but only if prosecutors are satisfied the systems can stand up to legal scrutiny and maintain public trust. Category: TechTags: Artificial Intelligence, Urban Mobility

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Fintechs Ask CBN for Clearer Rules as Crypto Activity Grows in Nigeria

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Nigerian fintech companies are asking the Central Bank of Nigeria to clearly spell out which cryptocurrency related activities are allowed for licensed financial institutions, as interest in digital assets continues to grow across the country. The request follows findings from the CBN’s newly released Fintech Report, which draws from surveys, workshops, and closed sessions with operators across Nigeria’s financial technology ecosystem. While many firms see crypto assets as relevant to payments and financial inclusion, regulatory uncertainty remains a major constraint. According to the report, fintech leaders believe clearer rules could unlock use cases such as cross border payments, digital asset custody, tokenisation, and stablecoin services. However, the lack of detailed guidance has limited how banks and licensed fintechs engage with the sector. Stakeholders broadly supported a risk based, activity focused approach rather than broad restrictions, arguing that distinguishing between lower risk applications and higher risk activities would allow innovation to develop while preserving oversight and consumer protection. Participants also raised concerns about fraud and price volatility, calling for stronger public guidance without framing all crypto activity as illicit. The report points to international examples such as Singapore’s digital asset licensing framework and the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets rules as reference points for balanced regulation. In Nigeria, the CBN’s 2023 virtual asset guidelines allowed banks to open accounts for virtual asset service providers. Industry players say clearer enforcement would improve confidence and support responsible market participation.

Africa Focus, News In Brief, Tech

Moniepoint’s Volumes Show How Deep Digital Payments Run in Nigeria

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Moniepoint has quietly become one of the central pipes through which Nigeria’s everyday commerce now flows. Internal company data shows the fintech processed more than 14 billion transactions in 2025, nearly triple the 5.2 billion recorded two years earlier, underscoring how fast digital payments are scaling across the country. Those transactions were valued at about ₦412 trillion ($294 billion), almost double the $150 billion processed in 2023. On a monthly basis, Moniepoint averaged roughly 1.67 billion transactions in 2025, up from 433 million previously. The growth reflects broader shifts in Nigeria’s payments landscape. Cash shortages in 2023, banking outages linked to core system migrations, and tighter cash policies from the central bank pushed consumers and merchants toward fintech platforms. In response, Moniepoint and peers expanded aggressively, rolling out point of sale terminals and agency banking services nationwide. Founded by Tosin Eniolorunda, Moniepoint has built its scale by serving small businesses that traditional banks have struggled to reach. Provision stores, transport operators, fuel stations, and market traders now account for a large share of its volumes, making the informal economy a key driver of growth. The transaction depth has also shaped the company’s next phase. In 2025, Moniepoint disbursed more than ₦1 trillion in loans to small businesses, using payment data to manage risk and keep defaults low. It also expanded cards, savings, and remittances as it moved closer to full service banking. This scale places it among influential financial platforms in Nigeria currently.