The billionaire founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was reportedly detained at Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening, according to French news outlets TF1 and BFM TV. Durov, who was travelling on his private jet from Azerbaijan, was arrested under a French warrant related to a preliminary police investigation into Telegram’s alleged role in facilitating criminal activities, reports …

The Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation (SUF) has said it is working to establish the first artificial intelligence (AI) centre in Nigeria to develop education. A Trustee of the foundation, Sadiq Usman said this while speaking with reporters in Abuja on Thursday. The centre, dedicated to advancing skills, innovation, and economic development through AI, will be formally launched on 26 September, alongside …

The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) says it plans to license providers of virtual assets including cryptocurrencies to tap opportunities and protect investors as adoption rates surge in Nigeria. Speaking during an interview with Bloomberg, SEC’s director-general, Emomotimi Agama said the commission intends to issue first licences for digital service and tokenised assets this month. “Being a crypto enthusiast and fintech …

Fred Ofili dreads going to work. Like many Lagosians, the 26-year-old content creator lives on the mainland but works and rents camera equipment on the island – a busy district that hosts many businesses. He gets to work using the ubiquitous Lagos danfos, which are often expensive and slow. In September 2023, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a popular public-private metro …

Nigeria’s telecom landscape has driven the West African tech economy up the ladder with the region’s telecoms sector now hitting $63.1 trillion. The huge revenue accrues from activities in the Fintechs, E-commerce and Digital Market places which contribute 80 per cent growth annually. The region is also bolstered by $30 billion injected annually, into the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), …

Google Ads has announced a suite of new AI-driven tools designed to revolutionize the way marketers create and optimize campaigns. By combining advanced analytics with intuitive creative features, Google Ads empowers businesses to unlock their full potential and deliver exceptional results. Google’s Communications & Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said: “We are excited to introduce these innovative tools …

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has described Meta’s threat to exit the country in response to the $220 million fine as a move to influence public opinion and coerce the commission into reevaluating its decision. It affirmed that the ruling to fine Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, followed legitimate concerns about …

One week after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine on WhatsApp for a data privacy breach, the company may suspend its operations in the country due to further regulatory demands. Sources close to the situation indicate that WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, is contemplating the withdrawal of certain services from Nigeria. Alongside the substantial …

Hoodlums have looted the newly built Digital Innovation Park in Kano as the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest started on Thursday. The vandals targeted the Kano Information and Communication Technology Centre, just days before its scheduled launch, setting it on fire and making off with valuable equipment. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani expressed concern over the destruction of …

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc reported a loss after tax of N519.1 billion for the first half of 2024, due to record-high inflation and a weaker Naira. The loss was reported in its financial results for the period ending June 2024 The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola said: “The macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria have been challenging during …