A selection of tech news from Nigeria and Africa at large.
Tech Startups Capital | MTN 5G Network | Ulesson Technology | Ethical AI | ASUS Technologies
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238 Nigerian tech startups raised over $2 billion in 7 years, dominate Africa – Naira Metrics News
The latest report by Disrupt Africa has revealed that a total of 238 tech startups in Nigeria had raised $2.068 billion in the last seven years. It said this is far higher than any other African country received in the period, adding that Nigeria is the most popular investment destination on the continent.
The report, which captures funding in the tech startup ecosystem from January 2015 to August 2022, further disclosed that 107 Nigerian startups had raised funding in the last eight months, accounting for around one-third of the continent’s funded startups so far this year.
According to the ‘Nigerian Startup Ecosystem report 2022, Nigerian startups have raised $747.9 million this year. Read more here.
MTN Introduces 5G Network in Nigerian Cities, More to Come – Legit NG
On Sunday, September 18, MTN launched its 5G network in Lagos and said it plans to activate the service in six other states. The leading mobile telecommunication company said its 5G services would soon be live in Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano and Maiduguri. More sites, more services The company said in its 2022 half-year report that about 127 sites had been set up in anticipation of the 5G launch. The firm plans to blanket Nigeria with 5G coverage by 2025 and roll out the technology in phases. The fifth-generation (5G) network will change how people communicate forever. It has higher speed and lower latency than other generation networks, assuring less time wasted sending and receiving data on the web. MTN wants to extend its reach and coverage with the technology. According to the company, the focus will allow its customers to connect faster than before and provide high-speed internet that makes downloads faster and digitisation hassle-free. Reports quote the company’s CEO, Karl Toriola, saying at the launch in Lagos that every significant tech revolution changes how people live and connect and what’s possible. He highlighted the GSM journey in Nigeria and the emergence of the internet. Karl Toriola said 5G would change everything and allow users to connect, create, collaborate and compete in ways never imagined. Read more here.
Back to school: How learners in Nigeria use technology to prepare for the new school year – The Guardian
uLesson, the leading African edtech company, released a report on how learners use the app to prepare for the new school year, which began on September 12th. The report is based on a survey of more than 500 learners in Nigeria.
By complementing classroom instruction and allowing learners to learn at their own pace, uLesson has built a reputation as an invaluable study buddy for learners during the school year and on the holidays. The result is that 7 out of 10 learners use uLesson to study during summer lessons, and 90% depend on the uLesson app to prepare for the next school year.
Since making uLesson accessible to learners in Nigeria in 2020, uLesson has continuously grown its technology and content to match the needs of learners on the platform. Learners can use the platform for light revisions or guide deeper study sessions. 72% of learners spend at least 4 hours on the uLesson app weekly; 28% of learners study on uLesson for more than 4 hours.
uLesson’s intuitive interface and focus on making content digestible without compromising academic quality are reaping the rewards for its learners. Nearly 80% of learners say it’s straightforward to use.
Indeed the impact of uLesson is evident in the life of these students due to the visible evidence in their school performance. Read more here.
NITDA canvasses safer use of artificial intelligence – The Guardian
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in people’s lives and activities to an unnoticeable stage, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has urged the global tech community to find measures that will ensure that AI systems are built according to policies, regulations, and laws.
Inuwa made this call while joining world-leading tech experts at the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on a plenary session with the theme, “Catalysing AI Communities and Solutions: Sharing Cases Across the EU, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.”
According to the DG, getting people in the community to be part of building AI systems is very important. Because if a few techy people are allowed to develop AI systems, they will build the systems with a techy mindset, while the systems are used in many ways such as criminal justice, recruitment, profiling, etc. Hence, software engineers that build AI are beyond just software engineers; they are also social engineers.
The DG also used the medium to encourage the government to use armchair theory to develop laws or regulations whilst co-creating it with the ecosystem because the technology is new and evolving. Read more here.
Unveiling the latest technologies from ASUS – Tech City
Leading multinational computer and electronics company, ASUS, has said it will continue to defend its proud tradition of creating innovative technologies for everyone to enjoy. This was made known during the maiden edition of the ASUS Media Gathering Event held today at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos.
At the event, Simplice Zaongo, Country Manager for ASUS English Speaking Africa, spoke about the ASUS brand and its accomplishments and unveiled the latest technologies from ASUS. He introduced the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED (UX3402) and Zenbook 17-Fold (UX9702) to the Media.
Besides being the No.1 consumer notebook brand in Asia-Pacific and East Europe, ASUS gaming notebooks account for the highest market share, No.1 worldwide.
According to Adeola Odeleye, ASUS Nigeria Marketing Manager, the event would subsequently hold twice a year. According to her, “ASUS is driven by innovation and passionate about technology. The company dream, dare, and strive to create an effortless and joyful digital life for everyone. Also, ASUS IS always searching for incredible ideas and experiences whilst aspiring to deliver the incredible in everything they do.” Read more here.
