La Casera Awards ‘Spoken Word’ Challenge Winners

The La Casera Company Plc., a carbonated soft drink brand, has rewarded the winners of its recently concluded ‘Spoken Word’ challenge, which aimed to highlight and celebrate talented budding creatives across the country.

According to the organization, the challenge was designed to allow talents to use their creative abilities to speak on important societal issues.

Many poets competed in the Spoken War contest for the grand prize of N1,000,000.

The contest received over 5,000 entries in its two preliminary stages, which were held online, with the top six contenders converging in Lagos for the grand finale show at the Pop Central Studios.

In both the first and second rounds, participants were shortlisted based on the number of likes they received as well as the judges’ reviews and scores.

The four judges were renowned poets, authors, and spoken word artists from Nigeria and other countries.

Olumide Holloway, Efe Paul Azino, Obii Ifejika, and Maryam Bukar Hassan were among them.

The contest’s grand finale was broadcast live on Popcentral TV, where David Osaodion Odiase, better known as 78th Psalmist, was crowned overall winner, with Loveth Liberty and Divine Titus taking home N500,000 and N300,000, respectively.

Mr. Chinedum Okereke, Managing Director of The La Casera Company, stated, “We believe strongly in Nigerian youths and their potential.” They require brands to believe in them and support them through the various stages of their stardom, and our goal is to ensure that we provide a platform for creativity, fun, and youth empowerment.

“I’d like to congratulate the winners and let you know that the brand believes in your potential.”

Mr. Emmanuel Agu, Marketing Director of The La Casera Company, added that the contest was designed to inspire and reward creative talents, and that the organization was committed to instilling the ‘Can do’ spirit in Nigerian youths.

Odiase, the overall winner and a National Open University mass communications student, stated in his appreciation note, “My expectation was to get to the first three because I was competing against other candidates who are very good with their craft?” I am eternally grateful to La Casera because everything worked out in the end. This is one of the most inspiring learning curves I’ve ever experienced. I encourage my fellow students to never give up on their dreams.”

Top 5 Metaverse Platforms For Consumers And Enterprises

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When out-of-the-world experience defines the ultimate happiness for humans, Metaverse comes to hold the beacon. Dubbed the next iteration of the internet, the augmented reality-centered forum gives us to live in a surreal world.

More so when it comes to enterprises who are on a constant hunt for designing never seen before products to lure consumers either to develop a sense of belonging to the product or to create new needs.

The increasing use of AR / VR headset sales from 2017 to 2021, which almost shot up by 56% during this period, demonstrates how much acceptability Meta has gained amongst the consumers.

Retailers not wanting to be left behind in giving their consumers unique and parallel to real-life experiences, are fast upping their game. Here are 5 examples of such innovative initiatives that entrepreneurs and consumers are grooving up to.

Roblox

Roblox is known as a space for kids to create, play and engage with others. It became extremely popular at the height of the pandemic as parents relied on it to help their children continue to socialize. Roblox hosts games and virtual experiences that are created on its platform. This includes selling avatar customizations and Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) to earn Robux, the platform’s digital currency. Roblox is one to watch because of its ability to allow companies to reach a key demographic that most leave out: future buyers.

Stageverse

Stageverse is available on Oculus Quest, iOS, and Android devices. Just visit your app store to download it. Stageverse is a social VR platform featuring virtual venues, interactive experiences, and digital content. The platform debuted with a 360-degree concert experience of Muse: Simulation Theory. The Stageverse platform allows multiple viewers to experience concerts together through 3D footage from multiple angles around the venue.

Spatial

Spatial is an augmented and virtual reality platform that brings collaboration to life. It lets users interact with one another in virtual rooms using VR headsets, mobile devices, or desktops. People can share content and ideas in real-time, and use the platform to work together virtually.

Efinity

Efinity is a metaverse that, at its core, is a space for artists to turn their digital artwork and other assets into blockchain NFTs. These flexible cross-platform NFTs can also uniquely be integrated into any space including games. This company boasts the hands-on approach of helping users manage and monetize their work in its virtual space. Efinity offers a market where artists can sell their work and foster the feeling of exclusivity through this NFT space.

Illuvium

L2 Network is the new blockchain network that provides a unique gaming environment for gamers. Players journey across vast and varied settings in order to track and capture miraculous deity-like creatures called Illuvium.

The game’s timeline for the Metaverse is interesting, providing players a taste of story-telling and cutting-edge design that makes the whole experience immersive.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the author’s opinion and not investment advice – it is provided for educational purposes only. By using this, you agree that the information does not constitute any investment or financial instructions. Do conduct your own research and reach out to financial advisors before making any investment decisions.

Top 7 African Cryptocurrency Projects- Overview

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Listing the best African cryptocurrency projects has not been so difficult, though. The startups that we listed have shown potential in the first months of existence to diversify the use of blockchain and a high number of users in a short time.

We also took in mind the growing rate, investment funds, global availability, and startup ideas.

 >>>Get the Best Crypto Project Now<<<

Which are the best African cryptocurrency projects?

Before we list the best African cryptocurrency projects, we have to point out that some of the most popular and stable cryptocurrencies exist in Africa. While you check which projects are most available and simplest for use, you should learn about the new funny and interesting crypto to invest in. You can play the game and show your creativity thanks to them, aside from earning money.

 >>>Get the Best Crypto Project Now<<<

Tamadoge

Tamadoge is a new meme coin with utility, a combination of the P2E game and Metaverse, the next Dodge and Shiba Inu model of playing. In an aspect of Metaverse, the game include pets, where each of them has its own 3D rendering. P2E aspect presumes to play where more time spent bringing baby Tamadoge; you earn more rewards. The most valuable reward relates to skill level in battle with other pets. In that way, the game leverages the brand recognition of Doge with a 100x growth opportunity. It is an innovative use of NFTs with Tamadoge pets and the “Tamaverse.” However, the game is more of a Play and Earn game than the classic Play-to-earn model since it attracts gamers that are not oriented toward cryptocurrency. You will be able to mine, feed, and care for Tamadoge pets. The game has anti-rug pull, controlled by a smart contract audited by Solid Proof. The game is already highly popular, with more than 15k followers on Twitter and 12k on Telegram.

The basic game is oriented toward keeping Tamadoge pets. You care about it from birth to adulthood. You will be able to buy pets using the app next year in a special store, and you can buy no limited number of pets. Those stores will also sell food, clothes, toys, and cosmetic items for your pet. The reward for caring for your virtual pet is Dogepoint, and you can battle with them to move up on the leaderboard. During the fourth quarter of 2023, developers will provide a mobile app that will make playing and caring about the pet easier. The game uses NFT to create each pet unique, with its individual characteristics, randomly assigned.

Buyers will enjoy no vesting period with mitigated dumping. Beta presale started July 25 and should end on September 2, followed by general presale expected in the fourth quarter of the year. You will be able to buy TAMA (native Tamadoge coin) with ETH and USDT by using Metamask or Trust Wallet, with no limitations in terms of minimum and maximum investments. However, the recommended minimum is $150, and unlike Axie and other P2E tokens, the TAMA is a deflationary token. There are no taxes on TAMA transactions. TAMA revenues are split on 5% burn, 30% marketing and development, and 65% P2E prize pool. The total supply is 2,000,000,000, 50% for presale, 30% unlocked over 10 years for project development, and 20% for listings on DEX and CEXs.

 >>>Buy Tamadoge Now<<<

 Battle Infinity

Battle Infinity is one of the most popular P2E multiple battle games based on the gaming platform. It combines gaming, DeFi, and NFTs, and you can play one of the most profitable cryptocurrencies at this moment, presuming to become one of the best African cryptocurrency projects. The model creates a special ecosystem with different options for players, creators, and artists. Since the game is integrated into the IBAT Battle Arena with their Metaverse world, you can combine different plans and aims. As a matter of fact, you do not need to play games at all. The space allows you to explore virtual reality through the game, interact with other players, watch them play, and perform along with them. You can create your own avatar or details inside of the game. All of that, you can sell as an NFT token and become an artist in this virtual space.

By using Battle Infinity’s built-in marketplace, you can play with other players online and take benefits from a decentralized and transparent process. You can create through the game, sell, and earn from the special NFT market. Upgrading your avatar could be a piece of art, as well as uploaded photos, virtual landscapes, and all you can invest for passive income. You can also advertise on the platform and simply play the game. If you become a member of Battle Infinity’s Telegram group, you can earn 20% of the total $IBAT supply, which presumes a lot of advantages for upcoming presales.

How to buy Battle Infinity (IBAT) in presale step-by-step guide

The process is slightly different from buying other cryptocurrencies. Finally, the pre-sale is handled directly by the publisher, on the pre-sale platform specially created for this purpose. Experience has shown that with the following steps you have IBAT tokens in your wallet in less than 10 minutes.

1. Open the Battle Infinity pre-sale website

First, the crypto investors visit the Battle Infinity pre-sale page. Here the crucial windows open immediately.

2. Buy Binance Coin

The IBAT Coin is designed as a BEP-20 token and runs on the Binance Smart Chain. This means that one must own Binance Coin in order to buy IBAT. If you have this in your wallet, you can proceed directly. On the other hand, one should first buy BNB – for example via the online broker eToro, which does not charge any commission and allows a crypto purchase in less than 10 minutes. 

3. Connect wallet to Battle Infinity

The next step is to connect the wallet to Battle Infinity. This is possible with the Metamask Wallet or the Walletconnect function. It is important that the corresponding wallets have been switched to the Binance Smart Chain.

4. Select the desired amount of IBAT and complete the purchase

Now select the desired amount of IBAT. You can see directly how many Binance Coins are required. For example, if you want 250,000 IBAT tokens, you have to invest around 1.5 BNB. One last click on “Buy IBAT” and the purchase is complete.

Yellow Card

Yellow Card is not a particular cryptocurrency, but it is one of the best African cryptocurrency projects. The company was formally launched in 2019, although the first model had been made three years before. The creators are Chris Maurice and Justin Poiroux, both dedicated to enabling Africans at home and abroad to purchase and sell Bitcoin as their local currency. They were able to use bank transfers, cash, and mobile money.

The Nigerian company now has more than 35,000 merchants that circulate $165 million in crypto remittances in 2020. During this year, though, they expanded operations to South Africa and Botswana, raising $1.5 million in seed capital. It opened new services in Kenya and Cameroon. It is expected that the company will add new capabilities and facilitate more news and details. Thanks to the long list of languages, including Igbo, Arabic, Afrikaans, French, Hausa, Luganda, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Swahili, the app is available to a long list of clients.

Polkadot

One of the common comments about the Polkadot is that it is a blockchain of blockchains, with the main objective to facilitate the new networks. For those reasons, we believe that it is one of the best African cryptocurrency projects. The building of new networks should make the job easier for developers, too. Developers can create new blockchains and work in concert with current ones. They do not rely on complicated bridging protocols. This network also enables it to be entirely configurable without sacrificing safety and security. It is not the end of the growth of the Polkadot since they will power the Web 3.0 revolution.

Solana

It is for sure that Solana is not only one of the best African cryptocurrency projects; it is one of the fastest crypto networks around. The research and implementation of Solana are allowed by dApps and smart contracts. You can operate these tokens on a proof-of-history and a proof-of-stake consensus scheme. It is the reason why the project has more than 50,000 transactions each second, without bugs and problems.

It is supposed to be the first network that utilized smart contracts, so today has more than 350 different projects running on this network. It restored more than 17,000% of its value in the previous year. All the above have placed Solana on the list of the 10 best currencies in Africa, with $53 billion in value.

Akon City

Akon City is created in Senegal, making an amazing $6 billion in a short time. The project was released on November 11, 2020, and began trading on the Bittrex Global network. The native currency called (AKN) people will be able to use as a paying method in Kenya next year. One of the best African cryptocurrency projects, Akon City, has 20,000 workers who also get their salaries in this currency. The project goes further since the developers have plans to make a metropolis with 35,000 citizens and 2,000 retails.

Bitsika

Bitsika was created in 2018 by two Ghanaians, Atsu Davoh and Samuel Boahen. With 1,000 users, it sounds amazing that the project has earned over $700,000 in revenue so far. As one of the best African cryptocurrency projects, Bitsika makes transactions between selected African countries in Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Mauritius easier. Those transactions are without charges within a specific transaction threshold. One of the best features is that users can trade in local currencies, along with the US dollar, and in cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin. They can use bank transfer, cash, and mobile money, whatever make their trading easier and more comfortable.

 >>>Get the Best Crypto Project Now<<<

Conclusion

Choosing the best projects to invest in is not easy, so you should be extremely careful. When listing the best projects for this purpose, we have taken in mind a few important factors. Among them are growth rate, investment funds, global availability, and startup ideas. However, you should consider investing in some of the most interesting games and platforms where you can show more than simply playing capacity. You can earn money by playing games or creating your own avatar. It is the reason why we put Battle Infinity and Tamadoge on the list of the best African cryptocurrency projects.

MTN Targets 43m Households With Home Broadband Services

MTN has launched home broadband services targeting 43 million households and 40 million medium and small-scale enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

Besides, MTN said this service is also in line to accelerate broadband penetration in alignment with the Federal Government’s plan to achieve over 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.

At the unveiling in Lagos on Wednesday, the telecommunications company noted that with over 200 million people, Nigeria currently boasts of approximately 44.3 per cent Internet connectivity, whereas other African countries, such as South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, are at 68, 74, and 48 per cent Internet penetration, respectively.

It added that global technology statistics closely link Internet connectivity to sustainable economic growth rates. According to it, on average, the Internet accounts for almost four per cent of GDP across the large economies that make up 70 per cent of global GDP.

MTN said UNICEF also projects that nations with low broadband connectivity have the potential to realise up to 20 per cent GDP growth by connecting schools to the Internet.

The telecoms firm currently connects over 70 million Nigerians (over seven per cent 4G population and 89.8 per cent coverage nationwide).

With MTN’s Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and the latest Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Home Broadband services, millions of Nigerian households, with approximately 50 per cent located in rural areas, will have access to reliable and ultra-fast broadband services to enjoy unlimited data plans, ability to connect multiple devices and share data across remote locations for online learning, working from home, streaming, gaming, smart home solutions among others.

Chief Operating Officer, MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Hassan Jaber, noted that “At MTN, we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life; hence our investment in industry-leading connectivity operations.”

General Manager, Fixed Broadband, MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said customers now have enhanced access to dedicated 24/7 support and online channels to place orders for MTN Home Broadband with options for home delivery.

According to her, customers can also enjoy truly Unlimited Data bundles, longer tenure data plans with the flexibility to share data with multiple users remotely as well as enhanced data subscription channels including the myMTN App.

PepsiCo To Invest $550m In Energy Drinks Business Celsius

PepsiCo has announced a $550 million investment in Celsius Holdings to become the long-term US distributor of the brand’s energy drinks.

The agreement, which came into effect today, includes distribution in retail and foodservice channels. The deal will see PepsiCo become “the preferred distribution partner globally for Celsius”.

The beverage giant will acquire an estimated 8.5% ownership in Celsius. As part of the contract, PepsiCo will also nominate a member to Celsius’ board.

Kirk Tanner, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America, said: “We are extremely pleased to partner with Celsius and excited about the opportunity for our two organisations to drive growth and innovation in the energy beverage category. The Celsius brand’s growing momentum, coupled with the strength of PepsiCo’s portfolio and go-to-market capabilities, creates a combination we believe will be very compelling and valuable to retailers and consumers.”

Celsius president, chairman and CEO, John Fieldly, added: “We believe the opportunity to partner with a global best-in-class distributor provides Celsius with significant near-term additional shelf space in both existing retailers as well as new expansion within the independent retailers that represent a significant portion of the US convenience and gas channel where approximately 70% of energy drinks are sold”.

He continued: “It also provides a strategic partnership that is expected to accelerate growth for both companies globally. In addition, this partnership will drive efficiencies allowing our teams to consolidate sales, marketing and distribution efforts with associated cost benefits, which we expect to recognise once the initial transition is completed.”

Facebook Puts An End To Live Shopping Feature

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“Beginning on October 1, 2022, you will no longer be able to host any new or scheduled Live Shopping events on Facebook.

You will still be able to use Facebook Live to broadcast live events, but you won’t be able to create product playlists or tag products in your Facebook Live videos,” Meta announced.

It said that “consumers’ viewing behaviours are shifting to short-form video,” leading Meta to shift its focus more to the short-form video format Reels on Facebook and Instagram.

However, live shopping functionality will remain on Instagram.

“If you want to reach and engage people through video, try experimenting with Reels and Reels ads on Facebook and Instagram. You can also tag products in Reels on Instagram to enable deeper discovery and consideration. If you have a shop with checkout and want to host live shopping events on Instagram, you can set up Live Shopping on Instagram,” Meta said.

According to TechCrunch, the livestream video shopping functionality became publicly available on Facebook two years ago, following a series of smaller trials and beta tests. The feature opened up another revenue stream for creators, and gave creators and brands an interactive way to sell items, connect with viewers and potentially gain new customers.

World Bank Commits $8.5bn To Nigeria, Faults N6.7tn Subsidy

The World Bank has committed $8.5 billion to Nigeria to fund critical issues ranging from agriculture to education.

Disclosing this on Thursday in Abuja during a summit organised by the Emergency Coordination Center, the World Bank Country Director to Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, noted that the amount was the largest of any country.

He noted that it was still infinitesimal compared with the needs of Nigeria, stressing, however, that around $2.5 billion to $3 billion of the fund had been channelled towards education.

“Half of the population of Nigeria itself is less than 17 years old. This means there is a need to invest in human capital development,” he said.

He noted that the future of Nigeria depended on the ability of the young people to go to school , stressing that it was important to make schools safe to ensure that fewer children were out of school.

He further said it was Nigeria’s call to determine how it would mobilise its financial resources to enable young Nigerians to go to school or whether its scarce resources would be used to subsidise petrol with over N6.5 trillion.

Africa’s most populous nation is mobilising N6.7 trillion for petrol subsidies at the expense of education and health. About 10.1 million children are out of school, according to the education ministry, but a report suggests it is up to 18.5 million.

Analysts have described Nigeria’s insistence on subsidies as financial indiscipline, noting that it would have adverse consequences on the Nigerian economy.

For Professor Jonathan Aremu, a former CBN Assistant Director and Senior Lecturer at Covenant University, subsidy distorted the market, making it difficult for products to find their real value.

“In economics, subsidy is always bad. Yes, quite a lot of people depend on fuel, which is why they have continued to subsidise petrol, but we don’t know how much is really spent on subsidy.”

He explained that the next government should not just remove subsidies, but also provide incentives that would alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

Professor of Energy Economics at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Uche Nwogwugwu, said the removal of subsidy would be a step in the right direction.

However, he said removing petrol subsidy at the moment would cause untold hardship and social unrest for Nigerians, suggesting an alternative route Nigeria could take.

“It’s completely true that the burden is weighing and will continue to weigh on the economy. Some discrete facts are here to help save the country.

“The PIA has made NNPC a limited liability company that can seek profit. This is a good base for solving the subsidy. It is acknowledged that the nation has been subsidising consumption and now she wants to channel to production. Expanding the market locus to include neighboring countries of Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, Mali and Sudan where it is sold for about N300- N400 equivalent per liter will recoup all monies and also bring profit.

“It will also completely eradicate the activities of smugglers. Under Africa free trade charter, NNPC can sell to neighboring countries while giving the nation a breathing gap to solve the domestic disequilibria,” he suggested, noting that this could enable the country to fix the subsidy imbroglio.

Local Bourse Closes The Week In Green

At the end of yesterday’s trading session, the Nigerian All Share Index closed positive, increasing by 0.28% to close at 50,722.33 points.

The performance was due to buying pressures in large-cap stocks such as BUAFOODS (+7.28%) and BUACEMENT (+0.94%). Consequently, the YTD return increased to 18.74% as market capitalisation increased by ₦81 billion to close at ₦27.36 trillion.

The sectoral performance significantly strengthened as four of the five indices under coverage improved  while the insurance index declined by 0.40% on CHIPLC (-7.69%). The Consumer goods index, the biggest gainer, improved by 1.52% on BUAFOODS (+7.28%). The Oil & Gas, Industrial and Banking indices, followed suit, increasing by 0.37% and 0.35%,  and 0.06% on ARDOVA (+4.00%), BUACEMENT (+0.94%) and GTCO (+0.94%) respectively.

Investors’ sentiment strengthened as the market breadth increased to 2.40x from 1.50x. This was illustrated by the advance of 24 stocks, led by ETERNA (+10.00%) and MULTIVERS (+9.94%) and the decline of 10 stocks, led by UNILEVER (-10.00%) and SKYAVN (-8.76%). Activity level was strengthened as the total volume and value improved by 14.08% and 18.65%, as investors exchanged about 148.81mn units of shares worth over ₦1.93bn.

We expect positive sentiment to return in the next trading session as the equities market still presents decent opportunities for investors chasing positive real returns on investments.

Fixed Income

There was relatively quiet outing across the bond yield curve as three of the four bond yields under coverage closed flat while the yields on the FGN-MAR-2024 closed inched lower by 1bps.

The yields on the FGN-APR-2023, FGN-JAN-2026 and FGN-JUL-2030 bonds closed flat at 7.67%, 11.75% and 12.19% respectively.

The Treasury bill yields for the 91, 182 and 364-day papers closed flat at 6.08%, 7.78% and 6.82% respectively.

 We expect market activity to be influenced by the liquidity levels in the financial system.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

 Local Bourse Closes the Week in Green, NGX ASI Gains 28bps
Quiet Activity Level across the Bond Yield Curve
Negative Performance in Global Stocks
Brent Crude Reports at $95.22/barrel
Positive Performance in African Stocks

Digital Trade Key To Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential

Digitalization brings new opportunities in trade and creates the potential to underpin resilience in times of crisis. The digital transformation of customs and borders in Africa could improve efficiencies in processes and yield trade gains on the continent of $20 billion a year 

 

With digital trade in place, pre-existing bottlenecks in infrastructure can be tackled, efficiencies can be leveraged, and Innovative solutions can be harnessed. However, countries in Africa vary greatly in their readiness for digital trade.

In African countries where economic resilience must be fostered, jobs must be created and entrepreneurship must be facilitated, digital trade must be in full swing.

How digital automation is easing the flow of trade

Thanks to technological advances, importing and exporting goods and services in Nigeria has become easier thanks to the rise of online international trade administration portals . These online portals automate the experience for many stakeholders including customs officials, businesses importing finished goods and raw materials for manufacturing, and those exporting their goods across the globe.

Blockchain technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), state-of-the-art payment solutions, fraud detection and prevention, and warehouse management solutions, are helping to increase the ease of trade, streamlining border management, and identifying, and potentially overcoming issues that impact timeframes, logistics and transportation.

Using a platform of this type, such as Webb Fontaine’s Single Window for Trade, provides clients with a wide spectrum of up-to-the-minute information including trade formalities, import and export procedures, latest tariff codes and rates, as well as fee simulation features. Businesses can fill in pre-arrival applications, official documents (such as Customs declarations, permits and licenses), applications and manifests, while ensuring all fees and taxes are taken care of through e-payment functionality on the same site.

Acting both as a transactional portal, and data collector, Single Window can cross-check credentials for consistency and traceability, reducing errors and fraud. The status of ongoing document processing can be viewed in the Single Window at any time, including on mobile devices.

Ensuring the flow of trade against any challenge

Trade’s digital automation has proven to be a valuable safeguard under the harshest conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many industry experts predicted a downturn in fortunes for the import and export industry due to the e leveraging of import/export platforms such as Single Window, Nigeria was able to effects of global lockdowns on supply chains. Through the weather this storm as operations continued unabated.

While many borders were closed, Nigeria’s ports remained open and thanks to customs operations running through online trade platforms, and the national lockdown had no negative impact on import/export revenue collection  The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) recorded a record revenue raise, generating 1.5 trillion Naira  – its highest revenue generated in a single year. Not only was this a testament to the positive impact digital transformation and automation have had on NCS operations, it inspired other agencies to seek automation and digitization. It also made it clear to the federal Government that more could be done, setting the NCS a target of 3.01 trillion naira  in revenue collections in 2022.

The flexibility afforded by digital import/export platforms have increased SMEs agility across the continent. The platforms are easy to use, and customs officials and traders are empowered to operate from any location, if they have access to a PC, or mobile phone, and an internet connection.

How digital trade platforms are giving SMEs the advantage

One of the many lessons learned from the pandemic  is that SMEs need to embrace digital transformation, not just to weather unplanned challenges, but because it will help them be more competitive and stable. Digital enablement is not just a means of survival, it is a way for SMEs to conduct business more efficiently, which in turn can empower them to expand their operations and earnings further.

Being nimbler than their big business counterparts, SMEs can quickly rethink their marketing strategies and adopt new technologies to enhance their offerings faster. Digital innovation provides extraordinary opportunities for SMEs. It empowers them to implement new market models, have greater line of sight across their business, improve traceability, and meet their customers, service providers, and logistics partners, in many instances, all on the same page.

In the digital trading space , solutions such as import/export platforms, automated cargo-tracking and digital reporting of non-tariff barriers can provide efficient cross-border trade leveling the playing field for SMEs significantly. This in turn is good for both the customers and communities they serve as well as the continent’s economic growth on a wider scale. This stimulation of growth is crucial as SMEs in Africa are well positioned to resolve some of Africa’s most critical challenges  by creating much-needed jobs, products, and services.

Presence in Africa

The success stories of these import/export platforms have led to their increased usage across Africa. Webb Fontaine, for example, has seen them used by customs departments and businesses in Benin, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Guinea. As more countries and enterprises embrace automation, the potential for their growth through trade expands.

The digital automation of trade processes can play a crucial part in levelling the playing field for African nations in international trade. Whether it is moving goods through ports or airports, technology has a proven track record of making operations smoother, and easier to run. It is something all businesses and governments should embrace if countries on the continent are to realize their potential for economic growth as investment hubs.

#BBN: Sailing Ships, Plot Twists, And Fake Housemates

Ok, BBN has introduced more twists! This time, fake housemates have been sent on a mission to sink ships!

 

On the first live eviction show, Ebuka introduced the fake housemates, Deji and Modella, who were taken to the ‘island’ and ‘trenches’ houses. Introducing these two housemates brought a different level of excitement from fans on #TwitterNaija. Some say Deji (aka fragrance boy) will give the cute boy Shegzzy a tough one. Modella has already planted herself in-between Groovy and Beauty’s ship. #TwitterNaija streets are getting hot with the drama! Follow the conversation here.

#BBNaijaS7: Ships are beginning to Sail

The house had its first Saturday night party, but that didn’t affect the “ships”. The Bella & Sheggzy and Groovy & Beauty ships have taken off well; though #TwitterNaija cannot ascertain yet if they are only just “situationships”. Although Groovy and Beauty have shared their intimate kisses, the drama is already beginning with Beauty complaining that Groovy was being too familiar with other female housemates. Check out the latest on the current situation between them here. Well, we can’t wait for fans on #TwitterNaija to officially name the ships.

Bella Shmurda unlocks new fashion trend

Popular Nigerian artiste Bella Shmurda surprised everyone when he performed on stage in a skirt at the #BBNaijaS7 eviction show last Sunday. The young star has also been flaunting his new swag on his #TwitterNaija page. Here is how fans on #TwitterNaija reacted to his outfits.

Nigerian female athletes scoop Gold at Commonwealth Games

Nigerian women have constantly been winning for the past few weeks. Tobi Amusan opened the sky, and now it is raining gold medals! Adijat Olarinoye won Nigeria’s first medal in the Commonwealth Games and it was Gold in Weightlifting. Chioma Onyekwere won Gold in the women’s Discus! Check out all the praises from #TwitterNaija here.

#RHOAbuja Coming soon

Following the #RHOLagos show’s success, it seems like there is another Real Housewives reality show coming soon. This time, the show will feature housewives from Abuja! One prominent star in the show is Jaruma, a famous sex therapist and controversial public figure. #TwitterNaija users are excited about another Real Housewives show!

@Twitter remains your official source for what is trending.