With rising costs, and unreliable electricity supply from the national grid, many in Nigeria are turning to alternatives like solar energy. Despite the country having regular sunlight, solar power makes up less than 0.5 percent of its generation capacity in 2022. And now households and businesses are tapping into the power of the sun, to fill the energy gap.
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Video - Drive to solar power gathers pace across Nigeria
With rising costs, and unreliable electricity supply from the national grid, many in Nigeria are turning to alternatives like solar energy. Despite the country having regular sunlight, solar power makes up less than 0.5 percent of its generation capacity in 2022. And now households and businesses are tapping into the power of the sun, to fill the energy gap.
Starlink hits capacity in Nigeria’s largest cities, raising questions about Musk’s Africa ambitions
In some locations in Nigeria's commercial nerve center such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ikeja and Surulere, as well as the nation's capital Abuja, Starlink’s website now displays “Sold Out” notices.
Prospective customers are pushed onto a waitlist and asked to pay a deposit before they can be notified when slots reopen.
A subscription attempt at a popular estate in Lagos’s Maryland area returned the message: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. The good news is you can place a deposit now to reserve a spot on the waitlist and will be notified once service becomes available again.”
"Please note that we cannot provide an estimated timeframe for service availability, but our teams are working as quickly as possible to add more capacity to the constellation so we can continue to expand coverage for more customers around the world."
A network under strain?
A Starlink engineer told TechCabal that the company occasionally halts new activations to safeguard service quality for existing users.
Adding capacity typically requires either fresh satellite launches or regulatory approval to expand coverage.
However, this isn’t the first disruption. Starlink froze all new orders across Nigeria in late 2024, citing bandwidth shortages and pending approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), especially over pricing changes. Service only resumed mid-2025 after upgrades and regulatory clearance.
The company’s rising costs haven’t helped. Starlink’s monthly fee has climbed from about ₦38,000 ($25) at launch to ₦56,000 ($37) this year, a jump the company attributes to naira devaluation and compliance costs.
The hikes triggered customer backlash and slowed growth.
NCC data shows Starlink lost more than 6,000 active users in Q1 2025, dropping from 65,564 in Q4 2024 to 59,509. It was the first quarterly decline since launch, as some Nigerians abandoned the service for cheaper alternatives or dropped internet subscriptions altogether.
Musk’s Africa expansion faces real-world challenges
The network crunch in Nigeria raises questions about Elon Musk’s broader ambition to expand Starlink into every African market.
While the billionaire entrepreneur has pitched Starlink as a solution to poor connectivity across the continent, Nigeria’s experience highlights the logistical and regulatory hurdles of scaling in fast-growing but economically strained markets.
If capacity is already overstretched in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of Starlink’s early adopters, analysts say rolling out service continent-wide will require not only more satellites and ground stations but also stronger engagement with regulators to manage pricing, infrastructure demands, and bandwidth allocation.
In July, Starlink expanded into Chad, becoming its 24th African market. Still, Musk’s goal of blanket coverage across the continent remains distant, with Nigeria emerging as both a key testing ground and a cautionary tale
Global strains visible too
Starlink’s challenges are not confined to Africa. On Monday, the satellite network experienced a brief outage in the United States, with more than 43,000 users reporting problems at its peak, according to tracking site Downdetector.com.
The disruption, later resolved, highlighted the pressures facing the service even in mature markets.
Reuters reports that Starlink’s website initially displayed a notice confirming the outage, saying its team was investigating, before removing the message once connectivity was restored.
The episode underscores a growing reality for Musk’s satellite internet venture: from Nigeria’s congested urban hubs to American suburbs, scaling a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to meet surging demand is proving more difficult than the company’s global ambitions might suggest.
The network crunch in Nigeria raises questions about Elon Musk’s broader ambition to expand Starlink into every African market.
While the billionaire entrepreneur has pitched Starlink as a solution to poor connectivity across the continent, Nigeria’s experience highlights the logistical and regulatory hurdles of scaling in fast-growing but economically strained markets.
If capacity is already overstretched in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of Starlink’s early adopters, analysts say rolling out service continent-wide will require not only more satellites and ground stations but also stronger engagement with regulators to manage pricing, infrastructure demands, and bandwidth allocation.
In July, Starlink expanded into Chad, becoming its 24th African market. Still, Musk’s goal of blanket coverage across the continent remains distant, with Nigeria emerging as both a key testing ground and a cautionary tale
Global strains visible too
Starlink’s challenges are not confined to Africa. On Monday, the satellite network experienced a brief outage in the United States, with more than 43,000 users reporting problems at its peak, according to tracking site Downdetector.com.
The disruption, later resolved, highlighted the pressures facing the service even in mature markets.
Reuters reports that Starlink’s website initially displayed a notice confirming the outage, saying its team was investigating, before removing the message once connectivity was restored.
The episode underscores a growing reality for Musk’s satellite internet venture: from Nigeria’s congested urban hubs to American suburbs, scaling a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to meet surging demand is proving more difficult than the company’s global ambitions might suggest.
By Soloman Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Video - Nigeria’s youth race to bridge the digital skills gap
Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, faces a critical turning point: a growing youth population racing against a widening digital skills gap. Young Nigerians, like music producer Daniel Daniel, are investing in digital training to stay relevant in an evolving job market.
Friday, August 22, 2025
Video - Nigerian students build electric car amid fuel hikes
Fifteen secondary school students in Nigeria’s Sokoto State have built a fully functional electric vehicle, tackling rising fuel costs and environmental concerns head-on.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Video - How AI is saving Nigeria’s endangered languages
Nigeria is home to over 500 indigenous languages — but many are at risk of extinction. A new AI-powered platform, Indigenius Mobile, is working to change that. Created to help people speak, learn, and connect in their native tongues, this tech is bringing endangered languages back into everyday life.
Nigeria Seeks Technical Advisor for Massive 90,000km Fiber Optic Network Project
The Federal Government of Nigeria, with financing from the World Bank, is initiating a major project to deploy a 90,000km fiber optic network across the country. The project, named ‘Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth – BRIDGE’, will be structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and managed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company. The government is now seeking a Technical Advisor to provide expert consulting services for the planning, design, and implementation of this extensive digital infrastructure.
The selected consulting firm will be responsible for ensuring the efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable deployment of the network. This includes collaborating with legal and financial advisors to align all technical aspects with Nigerian laws and international best practices. The Technical Advisor’s key role will be to review and validate technical designs and specifications, ensuring the project’s long-term commercial viability and adherence to global market standards. The contract is for a duration of 12 months.
To be considered for the role, consulting firms must demonstrate a minimum of 10 years of experience in providing technical advisory services for large-scale digital infrastructure projects, with a specific focus on fiber optic networks. The government also requires proven expertise in conducting technical feasibility studies, due diligence, and network gap assessments, as well as a strong background in geospatial analysis and GIS-based assessments for broadband infrastructure in emerging markets. These qualifications must be demonstrated through experience on at least three similar projects. The selection will be made using the Quality and Cost Based Selection method, in line with World Bank procurement regulations.
By Kay-Lyne Wolfenden, Tech Africa News
The selected consulting firm will be responsible for ensuring the efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable deployment of the network. This includes collaborating with legal and financial advisors to align all technical aspects with Nigerian laws and international best practices. The Technical Advisor’s key role will be to review and validate technical designs and specifications, ensuring the project’s long-term commercial viability and adherence to global market standards. The contract is for a duration of 12 months.
To be considered for the role, consulting firms must demonstrate a minimum of 10 years of experience in providing technical advisory services for large-scale digital infrastructure projects, with a specific focus on fiber optic networks. The government also requires proven expertise in conducting technical feasibility studies, due diligence, and network gap assessments, as well as a strong background in geospatial analysis and GIS-based assessments for broadband infrastructure in emerging markets. These qualifications must be demonstrated through experience on at least three similar projects. The selection will be made using the Quality and Cost Based Selection method, in line with World Bank procurement regulations.
Monday, August 11, 2025
Nigerian profitable food delivery Chowdeck lands $9M from Novastar, Y Combinator
Chowdeck, a Lagos-based food delivery startup that has stayed profitable in a notoriously tough and low-margin market, has raised $9 million in Series A funding to launch a quick commerce strategy and expand into more cities in Nigeria and Ghana.
The equity round was led by Novastar Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and others. The investors are betting on the team’s ability to pair local market expertise with execution and turn a notoriously difficult sector into a profitable super app for food, groceries and essentials.
“We’re thrilled about this round as it brings us closer to our vision of becoming Africa’s number one super app,” CEO and co-founder Femi Aluko said. “This funding will supercharge our growth plans, enabling us to expand into more cities, reduce delivery times, scale our grocery footprint, and attract the best talent to drive innovation and customer satisfaction.”
Founded in October 2021 by Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, Chowdeck now operates in 11 cities across Nigeria and Ghana, serving 1.5 million customers with a network of more than 20,000 riders. Its logistics system averages 30 minutes per order, and in dense areas, more than half of deliveries arrive by bicycle.
While prominent players have exited or scaled back their African operations, Chowdeck has leaned into the complexity of local markets—delivering local meals, an operationally harder challenge—to build trust with customers.
In 2024, the value of meals delivered through Chowdeck grew more than sixfold from the previous year. This year, the company says it passed its 2024 total before July.
The new funding will help Chowdeck roll out quick commerce, ultra-fast delivery backed by a network of dark stores and hyperlocal logistics hubs. The company plans to open 40 dark stores by the end of this year and 500 by the end of 2026, with two to three new stores launching each week. Chowdeck raised a $2.5 million seed round last year.
Food delivery is a crowded business globally, but when done well, it has led to some other big companies like DoorDash.
Quick commerce, on the other hand, has been a capital-intensive gamble in most markets. In Europe, Gorillas and Getir burned through hundreds of millions of dollars before retreating or consolidating. In India, platforms like Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy have had varying levels of success with the model when it comes to profitability.
Chowdeck has been profitable since before this raise and Aluko says the company doesn’t enter cities or verticals without planning to break even within a couple of weeks.
For instance, the food delivery platform entered neighbouring Ghana this May. Within three months, it was handling 1,000 daily orders without paid advertising, which, according to Aluko, came from pent-up demand for a service that delivers local favorites alongside international cuisines. The company aims to quintuple that volume to 5,000 daily orders by the end of September 2025.
Aluko says Chowdeck plans to apply the same playbook to dark stores, which will complement its restaurant and grocery delivery operations.
Another vertical complementing these operations will be software. This June, the YC-backed startup acquired Mira, a point-of-sale provider for African food and hospitality businesses. Mira’s tools manage inventory and orders in real time; now, it will help Chowdeck optimize its operations, positioning the company as a vertical SaaS-plus-logistics provider for restaurants.
Chowdeck’s raise is a win for local players in the sector, after Jumia’s exit left market share to foreign brands such as Glovo, Bolt Food, and Yango. Yet, some of these companies have also withdrawn from certain markets, including Nigeria and Ghana, which Chowdeck is now targeting aggressively.
Super apps such as Gozem, YC-backed Yassir, and MNT-Halan are other local companies offering food delivery services in other African markets.
“The market is still very early,” Aluko said. “Customer behavior is shifting online for the first time. A whole generation is growing up ordering food without ever having walked into some of the restaurants or markets on our platform.”
For lead investor Novastar Ventures, the bet is on execution and local insight. “Chowdeck is building the future of logistics for African cities,” said partner Brian Waswani Odhiambo. “With deep local insight, a sustainability-first approach, and impressive execution, it is redefining last-mile delivery on the continent.”
Monday, July 28, 2025
Nigeria launches free mobile game that rewards players with cash, airtime and crypto
Nigeria.-In a major shift for Nigeria’s mobile gaming landscape, a new game is set to make waves with a bold promise: play for free and earn for real. Rise & Hustle is designed specifically for Nigeria’s mobile-first population.
Designed for entry-level smartphones, the game uses very little data and skips the usual in-app purchases or pay-to-win features. That makes it a smart choice in a country where mobile gaming dominates and data costs still count.
Mobile gaming makes up 83 per cent of all gameplay in Nigeria, and with 92 per cent of people owning smartphones, Rise & Hustle is launching at just the right time.
More than just a game, it is packed with local slang, street-style art and stories that connect directly with young Nigerians. The colourful design and gameplay show off the humour, grit and spirit of a generation that’s quickly taking over the gaming world in the country.
Now players have the chance to earn in-game cash called Bucks by completing daily “Missions” which include mini-games and street-style challenges. Bucks can be spent on mobile airtime, data bundles, cashback at local stores and on merchandise.
The platform also allows Bucks to be exchanged for Rise Tokens, which run on the Binance Smart Chain, a well-known blockchain made by Binance that handles digital transactions quickly and cheaply. They follow BEP-20, which is a set of rules that helps the tokens work safely and seamlessly with different apps, wallets and services.
Real rewards and squad feature boost experience
Rise & Hustle Co-founder and CEO, Josh Tromans-Jones, said players can now enjoy a profitable gaming experience. “We’re excited to bring Rise & Hustle to Nigeria, where every tap, grind and level-up earns you Bucks that you can turn into airtime, Rise crypto and real rewards from our partners,” he said, according to the Guardian.
At the heart of Rise & Hustle is the Squad feature. It lets players team up, work together and share rewards. When one player earns Bucks, the whole squad benefits, encouraging teamwork while keeping the fun going.
Tromans-Jones said the game zeroes in on what Nigerian gamers really want and delivers. “Gamers in Lagos, Abuja and across Nigeria are done with games that only take their data and give nothing back. Rise & Hustle changes the game by delivering entertainment and real-world tangible rewards.
“Our proprietary rewards engine is built to benefit players at every level of the game from Missions (daily challenges and tasks) through to Squads, and we’re proud to launch the game here in Nigeria.”
Rise & Hustle has launched at a time when Nigerian gamers are eager for real value and aims to give players a genuine chance to earn rewards for their time spent playing. With no hidden fees and multiple ways to cash in, the platform shows that gaming can be both entertaining and rewarding.
Rise & Hustle Co-founder and CEO, Josh Tromans-Jones, said players can now enjoy a profitable gaming experience. “We’re excited to bring Rise & Hustle to Nigeria, where every tap, grind and level-up earns you Bucks that you can turn into airtime, Rise crypto and real rewards from our partners,” he said, according to the Guardian.
At the heart of Rise & Hustle is the Squad feature. It lets players team up, work together and share rewards. When one player earns Bucks, the whole squad benefits, encouraging teamwork while keeping the fun going.
Tromans-Jones said the game zeroes in on what Nigerian gamers really want and delivers. “Gamers in Lagos, Abuja and across Nigeria are done with games that only take their data and give nothing back. Rise & Hustle changes the game by delivering entertainment and real-world tangible rewards.
“Our proprietary rewards engine is built to benefit players at every level of the game from Missions (daily challenges and tasks) through to Squads, and we’re proud to launch the game here in Nigeria.”
Rise & Hustle has launched at a time when Nigerian gamers are eager for real value and aims to give players a genuine chance to earn rewards for their time spent playing. With no hidden fees and multiple ways to cash in, the platform shows that gaming can be both entertaining and rewarding.
Related stories: Nigeria opens doors to stablecoin firms under regulatory oversight
Friday, July 4, 2025
Video - Nigeria-based tech firm, Intron, brings an African voice to AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing communication, productivity, and innovation, but most of these models are not tailored for an African audience. Flawed voice recognition systems often fail to understand African names, languages, and accents. The Africa-centric voice technology platform, Intron, is addressing this with its AI model, Sahara.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Starlink Fully Resumes New Activations in Nigeria, Expands Access to Major Cities
The company had halted new residential kit orders in November 2024, with prospective users receiving a notice that activations were temporarily on hold pending regulatory clearance from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Since then, Nigerians were unable to place new orders, particularly in major cities such as Abuja and Lagos.
Over the past month, users in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe began reporting renewed access to Starlink’s sign-up portal, suggesting a phased return of services. At that time, however, Abuja was still listed as unavailable. Recent checks now indicate that Starlink is once again accepting new orders in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and other urban areas.
Neither SpaceX nor the NCC has issued an official statement on the development, but the resumed access to residential kits signals that earlier restrictions may have been eased or lifted.
This quiet return marks a notable shift in Nigeria’s broadband landscape, where demand for reliable, high-speed internet—especially in underserved and congested areas—continues to grow.
Monday, June 9, 2025
China’s BYD aims for foothold in Nigeria’s auto market
Chinese auto giant BYD is aiming for a foothold in Nigeria’s auto market with a large customer engagement centre along Akin Adesola in Victoria Island in Lagos.
BYD which first made name with its reliable inverter batteries has now become China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer with presence across the globe.
It is unclear if BYD is entering Nigeria directly or through a franchise given tha Mandilas has been working to be BYD’s partner in Nigeria.
China’s ability to make electric vehicles (evs) cheaply has caused angst in countries with big carmakers, prompting governments to investigate China’s subsidies for the sector and to erect trade barriers.
On May 23rd China’s byd, caused shockwaves when it slashed the cost of 22 electric and hybrid models. Now the starting price of its cheapest model, the Seagull, has fallen to a mere 55,800 yuan ($7,700). The move came just two years after byd had originally unveiled the electric hatchback, at a then astonishingly low cost of 73,800 yuan.
In Nigeria the Seagull ev is priced at a range starting at N31m by Mandillas.
BYD which first made name with its reliable inverter batteries has now become China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer with presence across the globe.
It is unclear if BYD is entering Nigeria directly or through a franchise given tha Mandilas has been working to be BYD’s partner in Nigeria.
China’s ability to make electric vehicles (evs) cheaply has caused angst in countries with big carmakers, prompting governments to investigate China’s subsidies for the sector and to erect trade barriers.
On May 23rd China’s byd, caused shockwaves when it slashed the cost of 22 electric and hybrid models. Now the starting price of its cheapest model, the Seagull, has fallen to a mere 55,800 yuan ($7,700). The move came just two years after byd had originally unveiled the electric hatchback, at a then astonishingly low cost of 73,800 yuan.
In Nigeria the Seagull ev is priced at a range starting at N31m by Mandillas.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Nigeria launches AI Scaling Hub with Gates Foundation
In partnership with the Gates Foundation, Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, backed by a funding commitment of up to $7.5 million over three years.
Announced during a signing ceremony in Abuja, the initiative will focus on responsibly scaling AI solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and education.
The AI Scaling Hub aims to unite government agencies, tech firms, academia, and development partners to support the nationwide deployment of proven AI innovations.
Rather than developing isolated pilot projects, the hub intends to build a collaborative system that encourages mature AI tools to be applied widely.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy stated that the move aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy and broader technology agenda.
Minister Bosun Tijani said the hub would help turn local AI concepts into real-world results by offering innovators mentorship, resources, and support.
The Gates Foundation echoed the sentiment, with Nigeria Country Director Uche Amaonwu stressing the importance of ensuring AI benefits reach underserved communities.
The project also involves Lagos Business School and is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in ethical AI adoption across Africa.
Announced during a signing ceremony in Abuja, the initiative will focus on responsibly scaling AI solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and education.
The AI Scaling Hub aims to unite government agencies, tech firms, academia, and development partners to support the nationwide deployment of proven AI innovations.
Rather than developing isolated pilot projects, the hub intends to build a collaborative system that encourages mature AI tools to be applied widely.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy stated that the move aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy and broader technology agenda.
Minister Bosun Tijani said the hub would help turn local AI concepts into real-world results by offering innovators mentorship, resources, and support.
The Gates Foundation echoed the sentiment, with Nigeria Country Director Uche Amaonwu stressing the importance of ensuring AI benefits reach underserved communities.
The project also involves Lagos Business School and is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in ethical AI adoption across Africa.
Monday, June 2, 2025
Video - Nigeria boosts AI training as digital investment soars
Nigeria’s digital sector is growing fast, pulling in $191 million in foreign investment in early 2024, which was nine times more than the year before. But with many companies warning of a looming artificial intelligence (AI) skills shortage, the government is boosting training and launching initiatives to prepare workers for the future tech landscape.
Friday, May 30, 2025
Video - Nigerian App connects spiritual seekers to traditional priests
A Nigerian startup has launched an app enabling traditional African priests to stream rituals to users worldwide, revitalizing ancient spiritual practices. Created by a traditional priest, the platform supports paid virtual ceremonies, fostering cultural preservation and global access to African spirituality amid a growing revival.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
LIGHTSPEED unveils Nigeria’s first immersive water projection mapping experience
Founded by Adedotun Olateru Olagbegi, LIGHTSPEED is a Lagos-based creative-tech studio specialising in large-scale immersive installations.
“This launch marked a new frontier in experiential storytelling,” said Olagbegi, founder of LIGHTSPEED. “We’ve shown what’s possible when imagination meets innovation—right here in Nigeria,” he added.
Read also: Wike visits China over water project for FCT satellite towns
By fusing light, water and narrative, this landmark showcase transformed a towering water screen into a dynamic canvas, bringing motion graphics and audio-visual storytelling to life.
Hosted at the Lagos State Waterways Authority venue in Falomo, the unveiling event drew members of top agencies alongside industry leaders and creative innovators. Guests were immersed in sweeping projections that danced across a 12-metre-high water curtain, demonstrating LIGHTSPEED’s vision for the future of outdoor entertainment.
The event highlights included: A 12-metre-high water curtain serving as the projection surface; custom-composed soundscapes perfectly synchronised with each visual sequence; and live demonstrations of real-time mapping adjustments, showcasing unmatched versatility.
Read also: How World Bank’s $250m Rivers, Ekiti, Bauchi’s water projects failed – Report
Combining projection mapping, interactive media and experiential design, LIGHTSPEED crafts unforgettable experiences that blend cutting-edge technology with imaginative storytelling.
With this successful debut, LIGHTSPEED’s water projection mapping technology is poised to revolutionise visual entertainment across West Africa, offering bespoke solutions for cultural festivals, brand activations, concerts and corporate events.
Nigeria Launches National Cybercrime Team with Commonwealth, UK Support
Nigeria has officially launched its National Cybercrime Working Group (NCWG), aimed at strengthening the country’s response to digital threats. The initiative was developed with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Kingdom.
The NCWG will coordinate efforts across Nigeria’s law enforcement, regulatory, and security agencies to tackle cybercrime more effectively. It also aligns with the country’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy, reinforcing its commitment to combat online criminal activity.
The launch is part of a broader Commonwealth cybercrime initiative that helps member countries improve legal and technical frameworks to address cyber threats.
By Aayushya Ranjan, Tech Africa News
The NCWG will coordinate efforts across Nigeria’s law enforcement, regulatory, and security agencies to tackle cybercrime more effectively. It also aligns with the country’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy, reinforcing its commitment to combat online criminal activity.
The launch is part of a broader Commonwealth cybercrime initiative that helps member countries improve legal and technical frameworks to address cyber threats.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Video - App-based drivers in Nigeria threaten to dump riding apps over poor working conditions
The drivers say ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and Lagride charge excessively high commissions on their fares. The drivers want the commission cut down from about 35 percent to five percent and threaten to switch to local ride-hailing apps if their demands are not met.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Nigeria accuses Meta of pressure campaign over threat to cut off apps
Nigeria accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of launching a “negative” public relations campaign to put pressure on authorities by threatening to withdraw its apps from the country over a $220 million fine.
Meta has contested the fine, imposed last year by Nigeria’s consumer protection agency for an alleged breach of competition rules, but a court in Nigeria’s capital Abuja dismissed its appeal. The company was also slapped with other penalties by the country’s data protection commission and an advertising regulator.
The tech giant has accused the agencies of unfair interpretations of statutes that led to the fines, and said it “may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” but made no mention of WhatsApp, also owned by Meta. In response, the consumer agency said the threat “does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.”
Meta’s platforms, especially WhatsApp and Facebook, are among the most used apps in Nigeria, with an estimated 51 million users on WhatsApp. The apps have proven to be particularly useful for small business owners to sell to customers.
Meta has contested the fine, imposed last year by Nigeria’s consumer protection agency for an alleged breach of competition rules, but a court in Nigeria’s capital Abuja dismissed its appeal. The company was also slapped with other penalties by the country’s data protection commission and an advertising regulator.
The tech giant has accused the agencies of unfair interpretations of statutes that led to the fines, and said it “may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” but made no mention of WhatsApp, also owned by Meta. In response, the consumer agency said the threat “does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.”
Meta’s platforms, especially WhatsApp and Facebook, are among the most used apps in Nigeria, with an estimated 51 million users on WhatsApp. The apps have proven to be particularly useful for small business owners to sell to customers.
By Alexander Onukwue, Semafor
Monday, May 5, 2025
Threat to exit Nigeria does not absolve you of liabilities, FG tells Facebook, Instagram
THE Federal Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Saturday told Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, that threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve it of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.
The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Saturday evening following reports that Meta may be forced to shut down its services in Nigeria over escalating tension with government regulators.
The company is currently facing fines totalling approximately $290 million (N223 billion) imposed by three Nigerian regulatory bodies for alleged violations of competition, advertising and data privacy laws.
Meta unsuccessfully challenged the penalties at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered it to pay the fines before the end of June 2025.
However, while reacting to the threat of leaving Nigeria, FCCPC on Saturday said the threat by Meta to leave Nigeria does not absolve it of liabilities regarding the judicial process.
The FCCPC in a statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the claim appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
It wrote: “The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“The commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.
“These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.
“Interestingly, Meta had been fined for similar breaches in Texas ($1.5 billion) and only recently was asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating EU Data Privacy Rules. Elsewhere in India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches. But Meta never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed.
“The recent affirmation of FCCPC’s final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights, consistent with international best practices.”
The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Saturday evening following reports that Meta may be forced to shut down its services in Nigeria over escalating tension with government regulators.
The company is currently facing fines totalling approximately $290 million (N223 billion) imposed by three Nigerian regulatory bodies for alleged violations of competition, advertising and data privacy laws.
Meta unsuccessfully challenged the penalties at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered it to pay the fines before the end of June 2025.
However, while reacting to the threat of leaving Nigeria, FCCPC on Saturday said the threat by Meta to leave Nigeria does not absolve it of liabilities regarding the judicial process.
The FCCPC in a statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the claim appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
It wrote: “The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“The commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.
“These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.
“Interestingly, Meta had been fined for similar breaches in Texas ($1.5 billion) and only recently was asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating EU Data Privacy Rules. Elsewhere in India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches. But Meta never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed.
“The recent affirmation of FCCPC’s final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights, consistent with international best practices.”
Friday, May 2, 2025
Nigerian court upholds $220M penalty on Meta for privacy breach
Meta Platforms has lost its appeal against a $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s competition watchdog for breaching local consumer protection, data privacy, and related laws.
The investigation began in May 2021 when the FCCPC launched an inquiry into WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. According to the agency, Meta was later notified of the findings, but the “remedy package” the company proposed did not adequately address the concerns raised.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a fine in July 2024, accusing Meta of engaging in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian users, practices that, according to the FCCPC, differ from how the tech giant operates in other countries with similar regulatory standards.
Meta appealed the decision, contending that the fine was excessive and that the FCCPC’s directives were unclear and technically unfeasible to carry out under Nigerian law.
However, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the penalty, dismissing Meta’s appeal and ordering compliance within 60 days.
The tribunal has ordered Meta and WhatsApp to immediately stop the unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data with third parties, including Facebook.
They must also restore consent mechanisms that give users control over how their data is shared and revert to their 2016 data-sharing policy.
In addition, Meta is required to submit a compliance report to both the FCCPC and the NDPC by July 1, 2025, and reimburse the FCCPC $35,000 to cover investigation expenses.
The investigation began in May 2021 when the FCCPC launched an inquiry into WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. According to the agency, Meta was later notified of the findings, but the “remedy package” the company proposed did not adequately address the concerns raised.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a fine in July 2024, accusing Meta of engaging in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian users, practices that, according to the FCCPC, differ from how the tech giant operates in other countries with similar regulatory standards.
Meta appealed the decision, contending that the fine was excessive and that the FCCPC’s directives were unclear and technically unfeasible to carry out under Nigerian law.
However, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the penalty, dismissing Meta’s appeal and ordering compliance within 60 days.
The tribunal has ordered Meta and WhatsApp to immediately stop the unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data with third parties, including Facebook.
They must also restore consent mechanisms that give users control over how their data is shared and revert to their 2016 data-sharing policy.
In addition, Meta is required to submit a compliance report to both the FCCPC and the NDPC by July 1, 2025, and reimburse the FCCPC $35,000 to cover investigation expenses.
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