The healing power of music has been widely researched and documented around the world. In Nigeria, psychologists want music therapy to play a bigger part in the recovery of children impacted by violence.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Video - Nigerian psychologists recommend music for children impacted by violence
The healing power of music has been widely researched and documented around the world. In Nigeria, psychologists want music therapy to play a bigger part in the recovery of children impacted by violence.
Video - Nigerian car dealers warn proposed U.S. tariff on auto imports would hurt consumers
The United States plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles. Car dealers in Nigeria worry that the added costs will significantly drive up prices locally. A large portion of imported vehicles in Nigeria come from the United States.
Moniepoint, AfriGO to introduce 5m contactless cards in Nigeria
AfriGO, national domestic card scheme powered by Afrigopay Financial Services Limited (AFSL), a subsidiary of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, has announced a strategic partnership with Moniepoint Inc.
This collaboration, according to AfriGO, will drive the distribution of 5 million AfriGO cards and introduce contactless, tap-to-pay solutions, boosting Nigeria’s commitment to a thriving, cashless economy.
It went on to say by leveraging Moniepoint’s extensive agent network and robust infrastructure, “this partnership will enable seamless, secure, and instant payments.
“Users will be able to complete transactions by simply tapping or hovering their AfriGO card or Near Field Communication-enabled devices over a payment terminal or compatible mobile phone.”
Ebehijie Momoh, managing director and CEO of AFSL, commented: “Our collaboration with Moniepoint aligns with AfriGO’s mission to deepen financial inclusivity and reduce reliance on foreign exchange for card transactions.
“With AfriGO, businesses and consumers alike benefit from a secure, affordable, and locally-driven payment solution that keeps transaction data within Nigeria, fostering local innovation and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises.”
Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint, added: “Contactless payments have far-reaching benefits for our ecosystem. By unlocking the potential of digital payments, we can create a better life for all Nigerians and reshape the digital economy to help individuals, businesses, and institutions achieve their goals.”
By Samuel Olomu, ITWeb
This collaboration, according to AfriGO, will drive the distribution of 5 million AfriGO cards and introduce contactless, tap-to-pay solutions, boosting Nigeria’s commitment to a thriving, cashless economy.
It went on to say by leveraging Moniepoint’s extensive agent network and robust infrastructure, “this partnership will enable seamless, secure, and instant payments.
“Users will be able to complete transactions by simply tapping or hovering their AfriGO card or Near Field Communication-enabled devices over a payment terminal or compatible mobile phone.”
Ebehijie Momoh, managing director and CEO of AFSL, commented: “Our collaboration with Moniepoint aligns with AfriGO’s mission to deepen financial inclusivity and reduce reliance on foreign exchange for card transactions.
“With AfriGO, businesses and consumers alike benefit from a secure, affordable, and locally-driven payment solution that keeps transaction data within Nigeria, fostering local innovation and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises.”
Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint, added: “Contactless payments have far-reaching benefits for our ecosystem. By unlocking the potential of digital payments, we can create a better life for all Nigerians and reshape the digital economy to help individuals, businesses, and institutions achieve their goals.”
MTN Nigeria and Huawei Complete World’s First Commercial FDD Tri-Band Massive MIMO Deployment
This breakthrough has led to a 90% surge in LTE traffic volume and a 252% increase in user-perceived rates during peak hours over the previous 4T4R setup. The deployment has enabled MTN to achieve its goals of improving network capacity and user experience.
Over the past two years, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has undergone a rapid transition from 2G/3G to 4G, accompanied by a surge in new digital services. This transition has doubled traffic demand on MTN Nigeria’s networks, leading to an average PRB usage of 60% and over 90% in hotspot areas. To meet these growing needs, MTN Nigeria and Huawei have collaborated to scale the adoption of single-band FDD Massive MIMO. They successfully introduced the world’s first FDD Massive MIMO six-sector site, which has significantly improved network spectral efficiency and capacity.
This commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO solution, the first of its kind worldwide, is a significant milestone in mobile network development. Huawei had only recently announced the global launch of this solution that features a downlink LTE capacity three to four times higher than the previous 4T4R setup. Furthermore, it can amplify capacity by up to 7 times as the networks evolve to NR. The solution uses the industry-leading true wideband and compact dipole technologies to implement integrated deployment of 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands while maintaining the same device size as traditional dual-band Massive MIMO. This design adds frequency bands and power without increasing weight or frontal area of devices, ensuring excellent performance and easy deployment.
Through long-term collaboration and innovation, MTN and Huawei have achieved remarkable success in the FDD Massive MIMO field. The world’s first commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO significantly enhances network performance, enabling MTN to deliver an exceptional user experience. Both parties will continue to drive technological innovation, tackle key challenges in network development, and provide superior communication services to users.
Over the past two years, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has undergone a rapid transition from 2G/3G to 4G, accompanied by a surge in new digital services. This transition has doubled traffic demand on MTN Nigeria’s networks, leading to an average PRB usage of 60% and over 90% in hotspot areas. To meet these growing needs, MTN Nigeria and Huawei have collaborated to scale the adoption of single-band FDD Massive MIMO. They successfully introduced the world’s first FDD Massive MIMO six-sector site, which has significantly improved network spectral efficiency and capacity.
This commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO solution, the first of its kind worldwide, is a significant milestone in mobile network development. Huawei had only recently announced the global launch of this solution that features a downlink LTE capacity three to four times higher than the previous 4T4R setup. Furthermore, it can amplify capacity by up to 7 times as the networks evolve to NR. The solution uses the industry-leading true wideband and compact dipole technologies to implement integrated deployment of 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands while maintaining the same device size as traditional dual-band Massive MIMO. This design adds frequency bands and power without increasing weight or frontal area of devices, ensuring excellent performance and easy deployment.
Through long-term collaboration and innovation, MTN and Huawei have achieved remarkable success in the FDD Massive MIMO field. The world’s first commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO significantly enhances network performance, enabling MTN to deliver an exceptional user experience. Both parties will continue to drive technological innovation, tackle key challenges in network development, and provide superior communication services to users.
Calls for Nigeria to reconsider tax on free trade zones
The Nigerian government should reconsider its decision to impose taxes on companies operating in free trade zones (FTZs) as this may result in the country losing its private jet maintenance hub operated by ExecuJet Nigeria at Lagos, which currently attracts aircraft from across Africa for cost-effective maintenance due to tax exemptions.
This is the call from Sam Iwuajoku, the administrator of the Quits Aviation Services Free Trade Zone, which hosts ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria FZE at Lagos International Airport. He told the newspapers Business Day and This Day Live that the facility handles maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, trains local staff with expatriate expertise, and supports more than 1,000 jobs.
He warned that the tax reform would threaten these jobs, hinder technology transfer, and result in higher maintenance costs for Nigerian-owned aircraft as owners would have to take their aircraft to maintenance hubs overseas.
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) currently offers tax exemptions and other benefits to free-zone enterprises, including reduced foreign exchange risks.
ch-aviation has reached out to ExecuJet Nigeria for comment.
According to company information, it is part of ExecuJet Aviation Group, with Quits Group being the Nigerian partner. It is set up as an MRO and fixed-base operator (FBO) at Lagos with a 22,835 square metre concrete apron and a 4,074 square metre hangar. It serves the needs of the business jet market in Nigeria and visiting aircraft. Line and scheduled maintenance services are provided for Bombardier Business Aircraft, Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, Hawker Beechcraft, and other aircraft. The company is approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the South African CAA, the Bermudan CAA, and the Cayman CAA. EASA certification is in progress.
By Hilka Birns, ch-aviation
This is the call from Sam Iwuajoku, the administrator of the Quits Aviation Services Free Trade Zone, which hosts ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria FZE at Lagos International Airport. He told the newspapers Business Day and This Day Live that the facility handles maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, trains local staff with expatriate expertise, and supports more than 1,000 jobs.
He warned that the tax reform would threaten these jobs, hinder technology transfer, and result in higher maintenance costs for Nigerian-owned aircraft as owners would have to take their aircraft to maintenance hubs overseas.
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) currently offers tax exemptions and other benefits to free-zone enterprises, including reduced foreign exchange risks.
ch-aviation has reached out to ExecuJet Nigeria for comment.
According to company information, it is part of ExecuJet Aviation Group, with Quits Group being the Nigerian partner. It is set up as an MRO and fixed-base operator (FBO) at Lagos with a 22,835 square metre concrete apron and a 4,074 square metre hangar. It serves the needs of the business jet market in Nigeria and visiting aircraft. Line and scheduled maintenance services are provided for Bombardier Business Aircraft, Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, Hawker Beechcraft, and other aircraft. The company is approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the South African CAA, the Bermudan CAA, and the Cayman CAA. EASA certification is in progress.
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