Nigeria’s $150m Suit Against Google, GoDaddy.com Adjourns

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned the 150 million dollars suit filed by a Nigerian, Chianugo Peter, against Google LLC and GoDaddy.com LLC until April 22 for hearing.

The case, which was before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence in today’s proceedings.

Although Peter’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, and Mark Mordi, who is counsel to Google LLC, were in court, Justice Egwuatu was said to be in another official assignment.

The matter was consequently fixed for April 22 for hearing.

Peter had filed the suit over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTubeAudio.com domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing efforts in breach of the contract.

Peter, through his lawyer, named GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit filed on April 14, 2023 and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023.

In his earlier originating summons filed by Ekpenyong of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP, the Nigerian sought a $150 million in compensation from Google LLC and GoDaddy.com LLC for the alleged cyberspace contract breach.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendants shut down his domain and business name: YouTubeAudio.com and transferred the rights over the name to Google LLC, an American multinational technology company.

Google LLC, in its initial statement of defence dated Nov. 9, 2023, and filed Nov. 10, 2023, by its lawyer, Mr Mordi, SAN, of the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, urged the court to dismiss Peter’s suit as being unmeritorious and lacking in merits.

Justice Egwuatu had, in April 2024, gave the plaintiff go-ahead to amend his originating processes after his lawyer moved the application for same and it was not opposed by the defence counsel.

In his amended statement of claim dated April 29, 2024, Peter sought ten reliefs.

He sought a declaration that GoDaddy.com was wrong to shut down the YouTubeAudio.com domain name on Dec. 7, 2022 and that Google was wrong to remove “YTAudio” with its website youtubeaudio.com from its Google PlayStore on Dec. 25, 2023 without adequate compensation to him.

He said this is notwithstanding that YouTubeAudio.com domain and business name is different and distinct from YouTube trademarks.

He wants the court to declare that he is entitled to compensation from the defendants for the loss of the YouTubeAudio.com brand and goodwill which has accrued on the brand and domain name for eight years of promotional and marketing works from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.

He sought an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of $50 million to him for promotional and marketing works on the YouTube Audio business name and YouTube Audio.com domain name for eight years from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.

He sought a $100 million in damages for loss of anticipated profits associated with the brand equity and goodwill of YouTube Audio and YouTube Audio.com domain name.

Peter also sought from the defendants the sum of 50 million naira to enable him to carry out fresh registrations of its new name and secure an alternative domain name to host its application to attract users.

The Nigerian sought an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of 10 million naira to him for prosecution of the suit.

Alternatively, Peter prayed the court for an order for GoDaddy.com to reinstate and hoist the YouTubeAudio.com domain name which was shut down on Dec. 7, 2022 and for Goggle to also reinstate YouTubeAudio.com on its Google PlayStore platform which was unilaterally removed on Dec. 25, 2023.

He submitted that he acquired rights over YouTubeAudio.com domain name from Go Daddy.com LLC who conducted a search before confirming that he could make use of the name.

The plaintiff averred that he promoted the domain and business name from 2014 to 2022 and even wrote to Google to introduce YouTubeAudio’s services and to partner with it in 2014 and 2021 but received no response from it on both occasions.

He said in February 2021, he applied for and YouTubeAudio.com was registered on Google Adsense platform for displaying advertisements on the website.

Besides, Peter said in August 2021, the domain and business name was registered on Google Playstore.

According to him, the plaintiff consistently paid GoDaddy.com LLC for registration and use of the domain name from 2015 to 2022.

But Google LLC, in its amended statement of defence and counterclaim dated and filed May 31, 2024, averred that its registration of the YOUTUBE trademarks at the Trademarks Registry gives it the exclusive right to the use of the said trademarks.

It submitted that it has incurred expenses in the sum of 24,040 64 dollars in dealing with Peter’s “deliberate infringement of the counterclaimant’s YOUTUBE trademarks.”

The company, therefore, sought a declaration that Peter’s registration and use of the YouTubeAudio business name with BN 2395035 at the CAC is an infringement of its YOUTUBE registered trademarks.

It prayed the court for an order directing Peter to pay the company the total sum of $24,040.64, being the expenses incurred in dealing with his infringement of the YOUTUBE registered trademarks.

It equally sought an order directing the plaintiff to pay the company the cost of defending the suit.

In his amended reply to Google’s amended statement of defence dated 12th July 2024, Peter responded that it is not in doubt that Google LLC owns YouTube trademarks; however, YouTubeAudio is distinct and different from YouTube trademarks.

He submitted that Google LLC, being a foremost search engine in the world, knew that he had earlier written to it, that he was making use of the YouTubeAudio domain name for the past eight years without any objection or caveat by either GoDaddy.com or Google.

“Hence, Google LLC is estopped from claiming any right over the YouTubeAudio domain name,” he said. GoDaddy.com LLC had neither filed any process nor represented in court Nigeria’s Air Cargo Reforms Crucial for AfCFTA Gains-Centre.

By Julius Alagbe, Market Forces Africa

Nigeria opens probe into Temu over suspected data protection breaches

Nigeria's data watchdog has opened a probe into Chinese-owned e-commerce giant Temu for suspected data-law violations, the regulator said on Tuesday, a move that could usher in legal penalties in one of Africa's biggest markets.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said concerns over Temu's data-processing practices - including online surveillance, opaque handling, cross-border transfers and possible breaches of data-minimisation rules, triggered the investigation.

The move comes amid rising global scrutiny of Temu's rapid expansion.

NDPC chief Vincent Olatunji ordered the probe and warned that processors could be held liable for any non-compliance.

The company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Last year, the agency fined Multichoice Nigeria, Africa's largest pay-TV operator, 766 million naira ($565,990) for breaching data-protection rules.

Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily users globally, the NDPC said in a statement.

Temu, owned by Nasdaq-listed PDD Holdings, has expanded rapidly in Nigeria with an app-driven marketplace offering steep discounts on fashion, electronics and household goods.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Nigeria slips to 85th in global internet speed rankings as peers pull ahead

Nigeria’s expanding internet access is no longer translating into better online performance, as the country slipped to 85th place globally in internet speed, underscoring growing infrastructure pressure and a widening digital gap with regional peers.

According to the latest Speedtest Global Index by US-based research firm Ookla, Nigeria’s median mobile download speed stood at 44.14 Mbps by December 2025, down seven places from the previous ranking.

The report, which assessed mobile and fixed broadband performance across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), shows that while more Nigerians are online, network quality is struggling to keep pace with demand.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), only three countries made the global top-100 list: South Africa (64th), Kenya (80th), and Nigeria (85th). South Africa retained its regional lead despite dropping five places globally, posting a median mobile download speed of 65.7 Mbps, while Kenya recorded 45.37 Mbps.

The results highlight a growing contrast across the region. While Nigeria continues to face infrastructure bottlenecks, other African markets are making sharper gains through fibre expansion and network modernisation. Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, recorded the biggest improvement in SSA, climbing to 103rd globally with a median download speed of 58.17 Mbps, despite relatively low fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) coverage of between 15 percent and 19 per cent, according to Omdia.

Ookla noted that Côte d’Ivoire’s performance may be boosted by a user base concentrated on higher-speed connections, supported by competitive offerings such as Orange’s entry-level fixed broadband packages starting at 50 Mbps.

Elsewhere, Mauritania posted the largest ranking jump in SSA, rising 24 places to 106th globally after expanding its national backbone with 5,500 kilometres of fibre, with plans to add another 8,000 kilometres under its Digital Agenda 2022–2025.

Six SSA countries now rank within the global top-120, reflecting uneven but accelerating infrastructure investment across the continent.

South Africa remains unique in the region for its widespread use of wholesale-only fibre-to-the-premises networks, a model analysts say has helped improve competition and service quality.

Ookla said improvements in both fixed and mobile network performance typically result from a mix of network optimisation, architecture modernisation, technology upgrades, fibre expansion, commercial migration to higher-speed plans, quality-of-service regulation, and strategic policy support from governments and regulators.

While Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continue to dominate the MEA rankings, Nigeria’s slide signals a more urgent challenge, in that, without faster, more resilient networks, gains in internet penetration risk delivering diminishing economic returns, especially for digital services, fintech, remote work, and online education.

For Africa’s largest internet market, the message is that connecting more users is no longer enough, speed now matters just as much.

By Royal Ibeh, Business Day

Nigeria signs deal with South Korea to launch Africa’s first electric vehicle factory

Nigeria has taken a major step toward establishing a domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry after signing an agreement with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) to establish what officials are calling Africa’s first EV manufacturing plant.

The agreement, signed on January 30, 2025, by Minister of State for Industry Senator John Enoh for Nigeria and AEDC Chairman Yoon Suk-hun for South Korea, marks a major step in the country’s push to localize vehicle production and green technology adoption.

According to a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC),

“On January 30, 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through Senator John Enoh, Hon. Minister of State for Industry at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) to establish an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant and develop critical charging infrastructure nationwide. This landmark collaboration aligns strongly with Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).”

Phased Approach and Production Targets

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with EV assembly and later expanding into full in-house production.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles annually and create approximately 10,000 jobs, according to the NADDC.

Government Initiatives to Support EV Adoption

Nigeria’s automotive sector faces structural challenges, including limited local component production, high assembly costs, and heavy reliance on imports.

The country imports between 400,000 and 720,000 vehicles annually, with 74–90% being used cars.

In 2023, imports reached 700,000 units, with passenger cars valued at $1.05 billion in 2024, making Nigeria one of the world’s largest markets for pre-owned vehicles.

To promote electric mobility, the federal government launched a 20 billion naira ($12 million) consumer credit program in December 2024.

The scheme supports the purchase of locally assembled electric vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles, partnering with domestic manufacturers including Innoson, Nord, CIG (GAC), PAN, Mikano, Jets, NEV (Electric), and DAG to expand access and foster the growth of a homegrown EV industry.

Previous EV Efforts

Earlier EV initiatives in Nigeria, like the NASENI–Israeli/Japanese collaboration in 2022 or the December 2025 partnership with the Chinese firm, were pilot projects or partial assembly efforts and did not reach full-scale production.

The new AEDC-backed plant is explicitly designed to be the continent’s first large-scale EV production facility, including assembly, manufacturing, and supporting infrastructure such as nationwide charging networks.

Regional Context and Opportunities

Across Africa, electric vehicle adoption is growing but remains limited. According to EV24, the continent had over 30,000 EVs in use by mid‑2025, accounting for less than 1 percent of total vehicle sales.

Ethiopia leads with about 100,000 EVs, followed by Ghana with 17,000, Morocco with 10,000, South Africa with 6,000, Egypt with 3,500–4,000, and Kenya with nearly 3,800.

Most EVs are motorcycles or commercial vehicles, and adoption is constrained by high costs and limited charging infrastructure.

Nigeria’s agreement with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee to build Africa’s first full-scale EV plant highlights its ambition to move beyond assembly toward a sustainable domestic EV industry.

By Olamilekan Okebiorun, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria technology summit showcases tech-driven innovations for real-world challenges

At Tech Revolution Africa in Lagos, founders and companies showcased solutions already tackling real problems, shifting the continent’s tech conversation from ambition to execution.

CGTN Africa

PayPal Goes Live In Nigeria Through Paga, Enabling Global Payments And Local Withdrawals

Paga, Nigeria’s pioneering fintech company, and PayPal, the global payments and commerce platform, today announced the availability of live account linking for customers in Nigeria. The integration enables users to access PayPal-supported cross-border payments directly through Paga’s digital wallet, allowing them to receive international payments and withdraw funds locally in Naira.

With this integration, users in Nigeria can link their PayPal accounts directly to their Paga wallets to receive cross-border payments from PayPal supported markets, shop with global PayPal merchants, and access their funds locally. The service also enables Nigerian merchants and entrepreneurs to reach PayPal’s global network of over 400 million users worldwide, and grow their businesses internationally.

Through Paga, users can easily access their PayPal balances and withdraw funds across everyday financial needs, including spending via card, transferring to local bank accounts, or paying bills and merchants within the Paga ecosystem, providing a seamless bridge between global earnings and local use. The collaboration strengthens Nigeria’s financial services ecosystem by promoting cross-border commerce, empowering merchants and small business growth, and supporting the country’s digital economic infrastructure.

“We are proud to make this integration live and available to users across Nigeria,” said Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Group CEO of Paga. “Whether you’re a freelancer receiving international payments, a business selling online, or a consumer shopping globally, this collaboration makes it easier to access and use global funds locally, in a way that’s simple, secure, and built for our markets.”

“We’ve been intentional about partnering with local innovators like Paga and developing solutions that help Nigerians earn, spend, and grow,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager of PayPal Middle East and Africa. “This collaboration helps strengthen the broader payments ecosystem by supporting local innovation, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling more consumers and businesses to participate confidently in the digital economy.”

Nigeria’s digital payments market continues to expand rapidly, with transaction values reaching ₦657.8 trillion in 2023 and more than 30 million active mobile wallet users (Novatia Consulting, 2024). With over 21 million users and a fast-growing API infrastructure, Paga is uniquely positioned to scale PayPal’s services to both consumers and businesses across the country, leveraging its local settlement network, digital wallet, and Visa card integrations positioning it as a secure and trusted local partner for cross-border digital payments.

To access PayPal services through Paga, users can log in to the Paga app or www.paga.com, link their PayPal account, and start receiving international payments into their Paga wallet and use those funds to pay bills, transfer to bank accounts, or shop online.

By Grace Ashiru, Tech In Africa

Google report: Nigeria leading in global AI adoption for learning, entrepreneurship

A new report by Google and Ipsos has revealed that Nigeria is leading in global adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly in learning, work and entrepreneurship.

This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday by Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa.

Kola-Ogunlade said the report titled: ”Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People”, showed that Nigerians are embracing AI tools at an exceptional rate and are highly optimistic about the technology’s future.

According to the report, 88 per cent of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, representing an 18 point increase from 2024 and significantly higher than the global average of 62 per cent.

“It is inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock opportunities for learning, growth and economic empowerment.

“This report goes beyond high adoption rates; it tells the story of a nation actively shaping its future with technology,” he said.

Kola-Ogunlade added that the report findings showed that AI had become a major tool for learning and professional development in Nigeria.

He said that 93 per cent of users rely on it to understand complex topics, compared to 74 per cent globally, and 91 per cent of Nigerians used AI to assist with their work.

Kola-Ogunlade said that the report also indicated that 80 per cent of Nigerians applied it to explore new business ideas or career changes almost double the global average of 42 per cent.

“The report highlighted strong optimism about AI’s role in education, with 91 per cent of Nigerians believing it has a positive impact on learning and access to information, compared to 65 per cent globally.”

According to Kola-Ogunlade, the report shows that 95 per cent of respondents believe university students and educators will benefit from AI tools.

He said Nigerians are significantly more optimistic about AI than their global counterparts, with 80 per cent expressing excitement about its possibilities, against 20 per cent who are concerned.

“This excitement rises to 90 per cent among Nigerians who use AI frequently in their daily lives,” he said.

Business Day

Nigeria's drive to build a digital economy faces major setbacks

Nigeria’s ambition to build a digital economy is facing a major hurdle as the country grapples with cuts, vandalism, and access disputes. This has triggered thousands of network outages, slowing broadband growth, disrupting businesses, raising concerns over the country's digital future.

CGTN Africa

Amazon Wins Nigeria Satellite Internet License, Challenging Starlink’s Dominance

Nigeria has opened its satellite broadband market to a new global player. Amazon secured a seven-year landing permit from the Nigerian Communications Commission, allowing Project Kuiper to launch internet services in the country from February 2026. The decision supports Nigeria’s strategy to diversify connectivity infrastructure and attract next-generation technology investment.

“The approval aligns with global best practices and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to opening its satellite communications market to next-generation broadband service providers,” the NCC said, highlighting the strategic importance of the authorization amid rising demand for connectivity.

The license allows Amazon Kuiper to operate its space segment in Nigeria as part of a global low-Earth-orbit constellation of up to 3,236 satellites. The authorization covers fixed satellite services, mobile satellite services, and earth stations in motion. These services target households, businesses, mobility use cases, logistics, aviation, maritime transport, and critical infrastructure.

Amazon’s entry ends Starlink’s quasi-exclusive dominance of Nigeria’s LEO satellite internet market. Starlink benefited from a first-mover advantage and built an estimated base of more than 66,000 subscribers. Kuiper’s arrival introduces direct competition between two global players with large financial, technological, and industrial resources. That rivalry could reshape pricing, service quality, and coverage.

From a technical standpoint, the authorization covers operations in the Ka frequency band, which supports high data transmission capacity. Amazon plans to use 100-MHz channels and deliver speeds of up to 400 Mbps while keeping terminal costs compatible with mass adoption. These features strengthen satellite broadband as a credible alternative to terrestrial networks, including in urban and semi-urban areas.

Nigeria represents a strategic market for Amazon. The country still faces major connectivity gaps despite its large population. According to the NCC, more than 23 million Nigerians live in unserved or underserved areas, while mobile broadband penetration reached 50.58% in November 2025. In that context, LEO satellites, which offer low latency, support advanced digital uses ranging from cloud computing to digital financial services.

Beyond households, Kuiper’s services could meet demand from businesses in oil and gas, mining, ports, and logistics corridors, where fiber deployment remains costly or technically complex. Amazon, which renamed Project Kuiper as Amazon LEO in November 2025, plans to leverage integration with Amazon Web Services to bundle connectivity with cloud services.

With this authorization, Nigeria strengthens its position as one of Africa’s most dynamic satellite broadband markets. Increased competition among LEO operators should gradually improve internet speed, affordability, and resilience, benefiting consumers, businesses, and Nigeria’s digital economy.

By Samira Njoya, wearetech.africa

Related story: Starlink hits capacity in Nigeria’s largest cities, raising questions about Musk’s Africa ambitions

Nigeria set to pass AI law, among first in Africa to regulate sector

Nigeria is moving to become one of the first African countries to formally regulate artificial intelligence (AI), as lawmakers prepare to pass legislation that would tighten oversight of a fast-growing digital sector long dominated by global technology firms.

The proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill would give regulators broad powers over data use, algorithms and digital platforms, filling a regulatory gap that has persisted since Nigeria released a draft national AI strategy in 2024.

Lawmakers expect to approve the bill by the end of March.

Under the proposal, higher-risk AI systems — including those deployed in finance, public administration, surveillance and automated decision-making — would face stricter scrutiny. Developers would be required to submit annual impact assessments detailing risks, mitigation measures and system performance.

The bill would also allow regulators to impose fines of up to 10 million naira ($7,000) or as much as 2% of an AI provider’s annual revenue generated in Nigeria, although it does not specify how penalties would be calculated or enforced.

The legislation is designed to regulate AI early rather than retroactively, as adoption accelerates across Nigeria’s financial sector, public services and private industry, according to Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

“If passed, Nigeria would be among the first African countries to adopt an economy-wide regulatory framework for artificial intelligence,” Abdullahi said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Several African countries, including Mauritius, Egypt and Benin, have published AI strategies, but few have enacted comprehensive legislation governing the technology.

The proposed law sets ethical standards around transparency, fairness and accountability, and adopts a risk-based approach similar to regulatory frameworks emerging in Europe and parts of Asia. That could reshape how multinational technology companies — from US-based firms such as Google to Chinese cloud providers — operate in Africa’s most populous country.

“In governance, we need safeguards and guardrails to ensure the AI we build operates within acceptable boundaries,” Abdullahi said. “That way, bad actors can be detected and contained.”

The bill would empower regulators to demand information from AI providers, issue enforcement directives and suspend or restrict systems deemed unsafe or non-compliant. It also provides for regulatory “sandboxes”, allowing startups and institutions to test AI systems under supervision in an effort to balance oversight with innovation.

“Regulation is not just about giving commands,” Abdullahi said. “It’s about shaping market and societal behaviour so people can build AI for good.”

By Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe, Bussiness Day

Nigeria to expand digital reach with 4,000 telecom towers

The Nigerian government has approved the construction of around 4,000 telecom towers nationwide to improve digital access in underserved communities across Africa's most populous country, News.Az reports, citing Xinhua.

The Federal Executive Council, led by President Bola Tinubu, gave the green light as part of efforts to enhance basic digital connectivity and promote economic inclusion, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said on Wednesday.

“About 23 million Nigerians are currently underserved,” Idris noted, referencing a presentation by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy during the cabinet meeting.

Limited digital access has hindered economic participation and basic communication in remote areas, Idris added.

The new initiative is also expected to boost national security and stimulate commercial activity in rural communities.

News.Az

Nigeria records over $50bn cryptocurrency transactions in 1 year

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says over $50 billion worth of cryptocurrency transactions flowed through Nigeria between July 2023 and June 2024.

The Director-General of SEC, Emomotimi Agama, said in a notice on Sunday that the situation raised concern over the low participation of citizens in the traditional capital market.

Agama said no fewer than four per cent of the country’s adult population were active investors.

The director-general described the low participation rate as a major impediment to economic growth and capital formation.

He noted that, while fewer than three million citizens invested in the capital market, more than 60 million engaged daily in gambling activities, spending an estimated $5.5 million every day.

"This reveals a paradox, an appetite for risk clearly exists, but not the trust or access to channel that energy into productive investment," he said.

Agama also lamented that Nigeria’s market capitalisation to Gross Domestic Product ratio stood at about 30 per cent, far below South Africa’s 320 per cent, Malaysia’s 123 per cent, and India’s 92 per cent.

He said the disparity highlighted the urgent need to deepen financial inclusion and rebuild investors’ confidence.

Nigeria’s $150 billion annual infrastructure deficit far exceeds the market’s contribution, with only N1.5 trillion approved in Public Private Partnership bonds.

"This shows a misalignment between financial innovation and national priorities," he said.

The director-general called for a ‘reimagined SEC’ that served as both regulator and enabler of private-sector-driven growth.

Business Day

MTN Nigeria Unveils Plan to Connect 8 Million Homes with Fibre Network by 2028

The initiative supports the federal government’s National Broadband Plan and Digital Economy Policy, aiming to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to households, businesses, and SMEs across the country.

MTN Nigeria has announced plans to expand its fibre network to reach over eight million homes nationwide by 2028, reinforcing its commitment to broadband growth and digital inclusion.

The initiative supports the federal government’s National Broadband Plan and Digital Economy Policy, aiming to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to households, businesses, and SMEs across the country. MTN said the expansion is driven by Nigeria’s growing population, urbanisation, and increasing demand for low-latency connectivity to support data-heavy services and remote work.

To achieve this, the company is partnering with infrastructure providers, state governments, and local contractors to ensure sustainable fibre rollout. MTN also plans to integrate fibre into new housing projects while addressing challenges such as vandalism, right-of-way constraints, and network damages from road construction.

The telecom operator commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for designating telecom infrastructure as national assets and facilitating supportive policies. MTN reaffirmed its goal to deliver affordable, reliable broadband access and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.

Tech Africa News

Nigeria’s first national microchip design framework to drive digital sovereignty

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with U.S.-based ChipMango, unveiled Nigeria’s first national microchip design framework, a move seen by many in the industry as a defining step toward digital sovereignty.

For a nation that has long depended on imported technology, the announcement during the GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos marked a bold pivot.

“We are building a future where Nigerian talent leads in semiconductor design,” said Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s director general, during the launch. “This framework embodies our vision for digital sovereignty and inclusion, creating jobs, exports, and innovation for generations to come.”

The framework rests on three pillars: capacity building, outsourcing, and policy alignment. Central to this plan is ChipMango’s AI-powered e-learning platform, which will provide Nigerian students with hands-on training, simulation tools, and globally recognised certifications. Already in use in U.S. universities, the platform is designed to turn learners into industry-ready chip designers.

Beyond education, the framework positions Nigeria as a global hub for microchip design outsourcing, linking local talent to international projects worth billions of dollars. Policy integration with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) ensures the initiative is tied to national economic goals.

A distinctive feature is inclusion. Women, often underrepresented in STEM, are placed at the centre of the effort through outreach, mentorship, and scholarship programmes to ensure a diverse and innovative talent pool.

The unveiling also launched the NITDA–ChipMango Innovation Challenge 2025, a nationwide competition inviting students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to design chip-based solutions for healthcare, agriculture, robotics, and AI. Winning teams will gain recognition, mentorship, and industry certification.

For ChipMango’s Nigerian-born CEO, Ola Fadiran, the mission is clear. “This is more than a framework; it is a national strategy,” he said. “Together with NITDA, we are nurturing experts, innovators, and leaders who will power Nigeria’s microchip design economy.

Momentum will continue at Digital Nigeria 2025, where discussions will focus on building a national outsourcing ecosystem around the framework.

For many students in the audience, the launch was more than policy; it was a glimpse into a future where Nigeria’s chips could power the world. As one whispered to a friend, eyes wide with possibility, Maybe the next iPhone chip could come from Nigeria.

By Chinwe Michael, Business Day

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.

CGTN Africa

Related story: Solar power producer Sun King targets triple growth in Nigeria

Starlink hits capacity in Nigeria’s largest cities, raising questions about Musk’s Africa ambitions

 

Elon Musk’s Starlink has stopped accepting new orders in some of Nigeria’s busiest urban hubs after its satellite internet network hit capacity, putting a spotlight on the challenges of scaling in Africa’s largest market.

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.

By Soloman Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

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.

CGTN Africa

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.

CGTN Africa

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.

CGTN Africa

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