Tizeti, a prominent internet service provider in West Africa, has launched its FreeFiber broadband service in Nigeria and Ghana, offering speeds of over 1Gbps, significantly faster than the regional average of 28Mbps. Initially available in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Accra, the service will expand to more cities within the next year.
A key feature of FreeFiber is its focus on online gaming. Its dedicated fibre port provides ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and seamless performance even with multiple devices connected. New users can benefit from free installation, a complimentary first month, and a referral program that rewards customers with free setup and subscriptions for referring others.
The service also includes VoIP, free calls to several countries with African populations, and other digital services such as Teleport Services, which offer access to US IP addresses and digital wallets. Tizeti, which serves over four million subscribers and partners with global tech giants like Microsoft and Meta, aims to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable, reliable internet across the region.
With over a decade of experience providing solar-powered, unlimited internet services, Tizeti has grown from a startup to a billion-naira business. Its mission remains focused on delivering accessible internet to millions across West Africa.
The company continues to innovate with new services and expand its network, demonstrating its commitment to improving digital infrastructure in the region. Through strategic partnerships, including collaborations with organisations like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Tizeti is positioning itself as a leader in driving digital transformation across West Africa.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with TikTok under the ‘Safer Together’ initiative to enhance digital safety and literacy in Nigeria. That collaboration, announced at the TikTok Online Safety and Digital Awareness Programme in Abuja, reflects Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital transformation, supported by a growing tech ecosystem and increasing connectivity.
The partnership addresses key challenges such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and digital exploitation while aligning with NITDA’s regulatory framework, emphasising awareness, innovation, and inclusivity. NITDA aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027, fostering digital inclusion and empowering youth to drive the country’s digital economy. TikTok’s safety features, including screen time management and anti-bullying tools, are integral to educating parents, teachers, and stakeholders on safe and responsible digital practices.
The programme highlights the importance of collective efforts in creating a secure digital environment, requiring collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society. Through initiatives like this, the partnership aims to inspire creativity, build trust, and shape positive digital experiences for millions in Nigeria while addressing the risks associated with technological advancement.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank have partnered to develop a National Land Digital System, aiming to address long-standing challenges in land administration. That initiative seeks to improve transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in land transactions by digitising land records, which will streamline the registration process and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Given that over 90% of Nigeria’s land remains unregistered, this system will unlock significant economic potential by formalising land ownership and boosting investor confidence. As a result, the goal is to increase formal land transactions from under 10% to over 50% within the next decade, thereby enhancing property rights protection and promoting economic growth. Moreover, the initiative will focus on collaborating with state governments to register, document, and title land parcels, thus securing land ownership and unlocking new development opportunities.
In addition to these efforts, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank are finalising the National Urban Development Policy (NUDP), which will provide a strategic framework for long-term urban and rural growth. The policy is designed to guide the development of economically vibrant, climate-resilient, and inclusive cities, aligning with Nigeria’s broader objectives for sustainable development.
Furthermore, the initiative emphasises the importance of streamlining land administration and encouraging private sector investment in housing and infrastructure. That includes promoting eco-friendly construction materials and improving access to mortgage options. Consequently, these combined efforts are expected to lay the foundation for a more efficient and equitable land system, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic and social development.
ProFuturo and American Tower are expanding their digital education initiative to Nigeria, building on the success of a program initially launched in Kenya. The expansion aims to provide nearly 30,000 students in vulnerable communities across Africa and Latin America access to digital learning opportunities, addressing significant educational inequalities.
Central to this initiative is the training and empowerment of over 1,000 teachers, who will receive essential digital resources and innovative teaching methods to integrate technology into their classrooms effectively. By equipping educators with these tools, the collaboration seeks to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that underserved regions have access to the same educational resources as urban areas.
The partnership aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting quality education and reducing inequalities while also aiming to reduce poverty and inequality within local communities. Additionally, American Tower’s Digital Communities initiative will establish technology-driven spaces that promote digital literacy, vocational training, and healthcare access, serving as vital hubs for learning and development.
Looking ahead to 2030, the partnership aspires to create lasting change, ensuring that all children can succeed in the digital economy and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape in Nigeria and beyond.
Nigerian fintech company Moniepoint has raised $110 million in new funding, backed by investors like Google, to expand digital payments and banking services across Africa. Since its 2015 inception as a payment infrastructure provider for banks, Moniepoint has grown to offer personal banking services, becoming a major player in Nigeria’s rapidly growing fintech market.
The funding round, supported by existing investors such as Development Partners International and Lightrock, and new entrants Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Verod Capital, values Moniepoint above $1 billion, marking its entry into “unicorn” status. The company plans to use the funds to develop an integrated business platform offering digital payments, banking, credit, and business management tools.
With a customer base in Nigeria‘s vast, underserved financial market, Moniepoint says it processes over 800 million transactions each month, valued at more than $17 billion. This new funding will help accelerate its mission to provide accessible financial solutions across Africa.
The United States and Nigeria have launched the Bilateral Liaison Group on Illicit Finance and Cryptocurrencies to counter cybercrime and misuse of digital assets. Led by the US Department of Justice and Nigerian authorities, this new initiative aims to strengthen both countries’ capabilities in investigating and prosecuting cyber and crypto-related financial crimes as digital finance expands globally.
The group’s formation comes soon after the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, who was detained in Nigeria since February on money laundering charges. His release due to health concerns follows rising tensions, and this new collaboration may help ease strained relations as both nations work toward secure cyberspace operations.
Aligned with US goals for global cyber enforcement, this liaison group aims to streamline coordination between the two countries’ enforcement bodies. This joint effort underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation to address the unique challenges posed by digital assets in the fight against financial crime.
Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector urge the federal government to strengthen telecom infrastructure security, designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). They raised concerns about vandalism, theft, and cyber-attacks that threaten these assets, which are vital for supporting the country’s digital economy.
Furthermore, while stakeholders, including IHS Towers and ALTON, praised the federal government for recognising the importance of telecom infrastructure, they emphasised the need for a comprehensive protection plan to secure these assets. In addition, they called for collaboration between the government and telecom operators to develop a Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) and proposed the creation of a centralised database to monitor telecom infrastructure.
Moreover, in addition to protecting telecommunications infrastructure, stakeholders stressed the need for long-term strategies to ensure the sector’s sustainability. By safeguarding critical assets, Nigeria can support the growth of its digital economy and strengthen national security. IHS Towers, in particular, highlighted the importance of joint efforts in developing robust protections to prevent vandalism and cyber threats, which could otherwise undermine Nigeria’s telecommunications network. Strengthening this infrastructure will help build a secure, sustainable, and connected future for Nigeria.
Ericsson has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian government to collaborate on developing, deploying, and innovating 5G technology. The partnership aims to explore how 5G can support Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives, including driving economic growth and improving public services.
Specifically, key objectives outlined in the agreement include facilitating knowledge exchange within the technology sector, building capacity among local stakeholders, establishing innovation hubs and tech incubators, and enhancing digital literacy and skills development. Notably, the MoU was signed during a visit by a Nigerian government delegation to Ericsson’s global headquarters in Stockholm, led by the Vice President of Nigeria.
Thus, this collaboration reflects a shared vision for the future of technology in Nigeria and emphasises the importance of leveraging 5G to unlock innovation potential for businesses and citizens, enhancing the country’s national digital competitiveness.
In a related development, MTN Nigeria has opened a 5G Digital Experience Center in Abuja to showcase various 5G applications and services to consumers. This launch complements the recent MoU and demonstrates a concerted effort within the telecommunications sector to promote the benefits of 5G technology and drive its adoption in Nigeria.
IHS Towers, ALTON, and the NCC have proposed a series of strategic initiatives to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, which is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, theft, and vandalism. Central to this proposal is developing a robust Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) that emphasises collaboration among all relevant stakeholders, including telecom operators, regulatory bodies, and the government.
Key initiatives include establishing a secure, centralised database of all telecom infrastructure managed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Additionally, mandatory routine surveillance of major telecom installations by security agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the police is crucial for deterring threats.
The proposal also advocates for standardised procedures for responding to incidents and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of protecting critical national information infrastructure. Regulatory support from the NCC, including establishing a dedicated committee to assist telecom operators, will further reinforce these efforts.
Maintaining secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure is essential for national security and economic growth. The interconnectedness of modern society relies heavily on a robust telecom sector, which supports critical services, including healthcare, education, and financial systems.
By prioritising infrastructure resilience and emphasising a commitment to security, Nigeria can ensure the continuity of these vital services even in the face of potential threats. This holistic approach protects the telecommunications sector and promotes sustainable economic development across the nation.
The House of Representatives has introduced a significant bill to provide free internet services in selected public places throughout Nigeria. The initiative highlights the critical role of information and communications technology (ICT) in nation-building and seeks to bridge the digital divide by enhancing connectivity in essential sectors like education and healthcare.
The proposed law outlines various locations eligible for free internet access, including government offices, secondary and tertiary institutions, public hospitals, military barracks, libraries, parks, and transport terminals. Users will not be charged for connecting to these public internet access points, separate from backend services used in government operations. To ensure quality, the bill mandates a minimum internet speed of two megabytes per second per user, aligning with the National Broadband Plan.
To facilitate the effective implementation of the bill, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will oversee the rollout and set standards for public locations included in the initiative. They are required to develop a comprehensive implementation plan within one year of the law’s commencement, collaborating with federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector entities.
The legislation encourages public-private partnerships to enhance service delivery, allowing private partners to offer supplemental internet services for a fee. Additionally, it promotes cost reduction by encouraging private service providers to exchange data tariffs through designated domestic internet protocol exchanges, ultimately improving access for users in areas where the programme is implemented.
