Technology
Network International Launches its Innovative Network One Payment Platform in Nigeria
State-of-the-art, cloud-based, integrated digital payment suite is now on soil to serve banks, MNOs and fintechs in Nigeria and across West Africa
Lagos, Nigeria, 7 August 2024. FTSE-listed Network International, a trusted payment partner of Nigerian banks, has underscored its commitment to local and regional markets by bringing its innovative award-winning digital payment platform, Network One, on soil in Nigeria. The platform is now ready to onboard and empower banks, MNOs and fintechs in Nigeria and throughout the West African region. By deploying its flagship Network One platform on soil, Network International aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for in-country transaction routing, enhancing its local processing capabilities. The integrated platform provides banks, FIs, and fintechs with a comprehensive range of payment products and services locally in Nigeria for both issuers and acquirers. The suite is complemented by a variety of value-added services such as digital, loyalty, tokenization, enterprise fraud prevention, embedded finance and data and advisory solutions and many more. Network International is strategically investing in rolling out the platform in key markets to effectively serve its local and regional clients and partners across the MEA region.
Nandan Mer, Group CEO, Network International, said: “This major milestone took us only a few months to deploy thanks to a local team that worked tirelessly and seamlessly with cross-functional colleagues in various geographies to ensure we deliver on Network One’s promise of innovation, resilience, and agility. Taking Network One live in Nigeria is integral to our company’s continued commitment to the country and the continent.” As the fourth-largest GDP in Africa with strong consumer spending, Nigeria is ripe for a digital payments boom. Total transaction value in the domestic digital payments market is projected to reach US$21.32bn in 2024, with an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 10.06% projected to reach a total amount of US$31.28bn by 2028 Domestic deployment good for local and African clients The Network One platform is an integrated payment suite offering both merchant and issuer solutions, hosted and supported in-country. It relies on a consolidation of best-in-class technologies brought together to provide end-to-end payment processing capabilities in a highly adaptable environment.
Network International is strategically positioning its proprietary technology infrastructure, which is developed, hosted, and maintained on a local level, to cater to the needs of local and regional entities seeking market-relevant digital payment solutions for their consumers. “Our presence on the ground and comprehension of the specific needs of the local market have enabled us to tailor a solution that is ideally suited for Nigerian enterprises. Our capability to establish a hub equipped with all the essential technology not only empowers our clients to enhance their value proposition but also positions Network to effectively contribute to financial inclusion and democratization of payments, addressing the needs of a large population of consumers across the continent,” explained Dr. Reda Helal Group, MD – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing, Network International

L-R: Dr. Reda Helal Group, Managing Director, Processing, Africa, Network International; Mrs. Chinwe Uzoho, Regional Managing Director, West and Central Africa, Network International; Mr. Nandan Mer, Group Chief Executive Officer, Network International and Mrs. Lola Agbebiyi, Managing Director, Nigeria, Network International during the media roundtable to announce the launch of Network One Payment Platform in Nigeria on Wednesday, August 7th 2024.
Swift growth of local talent yields significant outcomes A crucial aspect of Network International’s sustained investment in Nigeria is nurturing an empowered local workforce. By growing local personnel, Network is positioned to collaborate and co-innovate with local banks and mobile network operators, providing proximity to small and medium-sized enterprises and payment experts, right in the heart of their operations. As a show of its commitment to the transformation of the local entity, the company is firming up its staff complement, and will continue to enhance its resources and talents. Network recently marked its move from level 4 BBBEE status (in July 2023) to level 1 a year later as it continues to gain trust among African institutions as a payments partner of choice. “By recruiting the right talent, we are assured that our teams in Nigeria can achieve quicker results with reduced reliance on our international teams, leading to significant operational benefits for our clients locally and regionally,” Dr. Helal added.
Network International’s investments throughout Africa have led to substantial improvements in economies of scale. Consequently, the company can provide state-of-the-art technology at a lower cost than what companies might incur if developed internally. This affordability, coupled with the technology’s advanced features, appeals to a broad audience and furthers the company’s mission to expedite digital transformation across the continent. “Network One’s successful touchdown in Nigeria embodies our ambition to establish ourselves as a company that is authentically local in the African markets we serve,” Mer concluded.
Technology
It’s finally here! Introducing Instagram for iPad, designed for bigger screens
Today, we’re excited to announce we’re bringing Instagram to iPad. People have asked for this for a while, and we’ve taken the time to design an experience that optimizes your favorite parts of Instagram for a bigger screen.Sit back, relax, and watch Reelsimage.pngInstagram has always been the place where people connect over creativity, and Reels has become a primary way people discover and share entertaining content. With Instagram for iPad, we’ve redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment. Now, when you open the app, you’ll drop into Reels, so you can get the entertaining content you love on a bigger screen. You’ll also see Stories at the top, so you can easily connect with the people that matter to you, and messaging is one tap away.image.pngWe’ve heard your requests for easier ways to make sure you’re not missing updates from your favorite accounts, so we’re introducing a new “Following” tab on iPad, which gives you multiple ways to see the latest and greatest from the accounts you follow:All: Recommended posts and reels from accounts you followFriends: Recommended post and reels from accounts you follow, that follow you backLatest: Chronological posts and reels from accounts you follow, with the most recent posts appearing first.You can choose the order of these feeds to prioritize what you want to see first.
Technology
Meta Hosts its First Youth Summit in Nigeria to Drive Innovation and Empowerment
A cross-section of some of the attendees and the Meta team.November 26, 2024 – Lagos, Nigeria: Meta recently hosted its first Youth Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together over 200 young professionals, students, recent graduates, creatives, tech enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs. Themed ‘Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, the summit included a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, a mentoring session and an interactive workshop designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, insights and networks needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world. Commenting about the event, Phil Oduor, Head of Policy Programs, Sub-Saharan Africa said, “At Meta, we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s change-makers. Through initiatives like the Youth Summit, we aim to foster innovation, promote digital literacy and empower young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”Delivering the keynote address, Femi Aluko, CEO/Co-Founder, Chowdeck, shared his journey of breaking barriers to achieve success in tech. He encouraged attendees to embrace the limitless opportunities within today’s technology ecosystem. A panel discussion, led by Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager at Meta, featured panellists Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack. They shared valuable insights about the future of work, emphasising the importance of storytelling to build a personal brand, practicing self-awareness, developing soft skills, lifelong learning and honing problem-solving skills to thrive in a digitally transformed world.Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, spoke at the event. He highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, emphasising that the program aims to build Nigeria’s technical talent backbone to drive the digital economy and position Nigeria as a net talent exporter. He encouraged youth to take advantage of this opportunity.Another panel of industry experts took the stage during the ‘Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape’ session, moderated by Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta. Seye Bandele, CEO of PaidHR and Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks at Ventures Platform Fund, shared their invaluable insights. Seye highlighted the importance of grit, curiosity and candour, while Damilola reinforced the need to understand one’s target audience, deliver value through their business and embrace data-driven decision-making in the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. The event also featured inspiring conversations with leading figures in the creative industry. Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator and Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker, shared their experiences and advice on achieving long-term success. Attendees also benefited from an interactive workshop and a mentoring session, where industry experts shared practical advice and strategies for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.Meta’s Youth Summit 2024 highlights a commitment to driving positive change, championing youth empowerment and advancing economic opportunities in Nigeria. Through investments in key areas—such as the creative industry, digital literacy, economic impact and youth job training—Meta is dedicated to empowering young Nigerians to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.A group of people posing for a photoDescription automatically generatedCross-section of some of the attendees at the Meta Youth Summit 2024 in LagosA group of people standing on a stageDescription automatically generatedL-R: Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager, Meta; Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack.A group of people sitting on a stageDescription automatically generatedL-R: Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa, Meta; Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks, Ventures Platform Fund, and Seye Bandele, Chief Executive Officer, PaidHR during the Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape panel session.A person and person standing on a stageDescription automatically generatedSalem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker and Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator A group of people sitting at tablesDescription automatically generatedDuring a mentoring session workshopA person standing on a stageDescription automatically generatedFemi Aluko, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Chowdeck.A person standing at a podiumDescription automatically generatedFrancis Sani, Technical Adviser to the minister of communications and digital economy of Nigeria
Technology
Introducing Filters and Backgrounds for Video Calls
Conversations on WhatsApp should always feel fun and expressive and today, we’re rolling out filters and backgrounds to make your video calls even more engaging. With these new effects, you can now change your background or add a filter during a video call for a more personal touch.
Filters are designed to help you create a more playful atmosphere, whether that’s adding a splash of color or creating a more artistic feel for your video. With backgrounds, you can keep your surroundings private and transport yourself to a cozy coffee shop or comfortable living room for a more clean and polished look.
With 10 filters and 10 backgrounds to choose from, you can select and mix a wide range of options to create a unique look. Filter options include Warm, Cool, Black & White, Light leak, Dreamy, Prism light, Fisheye, Vintage TV, Frosted glass and Duo tone. Background options include Blur, Living room, Office, Cafe, Pebbles, Foodie, Smoosh, Beach, Sunset, Celebration and Forest.
We’re also adding Touch up and Low Light options that can help you feel more confident and comfortable by naturally enhancing the look and brightness of your environment, making your video calls more vibrant and enjoyable.
To access these during a 1:1 or group video call, select the effects icons on top right of the screen to see the selection of filters and backgrounds and choose the one that suits your mood.
These effects will be available to everyone in the coming weeks.
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