oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, business, ghana, government, news
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), alongside Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology (FMIST) and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), have officially launched Sankore, an initiative valued at £1.9 million designed to enhance science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) environments across West African nations.
As part of the UK-Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP) Program, Sankore will enhance the United Kingdom’s relationships with Nigeria and Ghana. This initiative supports crucial strategies such as the UK-Ghana Science, Technology & Innovation Strategy from 2023 to 2027 and the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership, which was agreed upon in November 2024 between the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, and Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Centering on Nigeria and Ghana, Sankore will collaborate intensively with stakeholders in West Africa to:
— Assist with the implementation of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) and the Nigeria National Research Fund (NRF).
— Assist Nigeria in establishing its National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) as an operational entity.
— Promote the commercialization of innovative solutions in key economic areas like agriculture and energy.
— Improve the policy and regulatory framework to foster innovation, enhancing data access and transparency for stakeholders within the ecosystem;
– Set up a demand-driven Helpdesk to support FCDO and governmental partners, offering expert guidance and advice.
At the program launch in Abuja, the UK’s Head of Integrated Strategy and Delivery Unit, Ms. Susan Mshana, stated that the Sankore initiative represents an exhilarating enhancement aimed at bolstering the United Kingdom’s enduring collaboration with the governments of West African nations. This new venture seeks to foster economic expansion via innovative approaches.
“Through utilizing our abilities, assets, and knowledge, we strive to hasten the common objectives of economic diversity, employment generation, and enhanced service provision in both Nigeria and Ghana,” she mentioned additionally.
Additionally, Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, stated: “Innovation plays a crucial role in fostering a robust and equitable economy. The Sankore initiative will serve as a driving force behind positioning Ghana as a leader in scientific progress and technological development within the area. We are excited about working alongside numerous collaborators contributing their knowledge and skills to this collective effort.”
Furthermore, the Honorable Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Nigeria, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji stated: “At the FMIST, we aim to promote sustainable growth by encouraging locally developed innovations while incorporating international scientific advances to secure Nigeria’s advancement globally. The project known as Sankore signifies a crucial step forward in our significant and fruitful collaboration with the United Kingdom, working together towards a prosperous future for all Nigerians via state-of-the-art technologies and enhanced economics.”
Sankore will be provided by UNESCO and R4D working alongside local and international collaborators to guarantee successful execution and knowledge sharing.
The project will span 15 months, coming to an end by March 31, 2026.
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oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, crime, cybercrime, financial crime, police and law enforcement
In a major cross-border effort, law enforcement agencies from seven African nations have apprehended 306 individuals and confiscated 1842 gadgets as part of an extensive international crackdown on cybercrime, specifically focusing on fraudulent activities and scams conducted online.
Known as Operation Red Card, this initiative was active from November 2024 until February 2025. It aimed at disrupting cybercrime organizations that bilked more than 5000 individuals via mobile banking fraud, fraudulent investments, and deceptive messaging apps, as reported by infosecurity-magazine.com.
In Nigeria, law enforcement apprehended 130 individuals, among whom were 113 foreigners, for their involvement in illicit investment scams and illegal online gambling operations.
Officials discovered that criminals channeled illegal funds into digital assets to hide their monetary tracks.
The investigations revealed indications of human trafficking, with certain people being forced to take part in the fraud schemes.
The authorities confiscated: 26 cars; 16 residences; 39 parcels of land; along with 685 electronic gadgets.
In Rwanda, authorities detained 45 people in 2024 who were behind a social engineering scheme that tricked victims out of over $305,000.
Fraudsters pretended to be telecom staff members and misleadingly told their targets they had won lotteries to obtain confidential data.
Some pretended to be hurt relatives asking for urgent financial aid.
The authorities retrieved $103,043 and confiscated 292 devices.
In South Africa, law enforcement apprehended 40 people and seized more than 1000 SIM cards, alongside 53 desktop computers and towers, all connected to an advanced SIM box scam operation.
This configuration enabled cybercriminals to mask international calls as local ones, making widespread SMS phishing campaigns possible.
In Zambia, authorities arrested 14 individuals who were part of a cybercrime group involved in malware attacks.
The perpetrators dispatched phishing messages with harmful links, which contaminated the victims’ devices and seized control over their messaging and banking applications. This allowed them to infiltrate financial accounts and propagate more fake links.
The operation was conducted via INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), an initiative aimed at aiding law enforcement agencies as they work to counteract cyber threats.
Under the AFJOC initiative, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provided £2.6 million for Operation Red Card to boost Africa’s ability to detect and prevent cybercrimes, thereby enhancing law enforcement capacities across the continent.
The seven participating nations—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia—are continuing their collaboration on intelligence-driven cybercrime investigations.
“The success of Operation Red Card highlights the effectiveness of global collaboration in tackling cybercrime, which transcends national boundaries and can lead to severe consequences for people and societies,” stated Neal Jetton, who leads Interpol’s cybercrime division.
The retrieval of substantial assets and equipment, along with the apprehension of major suspects, clearly indicates to cyber criminals that their actions will face serious consequences.
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oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, cloud computing, cloud services, technology, technology companies
By Kehinde Ogundare, National Director, Zoho Nigeria
The entrepreneurial zeal in Nigeria is unmistakable. Despite operating within a vibrant yet fiercely competitive marketplace, companies here have immense promise, ready to emerge as major players regionally and globally. Yet, actualizing this potential involves tackling a difficult environment characterized by scarce IT assets, intricate operational challenges, and entrenched conventional business methods. To achieve lasting expansion, Nigerian enterprises must embrace digital change, where cloud technology plays an essential role in facilitating progress.
As Nigeria’s middle class grows and its populace becomes more technologically adept, the country presents a promising environment for creativity and growth. However, numerous companies still rely on outdated, hands-on methods, which hampers their potential for expansion and competitive edge. In this scenario, cloud solutions and advanced digital resources prove essential.
The requirement for digital evolution
Conventional growth strategies struggle to adapt quickly enough to changing markets. Relying on manual procedures creates inefficiencies, insufficient data analysis impedes well-informed decisions, and constrained IT capabilities impede creative progress. To surmount these challenges, companies should embrace digital solutions that simplify processes, mechanize routine tasks, and offer practical analytics.
The process of digital transformation doesn’t revolve around implementing new technologies just because they’re available; rather, it focuses on achieving efficient expansion. For companies aiming to grow within the current digital landscape, scalability is essential as it allows them to broaden their audience, stay ahead in competition, and address shifting consumer expectations. By leveraging digital resources, organizations can enhance their influence, boost income generation, and streamline expenses, thus securing enduring stability.
The strength of cloud-based systems
Cloud-based platforms remove the necessity for significant capital expenditures on infrastructure, providing companies with advanced technological tools that are both adaptable and expandable. These systems automate routine processes, optimize work procedures, and boost efficiency, thereby freeing up important assets so enterprises can concentrate on their strategies and interactions with customers.
A comprehensive SaaS platform provides a cohesive environment for overseeing every aspect of a company’s operations. Through an centralized collection of tools, this system streamlines processes, minimizes manual input, and enhances teamwork among staff members. This leads to decreased overhead expenses and quicker strategic choices, facilitating swifter growth into emerging markets.
Zoho’s focus with their software lies in contextual intelligence, utilizing AI to deliver real value to customers. Given that customer experience holds significant importance in today’s market, Zoho’s AI-driven analytics empower companies to customize engagements, predict requirements, and enhance connections with clients. Additionally, Zoho remains dedicated to protecting customer privacy, ensuring that enterprises can use data ethically which helps build confidence and enduring allegiance.
An all-encompassing strategy for expanding a business
Zoho’s strategy of refining every part of the technological framework—from infrastructure to applications—guarantees smooth interoperability and peak efficiency. This comprehensive method leads to superior tech solutions for companies in Nigeria, allowing them to concentrate on what they do best without getting bogged down by intricate technical challenges.
For businesses in Nigeria, digital transformation is not an option but a must-have now. Adopting cloud-based solutions allows them to surmount conventional hurdles to expansion, grow more effectively, and realize their complete capabilities.
The future of Nigerian enterprises lies in digitization. By embracing the cloud, companies can turn obstacles into chances, thereby facilitating enduring expansion within a progressively cutthroat worldwide market.
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oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | food and drink, health, meals, meat, money
What defines an ideal banh mi? Should it overflow with meats, pâté, and cold cuts, or should it maintain a lighter, more balanced approach?
VnExpress
After the recent Banh Mi Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, readers shared their thoughts on their perfect version of a banh mi sandwich. At this event, certain well-known brands were charging up to VND73,000 ($2.85 USD) for a filled serving.
Reader
Hien Le Thanh
thought that a banh mi with such a high price tag was excessive:
A banh mi costing VND73,000 comes loaded with an abundance of meat and has a remarkably rich taste. It’s quite substantial for one person to consume entirely on their own. In my opinion, this particular banh mi mirrors others in terms of its composition. Personally, I favor a well-balanced stuffing accompanied by generous portions that should be served warm, crunchy, and aromatic.
Reader
Jen
added:
A VND73,000 banh mi, which is loaded with meat, has become quite famous. This sandwich was once favored by western travelers looking for bigger servings; however, nowadays, local youth also appreciate it. Despite this popularity, most individuals find they can typically consume just about one-third of the sizable banh mi due to its generous size.
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At a store in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find two portions of a banh mi filled with cold cuts along with two levels of pate. The image was captured by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.
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For reader
nguyendinhvu2010
, the ideal banh mi begins with its fragrance:
As you stroll by a banh mi cart, the blend of freshly baked bread, pâté, barbecue pork, and butter emits an enticing aroma that beckons you closer. When you grasp the sandwich in your hand, you ought to sense its warmth and listen for the crisp sound. However, the real delight comes with the initial bite—the harmony of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors renders every banh mi distinctively special.
Reader
Quang Nguyen
reminisced about his most memorable banh mi experience:
The finest version I experienced was in Da Nang. It boasted just the right size, featuring a touch of tartness and spiciness, along with a crunchy exterior, flavorful filling, and fresh herbs such as coriander, Thai basil, and cucumber.
Another reader,
Nguoi nhap cuoc
reminisced about a banh mi from decades past:
Those who resided in the vicinity of Thu Duc both prior to and following 1975 would recall an older gentleman with one blinded eye peddling banh mi using a bicycle equipped with a sizable wooden crate secured at the rear.
In those times, food was hard to come by, yet his banh mi remained consistently warm and crispy. His signature dish included pressure-cooked sardines swimming in rich tomato gravy. The more affluent customers would often buy an entire banh mi, whereas many others opted for only half due to cost constraints. Whether it was chilly outside or raining heavily at night, his banh mi was always a delightful find. To ensure freshness, he carried a charcoal stove on his bicycle specifically for reheating the sandwiches when needed.
Afterward, I didn’t see him or his banh mi bike anymore. I was told he had passed away, and nobody continued his work. By then, banh mi carts could be found all around.
One notable characteristic of his cart was a manually operated horn connected to the bicycle’s handlebars. This would announce his arrival long before he got close, as the distant blaring could be heard clearly. That noise served as a fragment of the city’s history.
oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | commerce, medicine and healthcare, news, news media, transportation
Tanger Med has climbed higher in the international port rankings, now standing at 17th position globally—a gain of two places compared to the previous year. As reported by Alphaliner, the port experienced an 18.8% surge in container throughput, marking the second-largest growth rate internationally, following closely after Long Beach and Los Angeles.
In 2024, Tangier Med managed to process an all-time high of 10.24 million TEUs due to improved infrastructure, state-of-the-art machinery, and streamlined marine activities. This achievement makes it the sole port from both the Mediterranean region and Africa to be listed among the world’s top 30 ports.
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Tanger Med records remarkable expansion, places 17th globally
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