Connect with us

Business

Centre Unveils Africa Data Revolution Report

Published

on

The African Centre for Statistics, a department at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), says it has launched the first Africa Data Revolution Report (ADDR) 2016 edition.
A statement by the commission recently  in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on its website, said that it is a biennial report highlighting developments in African national data ecosystems.
It further said that the 2016 edition was the inaugural Africa Data Revolution Report.
According to it, the report is published by the ECA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Open Data for Development and the World Wide Web Foundation.
The first ADRR focuses on mapping the data ecosystem in Africa with reference to the production and distribution.
It also focuses on the use of data by public, private and civil society actors as they relate to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It draws from in-depth case studies of national data ecosystems in 10 African countries which include; Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania.
Director, African Centre for Statistics, Mr. Oliver Chinganya said in the statement that the commission was very excited about the report.
He said that harnessing the ongoing data revolution in Africa was crucial to accelerating sustainable development on the continent, among many other things.
“There is definitely a need for us, as Africans, to boost the capacity of national data ecosystems fairly early in the implementation cycle of the SDGs.
“This is why the ECA and its partners have produced this report and will continue to do so,” he said.
He also said that the document would help readers to better understand the changing data landscape in Africa, the increasingly important role of various data communities and new technology.
The report identifies and describes key actors, communities and systems, their capacities, interactions and the ‘rules of the game’.
It also identifies the enabling environment, laws, regulations and principles that govern the production, dissemination and use of data in Africa.
According to the statement, empirical evidence is mounting, showing that data enables citizens to make more effective decisions in their daily lives and help entrepreneurs create new business opportunities.
It also said that data enables institutions to make the governing process more efficient, responsive, inclusive and transparent, making data an enabler of development.
According to it, the document goes beyond just being a tool for monitoring and evaluation.
The ADRR 2016 reviews seven key data communities in terms of their historical development, interaction with other data communities, strengths, limitations and showcases data innovations in Africa.
It also assesses the infrastructure requirements, the nature and impact of prevailing protocols governing data production on the continent.
Based on the analysis of data ecosystems in Africa, the ADRR identifies challenges to data revolution in the legal, legislative and policy frameworks or principles.
It is also identifies challenges associated with financial investments, technology and infrastructure, and data governance areas.
The statement also said that Africa countries were making considerable efforts to strengthen quality, accessibility and timeliness of data production and use.
This, it said, was being done by revitalising national statistical systems, open data policies and platforms, greater generation and use of non-government generated data, especially citizen and private sector-generated data.

Continue Reading

Business

MoneyPoint Empowers Pharmacists With Payment Solutions 

Published

on

MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.

Corlins Walter

Continue Reading

Business

Embrace AI, CIIN Urges Insurance Operators 

Published

on

In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.

Continue Reading

Business

NASRDA Reassures On Strengthening Nigeria’s Space Capability 

Published

on

In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.

Corlins Walter

Continue Reading

Trending