Business
Data Service Providers Rip-Off Nigerians – global study
A global report has shown that Nigerians pay more than other countries in the world when it comes to internet data services.
Recently, Surfshark, a VPN service company that offers products such as data leak detection system and private search tool released the Global Internet Value Index (IVi), which uncovers countries that are overpaying for their internet connection plan.
Nigeria is in 109th place in the world with an index 44 times lower than the global average. Oceania and Europe lead the world in internet value, while internet affordability in North America, South America, and Africa is below average.
Globally, only 4 out of 10 people get their internet at fair prices, while the remaining 61% overpay for the internet they get. Global Internet Value index (IVi) is calculated by dividing each country’s internet speed by internet affordability to determine which countries are overpaying for their internet.
According to the report, “Nigeria ranks 109th globally with an index of 0.0017, which is 44 times lower than the global average, meaning Nigerians are overpaying for the internet they get compared to other countries worldwide.
In terms of regional position, Nigeria ranks 16th with its index 56% lower than Africa’s average. Nigeria is in 12th place in Sub-Saharan Africa, while countries like South Africa and Ghana rank 70th and 105th respectively, both overpaying for the internet they get. Nigeria has a 90% lower index compared to South Africa and 26% lower index compared to Ghana.
“Internet Value index offers to look at internet connection from a practical perspective – whether we get what we pay for. Even economically affluent countries with relatively fast internet can overpay compared to others worldwide,” said Agneska Sablovskaja, Lead Researcher at Surfshark.
“However, some countries may have slower internet but also pay a considerably lower price, which is then considered fair,” she added.
Comparing internet value in Africa, 4 out of every 10 people can access the internet at a fair price. South Africa remains the outright leader, with Egypt ranking second, followed by Morocco. While the top-ranking African country, South Africa, is part of the Sub-Saharan Africa sub-region, the Northern Africa sub-region performs better overall, with the average index of its 4 countries being twice higher than Sub-Saharan Africa’s.
All Northern African countries have above-average internet value, while only 1 in 4 (26.3%) Sub-Saharan African countries do. Zimbabwe and Uganda are the lowest-ranking African countries, followed closely by Cameroon.
Four out of 10 people in Asia can access the internet at a fair price compared to the rest of the region. Israel takes the lead in Asia with the best internet value index, followed by Singapore and South Korea.
Recall that Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) in its Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025, also known as NCC’s 5-Point Agenda, is contributing to the steady rise in the nation’s quest to achieve 70% national internet coverage by 2025.
Recently, Prof Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, stated that Nigeria’s broadband penetration recorded a quantum leap in the last 7 months from November 2021 to May 2022, with 7 million new subscriptions.
“Internet subscribers have grown from 90 million in 2015 to 150.36 million as of May 2022. Also, within the period under review, broadband penetration increased from 8 per cent to 43.67%, indicating that over 83.3 million subscribers are on broadband networks of 3G and 4G. Indeed, between November 2021 and May 2022, the networks have added 7 million new users.
“It is our belief that the communications industry will continue to experience more quantum leaps that will be beneficial to the nation’s economy and its citizens,’’ he said.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced revisions to the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage for banks operating within the country.
NDIC’s Managing Director, Bello Hassan, disclosed the updated coverage benchmarks during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The coverage for Deposit Money Banks has been increased from N500,000 to N5 million, for Microfinance Banks from N200,000 to N2 million, for Primary Mortgage Banks from N500,000 to N2 million, and for Mobile Money Operators subscribers’ pass-through from N500,000 to N5 million per subscriber.
Hassan underscored that the objective of the update is to enhance depositor safety, foster public trust, promote the inclusivity of financial services, and ensure the overall stability of the financial sector.
More to follow.. . .. .
The 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), held at the Nigerian Exchange Group House on Monday, April 29, 2024.
During the gathering, the Group concluded on ordinary and special business matters, while also unveiling plans to embark on a comprehensive digital transformation strategy to expand its business operations in line with its overarching strategy.
The meeting’s agenda, approved by the Board of Directors, included the declaration of a final dividend, ratifying the appointment of Temi Popoola as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, presenting financial statements to shareholders, re-electing non-executive directors retiring by rotation, authorizing, and disclosing remuneration, among other undertakings.
Notably, the NGX Group, subject to regulatory approval, discussed its authorization on a rights issue to raise capital of up to N10 billion with a subjoined resolution to increase its share capital to sufficiently accommodate the rights issue.
All resolutions were approved by shareholders just as appointment and reelections of directors were ratified.
Following substantial authorization across its agenda, the NGX Group introduced plans to propel the markets with a digital transformation journey that includes an online platform for public offers and deep investments in its technology stack amongst others.
The platform will provide a smarter and efficient way for Issuers to raise capital and enhances the subscription process and operational workflow of POs in the capital market including initial public offerings (IPOs), rights issues and other public offers.
On the development, the Group Chairman, NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga said, “I am particularly grateful to our shareholders for their assent to the critical business we conducted today. As the Board oversees the strategic direction and gives management the necessary support and guidance, we believe that the coming year will be a better one in terms of value created for our shareholders.
“NGX Group is positioned to capitalize on opportunities amid the positive and forward-looking reforms by the government and our stakeholders should rest assured we will deliver excellently.”
On his part, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Temi Popoola, said, “As we complete our 63rd AGM, I extend my sincere gratitude to our shareholders, customers, employees, regulators, and directors for their steadfast support. In a year that underscored NGX Group’s strategic agility and operational excellence, we witnessed growth stemming from our dynamic revenue streams. We are optimistic and well-positioned to forge a future marked by success, resilience, and prosperity.
Addressing the digital transformation agenda, Popoola stated, “The future of our business and the capital markets hinges on technology. That is why we are driving this digital transformation journey across our subsidiaries through the Group. NGX Group’s digital transformation will democratize access to public issuances for every Nigerian with a mobile phone, supporting capital-raising efforts for companies. Additionally, we aim to commercialize our technology solutions and expand our footprint across Africa”.
Key insights and proceedings from the NGX’s AGM can be accessed via the live recording available on NGX Group’s website at www.ngxgroup.com.
. . . Firm Declares N4.5bn Dividend For 2023
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced that it had received an interim dividend payment of N450 million out the N1.5bn declared by the Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
The NCDMB made the disclosure on Monday, adding that the payment represented NCDMB’s 30% share in the company for the year ended 2023.
Recall that the NCDMB had in July 2018 invested $10m to acquire 30% stake in the 5000 barrels-per-day (bpd) modular refinery project located at Ibigwe, Imo State, to support the Federal Government’s policy on modular refinery, stimulate investment and create employment opportunities.
Rising from a Board Meeting of Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omotsola Ogbe confirmed that a total dividend of N4.5bn had been approved for the year 2023, pending final approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The company reported a total profit of N23.6bn as profit after tax for the same year.
The Executive Secretary hinted that NCDMB expects to receive additional 30 percent of the outstanding N3bn dividend after the AGM is convened later this year.
He added that the receipt of this interim dividend payment was a testament to the strong performance and profitability of Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
He said, “The NCDMB is proud to be a part of this success and looks forward to continued collaboration with the company in the future.”
He affirmed that the company was upscaling the refinery capacity from 5000 bpd to 10,000bpd and the expansion project was already 44 percent completed and on time to be commissioned by early 2025.
The NCDMB’s investment in the Waltersmith project was also geared to catalyse the industrialisation of the Nigerian oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors and deepen Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry. It was the first third-party investment embarked by the Board, and it provided proof of concept and paved the way for other successful investments by the Board.
Two weeks ago, NCDMB received a cheque of $1 million from Nedogas Development Company Limited (NDCL), being part of the return on investment (ROI) on one of the Board’s strategic investments.
The cheque was presented by the Chairman of the company, Engr. Emeka Ene when he visited the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa Bayelsa State, where he was received by the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe and other members of the Board’s management.
Nedogas Development Company Limited (NDCL) is a joint venture company between Xenergi Limited and NCDMB Capacity Development Intervention Company and it culminated in the construction and commissioning of a 300 MMscfd Capacity Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) and injection facility located in the Umusam Community, near Kwale in Delta State, Niger Delta, Nigeria.
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