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As many organisations head to the cloud, the first stop might be ‘hybrid’

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Wale Olokodana

Moving to the cloud is not unlike relocating your business to a prime piece of real estate. The benefits are many, but the transition can be tricky. As governments and businesses race to take advantage of cloud computing, they are navigating current and future data regulations, as well as how to make the most of existing IT infrastructure. 

Across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), businesses are prioritising cloud adoption. Research shows most organisations in the Middle East are either using cloud computing services or plan to do so in the next two years. African businesses are following closely, with cloud adoption becoming near pervasive. 

With its improved security and cost savings, cloud has become key for businesses looking to compete in the digital era. But there are sometimes obstacles on the road to digitisation, and this is where hybrid cloud is playing an invaluable role in helping businesses digitally transform. 

Hybrid cloud enables businesses to store and process data in their on-premises private clouds and take advantage of a public cloud provider. Hybrid cloud computing is a “best of all possible worlds” platform, delivering all the benefits of cloud computing—flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiencies.

Data regulations and the cloud 

One particularly important consideration when it comes to cloud adoption is regulatory compliance, and many of these policies are still being created across MEA. 

Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council have begun addressing issues around data privacy at a national level, but as it stands there is no overarching law that deals with data protection in the region. The African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection has also recently made an appeal for countries to start adopting stricter legal frameworks for data protection purposes. 

In Kenya, for example, The Data Protection Bill, 2019, was recently enacted and will regulate the processing of personal data and information governed by General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) . Those violating this law face a penalty notice of up to five million shillings, or in the case of an undertaking, up to two per centum of an organization’s annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher. 

Future-proofing your IT strategy

Hybrid cloud is helping organisations future-proof their digital strategies, allowing them to explore the benefits of the cloud for data storage and applications, while using their existing on-premises servers for information, other applications and data with data residency implications. 

It was for this exact reason that Oman Data Park(ODP), a leading IT managed services provider, deployed Microsoft Azure Stack, a hybrid cloud solution. ODP offers hosting, security and cloud services as well as virtual data centre services, leveraging its own data centres in Oman. But when it came to delivering on its digital transformation promises to clients through the provision of Azure services, ODP needed to navigate the Sultanate’s regulatory requirement to store data locally. 

So ODP looked to Microsoft to build and deploy hybrid applications, while still meeting local data sovereignty and regulatory requirements. ODP now serves as a digital enabler for other organisations in Oman. 

Utilising existing technology investments 

Hybrid cloud is particularly important for companies like banks, which have significant existing IT infrastructure investments. With hybrid cloud computing, banks can maintain their mainframe systems while simultaneously adopting new cloud technologies. Banks are using Azure Stack to link their current systems, while building an intelligent layer of digital services on top. The Microsoft Azure cloud platform then supports scalable hybrid environments for moving between on-premises and cloud computing environments seamlessly. 

Sterling Bank is aimed at improving the time-to-market and improving the service quality to its customers.  The bank prioritized cloud services, the cloud-first approach was the rationale behind the selection of Microsoft Azure – for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through a global network of Microsoft-managed data centers. So far, the bank has already deployed several products including Fare Pay which is addressing transportation; Specta – a community lending solution which gives out loans in 5 minutes; i-invest which is now a popular product in the market that allows anybody to buy or trade a treasury bill. Another consumer propositions that the bank introduced is OnePay – all which were deployed via Microsoft Cloud.

Is the future hybrid? 

Innovations to cloud computing are also making it easier to manage hybrid cloud environments. Microsoft recently launched Azure Arc, enabling businesses to use Azure cloud tools across different cloud and computing services. As most organisations have IT infrastructure spread across multiple datacentres, clouds and edge locations, the ability to run on-premise and multi-cloud environments from one central space is a game-changer. 

Not surprisingly, hybrid cloud adoption is expected to accelerate at a rapid pace – confirming that the future of cloud computing may well be hybrid. This is particularly the case in the Middle East which is already outpacing the average global adoption rate. 

When deploying from the hybrid cloud, businesses have more control over their IT, improving the latency and reliability of their services. This would make hybrid cloud a particularly attractive option for businesses operating in the Middle East and North Africa, which is one of the most under-represented areas in the world when it comes to per capita Internet connectivity

As businesses set out on their hybrid cloud journeys, it is important they begin with specific business objectives in mind, considering company needs and priorities. This will help them determine which workloads should be shifted to the cloud. Achieving the right balance between public and private cloud usage involves several different considerations, such as IT budget, regulatory requirements, as well as the nature of different applications and where they are best deployed. 

Partnering with a service provider that can manage and integrate your company’s different IT environments can help ensure your business optimises its hybrid cloud investment and that, ultimately, the move to becoming a digitally empowered business is much smoother.

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Refurbished tech: Making a smart choice for a greener future

By Qrent Managing Executive Kwirirai Rukowo

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Kwirirai Rukowo + Refurbished Tech
Kwirirai Rukowo

Consumers and businesses are constantly striving for the latest and greatest technology. However, behind the pursuit of cutting-edge devices lies a significant environmental toll – one that often goes unnoticed. The production of new technology requires vast amounts of natural resources, energy, and labour, contributing to both environmental degradation and significant carbon emissions.

With concerns about sustainability at an all-time high, companies are now looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on performance or innovation. Refurbished tech, such as the solutions offered by Qrent, presents an effective, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative.

The refurbished computers and laptops market is set for remarkable expansion, driven by both cost-effectiveness and a growing commitment to sustainability. According to Credence Research, the market is projected to surge from USD 17,856.6 million in 2024 to USD 39,405 million by 2032, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% during the forecast period.

This growth underlines the increasing adoption of refurbished IT equipment by businesses, educational institutions, and individual consumers as they seek to balance performance with environmental responsibility. The rising trend not only helps organisations reduce capital expenditures but also supports circular economy initiatives by extending the lifecycle of electronic products

As businesses face increasing pressure to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, refurbished tech is fast becoming a preferred choice for companies looking to cut costs while reducing their carbon footprints.

At Qrent, businesses can access high-quality, refurbished IT equipment that meets the demands of modern enterprises while simultaneously supporting sustainability initiatives. The company provides a range of refurbished devices including computers, laptops, and servers, ensuring that businesses can operate efficiently while minimising their environmental impact.

These devices are thoroughly tested and restored to like-new condition, offering the same reliability and performance as their brand-new counterparts but with a fraction of the carbon footprint.

Refurbished tech and the circular economy

The transition to a circular economy – a system that emphasises reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing – has become a critical strategy in tackling the world’s waste crisis. The electronics industry is one of the largest contributors to this crisis, with e-waste being the fastest-growing waste stream globally.

By choosing refurbished technology from Qrent, businesses contribute directly to the circular economy. When companies choose to refurbish and extend the lifecycle of their IT devices, they prevent valuable resources from ending up in landfills and reduce the demand for new products, thereby conserving raw materials and decreasing pollution.

Qrent’s refurbishment process includes the responsible recycling of old components and ensures that all equipment is brought back to life in an eco-friendly manner. This not only helps in reducing waste but also plays a significant role in limiting the environmental impact of tech manufacturing.

Embracing circular economy strategies not only prolongs the lifespan of IT assets but also significantly cuts down the need for new manufacturing – thereby reducing carbon emissions. The 2024 Forrester Report on The Circular Economy & Sustainable Manufacturing reveals that a substantial share of firms are already reaping sustainability benefits: 38% have adopted innovative delivery and fulfilment options that minimise waste, 32% are improving waste management practices, and 28% are focusing on more efficient material sourcing.

By opting for refurbished technology, companies can leverage these practices to lower reliance on virgin materials and the high emissions associated with producing new devices, marking a crucial step toward a greener, more sustainable IT procurement model.

Attaining your sustainability goals

Qrent provides businesses with sustainable IT solutions. The company not only supplies refurbished technology but also offers a comprehensive range of services that include equipment leasing, IT asset management, and secure data destruction. Businesses can now gain access to a scalable solution that meets their IT needs while simultaneously supporting their ESG initiatives.

The company’s commitment to reducing e-waste is evident in its emphasis on responsible recycling and disposal practices. When companies dispose their old IT equipment with Qrent through their IT Asset Disposal Solution, they can be confident that their devices will be decommissioned properly and reused, ensuring that valuable materials like metals, plastics, and glass are recovered and re-entered into the manufacturing cycle.

This process prevents toxic substances from polluting the environment and ensures that e-waste is managed in a safe, responsible manner.

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Anambra State Government Launches SolutionLens to Drive Transparency and Citizen Engagement

Reporter: SANDRA ANI

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SolutionLens launch
Officials at the SolutionLens launch

In a bold step towards deepening transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance, the Anambra State Government has officially launched SolutionLens, a tech-driven platform designed to track government projects and strengthen engagement between citizens and the state.

The launch event, which was held on Thursday 15th May, 2025 at the SID  Building in Awka, brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society groups, community representatives, development partners, and the media.

The platform was developed through a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Information, and the Anambra State ICT Agency.

Representing the Governor, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, the commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, described SolutionLens as “OGP made easy and a democratic tool.” She emphasized its value in planning, budgeting, and fostering investor confidence, thanks to its community-based feedback mechanisms.

In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Ogochukwu Orji, the State Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), noted that SolutionLens is “built to shine a light on public projects and empower citizens to ask questions, hold government accountable, and ensure our shared resources are used for the common good.”

Key features of the platform include:

  • A centralized digital hub for government projects
  • Interactive maps and a user-friendly interface
  • A live chat feature to connect citizens directly with MDAs

Speaking during the event, Dr. Law Mefor affirmed that the platform will help Ndi Anambra “access real-time information on what government is doing,” while CFA highlighted its ability to “capture and preserve moments,” underscoring the value of technology in governance.

SolutionLens launch
Government officials present at the SolutionLens launch

One of the key highlights of the launch was a live demonstration of the SolutionLens platform, followed by the formal inauguration of MDA focal persons who will serve as key liaison officers in ensuring the platform remains updated and responsive.

Participants at the launch commended Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for this forward-thinking initiative, describing SolutionLens as a game-changer in how government connects with its people.

As part of its next steps, the government urged all citizens to actively engage with the platform and help spread awareness. This, they emphasized, will not only benefit Ndi Anambra today but safeguard the integrity and prosperity of the state for generations to come.

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Nigeria’s Biggest Tech Conference Opens in Enugu

Minister Bosun: I’ve never seen anything so big | Mbah: We’re driven by the knowledge that the future is technology, reports SANDRA ANI

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Enugu Tech Festival
L-R: Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tjinani; and the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, during the opening of the 2025 Enugu Tech Festival at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Wednesday.

The 2025 Enugu Tech Festival being organised by the Enugu State Government kicked off on Wednesday with the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, describing it as the biggest technology conference that has ever happened in Nigeria.

Tijani said the Tech Festival, which attracted thousands of youths from within and outside the state, was a major leap for Nigeria’s determination to build a robust digital economy, noting that Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah, had moved from policy to progress to lead the tech revolution in Nigeria.

This was even as Governor Peter Mbah urged the youths to embrace technology, insisting that the future is technology.

Speaking, the Minister said that the Tech Festival, tagged Coal to Code, fitted into the agenda and activities of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, having recognised that the future of digital economy in Nigeria would not only be built in Abuja, but would instead be co-created across all states.

“Enugu is showing how this should and will be done. I have never, never been to a conference on technology in Nigeria that is this big. I founded the first technology hub in Nigeria, the very first in Nigeria. So, I know a thing or two when technology people gather. I can assure you that today, you are part of history because we have never seen anything this big in Nigeria before.

“There is something powerful about your state: the energy, the ambition, the possibilities. Just two years ago, only a few people could imagine this kind of tech momentum. But today, Enugu has not just imagined, Enugu is building it. Under two years, we have seen investment in digital infrastructure, and the innovation ecosystem of the state.

“What is happening today in Enugu is part of something bigger. We are now witnessing a generational rise, not one where people complain and protest, but one where creativity is used to shape the future. Not just with passion, but with precision,” he stated.

While commending the participants for rising to “create the kind of Nigeria the world will pay attention to,” Tijani called for collaboration, commitment, and hard work by all stakeholders to make it happen.

“Progress is not automatic, but needs all of us. It needs the government to continue to be brave. It needs the private sector to invest deeper. It needs mentors, builders, teachers, and it needs leaders,” he concluded.

Speaking, Governor Mbah, while highlighting how his administration had invested in technology to dramatically revolutionise security, land administration, education, among others, noted that the Enugu Tech Festival was part of his government’s wider efforts to build the youth of the state into wealth creators and highly sought-after workforce of tomorrow’s workplace.

“The power of technology and innovation and what we can accomplish is something that I want the youths to be mindful of. If you look at the way things are being done in the world today, we are now talking about an era where people just sit down with great ideas, create platforms where they begin to essentially benefit from that platform.

“An example is the Uber that came and disrupted the city taxi without owning a key. Today, they provide by far the largest traffic just by creating a platform. You can extend that to Airbnb. Without owning a key, these guys have disrupted the business of those who own several brick and mortar houses. You can also extend that to Tesla. That is the power of technology. This shows essentially that technology is where the future is,” he emphasised.

In his remark, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, said the Enugu Tech Festival, which would now become an annual event, underscored a paradigm shift from the old Enugu known for coal to one that has become a rising force in Nigeria’s tech-driven future, a beacon of innovation, intellectual capital, digital enterprise, and endless possibilities.

“For decades, our identity was built on coal, a resource that powered Nigeria’s industrial rise. But today, we stand in a different kind of power—the power of knowledge, innovation, and technology,” he stated.

Also at the event were the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Barth Nnaji; Chairman of Zinox Technical, Leo Stan Ejeh; and the Group Managing Director, Afrinvest, Dr. Ike Chioke, among a host of others.

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