🪓 Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs

Plus: 💼 Okra CEO Fara Ashiru Jituboh Exit

Innovation Village
July 03, 2025

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Today’s Menu ☕️

📱MTN and 9Mobile Sign Roaming Deal to Expand Mobile Access Across Nigeria
🪓 Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs to Sharpen Focus on AI and Streamline Operations
🧑🏽‍💻 Nigeria Government Launches $40 Million ICT Project Across 10 Universities
💼 Okra CEO Fara Ashiru Jituboh Joins Kernel as Head of Engineering
🔋 IFC Invests $72 Million in Egypt’s First Utility-Scale Battery Storage Project with AMEA Power

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📱TELECOMS

MTN and 9Mobile Sign Roaming Deal to Expand Mobile Access Across Nigeria

MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile have entered a three-year national roaming agreement approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), enabling 9Mobile subscribers to access MTN’s expansive network across the country. This partnership addresses infrastructure limitations faced by 9Mobile, allowing improved service in underserved regions without major capital investment.

With MTN’s 90.4 million subscribers and 9Mobile’s dwindling 2.8 million base, the deal could stabilize and potentially boost 9Mobile’s market share. The collaboration reflects a broader industry shift toward shared infrastructure and operational efficiency, aligning with the NCC’s vision of expanding affordable, inclusive mobile access nationwide.

MTN CEO Karl Toriola emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving national connectivity goals. The agreement builds on a successful 2020 pilot in Ondo State and is expected to enhance consumer experience—especially in rural areas—through fewer dropped calls and better data services. Ultimately, the deal benefits both operators and consumers while advancing Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda...…...…continue reading

🪓 WORKFORCE

Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs to Sharpen Focus on AI and Streamline Operations

Microsoft has commenced a fresh round of layoffs that will impact approximately 9,000 employees—less than 4% of its global workforce—as part of its broader effort to streamline operations and realign priorities around artificial intelligence. This marks the second major round of layoffs in 2025 and is consistent with the company’s tradition of organizational restructuring at the beginning of its fiscal year.

The job cuts, which span across departments, geographies, and experience levels, are aimed at reducing management layers and increasing operational agility. According to a company spokesperson, the decision is in response to the need to “position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace.”

This move follows earlier layoffs in May and June, which saw more than 6,000 jobs eliminated, primarily in product and engineering roles. With this latest wave, Microsoft continues its pivot toward a leaner, more efficient structure better suited to the demands of the fast-evolving AI landscape..…...…continue reading

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🧑🏽‍💻 TECHNOLOGY

Nigeria Government Launches $40 Million ICT Project Across 10 Universities

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa

The Nigerian government has launched a $40 million ICT project aimed at transforming 10 federal universities into digitally empowered institutions. Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented through the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project seeks to enhance teaching, research, and governance through modern technology.

Key goals include strengthening ICT infrastructure, enabling hybrid and international learning, improving education data systems, and promoting vocational skills. The selected universities span all six geopolitical zones, including University of Calabar, University of Ibadan, and Bayero University Kano. The initiative is expected to improve teaching and learning, expand access to digital education, and boost research capacity.

Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa described the initiative as a transformative investment, while NUC's Executive Secretary Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu emphasized its focus on innovation over infrastructure. This project marks a major step toward building smart campuses and preparing Nigeria’s workforce for the digital economy.......……continue reading

💼 STARTUPS

Okra CEO Fara Ashiru Jituboh Joins Kernel as Head of Engineering

Fara Ashiru Jituboh, co-founder and former CEO/CTO of Nigerian fintech startup Okra, has joined UK-based Revenue Operations (RevOps) startup Kernel as Head of Engineering. Her move comes after a period of quiet upheaval at Okra, which officially shut down in May 2025 following a bold but costly pivot into cloud infrastructure.

Jituboh’s departure from Okra, which she founded with David Peterside in 2019, marks the close of a key chapter in the evolution of African fintech. Known for its early success in pioneering open banking APIs in Nigeria, Okra connected users’ bank accounts to financial apps in real time — a foundational step for data-driven fintech on the continent. Backed by investors like TLcom Capital and Susa Ventures, the company raised over $15 million and at its peak, boasted integrations with major financial players such as Access Bank, AIICO Insurance, Bamboo, and Renmoney.

Okra wasn’t just another startup; it was a statement. At a time when African financial systems were still largely walled gardens, Okra offered a bridge — one built with reliable APIs, developer-first tools, and high uptime. Under Jituboh’s leadership, the startup served over 400 businesses and facilitated services like identity verification, payment initiation, and real-time account data syncing....……continue reading

🔋 CLEAN ENERGY

IFC Invests $72 Million in Egypt’s First Utility-Scale Battery Storage Project with AMEA Power

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a landmark $72 million financing package to support Egypt’s transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future. This funding will enable the development of the country’s first utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking a significant milestone in Egypt’s renewable energy journey.

The investment will be directed to the Abydos Solar Project Company, a subsidiary of AMEA Power, a leading renewable energy developer. The funds will facilitate the integration of a 300 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system into AMEA Power’s existing 500 megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant located in Kom Ombo, within Egypt’s Aswan Governorate.

This solar facility, which commenced operations in November 2024, was previously financed by the IFC in collaboration with other international development partners. The addition of the BESS will allow the plant to store excess solar energy generated during the day and release it during periods of high demand, such as during the evening or peak summer months. This capability is expected to significantly enhance the stability and reliability of Egypt’s national power grid.......……continue reading