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NBS to resume 20 January after cyber attack

NBS to resume 20 January after cyber attack

Plus: Andersen Consulting set for a relaunch

Innovation Village
January 13, 2025

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Today’s Menu ☕️

- National Bureau of Statistics to resume operations on January 15, 2025, following cyberattack
- The Comeback of Andersen Consulting: A New Chapter in a Storied Legacy
- Grok AI assistant now available as standalone app
- Kenya’s National Treasury opens public consultation on cryptocurrency regulation bill
- Showmax to live-stream Tyla’s concert, marking a first for African streaming services

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📱TELECOMS

National Bureau of Statistics to resume operations on January 15, 2025, following cyberattack

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is set to resume its operations on January 15, 2025, three weeks after a cyberattack temporarily crippled its systems. The cyberattack, which took place on December 18, 2024, disrupted public access to crucial national data and raised significant concerns about the security of sensitive information.

During a Thursday workshop hosted by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Condia, a representative of the bureau, confirmed the timeline for resuming operations. The NBS also announced that both the old and new Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures would be released upon resumption.

In the immediate aftermath of the breach, the NBS advised citizens to disregard any updates from its platforms, stressing the importance of ensuring data integrity before restoring services.....….…continue reading

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🧑🏽‍💻 CONSULTING

The Comeback of Andersen Consulting: A New Chapter in a Storied Legacy

In the professional services world, few names hold the historical weight of Andersen Consulting. Once synonymous with top-tier consulting in the 1990s, the brand is making a bold return, driven by the vision of George Shaheen, its former CEO, and Andersen Global, a growing tax and legal services powerhouse. The relaunch could be as soon as next month.

The revival is the latest chapter for a name that has been dormant since 2000, when Andersen Consulting rebranded as Accenture after parting ways with its parent company, Arthur Andersen. Andersen Global, founded by Mark Vorsatz, a former Arthur Andersen tax partner, acquired the rights to the Andersen brand in 2014. While the company has primarily focused on tax and legal services, it’s now setting its sights on a broader consulting market.

Over the past six months, Andersen Global has strategically expanded its consulting arm, adding 20 member firms globally. These new additions include businesses with deep roots in the Andersen legacy, such as Verraki, an African IT solutions firm, and Daniels Consulting, founded by a former Arthur Andersen manager. This expansion is part of a deliberate effort to resurrect Andersen Consulting as a leader in the consulting space...…..continue reading

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🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY

Kenya’s National Treasury opens public consultation on cryptocurrency regulation bill

Kenya’s National Treasury has initiated a public consultation process for a new bill and policy aimed at regulating cryptocurrencies and virtual asset companies, including crypto exchanges. This initiative follows a warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Kenya is lagging in establishing regulatory measures for the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry.

The proposed bill seeks to address a legal grey area that has so far prevented banks in Kenya from engaging with cryptocurrencies. It also presents a formal regulatory opportunity for crypto exchanges like Binance, which currently operate without official approval..…..continue reading

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Grok AI assistant now available as standalone app

Grok, the AI assistant originally integrated into the social media platform X, is now available as a standalone app. Similar to its version on X, the Grok app can generate images, summarize text, and answer questions with a conversational tone that xAI, the creator of Grok, describes as “humorous and engaging.”

The standalone Grok app was initially tested with a limited group of users in December 2024, coinciding with the launch of a free tier of Grok on X, accessible to all users. Before this, access to Grok required a subscription to X Premium, costing at least $8 per month...…..continue reading

MEDIA

Showmax to live-stream Tyla’s concert, marking a first for African streaming services

Tyla

MultiChoice’s video streaming platform, Showmax, is set to make history as Africa’s first streaming service to live-stream a homegrown concert. On January 18, 2025, viewers across 44 African countries will have the exclusive opportunity to watch Grammy-winning Amapiano superstar Tyla perform live from the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, available only on Showmax.com.

In an official statement, Showmax highlighted that Tyla, the youngest African Grammy winner, will be performing hits from her chart-topping debut album, “TYLA,” which has garnered over 1.6 billion streams. This groundbreaking event comes at a crucial time for MultiChoice, which is experiencing a decline in subscriber numbers on its DStv platform and is looking to Showmax to recover lost ground...…..continue reading

OPPORTUNITIES

The Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) calls on bold thinkers and trailblazers to apply for funding and support under its 2024 Innovation Initiative. Deadline = 31st January 2025…..continue reading
Global payment card network Visa has announced the opening of applications for the fourth edition of its biannual Africa Fintech Accelerator. Dealine = 15th March 2025…….continue reading