The Managing Director of HP for Southern and Central Africa, Mr. Yesh Surjoodeen, discussed about the difficulties facing the continent’s IT sector, especially in Nigeria, and how HP plans to overcome them. The main problems are a lack of qualified experts in cutting-edge technologies like Blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), unstable internet, problems with the power supply, and inadequate digital infrastructure. Solutions from HP include cutting-edge AI PCs that enable offline processing, lowering dependency on cloud services, and initiatives for skill development like the EdTech Fellowship and HP LIFE.
In order to improve digital infrastructure, support startup growth, and propel Nigeria’s transition into a tech powerhouse, the Technology company is also investing in Innovation hubs and forming strategic alliances with universities, businesses, and government organisations. Providing reasonably priced tech solutions, implementing cybersecurity measures like Wolf Security, and encouraging cooperation for policy creation are all examples of HP’s dedication to the digital economy. By tackling digital disparities and providing tech and entrepreneurial training to startups, HP hopes to help Nigeria remain competitive in the global Digital Economy over the long run.
Educational Institution and HP have teamed together.
Several successful initiatives and their effects on various industries serve as examples of HP’s efforts to promote digital transformation in Nigeria and Africa. One noteworthy example is HP’s HP LIFE (Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs) initiative, which offers free online training in IT and business skills and has been extended throughout Africa, including Nigeria. This portal has been accessed by more than 1.3 million people worldwide, with a sizable percentage coming from Africa. This program has promoted creativity and economic engagement by assisting small business owners in acquiring critical digital and entrepreneurial skills.
96% of businesses in Nigeria are small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), a sector that HP LIFE has helped to grow. To meet the urgent need for Digital Learning resources, the company has teamed together with educational institutions. Along with Cambridge University, HP has trained more than 500 African educators through the EdTech Fellowship, giving them the tools they need to incorporate digital technology into their lessons. This program has resulted in the implementation of hybrid learning approaches in Nigerian schools, which were particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote learning became crucial.
Its technological solutions have decreased operating costs in hospitals.
Additionally, educational institutions have profited from HP’s Smart Tank printer series, which was created to provide cost-effective printing solutions by lowering operating expenses and allowing schools to print instructional materials effectively even in settings with limited resources. Within the healthcare industry, HP’s technological solutions have decreased operating costs and increased efficiency in clinics and hospitals. Healthcare Providers in rural parts of Nigeria, for instance, may now communicate with experts both domestically and abroad thanks to the technology company’s telemedicine solutions. The healthcare access gap in Nigeria, where only 35% of the population has access to sufficient health services, has been addressed by this, improving diagnostic accuracy and access to high-quality healthcare in undeveloped regions.
Regarding the development of digital infrastructure, Nigeria presently has a 43% internet penetration rate, and power outages are a common problem that impedes the development of new technologies. HP’s release of AI-powered PCs with offline processing capability has been essential in addressing this. These gadgets lessen reliance on cloud services by enabling users to work effectively in places with erratic connectivity. In Nigerian rural areas, where internet availability is still limited, this technology has a particularly significant impact.
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Consequently, companies and educational establishments in these areas can carry on with their operations without continuous internet connectivity. Furthermore, HP has shielded thousands of Nigerian companies from the growing dangers of cyberattacks because to its dedication to cybersecurity through its Wolf Security Solutions. Over 3,000 data breaches were recorded in Nigeria in 2023, placing it 32nd in the world for cyber dangers. In order to protect sensitive data and keep small and medium-sized organisations safe from potential breaches that could impede their expansion, HP’s endpoint security solutions have proved essential.