BY FRANK MOMODU
The Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has sponsored five Startups out of the six from Africa to participate at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021, with one other African representative coming from South Africa.
CES is a United States-based technology event that provides ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators, holds from January 11-14 every year.
In a statement, NITDA disclosed that this will be the first time Nigerian innovators will be exhibiting at CES and will showcase to the world what Nigeria has achieved in the technology sector adding that will be an opportunity to woo potential investors and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nigeria and Africa.
NITDA boss, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, in a statement made available to the media said: Nigeria is participating at CES 2021 to showcase some of its innovative startups to the world, stressing that though this is not the first time the country has showcased innovation and ground-breaking initiatives, it has been sponsoring startups to different fora around the world. The DG made the disclosure while featuring live in a Deutsche Welle’s TV Programme.
According to him, Nigeria has taken startups to different fora around the globe, like Silicon Valley Roadshow and Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), where they have been doing fantastically during competition at different IT events.
He admitted that with the current condition of COVID-19 pandemic that is accelerating digitization, Nigeria sees it as an opportunity to expose its Startups to the world so that they can start thinking global.
The sponsored startups include: Vinsighte, VNTS, Traceroot, LexChain, and Powerstove.
Vinsighte is a digital health startup which makes use of Artificial Intelligence and assistive technology to prevent visual impairment and aid the visually impaired to live more comfortable lives. VNTS has designed a patented all-in-one device for Home/SME LTE Broadband deployment and easy networking. When plugged into wall sockets in a building it delivers superfast 5G/LTE Broadband and using the electrical cabling, distributes data & delivers complete Wi-Fi coverage.
Traceroot: is a Facial Recognition Solution that helps law enforcement accurately Identify criminal suspects. We build security tools in the absence of good providers partner with the best existing solutions, so you can get to track your suspects in-depth.
LexChain: Using Blockchain we provide Government, Businesses and Individuals the ability to verify and securely exchange digital assets. Features include;
Secure Digital Asset Ownership Verification Secure Storage of Confidential Records, Digital Asset Integrity Verification, Secure Transfer of Digital Assets
Well Documented & Easy API.
Powerstove Energy, is one of the fastest-growing off-grid clean energy companies in West Africa. Our mission is to replace dirty and expensive lighting and cooking solutions with sustainable energy alternatives for the 150 million people living without electricity in West Africa. The product, OranjBoxx is a versatile ‘Plug and Play’ Solar Home System that power lights, radios, TVs and charge phones. Each unit is SMART, and connects remotely to our central database to support PAYG, enabling proactive maintenance and remote firmware updates.