- Global ICT leaders meet in Baku to drive inclusive digital growth.
- Telecom and tech stocks surge on digital expansion.
- NFVCB, NCC unite to fight online piracy.
- Experts urge brands to build trust, not just compete on price.
- Capitec targets 10M mobile users in telecom push.
WTDC-25: Shaping the Future of Global Digital Inclusion
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) will convene from November 17–28 in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan and organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The conference will bring together global ICT leaders to chart a new course for inclusive digital development under the theme “Universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future.”
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin underscored the stakes: “For the 2.6 billion unconnected, digital development is more than a technical challenge. It’s a test of our collective commitment to an inclusive, sustainable digital future for all.”
WTDC, held every four years, enhances collaboration on telecommunications challenges and solutions, with a special focus this year on least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS). Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, said hosting WTDC reflects the country’s commitment to sustainable digital transformation and global telecom advancement.
This year’s WTDC is set to be a defining moment for transforming global commitments into actionable steps toward true digital inclusion.
Rising Opportunities in Nepal’s Telecom and Technology Stocks
Nepal’s telecommunications and technology sector is rapidly evolving, offering strategic opportunities for investors on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE). Driven by increasing mobile penetration, fintech adoption, and the government’s Digital Nepal Framework, the sector is laying the groundwork for the country’s digital economy.
Nepal Telecom (NTC) remains the sector’s anchor stock—stable, government-backed, and consistent in dividend payouts, making it attractive to conservative investors. Its broad revenue base now spans voice, data, internet, fiber broadband, and corporate digital services. However, growing competition from Ncell and private ISPs, rising infrastructure costs, and the upcoming 5G rollout add pressure.
Meanwhile, the technology and IT sector—though nascent—shows enormous promise, with opportunities emerging in cloud services, cybersecurity, software development, and digital payments. While pure tech firms are limited on NEPSE, the rise of fintech startups and private IT ventures points to significant long-term growth potential.
NFVCB and NCC Join Forces Against Digital Piracy
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) is strengthening ties with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to combat digital piracy and unlicensed streaming platforms undermining Nigeria’s creative economy.
During a visit to NCC headquarters in Abuja, NFVCB CEO Dr. Shaibu Husseini raised alarm over films pirated on encrypted platforms like Telegram, stressing that piracy robs creators of revenue, stifles high-quality content production, and even poses security risks. He also flagged concerns over some telecom operators streaming unlicensed film content without NFVCB approval.
Husseini proposed forming a joint technical committee with NCC and the Nigerian Copyright Commission to monitor and regulate online platforms. Barr. Rimini Makama, NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, welcomed the initiative, affirming NCC’s readiness to collaborate in safeguarding Nigeria’s creative industries and strengthening regulatory oversight.
Marketing Experts Urge Brands to Build Trust and Deliver Value
At the third edition of the Media Consortium Conference and Awards in Lagos, marketing leaders stressed that in today’s saturated marketplace, brands must move beyond pricing wars to win consumer trust and deliver holistic value.
Globacom’s Head of Digital Media, Femi Opadere, noted in his keynote—“Defining Value in the Modern Marketplace”—that purchasing decisions now extend far beyond cost. He cited Globacom’s introduction of per-second billing as an example of redefining value, which helped the company gain over one million new subscribers within months.
Samuel Akinrimisi, New Product Development Lead at Eko Supreme Resources, warned that brands often misfire when strategies rest on flawed assumptions about consumer needs. He emphasized “needed satisfaction” as the true measure of value, urging companies to build products with cultural relevance and deep customer understanding.
The consensus: in an age of digital empowerment, trust and customer-centric strategies matter more than price tags.
Capitec Targets 10 Million Mobile Clients Amid Rising Competition
Capitec Bank’s mobile network service has seen strong growth since launch, with CEO Graham Lee setting an ambitious target of 10 million clients within the next 2–3 years.
Leveraging its vast banking customer base and economies of scale, Capitec is positioning itself against South Africa’s dominant telecom players, MTN and Vodacom. Unlike traditional mobile network operators (MNOs), Capitec functions as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), leasing infrastructure from MNOs instead of building costly networks.
This model gives the bank flexibility and cost-efficiency while enabling customers to seamlessly access both banking and telecom services in one ecosystem. However, the competitive landscape remains intense, as more banks and financial service providers venture into mobile services.
Capitec’s strategy—anchored on convenience, affordability, and existing customer loyalty—positions it well to thrive in this shifting telecom market.
