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Delight from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Nigeria's Bureau of Statistics hit by cyberattack
- Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan join the fibre revolution
- Apple in hot water over Congo minerals
Nigeria's Bureau of Statistics hit by cyberattack

Word on the street is that a cyber attack has hit Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as of Wednesday, December 18, 2024. The news broke after the Bureau posted on X, revealing the incident.
This breach has thrown a wrench into the NBS’s operations. It raises fears about the potential exposure of sensitive data like economic reports, population stats, and other crucial information needed for national planning and policymaking.
Details are still sketchy, but the Bureau has urged the public to ignore any updates from its platform until the website is fully restored.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. Africa has been hit hard by cyberattacks this year. Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) recently had sensitive government info sold on the dark web. Back in June, Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) suffered a similar fate, with data sold on Anyverify.
It’s becoming clear that cybercriminals have Africa’s national institutions in their crosshairs. This trend is a wake-up call for governments to step up their game against these threats.
For Nigeria, this attack is especially concerning. It shines a spotlight on the country’s fragile digital infrastructure at a time when the government is pushing hard for digitisation across sectors.
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Just earlier this month, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) warned about Grandoreiro malware targeting financial institutions. Looks like the warning signs were all there.
If anything, this attack is a reminder that while going digital is great, securing the system is even more important.
Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Sudan join the fibre revolution
Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudan’s Sudatel Telecom Group are teaming up to create something massive — a multi-terabit terrestrial fibre optic link connecting Africa to Europe and Asia.
Think of this as a superhighway for Internet data, bypassing the usual undersea cables and instead carving out a high-speed land route that links Africa to two of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world.
Here’s the cool part: this link, called Horizon Fibre, will handle crazy amounts of data — multiple terabytes per second — with ultra-low latency. Translation? Faster Internet, better connectivity, and the bandwidth to power a truly global digital network.
Why does this matter? For one, it positions Africa as a serious player in the global digital economy. Plus, it’s a major step towards fulfilling Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2030, which is all about boosting tech and connectivity across the continent.
The project has been in the works since June 2024, with the official launch planned for April 2025. Before that, the three telecom giants will wrap up all the legal stuff by January.
By leveraging their expertise and their strategic positions (Djibouti sits at a literal crossroads between Africa and the Middle East), these companies are creating an alternative to the undersea cables that currently handle most global data traffic.
Bottom line? This is huge for Africa’s connectivity and innovation. Get ready for faster, smoother intercontinental connections!
Apple in hot water over Congo minerals
Apple is in hot water with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The tech giant has decided to stop sourcing minerals from the country after being accused of benefiting from conflict minerals tied to war and exploitation. But Congo isn’t letting this slide and has taken the fight to court, filing a lawsuit against Apple’s European subsidiaries.
Why the drama? Congo is a major source of 3T minerals — tin, tantalum, and tungsten — used in phones and laptops. But the mining industry there is a mess, with armed groups controlling many operations. These groups reportedly fund their activities by exploiting the minerals, leading to violence, mass crimes, and environmental destruction. Congo’s lawyers say Apple’s supply chain links it to these crimes, even if indirectly.
How did we get here? Congo’s lawsuit, filed in France and Belgium, accuses Apple of war crimes coverups, handling stolen goods, and misleading consumers about its supply chain. While Apple denies wrongdoing, they’ve told suppliers to stop sourcing from Congo and Rwanda, citing “concerns about due diligence.” They also point out that most of their minerals come from recycled sources.
But Congo isn’t impressed. Its lawyers say Apple’s decision to pull out doesn’t undo the damage already done. They’re counting on European courts to hold the company accountable and claim to have whistleblower evidence to back their case.
The deeper story? Since the ’90s, eastern Congo’s mining industry has been entangled in conflicts, with minerals funding armed groups. Rwanda is often accused of benefiting from the trade, although they deny it. Congo’s lawyers are also calling out Belgium’s historical role in exploiting the region, adding another layer to the case.
For now, it’s a showdown. Congo wants Apple to answer for what it sees as systemic exploitation, while Apple is doubling down on its claims of ethical supply chains. The courts will decide who’s telling the truth — and the world is watching.
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Have a fun weekend!Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.