As the tech world buzzes with excitement, the calendar marks a significant date: September 16, the release date of iOS 18. This new update is poised to bring a plethora of features and enhancements that promise to elevate the user experience to new heights. Apple’s iOS 18 is expected to be a significant leap forward in mobile operating systems, introducing a range of features that leverage the power of Apple Intelligence.

iOS 18 stands as a testament to Apple’s commitment to innovation and user-centric design. With a release date confirmed for September 16, users around the globe are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to download and explore the latest iteration of Apple’s operating system.

The upcoming iOS 18 is more than just an update; it’s a reimagining of the iPhone experience. The introduction of Apple Intelligence, a feature set deeply integrated into the operating system, showcases Apple’s strides in generative AI. This integration is designed to make everyday tasks more magical and intuitive, offering personalized intelligence that’s relevant and helpful to the user.

One of the most talked-about features is the new customization options that allow users to personalize their Home Screen layout with greater flexibility. The ability to rearrange apps and widgets, coupled with a sleek new look for app icons, provides a fresh and modern aesthetic that users can tailor to their preferences. This level of personalization extends to the Lock Screen, where controls can be swapped out, offering a more tailored interaction with the device.

Siri is undergoing a transformation with the introduction of Apple Intelligence. The assistant is expected to become more contextually aware and capable of handling a wider range of tasks. From editing photos to managing files, Siri’s improved language understanding and awareness of personal context will make it an even more indispensable tool for iOS users.

The Photos app is set to receive its biggest redesign ever, with new organizational features like Collections and Pinned Collections, which automatically sort your library by topics such as Trips or People & Pets. The Carousel feature adds a delightful touch, presenting a new set of photos each day in a poster-like view. Users will also be able to create custom Memories by typing in descriptions, with Apple Intelligence selecting appropriate photos and videos to match.

Messages will also see significant enhancements, with new text effects and the ability to express oneself with any emoji or sticker. Messages are getting a boost with new text effects and the ability to schedule messages with Send Later. Additionally, Messages via satellite will ensure users stay connected even when Wi-Fi or cellular networks are unavailable. The Genmoji feature in particular is generating buzz, allowing users to create custom emojis based on short descriptions, adding a layer of personalization to conversations.

For those concerned about compatibility, it’s important to note that not every iPhone will support the new features of iOS 18. It’s crucial to check whether your device is eligible for the update and to understand the new capabilities that will be available to you.

As we approach the release date, the anticipation builds. iOS 18 is not just an update; it’s a leap forward in the evolution of mobile operating systems. With its user-focused design and innovative features, iOS 18 is set to redefine what we expect from our devices, making our digital lives more connected, efficient, and enjoyable.

Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of N6.95 trillion in the second quarter of 2024, a 6.60% increase from the N6.52 trillion surplus recorded in the previous quarter. This growth was largely driven by the country’s robust export performance, despite a slight decline in overall merchandise trade.

According to the report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday, Nigeria’s total merchandise trade for Q2 2024 stood at N31.89 trillion, representing a 3.76% decline compared to the first quarter. However, this still marked a 150.39% rise from the corresponding period in 2023, underlining a remarkable year-on-year improvement.

Exports Fuel Trade Surplus

Nigeria’s export sector continues to be the dominant driver of its trade surplus. In the second quarter of 2024, total exports amounted to N19.42 trillion, accounting for 60.89% of the country’s total trade. This marked a 1.31% increase from N19.17 trillion in Q1 2024 and a significant 201.76% surge from the N6.44 trillion recorded in Q2 2023.

Crude oil remained the bedrock of Nigeria’s export sector, contributing N14.56 trillion, which represented 74.98% of total exports. Non-crude oil exports, valued at N4.86 trillion, made up 25.02% of the total export value, with non-oil products contributing N1.94 trillion.

The strength of the export sector ensured Nigeria maintained a favorable trade balance, with the country’s crude oil exports playing an indispensable role in driving the overall trade surplus.

Key Export Destinations

Nigeria’s top export destinations in Q2 2024 were primarily in Europe and North America. Spain emerged as the largest export partner, receiving goods valued at N2.01 trillion, which accounted for 10.34% of Nigeria’s total exports. The United States followed closely, importing N1.86 trillion worth of Nigerian goods, representing 9.56% of total exports, while France imported N1.82 trillion, accounting for 9.37%.

Other significant export partners included India with N1.65 trillion (8.50%) and the Netherlands with N1.38 trillion (7.10%). Together, these five countries contributed 44.87% of Nigeria’s total exports during the second quarter, reflecting Nigeria’s strong trade ties with these key global markets.

Imports Decline

While exports soared, Nigeria experienced a notable decline in imports during Q2 2024. The total value of imports stood at N12.47 trillion, accounting for 39.11% of the country’s merchandise trade. This represented a 10.71% decrease from the N13.97 trillion recorded in Q1 2024, although it still marked a 97.93% increase from the N6.30 trillion recorded in Q2 2023.

The reduction in imports contributed significantly to Nigeria’s trade surplus, underscoring the country’s growing export strength relative to its import demand.

Major Import Partners

Nigeria’s largest supplier of goods remained China, with imports valued at N3.03 trillion, accounting for 24.29% of Nigeria’s total imports. Belgium followed with N1.79 trillion (14.35%), while India contributed N1.06 trillion, making up 8.49% of total imports. The United States and the Netherlands were the fourth and fifth largest import partners, supplying goods valued at N917.84 billion (7.36%) and N585.30 billion (4.69%), respectively.

These countries primarily supplied mineral fuels, machinery, and transport equipment, which continue to form the bulk of Nigeria’s import needs.

Trade by Mode of Transport

The report from the NBS also highlighted Nigeria’s heavy reliance on maritime transport for its international trade. In Q2 2024, exports transported by sea accounted for N19.25 trillion, or 99.14% of total exports. By contrast, air transport played a minimal role, contributing N73.72 billion or 0.38%, while road transport accounted for N30.72 billion or 0.16%.

On the import side, maritime transport similarly dominated, accounting for N11.84 trillion, or 94.94% of total imports. Air transport contributed N531.38 billion (4.66%), while road transport accounted for just N49.97 billion (0.40%) of imports.

This uptick in maritime transport validates the emphasis by business leaders on the importance of Nigeria’s seaports in facilitating international trade. The emphasis has come with calls to revitalize effective shipping operations in other seaports across the country, to ease congestion as the volume of goods passing through Nigerian ports is expected to increase.

However, while Nigeria’s growing trade surplus reflects a healthy export sector, experts believe the slight decline in overall merchandise trade and the reduction in imports raise important questions about the balance of the country’s economic recovery. They note that while a trade surplus is generally a positive indicator, the decline in imports, particularly in capital goods, could point to a slowdown in industrial activity and domestic consumption.

This backdrop has attracted a warning that Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil exports, which make up the bulk of its trade, leaves the country vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, the search for a significant catalyst to propel the market forward remains a central narrative. JPMorgan, a leading global financial services firm, has recently highlighted the absence of such catalysts, noting the potential implications for crypto assets.

The cryptocurrency market, once known for its meteoric rises and falls, seems to have entered a phase of stagnation. With a total market capitalization hovering around $2 trillion at the end of August 2024, the market has witnessed a 24% decline from its peak in March of the same year. This downturn reflects a broader trend of cooling enthusiasm and a search for new drivers of growth.

JPMorgan’s analysis suggests that the crypto ecosystem is currently facing a dearth of near-term catalysts. This lack of momentum could be attributed to several factors, including regulatory uncertainties, market saturation, and the maturation of the industry. The report also points out that stablecoins have emerged as an outlier, experiencing growth in market cap and volumes compared to the previous month.

The need for a new catalyst is not just about reviving market prices but also about enhancing retail engagement. A catalyst could come in various forms, such as technological innovations, regulatory clarity, or even macroeconomic shifts that favor alternative investments. However, the current market dynamics indicate that the crypto sector may be incrementally more sensitive to macro factors, such as global economic trends and monetary policies.

The performance of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also mirrors this sentiment of anticipation for a new spark. Spot ether and bitcoin ETF flows have been described as “somewhat uninspiring,” with the launch of ETH ETFs failing to generate the excitement seen with their bitcoin counterparts earlier in the year. Moreover, spot bitcoin ETFs experienced net outflows, further underscoring the market’s cautious stance.

Clear and favorable regulations could provide a stable environment for cryptocurrencies to thrive. Investors are looking for signs of regulatory frameworks that support innovation while providing adequate consumer protection. Innovations such as Ethereum’s EIP-4844 upgrade, which aims to reduce fees and increase transaction throughput, could serve as a catalyst by improving the scalability and usability of blockchain technology.

Changes in global economic policies, such as interest rate cuts by central banks, could make cryptocurrencies an attractive investment compared to traditional assets. The introduction of cryptocurrencies and related products by major financial platforms like PayPal could lead to wider adoption and increased demand for crypto assets.

The outcome of significant political events, such as the U.S. presidential election, can have an impact on the market, as different administrations may have varying policies regarding cryptocurrencies. While these potential catalysts offer hope for a market revival, it is essential for investors to conduct thorough research and consider the inherent risks associated with cryptocurrency investments.

As the market awaits the next development that could reignite interest and investment, it is clear that the cryptocurrency sector is at a crossroads. Will it find the catalyst it needs to sustain its growth and innovation, or will it continue to be swayed by the broader economic currents? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the crypto market’s resilience and adaptability will be put to the test in the coming months and years.

The Live session of Tekedia Mini-MBA ed 15 will begin on Saturday at 7pm WAT. I will teach the mission of firms, and the very reason why we need to have companies. That understanding is very fundamental as we begin a 12-week academic journey to master the mechanics of building companies and advancing professional careers.

Every company in the world has three things to work with: tools, people and processes. Those elements and how you assemble, organize and combine them, will determine so many things in your firm. With them and through them, you will turn inputs (and foundational factors of production) into outputs. The translation of that input into output is what companies do.

But this is not a game where you score yourself because your output must fix the frictions which the customers have. If you create a great output (yes, product or service), the customers will support you, and invest in your mission because your output has solved a problem they have. Hahaha – when they pay you, you earn revenue, and that revenue is the compensation for products you have given them to overcome their frictions. We will look at case studies.

In secondary school physics, you know what frictions are: resistive forces which must be overcome by another force if you must move from one state to another. In other words, a man who is hungry has a friction of hunger, and that hunger must be overcome by another force. That force is FOOD, as when he eats that food, he moves from a state of hunger to a state of being fed! Making that “force of food” amazing is the bedrock of a great restaurant business!

In all forms and ways, companies create FORCES, called products and services. And the best companies are known by their forces (yes, products or services) they make. Apple for iPhone. Dufil Prima for Indomie Noodles. Dangote for cement. McKinsey for advisory.

I welcome everyone to Africa’s finest school for the understanding of the physics of entrepreneurial capitalism. More than 70 professionals, from Google, Access Bank, Microsoft, SAP, NATO Europe, Amazon, Nigerian Breweries, etc will be teaching in this edition. Welcome and thank you for joining us. (Get your Zoom link here )

Ndubuisi Ekekwe;

Lead Faculty, Tekedia Institute