Inq Group, a Pan-African edge technology provider with a focus on emerging markets, is on a mission to enhance energy distribution in Nigeria through the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Backed by Convergence Partners, the group aims to integrate its AI-powered solutions into the distribution network of energy distribution companies (DisCos) in Nigeria, revolutionizing the way energy is managed and utilized.
According to Andile Ngcaba, the chairman of Inq Group, their AI product will enable real-time analysis of energy flow and track energy leaks, providing DisCos with valuable insights and tools to improve efficiency and reduce losses in the energy distribution process.
The announcement comes shortly after Inq Group revealed two homegrown AI products for its markets across Africa and Asia: DocAi and VisionAI. DocAI facilitates digitization processes for businesses, utilizing deep learning optical character recognition (OCR) technology to extract valuable information from scanned documents. On the other hand, Vision AI empowers enterprises to deploy AI-powered image recognition technologies, enhancing real-time analytics and alerts for camera surveillance systems.
Ngcaba expressed pride in Inq Group’s AI intellectual property, emphasizing that their products are not mere add-ons to existing technologies but represent a pioneering approach to AI development in Africa. He stated that Inq Group aims to lead the continent’s adoption of AI, applying it to real-life use cases in vital sectors such as agriculture, energy, and digital recognition.
With a presence in Nigeria for approximately four years, Inq Group has already made significant contributions to the country’s technological landscape, providing cloud, connectivity, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to enterprises. The company has also developed proprietary large language models, which form the backbone of their AI-solutions suite.
Glad Dibetso, the new group CEO, was introduced during a recent media briefing held to mark the company’s latest strides in the Nigerian market. Dibetso brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as a partner in cloud computing and ICT operations at Deloitte Consulting. Before that, he held the position of CEO of the West African operations at Dimension Data, a data solutions provider backed by Convergence Partners.
The implementation of Inq’s AI solutions in Nigeria holds great promise, especially in the energy sector. DisCos in Nigeria have faced profitability challenges due to the lack of effective analytics to track energy distribution and identify potential leakages. With Inq Group’s AI technologies, these challenges can be effectively addressed, paving the way for enhanced energy efficiency and financial sustainability.
Valentine Chime, the Managing Director of Inq Nigeria, shared that they are already in talks with the government for adoption, highlighting the potential impact of their AI-powered solutions on the nation’s energy landscape.
Andile Ngcaba expressed strong optimism in Inq’s future prospects in Nigeria, envisioning the country as their regional hub and a springboard for expansion to other anglophone countries in the region. The application of AI in vital sectors like energy distribution signifies a promising step towards a more technologically advanced and sustainable future for Nigeria.
