eShekels has handled numerous consultancy projects requiring primary research in over 450 towns and villages in West Africa, largely in Nigeria, and has tremendous interview experience having conducted over 80,000 live face-to-face or telephone interviews since 2001. This section highlights some of these surveys and gives an insight into the nature of the surveys

Customer Satisfaction Survey (2008) 
Type: Quantitative interviews 
Description: This study sought to determine the level of satisfaction that Starcomms subscribers experience, their expectations and to acquire and process demographic data on Starcomms subscribers across the operational locations. The survey was carried out in twelve (12) operational locations namely Lagos, Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, Onitsha, Aba, Asaba, Kano, Rano, Kaduna, Zaria, Abuja and Maiduguri using quantitative methods and a sample size of 3,812 (comprising of both voice and data). A range of questions helped retrieve vital information regarding Starcomms products and services. 
Status: Concluded.  

National Survey on Telecommunications Customer Satisfaction 
Type: Quantitative and Qualitative interviews 
Description: The study seeks to discover the level of satisfaction that the consumer experience in all the facets of telecom services. The survey was carried out in 12 states across three geopolitical regions, namely North-East, North-West and South-South. 
Status: Concluded. 

National Survey on Improving Business Conditions in Nigeria (2007) 
Type: Quantitative interviews 
Description: The survey, carried out in the 36 States of the Federation (including Abuja) was aimed at developing a database of taxable businesses in the country with a view to determining the challenges to these businesses and the possible areas of assistance to them by the Federal Government. eShekels was part of the team of research firms that were awarded different regions in the country, with its own share being Bauchi and Yobe States. 
Status: Concluded  

Benin Republic Telecoms Consumer Perception Study (2007) 
Type: Qualitative interviews 
Description: The interviews were carried out using Focus Group interviews on respondents (minimum 8) in Cotonou. The respondent categories included individuals (pre-paid and post-paid consumers) and commercial telephone operators (CTOs). The client needed to know the perception of local consumers of telecoms services and products in the Benin Republic regarding current product offerings and services by existing service providers. The information so gathered would assist in product development and service deployment in the country. 
Status: Concluded.  

Computer Market Assessment Study (2007) 
Type: Qualitative interviews 
Description: This survey involved administration of questionnaire on users (individuals and organizations) and distributors of computers (desktops and laptops) and computer accessories in Lagos State. The information gathered would enable the client develop relevant market entry strategies. 
Status: Concluded.

Perception Study of Chinese Businesses in Nigeria (2007) 
Type: Perception Study using qualitative interviews 
Description: The study carried out in Nigeria, involved the determination of the perception of Nigerians of Chinese businesses in the country. Interviews were carried out on employees of such businesses, local competitors, economists, sociologists and government officials. 
Status: Concluded.

Nigeria Transport Sector Infrastructure Study (2007) 
Type: Qualitative interviews 
Description: A review of the state of infrastructure in the Nigerian transport sector. It involved interviews with investors, stakeholders, workers and government agencies/parastatals in the transport sector (aviation, roads and marine). 
Status: Concluded.

Customer Satisfaction Survey (2007) 
Type: Quantitative and Qualitative interviews 
Description: This study sought to gauge the satisfaction level of Customers who utilize Starcomms products and services in four operating locations namely Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Kano and Maiduguri. The study obtained the responses of 2,500 subscribers on the Starcomms network. A gamut of questions helped retrieve vital information regarding Starcomms products, like awareness of Starcomms as a brand, utilization of products, and customer care services, willingness to make re-purchasing decisions about Starcomms services and product as well as pricing. Focus group discussions with a total sample size of 80 respondents were carried out in all the four locations on a collection of diverse end-users. They include Starcomms phone owners, business owners who utilize Starcomms services and call centre operators who use it for business. Answers from the focus group helped in rebutting or buttressing previously captured responses from face-to-face interviews, which were conducted through a random selection of Starcomms users. 
Status: Concluded.

Assessment of Availability of Telecoms Infrastructure and Services (2007) 
Type: Quantitative interviews 
Description: Conducted among selected CIO, CMO & Head IT of some select telecom companies and banks. This is to determine what products and services are to be deployed immediately, as well as which additional services are to be planned for in order to attain the respondents’ mid-to-long term aspirations. 
Status: Concluded.

Market Landscape of the Cellular Service Sector in Nigeria (2007) 
Type: Qualitative Report 
Description: A review of the telecommunication landscape in Nigeria  
Status: Concluded.

Catalyzing Access to ICT in Africa (CATIA) (2006) 
Type: Qualitative interviews 
Description: Deploying access to the use of ICT to developing countries of Africa is a daunting task. Policy implementation may yet be the biggest barrier for success. eShekels sought to identify and interview ICT industry players to ascertain the complexities and challenges involved in this process. eShekels was approached by GAMOS to investigate top ICT industry players towards understanding their views and perceptions about policy formulating on ICT, implementation processes and operating environment that would engender usage of ICT by the populace.
Status: Concluded.

Telecoms Opportunity Assessment Study in Northern Nigeria (2006) 
Type: Assessment Study 
Description: Assessment surveys at three locations in Northern Nigeria to determine the market opportunities for voice & data communicators in the selected cities of Kano, Bauchi and Katsina. The essence of the study will engender deployment of needed telephony services to the locations.
Status: Concluded.

Wireless Application Service Provider (WASP) Project (2006) 
Type: Feasibility Study 
Description: eShekels was contracted by US-based Crossland Communications to explore the addressable market potential and viability of deploying an innovative network and service, Crossland Push-to-Talk utilizing Motorola’s iDEN technology. The study was carried out to measure the attitudes, behaviour, usage patterns, habits and motivations of adopters of iDEN technology. eShekels’ researchers administered over 100 questionnaires on large organizations that utilize two-way radio phone services and distributors of two-way mobile radio phones in 4 major cities of Nigeria. Additionally, eShekels processed and analysed over 6,000 pieces of data upon return from field work leading to the building of a financial model for the USD$22m start-up.
Status: Concluded.

Mobile Handset Retail Outlet Study (2006) 
Type: Quantitative interviews 
Description: Nokia sought to know the estimated market potential of the selected locations namely Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt and also the assessment of Nokia visuals across all the outlets studied.
Status: Concluded.

Perception of Linux Usage in Nigeria (2006) 
Type: Qualitative interviews 
Description: A study among IT decision makers in Nigerian companies to determine the perception of Linux usage.
Status: Concluded.

Nigeria Internet Usage Survey (2006)
Type: Quantitative interviews 
Description: The objective of the study is to establish usage patterns in the internet industry in Nigeria.
Status: Concluded.

Nigeria Mobile Handset Report (2005) 
Type: Retail Value Chain Study 
Description: The report proffers an analysis of the Nigerian mobile handset market and was based on a comprehensive review of the handset value chain in Nigeria by a team of eShekels researchers. The study examined the current state, future potential and latent opportunities based on current profiles and preferences of Nigerian phone owners, users and distributors. Additionally, the team analysed the impact of the grey market on handset sales in Nigeria and produced a ground-breaking report which has become a peerless resource for telecoms operators, vendors, distributors and dealers, content providers as well as multinationals around the world. 
Status: Concluded.

West Africa Internet User Survey 2004 
Type: Regional Market Research Project 
Description: eShekels conducted a series of National Internet User Surveys in selected West African Countries. These surveys followed on from the success of the Nigerian edition in 2003 and sought to understand the demographics, behaviour, attitudes, motivations, purchasing patterns, etc of the typical West African Internet User. It involved the administration of questionnaires by eShekels enumerators in dozens of cities/towns in each country. In the Nigerian version, commissioned by eMobile, over 300 questionnaires were administered on Internet users and cyber café operators in 10 Nigerian towns. Internet operators were also interviewed to estimate the population of Internet users in Nigeria. The final report profiled demographics, user lifestyles, net habits, etc, and has been utilised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 
Status: Nigerian edition–Concluded 2003  

Nigeria Mobile Consumer Surveys (2004) 
Type: Nationwide Market Research 
Description: eShekels was contracted by MTEL, one of the four licensed national mobile operators to determine the attitudes, behaviour, usage patterns, habits and motivations of Nigerian GSM users. eShekels researchers administered over 19,000 questionnaires on mobile phone users in 18 Nigerian state capitals and analysed over 1.9 million pieces of data upon return from field work. The project has been concluded and 6 volumes of 8 different reports containing high level issues submitted to the new management of the company in the first quarter of 2005. The results of this study were utilized in the design and implementation of the privatization program by the government’s Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). 
Status: Concluded.

Competitor Analysis & Due Diligence (2004) 
Type: Industry Analysis 
Description: eShekels conducted an extensive review of the Nigerian mobile industry for MTN, the largest GSM operator, on behalf of Intelecon Canada in 2004 as part of due diligence towards the setting up of a USD$2m National Rural Telephone subsidiary. 
Status: Concluded.

Community Phone Company Project (May, 2003) 
Type: Assessment of women as potential mobile resellers 
Description: An assessment study geared towards women retailers. It sought to determine how women could become empowered entrepreneurs through Mobile airtime resale.  
Status: Concluded.

Nigeria Investor Survey 2003 
Type: Nationwide Market Research 
Description: This project was focused on understanding the motivations, level of interest, perceptions, and investment plans of Nigerian investors, particularly those managing a large portfolio of domestic capital market funds. It also sought to find out why private telecom companies in Nigeria generally find the mobilization of capital for network growth and expansion difficult and what they need to do to attract investments.
Status: Concluded.

Demand Study for Telecoms Services Towards the Determination of a Universal Access Strategy for Nigeria 2003/2004 
Type: Nationwide Market Research 
Description: eShekels was contracted by Intelecon Canada in 2003, under a World Bank-funded initiative to conduct a series of demand surveys in selected Nigerian localities towards the determination of a Universal Access Strategy for the country’s telecommunications sector. Over 360 interviews at 18 locations in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria were conducted by eShekels enumerators to determine the demand for telecoms services as part of an overall project designed to implement a unique Universal Access Strategy for Nigeria. The results were analysed electronically and survey findings submitted as a 54-page summary plus over 500 pages of raw location detail/database in paper and electronic formats. Owing to the success of this project and the resultant recommendations, eShekels was awarded another contract to conduct an additional 5,000 field interviews in 144 new locations in 2004 in conjunction with Intelecon (also World Bank-assisted). Both projects have been successfully completed, and have resulted in the provision by the World Bank of smart subsidies in the sum of USD$5m to successful bidders. 
Status: Concluded.

Nigeria Goes Digital – National ICT Directory of Businesses in Nigeria (2002/2003) 
Type: Nationwide Primary Market Research 
Description: Nigeria Goes Digital is an authoritative and reputable tool for locating the major players in Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria. It is printed in a 250 page all-color format. NGD features a repository of links and resources to the following pieces of information for each company listed; business name, physical address, e-mail address, web address and profiles of services they provide. Nigeria Goes Digital is widely recognized as a vital reference tool for locating ICT companies in Nigeria.
Status: Published 2003.

Determination of Market Trends in Telecommunications in Nigeria (1997 – 2002 & 2003/2004)
Type: Nationwide Industry Research 
Description: Over 450 questionnaires administered on the CEOs of licensed telecoms operators in fixed and mobile telephony, internet and satellite services, and Value Added Services nationwide, leading to the publication of the abridged version of the project report. The study also entailed a license audit which took place in 15 Nigerian cities, with eShekels researchers combing inner streets and neighborhoods to determine the operational status of licenses issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission in Nigeria. The report was launched at the ITU Africa Congress by the then Honorable Minister of Communications in Cairo in May 2004. Following on from the success of this first edition, NCC commissioned the 2003/2004 study which was again successfully delivered to the body.
Status: Concluded.

Commercial Publications & Workshops Title: Trends in Nigeria Telecoms in Nigeria 
Type: National Research Report 
Description: Use of qualitative interviews on major stakeholders in the telecom industry and secondary source of information. 
Years Covered: 2005-2007 
Status: On-going  

Title: Trends in Internet Usage in Nigeria 
Type: National Research Report 
Description: Nationwide surveys of 600 Nigerian professionals and 200 cyber cafés to unveil the Internet habits of regular net users. 
Years Covered: 1990 – 2001 
Status: Commercial release – October 2001  

Title: Nigeria Goes Digital! 
Type: Business Directory 
Description: Exhaustive listing of over 5,000 companies in IT, telecoms, and electronic payment technologies. Also features the Nigerian Internet Yellow Pages – a review of over 2,500 websites with Nigeria-specific content. 
Status: Commercial release – October 2002. 
Participating Companies: Microsoft, Addnet (Thuraya), MTN, Motorola, etc.  

Title: Current Trends in Internet Usage in Africa 
Type: Executive Briefing Session (EBS) for Senior Executives in ICT
Description: eShekels hosted Mr. Mike Jensen, one of Africa’s leading lights in Internet Studies, in September 2003 at a forum to disseminate current research to Nigerian Corporates. 
Status: Commercial workshop – September 2003. 
Participating Companies: Monarch Communications, NNPC, TDI Networks, Intercellular, Infographics, IGI Insurance, Emperion, Infosoft, etc.  

Title: Airtime Retailer (kiosks & Umbrella Operators) Report (2006) 
Type: Quantitative interviews Description: This study provides a snap shot of the Airtime Retail business in Lagos Island with respect to some key indicators like brand performance, product offerings, sales volume, brand visibility, patronage etc. 
Client: In-House Study 
Status: Concluded