On the desktop version of the program, WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow users to pause and resume voice recordings. The ability to evaluate voice notes before transmitting them was recently added to the instant messaging service. WhatsApp Desktop’s latest beta version is currently testing the ability to pause and resume voice…
Carry1st, a South African mobile game firm, has secured a US$20 million Series A extension round led by Andreessen Horowitz, Avenir, and Google to help it scale across Africa. Carry1st, based in Cape Town, is a mobile games publisher serving the first generation of African smartphone users, with games such as Mine Rescue and SpongeBob:…
Fintech platforms are increasingly looking for new ways to serve their clients, one of which underlines the motivation for the BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) model that many have begun to use. This unique credit offering model has grown in popularity in recent years, owing to the rapid gratification and delayed payment that it offers…
With digital transformation accelerating faster than ever in the corporate landscape, most organizations now use a combination of business tools to conduct their operations across sales, marketing, finance, HR, and so on. All of these tools, more often than not, have a reporting module that shows department-specific data records and statements. However, isolated data such…
Bumpa, a Nigerian business that serves as a one-stop shop for African retail merchants, intends to expand internationally after experiencing rapid development and receiving pre-seed capital from a bank. Bumpa, founded in February 2021 by Kelvin Umechukwu and Adetunji Opayele, assists merchants in moving their businesses online without the requirement for programming knowledge. They may…
Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) has chosen 100 female-led startups to participate in its high-impact accelerator, which focuses on company growth for job creation. The WE4A program intends to improve the business capacities of female-led businesses, as well as their access to capital, market opportunities, knowledge enhancement, and technical training. It is an initiative of…
Pivo, a credit-focused financial services company for SME supply chain players in Nigeria, has acquired an unknown amount of money from early-stage venture capital firm Microtraction. Pivo, founded last year by Nkiru Amadi-Emina and Ijeoma Jacquelyn Akwiwu, provides a novel and more effective approach for SME owners in the supply chain sector to obtain financial…
One of the main reasons why most individuals avoid using blockchain or crypto platforms is because of the intricacies involved. Many people who have sought my assistance in starting their crypto adventure are put off by the complicated-looking platforms. While data from Chainalysis suggests that crypto use is fast expanding, studies from Triple A, a…
According to GlobalData, COVID-19 had a significant impact on online travel agencies (OTAs), with the OTA market value decreasing by a staggering 60.4 percent year on year (YoY) in 2020. According to the major data and analytics firm, this strain has exacerbated OTA’s previous fears about Google’s rising market position, and how the internet giant’s…
The issue of women’s under-representation in technology is one that will continue to haunt the industry and provide meat for debate. And it isn’t only an African issue; women all across the world are trying to keep up with their male counterparts. According to Statista, just 9.8 percent of start-up founders in West Africa were…
Nigerian businesses Moni and Topship have been accepted into the famed Silicon Valley-based Y Combinator accelerator’s W22 batch. Between now and March, the W22 batch of the Y Combinator program, which has played a role in the early days of firms such as Airbnb, Coinbase, and Dropbox, will take place. At a demo day, participants…
Organizations and enterprises are undergoing digital transformations as a result of a slew of new digital technologies that are gaining traction across all industries. This transition is being carried out with an eye on both the short-term and long-term changes that will arise from these new developments. The most critical aspect in a company’s ability…
With the rise of digital lifestyles, mobile applications have become an essential part of our daily lives. Being able to go to HUAWEI AppGallery and search for and download the latest app, whether for business, leisure, or something completely different, provides for highly productive, and often enjoyable, experiences. So, what are some of the app…
Float, a Ghanaian fintech startup that provides a cash flow management and spend platform for African businesses, has raised a US$17 million round of debt and equity seed funding to accelerate growth and the launch of new products. Float offers credit lines to small businesses, as well as solutions for managing business accounts and wallets…
Orda, a Nigerian restaurant management business, has raised a pre-seed fundraising round of US$1.1 million in order to accelerate its growth and extend throughout the continent. Orda, which launched in 2020, is a cloud-based restaurant management system provider with the goal of providing a single operating system to power African eateries. The Lagos-based firm has…
Microsoft Teams is introducing five new features aimed at lowering stress among frontline workers. Walkie Talkie app, organizing virtual appointments, Microsoft Viva, Reflexis Shifts Connector, and audio notice for misplaced device are among the new features. For the Walkie Talkie app in Microsoft Teams, Microsoft has collaborated with Zebra mobile devices, but it will also…
While the complete figures for 2021 aren’t in yet, eCommerce sales in 2020 were 32.4 percent more than the previous year. More than ever before, shoppers are expressing a desire to move their purchases online. This isn’t simply a global phenomenon; over 22 million South Africans click “add to cart” at least once a month….
We’re all aware that spending too much time on our smartphones is bad for our health, both physical and mental, which is why, in recent years, firms have begun to develop tools to help users obtain more insight into how much time they spend on their phones, apps they use, and so on. The idea…
In Check Point Research of January 12, 2022, the Threat Intelligence arm of Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading provider of cyber security solutions globally, has published its latest Global Threat Index for December 2021. In a month that saw the Apache Log4j vulnerability sweep the internet, researchers reported that Trickbot is still the most prevalent malware, albeit at a slightly…
Traditional media has long been the foundation of marketing and advertising campaigns. However, in a post-Covid-19 world where people have comfortably accustomed to a mobile-first, digital consumption model, the consequence of this transformation for this business is already obvious. This sector’s commercial business model has also been disrupted. Today, the digital first strategy provides companies…
An multinational team of scientists has created the most detailed 3D picture of the universe to date, with astrophysicists revealing information about the first 7.5 million galaxies out of 35 million. The breathtaking image depicts a cosmic web of galaxies stretching back billions of light-years. And this is simply the beginning of the seven-month-old project….
According to GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics organization, wearable technology will account for 46 percent of the consumer Internet of Things (IoT) market in 2022, followed by automated home (37 percent) and linked automotive (17 percent). According to GlobalData’s study, ‘Tech, Media, & Telecom (TMT) Predictions 2022 – Thematic Research,’ wearable technology will earn…
The Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund will receive up to US$ 13 million in funding from FinDev Canada and its 2X Canada facility, according to an announcement made by FinDev Canada and its 2X Canada facility (EEGF). The Electricity Entrepreneurs Growth Fund provides catalytic capital and technical assistance to early and growth-stage entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa…
Economies of scale are critical for on-demand businesses, and one of the promising startups in the field has secured a large round to expand its operations. Bolt, a startup and app that provides on-demand ride hailing, shared vehicles and scooters, as well as restaurant and grocery delivery, has raised €628 million at an estimated valuation…
Most business owners want to invest in their company in order for it to expand. In the early days, you may see exponential growth; people are learning about your company for the first time, they’re having positive first impressions, and the novelty of your brand is still fresh enough to help it spread. This is…
For as long as I can remember, the world of fashion has been my playground. When I went to Nigeria from London six years ago, I noticed that there was no stability in the African fashion industry’s production. The facilities were subpar, the garment quality was far from ideal, and the personnel lacked both education…
Despite the world’s economic volatility, Africa’s tech entrepreneurs have pulled off another stellar year. If the year 2021 is any indication, the next 12 months will be loaded with startup successes. Here’s our list of 12 African companies to keep an eye on; enjoy the show. NORTH AFRICA Lamma Our list begins with Tunisia’s Lamma,…
The marketing communications sector has historically been sluggish to react to major technical advances, from the inception of the modern internet to the shift to mobile, social, and cloud in Web 2.0. With the introduction of Metaverse and other new blockchain concepts and solutions that are Web 3.0 compatible, companies and agencies that fail to…
Applications are now available for the Norrsken Impact Accelerator in Stockholm, Sweden, which provides assistance, mentorship, and US$125,000 in investment to selected early-stage entrepreneurs from around the world. Norrsken, founded in 2016 by Niklas Adalberth, one of the founders of Swedish finance unicorn Klarna, promises to assist entrepreneurs address the world’s toughest challenges. Its ecosystem…
According to reports, YouTube is developing a new feature that allows viewers to watch content without requiring an internet connection. When Android devices are connected to Wi-Fi, YouTube’s new Smart Downloads feature can automatically download videos. The most recent Smart Downloads function might download up to 20 recommended videos every week. For a limited time,…