On Friday, three Nigerian federal government agencies—the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—worked together with the Nigerian police force to raid some illegal financial institutions based on Opebi Road in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Digital lending platforms…
The United States government is committed to assisting the next generation of female leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by connecting them with networks and opportunities that will help them advance their careers and dreams in the technology fields. The United States government is committed to assisting the next generation of female leaders…
South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, one of Africa’s leading entertainment companies, saw its shares rise on Thursday after reaching a $4.4 billion settlement agreement with Nigerian authorities. According to Bloomberg, MultiChoice has agreed to drop all pending lawsuits against Nigeria, following a long-running feud over an alleged breach of agreements and denying officials access to its…
The government of Osun is the most recent to enter the mobility sector. On Thursday, March 10, it announced a partnership with Metro Africa Xpress (MAX) Drive to distribute “1,000 tricycles to alleviate transportation burdens” in the state. “The Government of the State of Osun, led by Governor Gboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated 1,000 tricycles to…
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Fintech Conference has announced the grand prize winner of its 2022 Fintech Startup Pitch Competition as Kenyan startup Money254. Money254 is a financial services comparison platform that will be launched in April 2021, making it easier for users to find, compare, and apply for financial products that meet both…
Mali Magic, a digital treasure trove aimed at preserving and showcasing Mali’s historic and contemporary art and culture, was launched today by Google. Google Arts & Culture has been collaborating with local and international organizations (see list below) since 2015 to digitize, curate, and share Mali’s incredible stories and rich heritage. Google Arts & Culture…
TeamApt, one of Nigeria’s leading Fintechs that provides a financial platform for businesses, is now accepting applications for its ‘The Apt 5’ 2022 Women in Tech internship program. This year, it is leveraging the Ingressive for Good community to ensure that as many women as possible have access to opportunity. With over 150,000 businesses and…
The fourth and final edition of the European Union (EU)-funded Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator (UGEFA) has opened for applications, which provides sustainable Ugandan enterprises with support to scale and contribute to a green and inclusive economy. UGEFA is implemented by adelphi Research gGmbH, a leading global independent “think and do tank” on environment and…
Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity, today released findings of a dual ransomware attack where extortion notes left by Karma ransomware operators were encrypted 24 hours later by Conti, another ransomware gang that was in the target’s network at the same time. Sophos details the dual attacks in the article, “Conti and Karma Actors Attack Healthcare…
Bitmama becomes first African blockchain company to launch Physical Crypto Cards for in-store payments globally Leading blockchain company, Bitmama pioneers a new feature, Physical Crypto Cards for users in the African market. Lagos, Nigeria – Monday, Mar 8, 2022. Today, leading blockchain company Bitmama, announces its latest product – Physical Crypto Cards. This comes three…
The African Small Business Catalyst (ASBC), a business accelerator for early growth-stage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa, has been launched by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the US African Development Foundation (USADF). The ASBC seeks to assist SMEs in four countries: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda, with a…
Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm, announced today that it will donate $1 million (R15.3 million) to programs that help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, as part of a series of new initiatives aimed at supporting women-owned businesses. According to Mojolaoluwa Aderemi Makinde, Head Brand and Reputation, Africa – Google, “research shows that 58 percent of…
Datacentrix excelled at the recent Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) South Africa Channel Partner awards ceremony held at Fancourt in the Western Cape, taking home the title of HPE Overall FY21 Partner of the Year, as well as seven other hotly contested awards. “This year’s HPE awards ceremony was probably our most successful to date,” says…
Microsoft intends to provide $500 million in potential funding to African startups with the help of venture capitalists in order to help them grow quickly. The Africa Transformation Office will launch a series of new initiatives over the next five years with the goal of assisting 10,000 African businesses in reaching their full potential. With…
Codecademy, a leading online learning platform for technical skills, is teaming up with the advocacy organization Black and Brilliant to launch an applied artificial intelligence accelerator and mentorship program in Africa. Following the launch of their first accelerator together in 2021, the organizations are reuniting to bring the program to Africa and empower a new…
Netflix and TikTok suspended most of their services in Russia on Sunday, as the government tightens restrictions on what citizens and media outlets can say about Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Pulling the plug on online entertainment — and information — is likely to further isolate the country and its people, coming after a growing number…
Stitch, a South African API finance business, announced in January that it would conduct a “startup showcase” to allow early-stage fintech from across the continent to share their solutions with local and global investors and receive support, according to Disrupt Africa. The event was part of a Stitch-hosted meetup for global fintech investors interested in…
Over the course of a record-breaking 2021, total funding in the African digital startup ecosystem trebled, passing the US$2 billion – and even the US$1 billion – threshold for the first time. In 2021, 564 businesses raised a total of US$2,148,517,500, according to the seventh edition of Disrupt Africa’s annual African Tech Startups Funding Report,…
In today’s business landscape, understanding your target audience is just as crucial as the product itself, a fact that is often overlooked. Effective marketing isn’t just about flashy ads or catchy slogans; it’s about ensuring your audience understands why they should choose your product. It’s not simply a matter of “come and buy my product”;…
By: Trust Onyekwere In today’s modern digital landscape, connectivity and security are crucial concerns for product-led companies. Blockchain and IoT Integration offers a comprehensive resolution by developing a decentralised and transparent ecosystem where systems can communicate and transact without the need for a third-party account. This intersection enables digital technology companies to unlock new stages of…
Every young aspiring digital entrepreneur in Africa is encouraged to apply for MEST Africa’s 12-month technology and entrepreneurship training program. With the Class of 2022 in full swing, it’s time to get back into the recruiting swing of things and formally open up applications for the Class of 2023. MEST Africa receives around 4000 applications…
Google will now charge 7.5 percent VAT on all taxable goods and services to Nigerian customers beginning April 1 next month. The company announced this in an email to its business account holders on Tuesday morning. The 7.5 percent VAT is in line with the government’s new law, according to the American tech behemoth. As…
The search for commensurate rewards is one that drives the human pursuit in different sectors, from medicine, to tech, to artisanship and entrepreneurship is why tech talents leave the continent in search of greener pastures. Due to the ongoing trend where the immediate environment does not facilitate the growth and expansion of talents, hence people…
Ikonia, a digital platform based in Kyiv and Gothenburg, has announced that it will sell 43,287,512 NFTs, one for each Ukrainian citizen. The ‘Stand With Ukraine‘ launch of the NFT sale raises funds for charities in the embattled country. More than 43 million NFT editions will be sold for $10 each; so far, more than…
Forbes has announced that its first-ever Under 30 Summit Africa will take place in Botswana from April 24-29, bringing together 600 participants for mentorship, networking, and important conversations about sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The six-day event, hosted in collaboration with the Botswana President’s Initiative, will bring together Botswana’s business leaders, government officials, venture capitalists, and…
28 February 2022 – Today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, a new white paper titled “Towards A Flourishing Digital Economy for All – A Spotlight On Africa” was published – and discussed for the first time by a panel including senior executives from Vodacom, SafariCom, Smart Africa and the World Bank. The paper was commissioned…
28th February 2022 – (Cairo, Egypt) OPay Egypt, the leading fintech and electronic payments company, has announced the opening of its first “OPay” store in Egypt in the Downtown area in the 5th Settlement, to offer all the company’s services and products for individuals and corporates. The move comes as part of OPay’s expansion plan in the…
The long-awaited electoral amendment bill has finally been signed into law by the government, bringing hope and excitement to everyone, including the tech ecosystem, in the country. The recently signed Electoral Amendment Bill of 2022 amends the Electoral Act of 2010 and is intended to help Nigeria improve its electoral process in comparison to previous…
Cisco, a multinational technology corporation headquartered in the United States, has announced the appointment of Smangele Nkosi as General Manager of its South African operations. According to Cisco, Nkosi’s focus as general manager is on leveraging the company’s technology leadership to support the country’s innovation, prosperity, and social inclusion. Her role will entail working closely…
Njoku Emmanuel dropped out of school to focus on coding after his father confiscated his laptop for “coding too much” and failing to face his studies. After three years, he has established himself as one of the best blockchain engineers of his generation, traveled the world, and now runs his own startup, Lazerpay, a cryptocurrency…