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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARTNER |
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Decagon is on a mission to help high potential Nigerians contribute meaningfully through technology. We transform fast learners into world-class software developers and connect them to job opportunities. Decagon’s program takes a year’s worth of learning and compresses it into six months. The intensive physical learning experience, coupled with a comprehensive welfare package (accommodation, feeding, internet, laptop, stipend) keeps students focused solely on learning. Apply to join the 4th cohort here.
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Mobile phone tower operator, Helios Towers is reportedly reviving plans for an initial public offering. It is considering filing for the share sale sometime this year at a possible valuation of US$3 billion. Helios first announced plans for an IPO in March last year but shelved it shortly after despite receiving “considerable interest” from potential investors. Helios has more than 6, 700 towers spread across five African countries and will be adding to the US$1.8 billion of IPOs by telecommunications-related companies this year, if it pulls through with the listing plan.
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Mauritius’ Financial Service Commission (FSC) is looking to regulate peer-to-peer and equity crowdfunding platforms. The planned crowdfunding framework will complement the country’s regulatory sandbox regime which was introduced last year by the Economic Development Board of Mauritius although its introductory timeline is still unclear. Last month, the African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) launched the ACfA Label Framework, which it hopes becomes a vital self-regulatory framework for securities-based crowdfunding in Africa. The proposed regulation has raised concerns about the government’s readiness to create enabling environments for the growth of Mauritius’ tech scene.
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Enter the Wazihub Soil Moisture Prediction Challenge and compete alongside data scientist from anywhere in the world to build machine learning models that accurately predict soil moisture levels of agricultural plots multiple days in advance.
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has doled out fresh fines to two Nigerian telecos. This time, Airtel and 9Mobile have been fined N5 million each for going against the NCC’s Do-Not-Disturb directive which it introduced in July 2016 to allow subscribers opt out of receiving unsolicited messages from operators using a 2442 code. Airtel also received a N121 million fine for Airtel disconnecting an Interconnect carrier without getting the necessary approval while 9Mobile received another N5 million fine for automatic renewals of internet subscription against the Commission’s directives.
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Tek Experts, a leading, global provider of business and IT support services with presence in 7 countries, is recruiting heavily for Technical Support Engineers in its Lagos office. With presence in seven countries and counting, including Nigeria, Tek Experts boasts of providing various service options including developing technologies that enhance the customer experience by enabling global teams to work more effectively. Whether it’s providing follow-the-sun software support services that deliver exceptional customer experiences, developing technologies that enable sales teams to increase and retain revenue or training and developing people to be the best they can be, Tek Experts’ focus is always on putting the customer first. Interested candidates can apply here. Apply now for the career opportunity of a lifetime.
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African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), an infrastructure-focused private equity fund manager, has raised US$320 million to fund power, transport & energy projects in Africa. This fund brings AIIM’s cumulative commitments to US$2.2 billion in more than 56 transactions across Africa. AIIM recently invested in BBOXX, Kenya and has has closed a number of successful exits from previous funds including the Azura-Edo Power Plant in Nigeria and Kipeto Energy Limited in Kenya. |
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Are you an African female (co)founder applying to YC? The Future Africa Venture Entrepreneur Women (FAVE) and 10+ YC alumni want to help you review your application and increase your chances of getting in. Apply here before August 14. |
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Apply to pitch at the Startups Pitching Event happening at the Annual Nigerian Economic Summit in October. Startups must be registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and doing business for no more than five (5) years. Applications are welcome from any sector including ICT, Agriculture, Education, Health and Manufacturing. Learn more and apply here. |
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Pakistani Uber-like mass transit mobility startup, Airlift has raised US$2.2 million in a seed round which, according to MENAbytes, is the largest-ever seed round raise by a startup in Pakistan. Airlift is looking to expand its operations into new markets including Dhaka, Bangladesh and Nairobi, Kenya. On Airlift’s mobile app, users can book rides on premium quality buses and vans that have fixed routes, stops and times. Like obtainable on Uber, or its competitor, Swvl users can track the buses in real time, and pay either using cash or their credit/debit cards. |
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That’s it for today,
See you tomorrow.
– Kay
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