• Peer: Less about Money, More about People.

    I was crazy enough to start this company 3 years ago in July of 2020 during the height of COVID. Deeply frustrated by the financial experiences built and being offered to

    Africans and other people all over the world, HoneyCoin was my stake in the ring. It’s been a wild and incredibly fulfilling journey so far. And today is yet another milestone in our book.

    We’ve processed millions of dollars since we launched, onboarded and are currently serving hundreds of thousands of customers who all trust us with their hard-earned money and for that we’re

    deeply grateful.Today, I couldn’t be more excited to announce an evolution of our consumer business by introducing you to, Peer.

    Peer is a financial super app built with the retail customer in mind. We like to call it “the everything app” for users “anywhere in the world.” It’s the evolution of our consumer platform over many iterations and long hours of development and design, we’re

    launching with a couple of really cool features that I’d love to tell you about today, so let’s dive in:

    Bank Accounts 🏦

    Starting today, customers in Kenya and soon Nigeria & the US will be able to turn their wallets into real bank accounts. This means that you can now make payments like

    SWIFT, RTGS, Pesalink, and M-Pesa directly on the platform and at lower fees than “that banking app”. We’ve received the necessary approvals and gone through stringent due-diligence to be able to roll this out and I couldn’t be more excited about it.

    Flights

    This is my favourite, starting today you can book a flight for your honeymoon, for the trip that’s never left the group chat, or even to visit your loved ones in domestic locations

    like Kisumu & Mombasa directly on Peer. This feature is rolling out to the over 150+ countries that we’re live in immediately. Lagos to London, San Francisco to Dubai, Nairobi to Cape Town. All on the app and with multiple payment options available.

    Insurance 🔒

    Need to insure your car? Just bought an iPhone 15 and you’re clumsy? Well now you can purchase car, travel, life, health, and even gadget insurance directly on the app with leading Insurance providers like Jubilee, Madison, AXA and more.

    Direct US to Kenya Remittances 

    We’ve partnered with licensed remittance companies to bring you direct remittances into Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, & Tanzania. We’re inches close to receive the necessary approvals in local markets so this is coming to Peer approximately days after launch.

    Drops 🔥

    We are known for the company that brought you Octopizzo’s Fractional NFT Drop, or our Kicks Kenya Partnership that was extremely successful. But now, we’re turning this into a feature with a constant release schedule and with the most vibrant of brands- over the coming weeks we’ll be gradually rolling out exclusive drops with leading Spotify stores globally, so stay tuned.

    MoneyGram

    Our partnership with MoneyGram means users in over 150+ countries can deposit and withdraw digital dollars for cash, making money borderless, equitable, and accessible for our hundreds of thousands of users and soon, billions of users globally.

    And yet, this is only a handful of all the amazing things you can do on Peer and we’re thrilled to bring this to all of you today. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give this a try and don’t forget to let me know what you think. 😉

    David Nandwa

    CEO/CTO @ HoneyCoin

  • Rack Centre Appoints Lars Johannisson as Chief Executive Officer

    Lagos, Nigeria – January 25, 2024

    Rack Centre, West Africa’s Best-connected Carrier and Cloud neutral data centre has announced the appointment of Lars Johannisson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Johannisson, an accomplished leader with extensive experience in transformative industries, assumes the role effective January 2024.

    According to the Group Chief Executive Officer of Rack Centre, Jasper Lankhorst, the company Is excited to welcome Lars into the leadership team of Rack Centre with his wealth of experience and robust industry knowledge.

    “We are delighted to welcome Lars Johannisson as the new Chief Executive Officer of Rack Centre. His wealth of experience and strategic leadership will propel Rack Centre to new heights. I have full confidence in Lars’s ability to steer our company towards continued success, and I look forward to working closely with him to advance our position as a leading data centre provider”, said Lankhorst,

    Speaking on his new role as the CEO of Rack Centre, Johannisson highlighted the company’s market leadership and its leading position as a Carrier and Cloud neutral Tier-III Data centre in Nigeria. He expressed his commitment to contributing to the digital ecosystem growth in Nigeria and is delighted to be part of a team dedicated to launching a new hyperscale-ready, 12MW data centre facility in Lagos in 2024.

    Lars has extensive experience working in Telecom, IT Delivery, Managed Services, and Digital skilling. He is passionate about leading organizations in transformative industries in Africa over the last 14 years and has executed large B2B projects in more than 30 Sub-Saharan countries.

    He holds an MBA in General Management/Finance from the Stockholm School of Economics and has completed the Stanford University Executive Program on “Design, Innovation and Business Transformation.

    He has actively participated in “Digital and Economic Inclusion” discussions in Sub-Saharan Africa and has sponsored economic inclusion initiatives for hiring and training youth in IT through partnerships with major CSV partners.

    Before joining Rack Centre, Johannisson was the CEO of Teleperformance in Sub-Saharan Africa, heading the world’s leading company in digital CX and BPO in the group’s emerging market and previously at Ericsson, SolarNow and the YNV Group.

    Rack Centre’s robust ecosystem includes over 64 telecommunication carriers, Internet Service Providers, global Tier 1 networks, and pan-Africa international carriers. The company achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first International Finance Corporation (IFC) EDGE certified data centre in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This certification officially designates Rack Centre as the first Green Certified Data Centre in Africa, further solidifying its position as the most connected facility in the West African region, according to its Peering DB ranking.

    About Rack Centre

    Rack Centre is West Africa’s Best-connected Carrier and Cloud-neutral data centre. Established in 2012, the company provides best-in-class data centre colocation services and reliable interconnection between carriers and customers. Knowing this gives customers a technically superior, physically more secure, and lower-cost environment for their information systems.

    The Carrier and Cloud neutrality advantage allows customers to manage traffic to get better value, lower latency, higher resilience and creates an open market for partnerships between customers, networks, cloud and content providers, the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), the African Interconnection Exchange (AF-CIX) and managed service providers.

    For more information, visit https://rack-centre.com/

    For Media Enquiries-

    Frances Eza

    Head, Marketing and Communications

    Rack Centre

    frances.eza@rack-centre.com

    M:+234 91 393 17 946 | T:+234 1 700 5515

  • WSM Casino: Setting the Bar for Online Casinos for Live Casinos?

    The online gambling market, valued at over $63.53 billion USD in 2022, owes much of its success to the widespread popularity of live casinos. These platforms enable players to interact with human dealers through live streaming, offering a virtualised casino experience.

    Gamblers love the intimacy and immersion of a live casino and the convenience of feeling at a casino without travelling to one. However, the online gambling market is now flooded with live casinos, with many not knowing how to operate one smoothly. 

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    Gamblers not only seek well-optimised live casinos but also expect a diverse range of content and advanced features. Leading gambling sites like WSM Casino, Estrelabet and Betano currently host some of the most popular live casinos in the market. The question remains: which gambling site sets the benchmark for live casinos?

    Estrelabet: A ‘Household name’ in Brazil?

    Estrelabet stands out as one of the top gambling and betting platforms in Brazil, celebrated for its extensive content, featuring 575 live casino games including Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker and Roulette.

    For newcomers, Estrelabet entices users to explore its live casino offerings by providing a 100% Welcome Bonus on their initial deposit. Additionally, the platform regularly hosts promotional events, offering ongoing benefits for gamblers who choose to engage with the site.

    Betano: Major Backing to Have The Best Live Casino

    Betano, a live sports betting and casino platform, operates under the reputable gaming company Kaizen Gaming, boasting a diverse portfolio of products and brands and a workforce of up to 1,500 employees.

    With its considerable backing, Betano manages to run a smooth live casino experience that Betano regulars swear by. There’s even a 100% welcome bonus offered to newcomers when they make their first deposit of over $10. However, both Betano and Estrelabet are missing some of the latest features for live casinos which WSM Casino now provides

    WSM Casino: A Pioneer in Crypto Live Casinos 

    New to the game of live casinos, WSM Casino is not impacted by inexperience. WSM Casino has an open-minded outlook on the future of gambling sites and has become a pioneer in the acceptance of cryptocurrencies for online gambling. This opens up WSM Casino’s live casino to the new generation of crypto enthusiasts across the world.

    The main perks of using cryptocurrency at the live casino are fast transactions, no-cost fees and full anonymity without sharing any personal bank details with anyone! With cryptocurrency, there are little-to-no pop-ups compared to banking prompts.

    WSM Casino has the largest catalogue of games to play compared to the competitors—with over 5,000 to choose from.

    Bettors are incentivised to join with a 200% Welcome Bonus and 200 free spins. The list of cryptocurrencies accepted by WSM Casino is extensive, especially in the crypto casino space, where most are only Bitcoin gambling sites. Some of the cryptocurrencies WSM Casino accept are $WSM, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, Tron and Solana.

    In addition to the cryptocurrency offerings, WSM Casino has implemented an hourly $WSM token buyback program, nearing the impressive $1 million mark. This transparent program tracked on the WSM dashboard, utilises a minimum of 10% of net gaming revenue for token buybacks, contributing to the price support for $WSM in the open market. Stakers on the platform benefit from a 32% annual yield, setting WSM apart by offering staking facilities.

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    The Wall Street Memes team has outlined plans for future developments, including the introduction of perpetual trading, marked by the ‘coming soon’ label in the Casino menu. The platform also plans to introduce loot boxes to further expand its offerings, 

    Crypto vs. Classic: Deciding the Champion of Live Casino Experiences

    Each of these live casinos offers a variety of casino games through user-friendly websites and apps compatible with multiple devices. WSM Casino stands out by incorporating innovative features in its live casino, leveraging the benefits of modern cryptocurrency technology. The use of crypto is particularly well-suited for live casinos, ensuring smooth transactions and uninterrupted live streams that authentically replicate the in-person casino experience.
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  • Africa’s Tech Experts Make Exciting Predictions for 2024.

    Following a bearish 2023, Africa’s tech ecosystem is kicking off 2024 with a new slate and an opportunity to define the new year and what most people predict to be a kinder year for startups and businesses. 

    For tech entrepreneurs, The Crossover Show – an annual recap of the most significant moments in African tech, provided exciting predictions and trends that will define Africa’s tech industry in 2024. 

    In the show’s pilot, media entrepreneur Fatu Ogwuche sat with some prominent players in the ecosystem – OO Nwoye, Founder of TechCircle – a business development service that offers advisory services to early-stage startups; Benjamin Dada, Founder of media company, BenjaminDada.com; Jessica Hope, Founder of Tech PR firm Wimbart, and June Angelides MBE, Partner at Levare Ventures, an angel syndicate that co-invests into African Startups. 

    With prominent and opinionated personalities, conversations about the ecosystem often get spirited, especially while discussing top media moments, top tech personalities, and what product topped the chart. For 2024, Fatu asked the guests for some great predictions to look out for in the new year. 

    Let’s dig in.

    An African IPO
    As Nigerian startups continue to deal with the economic downturn and the unforgiving business environments that have become a mainstay since the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Tech This Week’s and the host of The Crossover Show, Fatu Ogwuche believes that more companies with solid fundamentals and growth prospects will follow VFD’s footsteps and seek IPOs to become publicly listed and new capital.  

    “I was excited about VFD’s IPO in 2023, and I am looking forward to more IPOs. I want to see exits that are not necessarily acquisitions but offering a part of your company to the public so they can buy into it,” Fatu says. 

    In October 2023, Lagos-based investment firm VFD Group listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) at N269.30 – boosting the market capitalisation of the NGX by N45 billion. The public listing was a calculated move to give the company greater access to capital markets and achieve specific strategic goals for growth and expansion.

    One of the anticipated listings enthusiasts hope to see in 2024 is Flutterwave, Africa’s biggest payments company. The company indicated interest in an IPO as early as 2022 and is reportedly finalising the steps to list publicly. CEO Gbenga Agboola told The Banker’s Joy Macknight last year that many factors will determine the timing of the listing without disclosing any details on the dates for its IPO.

    However, there have been speculations that the company would take a page from MTN’s regional listing playbook and list in the US and Nigeria. Fatu says, “Hopefully, Flutterwave scales that process, at least listing in Nigeria to begin with and then to NASDAQ or wherever else.” 

    At least one reckless founder will go to jail

    TechCircle’s OO Nwoye also predicts that one founder will go to jail. While Africa’s tech space has brought a lot of pride for its players, several startup founders have soiled the good deeds of many others in the past with their actions, either from their lack of competence or integrity. 

    “We have already seen an investor go to jail, and the idea that the tech ecosystem is a Wild West will be dispelled. At least one reckless founder will go to jail if they’re not careful. We’ll see a tightening of the VCs because pressure will come in from the LPs.” he says. 

    During The Crossover Show, the guests discussed the actions of certain players in the tech space who make investors wary. The misappropriation of funds by Dash founder Prince Boakye Boampong and Tingo Founder Dozy Mmobuosi, who was charged with securities fraud in the U.S., were mentioned.

    “Trust is fragile and takes a while to build. The high-trust ecosystem we have today was built over time. The founders coming on board must understand this and act carefully not to break it. Also, as an ecosystem, we have to be careful of bad actors and weed them out fast because if the trust is gone, it affects everyone,” Oo Nwoye told Techcabal earlier in 2023 amid reports that Nigerian investors were collating a list of unethical founders to keep in check. 

    Increased collaboration and sales drive would birth more profitable companies.
    One of the most impressive products from the Nigerian tech space last year was Chowdeck. This Y Combinator-backed Nigerian food delivery startup crossed ₦1 billion in monthly gross merchandise value (GMV). While the company claims to be the country’s ‘most efficient’ food delivery startup, its partnerships with companies such as Eden Life fueled its growth.

    For context, on the day the partnership was launched, Chowdeck recorded a 15% increase in orders compared to the busiest day of the previous week. June Angelides MBE  expects to see more profitable collaborations between startups. “I think we’re beginning to see the early stages of that. The collaborations will probably be driven by investors, encouraging their startups to think outside the box, and it would put them in a stronger position to be ready for exits in the future,” she says. 


    In a year when other food delivery companies such as Jumia Food and Bolt Food exited the market due to a lack of profit, ChowDeck expanded to Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja making an average of 10,000 daily deliveries across the four cities despite the different economic hurdles such as food inflation and fuel scarcity following the removal of petrol subsidy. 

    OO Nwoye, the tech pundit and advisor, believes that this trend of running a sales-driven company would also lead to more resilience from founders and operators who run Nigerian tech companies. Echoing those thoughts, Wimbart’s Jessica Hope explains that collaborations and mergers would help Nigerian companies scale and become profitable faster.

     “We need to get more founders who understand how to generate revenue outside of raising money from VCs. We haven’t seen many people who actually know how to raise money. With more collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, hopefully, companies will start to break even and on that journey some founders will be able to make money and generate profit.”

    More regulation from the CBN for Cross-border payments and remittance players

    Benjamin Dada, a renowned fintech operator, predicts that the Central Bank of Nigeria will provide more regulation for that space because of its importance to the market. “Right now, it’s a bit unclear in the space. You may have an IMTO (International Money Transfer Operator) license, but you still need a letter of objection, a banking partner, etc. People are just doing what they’re doing. For instance, the IMTO is not really for business, but people use it for business.”


    AI would be a big deal 

    Africa can potentially become a significant player in the AI-driven economy due to its young, tech-savvy, educated, and entrepreneurial population, which can help advance its social and environmental well-being. According to OO Nwoye, Africa has been part of the AI journey since the beginning, and he predicts that 2024 may be the year that the conversation around AI stops will cease to revolve around deepfakes to actual products.

    AI would be the word of the year. We are at Tier 1, and we are day 1 participants on the AI journey. We are still unsure of how it would be used, but there would be a lot of products created.” He predicts. 

    This prediction is plausible. The Nigerian Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy has disclosed that it is actively supporting any company that wants to prioritise creating AI jobs locally. 

    Since Bosun Tijani became the minister, he claims to have prioritised artificial intelligence. He reportedly identified over 6,000 AI researchers who are of Nigerian descent and based in several parts of the world in his bid to make Nigeria a global leader in Artificial Intelligence.

    About the Crossover show
    The Crossover Show is an annual recap of the most significant moments in African tech. In the pilot, which aired on Big Tech This Week’s YouTube channel on January 1st, Fatu Ogwuche and four guests explored the major events that made the headlines in African tech. 

  • Talent 4 Startups Program 2nd Edition – Shaping the Future of Digital Education in Africa

    Digital Africa & Univelcity Collaborate to Empower 120 Nigerian Tech Talent

    After the remarkable success of its inaugural edition, which saw 300 young talents trained and 70% securing employment in the tech sector across 10 countries, Digital Africa is thrilled to announce the launch of the Talent 4 Startups Program 2nd Edition. This pioneering initiative is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing digital education in Africa, with an ambitious goal to train 1,500 individuals in vital tech skills, directly addressing startup recruitment challenges across the continent.

    In an exciting collaboration with us at Univelcity, a leading tech education organization in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016, this initiative specifically targets Nigerian youths. This strategic partnership is tailored to meet the unique needs of startups and aspiring tech professionals in Nigeria, aiming to train 120 individuals under Univelcity’s expert guidance.

    About Univelcity

    Univelcity, a leading technology education company renowned for its role in accelerating tech talent in Africa through intensive courses and job placement services, has a track record of training over 15,000 individuals through its various bootcamp programs, workshops and masterclasses, with an impressive 90% job placement rate within six months post-completion.

    Inclusive and Diverse Learning

    The Talent 4 Startups 2nd Edition is committed to diversity, aiming for at least 40% female participation among trainees. This fully-funded scholarship program, supported by Digital Africa, commences in March 2024 and seeks to mitigate talent acquisition challenges for startups while providing tangible employment opportunities for participants. Applications are now open and closes by February 25, 2024.

    Program Overview

    The program offers a comprehensive learning experience that bridges the gap between conventional education and industry demands. It is designed for aspiring professionals, recent graduates, and individuals aged 18-35 in Nigeria, who are keen to excel in the digital realm. The courses, provided in collaboration with Univelcity, include:

    • Product Management: Covering the entire product lifecycle, from market need assessment to development and launch.
    • Full-stack Development: Offering mastery in both Frontend and Backend development for dynamic web applications.
    • Data Science: Focusing on Python programming, statistical analysis, and machine learning to derive insights from data.

    Additionally, participants will receive training in vital soft skills such as effective communication, emotional intelligence, and time management, further enhancing their professional capabilities. This 6-month program includes both in-person and online components, culminating in job placement opportunities.

    Strategic Talent Placement

    This collaboration extends beyond education, strategically connecting trained talent with local and global organizations. Supported by Digital Africa, this encompasses partnerships with startups, walk-in businesses, and leveraging the business process outsourcing industries for direct job placement.

    Call to Action

    Digital Africa and Univelcity invite aspiring tech professionals, recent graduates, and anyone eager to advance their tech career within the age range of 18-35 in Nigeria, to apply for the Talent 4 Startups training commencing in March 2024. Seize this opportunity to gain the necessary tech skills for a thriving career in technology. Applications close on February 25, 2024.

    Stay updated and inspired by following @digitalafrica and @univelcity on social media for regular updates, program highlights, and testimonials. Don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity – Apply Now!

  • In Celebration of Its Recent Acquisition, Litireso Africa Remains Committed to Advancing African Literature

    Lagos, Jan. 25, 2024 – Litireso Africa, the pioneering platform connecting authors and readers across the African continent, is excited to announce its recent acquisition by new owners. This development marks a significant step in supporting and expanding the innovative digital publishing startup.

    Founded in 2019 by Temitayo Fadojutimi, Litireso Africa quickly became a key player in promoting African literature and supporting authors in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond. The platform’s intuitive self-publishing features, efficient e-commerce system, and widespread distribution network have significantly contributed to democratizing publishing and enhancing the availability of works by African writers.

    Temitayo Fadojutimi, the founder, stated, “Litireso was born out of a desire to uplift African storytelling and provide economic opportunities for authors. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between talented writers and their potential readers.”

    Litireso has been recognized for its innovative approach, receiving support from organizations like Flutterwave and AWS. It gained international acclaim at events like the Ghana International Book Fair in August 2022, highlighting its role in transforming the literary landscape.

    The acquisition offers an opportunity for Litireso to continue its journey as an independent publishing platform. The new ownership is committed to maintaining and enhancing Litireso’s digital services, focusing on operational efficiencies and strategic growth.

    The new owners, set to reveal their identity in due course, are dedicated to fostering the platform’s vision. They aim to ensure that Litireso remains a cornerstone in the promotion of African literature, both locally and globally.

    This collaboration is expected to sustain and amplify the impact of African storytelling for years to come. Litireso looks forward to its next chapter in making African literature more accessible and celebrated worldwide.

    For further information, please contact hello@litireso.africa.

  • Experience the Power of A True 5G Network with mcom 5G Routers

    In today’s digital world, where connectivity is integral to our daily lives, innovation and the way businesses operate, the demand for reliable super-fast network speeds is exceptionally high. With significantly faster speeds and low latency, 5G has come to shape our world and propel us to achieve more groundbreaking technological advancements, however its full capabilities lie in a true 5G network.

    What is a true 5G network?

    A true 5G network is built on a standalone (SA) 5G network, which is deployed using newly developed 5G infrastructure. Unlike non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks that utilize existing and older infrastructure used for 4G, 5G standalone is built on a 5G core network, offering superior speeds, ultra-low latency and efficiency; hence allowing users to unlock the full capabilities of 5G.

    Introducing mcom: Nigeria’s First True 5G Network

    Built on a cloud-based 5G core network, mcom stands as Nigeria’s first standalone 5G network provider. Our 5G network is designed to meet the needs of future technologies that require super fast speeds, ultra-low latency, unparalleled reliability, and increased network capacity.

    With unmatched capabilities and scalability, mcom 5G is designed to enable individuals and businesses to get the most out of technology. We want you to reimagine the way you work, live and chill!

    Reimagine Remote Work and Learning

    Global events have accelerated the shift to remote work and online learning, making high-speed internet connections essential. With mcom, you can experience video conferencing, collaboration tools, and cloud-based applications without lags, ensuring productivity and effective communication.

    Reimagine Entertainment

    Data-intensive applications such as high-definition video streaming, online gaming, and virtual reality require robust network speeds to provide a seamless and enjoyable user experience. mcom 5G provides lightning-fast data speeds and reliable connection, preventing buffering, lag, and poor quality.

    Reimagine E-commerce and Online Banking

    The increased speeds and reduced latency of a true 5G network enable smoother transactions, faster page uploads, seamless user experiences, allowing for a more seamless and secure connection between banks, financial institutions, e-commerce platforms and customers.

    Reimagine Mobile Internet Experience

    mcom 5G enables instant communications, allowing millions of mobile devices to relay data to each other at speeds hundreds times faster. If you enjoy live video streaming and online gaming on your mobile device, you are in for a ride on a super fast lane!

    Reimagine Cloud Computing

    By providing faster speeds, better reliability and higher capacity, mcom 5G enhances efficiency of data transfer between cloud computing users and cloud-based servers. This ultimately enables users to easily access  data and applications on the go.

    Embrace the Future of Technology Today with mcom 5G Routers

    Our 5G routers are more than just an upgrade to your network experience, we are enabling a world where the way we connect, communicate and interact with the world around us is completely transformed, and we welcome you to be a part of it!

    Ready to embrace the future of connectivity today? Visit mcom.ng to sign up and subscribe to our data plans.

    Follow @mcomnigeria to follow us on social media

  • Xiaomi Introduces All-new Redmi Note 13 Line-up

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    Xiaomi today introduced Redmi Note 13 Series at a launch event in Lagos, Nigeria. This exciting new series features five devices that further elevate the popular Redmi Note range: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13. 

    With significant upgrades to camera system, design, display and processor, Redmi Note 13 Series continues to close the gap between mid-range and flagship-level smartphones, delivering all-star durability, fantastic experience, and impressive imaging capability – all at reasonable prices.

    Make every shot iconic with Redmi Note 13 Series’ upgraded camera system

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    Engineered to meet diverse photography needs, Redmi Note 13 Series boasts a versatile, upgraded camera system. The pro models, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G and Redmi Note 13 Pro, all feature an ultra-high resolution 200MP camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) to capture photographs with unprecedented levels of detail and bring a flagship-level photography experience to users.

    Moreover, 2x/4x lossless zoom offers detailed close-ups from a distance and brings the possibility of focusing on individuals in crowds or zooming in on the action. 

    These advanced camera systems are supported by a large 1/1.4″ sensor and improved image processing, ensuring astounding image quality even in complex and low light conditions. The combination of this sensor, a super-large f/1.65 aperture, and Tetra2 pixel (advanced pixel-binning technology) delivers clear and bright pictures even in poor lighting conditions, while the 7P lens with Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) reduces flare and ghosting. 

    Meanwhile, Redmi Note 13, is equipped with a 108MP main camera with 3x lossless zoom to deliver incredible images with finer details. Both smartphones also come with a wide selection of filmCamera filters for users to customize their photos.

    With a triple camera setup comprising a 200MP or 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP selfie camera, all these devices are supported by Xiaomi Imaging Engine. Overall, each device provides next-generation computational photography and powerful image processing, making the Redmi Note 13 Series a great option for capturing iconic images at any opportunity.

    Superb clarity, AMOLED display and up to 120Hz refresh rate  

    RN13_FULL_CONFIDENTIAL_MODULAR的副本.102

    Redmi Note 13 Series features trendy, sleek design with ultra-slim bezels for premium look and feel, and a high-quality display for an enhanced user experience and immersive viewing.

    Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G offers crystal-clear viewing with a 1.5K AMOLED display and 1800 nits peak brightness. Meanwhile, Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13 feature a super-clear FHD+ AMOLED display. 

    Silky smooth scrolling without lag is ensured on each Redmi Note 13 Series device, thanks to 120Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate, making all viewing experiences smoother, clearer, and more enjoyable. 

    For added reassurance during extended viewing, Redmi Note 13 Series devices have TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light, Flicker Free, and Circadian Friendly certifications, and include various eye protection features, such as Reading mode. Other upgrades include the series’ first addition of a convenient in-screen fingerprint sensor1

    Exceptional durability to set your mind at ease 

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    With upgrades in engineering and design, Redmi Note 13 Series offers durability and toughness for added reassurance in difficult conditions. This begins from the display, which introduces Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® to Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G for added resistance to accidental drops and scratches. The display has also been further optimized across the series to ensure it is responsive and accurate to touch input, even in the rain. 

    With an upgraded structure combined with an IP68 dust and water resistance certification2, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G secures its position as the star model of the series, while the other models have also all been elevated to offer IP54 dust and splash resistance3

    Power iconic moments with advanced processors for upgraded performance 

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    The high-performing Redmi Note 13 Series features some of the most powerful processors available, together with long-lasting batteries, ensuring users can enjoy their devices all day long. All models come with an in-box charger4 for added convenience.

    For stellar performance, a 4nm process has been introduced for the first time to Redmi Note smartphones. The series leader, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra chipset, a massive 5,000mAh battery5 to power through every busy day and offers industry-leading 120W HyperCharge, charging your Redmi Note to 100% in just 19 minutes6.

    Meanwhile, Redmi Note 13 Pro is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G99-Ultra chipset, and 5,000mAh battery5. It offers 67W turbo charging, taking 45 minutes to charge to 100%6. It also come with performance to impress with a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery5 and powerful chipsets.

    With upgrades and enhancements across the board, Redmi Note 13 Series takes the beloved Redmi Note line-up to greater heights to let smartphone users around the world revel in flagship features at affordable prices. 

    At the same launch event, Xiaomi also introduced three exciting new additions to its wearables offerings: Redmi Watch 4, Redmi Buds 5 Pro and Redmi Buds 5.

    Versatile Redmi Watch 4 with more to see, lots to love 

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    The new Redmi Watch 4 is equipped with a square ultra-large 1.97″ AMOLED display for a more satisfying smartwatch experience. This latest edition is also the largest square form-factor Redmi smartwatch, delivering a more comprehensive viewing experience at just one glance. Redmi Watch 4’s exquisite design incorporates an aluminum alloy middle frame, and is the first Redmi smartwatch with an easy to operate stainless-steel OTS rotating crown. For even more convenience, Redmi Watch 4 features the all-new quick release mechanism for changing straps.  

    Redmi Watch 4 is equipped with an upgraded 4-channel PPG sensor for improved accuracy for heart rate7 and blood oxygen monitoring8. Users have a choice of more than 150 sports modes, including six automatically recognized activities. Advanced features include Bluetooth® calling9 that allows users to answer calls by raising their hand and tapping. It is available with either a Silver Grey or Obsidian Black bezel plus a matching strap, or a choice of Pastel Purple, Dark Cyan, or Mint Green colored straps.10 

    Advanced ANC and true-to-life sound with Redmi Buds 5 Pro

    IMG_0933

    Redmi Buds 5 Pro offers a more engaging listening experience with built-in immersive sound and new modes for true-to-life audio. The earbuds also support LDAC11, the leading Bluetooth® codec for wireless earbud connectivity. With up to 52dB active noise cancellation (ANC)12, Redmi Buds 5 Pro offers a choice of three ANC modes, an AI adaptive mode, and three additional transparency modes helps users intelligently switch between modes for more comfortable listening experiences in a wider variety of scenarios.13 Users can also personalize their audio experiences with five different EQ profiles. Redmi Buds 5 Pro supports up to 10 hours of continuous listening and up to 38 hours of constant use when paired with its ergonomic case.14 Redmi Buds 5 Pro is available in Midnight Black, Moonlight White and Aurora Purple.

    Enhanced audio experiences with Redmi Buds 5 

    IMG_0934

    Designed to provide enhanced audio experience, Redmi Buds 5 features up to 46dB ANC with three modes that cover with a wide range of background noise. Additionally, three transparency modes15 allow users hear more of what they want and less of what they don’t. Redmi Buds 5 support up to 10 hours of continuous listening and up to 40 hours of use when paired with its charging case.14 These earbuds are available in three colors: Black, White, or Sky Blue. The case comes with a matte exterior and a glossy interior with attractive light strip design.

    Redmi Buds 5 series supports use of Xiaomi Earbuds app, which is compatible with a variety of smartphone brands. With this app, you can experience extended functionality such as personalized noise cancellation, intelligent ambient-adaptive noise cancellation, customized EQ tuning, and built-in immersive sound, etc.16

    Redmi Note 13 Series Quick Specs

    Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5GRedmi Note 13 ProRedmi Note 13
    Design• Colors: Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Aurora Purple• Dimensions: 161.4mm x 74.2mm x 8.9mm19• Weight: 204.5g19• IP682• Colors: Midnight Black, Lavender Purple, Forest Green• Dimensions: 161.1mm x 74.95mm x 7.98mm19• Weight: 188g19• IP543• Colors: Midnight Black, Mint Green, Ice Blue, Ocean Sunset18• Dimensions: 162.24mm x 75.55mm x 7.97mm19• Weight: 188.5g19• IP543
    Camera• 200MP main camera   – f/1.65   – OIS • 8MP ultra-wide camera  – f/2.2• 2MP macro camera  – f/2.4• 16MP front camera• 200MP main camera   – f/1.65  – OIS• 8MP ultra-wide camera  – f/2.2• 2MP macro camera  – f/2.4• 16MP front camera• 108MP main camera   – f/1.75• 8MP ultra-wide camera  – f/2.2• 2MP macro camera  – f/2.416MP front camera
    Display • 6.67″ CrystalRes AMOLED display  – Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz  – Brightness: 1800nits peak brightness   – Resolution: 2712 x 1220 (1.5K resolution)   – Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®  – Supports Dolby Vision®  – TÜV Rheinland certifications: Circadian Friendly, Flicker Free, Low Blue Light• 6.67″ AMOLED display  – Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz  – Brightness: 1300 nits peak brightness  – Resolution: 2400 x 1080  – Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5  – TÜV Rheinland certifications: Circadian Friendly, Flicker Free, Low Blue Light• 6.67″ AMOLED display  – Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz  – Brightness: 1800 nits peak brightness   – Contrast ratio: 5,000,000:1  – Resolution: 2400 x 1080  – Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3   – TÜV Rheinland certifications: Circadian Friendly, Flicker Free, Low Blue Light
    Performance• MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra  – 4nm manufacturing process  – CPU: Octa-core processor, up to 2.8GHz• LPDDR5 + UFS3.1 – 8GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB20• MediaTek Helio G99-Ultra  – 6nm manufacturing process  – CPU: Octa-core processor, up to 2.2GHz• LPDDR4X + UFS 2.2   – 8GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB20  – Expandable storage up to 1TB21• Snapdragon® 685  – 6nm manufacturing process  – CPU: Octa-core processor, up to 2.8GHz • LPDDR4X + UFS 2.2   – 6GB+128GB, 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB20  – Expandable storage up to 1TB21
    Battery & Charging• 5,000mAh (typ) battery5 • 120W HyperCharge• 120W in-box charger4• USB-C• 5,000mAh (typ) battery5 • 67W turbo charging• 67W in-box charger4• USB-C• 5,000mAh (typ) battery5• 33W fast charging• 33W in-box charger4• USB-C
    Audio • Dual speakers • Dolby Atmos®• 3.5mm headphone jack• Dual speakers • Dolby Atmos®• 3.5mm headphone jack• Dual speakers • Dolby Atmos®
    Security• In-screen fingerprint sensor • AI Face Unlock• In-screen fingerprint sensor • AI Face Unlock• In-screen fingerprint sensor • AI Face Unlock
    Connectivity• Dual SIM (nano SIM + nano SIM or nano SIM + eSIM)• Wi-Fi 6• Bluetooth 5.3• Supports NFC• IR Blaster • Bands   – 2G: GSM: 850 900 1800 1900MHz    – 3G: WCDMA:1/2/4/5/6/8/19    – 4G: LTE FDD:1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/26/28/32/66    – 4G: LTE TDD:38/40/41    – 5G: n1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/66/77/78• SIM 1 + Hybrid (SIM or microSD) • Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, 5GHz • Bluetooth 5.2• Supports NFC• IR Blaster • Bands- 2G: GSM: 850 900 1800 1900MHz – 3G: WCDMA: 1/2/4/5/6/8/19- 4G: LTE FDD: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/26/28/66 – 4G: LTE TDD: 38/40/41• SIM 1 + Hybrid (SIM or MicroSD)• Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, 5GHz • Bluetooth 5.1• Supports NFC22• IR Blaster • Bands  – 2G: GSM: 850 900 1800 1900MHz   – 3G: WCDMA: 1/2/4/5/6/8/1923  – 4G: LTE FDD: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/26/28/6623  – 4G: LTE TDD: 38/40/41

    Disclaimers

    1 In-screen fingerprint sensor featured on Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G,Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13.

    2 The device with IP68 dust and water resistance is certified to be water and dust resistant exclusively under specific laboratory conditions not corresponding to normal use conditions. The warranty does not cover liquid damage caused by conditions other than test conditions. For more information, please see Xiaomi official website. 

    3 The device with IP54 has been tested to be resistant to dust and splashes under specific laboratory conditions not corresponding to normal use conditions. The warranty does not cover liquid damage caused by conditions other than test conditions. For more information, please see Xiaomi official website.

    4 In-box charger availability may vary between markets.

    5 The value in mAh refers to the typical value of the battery capacity.

    6 Data from Xiaomi Internal Labs. Actual results may vary.

    7 After the device is turned on for all-day heart rate monitoring, it will monitor at a certain frequency during the day. For more details about the monitoring frequency and principle, please refer to the description in the APP.

    8 This product and its features are not designed for medical purposes, and are not intended to predict, diagnose, prevent, or cure any disease.

    9 The watch must be kept connected to the smartphone’s Bluetooth®. The voice calls from third-party apps are currently not supported.

    10 Outbox straps’ color may vary by different markets.

    11 Make sure LDAC has been activated on compatible AndroidTM OS smartphones with correct bitrate selection and immersive sound off. The use of LDAC audio codec and immersive sound are mutually exclusive.

    12 Active noise cancellation test data provided by National institute of Metrology, China. The product achieves 52dB ANC depth within a particular frequency range and 4kHz at a specific depth range, but not simultaneously. Tests are conducted separately. Actual results may vary with usage.

    13 ANC and transparency mode settings available only on Xiaomi Earbuds app.

    14 The battery level is 100%, volume of the earbuds is adjusted to 50%, the Bluetooth encoding mode is AAC, and the ANC feature, transparency mode, and immersive sound are turned off. Battery life test carried out by the manufacturer; test data based on simulation of real-life scenarios. Actual results may vary depending on firmware updates, usage conditions, charging level, and environmental factors.

    15 Noise cancellation depth test data provided by the National institute of Metrology, China. The product reaches 46dB ANC depth only at a certain frequency range. Actual results may vary depending on usage conditions.

    16 Functions may vary for different models of Redmi Buds 5 Series. Please refer to the specific earbuds model for supported functions. Android 6.0 and later users can access the app in Google Play. iOS 14.0 and later users can access the app in the iOS App Store. For Android and iOS devices, please update the app to 1.16.0i and 1.6.0 respectively. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO smartphone/tablet models may support some of the above functions within the Bluetooth® settings. Please refer to the actual product for details.

    17 Prices for different markets may vary due to VAT, taxes, and other factors. 

    18 Specific color options may vary between markets.

    19 Actual measurements between individual products may vary. All specifications are subject to the actual product.

    20 Available storage and RAM are less than the total memory due to storage of the operating system and software pre-installed on the device.

    21 Actual support and compatibility of memory cards may vary between manufacturers.

    22 NFC availability may vary between markets. 

    23 Specific band availability may vary between markets.

  • ALX Nigeria Holds Tech Chat Week, Unveils New AI Programmes for 2024

    As part of efforts to revolutionise tech training for the digital future, ALX kick-started the new year on a high note with a week-long seminar for current and prospective tech learners at their Costain Hub in Lagos.

    The event was a watershed of rich conversations in the digital economy, financial management, and

    personal development as different resource persons discussed interesting topics and facilitated engaging side chats with the participants. In her opening comments, Country Growth Manager, ALX Nigeria, Seun Babajide-Duroshola stated that ALX remains committed to empowering youths with tech skills that will transform learners into ethical and entrepreneurial leaders. She said: ” We are a tech accelerator that seeks to create a new generation of agile digital leaders for the 21st century. We do this by providing our learners with access to the skills and tools they need to build impactful careers in high growth industries”.

    Software Engineering and Job Opportunities

    In the same vein, the co-founder, Holberton, Julien Barbier, in a special interactive and fireside chat session with current Software Engineering learners, expressed gratitude to ALX Nigeria for the remarkable impact it is making across Africa. In his lecture, Barbier encouraged young tech enthusiasts to focus on honing their skills and boosting their chances of securing a good job. “The hardest job you need to find is the first one. After that you will always remain valuable,” he said.

    He emphasised the power of social networking as he asked participants to interact with one another and optimize the relationships developed virtually and at the hubs. It was an engaging time of intellect as participants asked questions on computer programming, coding languages, and job search tips. He urged participants to continue to improve their skills and volunteer at credible organisations to secure references for future employment.

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    Set SMART Goals for 2024

    In another session, Goal Setting and Vision Boarding Coach, Ife Durosinmi-Etti urged participants to be intentional about writing down their goals before developing strategies to accomplish them. She said some youths blame the government instead of themselves for their poor planning. She engaged the participants in practical goal setting using personalised vision boards. Further, Durosinmi-Etti told them to maintain a strong digital presence, participate in job fairs and join a professional organisation to land their dream jobs.

    How To Manage Your Finance 

    It was a moment of truth for many of the participants as Senior Associate Advisory, Money Africa,

    Temilola Adeyemi spoke on building wealth and navigating financial challenges in 2024. She explained that lack of spending discipline causes financial ruin among young people in Nigeria. She listed long-term financial opportunities that offer income and capital gains for young investors.

    Other speakers at the seminar were Cloud Computing expert and Senior DevOps Engineer, BigHand Limited, Dara Oladapo; and Co-founder, Holberton, Vincent Karoubi who spoke extensively on Software Engineering practices.

    Enrol for the ALX 2024 Tech Programmes

    While unveiling the ALX 2024 programmes, Country Growth Manager, ALX Nigeria, Seun Babajide-

    Duroshola stated that partnership with the Mastercard Foundation meant the programmes are at no cost for any African between the ages of 17 and 34 except some of which may require an admin fee. She revealed that the application is now open and urged prospective learners to enrol via www.alxafrica.ng  

    About ALX 

    ALX is a leading technology training provider that equips young Africans with both the technical and professional skills that enable them to thrive in the digital economy. Its world-class programmes are designed to help learners build their careers in high-growth industries and become agile digital leaders for the 21st century. As part of African Leadership International, ALX is connected to an innovative ecosystem that has been successfully producing competitive talent and placing them with the world’s top employers over the past two decades. Together with its partners – the Mastercard Foundation and The ROOM – its mission is to transform the future of Africa by enabling 2 million young professionals to secure dignified and meaningful work opportunities by 2030.For more information about its courses or to find out more about ALX Nigeria, please visit www.alxafrica.ng

  • Ethereum 2.0 is Here: Bitcoin Minetrix and Chainlink are the Ethereum-Based Altcoins on Early Investors Watch List

    Ethereum is now paving the way for sustainable altcoins after its recent upgrade. Ethereum’s blockchain has proven to be one of the most reliable platforms for building decentralised applications and smart contracts. This reputation has prompted numerous developers to leverage the Ethereum platform, crafting their own distinctive cryptocurrencies.


    In Ethereum’s thriving altcoin ecosystem, two projects stand out: Chainlink, with its decentralised oracle network and Bitcoin Minetrix (BTCMTX), with its novel mining protocol. Both leverage Ethereum’s strengths, but which boasts stronger investor appeal for the future?

    Ethereum Leading the Way for Environmentally Friendly Altcoins

    Ethereum has become a go-to platform for various blockchain applications and smart contracts. Offering developers a robust toolkit, it serves as a versatile space for creating and launching diverse blockchain-based projects. 

    The Shanghai upgrade to version 2.0 on March 12, 2023, was the next phase for Ethereum. This upgrade not only made the network eco-friendly but also set it apart from other widely used cryptocurrencies that consume substantial energy for mining. 

    The latest iteration, Ethereum 2.0, is geared towards making the platform even more scalable, faster and environmentally sustainable.

    Chainlink: A New-and-Improved Ethereum Platform?

    Chainlink functions as a decentralised oracle network embedded within the Ethereum blockchain. Its main purpose is to facilitate connections between smart contracts and real-world data, bridging the gap to external APIs. 

    With a market capitalisation surpassing $8 billion, Chainlink has gained recognition in the cryptocurrency community, currently holding the 12th position on CoinMarketCap.

    Known for its technological advancements, Chainlink plays a crucial role in supporting decentralised finance (DeFi) applications. By providing secure and reliable data feeds, the platform empowers developers to create DeFi applications without constraints from on-chain data sources. Additionally, Chainlink boasts an active community of developers dedicated to ongoing improvements and innovations on the platform.

    Bitcoin Minetrix: A Community-centric Crypto with the Technical Power of Ethereum?

    Bitcoin Minetrix is quickly gaining attention for its innovative “Stake-to-Mine” approach to Bitcoin (BTC) mining. Developed on the Ethereum blockchain, this project presents a user-friendly method for individuals to earn Bitcoin passively, eliminating the need for technical expertise.

    The platform is tailored to make Bitcoin mining more accessible to a broader audience, removing the requirements for expensive hardware and specialised skills. By staking their BTCMTX tokens, users gain access to cloud computing resources, simplifying the entire mining process.

    The project has built a solid reputation rooted in security and transparency. Through Ethereum-compatible wallets like MetaMask, users can easily acquire and stake BTCMTX tokens within the ecosystem. 

    The onboarding process involves buying tokens, opting for “buy-and-stake,” and collecting rewards in Bitcoin.

    Bitcoin Minetrix’s native token, $BTCMTX, is based on the ERC-20 standard, within the Ethereum blockchain. With a total supply limit of 4 billion tokens, the project demonstrates a thoughtful distribution strategy, allocating portions to the presale, marketing activities, staking and community-related projects.

    A major benefit of Bitcoin Minetrix is its ability to address typical challenges associated with Bitcoin mining, such as complexity and high entry costs. The token-based system offers a higher level of decentralisation and security compared to standard cloud mining services, reducing barriers for regular crypto enthusiasts.

    When users stake their tokens, they not only receive “mining credits” for cloud mining power but also enjoy two streams of income: potential staking rewards of up to 87% annually and a share of the mining profits. This dual-revenue model is a significant draw for those interested in both mining and staking in the cryptocurrency space.

    What Future Users of Web 3.0 Want for DeFi Currency

    As the crypto market continues evolving, users seek sustainable and reliable DeFi currencies. Ethereum’s blockchain platform has proven to be one of the most reliable and eco-friendly platforms for building decentralised applications and smart contracts. Chainlink and Bitcoin Minetrix are two cryptocurrencies that have used Ethereum’s platform to create unique and reliable DeFi currencies.

    Chainlink’s decentralised oracle network has proven to be a valuable asset for the DeFi ecosystem. Its secure and reliable data feeds allow developers to create DeFi applications not limited by on-chain data sources. Bitcoin Minetrix, on the other hand, offers a unique community-led approach that has proven to be popular among users.

    In conclusion, Chainlink and Bitcoin Minetrix are two of the most promising Ethereum-based cryptocurrencies currently on the market. While Chainlink has an advantage in its focus on decentralisation, Bitcoin Minetrix’s unique features, such as its stake-to-mine feature and strong community governance, make it an attractive investment opportunity for those looking for the next big project.

    For investors seeking dramatic growth, turning attention to presale tokens like Bitcoin Minetrix is a strategic move. The $BTCMTX token holds the promise of potentially soaring 50x – 100x, and with its final presale stage underway, early investors have a prime opportunity to get involved and potentially see significant profits in the coming weeks.

  • Smile ID Celebrates 100M Verifications Milestone and Unveils Groundbreaking Report on Identity Fraud in Africa.

    24th January 2024 — In its most recent report, Smile ID, the leading provider of identity verification services in Africa, announced a significant milestone: completing over 100 million identity checks across the continent. 

    This achievement is detailed in the 2024 Digital Identity Fraud in Africa Report, which also highlights a concerning trend—an increase in identity fraud. Analysing anonymised data from the 100 million verifications conducted, Smile ID reports a consistent rise in fraudulent activities each year for the past four years.

    Digital businesses in Africa are facing an urgent challenge with the rise of identity fraud. Fraudsters, targeting primarily financial service providers,  disguise their identities to infiltrate systems, leading to substantial financial losses and diminished trust in digital technologies. Recent hacks impacting several African companies have originated from such identity fraud incidents.

    The report sheds light on the growing trend of document and biometric fraud. Data shows that the average document and biometric fraud rate increased for six consecutive quarters between 2022 and 2023, peaking at 17% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    The Identity Fraud report from Smile ID explores the prevalent methods fraudsters use, their behaviours, and regional and industry trends. It also provides crucial insight into how businesses can best combat fraud across the continent. It is Smile ID’s first identity fraud report, marking a strategic shift from the biannual State of KYC report that the company has published since 2022.

    “In recent months, we’ve seen businesses reallocate resources from acquisition to customer engagement and driving account profitability. At the same time, we’ve also observed a corresponding shift in fraud patterns from exploiting bonus and referral fraud to account takeover, chargeback fraud, and other kinds of fraud on existing accounts. This necessitated a stronger focus on understanding the nature of identity fraud on the continent. ” – a quote from the Smile ID Fraud in Africa report. 

    The shift in fraudulent behaviour towards existing accounts means businesses must evolve to protect their service and customers through ongoing risk monitoring and multi-authentication, especially during high-value events. However, companies must ensure that this is not at the expense of user experience.

    Topics highlighted in the report include 

    • The prevalence of fraud with National IDs, 
    • Regional fraud trends, 
    • Industry-specific insights, 
    • Building a comprehensive anti-fraud system
    • The growing threat of artificial intelligence to identity verification, 
    • Future developments in fraud prevention 

    Some key takeaways are:

    • The last four years have seen a consistent increase in fraud rates across Africa
    • The average Document and Biometric fraud rate has increased for six consecutive quarters since Q2 2022.
    • Fraudsters are evolving towards biometric fraud, with rates reaching a record-high 13% in Q4 2023.
    • 80% of ID fraud attacks are concentrated on national identity documents, making them the most exploited ID type.

    And lots more.

    The Digital Identity Fraud Report is available on Smile ID’s website.

  • Glover is building Africa’s digital assets economy

    After a successful 2023, Glover, Africa’s leading digital asset marketplace backed by Techstars, is building new products to accelerate Africa’s digital economy further. Under the leadership of our new COO, Aboyade Ojeyinka, we have launched two new exciting products, Glover Storefront and Glover for Business. 

    Glover Storefront is an e-commerce store where our 320,000+ customers can shop for unisex fashion items, flowers, jewellery, chocolates, and many more for themselves or their loved ones around the world. We source everything from our international partners directly to ensure we provide the lowest prices our customers can get anywhere. Coupled with our fast delivery, we are providing our customers with an unmatched service. 

    We also built an API service that allows businesses to have access to over 250 giftcards in our catalogue and create custom giftcards that they can use to reward their loyal customers. For businesses, gift cards can help improve customer loyalty and boost revenue. When Starbucks launched gift cards for its customers in 2001, it sold 200,000 gift cards. In 2022, Starbucks sold 58 million gift cards. Through gift cards, Starbucks makes over $200 million a year on the amount of money customers don’t use on the gift cards. 

    “These are exciting times at Glover, and our customers have various reasons to partner with us. We now have products that can cater to both our B2C and B2B clientele. We promise to keep releasing exciting products at the most competitive price within a very secure environment and with ease of use for all our users,” said Aboyade Ojeyinka.

    We have also improved all our existing products to ensure that our customers have the best experience. Our security and speed have also been improved to ensure that our customers are protected and get their goods and services at the fastest possible time. 

    We look forward to trading and working with you this year as we continue to innovate and deliver solutions to accelerate Africa’s digital asset economy. 

    About Glover:

    Glover is a digital asset marketplace that was inspired to facilitate the buying and selling of gift cards, the conversion of excess Airtime to Cash, the ease of payment for utility bills through its Refill services, and a one-stop-shop for E-tickets. Overall, Glover is keen on creating a financial ecosystem that propels personal and business growth through the creation of financial services that promote ease and convenience. Glover was founded in 2021 and has gained a foothold as one of the fastest-growing startups in Africa. It currently operates out of Lagos, Nigeria, with a presence in Ghana, and plans to expand across the entire continent.

    For more information about Glover, please visit www.gloverapp.co.

  • A look at the five-year impact of Africa’s Business Heroes initiative on the African entrepreneurship ecosystem

    Mr. Lijun Sun, Partner at Alibaba Partnership and Board member of The Jack Ma Foundation delivering a speech at the 2023 ABH Summit and Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda

    When Jack Ma visited Africa in 2017, he was struck by the entrepreneurial spirit flowing through. Across the continent, in both rural and urban areas, there are ingenious and resourceful entrepreneurs transforming their communities with innovative ideas. Inspired by these innovators, Jack Ma created the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative which was afterwards rebranded to Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH). The mission of ABH is to identify, spotlight, and provide support to 100 African entrepreneurs in 10 years whose innovations are creating solutions to solving problems in their communities. 

    Having a large digitally-savvy youth population means Africa is ready to embrace innovation. A thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem will attract investments and spur economic growth. Since 2019, through the support of the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, ABH has been stoking the fires of entrepreneurship on the continent. By providing grant funding, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training programmes, ABH has played a pivotal role in encouraging innovation on the continent and also empowered African entrepreneurs to continue to positively impact their communities and the world.

    Now that the ABH initiative has hit the five-year mark out of its 10-year commitment, let’s look at the impact it has had across Africa as detailed in the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Coffee Book.

    Click to download the coffee book

    Inclusion and diversity

    ABH has committed itself to supporting entrepreneurs who are building solutions wherever they are in Africa. It lives up to this mission by opening its competition doors to all Africans regardless of age, gender, or sector. From the agritech founder planting drought-resistant grain in Ghana to the ingenious inventor creating clean water ATMs in Rwanda, or the visionary making virtual science labs available in Egypt, the ABH coffee book paints a compelling picture of a truly pan-African and sector-agnostic initiative. This inclusivity has ensured that the initiative’s support and impact spreads across the length and breadth of Africa but more than that, it has motivated cross-border collaboration and business expansion for its heroes. Through these heroes, the initiative has positively impacted digital and consumer services, science, education, healthcare, retail and manufacturing, and the energy sector in Africa among other industries.

    Nurturing global innovators

    The core mission of ABH is to nurture the growth of African visionaries. Africa’s business heroes have not only transformed their communities but a number of them have gone on to make an impact on a global scale. With the unwavering support of the initiative these entrepreneurs have weathered business storms, raised funding, and become success stories on the world stage. So far, ABH participants have raised over $153 million in investment and served over 37.5 million customers globally. These entrepreneurs are also pulling their communities into the modern world by providing modern infrastructure and services. They are changing the global narrative of Africans by being ambassadors of African excellence and ABH is helping to amplify this narrative.

    Female empowerment

    Globally, women-led businesses are less likely to receive funding compared to male-led startups and, according to some reports, only 3% of venture capital funding in Africa goes to startups with a female CEO. This is an extremely low percentage when you consider the fact that Africa has the highest number of women-led businesses globally. Understanding that women are a crucial part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem is key to unlocking sustainable growth on the continent.

    Women make up 30% of the ABH applicant pool and ABH has provided extensive funding, mentorship, and business support for its female entrepreneurs. In five years, women have been awarded 47% of the ABH prize money and they account for 42% of the 50 ABH finalists and 60% of the grand prize winners. By providing an inclusive stage for female entrepreneurs, ABH is closing the gender funding gap and empowering a community of female innovators shaping Africa. 

    Economic empowerment and community building

    In five years, ABH has awarded grants to 50 top heroes. These heroes have received $7 million in prize money, reported over $252 million in revenue, and created over 123,000 direct and indirect jobs. These remarkable numbers tell the story of an initiative that has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Africans either directly or indirectly. By providing funding and mentorship the initiative aids the growth of businesses and the communities they serve and overall economic growth of the continent. While incubating these entrepreneurs, the initiative has also received support from the broader African entrepreneurship community. From partners to judges, volunteers, and the heroes themselves, ABH is building a stronger African entrepreneurship community and aiding cross-border collaboration on the African continent. 

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    Looking ahead…

    Delving deeper into the ABH coffee book paints a picture of an initiative that is passionate about its mission of empowering 100 African entrepreneurs in 10 years. It chronicles stories of triumph, resilience, and innovation cutting across all ages, demographics, and regions of the continent. Through grant funding and unyielding support, ABH has become a driving force of entrepreneurship, economic growth, and sustainable development on the continent. This fifth anniversary is an opportunity to look back at the ways the African ecosystem has benefited from this initiative and shows potential areas where it can deepen its impact.  It also serves as an encouragement to entrepreneurs who are interested in making an impact on their communities to go out and brave the entrepreneurship landscape.

    Download the coffee book here to learn more about Africa’s Business Heroes’ journey on the continent.

  • Announcing the $5m Core Africa Innovation Fund which is empowering local Web3 builders

    Announcing the $5m Core Africa Innovation Fund which is empowering local Web3 builders

    If you’re building interesting web3 projects in Africa then you’re in luck because Core DAO is launching a $5 million war chest to supercharge your Web3 dreams. CoreDAO would love to learn more about your project. Fill out this form here to tell them all about it.

    Core DAO is excited to introduce the African Innovation Fund, a groundbreaking initiative to provide resources and networks to support local Web3 builders and projects across Africa. This pioneering fund is set to foster innovation, sustainability, accessibility, and growth within the African blockchain ecosystem.

    Web3 is the next frontier for tech innovations and several African nations are emerging as key players in the global crypto landscape. Chainalysis’ 2023 Geography of Cryptocurrency report shows Sub-Saharan Africa had an estimated $117.1 billion on-chain transaction volume between July 2022 and June 2023. This number indicates rising interest in blockchain technology in the African landscape. This trend is also particularly noteworthy because Africa has the world’s youngest demographic with increasing internet access, creating a fertile ground for blockchain adoption. Driven by this tech-savvy demographic, innovative builders across the continent are harnessing the power of blockchain technology to devise solutions that address local problems and extend their impact globally. African developers are creating solutions for challenges like cross-border payments, supply chain management, and financial inclusion, showcasing the blockchain industry’s potential to impact the continent.

    Despite this growth in blockchain innovations, onboarding the next billion people into Web3 comes with its challenges. African Web3 builders face challenges like a lack of access to funding, technical resources, and high-level localised data and insights. Innovative builders are actively seeking solutions to facilitate a smoother onboarding process into the Web3 space. 

    Unlocking the potential of the African blockchain landscape requires a collaborative effort to empower the next generation of builders. By addressing funding constraints, providing technical support, and enhancing access to localised data and insights, the global community can contribute to fostering a thriving Web3 ecosystem in Africa.

    Supporting the ecosystem

    The Core African Innovation Fund was established to help mitigate the problems builders face in the Web3 industry. The fund adopts a long-term, user-friendly, and sustainable approach. The fund will take a boots-on-the-ground approach to supporting Web3 builders and will only support local projects that place a strong emphasis on delivering tangible value to their local communities. This support will take the form of grants, technical resources, builder programs, partnerships with accelerators and institutions, connections to VCs, and potential investment.

    This initiative goes beyond funding and it will also connect key builders with established blockchain players including VCs to empower the next generation of decentralised applications and protocols. With strategic partnerships, the fund aims to create a more decentralised and interconnected future for the African blockchain ecosystem. This approach will ensure the promotion of long-term success and play a pivotal role in driving innovation and growth within the African Web3 landscape.

    Calling All Builders

    CoreDAO is actively seeking to support the best projects within the African Web3 space. The Core African Innovation Fund, a driving force in nurturing projects aligned with Core’s long-term vision, is set to unlock the full potential of decentralised projects on the African blockchain.

    The fund will support builders in gaming, stablecoins, cross-border payments, supply chain, real estate, DeFi-backed loans, credit rating systems, decentralised database/file storage, healthcare, NFTs, and more.

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    Core Chain’s Commitment

    Core Chain is leading the way as an innovative Layer 1, uniquely positioned at the intersection of Bitcoin’s principles and Ethereum’s composability. This fusion makes Core Chain a first-of-its-kind “Bitcoin-aligned” chain, offering a platform that is not just technically advanced but deeply rooted in the early visions of Web3 from 2008.

    With a commitment to decentralisation, scalability, and security, Core Chain is making Web3’s mass adoption a reality. The Core African Innovation Fund is a positive development for the African blockchain industry and will help to propel the next generation of builders to success.

  • Chiliz (CHZ) and Sei (SEI) Surging, Investors Looking At This Altcoin Next

    Being the leading cryptocurrency for sports and having partnered with football teams like Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, Chiliz gained quite the prominence when it was launched in 2020. Chiliz has fallen way below its all-time high, however the token seems to be appreciating lately. 

    The same is happening with SEI coin, which is currently on a bullish path to $1 from its current price range of $0.78 to $0.87. As these cryptocurrencies show promise, investors are also eyeing Pullix, a new project position to be the new best crypto to invest in.

    Chiliz (CHZ) May Experience a Major Breakout As It Surges Lately

    Chiliz token started its inauguration poorly in 2020 selling for a stagnantly low price that lasted throughout 2020. However in 2021, Chiliz began a meteoric rise which raised the token to an all-time high of $0.78. 

    As the years passed by, Chiliz price gradually declined but still showed promise of rising again in the near future. We may yet again see another rise in 2024 considering how promising this year is.

    In the past 7 days, Chiliz has racked up over 19.25%, after a previous record of a 27.99% gain in the past month. Chiliz has been slightly declining recently, however, the overall outlook is promising and it may end up hitting new price peaks before the end of the year.

    SEI Coin Has An Impressive Month-Long Price Performance 

    Over the last 30 days, SEI has proven to be a great performer as it gained over 236%, moving its price from $0.3459 to a peak price of $0.87 a few days ago. With these impressive price stats, SEI is proving to be a good crypto to buy and invest in.

    SEI may be showing a slight fluctuation that features little declines below its daily support threshold, however, these fluctuations pose little to no threat to SEI’s anticipated continued growth.

    In the span of 20 days, SEI has seen two peak prices that even surpassed its resistance threshold for the month. Should SEI price positive momentum continue, the crypto is bound to surpass its next resistance price and potentially hit $1 before the end of the month.

    Pullix (PLX) May Become The Best Crypto to Invest In as Investor’s Interest Increase

    Pullix (PLX) emerges as a focal point in the cryptocurrency arena, capturing attention just in time for the altcoin rush anticipated this year. The upcoming project is already garnering enough interest in its presale.

    Pullix’s ecosystem introduces compelling elements such as copy trading, leveraging machine learning for replicating successful traders, and a DeFi swap platform ensuring seamless token trading with minimal fees.

    Distinguishing itself with a groundbreaking hybrid trading platform that harmonizes centralized and decentralized exchange strengths, Pullix tackles liquidity challenges in DeFi, establishing its strength as a good crypto to buy.

    At its core is the PLX native token, empowering the platform’s features and offering users substantial advantages. Pullix’s unique revenue-sharing model, redistributing 30% of daily revenue to PLX token stakers. The ongoing Stage 6 presale is witnessing impressive demand, with over 75 million tokens sold at a cost of just $0.08, raising over $4.2 million.

    Features like Yield Farming and Trade-to-Earn on the platform provide users avenues to accumulate PLX tokens. Experts foresee this cross-chain network as a lucrative investment, projecting a potential 100x surge for the is upon its exchange debut this year.

    Visit Pullix 

    Join The Pullix Communities

    Meta title: Chiliz (CHZ) and Sei (SEI) Surge, Catching Investors’ Attention—Exploring the Potential of Pullix (PLX)

    Meta description: Explore the surging Chiliz (CHZ) and Sei (SEI) in the crypto market. Investors are turning their attention to the next potential altcoin, Pullix (PLX). Stay informed on this emerging opportunity.

    Keywords: Chiliz, Chiliz crypto, Sei, Sei coin, crypto to buy, best crypto to invest in

  • Helium (HNT) Loses Holders to Meme Moguls (MGLS) Is Axelar (AXL) Next?

    The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a fascinating shift in investor interest, particularly evident in the movements surrounding Helium (HNT), Meme Moguls (MGLS), and Axelar (AXL). This shift raises questions about the fluid nature of investments in the crypto space and the factors driving these changes.

    Helium’s Growth and the Shift to Meme Moguls

    Helium (HNT) has been experiencing a strong upward trajectory and is currently priced at $7.40. Its performance over the past year has been impressive, with a 254.29% increase. Even its short-term metrics are robust, showing a 3.15% daily upsurge and a significant 31.64% rise over the past week. Despite this positive trend, there’s a noticeable shift of holders moving towards Meme Moguls (MGLS).

    This migration can be attributed to the unique appeal of Meme Moguls, which combines the viral nature of memes with financial investment opportunities. As a newer entrant in the crypto market, Meme Moguls offers a fresh and engaging approach that seems to be resonating with investors, potentially at Helium’s expense.

    Axelar’s Position in the Market

    Axelar (AXL), another significant player, is currently valued at $1.06. Its growth pattern is more mixed compared to Helium. In the last day, it’s up by 0.85%, indicating a steady, albeit slower, growth. However, the weekly performance shows a 6.13% decrease, revealing some volatility in its short-term trajectory. Despite this, Axelar has shown a 21.15% increase over the past month and a substantial 102.49% growth over the past year.

    The question now arises – is Axelar next in line to experience a shift in its investor base towards Meme Moguls? Given the current market trends, it’s a possibility that cannot be ignored. Axelar’s mixed performance could make it vulnerable to the allure of more dynamic and rapidly growing platforms like Meme Moguls. Investors are often drawn to novelty and the potential for higher returns, which Meme Moguls seems to be capitalizing on.

    Meme Moguls: A Rising Contender

    Meme Moguls has rapidly caught the attention of crypto investors. Described as the world’s first meme-backed stock market/exchange, Meme Moguls offers a unique combination of entertainment and financial opportunities, leveraging popular internet culture. 

    Its ecosystem includes a variety of features like the Moguls Casino, a trading platform, and a metaverse world, Mogul Land. These aspects, combined with the opportunity to earn $MGLS tokens, attract investors. Analysts’ expectations of a 1000% growth during the presale and a x100 afterward are leading to a migration from more traditional cryptos like Helium and potentially Axelar soon.Check it out here.

    The Potential of Meme Moguls and Helium

    The shifts in investor interest from established cryptocurrencies like Helium to emerging ones like Meme Moguls, and the potential impact on other cryptocurrencies like Axelar, highlight the fluid and ever-changing landscape of the crypto market. 

    While established coins offer stability and gradual growth, new entrants like Meme Moguls bring excitement and the lure of rapid gains, making them attractive to investors seeking higher-risk, higher-reward opportunities. As the market continues to evolve, keeping an eye on these trends and understanding the underlying factors driving them becomes crucial for informed investment decisions.

    Visit Meme Moguls

  • Wyrr Inc. Unveils Its Innovative Cross-Border Mobile App

    “Transforming remittances with top-of-line technology and unrivaled customer satisfaction.”

    Wyrr Inc., a fast-rising global payment company, has introduced Wyrr App 2.0, a platform that simplifies and secures cross-border money transfers. Wyrr’s technology is industry-leading and features the True Exchange Rate™, making it the most cost-effective way to send money to Africa.

    Recognizing the increasing demand for dependable global financial solutions in our interconnected world, Wyrr Inc. has invested significant resources in developing the Wyrr App 2.0. This app now stands as a prominent player in international money transfers.

    Ayo Allu, the Founder and CEO of Wyrr, mentioned that they initiated a comprehensive revamp of their app based on customer feedback. The company has thoroughly upgraded every aspect of the app to ensure a smooth and user-friendly experience. The new features encompass an intuitive interface, True Exchange Rate™, quicker payouts, enhanced security measures, and more.

    Wyrr’s customers can send money between Canada and Nigeria as the company focuses on expanding into new markets. Over the next 12 months, Wyrr plans to introduce new corridors for money transfers. Furthermore, Wyrr is set to incorporate user-driven features, aiming to become the preferred app to send, pay, collect, exchange, and give money between countries.

    Wyrr is now available for download on iOS and Android. Download the app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

    About Wyrr: 

    Wyrr Inc. specializes in global payments and remittances, making cross-border payments seamless for African people and companies with international connections. Our technologies enable our customers to send, pay, exchange, collect, give, and convert money globally. We are registered and regulated by FINTRAC, ensuring we maintain regulatory compliance. For more information, visit our website.

  • PharmaServ Unveils All-inclusive Medical Detailing Software For Pharmaceuticals

    Nigerian tech company PharmaServ is happy to announce the launch of Copilot, their innovative AI-powered medical detailing software.

    PharmaServ is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions for life science businesses. Building on the success of its industry-leading Field Service software, PharmaServ Copilot represents a significant leap forward in enhancing operational efficiency and marketing processes.

    The Copilot software is designed to address the specific needs of medical representatives and managers, helping to ensure uniformity and consistency in information sharing between medical reps and managers and efficiency in promoting their products to healthcare professionals. 

    Challenges of the Life Science Industry in Nigeria

    Within the pharmaceutical sector, medical representatives play a crucial role by visiting healthcare organisations to inform healthcare professionals about their products and articulate their distinct advantages over competitors.

    However, that process comes with inherent challenges that pharmaceutical companies must address for optimal operational efficiency. 

    Firstly, there’s the absence of standardised reporting systems, which poses a significant hurdle, as diverse reporting styles contribute to a lack of uniformity and hinder the effective measurement of medical reps activities.

    Furthermore, it is important for pharmaceutical brands to measure the impact of their medical representatives and teams across multiple territories and their engagements with key opinion leaders in different healthcare facilities. However, due to the absence of a cohesive system for tracking activities of medical representatives and differing manual systems for tracking KPIs, such as the use of convoluted spreadsheets, it is difficult to gauge the success of medical detailing efforts and shine the light on the most performant representatives.

    This lack of uniformity extends to low visibility on key healthcare professionals and product levels, limiting the strategic insights that could otherwise inform decision-making and lead to their product adoption in multiple healthcare centers. 

    Moreover, there is no technology-based synchronisation between medical detailing and sales operations, which means localised systems (for each activity) often fail to establish a seamless flow of information. This disjointed approach can result in missed opportunities, decreased efficiency, and a failure to expand revenue for pharmaceutical brands.

    It should be noted that some efficient medical detailing software exists around the world, particularly in the United States. However, they typically come at a high cost, with prices in dollars. The lack of easy access to dollars and high exchange rates mean a high cost associated with acquiring software that addresses the challenges mentioned above. This hampers the adoption of sophisticated solutions that could otherwise enhance operational effectiveness, streamline processes, and contribute to the overall growth of the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria. Also, with most small to medium sized businesses in the life science industry unable to afford those solutions, they typically attempt to build custom software to handle their needs, which can be expensive.

    PharmaServ has created a solution to these challenges with Copilot, a platform that automates the planning and call reporting process, which helps teams strategise towards improving their visibility among healthcare professionals and track their goals. Furthermore, with a sync with PharmaServ’s field service software, pharmaceutical brands can see the end-to-end detailing and sales processes, which ultimately improve their bottom line.

    What is PharmaServ Copilot?

    PharmaServ Copilot is a cloud-based software that provides a comprehensive solution for organizing, executing, documenting, and evaluating field operations. Copilot is specifically crafted to empower medical representatives and sales teams within the life science industry to serve as an invaluable tool for presenting and promoting products to healthcare professionals (HCPs) across various health facilities.

    Key Features of Copilot

    PharmaServ Copilot stands out from its competitors by offering a comprehensive suite of features, enabling efficient engagement of Healthcare Practitioner data, including GPS tracking, off-line capability, pipelines, top performers, and detailed reports.

    Key features are detailed below;

    • Advanced tracking and management of medical representatives through geo-fencing technology.
    • Enhanced communication among medical detailing with a feedback loop.
    • Effortless verification of tasks with a full view of the engagement and to help understand which medical reps may require extra support to achieve their goals.
    • Bulk upload media files, such as product presentations, infographics, and images.
    • Effective KPI planning and monitoring to aid marketing and sales planning and activities.

    PharmaServ Copilot serves as a catalyst for medical representatives to improve productivity, performance, and efficiency.

    To learn more about Copilot and get a demo, sign up here.

  • iStore Opens New APR in Ikeja, Lagos

    iStore opened a new Apple Premium Reseller in Lagos on December, 8th 2023 at 9am at Ikeja City Mall. Customers will now have the opportunity to discover and shop Apple’s innovative products and services with a wide range of accessories in a welcoming environment. 

    “We are excited to be opening an Apple APR Shop in Ikeja City Mall where customers will receive a first-class shopping experience. Customers who want to learn more about Apple’s full lineup of products and other services can now receive personal support from our many dedicated Apple-trained consultants,” said Kolapo Arogundade, Store Manager, iStore.

    At iStore, trained consultants are available to help customers learn about all the latest products from Apple including MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch and Airpods.

    The hands-on environment provides customers the opportunity to test drive the full range of products and Apple-trained staff are present to offer impartial advice to both consumer and professional customers. 

    Further Information about the Apple APR at iStore Ikeja can be found at www.istore.com.ng

  • A GLIMPSE INTO AFRICA’S VENTURE CAPITAL ECOSYSTEM THROUGH HIRUY AMANUEL, AN AFRICAN INVESTOR

    Transforming Africa’s rich landscape into greatness is what drives Hiruy Amanuel in his role as an African Venture Capitalist and major investor in Africa’s Technological Advancement. With his desire to make an impact and work with companies that have the potential to scale across the African continent, Hiruy has been able to create opportunities for many through sound investment in the private sector.

    In this rapid-fire Q&A, Hiruy Amanuel shares his sentiments on Africa’s VC Ecosystem.

    [Motivation]

    Q: What inspired you to venture into investing in the African Continent?

    A: I was largely inspired by the lack of talent training and the massive youth population across the continent.

    [Entrepreneurial Ecosystem]

    Q: How would you describe the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa, and what factors contribute to its growth or hindrance?

    A: Every country faces unique challenges that make its ecosystems unique. However, the entrepreneurial system across Africa is overall, challenging. There are a lot of infrastructural issues that deter entrepreneurs from achieving their milestones and company goals. For instance, across Africa, there are power outages. There’s also a lack of training that makes it daunting to find talent within the ecosystem. In addition, traditional VC Structures based in Europe and the United States don’t work in Africa. Lastly, many countries go through political instability that disrupts the economic growth of the countries during certain periods e.g. elections.

    [Industry Focus]

    Q: Are there specific industries or sectors in Africa that you believe hold the most promise for VC investment?

    A: Yes, I do.

    Q: Which ones?

    A: The biggest promise with sectors, I have found, is where technology and infrastructure

    intersect. Some of these sectors are Fintech, Microfinance, Payment Solutions, Communication and Mobile Apps, Agrotech, and Healthtech. These are the stable sectors that will propel Africa towards scaling rapidly.

    Q: How do you see the landscape diversifying in terms of investment sectors?

    A: Africa has great potential. The rising number of fresh talent and ideas is impressive as it depicts a largely innovative continent. From an investor’s point of view, while certain sectors are great to invest in, there are still others that are a bit hard to scale. However, I believe that

    currently stable sectors will push Africa towards scaling rapidly. For instance, if we look at Agrotech, external factors such as political instability won’t stop crops from growing (so long as the political unrest is not there). Such sectors are great to leverage.

    [Challenges and Opportunities]

    Q: What do you see as the major challenges and opportunities for both investors and startups in the African VC ecosystem?

    A: Challenges – For Investors, it is mostly a lack of visibility, lack of proper legal structures, and lack of training. For Startups, the challenges lean more toward infrastructural issues, political setbacks, power outages, and hiring issues. These all prevent the startups from scaling.

    Opportunities: The untapped wealth of the continent lies in its youth. Mobilizing these youth and training them often leads to a better Return On Investment.

    [Advice for Entrepreneurs]

    Q: For aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa, what advice do you have regarding attracting VC investment and building successful, scalable businesses?

    A: Make sure you have a vision and a purpose that’s greater than monetary returns. Find a problem and come up with a solution to fix it. Be passionate about what you’re doing because setbacks happen. When they do, you have to be diligent in dealing with them. That’s the difference between doing something for money vis-à-vis for passion – if you’re in it for the money, it’s very easy to get discouraged. Think long-term – Vision, Purpose, and Passion.

    [Future Outlook]

    Q: What is your outlook on the future of VC in Africa, and what do you think will be the key drivers of growth and innovation in the coming years?

    A: I believe that we need more private firms that will help founders and young startups scale while being involved at the ground level. Firms that intentionally grow with startups add more value, as opposed to giving them cash and leaving them be, because often, without that

    mentorship and support, many end up stagnating, failing, or dying altogether.

    ABOUT HIRUY AMANUEL:

    Having worked as both an investor and founder, Hiruy brings a dual perspective and sees the bigger picture when making strategic decisions. He is the Managing Director of Gullit VC, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage African tech startups and finances through seed,

    pre-seed, debt acquisition, and restructuring rounds. The company offers legal consulting, media support, financial consulting, and coaching for founders and CEOs.

  • “What is Worldcoin Crypto?” New Crypto Sparks Controversy over Security – Why Security-Driven Cryptos Cardano and Bitcoin Minetrix are Highly Sought After for 10x ROI

    Concerns about data and privacy are closely linked, given the numerous reports of data breaches by hackers, companies failing to safeguard consumer data and increasing worries about authoritarian efforts to utilise civilian data for tracking, suppression and group control.

    DeFi (decentralised finance) introduced the concept of anonymous transactions without involving third-party banks that store, track, and impose fees on your transactions. As DeFi evolves into a recognised method of trading, emerging cryptocurrencies bear the responsibility of establishing a secure and protected path to finance where data remains safeguarded.

    Worldcoin, Cardano and Bitcoin Minetrix are positioned to emerge as key players in the DeFi arena, particularly due to their data and security initiatives. Nevertheless, not all of these cryptocurrencies are entirely immune to privacy concerns.

    Worldcoin Sparking Privacy Debate

    Within decentralised finance (DeFi), community empowerment in financial matters is essential. Worldcoin takes the concept of decentralisation to the next level by introducing a universal basic income (UBI) model, ensuring that everyone receives an impartial share of cryptocurrency stored securely, free from third-party monitoring of transactions.

    The Worldcoin UBI initiative seeks to provide users with a steady stream of cryptocurrency income, regardless of their income or employment status. However, there’s a condition to be met. Users are required to undergo iris scanning to create a biometric Worldcoin ID, enabling access to various websites, mobile apps and decentralised apps (dApps).

    Worldcoin functions as a digital wallet for cryptocurrency storage, a platform for claiming crypto and an ID passport to ensure the equitable distribution of the UBI system. 

    While the idea of iris scanning may raise privacy concerns as users need to share personal data, Worldcoin assures that the data cannot be reverse-engineered, as the image is instantly deleted after the scan. However, the outputted code representing the iris numerically will be stored for future use.

    Cardano: A Community-Powered Force in the Crypto Space

    Cardano has earned the nickname “Ethereum killer” for its strong community support and focus on scalability, sustainability and security. Its democratic approach enables stakeholders to actively engage in decision-making by participating in votes and proposing improvements. 

    This high level of community involvement aims to cultivate a sense of ownership and reliability, positioning Cardano as a trustworthy cryptocurrency.

    As more stakeholders contribute to Cardano’s growth, its potential for substantial returns becomes increasingly evident. The community-driven nature of Cardano has attracted a dedicated following of developers, enthusiasts and investors – positioning it as a formidable player in the crypto market.

    Bitcoin Minetrix: Bitcoin Mining with Stake-to-Mine Model

    Bitcoin Minetrix, a cryptocurrency project, has gained attention for its “Stake-to-Mine” model, a departure from conventional Bitcoin mining practices. The approach allows users to stake BTCMTX tokens, granting access to cloud computing resources and eliminating the need for traditional mining hardware, thereby reducing energy consumption.

    During its presale stages, Bitcoin Minetrix successfully raised over $8.8 million, revealing notable interest within the cryptocurrency community for alternative and environmentally conscious mining solutions. 

    A distinctive feature of Bitcoin Minetrix lies in its use of “mining credits.” Users earn these credits by staking BTCMTX tokens, which can then be burned to acquire cloud mining power. This process enables users to mine Bitcoin without the complications associated with purchasing or maintaining expensive mining rigs.

    The dual-revenue model of Bitcoin Minetrix, which combines mining power rewards and staking profits, positions it as an option for those interested in both mining and staking.

    Security and transparency are prioritised in Bitcoin Minetrix’s operations, addressing challenges associated with traditional Bitcoin mining. Notably, mining credits are non-transferable, enhancing security measures and fortifying the system against potential hacks and thefts. 

    The project maintains transparency through a straightforward onboarding process using Ethereum-compatible wallets such as MetaMask.

    Bitcoin Minetrix’s native token, $BTCMTX, is distributed thoughtfully, allocating portions to the presale, marketing activities, staking and community-related projects.

    Unique to Bitcoin Minetrix is its approach to staking rewards, predominantly provided in the form of mining power rather than $BTCMTX tokens. This distinctive feature contributes to the overall appeal of the staking reward system.

    Projections hint at the potential for significant growth, with estimates suggesting 50x – 100x gains. As it approaches the final presale stage, Bitcoin Minetrix engages in discussions with cloud mining companies, indicating promising growth potential with a focus on launching core staking and mining functionalities.

    The Path Ahead for Worldcoin, Cardano and Bitcoin Minetrix

    The crypto market faces security risks, with a growing focus on data security and privacy. Worldcoin’s iris-scanning approach sparks debate, but the platform stresses data protection. On the other hand, Cardano’s strong community support and emphasis on transparency make it a standout in the market.

    Bitcoin Minetrix presents an alternative solution to traditional Bitcoin mining challenges, with a focus on security, transparency and community engagement. The commitment to a dual-revenue model, coupled with a carefully structured token distribution, positions it as an option for investors exploring alternatives in the cryptocurrency market.

    As Bitcoin Minetrix concludes its presale phase, now is an optimal moment for early investors to acquire BTCMTX from the official website before the price increases on the 21st January.

  • IGAD COmmissions Ijesha Digital Hub to Help the Youth Upskill

    L-r: Dr. Wale Oyekanmi, Dr. Dipo Folorunso, Dr. Cornelius Adewale, Dame Omoniyi, Alhaji Latef A. Bakare, HRH Oniwoye of Iwoye, Dr. Adewale Alonge, Asiwaju of Ijeshaland Yinka Fasuyi, HRH Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha, Mr. Supo Shadiya, Lady Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, Dr. Ayoola (RAIN, keynote speaker), Prince Biodun Lufadeju and Mr Wale Idowu.

    January 03, 2024, is a day will go down in history as the dawn of a new era in digitalization of Ijeshaland. 

    In a grand event attended by Ijesha royal fathers and eminent sons and daughters of the community, the Ijesha Global Alliance for Development (IGAD), a coalition of Ijeshas based in North America, Europe and in the Nigeria homeland, commissioned the Ijesha Digital Hub and inducted its first cohort of 107 trainees in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and UI/UX Design. 

    The hub, which is situated on the beautiful campus of the prestigious Olashore International School in Iloko-Ijesha, took the first critical step to transform Ijeshaland as the digital hub of excellence in the country. 

    On January 4, 107 of the best of the best Ijesha youths gathered in the state-of-the-art Ijesha Digital hub to begin their training as skilled workforce and techno-entrepreneurs in the emerging global digital economy.

    The inauguration was graced by prominent speakers and community leaders, including two royal fathers, Kabiyesi Owaloko, and the Oniwoye of Iwoye-Ijesha, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Mr. Supo Shadiya, President, Ijesa Development Council (IDC) and Dr. Adewale Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer and founder of Digital Encode, one of the leading Cybersecurity companies in Nigeria, Barrister Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, IDC Vice President, among others who shared their insights on the indispensability of technology in shaping the future. 

    Dr Adewale Alonge, Vice President, IGAD, and one of the visionaries behind IGAD, who moderated the highly successful event, in his welcome and introductory address noted that Nigeria with the largest youth population in the world, with a median age of 18.1 years faces either a demographic ticking time-bomb or a demographic economic windfall depending on the choice the country makes as it relates to investment in youth human capital development. He noted that IGAD’s Ijesha Digital Hub was an investment in Ijesha youth human capital as the driver of the Ijesha development agenda. He noted that “The hub will serve as a gateway to opportunities, offering the means for sustainable livelihoods and the tools for scaling through the complex reality of the world.” The event also highlighted the importance of facilitating entrepreneurial drive and soft skills among the youth. Dr. Wale Alonge emphasized, “We are not just training for technical proficiency; we are exemplifying entrepreneurship and soft skills. The hub will be a stimulator for innovation, with a focus on real-world applications.”

    Prince Abimbola Olashore, Chairman of Ijesha Global Alliance for Development, conveyed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to the hub’s establishment: “Today’s ceremony is just the beginning. I want to thank all IGAD members and the Executive Board for their contributions. The hub is set to transform our workforce, fostering economic growth and sustainability.”

    The push towards global connectivity and technology was reiterated by the Chairman: “Making it global with technology is where we are today. The hub is breaking barriers and inspiring the youth to make informed choices. Our commitment is solid, and we are set to make a difference in the digital age.”

    The Chairman continued, addressing the hub’s potential impact on employment: “We are proud to change the employment situation, especially in the current job market. This project aims to create a skilled workforce capable of thriving in the global economy. The hub is not just a physical space but a motivator for the nation, and beyond.”

    The hub was built in pursuit of encouraging entrepreneurship, where individuals are investing their time, talent, and resources, collaborating with sponsors, and ensuring a smooth and impactful journey for the youth. This is about going beyond limits and making technology accessible globally.

    Dr. Ayoola, Founder of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) delivered the keynote speech on Mindset Shift for Digital Success: “The mindset shift is critical. Success is not just about acquiring skills but defining success in your terms. It’s about solving problems and creating opportunities.”

    Dr. Ayoola emphasised the need for a positive mindset, stating, “If we do not achieve a mind shift, we will struggle in the midst of plenty. We have the human resources, but without the right mindset, we may not fully utilise the potential within us. The youth must define success on their terms and focus on integrity, not just jobs.”

    The keynote speaker also highlighted the challenges and solutions ahead: “We are facing challenges such as security issues, economic struggles, and brain drain. The solutions lie in technology – from artificial intelligence to blockchain. The youth need to leverage these technologies to create solutions for the challenges our nation faces.”

    “Today’s a memorable day for all of us. What is happening today is going to make digital innovation in Nigeria,” expressed Dr. Peter Adewale Obadare, the Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode, Limited, and one of Africa’s most credentialed cybersecurity experts.

    Dr. Obadare shared a personal reflection on the power of technology, highlighting its role in overcoming challenges. 

    He noted the importance of skills in cybersecurity and technology, dispelling conventional notions of success portrayed by the media. Through real-world examples, he stressed that technology offers diverse paths to success beyond traditional fields.

    “The only way to bridge the gap of poverty is through technology. The power of technology, coupled with the right skills, can elevate the youth from zero to unimaginable heights,” affirmed Dr. Obadare.

    To succeed in the digital age, Dr. Obadare presented a 3D formula – Determination, Dedication, and Discipline. 

    He encouraged the youth to be determined in their pursuit, dedicated to acquiring relevant skills, and disciplined in facing challenges. Drawing from his experience, he reiterated that these qualities are key to success in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

    “Determination, dedication, and discipline are the keys to success. Apply these, and you will be a success story,” Dr. Obadare motivated the audience.

    Dr. Obadare shed light on the opportunities in cybersecurity, stating that the world needs over 5 million cybersecurity professionals. He urged the youth to embrace the program, noting that cybersecurity skills could lead to international job opportunities.

    The induction ceremony also provided a medium for participants to express their aspirations. The Executive Director of IGAD, Dr. Cornelius Adewale, shared insights into the impact of the program, emphasizing the importance of dedication. Participants from diverse backgrounds, including data science and programming, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and their commitment to making a positive impact.

    “This program has opened new possibilities for us. With dedication, we aim to impact our communities positively.”

    Mr. Supo Shadiya reiterated the commitment of IDC to empowering Ijesa youths as the cornerstone its overall coordinating responsibility for Ijesha development. The Vice President of Ijesa Development Council (IDC), Mrs. Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo addressed the importance of gender equity, acknowledging the significant role women play in technology. She urged the participants to challenge implicit biases and pointed out the need to include more women in the tech industry.

    “Women are vital contributors to the tech industry. Let’s challenge biases and strive for inclusivity,” advocated the VP.

    Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijeshaland, who earlier on had been commended by various speakers for his catalytic and extraordinary leadership in the unprecedented development renaissance in Ijeshaland, commended IGAD for putting Ijeshaland on the map as one of the first communities in the country to launch its own digital workforce development initiative outside of the Federal government 3 million Tech-workforce program. He reiterated Nigeria youth bulge challenge, nothing that with a youth population of 150 million, the FGN 3 million digital workforce skill acquisition project represents less than 2% of its youth population. He therefore urged the trainees to take full advantage of the unique opportunity that has been offered them and make Ijesha proud. He promised the support of the entire Ijesha community for the Ijesa Digital Hub initiatives. 

    Dr. Adewale Alonge invited two of the trainees (a male and female) to respond to all they had heard from the various speakers. They both expressed their profound gratitude to IGAD for affording them this once in a lifetime opportunity. They promised not to let Ijeshaland down. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Adebanjo Adebiyi, a member of IGAD, via zoom from his base in Spokane, Washington, DC.  

    The induction ceremony at IGAD’s Ijesha Digital Hub was a spectacular success and it will go a long way in empowering Nigerian youth through technology. This hub will go beyond building skills, to building a future where technology empowers and transforms lives.

  • Enter the New Era of Mobile AI with Samsung Galaxy S24 Series

    Empowering everyday experiences, from barrier-free communication to awe-inspiring creativity to the power for even more possibilities, Galaxy AI transforms the iconic S series for the future.

    LAGOS – January 17, 2024 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, unleashing new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI. Galaxy S series leads the way into a new era that will forever change how mobile devices empower users. 

    AI amplifies nearly every experience on Galaxy S24 series, from enabling barrier-free communication with intelligent text and call translations, to maximizing creative freedom with Galaxy’s ProVisual Engine, to setting a new standard for search that will change how Galaxy users discover the world around them. 

    “The Galaxy S24 series transforms our connection with the world and ignites the next decade of mobile innovation,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy AI is built on our innovation heritage and deep understanding of how people use their phones. We’re excited to see how our users around the world empower their everyday lives with Galaxy AI to open new possibilities.”    

    Make Everyday Experiences Epic

    Galaxy AI introduces meaningful intelligence aimed at enhancing every part of life, especially the phone’s most fundamental role: communication. When you need to defy language barriers, Galaxy S24 makes it easier than ever. 

    Chat with another student or colleague from abroad. Book a reservation while on vacation in another country. It’s all possible with Live Translate, two-way, real-time voice and text translations of phone calls within the native app. No third-party apps are required, and on-device AI keeps conversations completely private. 

    With Interpreter, live conversations can be instantly translated on a split-screen view so people standing opposite each other can read a text transcription of what the other person has said. It even works without cellular data or Wi-Fi. 

    According to Sung-won Jung, the CEO, Samsung West Africa, said that for messages and other apps, Chat Assist can help perfect conversational tones to ensure communication sounds as it was intended: like a polite message to a coworker or a short and catchy phrase for a social media caption. 

    “AI built into Samsung Keyboard can also translate messages in real-time in 13 languages. In the car, Android Aut will automatically summarize incoming messages and suggest relevant replies and actions, like sending someone your ETA, so you can stay connected while staying focused on the road.

    “Organization also gets a big boost with Note Assist in Samsung Notes, featuring AI-generated summaries, template creation that streamlines notes with pre-made formats, and cover creation to make notes easy to spot with a brief preview. For voice recordings, even when there are multiple speakers, Transcript Assist uses AI and Speech-to-Text technology to transcribe, summarize and even translate recordings”, he said.

    Communication isn’t the only way Galaxy S24 series takes the fundamental benefits of the phone into the future, added Stephen Okwara, Steven Okwara, product manager, MX Division, West Africa.

    “Online search has transformed nearly every aspect of life. Galaxy S24 marks a milestone in the history of search as the first phone to debut intuitive, gesture-driven Circle to Search with Google. 

    To give Galaxy users an incredible new tool, Galaxy turned to the worldwide leader of search, Google, and opened new forms of discovery with a simple gesture. With a long press on the home button, users can circle, highlight, scribble on, or tap anything on Galaxy S24’s screen to see helpful, high-quality search results. 

    “Seeing a beautiful landmark in the background of a friend’s social media post or a surprising fun fact on YouTube Shorts can quickly become an accurate search to learn more – without having to leave that app”, he added. 

    Unleash Creativity to Discover the World in New Ways

    Galaxy S24 series’s ProVisual Engine is a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools that transform image capturing abilities and maximize creative freedom every step of the way, from setting up a shot all the way to sharing it on social. Gone are shaky, pixelated images taken from far away. 

    “Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Quad Tele System, with new 5x optical zoom lens, works with the 50MP sensor to enable optical-quality performance at zoom levels from 2x, 3x, 5x to 10x magnification thanks to Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Images also show crystal clear results at 100x with enhanced digital zoom.

    With upgraded Nightography capabilities, photos and videos shot on Galaxy S24 Space Zoom are brilliant in any conditions, even when zoomed in. Capture more light in dim conditions with Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger pixel size, now 1.4 μm, which is 60% bigger  compared to the previous model. 

    Blur is reduced on Galaxy S24 Ultra with wider optical image stabilizer (OIS) angles and enhanced hand-shake compensation. When recording videos, both front and rear cameras are equipped with Dedicated ISP Block for noise reduction, and Galaxy S24 analyzes gyro information to distinguish between the filmer’s movement and the subjects. This allows more effective noise removal and clear videos in the dark, even from far away.

    After great shots are captured, innovative Galaxy AI editing tools enable simple edits like erase, re-compose, and remaster. For easier and more efficient optimizations, Edit Suggestion uses Galaxy AI to suggest perfectly suitable tweaks for each photo. To give users even more creative control and freedom, Generative Edit can fill in parts of an image background with generative AI. 

    The Next Phase of Samsung’s Environmental Journey

    Joy Tim-Ayoola, Head of Mobile Division, Samsung West Africa, said that Galaxy S24 is also the first Galaxy S series to be designed with recycled steel and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). 

    “Galaxy S24 Ultra features a minimum of 40% recycled steel in the speakers, and it includes a minimum of 10% pre-consumer recycled TPU in the side and volume keys. Additionally, every Galaxy S24 comes in a packaging box made from 100% recycled paper material”, she said. 

    According to Chika Nnadozie, Head of Marketing, Samsung West Africa, as a customer-centric brand, Samsung has rolled out trade-in option for Galaxy S24 series.  

    Galaxy S24 Ultra is the first-ever Galaxy phone to feature a titanium frame, enhancing device durability and longevity. 

    L-r: Nathan Lee, Business Manager, MX Division; Chika Nnadozie, Head of marketing, Samsung West Africa; Sung-won Jung, the CEO, Samsung West Africa; Joy Tim-Ayoola, Head of Group, MX Division, and Steven Okwara, Product Manager, MX Division during unveiling of Galaxy S24 series in Nigeria.

    About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

    SPEC TABLE

    Galaxy S24 Ultra  
    Display   6.8-inch* QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display  Super Smooth 120Hz refresh rate (1~120Hz)   Vision booster
    *Measured diagonally, Galaxy S24 Ultra’s screen size is 6.8-inch in the full rectangle and 6.8-inch with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.  
    Dimensions & Weight   79 X 162.3 X 8.6mm, 233g (mmWave) / 232g (Sub6) 
    *Device weight may vary by market
    Camera   12MP Ultra-Wide Camera   F2.2, FOV 120˚      200MP Wide Camera   OIS F1.7, FOV 85˚      50MP Telephoto Camera   5x Optical Zoom, OIS F3.4, FOV 22˚     10MP Telephoto Camera   3x Optical Zoom, OIS F2.4, FOV 36˚     12MP Front Camera   F2.2, FOV 80˚   
    Memory & Storage  12GB + 1TB  12 + 512GB  12 + 256GB  
    *Storage options and availability may vary by carrier, country or region. Actual storage availability may vary depending on pre-installed software.
    Battery   5,000 mAh   
    * Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,855mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.  
    Charging*   Wired charging*: Up to 65% charge in around 30 mins with 45W Adapter** and 5A USB-C cable***  Fast Wireless Charging 2.0****  Wireless PowerShare*****  
    *Wired charging compatible with PD.  
    **45W Power Adapter sold separately. Using the original Samsung 45W Power Adapter and data cable is recommended.   
    *** Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 45W Travel Adapter connected to newly pre-released version of Galaxy S24 Ultra while device had 0% of power remaining, with all services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors.  
    ****Wireless charging compatible with WPC.  
    *****Limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, S24, S23 Ultra, S23+, S23, Z Fold 4, Z Flip4, S22 series, Z Fold3 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 FE 5G, S21 series, Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, Z Flip, Note10, Note10+, S10e, S10, S10+, Fold, S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 edge, S6 Active, S6 edge+, Note9, Note8, Note FE and Note5. Only available with certain Samsung Galaxy wearables such as Galaxy Buds FE, Buds2 Pro, Buds2, Buds Pro, Buds Live, Watch6, Watch6 Classic, Watch5, Watch 5 Pro, Watch4, Watch4 Classic, Watch3, Watch Active2, Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds. If battery power is lower than 30% Wireless PowerShare may not function. May not work with certain accessories, covers, other brand devices or some Samsung wearables. During PowerShare, it may affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.  
    OS   Android 14 One UI 6.1  
    Network and Connectivity    5G*, LTE**, Wi-Fi 7***, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth® v 5.3  
    *Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. Check with your carrier for availability and details. Download and streaming speeds may vary based on content provider, server connection and other factors.  **Availability of LTE model varies by market and carrier. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.  ***Wi-Fi 7 network availability may vary by market, network provider and user environment. Requires optimal connection and a Wi-Fi 7 router.  
    Water Resistance   IP68   
    * IP68 rating: Based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of the S Pen is not permanent and may diminish over time because of normal wear and tear. 

      

    Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+  
      Galaxy S24 Galaxy S24+  
    Display  6.2-inch FHD+* 6.7-inch QHD+ * 
    Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display   Super Smooth 120Hz refresh rate (1~120Hz)   Vision booster 
    *Measured diagonally, Galaxy S24’s screen size is 6.2-inch in the full rectangle and 6.0-inch with accounting for the rounded corners, Galaxy S24+’s screen size is 6.7-inch in the full rectangle and 6.5-inch with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.  
    Dimensions & Weight   70.6 x 147 x 7.6mm, 168g (mmWave) / 167g (Sub6) 75.9 x 158.5 x 7.7mm, 197g  (mmWave) / 196g (Sub6)
    *Device weight may vary by market
    Camera   12MP Ultra-Wide Camera   F2.2, FOV 120˚     50MP Wide Camera   OIS F1.8, FOV 85˚      10MP Telephoto Camera   3x Optical Zoom, F2.4, FOV 36˚      12MP Front Camera   F2.2, FOV 80˚   
    Memory & Storage   8 + 512GB  8 + 256GB  8 + 128GB  12 + 512GB  12 + 256GB  
    *Storage options and availability may vary by carrier, country or region. Actual storage availability may vary depending on pre-installed software. 
    Battery   4,000 mAh   4,900 mAh   
    *Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3,880mAh for Galaxy S24 and 4,755mAh for Galaxy S24+. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.  
    Charging   Wired Charging*: Up to 50% charge in around 30 mins with 25W Adapter** and 3A USB-C cable***  Fast Wireless Charging 2.0****  Wireless PowerShare*****  Wired charging*: Up to 65% charge in around 30 mins with 45W Adapter** and 5A USB-C cable***  Fast Wireless Charging 2.0****  Wireless PowerShare*****  
    *Wired charging compatible with PD.  
    **Power Adapter and data cable sold separately. Using the original Samsung 45W Power Adapter and data cable is recommended for Galaxy S24+ and the original Samsung 25W Power Adapter and data cable recommended for Galaxy S24.  
    ***Results from internal Samsung lab tests, conducted with 25W Travel Adapter connected to newly pre-released version of Galaxy S24 and 45W Travel Adapter connected to newly pre-released version of Galaxy S24+ while a device had 0% of power remaining, with all services, features and screen turned off. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions and other factors.  
    ****Wireless charging compatible with WPC.  
    *****Limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, S24, S23 Ultra, S23+, S23, Z Fold 4, Z Flip4, S22 series, Z Fold3 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 FE 5G, S21 series, Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, Z Flip, Note10, Note10+, S10e, S10, S10+, Fold, S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 edge, S6 Active, S6 edge+, Note9, Note8, Note FE and Note5. Only available with certain Samsung Galaxy wearables such as Galaxy Buds FE, Buds2 Pro, Buds2, Buds Pro, Buds Live, Watch6, Watch6 Classic, Watch5, Watch 5 Pro, Watch4, Watch4 Classic, Watch3, Watch Active2, Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds. If battery power is lower than 30% Wireless PowerShare may not function. May not work with certain accessories, covers, other brand devices or some Samsung wearables. During PowerShare, it may affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.  
    OS   Android 14 One UI 6.1  
    Network and Connectivity   5G*, LTE**, Wi-Fi 6E***, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth® v 5.3  
    *5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.  **Availability of LTE model varies by market and carrier.  *** Wi-Fi 6E network availability may vary by market, network provider and user environment. Requires optimal connection and a Wi-Fi 6E router.  
    Water Resistance   IP68   
    * IP68 rating: Based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of the S Pen is not permanent and may diminish over time because of normal wear and tear. 
  • Biggest Recorded Slot Game Wins

    Slot games are hugely popular – although they can oftentimes be scoffed at by ardent casino lovers, who consider them to be games of little skill, with low stakes and smaller wins compared to high-paying table games like blackjack and poker. 

    However, apart from the fact that there is no skill required to play them, they couldn’t be more wrong – you can play some big stakes – and win some seriously massive payouts. The introduction of progressive jackpots has enabled slot games to be responsible for some of the most eye-watering casino wins in history. Moreover, the slot machine Megabucks, ranked by the world’s best casino sites as one of the biggest paying games of all time, has made a number of millionaires – in fact, it’s responsible for every winner on our list. 

    So, let’s take a look at some of the biggest slot wins ever.

    The $21 Million Win at Cannery Casino, Vegas

    This story involves WWII veteran Elmer Sherwin. During the 1989 opening of the Mirage Casino in Vegas, Sherwin walked away with $4.6 million, having borrowed $20 from his wife. But that was just the warm-up.

    Sixteen years later, at the Cannery Casino in Vegas, he had another go at the Megabucks game that had previously been so kind to him. With a $3 maximum bet, he spun the reels and landed those familiar three Megabucks symbols. At the ripe old age of 92, he won $21 million and became the only person to land a Megabucks jackpot twice in one lifetime.

    A $21.3 Million Payout at Caesars Palace, Vegas

    This one may not be the biggest win on our list – but it’s certainly up there when it comes to the highest deposit-to-winning ratio. A business consultant magicked his $10 bankroll into a huge $21 million payout. Back in 1999, the 49-year-old from Illinois landed the win playing at the renowned Caesars Palace in Vegas.

    Spinning the reels of the famous Megabucks slot machine, he hit the jackpot. Opting for annual instalments of $1.5 million over 25 years, he certainly never had to worry about work for a while! 

    Hitting a $22.3 Million Jackpot at Bally’s, Vegas

    Johanna Heundl, a retired Californian, stepped into the world-famous Bally’s Casino to celebrate her 74th birthday in 2002. Happy to take up the casino’s birthday offer for a two-night stay along with $100 in free play tokens, she deposited her free credit and added another $100 of her own funds before heading down for a few spins before breakfast.

    Just as she was about to leave the casino floor for her morning nourishment, she took a few final spins with her last $20. Serendipitously, three Megabucks symbols lined up – and this led to two jackpots—a staggering $22 million and another $3,000.

    A Royal Payout of $27.5 Million at Palace Station, Vegas

    An unnamed retiree managed to secure the third-largest prize on this list while playing at Palace Station in Vegas. The former flight attendant visited the casino in 1998, just a few months after having won a very decent $680,000 on a Wheel of Fortune slot game. 

    This time, she chose to try her luck with a $100 bankroll… and Lady Luck was looking down on her as the Megabucks symbols hit the reels – adding a staggering $27.5 million to her already substantial casino winnings.

    The $34.9 Million Desert Inn Win, Vegas

    At the beginning of a new millennium, Cynthia Jay Brennan started it with a real bang. She was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar… as the song goes, she finished up her shift and went over to the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino. It was there that she decided to try her luck on the Megabucks slot machine.

    With a deposit of just $21, she opted to play the maximum $3 bet per spin and managed to access the bonus rounds with the progressive jackpot. Despite her bankroll quickly dwindling, she decided that she would make two more attempts before calling it quits. However, the stars – and the symbols aligned perfectly, resulting in a massive jackpot win of $34.9 million from the Megabucks slot.

    A Legendary Win of $39.7 Million at Excalibur Casino, Vegas

    The biggest slot machine jackpot recorded at a casino came about at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. This massive win dates back to 2003 – and was enjoyed by an anonymous software engineer from LA. Having wagered $100 on the Megabucks slot, luck was on his side as this machine was ready to pay out big and he was in the right place at the right time.

    The great news is that you don’t have to fly over to Vegas and play the Megabucks slot to hit a huge payout. Online casinos offer lots of progressive jackpot slots, with prizes often hitting millions. 

    You may win – and you may not… after all, let’s face it, only the really lucky enjoy million-dollar wins, but you have to be in it to win it!

  • African Creators Summit 2024: Countdown To Africa’s Foremost Creative Workshop

    Unique Kings Obi and Oladapo OJ Adewumi proudly announce the African Creators Summit, a groundbreaking event set to take place on the 25th and 26th of January 2024. This summit aims to catalyze innovation and collaboration within Nigeria’s vibrant creative sector while forging dynamic partnerships with key sectors of the national economy. 

    With a commitment to fostering growth and synergy, the African Creators Summit brings together visionaries, artists, and industry leaders from various disciplines. This two-day event promises a convergence of creativity, knowledge, and strategic networking, setting the stage for a transformative impact on Nigeria’s cultural landscape. 

    The summit goes beyond the boundaries of the creative industry, strategically integrating sectors such as healthcare, finance, insurance, technology, and more. Through panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, attendees will explore the intersection of creativity with these sectors, identifying new avenues for collaboration and mutual growth. 

    Unique Kings Obi, co-convener of the summit, expressed enthusiasm about the event’s potential impact. “The African Creators Summit is a platform to amplify the voices of our creative community and explore how their work can transcend traditional boundaries. By bringing together diverse sectors, we envision a ripple effect that will contribute to the overall development of Nigeria’s economy.” 

    Oladapo OJ Adewumi, co-convener of the summit, emphasized the role of collaboration in driving positive change. “Our goal is to create an environment where creators can connect with professionals from various industries, fostering a cross-pollination of ideas. This summit is a step towards unlocking new opportunities and pushing the boundaries of what our creative minds can achieve.” 

    Hosts, Lasisi Elenu and Kie Kie will play a pivotal role in guiding attendees through the summit’s various sessions, panel discussions, and artistic showcases, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already exhilarating event.

    While registration for the summit has closed, we welcome attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. Stakeholders, influencers, and enthusiasts are encouraged to join Lasisi Elenu, Kie Kie, and the African creative community at the summit, contributing to the collective effort to empower and unite creative minds in Nigeria and foster collaboration with other major facets of the global economy. 

    For more information and to attend the African Creators Summit 2024, please visit @africancreatorssummit on Instagram and follow the link in their bio.

  • Infinix Takes Center Stage at CES 2024

    Securing Top Honors with Numerous Awards for Groundbreaking Innovations

    LAS VEGAS, January 18, 2024 Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, made a resounding impact at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, one of the world’s largest and most influential technology consumer events. The brand’s exceptional achievements were acknowledged with seven awards from prominent associations and media outlets, firmly establishing Infinix as a forward-thinking and innovative leader in the mobile industry.

    Infinix secures top honors with numerous awards for groundbreaking innovations

    Benjamin Jiang, CEO of Infinix, expressed his delight at the recognition received by Infinix at CES 2024, stating, ” Innovation lies at the core of the Infinix brand. Our dedicated team of experts remains unwavering in their commitment to surpassing limitations through profound insights, collaborations with top technology institutions, and the development of exciting new technologies. These esteemed awards and accolades serve as a resounding affirmation of our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional products that deeply resonate with our discerning and tech-savvy audience.”

    Cutting-Edge Innovations Garner Top Association and Publication Awards at CES 2024

    Under the theme “Where Tomorrow Electrifies Today,” Infinix captivated CES attendees with its groundbreaking innovations, including the highly acclaimed Infinix E-Color Shift, Infinix AirCharge over-the-air charging, and Extreme-Temp Battery technologies. These pioneering advancements propelled Infinix to the forefront of the CES 2024 media exhibition, garnering accolades and making it a sought-after destination for renowned international organizations and media outlets.

    In recognition of its outstanding contributions to technological innovation, Infinix received over seven prestigious awards at CES 2024. Notably, Infinix secured the 2023-2024 Global Top Brands’ Most Innovative Mobile Phone Brand Award, jointly presented by Asia Data Group, European Digital Group, TWICE, and supported by the International Data Corporation (IDC). This award underscores Infinix’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and meeting the evolving needs of today’s dynamic youth.

    The esteemed Gadgety Awards, known for recognizing technological excellence at international exhibitions, lauded Infinix’s E-Color Shift technology as one of the standout technologies showcased at CES. Furthermore, Infinix was personally recognized by ShowStoppers, the organizer of the renowned media event, for the exceptional innovation and booth popularity demonstrated by its E-Color Shift technology.

    Other notable media awards include Phandroid hailing Infinix’s E-Color Shift technology as the highlight among smartphone brands at CES 2024, and GEEKSPIN ranking it second on their “Best of CES 2024” list, solidifying its position as one of the most exciting and buzz-worthy innovations at the event. Inverse acknowledged Infinix’s AirCharge technology as one of the best technological advancements at CES 2024, predicting it to become a mainstream trend in the future.

    Infinix ZERO 30 5G garners significant recognition

    Among Infinix’s product lineup, the Infinix ZERO 30 5G and Infinix GT 10 Pro garnered significant recognition. These devices were nominated for the CES Picks Awards and were honored with the “Best of 2023” award by the Gadgety Awards. Additionally, the ZERO 30 5G was acclaimed as the “A Vlogging Superstar at CES 2024” by the leading tech media outlet Tom’s Guide, and it was selected as the “Best Vlogging Smartphone at CES 2024” by the internationally renowned photography-focused media outlet, Digital Camera World.

    With its remarkable achievements at CES 2024, Infinix solidified its position as an innovative and forward-thinking brand in the mobile industry. The recognition received for its E-Color Shift and AirCharge technologies further demonstrates Infinix’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and meeting the evolving needs of consumers.

    Get Social: Follow Infinix Global on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X

    About Infinix

    Infinix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the Infinix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today’s youth with first in class technology, Infinix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want. For more information, please visit: www.infinixmobility.com. 

    Media Contacts:

    Infinix Global PR

    Global.PR@infinixmobility.com

  • Redmi Note 13 5G Series Confirmed to Launch in Nigeria on January 24

    The much-anticipated Redmi Note 13 Series by Xiaomi is set to make its grand debut on January 24th, 2023. The series will likely include the Redmi Note 13, the Redmi Note 13 Pro, and the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. Xiaomi has already set the stage for this remarkable launch, dropping tantalizing teasers on their social media platforms that have left fans buzzing with excitement.

    The Chinese tech giant has taken to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to share sneak peeks of what promises to be a groundbreaking addition to the Redmi Note lineup. One teaser image showcases the sleek silhouette of the Redmi Note 13, hinting at an aesthetic design that will undoubtedly catch the eye of style-conscious users. Another teaser video, posted on Xiaomi’s YouTube channel, offers a glimpse into the advanced camera technology that will redefine smartphone photography for Redmi Note 13 users.

    Sources say the Redmi Note 13 Series will be a game-changer, equipped with 5G capabilities, ensuring lightning-fast connectivity for a seamless mobile experience. The series is expected to boast a high-resolution camera, capturing every moment in stunning detail. With a long-lasting battery, users can bid farewell to unnecessary frequent charging, allowing for uninterrupted usage throughout the day.

    It has been rumored that Xiaomi is gearing up to unveil the latest operating system on the Redmi Note 13 Series, ensuring users have access to the most advanced features and enhancements. High storage capacity is also on the cards, providing ample space for users to store their memories, apps, and multimedia content.

    But that’s not all – whispers in the tech community suggest that the Redmi Note 13 Series will come with water and dust resistance, adding an extra layer of durability to these cutting-edge devices. Whether you’re caught up in the rain or navigating dusty terrains, the Redmi Note 13 Series is rumored to stand strong against the elements.

    As the excitement continues to build, fans have taken to social media to share their expectations for the Redmi Note 13 Series. One user commented, “Hoping for a game-changing camera,” while another exclaimed, “I need that 5G speed in my life!” The anticipation is not just limited to features alone, fans are eager to see the design, as one commenter shared, “I hope the design is as stunning as the teasers suggest, can’t wait!”

    From all indications, the countdown has begun, and all eyes are on Xiaomi as they prepare to redefine the smartphone experience once again. Stay tuned for live updates, as we bring you exclusive coverage of the Redmi Note 13 Series launch event.

  • Web3 iGaming Platform Meme Kombat Anticipates Impact from Solana Saga Phone Launch

    https://twitter.com/solanamobile/status/1747302707273089133

    The impending release of the Solana Saga phone is generating interest within the Web3 iGaming sector, with projects like Meme Kombat eyeing potential implications for adoption. Meme Kombat ($MK), a Web3 gaming platform specialising in meme character battles, has successfully raised $7 million, nearing its ICO hard cap target of $10 million, and is currently priced at $0.279 per token.

    The Solana Saga phone, initially slow to gain traction, gained attention for its inclusion of the $BONK meme coin, leading to a surge in popularity. Reports suggest a second iteration of the phone is in development at a lower price point, raising questions about potential impacts on Web3 gaming projects.

    $MK token holders have reportedly seen interest from Solana ($SOL) holders, as blockchain data suggests they are exploring potential synergies. The Solana Saga phone, while currently exclusive to Solana, indicates a potential growth path for other projects and hardware vendors.

    Success of Crypto-First Hardware Raises Industry Questions

    Despite Solana’s position as a competitor to Ethereum, the Saga phone’s success has prompted discussions about the viability of selling crypto-first hardware. Previous attempts, such as the HTC Exodus, faced challenges due to high costs, lack of user-friendly onboarding and poor marketing. 

    The Saga phone’s strategy of preloading $BONK tokens appears to have addressed some of these issues, making it more accessible, with secondary market prices now exceeding the initial $1,000.

    $BONK, launched on Christmas Day 2022, has experienced fluctuations but maintains a significant increase from its all-time low. As the primary token integrated into the Saga phone, $BONK is designed to enhance liquidity on the blockchain and dApps.

    Meme Kombat’s Unique Positioning and Future Considerations

    Meme Kombat distinguishes itself as a stake-to-bet system, allowing users to earn passive income through staking while participating in meme character battles. Despite being Solana-exclusive at present, Meme Kombat hints at potential partnerships with smartphone vendors and integration with the Ethereum blockchain.

    As the project’s presale nears completion, participants have the opportunity to stake $MK tokens, earning an annual percentage yield (APY) of 136%. The dynamic staking system, combined with a unique approach to on-chain and off-chain transactions, has led to significant staking interest, with 79% of sold $MK tokens already staked.

    Influencer Attention and Project Risks Highlighted

    Meme Kombat has garnered attention from YouTube crypto analysts, including Conor Kenny and Austin Hilton, providing reviews and predictions. 

    With a total token supply of 120 million, including allocations for staking, community rewards and decentralised exchange liquidity – the project has undergone a security audit – addressing potential concerns.

    Current Market Dynamics and Ethereum’s Dominance in Focus

    In broader market dynamics, the launch of Solana-based Jupiter’s JUP token on January 31 is anticipated. Jupiter, a liquidity aggregator, handles a significant portion of Solana’s decentralised exchange volume, with its token launch following other Solana ecosystem airdrops that contributed to a late-2023 Solana bull run.

    Additionally, Ethereum’s recent surge in price and dominance is noteworthy. Ethereum’s market share has increased by 22.4% in a week, attracting a daily influx of new addresses and demonstrating a shift toward self-custody and staking. The Ethereum community eyes potential challenges, including a breach below a critical support level, as it continues to forge its unique path, separate from Bitcoin’s dominance.

  • Top DeFi Tokens Poised for Significant Growth: Meme Moguls (MGLS), Aptos (APT), and Chainlink (LINK)

    Meme Moguls (MGLS), Aptos (APT), and Chainlink (LINK) are three of the top DeFi tokens poised for significant growth in 2024. Notably, Meme Moguls is currently in its presale phase, providing a unique chance for early investors to tap into its potential before it hits the broader market. Let’s break down each token and why they are worth watching.

    Meme Moguls’ 100x Surge Potential

    Meme Moguls is an upcoming P2E platform at the crossroads of meme culture and financial trading. Here, players (or meme moguls) can enjoy a virtual trading experience that teaches them real-life trading skills while having fun.

    The platform’s Wealth Leaderboard adds a competitive edge, motivating players to use their newly acquired trading skills to climb the ranks. Those who finish top of the leaderboard are rewarded with Mogul status, which means they can teach others and earn passive income.

    Players can set up friendly tournaments, compete head-to-head, or even challenge real-world market indices like the S&P 500 in the “Beat the Market” mode. Winning these challenges can earn players even more rewards and recognition.

    <blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>MOGULS!! 🔥<br><br>Are you ready to change the landscape? 🧑‍🌾 With one of the biggest airdrops of 2024 👀 Get ready!! <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MGLS&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>$MGLS</a> Farming. Coming soon… <a href=”https://t.co/9UPUeV5klt”>pic.twitter.com/9UPUeV5klt</a></p>&mdash; Meme Moguls (@meme_moguls) <a href=”https://twitter.com/meme_moguls/status/1733077444930703567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

    The MGLS token empowers users to engage in meme trading, participate in platform governance decisions, and access exclusive features. It can even be staked in the liquidity pools inside the Moguls Land metaverse for passive income.

    The fourth presale stage offers MGLS tokens for $0.0027 each. While this is a 42% gain since the presale began, this price will keep increasing as each presale stage ends and the token moves closer to its listing on Uniswap.

    Analysts have predicted significant returns for MGLS token holders, with expectations of a 100x increase in value in the first year alone. This prediction is based on the current low market cap of $8.10M, the hype surrounding the platform, and the unique concept of merging meme culture with financial trading.

    Aptos Crypto Price Prediction 2024

    Launched during the 2022 bear market, Aptos is one of the newest Layer-1 blockchains to rival Ethereum’s reign as the top smart contract platform. It may be new, but the Aptos team has big ambitions and is working hard to establish itself as a serious player in the DeFi space.

    The Aptos team is the same team that developed Libra for Facebook before the project was abandoned. This explains why Aptos is built on the Move programming language initially developed for Libra.

    The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) uses a sequential VM, which means one instruction is executed at a time. In contrast, Aptos’ MoveVM allows for parallelization and multiple execution paths, resulting in faster and more efficient smart contract processing.

    While this technical aspect may not immediately appeal to the average investor, it’s easy to see how Aptos could become a preferred platform for developers and companies looking to build scalable decentralized applications (dApps). The 207% increase in daily transactions during Q3 2023 shows this may already be happening.

    The Aptos chart reveals that the price is up over 100% in the last three months. Based on the daily chart, the $11 price zone is the next significant resistance level. Once it’s broken, we could see a quick run to the $20 area. Bullish analysts predict $100 Aptos prices in 2024, representing a market cap of roughly $30 billion.

    Chainlink’s Innovation in Cross-Chain Integration

    Chainlink is a decentralized Oracle solution that has recently announced a huge game-changer for cross-chain integration: Cross-Chain Integration Protocol (CCIP).

    This technology is designed to allow banks and organizations to securely transfer assets between different blockchains, which is currently a major obstacle preventing mainstream adoption of blockchain technology.

    With an estimated $2+ billion in total value stolen from cross-chain bridge hacks, the need for a secure and reliable solution is evident. CCIP proudly offers a multi-network approach, time-locked upgradability, rate limiting, and independent risk management.

    Currently priced at $15.52, Chainlink is up 100% since the end of October. While some holders have been disappointed with the recent consolidation, Chainlink looks ready for another leg up on the charts.

    Analysts are now predicting $100 per LINK before the end of 2024. While a market cap of  $56 billion may seem like a stretch, it’s worth noting that Chainlink has been working with SWIFT and some of the top traditional institutions in the world. Becoming THE solution for cross-chain integration could quickly catapult Chainlink into this territory.

    Visit Meme Moguls

  • CARVEN by Gamr Redefines Entertainment in Lagos with Unveiling of Premier Gaming and Lifestyle Arena

    In a historic moment for Nigeria’s gaming industry, CARVEN by Gamr took centre stage, redefining entertainment during its grand opening on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Nestled in the heart of Landmark Boulevard, Victoria Island, Lagos, the largest entertainment boulevard in West Africa, with a monthly footfall of 200,000. This cutting-edge facility not only revolutionizes gaming but establishes Gamr Africa as a continental gaming leader.

    The grand opening welcomed celebrities and distinguished guests from gaming, technology, entertainment, and lifestyle industries, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation for the dawn of a new era. Responding to the demand for a sophisticated gaming hub, CARVEN by Gamr sets a new standard, offering a diverse array of gaming platforms, from immersive simulations to classic arcade, high-octane racing games, PC and console games, streaming, and more.

    What sets CARVEN apart is its commitment to providing a holistic entertainment experience. Beyond gaming platforms, the facility features an exclusive VVIP bar and lounge. This luxurious space enhances the overall entertainment experience, positioning CARVEN as a social hub in Lagos.

    As a trailblazer in the African gaming community, Gamr Africa’s vision aligns with the global recognition of Africa’s gaming potential. Carven is a testament to the thriving gaming culture in Nigeria and the continent, fulfilling a long-standing demand for global standard gaming infrastructure.

    CARVEN by Gamr is not just a venue; it’s a symbol of progress, innovation, and the limitless potential of the gaming industry in Africa. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or seeking family-friendly leisure, CARVEN invites you to step into a world where entertainment knows no bounds. Join us on this exhilarating journey into the future of gaming and lifestyle. #CARVENUnveiling #EntertainmentRevolution #GamrAfricaInnovates

  • Patricia Expands Payment Tenure, announces Support for users, Gears Up for Launch of Innovative AI-Based Platform

    To manage customer expectations and keep faith with its avowed commitment to customers, Patricia Technologies Limited, a leading cryptocurrency company, has announced a two to five-year repayment regime for all customers who lost money following the recent breach of the company’s platform by some high-profile hackers, some of whom are now in police custody. 

    In a Press Statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday 17, January, Patricia Technologies said the new repayment regime is a careful sequel to the company’s repayment exercise launched on Monday 20, November 2023. The company further explained that this phased repayment regime would give the business and the Police the needed latitude to recover stolen funds from the arrested suspects and enable the business to mass up some revenue from the continued use of the reinforced Patricia App. 

    “To manage expectations, Patricia Technologies estimates a repayment plan spanning two to five years. The commitment is to ensure that every customer receives their full and final rightful payments within this timeframe, underscoring the company’s determination to persist until all of its financial obligations are fulfilled,” the statement read in part.

    Patricia Technologies also hinted that it has worked on a best-in-class technological solution to prevent a repeat of the recent breach. “To streamline transactions and fortify security, Patricia Technologies is redesigning the Patricia Plus platform. The AI-enabled system, scheduled to go live by Q2 2024, aims to offer a simpler, more efficient user experience while reducing operational burdens,” the company further disclosed.

    It would be recalled that Patricia Technologies Limited recently suffered a severe setback from a breach of its platform by suspected criminal elements, resulting in substantial asset losses to the company and customers. The company acted swiftly and reported the matter to the cybercrime unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which in turn made a breakthrough in the investigation by arresting some suspects now set to be arraigned in court by June this year. “Given the protracted process of apprehending the remaining suspects and recovering some of the stolen funds, we have considered it imperative to announce this tenured repayment schedule,” the company explained.

    As attested by some affected company customers, Patricia Technologies had indeed made good on its promise by commencing repayment to affected customers on Monday, 20 November 2023. Patricia Technology, however, says its decision to spread out the repayment tenure carefully is to make room for “the outcome of recovery efforts by the Nigeria Police and inbound revenue from trading on the reinforced Patricia app, all of which will contribute significantly to the needed funds for the planned payment.”

    Here is a link to some of the testimonials of customers who opted in and shared testimonials

    Patricia Technologies said that, as a business, it is strategically shifting focus towards its business arm and OTC desk, citing positive traction in recent months. “We are transitioning from crisis to creation mode, emphasising value creation designed to enhance service delivery and expedite the return of customers’ lost funds,” the company said. 

     Opportunities for Patricia’s Users

    The company projects that 2024 and 2025 would be good years for the Crypto community. To that effect, Patricia Technologies has pledged to support all its users with opportunities in the crypto space so as to reduce their burden. The company said it would do this by sharing airdrop opportunities, Staking and Defi opportunities that their users could use and convert to US Dollars. It added that it plans to have this operation in full flight on or before Q2 of this year. 

    Click here to join the waitlist

    The company also assured customers of its commitment to communicate and engage with them during this challenging time continually. Patricia Technologies said it is dedicated to rebuilding trust through concrete actions, saying that its customer service team will be available to address queries, provide clarifications, or discuss individual circumstances with customers. “To make this seamless, a dedicated website is also under development to streamline communications about all issues on the repayment regime,” the company assured.

    Patricia Technologies expressed gratitude to its loyal customers for their understanding, patience, and unwavering trust, saying that the company remains steadfast in its commitment to resolving the current situation and emerging more resilient than ever before.For further inquiries, please contact Patricia Technologies Limited directly via email at support@mypatricia.co.

  • TECNO Unleashes Unseen Wonders as Exclusive Images from Africa Cup of Nations is Released!

    The Africa Cup of Nations has kicked off spectacularly! The first three days have been filled with exciting football matches and thrilling entertainment, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. 

    TECNO, the smartphone sponsor for the tournament, has stayed true to its promise of providing us with unlimited access to the sights and sounds of the Ivory Coast during the tournament. 

    From the electrifying atmosphere in the stadiums to the bustling streets of the host cities, TECNO has given us a front-row seat to all the action. Here are amazing, never-seen-before images; feast your eyes on them!

  • FagoPay acquires microfinance license to aid financial inclusion in Katsina

    FagoPay, the business and personal financial services provider, has acquired a microfinance license. This license will help the bank broaden its reach, improve its services, and boost financial inclusion in Katsina and Nigeria as a whole.

    With a large, digitally savvy youth population and growing internet penetration, Nigeria has embraced financial technological advancements. Currently, the country has up to 200 fintech companies operating and the fintech industry is thriving. This fintech boom is spurred on by a need to improve financial inclusion and increase access to formal financial services. This fintech boom so far has lived up to its purpose. According to the 2023 Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) survey, financial inclusion in Nigeria has grown significantly. In 2020 it was recorded that 56% of the Nigerian population was financially included and now, that number has grown to 64%. Despite this increment, a large percentage of the northern Nigerian population remains financially excluded. According to the EFInA report, 38% of the North Eastern demographic and 47% of the North Western demographic are excluded from formal financial services. With current estimates putting the population of northern Nigeria at 128 million (which is about 58% of the entire country’s populace), if the north is not properly catered to, a large chunk of the Nigerian population will not have access to financially participate in the modern world. To solve this problem and help improve the access of northern Nigerians to modern financial services, FagoPay was created by Yusuf Salisu Daddy (CEO) and Abubakar Nasir (COO).

    Launched in October 2023, FagoPay is an all-in-one banking solution for both personal and business needs. The fintech provides access to seamless and reliable banking services with its user-friendly products. FagoPay is not just a financial service provider. According to the company, it aspires to be an ally in the growth and success of local businesses. The acquisition of this microfinance license is a further step towards its goal of empowering individuals and their businesses financially. With access to this formal financial service, Katsinians and other Nigerians have access to credit and opportunities to grow financially. They also have opportunities to start businesses, employ labour and create jobs, get formal education, and ultimately escape poverty. 

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    FagoPay’s mission is to improve financial inclusion for Katsinians but overall the bank is committed to fostering an inclusive financial environment for all Nigerians. In just three months of operating the bank has quickly gained popularity, surpassing 5,000 users and asserting its place in the fintech world. In line with its mission to improve financial inclusion for all, the company is working to expand beyond Katsina and this newly minted microfinance license opens up a world of opportunities for growth. Speaking of its expansion goals, Abubakar states, “The company aims to transcend its origins and impact a more extensive audience. The vision for cross-border expansion reflects FagoPay’s commitment to making financial services accessible and user-friendly on a national scale.”

    Fagopay isn’t just about payments, it wants to be partners in people’s personal and business success. By providing customers with stress-free financial services, it empowers customers with the tools they need to thrive.

    Keep up with FagoPay here as it makes its way from local fintech star to global financial champion.

    You can also download the Play Store app here or the IOS app here to get started.

  • How Much is SHIB Worth? Will it Become the ‘Dogecoin Killer’ or Will Launchpad Snatch That Title with its Play-to-Earn Game

    Amidst a turbulent week in the crypto market marked by a 2.90% drop in BTC, significant news emerges as the SEC greenlights spot Bitcoin ETFs. In the face of this upheaval, how have the old guards of meme coins, Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), weathered the storm? DOGE has witnessed a 16% decline in the past 30 days, while SHIB is grappling with the possibility of delisting on the Canadian subsidiary of Uphold, a multi-asset digital money platform.

    With the Doge-based meme coin duo currently facing challenges, investors are left to ponder whether to capitalise on their bearish performance or explore new meme coins that come with fresh incentives. Enter Launchpad (LPX), an altcoin offering a platform hosting NFTs and play-to-earn (P2E) gaming, presenting an alternative avenue for investment.

    Is Dogecoin Still the Leading Meme Coin for Decentralisation?

    In 2013, an unconventional cryptocurrency took the stage. Initially conceived as a playful joke, Dogecoin (DOGE) defied expectations, transforming over a thousand of early investors into millionaires

    This digital currency gained prominence as a meme coin, embodying the influence of internet culture and deriving its value from the world of memes.

    The ascent of Dogecoin can be credited to its dedicated community, counting influential figures like Elon Musk among its members. Major corporations, including Microsoft, Newegg and ExpressVPN, embraced DOGE as a valid form of payment. 

    While Dogecoin has become synonymous with decentralised finance (DeFi), it has encountered hurdles due to its inefficient Proof-of-Work (PoW) mining mechanism and limited utility beyond its meme identity. Consequently, its community, which significantly influences its value, has started to exhibit signs of waning enthusiasm.

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    Shiba Inu: Aiming for Innovation

    When Shiba Inu entered the scene in 2020, it aimed to tackle the limitations of Bitcoin and Dogecoin. Drawing inspiration from the meme influence of Dogecoin, Shiba Inu (SHIB) positioned itself as a meme coin with a futuristic vision for the cryptocurrency landscape. Through the adoption of the energy-efficient Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism, SHIB achieved quicker transactions and lower fees compared to Bitcoin and Dogecoin.

    SHIB is actively working on ambitious projects, including the establishment of a decentralized exchange, NFT art initiatives, and ventures into the metaverse. These endeavours seek to build a comprehensive ecosystem for SHIB’s community. However, some critics raise concerns about the uniqueness of SHIB’s offerings and question its ability to compete with newer meme coins that bring distinctive innovations to the forefront.

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    Launchpad: Taking on the Big Dogs

    In the turbulent crypto market, with established meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu facing internal and external pressures, a new player strides onto the scene: Launchpad

    Launchpad aims to become a comprehensive ecosystem bridging the gap between users and the developing world of Web3.

    Unlike its alt-coin predecessors, Launchpad offers a multifaceted platform encompassing a robust NFT marketplace, a dedicated hub for play-to-earn gaming and metaverse experiences, and a user-friendly gateway to Web3 tailored for both newcomers and seasoned veterans. 

    It aims to address some of the problematic points within the crypto sphere, including: 

    • The lack of streamlined access to NFTs
    • Unintegrated crypto wallets 
    • The complexity of navigating the Web3 landscape.

    Launchpad boasts features like an NFT marketplace with real-time data insights and an innovative revenue model, a custom Web3 wallet designed for seamless digital spending on the platform with a diverse range of traders. 

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    Unlike other crypto wallets separated from crypto platforms, Launchpad’s Web3 wallet is embedded into the crypto platform.

    The platform will also feature AI-powered tools empowering users to identify high-yield tokens and navigate airdrop processes. 

    Its ambitious roadmap aims to prioritise user engagement and yield generation, with upcoming features like trading algorithms, a trade execution bot and a DEX perpetual futures aggregator.

    Limited-Time Opportunity to Join the Presale?

    The Launchpad presale offers an opportunity to acquire $LPX tokens at a discounted price of $0.0445 before the price potentially increases upon the presale conclusion on January 24th. 

    Additionally, depending on the amount of $LPX purchased, investors can unlock premium NFT passes, offering exclusive perks like access to a VIP Telegram channel and market summary emails. For those interested in a glimpse into Launchpad’s potential, its popular Telegram channel, Launchpad Signals and News, provides market insights and has showcased trade setups with returns exceeding 1000%.

    Whether Launchpad will ultimately dethrone Dogecoin and Shiba Inu as the “king of altcoins” remains to be seen. However, it undeniably presents a distinct proposition, moving beyond the limitations of pure meme coins and towards a more holistic Web3 experience.

  • THE ITEL P55 5G SMARTPHONE IS YOUR RECOMMENDED 5G SMARTPHONE. HERE’S WHY

    THE ITEL P55 5G SMARTPHONE IS YOUR RECOMMENDED 5G SMARTPHONE. HERE'S WHY

    The innovative and superfast itel P55 5G is the latest itel P series smartphone from itel. This groundbreaking smartphone marks itel’s entry into the world of 5G technology, bringing high-speed connectivity to the entry-level segment. Let’s delve into the captivating world of the itel P55 5G and explore why it’s the ultimate device for every lifestyle.

    Powerful Performance and Unmatched Speed: 

    The itel P55 5G is equipped with an 18W fast charge and a robust 5000mAh battery, ensuring that your device stays powered up throughout the day.

    The itel P55 5G is equipped with an 18W fast charge and a robust 5000mAh battery, ensuring that your device stays powered up throughout the day. With 5G connectivity, you can experience lightning-fast internet speeds, seamless streaming, and lag-free gaming. Say goodbye to buffering and hello to a world of limitless possibilities.

    Capture Every Moment in Stunning Detail: 

    The itel P55 5G features a 50MP dual-clear rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera, allowing you to capture breathtaking photos and videos with ease.

    The itel P55 5G features a 50MP dual-clear rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera, allowing you to capture breathtaking photos and videos with ease. With five shooting modes, including AR shot, time-lapse, panorama, and super night mode, you can unleash your creativity and take your photography skills to new heights. Preserve your precious memories with exceptional clarity and vividness.

    Immersive Visuals and Sleek Design: 

    Immerse yourself in a world of stunning visuals on the itel P55 5G’s 90Hz 6.6” display. With a high resolution of 1612*720 and a 91% screen-to-body ratio, you’ll enjoy a truly immersive viewing experience. The super-narrow edges make the screen larger and slimmer, while the innovative design adds a touch of charm and elegance to your device. It’s a perfect blend of style and functionality.

    Immerse yourself in a world of stunning visuals on the itel P55 5G's 90Hz 6.6'' display.

    Seamless Browsing with itel and Airtel 5G: 

    itel has partnered with Airtel 5G to provide a seamless browsing experience on the itel P55 5G smartphone. With Airtel’s expansive 5G network, you can enjoy faster download and upload speeds, smoother video streaming, and lag-free online gaming with the itel P55 5G. Stay connected like never before and unlock the full potential of 5G technology on the itel P55 5G smartphone.

    itel has partnered with Airtel 5G to provide a seamless browsing experience on the itel P55 5G smartphone.

    The itel P55 5G is not just a smartphone; it’s a gateway to a new era of connectivity. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a social media fan, a gaming enthusiast, a college student, a company employee, or a young worker, this device is designed to enhance your lifestyle. Stay connected, capture memories, and immerse yourself in a world of limitless possibilities with the itel P55 5G smartphone. Embrace the future today and shop yours on itel’s Jumia store here: https://www.jumia.com.ng/itel-p55-5g-6.56-hd-hole-128gb-rom-6gb-green-274014035.html!

  • alGROWithm secures funding to scale their Growth Talent Accelerator Program to more people across six African countries

    Applicants can enroll for free, with Talent 4 Startups scholarships from Digital Africa

    In March 2022, TechCabal brought you an exclusive on alGROWithm’s groundbreaking initiative—Africa’s first ever Growth Talent Accelerator Program (GTAP). You can read about it here. Fast forward to today and alGROWithm is making waves again, this time with a game-changing funding injection from Digital Africa. As usual, we got the scoop first!

    The funding not only signifies a remarkable milestone for alGROWithm but also heralds exciting prospects for the African tech startup ecosystem by unlocking talent-driven pathways for driving sustainable Growth. It enables alGROWithm to do two things this year — offer scholarships for aspiring Growth Hackers to join their programs and fuels the expansion of their training programs into new African markets. GTAP is now a mainstay feature of alGROWithm Academy’s EdTech offerings, and is open to applicants from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa, amplifying its reach alongside its original bases in Nigeria and Ghana. Applications for their next cohort close in February.

    Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Bili Sule, unveils the thinking behind alGROWithm’s strategy, stating “Since our pilot in 2022, we’ve identified two critical needs in the ecosystem. There’s a persistent demand for more Growth Hacking talent, demonstrated by the swift employment of our past trainees. Secondly, we observed that many companies also sought to up-skill their existing teams instead of starting from scratch with new talent.”

    Enter GTAP Lite and GTAP Pro—two dynamic program flavors crafted for individuals and companies, respectively. GTAP Lite is the 100% online version that caters to individual Growth enthusiasts, while GTAP Pro empowers companies to transform their existing internal teams into Growth Engineers. Pro is also deployed through a hybrid delivery structure that includes in-person Growth Hacking bootcamps, as well as online lectures and workshops. 

    Bili Sule emphasizes, “We ran the Pro model with companies like Paga, Figorr, and Kebble  last year, with great results. This fueled our decision to offer both propositions moving forward. This year alone, we aim to train over 150 Growth Leads across East, West, and Southern Africa, which is a testament to our ongoing commitment to bridging the Growth talent gap in the ecosystem, and propelling African businesses to new heights.”

    Interested candidates and companies may apply for their February or July 2024 intakes at www.algrowithm.com/apply-2024 and follow the journey on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn: @algrowithm.

    Explore the full spectrum of GTAP offerings at www.algrowithm.com/gtap.

    LINKS TO MEDIA KIT : 

    Company Info : (About us, Social media links) : https://company-192916.frontify.com/d/EShmf5Q1EEWc/company-info

  • Amazon and Herconomy Join Forces to Expand Career Opportunities for Women: A Groundbreaking Partnership

    Ready to embark on a career journey with Amazon in the EU? 

    Herconomy is delighted to officially announce the renewal of its  strategic partnership with the Tech Giant, Amazon in the European Union. Building on the success of their collaborative efforts in 2021, Herconomy and Amazon have joined forces once again to pave the way for aspiring individuals, with a particular focus on empowering women in the dynamic Engineering Services Department.

    In the previous recruitment week, Herconomy had the honor of hosting senior management representatives from Amazon. During this exclusive event, invaluable insights into the recruitment process, expectations upon joining Amazon, and inspiring success stories of women thriving within the organization were shared. The session proved to be a phenomenal experience, providing a firsthand look into the exciting opportunities available.

    Since that impactful collaboration, five remarkable women from the Herconomy community have successfully embarked on their professional journey with Amazon, marking the beginning of a flourishing partnership.

    Here are the feedback of some of these women;

    “I joined Amazon in 2023 as a Project Management Intern, I saw an Instagram post made by Mrs Ife Durosinmi-Etti (CEO of Herconomy) calling for applications for project management interns.

    I applied, and few days after, I received a mail for the first stage of the recruitment.

    The entire recruitment process was seamless, and in few weeks I received my internship offer. After my 6 months internship, I transitioned into a full time position as a Project Manager.

    I encourage as many women to apply for this life changing opportunity. Amazon is a phenomenal place to work, with great people and a fantastic work culture.”

    ~Bisola Oladipo

    Project Manager, FC Startup (Global Engineering Services)

    “Being part of this vibrant community was just my starting point; Herconomy’s support played a key role in not only landing the job but also thriving and growing within the company. Their unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been a game-changer, ensuring that talents like mine are not only recognized but also nurtured for long-term success, and for that I’ll like to say a big thank you to Herconomy.”

    ~Oluwafunmbi Olowodola

    Project Management Intern at Amazon

    Amazon is actively seeking talented individuals, with a strong emphasis on encouraging women to explore diverse roles within the Engineering Services Department. The available opportunities extend beyond traditional engineering roles, encompassing positions such as; 

    • EU Construction H&S Manager, EU Design & Construction H&S Team
    • Business Intelligence Engineer, EMEA GESS
    • Project Manager, Start Up, Global Engineering Services- Startup
    • Solutions Design Engineer
    • Sustainability Manager, Engineering Initiatives & Services Team

    To facilitate this exciting partnership and provide a platform for interested individuals, Herconomy and Amazon invite everyone to participate in a virtual recruitment event happening on Friday, 19th January 2024 by 9 am WAT.

    This event is entirely FREE! offering you a unique chance to discover the vast possibilities that await prospective candidates within Amazon.

    Click here to register.

    Herconomy is a financial technology platform that helps you securely grow your wealth by offering High-yield Savings Accounts, Financial Education, Community, and Discounts on women-centric products and services.

    Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to engage with industry leaders and explore potential career paths with Amazon. Join us at #HerconomyXAmazonRecruitmentWeek2024 and take the first step towards an exciting and fulfilling career journey.

     Amazon and Herconomy Join Forces to Expand Career Opportunities for Women: A Groundbreaking Partnership

    Herconomy is delighted to officially announce the renewal of its  strategic partnership with the Tech Giant, Amazon in the European Union. Building on the success of their collaborative efforts in 2021, Herconomy and Amazon have joined forces once again to pave the way for aspiring individuals, with a particular focus on empowering women in the dynamic Engineering Services Department.

    This event is entirely FREE! offering you a unique chance to discover the vast possibilities that await prospective candidates within Amazon.

    Click here to register.

    Herconomy is a financial technology platform that helps you securely grow your wealth by offering High-yield Savings Accounts, Financial Education, Community, and Discounts on women-centric products and services.

  • Venture Capital in Africa: Trends to watch out for in 2024 and beyond

    What does the future of Venture Capital in Africa look like? This is probably the most prevalent question in Africa’s startup scene in recent times. 

    Over the last decade, venture capital funding has played a significant role in developing Africa’s digital ecosystem and resolving the long-standing problem of limited financing availability. This was not the case last year, however, as African tech startups faced a myriad of challenges. As predicted, raising venture capital turned out to be a daunting endeavour. As word spread across the continent about startup closures and employee layoffs, bridge and down rounds became more frequent. 

    Preliminary reports suggest a notable downturn in the total venture capital funds raised in Africa during the course of 2023. This decline follows a decade of consistent expansion and outstanding achievements in the preceding two years. Africa’s startup scene has been severely impacted by this change in the investment environment. Notably, following a period of plentiful funding and skyrocketing valuations, growth-stage companies have been disproportionately impacted. 

    The Current State of VC in Africa 

    In 2023, venture capital funding fell considerably all over the world, and while there was a ton of optimism that the African tech economy would avoid too much harm, according to sources like Disrupt Africa, African Tech Startups had raised US $649,303,000 by Q1 2023, a total of US $1.19 billion by H1 2023, and further raised US $492,418,000 in Q3 2023, taking the total for the first nine months of the year to US $1.4 billion, down 48% on the corresponding period in 2022. 

    This makes it more challenging for founders to raise money, which adversely impacts startups that have only recently begun their Series A and B rounds. This is due to the fact that in a market with abundant liquidity, startups at this point had profited from higher valuations. Series A and B founders have therefore been forced to reduce their valuations. Because these companies’ business models were built on the assumption that capital was cheap, jobs have been cut and ventures have been forced to reduce their operations in order to squeeze out every last penny of their currently available funding. Chipper Cash, a fintech company, faced the ongoing

    cash crunch and further difficulties due to the collapse of FTX and Silicon Valley Bank, the key backers of its $250 million Series C and extension round in 2021, which were expected to provide support during tough times. As a result, Chipper Cash had to implement multiple rounds of layoffs. Cellulant also opted for a more streamlined approach, adopting a “product-led growth strategy” and reducing its workforce by 20%. Further to the West of Africa, Ghanaian health-tech firm mPharma had to let go of 150 employees. 

    Women founders have had it worse. “Setting up an entrepreneurial venture is not an activity for the faint-hearted and neither is raising capital as an early stage entrepreneur. Add being female to this mix and life becomes difficult overnight,” Kanini Mutooni, Managing Director for Africa at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, highlights. But that’s what you’re up against when you’re a female founder. In the world of VC funding, recent data shows that women-owned businesses receive just 1.9% of funding compared to their male counterparts. 

    Despite these challenging times for Africa’s venture capital landscape, startups are finding other ways to address these issues, so all is not lost. Ironically, an economy that emphasises resilience, product-market fit, and product development is gradually shaping pre-seed and seed founders, even as they battle to raise capital. Founders and startups that make it through this particular period will undoubtedly have had to mature in a challenging economic climate. The pre-seed and seed founder class of 2023 will be stronger as a result of their unique experiences. 

    “Over the last few months, we are seeing a lot more startups come with entirely new and better business models as a result of lessons learnt from failed businesses or their own progression. The current market conditions have grounded a lot of founders resulting in a lot more creativity and innovation, with founders being driven to build for sustainability, ”Adelaide Muthang’i, Investment Analyst at Founders Factory Africa, says. 

    Outlook of Africa’s Venture Capital Scene 

    More investors are expected to be cautious with their investments as a result of the SVB collapse. Traditionally, a lot of African startups have looked outside of the continent for funding. According to recent data, foreign venture capitalists account for approximately 77% of venture funding in Africa. This highlights how important it

    is to make domestic investments in the tech sector of Africa. Nonetheless, startups will be able to successfully raise the necessary funding if they have solid business strategies and focus on finding solutions to critical issues. 

    Investors will be cautious as the global economy slows due to inflationary pressures and tighter monetary policies. African entrepreneurs may find it difficult to raise capital due to investors’ cautious approach and their careful evaluation of risks and returns in the current economic environment. 

    In this regard, African businesses need to show strong capital efficiency and attractive value propositions in order to get past funding barriers. Startups need to approach navigating the economic downturn strategically. This demonstrates how important it is to have solid business ideas and address pressing problems in order to attract investors searching for the best possible investment opportunities. 

    Gullit VC’s Managing Director, Hiruy Amanuel, predicts that startups exhibiting strong capital efficiency in the upcoming year will garner the valuations they deserve. A sizeable amount of investment capital is constantly available to pursue the most promising opportunities. “In the current climate, effective capital management is crucial. A startup is at a safe place if it is spending $2 million and generating $2 million in new average revenue run rate. A VC would simply not be interested in taking on an alternative scenario, such as burning $4 million and only making $2 million. For a venture capitalist (VC), bottom-line growth and profitability are far more important during such times.” 

    Since the tech sector has traditionally been highly male-dominated, investors are overwhelmingly male and so are the entrepreneurs. This can be attributed to the fact that the VC industry, having sprung up in Silicon Valley, is still heavily influenced by ‘tech-bro’ culture. But barring a massive, sudden shift, female founders will be up against steep odds for years to come. “If you are a female founder looking to raise venture capital: focus on being super clear about the problem you are solving, execute on a revenue model that has impact baked in and that will generate consistent revenue and lastly, have a clear scale strategy and an end-game,” Kanini Mutooni explains. Networking, especially for female founders, is also crucial. When you actively seek out people who could help you in any phase of your business, you might be surprised at how many people give you the time and resources. Purity Kimani, Investor Relations Manager at Lokal Capital highly

    advocates for this, saying, “While female-led organizations currently receive only 1% of VC funding, it’s vital to address systemic challenges rather than perpetuating stereotypes. Initiatives like the Female Angel Network (F.A.N) by Lokal Capital are actively empowering women to embrace risk-taking and seek funding confidently.” 

    State of VC Funding in Africa in 2024 

    Startups need to figure out the unknowns that will shape 2024. Founders need to ask themselves the tough questions ahead of the incoming year. Beyond funding, most venture capital firms and angel investors want to be involved with startups 

    creating impact. Now more than ever, founders in the growth stage need to meticulously research potential investors before involving them. Additionally, startups should create a strong working capital plan that emphasises higher-margin services and products, renegotiates credit terms with creditors and debtors, and improves inventory control. 

    The continent’s diverse markets provide untapped markets in different industries and as consumer demand for digital services, e-commerce, fintech, and other solutions increases, there is a corresponding demand for startups that can effectively address these local needs, while also having the ability to scale rapidly. 

    About Gullit VC 

    Gullit VC mentors and invests in scaleable early stage African tech startups. For enquiries, please visit their website. 

    Stay connected 

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  • ASEB 2023: Elevating African Startup Ecosystems Through Recognition and Collaboration

    The Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards (ASEB) 2023, a seminal event held at USIU-Africa in Nairobi from December 6-8, 2023, concluded on a high note, celebrating the invaluable contributions of over 200 startup ecosystem builders. These individuals and organizations, selected from a robust pool of more than 2100 nominees, were honored under the auspicious summit theme, “Advancing Ecosystem Building as a Fresh Approach to Africa’s Economic Development,” and the awards theme, “Celebrating Unsung Heroes: Spotlights on Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders.”

    McKevin Ayaba, the visionary Founder of ASEB, an initiative of Setup A Startup, encapsulated the essence of the summit: “ASEB 2023 marked a significant stride in redefining and advancing the role of ecosystem builders in Africa’s economic landscape. We gathered to not only recognize the outstanding contributions of our unsung heroes but also to forge a path forward in ecosystem building as a novel approach to economic development in Africa.”

    The summit featured over 24 speakers from across Africa and beyond, participating in a series of over 12 sessions, including engaging workshops and insightful breakaway sessions. These interactions fostered a deeper understanding of the diverse challenges and opportunities within the African startup ecosystem.

    Highlighting the event’s significance, Ayaba added, “ASEB 2023 was a testament to the power of collaborative efforts in shaping Africa’s economic future. We celebrated those at the forefront of this transformation under our theme of recognizing the unsung heroes who are the bedrock of our startup ecosystems.”

    The event was graced with the presentation of two distinguished awards. The Lifetime Achievement Awards in Innovation & Entrepreneurship were bestowed upon luminaries such as Tomi Davies, Rebecca Enonchong, and Tervern Jaftha, acknowledging their enduring impact on the African startup scene. “Their legacies continue to inspire and lead the way for future generations of African entrepreneurs,” Ayaba noted.

    The Leadership Achievement Awards honored Bernard Chiira and Rym Baouendi for their strategic and forward-thinking contributions to the ecosystem. Ayaba commended their efforts, stating, “Their innovative leadership is instrumental in fostering transformative changes within our startup ecosystems.”

    Tomi Davies, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, shared his thoughts: “Receiving this award is a profound honor. My congratulations go out to all ASEB Summit awardees and participants. Together, we are crafting a robust and impactful startup ecosystem in Africa.”

    Prof. Martin Njoroge, Dean of School of Humanities and Social Sciences at USIU-Africa, reflected on the summit’s synergy with educational goals: “ASEB 2023 aligned perfectly with our strategic focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting the summit’s significant role in job creation and economic empowerment in Africa.”

    In closing, McKevin Ayaba emphasized, “The ASEB Awards stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration, showcasing the resilience, creativity, and visionary spirit crucial for Africa’s economic growth and technological advancement. We eagerly anticipate the continued growth and achievements of the African startup ecosystem.”

    The full list of over 200 startup ecosystem builders recognized at the ASEB 2023 Awards can be found Here.

    Special thanks to all our partners, particularly Brand South Africa, Digital Africa, The United States International University-Africa (USIU) and the Southern Africa Innovation Collective (SAIC), as well as the speakers, attendees, and everyone who contributed to ASEB 2023’s success.

    Looking towards 2024 and beyond, we are looking for country Partners, ambassadors, sponsors, and strategic partners. Reach out to the Founder, McKevin Ayaba, at awards@asebsummit.com or through WhatsApp at +27810859737 for collaboration opportunities and inquiries.

    For more information about ASEB and to stay connected with the African startup ecosystem, please visit https://asebsummit.com/ 

    For media inquiries, please contact Lwazi Nongauza at lwazi@dreamafrika.co.za or +27 74 461 9084

  • Could Meme Moguls (MGLS) 100x Price Prediction Surpass the Market Caps of Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Polkadot (DOT)?

    Shiba Inu and Polkadot are the two top altcoins in the crypto space. Currently, their market caps sit at $5.81 billion and 8.97 billion, respectively. 

    Meanwhile, analysts have forecasted a 100x surge for the DeFi coin price of a ravaging presale project, Meme Moguls. Can this price surge push Meme Mogul’s market cap above those of Shiba Inu and Polkadot? Let us find out.

    Shiba Inu (SHIB) Price Prediction By Top Analyst

    Crypto analyst The Coach XD has provided the Shiba Inu community members with optimism with his recent price forecast. Based on Shiba Inu’s monthly chart, the analyst believes the coin has a low likelihood of experiencing another price drop. 

    He went on to say that the 16th largest token by market cap is gearing for a price increase. He says that SHIB, one of the top altcoins, has hit rock bottom and can no longer go down. However, he believes the Shiba Inu coin will first return to its opening price from last month before making the shift.

    Last month, the opening price of Shiba Inu was around $0.00000829. Shiba Inu coin could drop 12% from its current price of $0.00000943 before beginning its price surge.

    Polkadot (DOT) Staking Rises

    Polkadot (DOT) staking increased in the second week of January 2024. Tony, a famous crypto expert, tweeted about the increase of Polkadot tokens locked in staking.

    Over 719.81 million DOT have been staked at a 14.8% reward rate. Staking wallets have roughly 107k, leading to a staking market cap of more than $4.8 billion. 

    This increase in staking measures shows investors’ optimism about Polkadot’s future prospects. Despite these encouraging staking rates, market opinion towards Polkadot coin has been overwhelmingly negative. 

    According to CoinMarketCap, the Polkadot coin is trading at the $7 region. It has dropped from a 7-day peak of $8.55

    Meme Moguls (MGLS) Eyeing 100x Price Rally

    Analysts have predicted a 100x price surge in Meme Moguls as its presale continues to grow. With this 100x price prediction, Meme Moguls will skyrocket from its current price of $0.0027 to $0.27.

    Given that Meme Moguls’ total number of coins is 3 billion,  this will mean a market cap of $810,000,000. While this is below the market cap of Shiba Inu and Polkadot, it is a major gain for investors who keyed into the cryptocurrency ICO.

    Meme Moguls: The Memecoin Gaming Token

    Meme Moguls (MGLS) is a meme coin and play-to-earn token with real-world worth that is set to transform the defi sector. It is a DeFi project that has gone past the hype of meme coins, offering investors a chance to earn through gaming. Its gaming platform also serves as a resource for learning about investing and growing money. 

    Players start with a virtual $100,000. The goal is to allow them to practise and enhance their investment skills. What improves the experience? Profits from the game’s challenges can be converted into real money. And now comes the big question: will the coins be withdrawn? Yes.

    Furthermore, the cryptocurrency ICO adds a novel guideline to encourage varied investing approaches among participants. It prohibits them from committing more than 20% of their virtual funds to a single investment. 

    This policy encourages players to invest in the game in a more balanced manner. The Meme Moguls DeFI coin price is currently $0.0027, with a potential 100x rise.

    Conclusion

    Although Meme Moguls’ market cap is one zero short of surpassing the market cap of Shiba Inu and Polkadot, the token still has huge potential. Its meme coin and gaming token status make it a top coin to consider. 

    According to forecasts, the Play-to-Earn NFT Games Market will be worth USD 3618.4 million by 2028. This indicates huge potential, and the DeFi project can ride this wave to even greater success.

    Learn more about the $MGLS here:

    Visit Meme Moguls | Join the Community

    Meta Title: Meme Moguls Prepares for a 100x Price Surge, Will It Surpass Shiba Inu and Polkadot

    Meta Description: Discover if Meme Mogul’s market cap can surpass that of Shiba Inu and Polkadot after a 100x surge.

    Keywords: top altcoins, DeFi coin price, cryptocurrency ICO, Shiba Inu (SHIB), Shiba Inu coin, Shiba Inu, SHIB, Polkadot (DOT), DOT, Polkadot coin, Polkadot