In a strategic move to enhance workplace nutrition and cater to the growing demand for healthier meal options in Nigeria, PocketFood.io, the pioneering kitchen-as-a-service platform, has successfully acquired Balance Bowl, a leading digital health and wellness startup.
Nigeria’s bustling urban centers have long grappled with the challenge of providing convenient and nutritious meal solutions for professionals on the go. PocketFood.io emerged as a game-changer by offering personalized meal plans tailored to individual dietary needs, catering specifically to busy office-goers. The platform’s unique proposition allows subscribers to effortlessly select weekly meal plans through a user-friendly mobile app, with the meals promptly delivered to their offices at lunchtime.
To further diversify its meal plan offerings and incorporate health-conscious choices into its repertoire, PocketFood.io has acquired Balance Bowl. Founded by Andrea Kamara Dunbar, Balance Bowl has been a trailblazer in leveraging technology to promote healthier lifestyles among Africans. Having started as a Lunch delivery service in Monrovia, Liberia, The company’s portfolio includes bespoke meal plans that blend exceptional taste with nutritional excellence, virtual consultations with dietitians, curated exercise routines, and access to telemedicine and health insurance. With over 1000 dedicated subscribers, Balance Bowl has demonstrated its commitment to reshaping how Africans approach their health and wellness journeys.
“This acquisition marks a significant milestone for both PocketFood.io and Balance Bowl,” stated Omolara Olarerin, CEO of PocketFood.io. “Our collaboration will allow us to offer an unparalleled range of meal plans, combining convenience and well-being for our subscribers. PocketFood.io’s mission has always been to simplify the lunch experience for Africans, and now, with Balance Bowl’s expertise, we’re poised to elevate workplace nutrition to an entirely new level.”
Andrea Kamara Dunbar, Founder of Balance Bowl, shared her enthusiasm about this strategic partnership, saying, “Balance Bowl’s vision aligns seamlessly with PocketFood.io’s commitment to delivering quality and convenience. By joining forces, we’re able to amplify our impact on promoting healthier lifestyles across Nigeria’s professional landscape. This acquisition provides us with the platform and resources to expand our reach and extend our services to a wider audience.”
As a result of this acquisition, PocketFood.io is not only poised to cater to the culinary needs of the workforce but also to serve the health-conscious community seeking sustainable wellness solutions. The integration of Balance Bowl’s expertise will undoubtedly enhance PocketFood.io’s ability to empower individuals in their pursuit of better health.
About PocketFood.io:
In 2019, 16% of deaths in Nigeria were due to cardiovascular disorders, which were substantially influenced by junk food consumption. One of the most susceptible categories of people are busy, working people who find it difficult to find a healthy work-life balance due to heavy workloads.
Offices often lack cafeterias, causing employees to face fatigue, poor diet, and spend time searching for a healthy, affordable, and sufficient lunch. PocketFood.io, launched in 2022 by Omolara Olarerin, is a revolutionary kitchen-as-a-service platform designed to redefine workplace dining.
With a focus on providing personalized and affordable meal solutions, PocketFood.io offers subscribers a diverse range of meal plans tailored to individual dietary preferences. Through its user-friendly app, customers can effortlessly choose from an array of meal options, which are delivered directly to their workplaces or doorsteps, ensuring a seamless lunch experience.
About Balance Bowl:
Balance Bowl is a digital health and wellness startup founded by Andrea Kamara Dunbar. The company is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to foster healthier lifestyles among Africans. Balance Bowl’s offerings encompass customized meal plans that prioritize both taste and nutrition, virtual consultations with dietitians, curated exercise regimens, and access to telemedicine and health insurance. With a mission to empower individuals to take charge of their well-being, Balance Bowl has gained a dedicated following of over 1000 subscribers.
Founded by Duke Ekezie and his brother Kennedy Ekezie in May 2021, Kippa is a financial management and payments platform for small businesses in Nigeria. In a world overflowing with tech ideas and few viable solutions, Duke Ekezie, co-founder and President of Kippa is concerned with asking the question of “What problems can I solve?”, as opposed to “What solutions can I build?”. This approach to building around existing big enough problems is what has led to the growth and evolution of Kippa from a simple bookkeeping app to an all-round business management and banking solution.
I previously spoke to Duke when he had just assumed the position of President at Kippa and now after one full year of presidential duties, I caught up with him to discuss all things Kippa and how he’s been juggling life while running a fast-growing business.
Let’s take this from the top, how did you get on this journey to becoming Kippa’s president?
My journey as an entrepreneur began during my university years. I spent a lot of my time in the university taking on internships and development projects at a few different companies. In my third year, I worked at KPMG, and I interned at CitiBank, and in my final year, I worked as a Strategy and Marketing Consultant with Tiktok, to help guide their market entry strategy into Nigeria. Towards the end of my final year in 2019 my brother, Kennedy, and I began to have conversations about the type of venture we wanted to pursue. Kennedy led an NGO at the time, called Africave which connected bright young Africans to global professionals who provided strategic mentorship and guidance to these fellows.
…Tell us a little about Africave
The initial concept behind Africave was to train young students, connect them with mentors, and provide them with the resources and skills they needed to advance their careers. Sometime at the end of 2019, we started asking ourselves fundamental questions around what we wanted to spend the rest of our lives doing, and at that point, a lot of our answers revolved around contributing greatly to the human capital development of the continent. Kennedy was already doing that with the NGO, but we knew that the idea could morph into something more grand and better than what it was at that time. At the time, we decided to double down on software engineers and increase their professional potential by connecting them to software companies globally that required engineering talent. We shutdown Africave in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic – a lot of companies were scaling back on hiring, and we lost most of the contracts we had signed.
These previous experiences are very different from what you do now at Kippa. What inspired you to co-found Kippa and venture into the fintech industry in Nigeria?
Kippa’s journey began in 2021. We came across a statistic that stated that approximately 50% of small businesses in Nigeria fail within the first five years of operation, and we immediately knew it was an interesting problem that we could bite on. We were deeply interested in this problem and decided to pick up our bags, and travel extensively across the country knocking on the shops of several merchants, in an effort to get a first hand understanding of the problems these business owners face, and understand the challenges that made this statistic exist from their perspective. One thing they all had in common was that they still relied heavily on manual procedures to manage their various business operations, which was extremely inefficient. One thing that stood out to us was the fact that these businesses still managed their record keeping processes using pen and paper, and we decided to double down on that problem. That was the story of the founding of Kippa.
Fintech is a rapidly growing industry in Nigeria. What sets Kippa apart from other fintech companies in the market and what strategies have you employed to stay competitive?
Compared to other fintech companies in Nigeria, Kippa is strongly user-centred in its operations. Initially, Kippa only offered a bookkeeping service to businesses. It became clear over time that there were a lot more problems that small business owners faced and needed to be solved, so gradually, we introduced other services like payment services, business registration, agency banking, and more recently, insurance. More than 600,000 businesses actively use Kippa in their operations, and I believe that the only reason why they’ve stuck with us is because of the convenience that we provide with our services.
We’ve also adopted several novel approaches to distinguish ourselves from our competitors in the industry. For instance, we are very keen on fostering a sense of community among our users, thus, we adopt an approach that ensures we are easily accessible to our customers via all of our respective customer service channels. Through our blog and newsletter channels, we share tips and useful information that business owners can adequately benefit from.
Duke Ekezie
Let’s come back to talking about you. The last time we spoke, you had just become Kippa’s president, what has changed since then and what is your vision for the future of Kippa?
My motivation, vision, and goals have always been the same; to solve the problems associated with the inefficiency of manual procedures in business operations. They haven’t changed much since the last time I spoke with TechCabal. Being president entails new responsibilities and, of course, new challenges. But, as previously stated, my motivation has not wavered.
For Kippa’s future, we want to be the number one business management tool or software that helps businesses answer their many complex questions and make their processes a lot more efficient. We plan to provide value to business owners by leveraging not only application software but by building community around business education. Businesses face numerous challenges and the future for us is to contribute to the development of a more robust tool that can solve these numerous complex problems one at a time.
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How do you balance the demands of running a successful fintech company with your personal life? What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Of course as an entrepreneur, your work-life balance will suffer, but I try to be as present as I can with family, friends and everyone else I know are important to me. I love connecting with my surroundings and with other people as well, so on some days, I try to go out, hang out, catch up with people, etc.
How do business and brotherhood work? You were one of the first Africans at TikTok together with your brother and now you’re both at Kippa. Does your relationship impact work in any way?
Finding and having a co-founder is a pretty long rollercoaster ride. One of the most important things to consider in a co-founder is having someone whose shoulders you can lean on at all times, and I believe that there is no better person to have as a cofounder than someone who I have spent all my life with. It is easier for us to navigate building the company because our synergy, role-playing, and individual understanding of each other has grown a lot especially in the past few years
What are some of the personal challenges you have faced while leading Kippa, and how have you overcome them? How has your personal growth impacted the growth of the company?
I believe one is a human capital issue, which I suppose any startup founder on the continent can relate to. It is hard to find great talent that will be willing to stay with you long term. Finding and retaining talent is a big one for me. As an influential leader in the fintech sector, what advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who aim to make a significant impact in Africa?
I think that a lot of upcoming entrepreneurs always tend to be too quick to arrive at a solution and spend very little time nibbling on the problem. To be honest, it’s a problem that I also had when starting as an entrepreneur. There’s always the zeal to come up with an incredible solution, which of course is a nice thing to have, but I believe that as an entrepreneur, one should spend more time acclimatising themselves to what the problems are in their immediate environments, and slowly coming up with solutions to them. The first question should be “What problems can I solve?” as opposed to “What solution can I build?”. Find a big enough problem with a large target market, and slowly build solutions for them. Stay close to these customers and ALWAYS LISTEN TO THEM!
You know how they say opposites attract? Well, that’s the perfect way to describe the friendship between myself and Susan, my lifelong ‘Partner-in-Crime’. Susan and I couldn’t be more different in our personalities, and that contrast has remained constant throughout our nearly two-decade friendship.
While I tend to embrace a carefree and spontaneous attitude, Susan is the epitome of a calm, meticulous individual. She has an incredible eye for detail and an innate sense of organization.
Despite our contrasting traits, Susan and I share a common passion for saving money. We often discuss various ways to manage our finances, and our latest challenge was particularly significant – planning and saving for her mother’s upcoming 50th birthday celebration. The family had decided to mark this significant milestone with a special event. However, as much as her siblings were eager to contribute for the occasion, she had the burden of managing these contributions responsibly.
She contemplated revisiting “Ajo”, an age-old communal savings tradition. This local savings method held the promise of a convenient way to pool money for the celebration. However, she knew from experience that the method had its flaws, and fraud was common. Introducing her siblings to an “Ajo” group was risky. If someone went away with their contributions, it could cause conflict between herself and her siblings. She had to find another way.
Susan’s pursuit of a solution led her to Bankly Microfinance Bank. They offered a Group Savings feature on the Bankly app that modernized the traditional “Ajo”. It was like a bridge that connected the communal spirit of saving with the convenience of digital tools. With this feature, Susan could confidently rally her siblings to save towards the upcoming family event.
Bankly’s Group Savings feature is an innovative approach to communal savings that creates transparency and accountability. It combines accessibility, user-friendly interface, and emphasis on transparency to give people like Susan a way out when they need to save for important needs.
The Group Savings feature also offers a competitive annual interest rate of 15% accrued daily, providing an opportunity for steady, continuous growth over time.
That’s not all. Users can set savings schedules, target amounts, and maturity dates for their group savings plan, fostering a sense of financial unity and shared responsibility. To create even more transparency, the Group Savings feature is equipped to provide members with instant notifications for deposits and withdrawals, ensuring everyone stays informed, which helps to give comfort to contributors and build trust within the group.
True to its mission, Bankly Microfinance Bank is dedicated to reshaping the financial landscape and empowering individuals like Susan through product features that cater to everyday financial challenges. They are transforming the notion of savings from a chore, to a lifestyle that helps people achieve personal, family, and business growth.
For more information about the Bankly Group Savings Feature, please click here to watch the demo video, or visit bankly.ng
In a resounding achievement, OPay has surged to the forefront of Nigeria’s fintech realm, securing an esteemed position as the sole Nigerian digital payments platform on CNBC and Statista’s esteemed ranking.
From around the world, encompassing a diverse spectrum of financial applications, CNBC; a global and reputable 24-hour digital television network offering live, global financial market information and programming, and renowned independent market research firm Statista collaborated to curate an extensive list spotlighting companies at the vanguard of crafting innovative, tech-infused financial products and services.
Their collaborative effort yielded a compilation of the top 200 fintech companies, employing a meticulously defined methodology to assess companies’ performance across pivotal indicators, encompassing user volume, transaction volumes, and revenues.
The featured companies were meticulously categorized into nine distinct segments: neo-banking, digital payments, digital assets, digital financial planning, digital wealth management, alternate financing, alternate lending, digital banking solutions, and digital business solutions. The list featured the likes of Paypal, Revolut, WISE, and some of the biggest players in the fintech space globally.
OPay emerged within the digital payments category of this prestigious roster. The escalating demand for seamless digital payment solutions within Nigeria has illuminated OPay’s trajectory, positioning it as a super fast, secure, and reliable platform for all kinds of financial transactions.
This global recognition reaffirms our commitment to transforming the digital payment landscape in Nigeria and beyond,” commented Adekunle Adeyemi, Head of Marketing at OPay.
“It showcases what we set out to do as a company, and what our teams have been working tirelessly to achieve. We are truly proud to be the torchbearer for innovation and convenience in the Nigerian fintech industry, and this achievement further reinforces our dedication, and the resilience of our never-ending customer-centric approach,” he added.
Amidst a period of substantial upheaval in the fintech sphere, scarcity in funding, and a surge in cost-cutting measures, OPay has steered its efforts toward creating bespoke products and services to support and empower customers while providing unique customer experiences.
Raven Bank, renowned as The People’s Bank of Africa, is blazing a trail into the education sector by introducing its groundbreaking initiative, Feather Internet. This pioneering endeavour aims to bridge the digital divide within the Nigerian educational landscape, propelling the nation’s students toward a brighter future.
The official launch event of Feather Internet unfolded at the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University, located in Rumolumeli, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Distinguished guests, school administrators, the Raven Bank team, and the vibrant student community graced this momentous occasion, marking the first stride in a transformative mission to furnish over 400,000 students across Federal and State universities in Nigeria with complimentary, high-speed broadband internet access.
Raven Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Uchenna Nnodim, articulated the genesis of this initiative in his welcoming address. He cited the pressing digital void within Nigeria’s educational domain, coupled with the bank’s relentless commitment to fostering financial literacy amongst the youth, as the reasons for this initiative. Nnodim explained that the Feather Internet initiative embodies its dedication to facilitating students’ access to knowledge, research, and academic advancement.
The inspiration behind the nomenclature “Feather Internet” finds its roots in Raven Bank’s avian mascot. Highlighting the swift and agile nature of the bird’s wings, Nnodim elaborated that this moniker reflects the initiative’s capacity to transcend boundaries and redefine digital engagement.
In illuminating the significance of Feather Internet, Nnodim stated, “It is aimed at giving 400,000 Nigerian students access to free internet on daily bases; this is the maiden launch and just in one location; we intend to extend it to other Universities. The essence is to ensure that students have access to the internet for their academic pursuit, for research and to enable them to have access to any knowledge they have interest in.”
Raven Bank envisions extending its free WIFI service to 26 additional institutions. Current dialogues with school administrators are underway to crystallise these plans. Anticipating substantial progress, the target is to roll out this initiative across these institutions by the second quarter of 2024.
Commending Raven Bank’s exceptional installation efforts at Ignatius Ajuru University, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Okey Okechukwu, lauded the transformative potency of Feather Internet. Addressing attendees, he emphasised the pivotal role that unfettered internet access plays in elevating students’ learning experiences. The internet, Okechukwu noted, facilitates academic enrichment and endows students with life skills that will resonate throughout their academic journey and beyond.
The students’ voices echoed the success of the Feather Internet on the IAUE campus. Friday, Daniel, an ICT unit member, extolled the app’s swiftness and reliability. “As a part of the school’s ICT unit, I’ve had ample opportunities to use the app. It has been a game-changer, especially when the school’s WiFi network faces disruptions. Raven Network has truly emerged as a reliable backup,” he attested. Similarly, Eyo Blessing, a second-year Accounting student, praised the seamless and efficient connectivity of the network.
To join the Raven Bank’s transformative Feather Internet Program and remain updated, follow @theravenbank on all prominent social media platforms.
L-R) Uchenna Nnodim (Raven Bank CEO), Jude Okorharen (Raven Bank CMO), Chidinma Maduwesi (Raven Bank CFO), Great Onomor (Raven Bank Chairman), Micheal Ibitoye (Raven Bank CLO)Professor Okey Onuchukwu – Vice-Chancellor Ignatius Ajuru University of EducationIdisi Benjamin – (Raven POS aggregator), Great Onomor (Raven Bank Chairman), Chidinma Maduwesi (Raven Bank CFO), Dan Dizzy – Perfoming Act, Uchenna Nnodim (Raven Bank CEO), Jude Okorharen (Raven Bank CMO)Headliner Act – DanDizzyUchenna Nnodim (Raven CEO) Chidinma Maduwesi (Raven CFO) Kelechi Godfrey (Educator – The Boardroom)
About Raven Bank
Raven Bank, also known as “RMFB,” is a digital bank offering fast, secure, and reliable financial services to the African population, starting from Nigeria. As the “People’s Bank of Africa,” Raven Bank leads innovation, striving to redefine connectivity and education through the visionary Feather Internet Program. With a steadfast commitment to empowering students and narrowing the digital education gap, Raven Bank envisions a world where technology enriches lives and fuels dreams. Download the Raven Bank app to experience the future of banking.
The inauguration of Nigeria’s emerging President was met with a truckload of controversy. The election triggered numerous Twitter trends, and hashtags, as well as political pundits who had more than 2 cents about the electoral process and outcomes – one of which is the subsidy removal and its effect on the masses, in this case, the youth.
Arguably, one might say that this was expected.
Millions of Nigerians who had banked on their preferred candidates were disappointed in the controversial elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Peter Obi’s decision to run as a presidential candidate for a less controversial party, brought numerous Nigerians together, especially the soro soke generation, to fight for their right to vote in response to the woes of the previous Buhari administration, but to the dismay of most Nigerians Peter Obi lost the election to APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the polls.
For someone to start within six months and get that degree of attention, it’s not him.
These were the words of Donald Duke asserting that Peter Obi is a representation of the aspiration and disappointment of most Nigerians.
But that’s in the past as we must now focus on the present and what the future holds.
The overbearing effects of subsidy removal
On the 29th of May, 2023, at Eagle Square Abuja, what followed after the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the bitter-sweet announcement of the subsidy removal.
Even though the president was only actualizing his immediate predecessor’s plans, the masses have questioned the way the subsidy was removed.
President Tinubu, who tagged the fuel subsidy as anti-poor before his victory at the poll, assured Nigerians that the fuel subsidy would be removed, and in the blink of an eye, the price of petrol skyrocketed from 189 Naira to over 500 Naira per litre.
That declaration by the president was trailed by panic buying and gridlock in petrol stations across the country.
The pump price in Lagos was as high as 700 Naira per litre.
[1]According to a report on Premium Times, when the announcement was made, transport workers doubled the fare the following day to cushion the effect on their business. The price hike was as high as 50%.
That’s not all.
Food inflation also saw a rapid spike the following month, rising to 25% as against the 24,82% recorded in May, due to transport costs and the increased cost of energy expended to produce food.
Will it get better?
With the above effects, it is easy for the average Nigerian to misunderstand the logic behind the subsidy removal and misinterpret it to be a terrible move by the government instead of a solution.
Beyond inflated food prices and the high cost of transportation, about 151 million youths stand to be affected by this snag.
The tiny trust they had in the government and its mantra of renewed hope is fast dwindling by the second, and it is only promoting the erosion of moral boundaries in the youths.
We are already in a cyber fraud (Yahoo Yahoo) pandemic. The average youth is obsessed with money and willing to go to any length to gain financial freedom. [2]Most Nigerian youths are in survival mode, frantic about making it financially—blowing up—and most are eager to japa to seek greener pastures given the migration trend that has rocked the nation lately.
This new development will either fan the bellows of the “get-rich-fast” syndrome or encourage more people to manage money better and discover more creative ways to create wealth besides expecting to blow.
Thankfully, even though there might be a few knock-on effects from the subsidy removal, the creative industry, especially the music industry is booming. And as the industry becomes more lucrative, it becomes increasingly attractive to the youth and poses as an alternative source of income to cushion the current effects of the subsidy removal.
Quite frankly, the pre-election and post-election effects have also raised the interest of more Nigerians, particularly the youths in politics and governance.
My only hope is that this yields an increase in political participation and consequently, strategic policies carried out effectively unlike how the subsidy removal was done.
Subsidy removal – a necessary evil.
Think of the fuel subsidy as the federal government splitting the bill with you when you purchase some petrol at the fuel station.
[3]In 2022 alone, the NNPC spent $10 billion just to subsidise fuel. From this, it is obvious that the exercise is counterproductive and will continue to injure the country’s economy. However, it can be assumed that more could be done to cushion the effect before and after its implementation.
Let the poor breathe.
Temporary relief can come if 50% of the money recovered from the subsidy removal is budgeted to help the teeming youth population endure this trying phase, especially the least educated and the unemployed.
It could be better spent on improving important sectors like healthcare, infrastructure development, and education. Although the positive effect of the removal might take a while to reflect, the earlier we foster this change, the better for us as a nation.
It’s time for us to stop enriching the rich under the guise of subsidy. It’s time to take back our nationand stop running to countries that are seemingly better off because the truth is, the grass isn’t as green on the other side[4].
And if you must japa, do proper research on the country you intend to migrate to. Know the visa requirements, cost of living, ease of finding a job and accommodation, ease of banking, cost of health care and access to insurance, and tax obligations, amongst others.
Above all, there’s no place like home and we must all play our part to ensure its progressive growth.
L-R: Adeshina Adewumi, Founder, Trade Lenda, His Excellency, Mr Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor of Kwara State and Mr Ademola Adedoyin.
Trade Lenda SME Fair is proud to announce that it has partnered with the Kwara State Government and Dr. Toba Oloyede (DTO) Foundation to support the growth and development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the state through sponsorship of 7 promising entrepreneurs, who will be participating in the prestigious Trade Lenda SME Fair in Lagos State.
Scheduled to take place on August 19, the Trade Lenda SME Fair is Nigeria’s largest gathering of SMEs, industry leaders, and government representatives. This sponsorship reflects Kwara State and DTO Foundation’s dedication to empowering local businesses and fostering economic progress in the region.
Both bodies recognize the crucial role played by SMEs in driving economic growth and creating employment opportunities. By sponsoring these 7 exceptional entrepreneurs to participate in the Trade Lenda SME Fair, Kwara State and DTO Foundation aims to provide them with a valuable platform to showcase their innovative products and services.
The Trade Lenda SME Fair offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect with industry experts, potential partners, and a diverse audience of potential customers. By participating in the Trade Lenda SME Fair, sponsored entrepreneurs will gain valuable insights, establish valuable business relationships, and expand their networks.
Attendees can expect to see diverse SMEs with innovative products, as well exclusive discounts on these products.
Registration for Trade Lenda Fair 2023 is still on, and we encourage people to secure their tickets now.
Trade Lenda is a leading digital bank dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Through a comprehensive suite of financial services, including loans, savings and insurance, Trade Lenda aims to drive economic growth, financial independence and create a thriving ecosystem that supports the success of SMEs.
Calling all early-stage startups based in Africa! The 2023 ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator Program is now accepting applications until August 9, 2023. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive up to $120,000 in investment and be a part of this transformative program!
In partnership with ARM Labs, a Lagos-based innovation program, Techstars, the most active pre-seed investor in the world, is thrilled to announce the call for applications for its highly sought-after accelerator program. Following the success of the inaugural program in 2022, this year’s edition will focus on early-stage Africa-based startups.
The three-month, in-person program will be held in Lagos, Nigeria. During the first month, selected startups will receive hands-on training and interact with over 100 Techstars mentors to refine their value proposition. The second month will feature guest speakers, tailored workshops, and one-on-one support to help founders execute and accelerate their businesses. The third month will be dedicated to preparing the startups for fundraising and building crucial investor relationships.
The ARM Labs Techstars Lagos program is Techstars’ only on-ground accelerator in Africa and is supported by key ecosystem leaders in Africa, including Ashim Egunjobi, Partner at Octerra Capital, Tunde Kehinde, Founding member of Jumia and Founder and CEO of Lidya, Olumide Soyombo, Partner at Voltron Capital, Alice Tomdio, Chief Financial Officer of YellowCard, Amandine Lobelle, Chief Operating Officer of Paystack, and Adedeji Olowe, Founder and CEO of Lendsqr.
Founders are encouraged to submit their applications early as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to accelerate your startup’s growth and gain access to a global network of mentors, investors, and partners.
The program will commence on November 13, 2023, and conclude with a Demo Day showcase on February 15, 2024. Last year’s invite-only Demo Day had over 400+ attendees in person, with an additional 2,500+ people streaming the event live on YouTube and LinkedIn.
About Techstars:
Techstars is the most active pre-seed investor in the world, having invested through its accelerators in more than 3,700 companies with a combined market cap of $99 billion. Founded in 2006, Techstars believes that entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Its mission is to invest in an unprecedented number of startups per year, enabling more capital to flow to more entrepreneurs worldwide. Techstars operates accelerator programs and venture capital funds, connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to build thriving startup communities. Learn more at www.techstars.com.
About ARM:
Established in 1994, ARM is a leading investment management firm providing a wide range of wealth management services to a substantial and diversified client base, including corporations, foundations and charities, high net-worth individuals, and small savers. For more details, visit https://www.arm.com.ng/.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Xiaomi has once again raised the bar with its remarkable Redmi Note 12 series. Packed with groundbreaking features, stunning design, and an unbeatable promotion offer, this series is set to redefine your smartphone journey. Let’s dive into the details and discover how you can unlock a world of innovation, style, and value.
Instant Gift: Elevating Your Experience
Xiaomi believes that every smartphone purchase should be an experience worth cherishing. With the purchase of any smartphone from the Redmi Note 12 series, you’ll receive an instant gift that complements your tech-savvy lifestyle. Whether it’s the Neck Bluetooth for immersive audio on the go or the Mini Speaker for portable entertainment, these accessories enhance every facet of your smartphone journey. Imagine enjoying your favorite music or podcasts wirelessly with the Neck Bluetooth or sharing tunes with friends using the Mini Speaker – these gifts are a testament to Xiaomi’s commitment to enhancing your daily interactions with technology.
Introducing Sunrise Gold Elegance
Xiaomi has a keen eye for aesthetics, and that’s reflected in the all-new Sunrise Gold color option for the Redmi Note 12. Radiating a blend of luxury and style, this captivating hue captures the essence of a rising sun, infusing your device with an aura of sophistication. The Sunrise Gold Redmi Note 12 is now available at all authorized Xiaomi stores, giving you the chance to make a bold statement with your smartphone choice.
Exploring the Redmi Note 12 Series
The Redmi Note 12 series isn’t just a collection of smartphones; it’s a diverse range tailored to suit different preferences and demands. Let’s take a closer look at what each model has to offer:
Redmi Note 12: The entry-level gem boasts a 50MP AI triple camera that transforms everyday moments into memories to cherish. The mesmerizing 120Hz AMOLED display offers vivid visuals, while the 5000mAh battery paired with 33W fast charging ensures you stay powered up all day long. The Snapdragon 685 processor ensures seamless performance, making this model an exceptional choice for the budget-conscious user.
Redmi Note 12S: Elevating photography to the next level, the Redmi Note 12S features a remarkable 108MP+8MP+2MP AI triple rear camera system that captures stunning details. The 6.43″ FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay provides an immersive visual experience, while the MediaTek Helio G96 processor guarantees swift multitasking. With 33W fast charging and a 5,000mAh battery, you’ll never run out of power.
Redmi Note 12 Pro: Designed for photography enthusiasts, this model is equipped with a powerful 108MP main camera that captures the world in incredible detail. The 67W Turbo charging ensures you spend less time charging and more time enjoying, while the 6.67″ FHD+ AMOLED Display delivers breathtaking visuals. Powered by the Snapdragon 732G processor, this model is perfect for gaming and multitasking.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G: Pioneering the 5G era, this model combines lightning-fast connectivity with a stunning 200MP camera featuring OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). The 120W HyperCharge technology means you’ll be up and running in no time, while the 120Hz AMOLED display offers an exceptional visual experience. The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor ensures top-tier performance across all tasks.
Pricing and Availability
The Redmi Note 12 series is not just about innovation; it’s about offering value at every level. The pricing of each model reflects this commitment:
Redmi Note 12: Starting from N134,400
Redmi Note 12S: Starting from N178,000
Redmi Note 12 Pro: Starting from N195,000
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G: Starting from N320,000
The Redmi Note 12 series is not just a smartphone series; it’s a promise of excellence, innovation, and personalized experiences. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a gamer, or a multitasking pro, there’s a Redmi Note 12 model tailored to meet your needs. Embrace the future today and dive into a world of innovation with the Redmi Note 12 series.
Have you ever had to spend money you were going to save?
Watching your savings grow comes with many temptations and sometimes the instant gratification from buying something outweighs the common sense desire to save. Zedcrest Wealth has come up with the perfect solution to help with that and redefine the financial awareness process.
The Zedcrest Wealth app comes with three main products; savings, investment, and gamified financial literacy. Gamified financial literacy comes with small perks to aid your journey with money. Whether you want to save towards a trip with your friends, invest in buying a home through a mortgage, or just become more disciplined with your finances, Zedcrest Wealth is making that possible. They believe in the power of fun as an incentive and they’re putting this incentive to work as they teach customers how to work hand in hand with money.
The fun side of money
To work with money better and invest in your future, the Zedcrest Wealth app houses a financial literacy game centre. Think of the game centre as Duolingo but for financial literacy. It is a social investing feature that rewards you with coins for performing certain activities. From when you sign up on the app to when you save, users are rewarded with Zed Coins that convert to discounted rides on ride-hailing platforms and discounted meals on food platforms, and other interesting rewards.
By offering these perks, users are encouraged to learn how to become financially savvy while watching their money grow. The app gamifies the process of investment, saving, and financial literacy in the following ways:
Fun quizzes: On the app, you get to participate in interesting quizzes. Participants receive Zed coin rewards for taking the quizzes. To aid in understanding the quizzes, users can access a plethora of educational articles on the Zedcrest Wealth blog from the app. The app also features educational materials from Stears. By providing best-in-class financial literacy materials and gamifying the process of learning these materials, Zedcrest Wealth is empowering its users to make more informed and better money decisions.
Leaderboard ranking: When you save or invest, you also receive Zed coins which rank you against other users on a global leaderboard. If you and your friends/family have been sleeping on financial goals, now is a great time to make it a little competition, hold yourselves accountable, and see who emerges top of the board every week. The best part is you also earn Zed coins for your friends/family being so disciplined with their finances.
This method of combining fun and money has set Zedcrest Wealth users on a more engaging path to financial fulfilment. They have fun while being encouraged to plan better for their financial future.
There are also other ways for savers and investors to get coins and move up the leaderboard and they are:
Verification of BVN/NIN
Face verification
ID document verification
Deposits: First deposit and subsequent deposits get users points.
Savings: first savings and subsequent savings get users points.
Investment: First investment and subsequent investment give users points.
Taking the Risk Assessment test.
Buddy system
You can invest in your loved ones, keep them accountable, and nudge them to save by inviting them to join you on the Zedcrest Wealth app. You earn 200 Zed coins every time you refer a loved one.
After signing up on the app, you can save together for mortgages, trips, school needs, etc. and experience financial freedom like never before. You can also rack up more coins when the buddies you invite perform some activities like signing up, making their first savings, deposit and investment and their subsequent savings and investments.
About Zedcrest Wealth
Zedcrest Wealth is an SEC-licensed asset management company which seeks to simplify wealth creation for its clientele through technology, innovative and accessible financial products. With the Zedcrest Wealth app, users are given the opportunity to create a better relationship and work hand in hand with their money. Download the Zedcrest Wealth app on Play Store or on the Apple App Store to enjoy the impressive interest rates and start the journey towards financial freedom today.
L-R: Head, Brands and Marketing Communications, Airtel Nigeria, Omobolanle Osotule; Nancy Charles-Egwu; Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja; Morolake Lawal; and Moses Efe Imafidon, at the presentation of cash prizes to the top winners of the ‘Imagine with Airtel’ Competition, on Thursday, 13th July 2023, at Airtel Headquarters, Lagos.
Leading telecommunications provider, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the successful completion of its ‘Imagine with Airtel’, rewarding the top four winners with the sum of N500,000 each, during the prize presentation event which took place at Airtel Nigeria Headquarters, on Thursday, 13th July 2023.
The competition, which ran from 7th to 30th June, recorded a large number of entries from participants across the nation, and at the end, in addition to the top four, six other individuals received prizes received a consolation prize of N100,000 each.
Speaking at the event, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, said that Airtel is pleased to present the winners with cash prizes that will further fuel their creative spirit and encourage them on their journey towards transforming their ideas into reality.
“We are amazed by the incredible creativity and ingenuity that participants showcased during the ‘Imagine with Airtel’ competition. The future belongs to those who dare to dream big, and we are proud to be a catalyst in turning those dreams into reality. We congratulate all the winners and look forward to witnessing their continued success.”
L-R: Head, Brands and Marketing Communcations, Airtel Nigeria; Omobolanle Osotule; Arowosegbe Daniel; Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja; Ruth Olushoga; and Bobby Eze, at the presentation of N100,000 consolation cash prizes to the winners of the ‘Imagine with Airtel’ Competition, on Thursday, 13th July 2023, at Airtel Headquarters, Lagos.
As part of Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to supporting innovation, the ‘Imagine with Airtel’ competition, which followed the launch of the company’s new marketing theme, was aimed at Nigerians from all walks of life. Contestants were required to unleash their creative imagination, present a compelling story, and showcase their effective delivery skills.
Entries were required to be shared with Airtel Nigeria on social media platforms, using the hashtag #ImagineWithAirtel, and winners were selected based on creativity, interesting storytelling, and delivery.
Enquiries:
Femi Adeniran
Director, Corporate Communications & CSR
Airtel Nigeria
adefemi.adeniran@ng.airtel.com
About Airtel Nigeria
Airtel Nigeria is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, a member of the Airtel Africa Plc, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.
Airtel Nigeria offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services.
The Airtel Africa Group aims to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.
Creath has announced its plan to Launch on the Optimism (OP) Mainnet in Q4 of 2023. Optimism, a layer 2 Ethereum protocol, is a low-cost and super-fast blockchain that has caught the attention of several companies and investors worldwide. As of August 2023, Optimism boasts a $2 billion on-chain value, $3 billion in saved gas fees, and $11 million OP tokens distributed to public goods.
Optimism achieves lowered network latency and cheap transactions by combining several transactions and sending them to Ethereum’s Mainnet as one. This combination effectively drops the network traffic and reduces gas fees.
Creath has identified an immense potential for growth on OP Mainnet, and the company plans to leverage it as a solution for application efficiency and improved user accessibility. Some benefits that Creath and its community will enjoy from Optimism are scalability, simple integration, and low costs.
Thanks to the Optimistic Virtual Machine (OVM), transitioning from Ethereum smart contracts to Optimism is seamless. OVM is an iteration of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) that makes it possible to onboard projects on OP Mainnet without having to rewrite existing systems.
Creath aims to introduce its community to the perks of transacting with OP tokens. Creath’s pilot project, Creath Art Marketplace, is currently built on the ERC-20 blockchain. For this reason, USDC, an ERC-20 compatible token, is used with traditional fiat to facilitate transactions on the platform.
However, once the transition to OP Mainnet begins, Creath’s community can enjoy the benefits of transacting with OP tokens, one of which is OP airdrops. So far, Optimism has completed two rounds of OP airdrops, with token holders awaiting a third round.
Creath will release more information about its transition to the Optimism blockchain in the coming months. Follow Creath’s social media pages to stay up to date on its future goals and objectives.
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, has partnered with the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish digital and skill innovation hubs across states in the country, with a target to empower one million youths with digital and other relevant skills.
The initiative, known as FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNovation Hub, was agreed upon during a meeting between representatives of the bank and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to creating more digital jobs for young Nigerians.
Over the years, Wema Bank has been a pioneer in digital transformation within the banking industry, committed to fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and growth.
Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, says the innovative initiative is designed to revolutionize the way young entrepreneurs and employees interact with technology, entrepreneurship, and skill development.
“The Digital & SkillNovation Hub reflects our dedication to fostering a thriving ecosystem that empowers Tech-Savvy Youth Entrepreneurs, Youth Entrepreneurs by Nature, and Young Employees, driving economic growth and sustainable progress across the nation. This centralized platform will integrate cutting-edge digital tools, technologies, and resources to streamline digital activities, collaboration, and information sharing,” adds Oseni.
According to a statement from the office of the Vice President, the Digital & SkillNovation Hub will first open in Lagos and Borno States, with Katsina, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo, and Kano states following suit.
The initiative aims to provide financial solutions, training, and access to strategic partnerships, empowering young employees to become an integral part of Nigeria’s workforce, especially those deployed through the NYSC.
The statement adds that experts will mentor 500,000 SMEs across Nigeria, while coaches will provide training and up skilling for business growth.
Under the scheme, grants will be provided through a collaborative arrangement between the Federal Government and WEMA Bank, allocating N500 million to be given to SMEs and Techpreneurs.
The FGN/ALAT Digital SkillNovation hubs will focus on training one million young adults in software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing, and product design, using specialized resources.
Meta Description: Get the insights of crypto experts into the future price predictions of Stellar (XLM), Cosmos (ATOM), and Pomerdoge (POMD) as the cryptocurrency market trend changes.
Price Prediction – Stellar, Cosmos (ATOM), and Pomderdoge
Investors and traders alike are always on the lookout for valuable insights into the potential future price movements of popular cryptocurrencies. As the trend in the crypto market changes, find out what experts are saying about Stellar (XLM), Cosmos (ATOM), and Pomerdoge (POMD). Which of these three cryptos has the best price projection?
The blockchain platform designed for fast and low-cost cross-border transactions, Stellar (XLM), enjoyed a massive spike in July. The price of Stellar spiked by 91% following the partial victory of Ripple over the SEC.
After a brief retrace and consolidation, crypto experts believe another rally could be in sight. The wave count of Stellar along with its recent price action indicates a potential breakout. Another market rally will see the price of Stellar set a new yearly high.
Now trading at $0.139, the price of Stellar has been projected to increase by 50% and set a new high at $0.209. Analysts of Techopedia have predicted that Stellar could trade as high as $0.24 before the end of 2023.
Price Prediction for Cosmos (ATOM)
The interoperable network, Cosmos (ATOM) did not benefit as much from the Ripple victory. Following its 14% price rise on July 13, the price of Cosmos has been in bearish territory.
Over the last three weeks, the price of ATOM has dropped from $10.25 to now trade at $8.67. However, crypto experts remain bullish about Cosmos despite the SEC’s claims of it being an unregistered security.
Now trading at $8.67, many crypto experts have projected an 80% price rally for Cosmos. If this plays out, the price of Cosmos could reach highs of $15.6 by the end of the year.
As a new project looking to transform the play-to-earn (P2E) gaming space, crypto experts are very bullish about Pomerdoge (POMD). The uniqueness of Pomerdoge stems from the combination of the best components of P2E with the allure of meme coins.
But unlike meme coins fuelled only by hype, Pomerdoge is building one of the most expansive ecosystems in blockchain gaming. The immersive Pomergame stands as the center of attraction for the ecosystem. This new enthralling game will take players on thrilling adventures with their unique avatars, the Pomerdoges.
Also in the ecosystem is the Pomerplace – a unique non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. In Pomerplace, players can purchase custom items for their avatars from Pomerplace, Pomerdoge’s upcoming marketplace. According to crypto experts, this hype could propel Pomerdoge to emerge as one of the primary leaders in the P2E space this year.
The dynamic ecosystem of Pomerdoge has begun building hype. Combining utility with meme coins, crypto experts have called Pomerdoge the meme coin of the year. As a result, projections are very bullish for its utility token. Now trading at $0.007, the price of Pomerdoge has been projected to reach $0.035 by the time of launch.
Find out more about the Pomerdoge (POMD) Presale Today:
The foremost Fiber to the Home Provider, FiberOne Broadband, is thrilled to announce an exciting summer promotion set to elevate the online experience for its customers. As the mercury rises, so does FiberOne’s commitment to delivering lightning-fast internet speeds at unbeatable prices.
During this summer holiday, FiberOne is doubling its broadband speed while ensuring seamless browsing, streaming, and gaming for households across the region and an overall improved experience. With this unbeatable offer, customers can stay connected with friends, family, and the world at blazing speed while enjoying the sunny days of summer.
“We understand the importance of staying connected, especially during Summer holidays when families come together for memorable moments. By doubling our broadband speed and lowering cost, we aim to enrich our customers’ online experiences and make their summer even more enjoyable,” said Adeyinka Isioye, Chief Experience Officer of FiberOne.
“Investing in a strong network provider is more than just a financial decision; it’s an investment in saving you time, preventing productivity losses, and providing a stress-free life,” Patricia Duru, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), said.
Alvena Ode, the Brand Manager, enthusiastically highlighted that the Summer Promo proudly encompasses a range of amazing benefits, promising their customers to double the broadband speed at a fraction of the price, faster downloads, buffer-free streaming, lag-free gaming, and an ideal internet connection for remote work, online classes, and virtual meetups. In addition to these fantastic features, she firmly believes that offering unlimited data usage for unrestricted online activities will further strengthen the brand’s promise to deliver exceptional internet experiences to their valued customers.
FiberOne Broadband is a leading internet service provider known for its cutting-edge technology and commitment to providing lightning-fast, reliable internet to homes and businesses. With a focus on customer satisfaction, FiberOne continually strives to deliver the best online experience to its users, empowering them to stay connected, entertained, and productive.
Join the winning team this Summer: Win With FiberOne.
For more information about FiberOne’s summer promotion, please contact: Phone Number: 07080637600 Or 070FIBERONE.”
In Nigeria, there’s a large community of crypto enthusiasts. However, there are some difficulties in navigating the market – like crypto-to-cash exchanges – or in this case, withdrawing Bitcoin to your bank account in Nigeria.
This challenge has made many Nigerians vulnerable to fraudulent transactions or getting short-changed when converting to Naira.
As the majority deal with these issues, a solution that targets it must be provided. This is why the Breet app was designed as a one-stop platform focused on seamless crypto-to-cash transactions.
Breet App: The Best Way To Directly Withdraw Bitcoin To Your Bank Account In Nigeria
Breet is a crypto exchange platform that offers Bitcoin withdrawals directly to Nigerian bank accounts. The Breet app is built for Nigerians (and Ghanaians) and is optimised for ease, speed, and convenience.
The Breet app is a highly secure exchange platform with state-of-the-art security protocols. There are also various security features such as biometrics, two-factor authentication, and a transaction pin. All of these work to keep unauthorised users out of your app.
In addition, Breet’s interface is intuitive, user-friendly, and straightforward. This allows you to quickly and smoothly navigate the app with no issues.
The Breet app offers the most competitive exchange rate in the market, giving you the best cash equivalent for your Bitcoin. It’s also a great way to beat inflation without losing funds as you swiftly move from digital currency to Naira.
Trading with Breet means you’d never need to worry about being stranded. You can get your cash straight into your bank account in minutes. Transactions are that fast!
Getting onboard the Breet app is super simple —you even get an automatic Bitcoin wallet address generated upon sign-up. Want to see how it’s done? We’re talking about that next.
You get your Bitcoin wallet address automatically generated upon sign-up. Your address is permanent, so you can copy and use it when you want to make a withdrawal.
Your wallet address is generated in two formats:
The QR code, which you can easily scan.
Your wallet address which you can copy or share.
Withdrawing Bitcoin To Your Bank Account in Nigeria
With your Bitcoin wallet address, you receive BTC instantly, which reflects in your wallet in Naira.
Your Naira is immediately available for withdrawal after the blockchain confirmation time. You don’t have to do anything until the confirmation number is reached. After that, your balance is directly deposited into your bank account.
To hasten this, toggle on the Automatic Settlement feature and have your crypto converted to Naira as soon as it hits your wallet.
This is all you need to go from Bitcoin to Naira; it’s super easy!
Security And Risk Management Measures When Selling Bitcoin
Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication: Create complicated passwords that cannot be easily guessed. It’s best not to use personal information such as date of birth, name, phone number, or a loved one’s information. Your two-factor authentication also provides an extra layer of security — so activate that too.
Avoid public networks (e.g. WiFi): Don’t conduct any Bitcoin transactions on an open network, as it makes your device vulnerable to attacks. Your wallet details are sensitive, so keep them as safe as possible.
Stay educated: The Bitcoin market is fast-paced, so keep yourself updated on the best practices and market trends to protect yourself.
Conclusion
Fellow Nigerian Bitcoin enthusiasts, this is all you need to know for a quick and easy Bitcoin-to-Naira exchange. With the Breet app, you can say hello to secure and reliable trading while keeping all the profits for yourself. Now that you’re aware, hurry and make your first Bitcoin-to-Naira trade. You’ll be glad you did!
Femi Aluko, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Chowdeck announced today that Chicken Republic will be integrated into the delivery service’s ecosystem as a new restaurant partner.
Chowdeck, Africa’s fastest growing on-demand online food and grocery delivery service successfully delivers hundreds of thousands of orders monthly, and through this landmark partnership, it will strengthen Chicken Republic’s commitment to providing affordable meals for the everyday Nigerian through its stellar logistic operational capacity, ensuring ease and comfort for customers and the restaurant.
Mr Kofi Abunu, Managing Director of Food Concepts Plc, said “We are greatly impressed by Chowdeck’s rapid industry growth and its well-established reputation for consistently delivering exceptional customer experiences. As a customer-focused brand, it is crucial for us to align with partners who prioritise the customer at the core of their operations, particularly in addressing the last mile challenge. This partnership holds significant importance as we join forces with a proudly Nigerian brand to tackle this issue.”
Customers of Chowdeck can now order from over 90 stores, with more to be onboarded in the following weeks. Chicken Republic’s restaurant outlets span across various cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan. Meals can be purchased and delivered without hassle via the Chowdeck mobile application, available on the Web, App Store and the Google Play Store.
Femi Aluko said “through our partnership with Chicken Republic, we are one step closer to our dream of ensuring that every Nigerian is able to access our service, and enjoy high quality, affordable meals, wherever they are in the country.”
“We are thoroughly excited for the rapid expansion we are set to experience in the next few months, particularly within our newest cities, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. With 90% of all our orders currently delivered under an average of 24 minutes, our logistics operation schematics are resilient, battle tested and trusted. We are confident that the major operational difficulties faced by former delivery partners will be a tale of the past. We are eager to welcome Chicken Republic to its new, technologically advanced and enabled future of logistics. We are keen on adhering to the Chowdeck promise – delivering happiness, one meal at a time”
About Chowdeck
Chowdeck is Africa’s leading on-demand online food and grocery delivery service. With operations spanning across several cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Ibadan, Chowdeck serves thousands of customers monthly, delivering meals, groceries, and medicine with ease, alleviating the burden of long queues and waiting times.
Chowdeck was founded in October 2021 by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf.
Established in 2004, Chicken Republic, a proudly Nigerian brand, is the leading quick-service restaurant chain in West Africa, with over 300 stores spread between Nigeria and Ghana. Chicken Republic is a part of the Food Concepts Plc group, which also includes Pie Express, Nigeria’s leading confectionery chain, and Chopbox, a casual dining restaurant chain serving authentic Nigerian cuisine.
Through this partnership, effective in August 2023, Glovo solidifies its position as the market leader in on demand commerce in Nigeria
Leading multi-category app, Glovo has solidified its position as the market leader in on-demand commerce in Nigeria by entering into a significant partnership with Chicken Republic, the country’s largest QSR brand with over 300 stores nationwide. Effective this August, the strategic alliance elevates Glovo as a key platform for Chicken Republic customers ordering online. The decision came from Chicken Republic’s desire to streamline its partnerships in the space and improve customer satisfaction.
Through this partnership, Glovo aims to enhance the experience for Chicken Republic’s customers ordering online, from point of order to point of delivery, ensuring a more efficient service for customers. Glovo currently operates in 58 Chicken Republic stores across Lagos, Abuja & Ibadan and with this partnership, Glovo will drive customer access and convenience to Chicken Republic, while also expanding its own customer base. Prior to this partnership, Glovo has worked with Chicken Republic since May 2022 and has since then grown exponentially. This move speaks to Glovo’s growth in the Nigerian market and its rise to the leader in the industry in two years of operations in the country.
Speaking on the essence of the partnership, Mr. Kofi Abunu, CEO of Food Concepts explained: “As the leading QSR in Nigeria, it is important to partner with brands like Glovo that share in our vision to deliver excellent customer experiences. We believe Glovo will boost our deliveries and positively impact our business.”
On her part, Lamide Akinola, the General Manager for Glovo Nigeria expressed her satisfaction with the alliance between Glovo and Chicken Republic. She said, “Since our initial collaboration with Chicken Republic in May 2022, we have demonstrated the ability to provide a fast and superior service for their customers. Thus, we are very proud that Chicken Republic, the leading QSR in Nigeria, has recognized our expertise and chosen us.”
The two companies also plan to join forces and extend the partnership to Ghana where Chicken Republic already operates and upcoming openings in other African markets. This is a testament to Glovo’s strong presence in not just Nigeria but the African quick service industry.
Glovo entered the Nigerian market in June 2021 and has rapidly expanded its presence, currently serving customers in Lagos, Abuja, and Ibadan. Its innovative approach, focus on customer excellence and diverse range of on-demand services from local restaurants, supermarkets, and retail stores distinguish Glovo in the industry.
About Glovo
Glovo is a pioneering multi-category app connecting users with businesses, and couriers, offering on-demand services from local restaurants, grocers and supermarkets, and high street retail stores. Glovo’s vision is to give everyone easy access to everything within their city, so that our users can enjoy what they want, when they want, where they want. Founded in 2015 in Barcelona, it operates across 25 countries in Europe, Central Asia and Africa.
About Chicken Republic
Established in 2004, Chicken Republic, a proudly Nigerian brand, is the leading quick-service restaurant chain in West Africa, with over 300 stores spread between Nigeria and Ghana. Chicken Republic is a part of the Food Concepts Plc group, which also includes Pie Express, Nigeria’s leading confectionery chain, and Chopbox, a casual dining restaurant chain serving authentic Nigerian cuisine.
A niche marketing agency, BeachTV, based in Lagos, is returning to the scene with a bigger mandate. Transform the tech industry. Having spent the last four years working to subvert the economy of smaller businesses within three to six months, it now feels supercharged to cater to the tech industry.
At its core, targeted strategy is why BeachTV even started. And because the tech industry is notorious for being subtle with marketing and communications, BeachTV is entering centre stage with clever strategies specialised to upend the modest status quo.
“In the 4 years since we launched, we’ve successfully worked with about 3 tech brands,” stated Afolabi Adams, CEO, BeachTV. “They’ve always favoured subdued but highly cerebral ideas. But also been excited by quirky campaigns. And since our speciality is making the obscure brilliant and enticing, it’s only fitting to go large and subvert the tech industry’s MO of campaign execution.”
With the rebrand, the agency is looking to give the tech industry a boost of over 65% growth marketing in 3 – 6 months. How? By introducing its 2-tier strategy of “Shoot & Switch.” A creative strategy borne out of the lateral thinking of ostensibly introducing a brand, product or service in a predictable marketing fashion, all the while with a crucial subtext that becomes apparent subsequently.
Meaning. BeachTV intends to give tech brands a smarter purchase and outlook: from copies to designs to branding and creative direction. It’s time for the techies to be as creative, as refreshing, as exciting, and as unconventional as the best of the lot.
BeachTV relaunch goes live in July. And with a crazy campaign already in the works for a new tech startup client, the industry is definitely in for a big treat.
L-R: Dapo Awobokun (Startup Partner, Paystack), Idee Obong (CEO & Co-founder, Grey) and Femi Aghedo (Co-founder, Grey)
[Lagos, Nigeria] — Grey, a leading fintech company, recently hosted Clique, an exclusive dinner event at the renowned gastronomic restaurant, Ile-Eros, in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together 16 dynamic startup founders from diverse sectors. The purpose of this intimate gathering was to foster networking, share valuable insights, and empower the next generation of startup founders with knowledge essential for building successful startups.
The Epicurean experience at Ile-Eros was nothing short of exceptional, as guests were treated to an exquisite 4-course culinary delight, complemented by carefully crafted cocktails and fine wines. Adding to the ambience, a talented violinist played renditions of hit songs to the amusement of the guests, setting the stage for an engaging and memorable evening.
The highlight of the event was the presence of the co-founders of Grey, Idee Obong and Femi Aghedo, an inspiring success story in the African startup world. The Co-Founders captivated the audience with their remarkable journey, providing invaluable insights and lessons that every founder needs to know about building a startup.
Idee, shared the key strategies they employed to raise funds successfully, shedding light on Grey’s journey to becoming a part of Y Combinator, one of the world’s most prestigious startup accelerators. In Addition, Femi emphasized the significance of operational efficiency and cost-saving measures, especially for startups. He passionately highlighted the power of strategic partnerships in propelling a startup towards growth and sustainable success.
Adding to the allure of the evening, Dapo Awobokun, the startup partner at Paystack, graced the occasion as a special guest. Dapo’s vast experience and expertise in the fintech industry provided the founders with invaluable insights into the evolving landscape and emerging opportunities for startups.
Furthermore, Dapo addressed the founders, emphasizing the paramount significance of Culture within a startup. “Culture is You. It transcends mere rules and regulations posted at your reception. As founders, you must embody your company’s culture and wholeheartedly embrace its mission” he said.
The dinner gathering served as a unique platform for startup founders to connect with like-minded peers from different sectors, fostering cross-industry collaborations and the exchange of innovative ideas. The atmosphere was filled with inspiration and a shared commitment to shaping a brighter future through entrepreneurship.
“Grey firmly believes in empowering startups to reach their full potential,” said Idee Obong, Co-founder of Grey. “This exclusive dinner event provided a perfect opportunity for us to share knowledge and experiences on building a successful startup. We are committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting aspiring founders as they embark on their transformative journeys.”
The event left an indelible impression on the startup community, uniting aspiring founders and industry leaders in a shared pursuit of excellence and innovation.
About Grey
Grey is simplifying sending and receiving foreign payments for freelancers, remote workers and businesses. Founded in mid-2020 by Idorenyin Obong and Femi Aghedo, Grey is the easiest way to send and receive international payments without restrictions. With a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada & FinCEN in the USA, Grey has made it possible for people to send money across borders quickly.
When it comes to money and overspending, I know that I am the king of boys. From unapologetic billings to unprepared money requests and black tax, I find doing financial analysis overwhelming. So on a normal day, I just avoid the stress and heartbreak, and look away until Sapa comes knocking. But now, my gomoney app is forcing me to come to terms with reality and do better with my money.
The truth is, I wasn’t even surprised when the goReview called me a goSleeper, because it really revealed my true money colors. This is something I have been struggling to come to terms with, and as a result, I have decided to be more intentional because there is no hiding from my gomoney app.
I would call this upgrade a first-of-its-kind innovation in Nigeria because how come no bank or financial institution has ever thought of this ? Think about it, sometimes we have to beg and fight our banks to get accurate statements but gomoney is coming through with insightful details and categorizations for money management.
Basically, the goReview categorizes people into four distinct personas: goStasher, goStarter, goSleeper, and goGetter, each representing different spending and saving styles. It is almost like an exclusive club with different sitting sections if you think about it.
Here’s what I mean.
The goStasher persona mirrors users who focus on saving money with the goStash feature, while goStarter merely performs transfers without exploring other app features. A goSleeper is a gomoney user missing out on deserving bank benefits while the goGetter embraces multiple gomoney app features, striving for excellence and accomplishing more. You probably already know where you want to be.
I also noticed that gomoney not only gives half-year reports, it also provides detailed expense tracking and categorization, granting users access to in-depth reports and analytics. Even more interesting is the fact that at the end of the year, you get to see a full report of your money moves on the gomoney app. So yes, maybe it’s worth the hype.
To access the half-year report before it wraps up, you only need to update your gomoney app to the latest version, available on both iOS and Android platforms. If you don’t have the app, now might just be the best time to install it, create an account, and start stashing, or should I say start goGetting.
In a significant career move, Fela Bank-Olemoh, renowned for his impactful work in the education sector, has assumed new roles as Team Lead at Knit Technologies Ltd and FBO Training & Research Centre. This transition marks a shift in the career of the accomplished individual, whose dedication to human capacity development has earned him widespread recognition.
Bank-Olemoh’s journey in the IT industry began in October 1998 when he kicked off his career as a graduate trainee at SystemSpecs Limited, a foremost financial technology and human resources solutions provider. In his time there, he made significant strides in the company, climbing the ranks to ultimately hold the position of Senior Manager (International Sales). In 2003, he resigned from SystemSpecs Ltd. and co-founded MediaVision Ltd. He led the company as the Chief Executive Officer until 2015 when he was appointed Special Adviser on Education to the Governor of Lagos State.
During his tenure (2015 to 2019), he spearheaded the implementation of several human capacity development initiatives including award winning initiatives like ReadySetWork (RSW), CodeLagos, and Eko Nke Koo (Lagos is Learning). These programs empowered and equipped Lagosians with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
His excellent contributions at the state level led to his appointment as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President of Nigeria on Education Interventions in September 2019. In this capacity, he facilitated the implementation of Project TMax (TVET Maximisation), a Federal Government funded skill acquisition programme that equipped some 15,000 participants across 7 states with skills for economic sustainability.
He also played a crucial part in facilitating the implementation of Generation Unlimited Nigeria, a United Nations endorsed intervention with the ambitious goal of reaching 20 million young Nigerians aged 10–24 years by 2030 with education, skills training, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support and empowerment.
As Team Lead at Knit Technologies Ltd, Bank-Olemoh takes charge of an innovative event management mobile application, ‘KNIT’, which is set to launch in October 2023. The app combines event management with key elements of social networking, giving users the ability to create, connect, interact with people and events based on their interests and location. It is looking to redefine the landscape of event management in Nigeria, Africa & indeed the World in the coming years.
In addition, Bank-Olemoh will manage the operations of FBO Training & Research Centre, an organization focused on capacity building and training in Nigeria and Africa, especially for young people.
As Fela Bank-Olemoh embarks on what he calls a “New Chapter”, his track record of transformative educational initiatives and a passion for fostering connections and learning underscore the potential for continued impact in both the private and public sectors. We look forward to following his journey.
Lagos, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is preparing for an exciting event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The Tech Founders’ Summit, hosted by Lagos Business School, will take place on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Lagos Business School Campus, Ajah, Lagos. The event will be exploring technology, innovation, access to finance, and entrepreneurship in Africa.
With the overarching theme of “Building the Future: Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship,” the Tech Founders Summit aims to bring together industry-leading entrepreneurs, innovators, tech-investors, and industry thought leaders to share their experiences, insights, exchange ideas, and discuss the future of technology and entrepreneurship in Africa. Register here https://bit.ly/tech-founders-summit
The event offers engaging insights, panel discussions on captivating topics, and an exhibition expo. It benefits attendees with insights, strategies, and networking opportunities. Tech entrepreneurs, investors, industry professionals, government officials, policymakers, tech enthusiasts and thought leaders will gather to discuss, network, and contribute to the advancement of the Nigerian tech ecosystem. This event will headline notable industry practitioners as speakers such as Dr Ola Brown, Founder and CEO, HealthCap Africa; Mr Oswald Guobadia, immediate past Senior SA to the President on Digital Transformation, widely known for championing the now Nigeria Startup Act; Dr Bosun Tijani; Mr Adebayo Adedeji, Group CEO, WakaNow and many other industry leaders.
For an opportunity to exhibit your products and services, please click the link below https://bit.ly/EXHIBITATLBS call 07019900749 for more information.
Prembly, a front-runner in compliance and security infrastructure for emerging markets has announced its acquisition of Tunnel, an innovative company driving legitimate data sharing across businesses. This integration enhances Prembly’s security suite and expands financial services, enabling robust identity verification through comprehensive financial data integration.
The data infrastructure and analytics company, Tunnel, has established itself as a trusted partner in the credit and identity industry by connecting lenders to high-quality data and sustainable technology. Its pioneering fintech product, PhoneCash, also helps customers send money as quickly as possible. The integration of Tunnel’s services provides businesses with a powerful tool to scale, enabling access to real-time customer information from multiple sources through a single API.
Recognizing the importance of financial data as a crucial component of identity verification, Prembly has strategically chosen to merge Tunnel into its existing identity verification solutions. “We understand the unique challenges faced across the markets and we are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Tunnel. This aligns with Prembly’s core mission to protect and enable businesses to thrive by providing robust compliance and security infrastructure.”, says Lanre Ogungbe, CEO Prembly.
Tunnel was founded with the mission to facilitate regulated data access, usage, and sharing among providers, providing customers with access to multiple streams of financial solutions. Tobi Okedeji, the co-founder & CEO of Tunnel, expressed his pride in joining forces with Prembly, emphasizing the integration of their solutions into an extensive compliance and security network. This strategic acquisition drives empowerment for businesses, delivering actionable customer information and valuable insights.
This makes a significant difference in Prembly’s operations, creating an ecosystem poised to improve data sharing and mitigate risks with customer verification. It represents a milestone in the company’s growth and reinforces a strong dedication to fostering strategic collaborations and partnerships to expand service offerings.
About Prembly:
Prembly is a compliance and security infrastructure company, innovating crucial infrastructure needed to enhance digital integration across Africa. Leading the way in identity verification, fraud prevention/detection, and background checks, Prembly enables businesses in over 40 African countries to transact with trust and companies seeking to enter African markets to do so securely.
About Tunnel:
Tunnel (Usetunnel Limited) is founded by Tobi Okedeji, Yusuf Badmos, and Lanre Ibraheem. It is a data analytics and infrastructure company focused on empowering legitimate data sharing across businesses. With its expertise in connecting multiple data lending services and powering financial data, Tunnel has become a trusted partner in the financial service industry.
OctaFX turns 12. Here are some of the company’s most significant achievements of the past year, along with an overview of its global approach to brokerage services and social responsibility practices.
The international broker OctaFX is celebrating its 12th anniversary this week. This marks a remarkable milestone in the company’s journey of providing commission-free access to investing in the financial markets.
Since its inception, OctaFX has been empowering traders across the globe to achieve their financial goals. Through its cutting-edge technological solutions, advanced analytics, and unparalleled educational efforts, the company has transformed the way retail traders navigate the global financial landscape.
Last year was marked by the launch of OctaFX’s own trading platform, OctaTrader. It aims to integrate everything a trader needs into one seamless system where expert analytics, deposits and withdrawals, and profile management options are all at hand. The platform allows users to trade without any extra logins or app switches, helping them save time, which is especially important in the fast-paced financial markets.
OctaFX’s educational endeavours resulted in reaching one million subscribers on YouTube, where the broker publishes over 700 webinars, tutorials, and live trading sessions yearly. The company’s educational content comes in eight formats in six languages, which allows it to reach a significantly wider audience.
The broker’s industry-wide significance manifests itself clearly: clients from 180 countries have opened more than 42 million accounts with OctaFX over the 12 years of its existence. The broker has processed 2.2 billion orders and paid out 33 million USD in bonuses, helping first-time investors begin their financial journey.
In addition to its achievements in the financial domain, OctaFX is deeply dedicated to making a positive impact beyond business. The company’s social responsibility activities span continents, focusing on education and disaster relief efforts. In the past year, OctaFX carried out 22 humanitarian initiatives in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Mexico. Those projects helped over 4,500 students and 50 teachers from 99 schools, as well as more than 3,200 families in emergency situations.
‘On this special occasion, we would like to thank our clients and partners for their trust and unending support over the years. It’s due to them that we are able to drive change in the Forex industry and provide access to the financial markets to people from all over the world,’ the OctaFX press office commented.
To mark its twelfth anniversary, OctaFX will increase the available leverage and reduce the spreads by 15% on select financial instruments, including major currency pairs, gold, and cryptocurrencies. The details of the offer are available on the broker’s site.
OctaFX is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services already utilised by clients from 180 countries with more than 42 million trading accounts. Free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools they provide help clients reach their investment goals.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
OctaFX has also won more than 60 awards since its foundation, including the ‘Best Online Broker Global 2022’ award from World Business Outlook and the ‘Best Global Broker Asia 2022’ award from International Business Magazine.
According to research, Nigerian accounting practices are still developing in relation to digitization. When conducting audit procedures, the bulk of audit practices in Nigeria still mainly rely on manual techniques.
Accounting offers financial data on a company or a nonprofit organization. For decision-making, owners, managers, investors, and other interested parties require financial information.
With the fast-growing rate of startups and small businesses rising in Nigeria and Africa at large, most of these business owners ignore the accounting aspect of their business at the early stage while putting more focus on their product development, sales and raising capital or grants. Whereas, the failure of many startups and small businesses has been traced to poor financial management and inefficient unit economics.
The assumption has always been that digital accounting and bookkeeping are needed more by micro-small enterprises whereas the need is higher in small-medium enterprises whose growth and decision-making are being slowed down due to the heavy volume of manual processes taking place in the finance and accounting departments.
Tyms Africa is helping African businesses manage their accounts payable and accounts receivable, along with their bookkeeping and general accounting activities through her Tyms Book product. Tyms Book’s all-in-one business financial management suite will make it possible for the CFO or Finance Manager to put the accounting department on auto-pilot, making it possible for the financial book to be closed faster, with real-time reporting and quicker decision-making that impact the organization’s growth and profitability.
Founded in late 2021 by Ibrahim Adepoju, a seasoned software engineer and Chineye Ochem a chartered accountant. Both founders have extensive experience in information technology and financial accounting with experience working and consulting for organizations like PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwC), Sterling Assets Management and Trustees Limited, PagaTech Limited and a few others.
Tyms Africa, alongside its software as a service, also connects business owners who do not have a finance team with financial advisors and experts who leverage Tyms Book to help the business prepare their financial books, file taxes and get recommendations needed to improve their business performance.
Small business owners, accountants, bookkeepers and CFOs can use Tyms Book to power the following:
Quote generation and internal approvals.
Invoice generation and payment collection with direct integration with notable payment gateways in Africa such as Paystack and Flutterwave.
Recurring invoicing to customers, automatic payment collection, reminders, notifications and automatic receipt generation for customers.
Customer management portal and direct communication channel for negotiations and document signing.
Vendor purchase orders and bills or invoice management with real-time communication and negotiation channels.
Vendors’ automatic and scheduled bill payments.
Team expense claims and reimbursement with structured approval workflows.
Company budget preparation, approvals, tracking and forecasting.
Fixed assets management with real-time depreciation reporting and other computations.
Project management is associated with all organizational financial activities.
Real-time financial reports preparation such as balance sheets, trial balances, income statements, management reports and a lot more.
Bank reconciliation, transaction categorization and automated bookkeeping based on prepared bank rules.
Tax filing via a network of advisors and experts.
Integration marketplace for apps or startups in human resources, e-commerce, logistics, travels, insurance, payments, communication, lending and accounting industry. To help the finance unit sync with transactions in real time.
Tyms Africa, asides from having a product with top-notched quality and user experience, remains the most affordable and robust accounting system helping African businesses to cut-cost while streamlining their financial operations.
Tyms Africa has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in pre-seed investment from notable local and international investors such as Tekedia Capital, Hoaq, SGGrow (Singapore), Azarel and angels like Hiro Mashita, Honda Yuzuru (CEO of Freakout Holdings Inc. Singapore) with a few other family and friends. The team has also participated in Seedstars and Google for Startup non-equity support programs.
Tyms Africa offers attractive recurring revenue sharing to partners such as accounting firms, consultants, sales teams and industry experts when they introduce other businesses to use Tyms Book. Interested parties can reach Tyms Africa via partnership@tyms.africa. Also, the Tyms Africa integration marketplace is open to cross-selling and integration partnership with other digital platforms in the area of human resources, e-commerce, logistics, travels, insurance, payments, communication, lending and accounting. Interested parties can also reach Tyms Africa via partnership@tyms.africa.
Trade Lenda Fair, Nigeria’s premier SME gathering, is thrilled to announce the participation of two distinguished leaders as guest speakers for the upcoming event. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mr. Kayode Alabi, will share their insights and expertise at the highly anticipated Trade Lenda Fair.
Scheduled to take place on August 19 at Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, the Trade Lenda Fair aims to empower and connect Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) while fostering economic growth and innovation across Nigeria.
“We are humbled and privileged to have former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Deputy Governor Kayode as our esteemed guest speakers at the Trade Lenda Fair. Their participation highlights the significance of this event in driving economic development and empowering SMEs across Nigeria,” said Oyindamola Olaniyan, Acting COO at Trade Lenda.
The Trade Lenda SME Fair will also feature experts, thought leaders across the SME industry and successful entrepreneurs.
Attendees can expect to see a dynamic lineup of engaging speaker and panel sessions, masterclasses, pitch competition, networking opportunities, an exhibition showcasing innovative products and even an after party! In addition, they also get free products and exclusive discounts on products.
Registration for Trade Lenda Fair 2023 is still open, and we encourage people to secure their FREE tickets as spaces are limited.
Trade Lenda SME Fair is proudly sponsored by Redcloud, Eazipay Providus Bank, Paystack and supported by Kwara State, LSETF, Lagos Business School, Money Africa, Changera, TechPoint, Tech Cabal, Tech Economy and Tech Next!
About Trade Lenda
Trade Lenda is a leading digital bank dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Through a comprehensive suite of financial services, including loans, savings and insurance, Trade Lenda aims to drive economic growth, financial independence and create a thriving ecosystem that supports the success of SMEs.
(L-R: Busayo Abidakun, Olakunle Olalere, Kemi Ajumobi, Rabie Jarmakani, Cynthia Harb, and Cassandra Nnadi)
On Friday, July 14, CloudPro hosted an event at the Landmark event centre in Lagos themed the Digital Transformation Journey: Vol 1. Cloudpro is a systems integrator and leading provider of cloud hosting services. This pioneering tech event was put together to help companies and individuals optimise their journey to pivoting to digital/tech solutions.
With the current structure of the world, everything involves technology. Many companies are going through digital transformations and creating tech-centred solutions. With internet penetration and mobile technology increasing, businesses that do not apply a tech-oriented focus will be left behind in the coming years. This tech event gathered various industry leaders who work in tech solutions and businesses who have championed tech solutions to come together and offer expert opinions, advice and presentations to start a digital transformation journey.
Event highlights
The event, anchored by the astute media veteran, Kemi Ajumobi, Associate Editor at BusinessDay, also saw five panellists from various industries offering industry knowledge on the digital transformation journey.
(L-R: Adetayo Bamiduro, Oluwatosin Ilesanmi, Cynthia Harb, Kemi Ajumobi Paul Onwuanibe, Rabie Jarmakani, Adetunji Lamidi, and Oluleke Olatunji)
Panellists at the event included:
Paul Onwuanibe, CEO of Landmark Africa group. Onwuanibe is the founder of Landmark and he has 30 years of experience in designing and executing projects in Africa, North America, and Europe.
Adetunji Lamidi, MD/CEO of FCMB Microfinance Limited. Lamidi has an extensive career spanning 20+ years in commercial trading, telecoms and banking.
Oluleke Olatunji, Chief Information Security Officer at FSDH Merchant Bank. Olatunji is a security expert with experience in risk management, application and network security assessment, cloud security, and data privacy.
Oluwatosin Ilesanmi, MD/CEO at Nobleserve Finance Company Limited. Ilesanmi has over a decade of experience in Business Development, and treasury and fund’s management.
Adetayo Bamiduro, co-founder of Metro Africa Xpress Inc (MAX). Bamiduro is a globally recognised leader in the technology entrepreneurship industry. He has made great contributions to the field of mobility in Africa.
This panel of industry leaders discussed everything you need to know about starting a digital journey for businesses including the challenges that come with this journey and solutions that they have implemented in their various positions of leadership. There were presentations from partners of the event highlighting various 360 services to help businesses begin their digital journey and also tools to manage and safeguard these processes.
Internet Solutions Nigeria (ISN), the leading provider of comprehensive IT solutions for businesses, opened the presentations with a session on the services they provide. ISN offers connectivity solutions and managed IT services which includes outsourcing your IT needs to ISN and its team of world-class engineers.
(Gloria Iriogbe, Head of Sales at ISN leads the audience through the suite of ISN solutions to optimise their business)
Cynthia Harb, CEO of ISN, receives the award for “Digital Transformation Champion” from CloudPro for her outstanding work in helping businesses transform their processes and services through digital technology.
Sophos, represented by Jimi Falaiye, Territory Manager for West Africa at Sophos, presented solutions for cyber security and managed detection and response (MDR).
Sophos is a cybersecurity company that provides hardware and software security solutions for organisations globally.
Microsoft partner, Cloudmania delivered the final presentation at the event covering important cloud services and other managed solutions they provide.
Oladele Adedoyin of Partner Development Manager Nigeria, Middle East, and West Africa at Liquid Intelligent Technologies takes the audience through the services they offer.
The event ended on a high note with a vote of thanks from Cassandra Nnadi, Head of Commercials at CloudPro urging the audience to take advantage of the lessons learned and the solutions provided to begin their digital transformation journey.
Nigerian edtech startup, LearnlyApp Edtech, has launched a gamified learning platform to upskill african youths to tackle education and skill shortage in the continent
Nigerian edtech startup, LearnlyApp Edtech, has launched a mobile-first gamified skill development platform with recurring bootcamps, workshops along with mentorship to upskill Africans through individual and corporate training tackling pain points that exist in the continent which include high poverty levels (above 40%), high unemployment rate because the traditional education is outdated for the workplace and a high demand of competent technology talents globally.
Led by Ibiyemi Pedro ( the Founder and CEO ), LearnlyApp is creating a community for learning and job placement for talents to upskill African youths to tackle education and skill shortage in the continent, not only transforming individual lives but also contributing to the economic growth and development of the continent.
LearnlyApp (https://learnlyapp.io/) is gamified to make learning engaging for improved learning outcome for african youths and also provides long-term personalized learning support for talents within organizations to keep talents relevant, and the idea to be mobile-first helps to penetrate a larger market with the fast rising smartphone adoption in the continent. The mobile app with quizzes, challenges and numerous learning resources is available for both android and ios user on the app stores
LearnlyApp Edtech started out in September 2022, with an MVP mobile app, got about 150 users on the platform, then in January 2023 held the first bootcamp for its users by which the users grew to 600 by March 2023. The official launch was in Lagos, Nigeria on the 22nd of July, 2023, with a bootcamp, and the skill platform providing talent for some of the partners including Ideation Hub Africa with over 25,000 change makers, TechBeaver, Technify incubator and other partners looking for skilled talents, and as of end of July 2023 LearnlyApp has gained 1250+ users on the app and learning communities and have placed 35 people in organizations, and made significant revenue. LearnlyApp will start from Nigeria which has a large market of over 40 million and will look to expand to other countries, which is essential for a continent that has over 450 million youths and can be considered the workforce of now and the future.
Social commerce is on the rise in Nigeria. According to a report, the social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, with a projected CAGR of 71.3% during 2022-2028. The social commerce GMV in Nigeria will increase from US$1billion in 2022 to reach US$23billion by 2028.
Several startups have sprung up over the past few years to harp on these growth but none have been able to answer the most pressing challenge bedevilling the social commerce space in Nigeria; fraud and lack of trust.
Vendorstack, a cutting-edge social commerce solution, emerges as the answer to Nigeria’s online fraud and trust challenges. Designed to establish a central order system, this platform assures businesses a secure and reliable way to sell their products online through escrow service.
With an array of user-friendly features such as a secure payment gateway, intuitive interface, and robust store management tools, Vendorstack is set to revolutionize the online selling landscape in Nigeria. Say goodbye to e-commerce obstacles and embrace a seamless and trustworthy selling experience with Vendorstack.
Nigeria has over 92 million social media users, the highest in Africa. Nigeria also records the highest number of minutes spent on social media compared to any other part of the world. All these portends to a very positive sign for the social commerce landscape in Nigeria, one in which Vendorstack is ready to harness.
Vendorstack offers businesses a range of features that make it easy for them to sell their products online for free. Some of these features include a secure payment gateway, a free storefront, in-store analytics, chat, unlimited products, real time order notifications.
Vendorstack’s co-founders, Ifeoluwa King and Olanipekun Kazeem, reassures businesses that they can sell products online without fear of scams. The platform’s focus on protecting its users and providing essential tools for online success has earned them trust in the e-commerce landscape. With an ongoing dedication to improving its services, Vendorstack stands as a reliable and supportive partner for businesses in today’s online space.
Vendorstack stands as a game-changing force in the Nigerian e-commerce landscape, addressing crucial issues like online fraud and lack of trust. By providing vendors with an intuitive interface, access to a large audience and a range of powerful tools, Vendorstack empowers businesses to flourish and thrive in the digital realm. As we embark on this transformative journey together, let Vendorstack be the catalyst for growth, forging a new era of trustworthy and prosperous social commerce in Nigeria. Join us today and unlock the full potential of your online business with Vendorstack!
YAKILI is an e-learning platform that provides curriculum based and animated video lessons for primary, secondary and high schools in French and English sub-sections of education in sub- saharan Africa.
The fast-paced advancement of technology highlights the need for sustainable digital education. Cameroon being the only African bilingual country in its position, nationally covers both french and english curriculum. French (BPC, Probatoire and Baccalaureat) and English General Certificate of Education ( G.C.E) Ordinary and Advanced Levels.
The Cameroonian EdTech startup YAKILI’s vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (4) which aims to promote quality and inclusive education, and this through the development and advancement of an inclusive digital educative platform.
Also, furthering this milestone will be the launching of YBC- YAKILI BURSARY CONTEST on the 15th of July – 30th of August 2023. This will be a fun learning game, to quiz and win for all successful candidates from primary, secondary and high schools in Cameroon.
In the heart of Africa lies Nigeria, a nation renowned for its vast oil and gas reserves and ranking as the fifteenth largest oil producer worldwide. For decades, the Nigerian oil and gas sector has been the cornerstone of the country’s economy, fueling employment, revenues, growth, and development. Since the discovery of crude oil in the 1950s, the nation’s oil and gas industry has experienced a transformative journey, rapidly emerging as a significant player in the global oil market.
In search for cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy, Nigeria’s natural gas reserves have become increasingly vital, leading to significant investments in infrastructure and exploration. This growth has not only fueled the Nigerian economy but has also enhanced the nation’s position as a regional energy powerhouse.
However, despite the sector’s achievements, it has faced numerous challenges that hinder the realization of its full potential. Issues such as, data/cybersecurity concerns, unreliable data management systems leading to loss of data for decision making, situational analysis and reporting amidst others, have plagued the industry and hindered growth, therefore, hampering Nigeria’s quest for energy sustainability in line with its Sustainable Development Goals.
Against this backdrop, Interswitch Group, Africa’s integrated payments and digital commerce company has partnered Stratus Technologies, a global technology solutions provider to spur transformation in the energy sector through the introduction of a range of cutting-edge solutions.
These were unveiled at the 2023 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week tagged ‘Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Energy Future’, where industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders discussed the future of the country’s energy sector.
This partnership signifies a commitment to leverage technology in driving sustainable growth and creating a resilient energy future for Nigeria. Interswitch Group, renowned for its expertise in digital solutions, brings a wealth of experience and technological prowess to the table. By utilizing its vast network and digital infrastructure, it aims, in partnership with Stratus Technologies, to digitally transform operations to drive predictable, peak performance with minimal risk, by ensuring continuous availability of business-critical applications like the zero-touch Edge Computing platforms that are simple to deploy and maintain, protected from interruptions and threats, and autonomous within the sector.
Stratus Technologies, a global leader in simple, protected, and autonomous Edge Computingplatforms will be contributing its expertise in optimizing complex operations to complement Interswitch Group’s strengths.
This collaboration between Interswitch Group and their distributor partner Stratus Technologies holds immense potential for the revolutionization of Nigeria’s energy sector. By combining their strengths, both organizations aspire to unlock new opportunities, foster innovation, and address the pressing challenges that hinder progress. Their joint efforts will focus on enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting environmentally friendly practices by harnessing digital technologies, data analytics, and automations to minimize wastage, and ensure sustainable resource management.
‘’We are thrilled to join forces with Stratus Technologies. said Jonah Adams, MD, Digital Infrastructure & Managed Services (Interswitch Systegra). “Through this partnership, we aim to leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and industrial automation, to enhance asset integrity, optimize production processes, and minimize downtime through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, and ultimately create a more reliable, secure, and environmentally responsible energy landscape. Together with Stratus Technologies, we are confident that our collaborative efforts will drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and pave the way for a brighter, more resilient energy future for Nigeria.”
Speaking about the partnership, Pieter van der Merwen, Regional Manager Sales and Business Development Africa and the Middle East, Stratus Technologies expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The collaboration with Interswitch Group has been an extraordinary experience. By integrating our fault-tolerant edge computing platforms with Interswitch’s technological prowess, we are empowering organizations in the Nigerian oil and gas industry with unparalleled capabilities for real-time data processing, advanced analytics, and simulation. We take great pride in being a part of this transformative journey, facilitating improved efficiency, predictive maintenance, and cost optimization within the sector.”
These improvements will not only streamline operations but also contribute to increasing Nigeria’s environmental footprint and foster a greener, more sustainable future, bridging the gap between traditional oil and gas operations and modern digital technologies. In the long run, these efforts are expected to transform Nigeria’s oil and gas industry into a driver of sustainable economic growth and a beacon of energy efficiency for the African continent and beyond.
xFusion a global leader in technological advancements, recently hosted its highly anticipated Partner Summit in Lagos Nigeria, bringing together over a 100 attendees of industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries from around Nigeria. The event showcased xFusion’s commitment to collaboration and highlighted the latest breakthroughs in technology that will shape the future.
The xFusion Partner Summit served as a unique platform for partners and attendees to connect and explore potential collaborations. The event drew an impressive lineup of distinguished guests, including prominent CEOs, industry experts, and influential thought leaders. With the theme “Fusion leads Evolution,” the Summit aimed to foster an environment of knowledge sharing and collective growth.
The summit commenced with an inspiring welcome speech by Sunil Zarekar, Cluster Head- West, East, North and French Africa Redington Group who expressed his gratitude to all the guest for their presence, while addressing that the day marks an important moment, a juncture to celebrate and embark on a journey filled with new possibilities. He encouraged all to make the most of the gathering. Engage in profitable business partnership, build connections, dare to dream big and let our actions be impactful. He hoped for all the partners to enjoy the event, forge new bonds, and let our collective efforts shape a brighter tomorrow. He emphasized that together we have the power to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy.
Up next was Hansen He, xFusion’s Sales Director Middle East and Africa, commenced with a keynote address by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in driving technological advancements. Hansen He, highlighted the transformative power of partnerships and outlined xFusion’s vision for a future where organizations from various sectors come together to solve complex challenges.
“Intel has worked with xFusion for more than 20 years. The company is dedicated to developing computing power infrastructure and services under the principle of ‘creating value and growing together under a shared belief.’ We have jointly increased resource investment in hardware, software, and solutions and developed a computing power ecosystem to create value for industry customers,” Nathan Reddy, Intel’s Technical Specialist, stated
Throughout the event, attendees were treated to a series of engaging panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions. The xFusion Partner Summit also provided ample networking opportunities for participants, facilitating valuable connections and collaborations. Attendees had the chance to interact with xFusion’s ecosystem of partners and Distributor, including technology startups, venture capitalists and many others leading to the exploration of new business prospects and investment opportunities.
“We are thrilled to have witnessed the energy and enthusiasm displayed by our Nigerian partners and participants at this year’s Summit,” said Mansoor Ahmed, Director Pre-sales xFusion Middle east and Africa. “The event truly exemplified the power of collaboration and the spirit of innovation. We believe that by working together, we can unlock limitless possibilities and create a better future for all.”
The event’s success cemented xFusion’s position as a driving force in technology innovation and set the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.
About xFusion
xFusion is a leading global provider of computing power infrastructure and services. xFusion serves customers from 130 countries and regions, including 211 Fortune Global 500 companies and covering finance, telecom, Internet, transportation, energy, and other industries. For more information, visit https://www.xfusion.com/en
Zeeshan Sarwar General Manager Redington Group Middle East and Africa
Ifeoma Anie Sales Head Redington Group – West Africa
Sunil Zarekar Cluster Head- West, East, North and French Africa Redington Group
Hansen He Sales Director xFusion
Mona Lin Channel Manager xFusion
Mansoor Ahmed Director Pre-sales xFusion Middle East and Africa
Kenneth Chima Business Development Manager Redington Group – West Africa
Jimmy Li Sales Manager xFusion Middle East and Africa
Leading financial service company, OPay Nigeria, has officially rebranded and unveiled a new logo to mark its 5-year anniversary in the Nigerian market. This change not only symbolizes its significant growth and impact over the years but also represents its promise into a new era with enhanced services, technological advancements, and the aim to solidify its position as the most reliable financial platform in Nigeria.
OPay Nigeria was founded in 2018 and has grown tremendously to become a household name for Nigerians with over 40 million users, 500,000 agents, and 300,000 merchants who trust and use OPay for everyday payments and collections. Over the course of 5 years, OPay has expanded its range of products and services to provide easy-to-use financial and lifestyle services for individuals, agents, and all kinds of businesses across Nigeria. The brand assures its customers of its plans to upgrade its products and services to ensure the customer experience is even more enjoyable on OPay. This is in line with OPay’s mission of making financial services more inclusive through technology.
What the Refreshed OPay Logo Represents
The “O” represents a loop that signifies OPay’s dedication to continuously providing bespoke and impeccable services as well as its commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Additionally, it incorporates a square element that indicates the newly launched OPay debit card, enabling over 40 million users to link their cards to their wallets, making payments easier. The new logo does not only represent the brand’s business attributes but also embodies its commitment to its constant strive for excellence and creating a unified global brand image.
Looking to the future, OPay intends to continue leveraging technology to deliver effective and reliable financial solutions to customers. The brand is also expanding its product offerings, enhancing its features, and broadening its market reach.
This new brand identity of OPay is expected to consolidate its position as the most prominent last-mile payment service provider in Nigeria for both consumers and businesses.
Multigate, a licensed Financial Services platform that provides access to a safe and secure treasury and liquidity management system, becomes the first pan-African financial services technology company to be certified by SWIFT as a Lite 2 Business Application Provider (L2BA). In addition, the company has also obtained the highest level of compliance through three certifications: ISO 20000, 22301 & 27001. The certifications and SWIFT announcement further reinforce Multigate’s commitment to putting safety and security at the core of their operation and service delivery to their clients and partners.
In 2022, Multigate qualified as a SWIFT Compatible Application provider but has now obtained its L2BA certification. This further validates Multigate’s capacity to offer a globally recognised multi-bank connector solution that is standardised, safe, and secure for its clients and partners. This multi-bank connector platform enables their clients to aggregate all accounts for seamless transactions and avoids the complexities associated with managing multiple banking portals. This global certification also allows Multigate to connect seamlessly with banks across the SWIFT messaging network.
“The qualification as a SWIFT L2BA certified provider further validates that our business application has met SWIFT’s requirements and standards to offer our clients a bank-agnostic solution by leveraging on SWIFT’S connectivity to thousands of financial institutions globally,” said Eghosa Nehikhare, Co-Founder and CEO Multigate. “This partnership allows us to expand our services into other global markets as we now can partner with other financial services solution providers such as Fintechs, banks and existing ERP providers. It also assures our clients that our systems comply with SWIFT’s global messaging standard.”
The three ISO certifications demonstrate Multigate’s significant commitment and excellence in the organisation’s operations. The attainment of ISO 20000 signifies that the company adheres to international best practices in service management. ISO 22301 certification highlights Multigate’s commitment to maintaining business continuity even in the face of unexpected disruptions. The ISO 27001 certification exemplifies Multigate’s rigorous approach to information security management systems. The certificates enhance the company’s reputation and instil trust in stakeholders, ensuring it operates at the highest level of professionalism and achieves its long-term objectives.
Eghosa Nehikhare, Co-Founder and CEO of Multigate, also comments on the ISO Certification, “Typically, companies work on achieving one or two at a time, but Multigate’s decided to invest in all three. The certificates showcase our willingness to invest upfront in the quality of service, ensuring our products are reliable, and our dedication to service management, business continuity, and information security. These certifications underline the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality services, effectively managing risks, and safeguarding sensitive information.”
Founded in 2017, Multigate seeks to address the treasury and cash management needs of African-focused organisations trading regionally and globally and is also focused on enabling seamless processes for the consolidation of accounts for local or international payouts from any bank. Multigate services are powered by fully automated and customisable solutions that help improve business efficiency, increase revenue, and deliver value to clients. Furthermore, it guarantees our clients standardised, safe and secure access to over 10,800 global institutions worldwide.
Trendx, a Nigerian blockchain startup that tokenises real-life assets, has signed a deal with The Nollywood Factory, a leading filmmaking company in Africa, to tokenise the intellectual property rights of a new movie project. Tokenisation is the process of using blockchain technology to represent the ownership or value of an asset. This deal will enable African retail investors across the world to buy into the movie’s prospect, typifying Trendx’s mission to bring more real-life applications to blockchain adoption in Africa.
With this move, Trendx will be the first startup in Africa to tokenise the intellectual property rights of a major film project, while creating a path to wealth creation for its users. The move, described by TrendX’s CEO, Nelson Elemi, as an “innovation that will change how money works in Africa,” follows Nelson’s ambition to create an ecosystem where projects and ambitions are powered by communities. These communities, in turn, will be the first beneficiaries of the success of the projects—a win-win situation that eliminates the bottlenecks that come with centralised financial institutions like banks.
The deal with The Nollywood Factory forms part of a longer list of projects that Trendx has signed with African businesses. Businesses across different sectors—from logistics and real estate to mining and agricultural processing—have been onboarded on Trendx’s platform to tokenise their assets and raise capital. Money raised on Trendx has ranged from $5,000 to $2 million.
The evolution of Trendx
Today, Trendx is a leading blockchain-powered platform in Africa that connects capital-requiring businesses with an investment-ready community of users. But this was not always the founders’ vision. The evolution of Trendx can be traced to 2018, when Nelson Elemi and his cofounder Stanley Orji were trying to scale a WhatsApp-based crowdfunding drive they started with their friends and families. Their goal then was to raise some funds for their real-estate business, which had faced multiple loan request rejections from traditional banks.
And it worked; until it didn’t—when they reached the capital limits of their immediate network. The duo realised then that they could scale their little success and allow more people to come aboard a decentralised platform. That, after all, is the promise of blockchain technology.
Trendx notably provides African businesses with the opportunity to raise capital to launch projects or scale their ventures with alternative capital channels—a sure boon for startups amid a funding winter. Reports show that more and more African startups are seeking alternative capital to take their business to the next milestones, especially as more pan-African investors seem to be more rigid with their processes. But in what world do businesses with potential always have to wait on traditional financiers? Definitely not in Trendx’s world!
A Winning team and a winning product
Nelson and Stanley, both friends and business partners for over a decade, are joined by a third co-founder, Curtis Crentsil, a senior software engineer who makes sure Trendx is secure and responsive at all times. The company’s technology is currently based on polygon and ETH—but Trendx’s plans to build its native blockchain are underway.
Businesses onboarding on Trendx can choose whether they want to open their tokenisation round to the public or leverage their private networks to raise capital. They can also decide to issue equity tokens or fixed-income tokens backed by their assets. These options notably demonstrate the flexibility of Trendx’s business model.
A UK-based company, Vula, onboards businesses by collecting important business documents and cash flow statements and interpreting them into analytics for Trendx’s retail investors. The businesses routinely update their business information with Vula, maintaining the transparency culture that blockchain transactions are acclaimed for.
For users, the catch is that capital gains are accrued on the tokenised assets, which can be traded at any point or used as collateral to obtain loans. “We are doing these to provide our users with all the liquidity options they might need. Every investor has the right to be liquid; we’re making sure of that,” Nelson Elemi said.
Trendx is not just a startup that helps with tokenisation, says Stanley Orji, Trendx’s co-founder. “We want to bring revolutionary changes to Africa’s financial system. Our main goal is to change how people and businesses think about money. If Africa will leapfrog decades of infrastructural advancements, then it must do away with bottlenecks in capital flow. This is what Trendx represents: power to the people, powered by trust and transparency.”
Speaking about the deal with The Nollywood Factory, Nelson Elemi said: “We are barely a year old at Trendx, but we’ve been able to accomplish what has never been done on the continent. Nollywood represents Nigeria’s greatest export to the world. Yet, the lack of access to funding has crippled projects and stifled growth within the industry. However, that’s old news now. Trendx has come to empower Africans and its industries with the capital power they need to thrive.”
Obi Emelonye, Creative Lead at The Nollywood Factory, was effusive as he spoke about the partnership with TrendX. According to him, the emergence of big streamers—and their capital—on the continent has gradually eroded the decision-making independence of filmmakers. “But a community-powered funding model will wrestle control and enable people to invest into an industry they love,” he said.
Emelonye, who lectures at the Yorkshire Film & Television School, University of Huddersfield, further shared that all investing community members will be titled as executive producers and will participate in some decision-making processes. “The IP rights include rights to cinema, merchandising, licencing, and so on. It means an investor has the opportunity to earn from the lifetime value of the project,” he said.
When asked about some competitors in the space, such as Get Equity, Nelson Elemi maintains that Trendx goes beyond offering equity in startups. “We offer a full suite of financial options for our customers—and our clients can be any viable business in the world. With us, it’s not just fractional ownership. We offer a gateway to the future,” he said proudly.
With an innovative form factor enhanced by new Flex Hinge for a balanced design, and pro-grade camera capabilities with unique FlexCam, Galaxy Z series delivers unrivalled foldable experiences
L-r: Solomon Osibeluwo, Master Trainer, Mobile Experience Division; Oyetola Akeredolu, Marketing Operations Manager; Charlie Lee, Managing Director; Joy Tim-Ayoola, HOD – MX Division; Chika Nnadozie, Head of Marketing, and Stephen Okwara, Product Manager, MX Division, all of Samsung Nigeria, during the Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5 in Nigeria, Wednesday, July 27 2023 at Eko Hotel and Suites.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced its fifth generation of Galaxy foldables: Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5. The form factors offer unique experiences for every user with sleek and compact designs, countless customisation options, and powerful performance. The new Flex Hinge makes the foldable experience possible, while offering an aesthetically balanced and solid design.
These remarkable foldable devices unlock extraordinary camera capabilities such as FlexCam to take photos from creative angles. With strong performance and an optimised battery powered by the latest processor, the Samsung Galaxy Z series transforms what is possible with a smartphone – open or closed.
“Samsung is revolutionising the mobile industry with foldables by setting the standard and continually refining the experience,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Every day, more people choose our foldables because they offer an experience people want that they can’t get on any other device. Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are the latest devices that prove our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers through innovative technology.”
Samsung’s heritage of innovation and dedication to the foldables category has created incredibly versatile devices available. With a strong belief in the potential of the foldable format, paired with world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities, Samsung has consistently refined and optimised the Galaxy Z series line up.
From content creation on Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flex Window to seamless multitasking on Galaxy Z Fold5, this series of Galaxy foldables meets and exceeds the distinctive needs of today’s users.
Furthermore, both Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are carefully designed to meet durability expectations. The main screen is equipped with a shock dispersion layer and a redesigned back for a more solid display, Along with IPX8 support, Armor Aluminium frames, and Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®2 applied to both the Flex Window and back cover, Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 provide the protection consumers expect, enhanced further by Flex Hinge. This new integrated hinge module features a dual rail structure, diffusing external impacts.
L-r: Charlie Lee, Managing Director; Joy Tim-Ayoola, HOD – MX Division; Chika Nnadozie, Head of Marketing, and Stephen Okwara, Product Manager, MX Division, all of Samsung Nigeria, during the Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5 on Wednesday, July 27 2023 at Eko Hotel and Suites.Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo, known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, moderating the event.
Galaxy Z Flip5: The ultimate pocketable self-expression tool without compromise
The Galaxy Z Flip5 delivers a stylish, unique foldable experience from a pocket-sized device built for self-expression.
The new Flex Window, now 3.78 times larger than the previous generation, offers a wide range of existing and new capabilities. It provides more customisation options, including informative and graphical clocks that can match the face design of a user’s Galaxy Watch6 series, as well as stylish frames. In addition, Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flipsuit Case provides device protection with a changeable NFC card, so users can match their Flex Window design and case design for even more personalisation options.
Closed, the Galaxy Z Flip5 offers more usability than ever before. From the Flex Window, quickly and effortlessly access useful information. With Widgets, users can check the weather, control music playback and listen to their favourite music with Media Controller, or catch up on the latest global stock market updates with the Google Finance widget.
Simply view all Widgets at a glance and switch between them instantly with a pinch of the screen to activate Multi Widget View.
Plus, easily check notifications and access Quick Settings for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Without ever opening the device, browse through call history to return missed calls, and reply to texts on-the-go using Quick Reply with a full QWERTY keyboard and visibility of chat history.
With its unparalleled design and form factor, Galaxy Z Flip5 also offers the most versatile camera experience on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Take high-quality selfies with the rear camera thanks to the larger Flex Window.
Users can capture stunning hands-free photos from creative angles with FlexCam. It’s quick and simple to view and edit shots in Flex Mode too. Users can review, adjust the colour tone, or delete images easily with the Quick View in the Flex Window.
When taking a photo of a friend, Dual Preview lets them see themselves in the Flex Window so they can make adjustments in real-time for the perfect shot. Users can get a smooth shot on the go with camera-stabilising Super Steady, while Auto Framing ensures that no one is left out.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 adds AI solution improvements to the powerful camera experience, bringing every photo to life. Get creative, even in low light, with improved Nightography capabilities that optimise photos and videos in ambient lighting conditions. The AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithm corrects any visual noise that typically spoils low-light images while enhancing details and colour tone. Even from a distance, photos are clearer with the digital 10X zoom.
Galaxy Z Fold5: The ultimate productivity powerhouse with a large screen
Offering an immersive, large screen and a long-lasting battery in the thinnest, lightest Fold yet, Galaxy Z Fold5 is easy to take anywhere, while delivering the most powerful performance in the Galaxy Z series.
The Galaxy Z Fold’s robust, big screen experience, has evolved from Multi Window and App Continuity to a wide range of features including Taskbar, drag and drop, and optimisation of third-party apps. S Pen Fold Edition introduced in the third generation Fold in 2021, has also been fine-tuned to deliver a superior writing experience on Galaxy Z Fold5. These features and tools come together to deliver powerful productivity on a large screen and enable users to complete important tasks from anywhere.
The improved Taskbar enables dynamic productivity by allowing users to quickly switch between frequently used apps. Now up to four recent apps are at the ready for more efficient working. Newly enhanced two-handed drag and drop can also ramp up productivity when moving content between apps and screens. Simply touch and hold an image in Samsung Gallery with one finger and use another finger to open the Samsung Notes app to drag-and-drop the image. With hidden pop-up, an app can continue running in the background, allowing users to watch video content in full screen and chat with friends in a floating pop-up on the side of the screen.
The new slimmer and more compact S Pen Fold Edition makes real-time annotating and ideation easy while being able to fit more comfortably in the pocket. The Slim S Pen case is nearly the same thickness as a regular case for the Fold and available in a variety of styles and colours so users can carry their S Pens in style.
Helping users do more on the go, the 7.6-inch Main Screen provides expansive and uninterrupted viewing so users can enjoy their favourite movie in portrait or landscape. Plus, peak brightness has increased by more than 30%, up to 1750 nits, for an optimal viewing experience outdoors even under bright sunlight.
Providing users with an immersive gaming experience on the largest Galaxy smartphone screen, the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy enhances graphics and uses AI to enable dynamic gaming and multi-game functionality. The Galaxy Z Fold5 can comfortably handle marathon gaming sessions with its advanced cooling system that dissipates heat more intelligently for less lag and no drop in performance.
Availability and Recommended retail price
The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 will be available for pre-order in select markets from July 26th – August 10th, with general availability starting August 11th.
Galaxy Z Flip5 lets users express themselves with colours including Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender, as well as a range of accessories including a Clear Gadget Case, Flap Eco-Leather Case, Flipsuit Case and easy-to-carry Silicone Case with Ring to create a more personalised look.
Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream, along with a variety of cases that offer practicality and style including a Slim S Pen Case, Clear Gadget Case, Eco-Leather Case, and a Standing Case with Strap.
Delivering a positive impact for the planet
Speaking during the Q&A session, Charlie Lee, Managing Director, Samsung Nigeria, expressed their continued demonstration of progress toward the company’s environmental vision and accelerate actions that help achieve its goals, including reaching net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2030 for the Device eXperience Division.
L-r: Charlie Lee, Managing Director; Joy Tim-Ayoola, HOD – MX Division, during the Q & A session
“The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 feature a wider variety of recycled materials than their previous generations, including pre-consumer recycled glass and aluminium and post-consumer recycled plastics, sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles. Even the paper used for their packaging box is made using 100 percent recycled material”.
Lee explained that these innovations have also been purposefully designed for optimised longevity. Each device comes with five years of security updates and four generations of OS upgrades, helping to extend the product lifecycle.
“Samsung is committed to giving customers peace of mind with Samsung Care+, a support service for accidental screen damage. Customers can register within 30 days of purchasing their Galaxy Flip5|Fold5 and enjoy 1 free screen repair within a 12-month period”, Joy Tim-Ayoola, HOD – MX Division added.
To learn more about Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/africa_en/
Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.
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, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at https://news.samsung.com/za/
To be built on AI-enabled Sentinel platform
Tek Experts, a leading global provider of technical talent solutions, has recently announced plans to open a new Security Operations Centre (SOC) under its cybersecurity business, Cytek in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Backed by Microsoft’s industry leading, AI-enabled Sentinel platform, the SOC will deliver a full suite of cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, providing round-the-clock protection for government entities and businesses with operations in Nigeria and West Africa.
The Tek Experts managed SOC is operated by a team of cybersecurity experts and is based on a solid and innovative methodology. Leveraging Microsoft’s AI-powered technology, cyber threats can be pinpointed and investigated at a pace that far exceeds human capability. This will enable Tek Experts to identify potential threats with forensic accuracy and devise and implement mitigation plans at superior speed.
Yaniv Natan, Founder of YNV Group, said: “Nigeria has always been a strategically important market for us, so we are excited to establish a presence in Lagos. Our intercontinental network means we are in the unique position of being able to deliver genuinely seamless, 24/7, “follow the sun” cybersecurity services, all powered by Microsoft’s world-class AI technology. We are delighted to provide Nigeria’s tech, financial and business community with the confidence to expand rapidly in the knowledge they have the best cybersecurity tools at their disposal.”
As part of YNV Group, the multinational family of companies that includes businesses in technology, real estate, and financial services, Tek Experts is a Microsoft partner whose clients benefit from the Group’s more than 6,000 global technical experts, of which 2,000 are based in Nigeria, to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity managed services, including, Integrated monitoring and detection, Incident response, SecOPs and Threat intelligence.
Ola Williams, Microsoft Country Manager, Nigeria, and Ghana said: “We actively seek opportunities to help clients gain easier access to our technology, which is why we’re excited that Tek is establishing their SOC on Microsoft technology. We look forward to working closely together to integrate Tek Experts’ cybersecurity expertise with our AI capability to protect businesses and organizations in Nigeria against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.”
The SOC will operate from Tek Experts’ current location on Victoria Island, with 24/7 security with uninterrupted electricity support up to 20 days backup. The Lagos SOC is Tek’s first in Africa, and builds on their international presence, with a network spanning North America, Central America, Europe, Asia and the African continent.
Andrew Uaboi – Vice President & Head, Visa West Africa
The Central Bank of Nigeria recently released guidelines for contactless payments, making this the first-time contactless solutions will be formally enabled in the country. The guidelines seek to ensure that participants in contactless payments implement appropriate risk management measures, while keeping to best industry standards.
Contactless payments are already common in places like South Africa, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. In addition to being a fast and easy way to pay, contactless cards provide strong protection against fraud without ever touching the payment terminal. Here are some contactless security facts.
Contactless cards use the same secure technology as EMV Chip
Every contactless transaction includes a one-time use cryptographic code that prevents counterfeit fraud. EMV Chip technology ensures cardholder information is encrypted, dynamic and secure for payments making it much more difficult for threat actors to steal and monetize data.
Fraudsters have limited options
Visa contactless cards must be within 4 centimeters of a merchant’s contactless terminal for card information to be transmitted. If fraudsters were to get close enough to read a contactless card, they would not gain access to the cardholder’s name or the 3-digit security code, helping to prevent counterfeit and e-commerce fraud.
Contactless payments are protected by the same technologies as other Visa transactions
Every Visa payment product is protected with security at the card, terminal, and network levels. Visa cardholders benefit from multiple layers of security that work behind the scenes with every transaction to prevent payment fraud—even before it can happen.
Secure protocols, artificial intelligence, real time analytics, cryptographic algorithms and many more layers work together to prevent fraud.
The combination of embedded security in our payment products and multi-layered security behind every transaction is why Visa has been able to keep global fraud rates significantly low.
Visa payment solutions evolve
In partnership with the wider industry, including financial institutions, technologist, academics, and others, Visa constantly adapts, enhances, and evolves its payment solutions to identify and address new risks. When appropriate, we make changes in technology and infrastructure to mitigate risks.
As a result of this industry collaboration, contactless cards are a secure way to pay, and consumers can use them with confidence.
Information, community management & behavioral change
Innovation & decentralization to the current system
With a rapidly growing population estimated to reach 262 million by 2030, creating access to WASH for Nigerians needs to be addressed at various levels, and action needs to start now. Fortunately, the Fight for Access Accelerator, which is designed and delivered by Yunus Social Business, makes use of a multi-stakeholder approach: this enables not only social businesses and corporations to work together but invites local government, industry experts, and NGOs to play a role as well.
Speaking about the program and its significance for Nigerian entrepreneurs and the local WASH ecosystem, the General manager of Reckitt in Sub-Saharan Africa, Akbar Ali Shah, stated “Traditional models for scaling access to hygiene and healthcare to reach SDGs 3 and 6 have shown to be insufficient, and with this brings the need to change the way we’re supporting communities. At Reckitt, we understand the power of business to change the world for the better, and we know we can have the most impact when we act as a catalyst for innovation. That’s why we are accelerating access to health and hygiene for millions of Nigerians by catalyzing social entrepreneurship.”
He continued “Social enterprises have the potential to solve real problems in real time, harnessing the power and efficiencies of business – but delivering impact for a social purpose. With our entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with our people’s passion to do the right thing, we can provide the support to help these young businesses thrive – accelerating growth, achieving scale to reach more people, and having a greater social impact.”
In sum, social entrepreneurs that are selected to be part of the Fight for Access Accelerator in Nigeria can expect to receive:
Tailored support & capacity-building: mentorship and practical guidance from Reckitt experts and industry professionals who offer support in various areas of WASH and impact. Workshops and masterclasses cover topics like leadership, investor readiness, and impact measurement & management.
Network access: Alongside getting to meet fellow social entrepreneurs in the WASH sector, participants get to expand their network with local industry experts and Reckitt brand leads, all of whom represent opportunities to collaborate and create a systems-based approach to fighting for access to WASH. The social entrepreneurs in the Fight for Access accelerators in Brazil and South Africa for example, had an average increase of 32 new industry contacts through the program.
Seed funding: Every social business that completes the program will receive seed funding of 6,300,000 Naira.
Applications are being accepted until August 7. This is an opportunity for local social entrepreneurs to contribute to the positive development of the country by scaling their solutions – spread the word and send in your applications by completing the application form here!
Submissions must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible:
The ability to provide evidence-based solutions and impact
A detailed, outlined business model that demonstrates the scalability and replicability of the venture
A qualified and diverse entrepreneurial team
A connection or potential to develop a link to Reckitt’s purpose and/or value chain
For any inquiries or further information, please visit the website or contact us via email at ffa@yunussb.com or on WhatsApp at +234 9166415407.
About Reckitt:
Reckitt* exists to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.
Reckitt is the company behind some of the world’s most recognizable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health, and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, JIK, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more.
Every day, more than 20 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners.
We aim to do the right thing, always.
We are a diverse global team of more than 43,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet and a fairer society. Find out more, or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com.
* Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies
About Yunus Social Business:
Yunus Social Business (YSB) harnesses the power of business to end poverty and climate change. They develop market-based solutions for social or environmental problems through impact investing and corporate innovation. To date, their social business portfolio has served over 18 million people in low-income countries by providing essential goods and services. They have also supported over 2,000 social entrepreneurs and financed over 60 social businesses to grow. Yunus Social Business has offices in India, Uganda, Kenya, Colombia, and Brazil, and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
