Hey there! Today’s TechCabal digest is brought to you by DIYlaw; get N2000 off your next company incorporation here with our coupon code – DIYLAWTC. Here’s everything interesting in African technology today.
What’s happening today…
1. Taxify is raising its prices in Kenya… for a while – Techweez reports that the ride-hailing app notified its customers that its prices will be slightly more expensive until the end of March when a new price list will be released. Their base fare and per minute pricing is still the same while the price per kilometre is up by 26% to KES 32.
+ It’s unclear whether the April price list will contain a reduction or not but it’s obvious that Taxify is trying to see if it can pull off a price increase too (Uber increased its prices last week) because their pockets must be bleeding in this price war with Uber.
2. Y Combinator’s demo days for its winter batch began yesterday, March 20 and Techpoint has profiled the 5 Nigerian startups that will be pitching. We’ve got fintech startups, Kudi and Aella Credit; healthcare startup, Kangpe; internet service provider, Wifi.com.ng and electricity retailer, Buypower. Here’s wishing them all the best.
+ Also, YC’s Q & A with Wifi.com.ng.
3. Nigeria’s Ministry of Health is partnering with GSMA Mobile for Development to launch a mobile technology solution to circulate nutrition information across the country. The new initiative is called mNutrition and will provide educational content geared towards improving nutritional practices. The solution is also expected to allow access to health and nutrition services in the near future.
4. The Cameroonian government shut down internet connectivity in Anglophone Cameroon 63 days ago today. It’d be really nice if today was the day we ended this counter.
Other things you should know…
+ Following two restive elections, Kenya has acquired some pretty advanced election tech but will this be enough to fix its electoral process? Link.
+ Paradigm Initiative’s 2017 edition of the annual Internet Freedom Forum is taking place in Lagos this April and the conversation will be centred around digital rights in Africa. Link.
+ Also, Paradigm Initiative’s Director, Gbenga Sesan was in Barcelona for the World Mobile Congress 2017 and here he shares his experience and insight learned from Huawei, his host. I found it interesting that Huawei’s 90,000 employees are co-owners of the company.
+ Another contender for tweet of the week is this satellite image gif of Eko Atlantic, Lagos that Seyi Taylor tweeted yesterday. It’s from QZ Africa’s article on the Eko Atlantic’s design flaw and how it has made Lagos more vulnerable to the sea. I’m worried.
+ The Cape Town Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) is partnering with FinTech Circle to launch a FinTech Academy in South Africa. It’ll be a 2-day masterclass for C-level executives.
+ It’s a new week and more drama for Uber. The company’s president, Jeff Jones, quit over the weekend, two of its rivals in China and Dubai are forming an alliance to see if they can sway its dominance and, just yesterday, its vice president of mapping, Brian McClendon, resigned.
+ Paylater customers are sharing their experiences with the service on social media. There be some cute stories here. Link.
+ Wole Lawani continues his ongoing series of investment lessons from Warren Buffet with Startup Buffettology Lesson #2: The Market Is Queen.
+ Here’s how to know if products that slam on the AI tag actually use Artificial Intelligence. Link.
+ Meanwhile, it’s time to learn French if you’re a private equity investor in Africa. Link.
This April, ChatClass NG is offering a 2-month program designed to develop and support social media managers. The program will feature a thorough masterclass, real-life assessments and internships. Apply here if you’re interested. Deadline’s April 1st.
Hot topics on Radar
+ For our next AMA this Thursday, we will be hosting the Web Foundation’s Digital Equality Advocacy Manager, Nanjira Sambuli. You already know it’s about to be lit. Link.
Upcoming events…
Lagos: Geeks On a Plane Africa tour, March 20 – March 23. Link.
Lagos: Silicon Yaba town hall meeting at CcHub, March 21. Link.
Accra: British Council Enterprise Africa Summit, March 22 – March 24. Link.
Dublin: Women in Tech Africa Ireland chapter meetup, March 22. Link.
Lagos: Cashless Africa Conference, March 22 – 23. Link.
Accra: Geeks On a Plane Africa tour, March 23 – March 25. Link.
Lagos: Innovention Series 2017, March 23. Link.
Lusaka: Demo Africa Innovation Tour, March 23. Link.
Stellenbosch: Launchlab water and waste management challenge workshop, March 23. Link.
Lagos: ReCode Nigeria hackathon, March 24. Link.
Lagos: DevOps with Chuka, Mach 24 – March 25. Link.
Lagos: She Codes Africa, March 25. Link.
Kaduna: Facebook bot party at CoLab, March 25. Link.
Lagos: Startup Grind with Chris Kwekowe, March 25. Link.
Osogbo: Django Girls free programming workshop for women, March 25. Link.
Upcoming deadlines
WAMAS 2017: You only have until Friday, March 24th, to nominate your favorite mobile innovators in the 10 categories of this year’s West Africa Mobile Awards. Link.
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That’s all folks!
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