| Vodacom has continued its dominance over South Africa’s telecom industry. The telco gained 484,000 new subscribers during the last quarter of 2019. It now boasts 44.3 million customers, far higher than its closest competitor, MTN. At the end of September 2019, MTN reported a subscriber base of 25.8 million. South Africa’s two other telcos, Telkom and Cell C, reported 11.5 million and 13.6 million respectively. |
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| Nigerian medical startup, 54gene has launched the African Centre for Translational Genomics (ACTG). The plan is to improve resources for scientists to undertake DNA studies and develop a greater understanding of gene-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes and sickle cell disease. The knowledge is useful for a wide range of cases especially in the drug industry since pharmaceutical companies derive 90% of their genetic research from Caucasian data and only 2% from African subjects. The ACTG will provide grants, fellowship, internship and training for medical researchers.
The Centre has already started work on its first study: the Non-Communicable Diseases – Genetic Heritage Study (NCD-GHS). Focused on understanding non-communicable diseases like diabetes, the company said over 100,000 Nigerians will participate in the study |
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CeedCap, an African startup studio, has officially joined the Global Startup Studio Network (GSSN), an international network of venture builders. CeedCap is a startup studio that recruits and invests in African entrepreneurs. It is the first African startup studio to join the global GSSN Studio. As a member, CeedCap gains access to GSSN’s in-depth resources as well as access to more investor and corporate connections. Its portfolio startups will also be able to request funding and mentorship from GSSN’s GAN Venture Fund.
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Farmcrowdy, the agritech startup, has officially entered into the Nigerian meat market. Yesterday, the crowdfunding company acquired Best Foods, a 16-year old agro-business for an undisclosed amount. In this article, I explain what this deal means for Farmcrowdy.
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The countdown to Afrobytes 2020 continues. Afrobytes is the premier event that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and more to explore business opportunities between the African tech ecosystem and players in the global tech world. Here are key reasons why you should attend Afrobytes 2020:
- Finance: pitch world-leading Africa-focused tech funds
- Network: connect with global companies and African tech leaders
- Scale: find tech partners at the largest startup campus
- Feature: talk to international media covering African markets
Get your early bird ticket here
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| CcHub has announced the second edition of Innovation Showcase Week 2020 in partnership with Facebook. Tagged “the Best of West-African Innovation,” the two-day exhibition event holds in Lagos on February 13 and 14. This year, 18 African startups will showcase their innovations including balloon-powered satellites, AI-driven fraud detection and blockchain-powered anti-counterfeiting. To attend the event, click here to request an invite. |
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Applications are open to Maliyo Games’ 3-month game development bootcamp in Lagos, Nigeria. Aspiring game developers can apply for an opportunity to learn how to build mobile games like Candy Crush, Subway Surf and Cooking Fever. There’s also an opportunity for game developers to fast-track their video game project(s) with Digital Lab Africa. Selected applicants will get to participate in the Paris Games Week. Application closes on March 1, and the bootcamp starts in April. Click here to learn more.
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| Carbon, the Nigerian digital lending startup, has launched its iOS app for Apple iPhone users. Although the startup is one of the biggest fintechs in Nigeria, it had only been available to Android smartphone users. Like many lending and fintech apps, Carbon relies on user data to understand customers’ financial pattern, develop credit ratings and set borrowing limits. It appears the company has found a solution to its iOS challenge. Carbon is also planning to include a USSD feature over the coming months. |
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| Ventures Platform Fund is one of Nigeria’s leading VC funds. It has backed innovative companies like Trove, Migo, Kudi, MDaaS, Paystack and PiggyVest. How does the fund work? What is its investment philosophy? Techpoint’s Ifeanyi Ndiomewese captures it all in this Q&A. |
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Tickets to TC Townhall: Emerging Tech are now available for purchase and a 15% early bird discount is available for readers who buy their tickets by February 7 with the code TCEM15%OFF.
Further discounts apply for companies/individuals buying at least 5 tickets. Click here to redeem our 20% corporate discount. |
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That’s all for today!
We’ll be back tomorrow
– Abubakar
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