TechCabal Daily – Nigerian fintech startup, Paga signs strategic partnership with Visa

In Nigeria, the Osun state government launched “Opón Ìmò”, a tablet to improve student performance in exams. In Ivory Coast, the $232 tablet, Qelasy tried to condense the country’s educational curriculum into one device.

These devices have cost millions, but in this article, Kay Ugwuede argues they have not been as innovative as promised. In Osun state, some of the students use the tablets to play games, while the teachers do not work with these devices. 

In the end, Kay’s question is: how do we innovate for the African classroom?

Two months after its acquisition of the software development company, Apposit, the Nigerian fintech, Paga has signed a strategic agreement with Visa. 

Here’s an excerpt from the company’s Medium post announcing the partnership:

“This partnership is in line with Visa’s goals to drive alternative payment channels, in this case, mobile wallets, within its global ecosystem. For Paga, partnering with Visa is one step further in our global expansion plans. Now, all Paga account holders will have access to Visa credentials (physical and virtual cards) tied to their Paga accounts and thus the ability to transact anywhere in the world Visa is accepted.”

Here’s a bonus: Paga is also working on QR codes and NFC for merchant payments and online payments. 

These discussions are founder led masterclasses that bring entrepreneurs and aspiring company builders together to share and learn from one founder’s journey on building a fast growing tech business in Nigeria.
 
On Friday the 13^th of March, Obi Ozor CEO and Co-Founder of Kobo 360 will share his journey on building a logistics and supply chain technology business in Nigeria.
 
Click here to register to attend. Attendance is Free
 
Seats are limited.

In conversation with Techpoint, Johnny Enagwolor, the co-founder of PlentyWaka talked about regulations and some issues in the mobility sector. 

The ban on motorcycles and tricycles in Lagos has provided an opportunity for bus hailing services to thrive, as previously reported by Kay. 

With the company reporting 100,000 rides completed in just seven routes in Lagos, it validates Kay’s belief “bus-hailing companies which have attempted to enter the transport space in Lagos in the past will now be able to tap into the transportation goldmine. 

Here’s Ventureburn’s list of top startup events to holding in South Africa this week. 

The Westerwelle  Young Founders Programme is a fully-funded six-month programme for exceptional entrepreneurs from developing and emerging economies. 

The programme offers entrepreneurs six months of mentoring as well as a chance to participate in the Young founder conference in Berlin. 

Some of the startups selected are: Kiptoo Magutt of Kenya’s Twende Carpool, Dominique Uwase Alonga of Rwanda’s Imagine We, Bop Sandrino-Arndt of Cameroon’s Optimiz Africa, and Marita Walther of Namibia’s Ebikes4Africa.