| Lagos, the mega city, has no place for motorcycles
By tomorrow, a ban on motorcyles and three-wheel vehicles will take effect in Lagos state. The government’s officials have categorically stated that tech-enabled bike-hailing companies like ORide, MAX and Gokada will be affected also.
Why? Because, according to the commissioner for transport Frederick Oladeinde, “motorcycles and tricycles are not part of the Lagos masterplan. They came in because there is a gap, but they don’t have a place in a mega-city because of security and safety.” Quite the statement, isn’t it? Read more about the government’s response to the contention by bike-hailing companies that the ban is improper. |
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| Kenyan, Nigerian and South African startups are invited to participate in the UK’s Go Global Africa programme. Fifteen startups developing fintech, agri-tech, e-health or clean energy solutions will be selected to receive access to training and mentorship support from the UK’s International Tech Hub Network is also being offered. This year’s edition aims to build on the momentum from 2019 when 20 companies where chosen from a pool of 400 applicants, Disrupt Africa reports. Find details for the application here. |
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| The success of mobile money in Kenya awoke the world to its wonders. But with a flood of mobile loan apps, many Kenyans now feel the brunt of the short-term, high-interest business of quick lending. According to a report, 50% of loans issued in Kenya are mobile loans and in the last two years, the number has doubled. Beyond the aggressive lending terms, lack of information and breach of privacy are among other issues causing customer dissatisfaction.
Two points stand out from the report, per TechWeez:
- Most mobile money loan apps recorded a decrease in customer loyalty in Q4 2019, and
- Mshwari had better customer experience than KCB MPESA, Tala and Branch
We have written about the unclear maneuvers employed by quick lenders in Nigeria and the associated privacy concerns which many customers have been unaware of. Will the rising tide of complaints and red flags cause a change in how this sector works in Africa? |
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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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| How do small and medium businesses execute digital advertising campaigns to get maximum returns? That question was behind the founding of Growthbond, a fintech company helping African SMEs with Facebook and Google ads. Kay has a full view on their operations and how it impacts SMEs’ contribution to national economies on the continent. |
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| ‘Blockchain’ and ‘cryptocurrency’ are words you would say at an African tech cocktail event to come off as smart. But Kenya appears to be translating the buzz into positive human impact. At an institutional level, policy leads appear to be talking big about the need to integrate blockchain in legacy systems: “It’s time to implement the blockchain,” says David Irungu, head of business development at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Find more in this piece about Caroline Dama and Will Ruddick, founders of Grassroots Economics, the organization behind Bangla-Pesa, a community currency programme in Kenya. |
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| Join Yele Bademosi, Director, Binance Labs, at the TC Townhall: Emerging Tech, a forum that will help businesses, big corporations and governments understand blockchain and artificial intelligence, and how to take advantage of them to secure their future.
Yele Bademosi is Founding Partner, Microtraction and Director at Binance Labs. Binance Labs is a fund and initiative to incubate, invest and empower top blockchain and cryptocurrency entrepreneurs, projects, and communities.
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 January 31st 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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So long, January
See you Monday
– Alexander
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