South Africa’s vibrant fintech sector is set to experience a significant transformation with the upcoming introduction of the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill.  This pivotal legislation aims to streamline and unify the complex web of financial regulations into a cohesive industry standard, potentially reshaping the operational landscape for financial institutions across the board. Consolidating […]

Choosing the right robot vacuum for your needs can be overwhelming, especially when comparing high-end models like the iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra.  Both offer impressive features and boast intelligent navigation, powerful cleaning, and convenient self-emptying docks. However, some key differences might influence your decision. When tackling dirt, dust, and debris, […]

At the Mobile World Congress, Lenovo revealed an intriguing ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop concept. This cutting-edge gadget has a 17.3-inch transparent MicroLED display. When the display is off, people may see through it thanks to its up to 55% transparency. When illuminated, it reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits and becomes entirely opaque, but […]

The European Union has granted the University of Johannesburg (UJ) more than R8.1 million ($417,435.49) to aid in the digital transformation of South Africa’s Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.  Erasmus+ is an EU programme that supports youth, education, training, and athletics; it is the source of the grant. In an effort to address […]

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has recently announced the appointment of Chad Pollock as its new Vice President for East Africa. This strategic move underscores Visa’s commitment to expanding its presence and advancing financial inclusion initiatives in the East African region.  With his extensive experience and expertise in the fintech industry, Chad Pollock […]

Showmax, the popular streaming service, has embarked on a transformative journey aimed at reaching 50 million subscribers.  This ambitious goal is underpinned by a comprehensive branding overhaul, signalling a strategic shift in its approach to content delivery and audience engagement. In this article, we’ll explore the key elements of Showmax’s revamped branding strategy and how […]

Google, the tech giant, has changed the name of its AI model from Bard to Gemini because it added more advanced features to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Google said it will now charge for Gemini Advanced, while Bard (Gemini) has always been free. The company says Gemini Advanced will be offered in over 150 countries […]

Vodacom and South African tech entrepreneur Nkosana Makate, who came up with the idea for “Please Call Me,” will go to court again, even though Makate recently won in the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa (SCA). Makate wanted to have the $2.5 million (R47 million) pay deal from the company looked over again. […]

The African tech ecosystem faced a tough year in 2023, with funding dropping by almost half compared to 2022, according to Intelpoint. Many growth-stage startups struggled to raise capital, leading to layoffs, closures and fire sales. However, some investors remained bullish on the continent’s potential and launched new funds or increased their activity. Here are […]

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has opened the application process for the second cohort of its Africa Fintech Accelerator program. The announcement was made at Fintech Day in Morocco, where industry experts gathered to explore opportunities for enhancing digital payments and financial inclusion in the country. The initiative aims to support Seed to […]

Nigeria’s financial system faced fraud in 2014. In response, the Central Bank and all banks launched the Bank Verification Number. To prevent unlawful transactions, this 11-digit identity was connected to fingerprints and facial scans.  After initial security concerns, the BVN succeeded. Increased financial inclusion, decreased fraud, and simplified credit checks. It protects banks and clients […]

Y Combinator has selected Miden, a Nigerian startup that uses its API to let businesses issue virtual cards to customers for their winter 2024 batch.  Miden is the second Nigerian startup to join this year’s winter cohort, following Cleva, a cross-border payment service. Okiemute Avworhokai and Ini Udoh established Miden in 2022 to facilitate businesses’ […]

Redmi Note 13 Series, Xiaomi’s latest smartphone, has shattered the smartphone industry again. The launch event on January 24th in Lagos, Nigeria, unveiled five unique gadgets that would reinvent the Redmi Note legacy. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, 13 Pro, and 13 are the leading models with improved cameras, designs, displays, and processors. Xiaomi’s […]

Meta, a social media group, has added new features that will make it harder for young learners to get messages on Facebook and Instagram. The company said that the new rules that went into effect today build on an earlier rule that said adults couldn’t message kids who weren’t following them. Meta said that teens […]

As Africa continues to experience a rapid surge in fintech revenue, marked by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32%, a recent report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and QED Investors foresees the continent’s fintech market reaching an estimated $65 billion by 2030. South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt stand at the forefront of […]

The online store eBay has said it will be letting go of 1,000 full-time workers or about 9% of its total staff. The data was made public in a recent government statement. The initiative is part of the company’s plan to be “more nimble” in a “challenging” business climate, according to CEO Jamie Iannone. It […]

Anambra state government announces strategic engagement with 26 US high-tech enterprises. [ez-toc][ez-toc] this. These firms include Google, Meta, AWS, Dell, and others. As reported, the strategic relationship was reached over a weekend meeting at the US Consulate General in Lagos. The state delegation, led by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, met with the US Consul-General, […]

The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan Atlantic University and the Lagos State government have announced a partnership aimed at providing 10,000 women entrepreneurs with the capital and expertise they need to launch and expand their enterprises. The partnership, which is a component of the MasterCard Foundation-powered Transformation of Nigerian Youths programme, intends to increase […]

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has expressed his country’s readiness to invest in Nigeria’s economy, especially in the tech sector, during his visit to Abuja on Tuesday. Blinken, who met with President Bola Tinubu and other top officials, said that Nigeria offers clear and compelling opportunities for investors and that American entrepreneurs and […]

Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, delivered a compelling call to action at the African Economy of Scale Plenary during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Urging African leaders to prioritise technology and digital skills, he emphasised the need to elevate the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from its current three percent of […]