Canal+ increases MultiChoice stake to 40.8%
In February, Canal+’s stake in MultiChoice passed the 35% mark, triggering a law that allowed it to present a mandatory offer to shareholders of the South African broadcaster. While that offer is under consideration, Canal+ has continued to snap up MultiChoice shares on the open market, increasing its stake to 40.8%. Between April 12 and 15, Canal+ bought 3.5 million MultiChoice shares at an average price of R116 per share, lower than the mandatory share offer of R125. It continues an almost three-year move by the French broadcaster, which has 8 million customers in Africa, to take over MultiChoice. A MultiChoice acquisition is perfect for Canal+ but regulatory hurdles loom While South African law mandates any entity with more than a 35% stake in a listed company to make an offer for all outstanding shares, another law limits foreign entities’ voting rights in acquired broadcasting companies to 20%. As both companies continue to work out how to get a deal over the line despite regulatory hurdles, Canal+ is mopping up shares at a significant discount. If the transaction is finalised, Canal+ will likely have to pay less than its $1.9 billion offer. Per law, MultiChoice is not allowed to issue any more shares. How CAF president Patrice Motsepe could impact Canal+’s bid for MultiChoice “The 3 million shares acquired would have cost R30 million more had they been purchased at the offer price, so Canal+ is saving a lot of money,” said Jimmy Moyaha, founder of investment firm Lebowa Capital. According to Moyaha, MultiChoice shares on the open market are fair play until the deal goes through. According to South African law, Canal+ can continue buying MultiChoice shares if they are trading at less than the R125 mandatory offer price. If the share price surpasses the offer price, the French broadcaster would have to up its offer price for all outstanding shares. According to Moyaha, the fact that MultiChoice shares are still trading at a discount to the offer price is a sign that the market is not getting ahead of itself about the takeover deal being concluded. Both companies have announced that they will cooperate to see the deal through, with MultiChoice forming an advisory board and Canal+ reportedly in talks with Patrice Motsepe to join the bid.
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WhatsApp integrates Meta AI to change messaging experience
Meta is making things more interesting in the virtual messaging ecosystem with the introduction of WhatsApp Meta AI, a new feature that integrates artificial intelligence directly into your messaging experience. This innovative chatbot is designed to mimic the capabilities of services like ChatGPT and Gemini, offering a range of exciting possibilities for your chats. What is WhatsApp Meta AI? Think of it as your own personal AI assistant within WhatsApp. Here’s what it can do: Answer your questions in a clear and informative way. Provide summaries of factual topics. Help you brainstorm ideas for projects or writing. Even generate creative text formats! Test running the new WhatsApp chatbot In testing the new AI feature, we asked it a couple of questions and it provided answers in the fashion of models like Gemini and ChatGPT. For example, we asked where it derives information from and it gave us the following answer: We saw a name in its profile that seems to be its nickname just like Alexa and the others. The name is ‘Llama’. Then we called it Llama and asked how it was. It answered angrily: Getting started with Whatsapp Meta AI Accessing and using the new WhatsApp chatbot is easy. Here’s how: Update your WhatsApp to the latest version on Google or Apple Store. (The feature might not be available in all regions yet.) Once updated, you’ll see a dreamy icon on the right-hand side of your WhatsApp chat list as seen below. Click it to get started with chatting with WhatsApp Llama. After that first click and you send your first message to the WhatsApp AI, you will have the chat listed as your regular contact. You can archive and unarchive it too. Also, you can easily access it through the search button at the top of your WhatsApp chats. It now functions as a search engine for your contacts, chats, and a conversation portal with WhatsApp Meta AI. To use it, simply type “Meta AI” followed by your question or request within a chat. Haven’t gotten access to the Meta AI after updating your WhatsApp? Haven’t gotten the update yet on your regular WhatsApp but eager to try it out? Consider joining the WhatsApp Beta program. Beta testers get to play with upcoming features like Whatsapp Meta AI before everyone else. This lets you experience the latest innovations and provide valuable feedback to help shape the future of WhatsApp. The future of chatting with AI Whatsapp Meta AI is a big leap forward in using AI for everyday communication. It can answer questions, summarise information, and even spark creative ideas, making WhatsApp even more useful.
Read MoreeTranzact to adopt HoldCo structure to raise capital for its biggest revenue drivers
NGX-listed eTranzact International Plc will restructure its business and adopt a holding company structure if it secures regulatory approval from the Central Bank. The 21-year-old payments provider, valued at ₦57 billion, will likely use a HoldCo structure to raise capital for its best-performing business units. “It is entirely up to the CBN. We have been ready since 2023,” Niyi Toluwalope, the company’s managing director and CEO, said in an exclusive interview with TechCabal. Holding company structures are not new; at least two African telcos have spun off their mobile money business in the last few years and have raised money for those subsidiaries. “You can also raise money for specific things in specific subsidiaries,” said Toluwalope. “The HoldCo structure will lead to a stronger focus on profitability and possible expansion plans into new markets,” said one fintech expert who asked not to be named. It could also result in increased operating costs for the company. According to its financial report, eTranzact’s primary business is switching and was responsible for 95% of its 2023 revenue. Its other revenue lines are payment solution services, mobile money operations, and value-added services. Further breakdown of its revenue showed that it earned ₦24 billion from mobile airtime sales. Yet the company does not want to be known as an airtime collector. “We aggregate for the telcos because the telcos want to use trusted platforms to sell airtime. It is not a growth product. We do it because we exist. Our growth drivers are switching and merchant acquiring. The future revenue earner is our direct-to-consumer platform,” Toluwalope said. eTranzact has introduced a range of products such as PocketMoni—a fintech app for consumers, Corporate Pay for streamlined salary payments, PayOutlet designed to allow merchants to collect payments from customers of banks in eTranzact’s network, SwitchIT—a transaction processing technology, and Credo—a payment gateway tailored for social commerce. The company claims to process 20 million transactions daily and reported ₦33 billion in revenue in 2023. eTranzact competes with several businesses. In switching, for instance, it competes with fintechs like Zone and bank-backed newcomers like Hydrogen, the payments company of Access Corporation, the holding company of Access Bank. Access Bank is eTranzact’s biggest shareholder. Ultimately, the company will focus on delivering value to shareholders. Last year, eTranzact’s share price was up over 171.4%, and shares were trading at ₦6.25 at the time of this report. But its Holdco ambition could face a roadblock, said one financial services insider. The CBN recently told payment company leaders it would no longer allow them to restructure to holding companies, an industry insider with direct knowledge of the meeting told TechCabal. Based on its success in payments, eTranzact is betting big on mobile money. The thinking is that Nigeria’s unbanked population presents a huge opportunity for market penetration. Only 61.4 million Nigerians have registered Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) as of April 2024, according to data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). “There is still a large number of people that use cash. When you see how transaction dynamics can change overnight then you understand that it isn’t about mobile money, it is about banking from the unbanked,” said Toluwalope.
Read MoreCardoso downplays concerns over FX reserves amid naira rally
Nigeria’s central bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has downplayed claims that the bank is depleting foreign exchange reserves to prop up the naira. Cardoso claimed that the apex bank’s intervention in the FX market is not as costly as speculated. On Tuesday, a Bloomberg report pointed out a worrying reduction of the country’s foreign exchange reserves between March and April. It coincided with the start of weeks of appreciation for the naira, which is now the world’s best-performing currency this month. According to Bloomberg’s analysis, liquid reserves declined 5.6% from March 18, when the naira rebounded from record-low levels against the dollar to $31.7 billion as of April 12. That same article quoted an analyst as saying the CBN was “using its FX reserves to clear the valid backlog and return the naira to a realistic exchange rate.” The central bank governor countered on Wednesday evening that the decline in the reserves isn’t out of place. “There have been little cases at the outset where the Bureau De Change (BDCs) needed tiny amounts of money to get that segment going,” Cardoso said. “Debts were due, and they needed to be paid. Other times, money comes in. We have $600 million that came into the reserves. We want a market that operates on its own—a willing buyer, willing seller and price discovery.” Cardoso did not share specific details about the debts that were due. “The exchange rate gives people hope. We were regarded as the worst-performing currency of any country. Six months later, we have the title of best-performing currency,” said Cardoso. The Central Bank introduced a raft of policies to stabilise the naira. It directed banks to reduce their net open positions. Last month, it cleared a much-discussed FX backlog estimated at $7 billion. Cardoso emphasised the importance of trust and a return to the orthodox policy and highlighted the need for the fiscal side to meet the bank in the middle. “We must have a handshake with the fiscal side.” Inflation figures show the Central Bank still has a lot to do. Food inflation accelerated to 40% in March while headline inflation quickened to 33.2% in March, defying analysts’ estimates of a marginal increase.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – MarketForce shuts down RejaReja
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية We’re thrilled to announce that TechCabal Battlefield is back, and this time, it’s bigger and better than ever before! TechCabal Battlefield is Moonshot’s startup competition dedicated to spotlighting and showcasing African startups to a global audience, providing winners with exciting prizes. This year, we’re bringing more value to our participants including a pre-accelerator program, deal room sessions and so much more. We invite you to be part of this incredible journey by applying to TC Battlefield 2024. If you’re a startup founder building innovative tech solutions to solve Africa’s unique challenges, TC Battlefield is the platform for you. Apply now at bit.ly/tcbattlefield. In today’s edition Kenya’s Equity Bank hit with $2.1 million debit card fraud MarketForce shutdown RejaReja SafeBoda launches electric motorcycles in Uganda Cellulant appoints new leaders Kenya cracks down on tax evasion The World Wide Web3 Events Cybersecurity A $2.1 million debit card fraud hits Equity Bank in Kenya Equity Bank, the largest bank in Kenya, has fallen victim to a debit card fraud scheme resulting in the theft of $2.1 million. As a response, the bank has frozen all 500+ accounts involved in the receipt of these funds. Per a detective from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, 19 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the crime. How did the fraud happen? Sources with knowledge of the investigation claim the scam involved a “card-not-present” scheme, in which fraudsters don’t need physical possession of the card. This type of fraud typically entails the use of stolen card information for online shopping or the creation of fraudulent websites to process payments and access funds. Kenyan banking regulations mandate the disclosure of information for transactions exceeding $10,000, and mobile wallet transactions are capped at $1,900 per transaction with a maximum of $3,800 daily. The stolen funds were distributed across over 500 bank and mobile money accounts to avoid detection. According to a letter signed by Gerald Munyiri, Equity’s general manager security, between April 9 to 15, 2024, $1.3 million was paid out from the general ledger fraudulently to 551 Equity Bank accounts, $478,360 was sent to Safaricom, and $296,015 to eleven commercial banks. Fraud on the rise in Kenya: Kenyan banks reportedly lose about $130 million to cybercrime annually, and card fraud is just one facet of this problem. Regulatory agencies are tracking suspicious financial flows to combat money laundering and terrorist financing alongside fraud. In February 2024, the East African country found itself on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list again after 10 years. Read Moniepoint’s case study on family-owned businesses Family-owned businesses are everywhere, shaping our world in ways you might not expect. We’ve found some insights into how they work, and we’d love to share them with you. Dive in right away here. E-commerce MarketForce shuts down RejaReja, switches to social commerce Kenyan B2B e-commerce startup MarketForce has been in the news recently. In October 2023, the company scaled back operations in three African markets— Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania. In December, Marketforce also faced challenges with its credit partner Pezesha. The companies had partnered up in 2021 to allow Pezesha to offer cost-effective financing for inventory and wholesale distribution to merchants partnered with Marketforce. By September 2023, however, Pezesha submitted a petition to liquidate Marketforce’s assets due to an outstanding debt. MarketForce is now adapting to the market realities and has decided to shut down RejaReja, its B2B e-commerce platform that is a huge part of its business, and focus on a new venture: Chpter, a social commerce startup. MarketForce co-founder Tesh Mbaabu cited razor-thin margins and intense price competition as key factors. He also mentioned difficulties with the capital-intensive nature of the business model. A new Chpter: MarketForce’s new venture, Chpter, will provide AI-powered chat automation tools for businesses on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, which will allow streamlined communication between businesses and customers and potentially convert social media interactions into sales. Enjoy hassle-free transactions with Fincra Collect payments without stress from your customers via bank transfer, cards, virtual accounts & mobile money. What’s more? You get to save money on fees when you use Fincra. Start now. Mobility SafeBoda launches electric motorcycles for a greener Uganda Uganda’s Ride-hailing platform SafeBoda has launched a new electric motorcycle option, called Electric Boda. This new service was announced via apost on X on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Why electric? Boda bodas, the motorbike taxis used in Uganda’s urban areas, are a convenient and affordable way to get around. However, they also contribute to air and noise pollution. Electric Boda will be offering the same convenience without the environmental drawbacks. Are there benefits to using electric bikes? SafeBoda’s electric bike initiative promises a win-win-win situation. The world has been pushing for environmental safety precautions. The use of electric bikes will translate to cleaner air in cities, a quieter ride for everyone, and potentially lower costs for both riders and the company. Challenges of using electric bikes in Uganda: Uganda lacks a widespread network of charging stations for electric vehicles. SafeBoda will need a solution to keep their electric motorbikes powered up. Additionally, finding trained mechanics and spare parts for these new bikes might be a challenge initially. Despite the challenges, SafeBoda’s electric push is a positive sign for Uganda’s transportation future. This move comes alongside the company’s recent announcement to return to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. SafeBoda seems to be back on the growth track, and this time, it’s with a focus on sustainability. Fintech Cellulant appoints new leaders After securing $54.5 million through three funding rounds between 2014 and 2018, Cellulant, a pan-African payments company, faced challenges securing further investment. An attempt to raise $100 million in a Series D round in 2022 fell short. This funding shortfall coincided with a period of internal restructuring. In 2023, Cellulant undertook three rounds of layoffs. The latest quietly happened in December 2023, just one month before then-CEO Akshay Grover, stepped down, citing personal reasons. At
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GSEB 10th result 2024 release
Students who appeared for the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) Class 10th exams in March 2024 can get ready to check their GSEB 2024 results. The official announcement regarding the release date for the GSEB Class 10th result 2024 is yet to be made by the board. However, based on past trends, the GSEB result 2024 is expected to be declared sometime in the first week of May 2024. The GSEB Class 10th exams were conducted from March 11th to March 22nd, 2024. Thousands of students sat for the exams across the state. The GSEB result 2024 will be crucial for students as it will determine their higher education options. Where to check the GSEB results 2024 The GSEB result 2024 will be declared online on the official websites of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board – https://www.gseb.org/ and https://www.gsebeservice.com/. Students can access their GSEB result 2024 by entering their seat number on the result login window. Previous years’ GSEB result dates The release date for the GSEB result 2024 can only be predicted based on past trends. Here’s a look at the GSEB Class 10th result declaration months for the previous five years: 2023 – May 2022 – June 2021 – June 2020 – June 2019 – May These dates indicate that the GSEB result 2024 can be expected anywhere between late April and early June. However, an official confirmation from the board is decisive. Final thoughts on GSEB Result 2024 You are advised to keep checking the official websites of the GSEB for the latest updates regarding the GSEB result 2024 declaration date. You can also follow news websites like TechCabal that are very likely to publish updates about the GSEB result 2024 as well. Once the GSEB result 2024 is declared, students can use the resources available online and offline to understand their options for higher education.
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How to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024
The UP Scholarship 2024 offers a valuable opportunity for students in Uttar Pradesh to pursue their academic dreams. This scholarship program by the Government of Uttar Pradesh provides financial assistance to deserving students belonging to various categories. If you would like to benefit from UP scholarship for the 2024 academic year, here’s a comprehensive guide to on how to apply. Understanding eligibility to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024 The UP Scholarship 2024 caters to students from different backgrounds. It’s crucial to check the official website for detailed eligibility criteria based on your category (SC/ST/OBC/General) and current level of education (class 9th-12th or Post-matriculation). Generally, factors like academic performance, family income, and specific courses might influence eligibility. Documents required for UP Scholarship application You will need the following for you to successfully apply for the UP 2024 scholarship: 1. Proof of UP residential status Upload documents like voter ID, PAN card, Aadhaar card, ration card, or driving license. A domicile certificate is required if you don’t reside in Uttar Pradesh. 2. Caste Certificate (if applicable) This document verifies your caste category (SC/ST/OBC) for scholarships applicable to specific groups. 3. Certificate of family income An official document demonstrating your family’s annual income as per government guidelines. 4. Marksheets/Certificates of qualifying examinations Upload scanned copies of your mark sheets or certificates from previous academic years. 5..Current year fee receipt/admission letter This document verifies your enrollment in a recognised educational institution. 6. Passport-Size photograph A recent passport-sized photograph of yourself. 7. Bank Passbook Scanned copy of the first page of your bank passbook with account details. 8..Student ID Proof (if available) This can be your school/college ID card. How to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024 The application window for the UP Scholarship 2024 for Pre-matriculation (class 9th & 10th) has already closed (October 1, 2023 – January 2, 2024). However, for Post-matriculation students (class 11th and above), applications will typically open in October 2024. It is advisable to start looking out for news from September 2024 to be fully ahead and abreast of any switches. Once the application window opens, follow these steps to apply for the UP scholarship: 1. Registration for the UP Scholarship 2024 Visit the official website and register using your Aadhar card details. 2. Filling out the application form to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024 Carefully fill out the online application form, ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date. You’ll need details like your academic records, caste certificate (if applicable), and bank account information. 3. Uploading documents to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024 Upload scanned copies of all required documents as specified by the authorities. 4. Review and Submit to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024 Thoroughly review your application for any errors before final submission. Final thoughts on how to apply for the UP Scholarship 2024 Please bear the following in mind: Meet application deadlines strictly. Late submissions are not entertained. Double-check all information entered in the application form to avoid rejection. Keep scanned copies of required documents readily available for upload. The official UP Scholarship website (https://scholarship.up.gov.in/) remains the most reliable source for all information and updates regarding the program. By following these steps and staying updated through the official website, you can effectively apply for the UP Scholarship 2024.
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How to apply for ISBN in Nigeria 2024
Before a book can be certified published, it needs an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). This unique 13-digit code is your book’s official identification, allowing it to be tracked and distributed globally. So, how do you apply for ISBN in 2024 from Nigeria? Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating the process. The Nigerian ISBN Agency The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) is the designated ISBN agency for the country. They are responsible for assigning ISBNs to publications originating in Nigeria. This means you don’t have to deal with international organisations – applying for ISBN 2024 can be done entirely in Nigeria. Eligibility for Applying for ISBN 2024 The good news is that most types of publications are eligible for an ISBN, including self-published works. However, some exceptions exist, like brochures or pamphlets with limited content. The NLN website provides a detailed list of eligible publications. Pricing for Applying for ISBN 2024 (as of April 2024): 1 ISBN: ₦5,000 2 ISBNs: ₦7,000 3 ISBNs: ₦10,000 4 ISBNs: ₦10,000 5 ISBNs: ₦10,000 10 ISBNs: ₦10,000 Please note that you will not be able to apply for 6,7,8 or 9 ISBNs. It is a system put in place by the NLN. So you either apply for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 at once. The numbers simply mean the amount of ISBNs, Also, you can’t get more than 10 in one application. Bear in mind that you have to wait for an application for ISBN to be approved before you apply for another. These prices may change at the discretion of the National Library of Nigeria. Steps to apply for ISBN in Nigeria 2024 There are two main ways to apply for ISBN 2024 in Nigeria: 1. Online Application Like services such as the NIN and Passport application in Nigeria, the National Library has also made significant efforts in digitising its ISBN generation system. The NLN website offers a convenient online application system. Here, you’ll create an account and fill out a form with details like your book’s title, author information, and publication format (e.g., paperback, ebook). You’ll also need to upload a few documents, typically including a completed application form and your book’s cover page, and make payment. This method may sometimes be inaccessible due to network issues or website upgrades. Also, there’s a limit to the number of ISBNs you can get issued virtually. As such, you may want to consider the next option. 2. Offline application This is the physical approach that requires you to visit an NLN agency closest to you. Required documents for applying for ISBN 2024 Please take note of the following documents especially if you’ll need to get multiple ISBNs physically: 1. Book Copies If you are an independent author needing an ISBN, you will need to go with at least preliminary pages of your proposed book as evidence. For established publishing outfits, you may not come with the exact book(s) you need ISBN(s) for, but you will need to present at least three copies each of two titles your publishing outfit has published. If you are a new publishing outfit, then you need to bring preliminary pages of the proposed book, and if you have the book cover mock-up representation, you may also bring it along. 2. CAC documents For an established publishing outfit, you’ll need to present your publishing company’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate. It doesn’t have to be the original copy. Three photocopies of this document will be required of you. 3. Proof of Payment A Remita receipt showing payment of the ISBN application fee. (Find the Remita payment steps in another section below. Please ensure you follow it carefully so you don’t make a wrong payment.) You will need three photocopies of this ISBN payment receipt. 4. Letter of Application This letter typically contains your address, your company letterhead (for publishing outfits), the address of the NLN office you are applying for ISBN at, the heading of your letter, and a concise request for the ISBN for your book(s). Please ensure you clearly state your book(s) titles and author(s) name(s) in the letter. Also, as a company, ensure that your company name as written on the CAC certificate is the way it’s written on your application letter. For example, if the name of your company is written as TechCabal on the CAC document, you should also ensure it reads “TechCabal” on the letter of application. If you possibly created a subsidiary for your publishing outfit named “Tech Publishing”. You can’t use that on the application. You need to add the “Cabal” so it has to be TechCabal Publishing”. 5. Completed application form Ensure all information is accurate and complete. (This form will usually be provided for you at the NLN office you visit) Remita payment steps to apply for ISBN 2024 To make the ISBN application fee payment through Remita, follow these steps: Visit the Remita website. In the “Who do you want to pay?” section, enter “NATIONAL LIBRARY NIGERIA – 051700800100.” For “Name of Service/Purpose,” select “ISBN & ISSN Administrative Fees.” Enter “Payment of ISBN (as applicable)” in the “Description” field. Each NLN office in every state has its specific GIFMIS code. For example, the GIFMIS code for Ibadan is 1000097245. However, if you are unsure of the GIFMIS code of the NLN office you are applying for ISBN at, please use the general code “100097203” in the GIFMIS Code space. However, you can ask officers at the NLN office for the GIFMIS, provided you won’t be making the payment before visiting their office for submission of documents. Enter the price of the ISBNs you’re applying for (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10) in the “Amount to Pay” section. Refer to the price table above for the corresponding fees. Choose “Naira” as the currency. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment process. You’ll receive a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number upon successful payment. Final thoughts After you apply for the ISBN, in about 5-7 working days,
Read MoreMarketForce shuts down RejaReja, its B2B ecommerce business, switches focus to social commerce
MarketForce, the Y Combinator-backed Kenyan startup founded in 2018, will shut down RejaReja, a B2B e-commerce platform that was a huge part of its business. The company’s co-founder, Tesh Mbaabu, shared the development in a blogpost on Wednesday afternoon. The startup founder also shared the company’s new move: Chpter, a social commerce startup that provides an AI-powered conversational platform that automates conversations on WhatsApp and Instagram for business owners. Mbaabu cited the razor-thin margins of B2B e-commerce businesses and profitability struggles on a unit level as contributing factors in the decision to close the business vertical. On a phone call with TechCabal, Mbaabu said RejaReja’s “business model was challenging and capital-intensive.” “Unfortunately, that is our closing chapter. After immense efforts to make our business model sustainable, including downsizing the business to extend the runway for as long as possible, we have concluded that it is no longer feasible to keep RejaReja operational. “The segment is also highly price elastic, which means the price wars are consistent. That’s always a race to the bottom.” While MarketForce began as a sales automation software, it pivoted to B2B e-commerce with RejaReja, a service that allowed neighbourhood merchants and small-time retailers to stock up their shops with goods from FMCGs like Unilever and Nestle. The service also allowed customers to access digital financing; MarketForce partnered with Pezesha, a business credit provider, for this service. Many players in the B2B e-commerce space typically offer loans and apps that help customers manage their inventory. There was considerable excitement from investors around B2B e-commerce at first. That sentiment and considerable traction in its early days helped MarketForce. “Based on early traction for RejaReja, the company raised $2 million and was accepted into Y Combinator in the summer of 2020.” More milestones were to follow, including supporting over 1 million merchants and raising $40 million in 2022 at a valuation of $100 million. Today, the segment’s initial excitement has waned, and the investors who happily signed millions of dollars in cheques have slowed down. In December 2023, Wasoko and MaxAB, two heavily funded B2B e-commerce players, merged in the hopes of creating a category king. The Nigerian startup Alerzo has cut employees thrice in as many years as it hopes for profitability. MarketForce also faced difficulty meeting its financial obligations to its credit partner, Pezesha. However, the two companies have since resolved the matter internally, avoiding a liquidation suit filed by Pezesha.
Read MoreExclusive: Kenya’s Equity Bank hit by $2.1 million debit card fraud, 19 suspects arrested
Equity Bank, Kenya’s biggest bank, was the target of a debit card fraud in which the perpetrators stole $2.1 million. According to a letter sent to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, the stolen funds were moved to over 500 bank and mobile money accounts. The bank has restricted all accounts that received those funds. A fraud detective at the DCI confirmed the incident to TechCabal and claimed 19 persons were arrested in connection with the fraud. Equity Bank declined to comment. Three sources with knowledge of the investigation said the perpetrators executed a “card-not-present” scam to steal money from victims. While this type of fraud typically involves using stolen card details to shop online, fraudsters often create websites and route payments to those websites to access funds in those cards. Those funds are then moved to other bank accounts. “Preliminary investigations revealed that between 09/04/2024 and 15/04/2024, KES 179.6 million ($1.3 million) was paid out from the GL fraudulently to the 551 Equity Bank accounts,” a letter signed by Gerald Munyiri, Equity’s general manager security said. “KES 63 million ($478,360) was sent to Safaricom and KES 39 million ($296,015) to eleven commercial banks. We are in touch with Safaricom and the respective banks to assist in tracing the movement and safeguarding the funds,” part of the same letter said. One theory is that the transactions were done in batches because Kenyan banks require customers to disclose information for all transactions over $10,000. Mobile wallets also have a limit of $1,900 per transaction, with a maximum of $3,800 daily. Fraud is a growing concern in Kenya’s financial services sector. According to TransUnion Africa, a credit reporting agency, Kenyan banks lose about $130 million to cybercriminals yearly, mostly through loan stacking and identity theft. Kenya’s Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), an agency that tracks the flow of money in financial institutions– flagged more than $600 million linked to card fraud, corruption and terrorism financing in the three years to July 2023. Most banking fraud cases in Kenya go unreported, as most financial institutions choose to resolve them quietly, albeit with the knowledge of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the sector regulator. In March 2024, Habil Olaka, the outgoing chief executive of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA)told Business Daily that local banks are increasing spending on technology to help fight growing fraud.
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