👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Nvidia’s blue chip
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning We are thrilled to announce our speakers for Moonshot 2024! Prepare to be inspired by the industry’s finest brains in the African tech industry as we reveal some of our fantastic speakers for Moonshot 2024. Join us for a fantastic event packed with insights, innovation, and the ability to turn your tech ambitions into reality. Stay tuned for more speaker announcements and save your seat at the conference by getting your early bird tickets. In today’s edition Vodacom fires 631 people over fraud Nvidia becomes the most valuable company in the US US sues Adobe over consumer rights violations Sanlam acquires 60% stake in Multichoice insurance business The World Wide Web3 Job openings Layoffs Vodacom fires 631 people over fraud South Africa’s mobile giant, Vodacom, which has a market share of 8% is in the middle of seeking approval to merge with Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa (DFA). If successful, this merger would create Maziv, the biggest fibre network in the country. But hold on a sec, there’s a snag. Another fibre network company, Frogfoot, isn’t exactly thrilled. Frogfoot worried this merger would squeeze them out, leaving less competition for everyone. Additionally, South Africa’s Competition Commission has voiced its opposition to the merger, echoing Frogfoot’s. Already, Vodacom might be putting the foot before the frog. After releasing its financial results earlier this year, the company also downsized its workforce by 80 people in South Africa as part of cost-cutting measures. Reports have now revealed that the company has terminated the contracts of 631 staff and contractors and arrested 15 individuals on suspicion of various irregular activities and fraud within the company. The company employs about 14,000 employees. Vodacom comes for fraud: Thanks to customers, service providers, online snoops, business tip-offs, their own fraud-busting system, and even some external whistleblowers, Vodacom uncovered a whole lot of suspicious activity—over 8,600 cases in total! Almost 7,000 involved customers or suppliers, while the rest were internal issues with employees. From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, Vodacom’s corporate security teams looked into 8,652 suspected fraud or irregular cases. The outcome led to the arrest of 15 suspects and the dismissal of 631 staff and contractors, Vodacom stated in the latest Annual Report for the network operator for the 2023/24 financial year A spokesperson of Vodacom said to a news outlet that the group has a strict stance on fraudulent activities across its operational markets and continues to take appropriate measures to safeguard its clientele. The company also mentioned that it employs cutting-edge technology within its systems to recognise and pinpoint internal and external misconduct. Vodacom added that the process of hiring replacements for the dismissed employees will differ across countries, as each decision is made independently in each country. Process payments smoothly with Moniepoint And we’ll have processed almost 5,000 more by the time you’re done reading this. Your business payments can be one of them. Click here to sign up. Companies Nvidia becomes the most valuable company in the world What’s inevitable? Rain, death, taxes and now, the astronomical rise of Nvidia’s stock prices. For the last year and a half, stock prices of the $2 trillion chip giant have been on a tear. If you invested $1,000 in Nvidia stock in October 2022, your investment would now be worth over $7,000. Fueling this growth has been its advancement in making processors that power artificial intelligence systems, especially chips for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Yesterday, Nvidia’s market capitalisation reached $3.34 trillion, surpassing Microsoft’s $3.33 trillion. Apple remains the third most valuable company in the US with a $3.27 trillion market cap. Nvidia’s rise to the top comes after Apple’s short stint as the US’ most valuable company. Stocks of the iPhone maker shot up after it announced it was adding new generative AI features to the iPhone. The stock rally didn’t last long as Microsoft took back the top spot after just a day. While Nvidia’s new, more powerful chip, Blackwell doesn’t launch until later this year, investors worry that there might be a slowdown between now and then. But right now, none of that matters. The only thing that can stop Nvidia right now is if the AI machines it powers turn on its creators. Issue USD and Euro accounts with Fincra Create and manage USD & Euro accounts from anywhere. Fincra allows you to issue accounts to your users, partners & customers to collect payments without the stress of setting up and operating a local account. Get started today. Big Tech US sues Adobe over consumer rights violations If you’ve been online the past day, you may have seen several social media users sigh a sense of relief over the latest big tech lawsuit, US v Adobe. “Finally, they are so wrong and make it difficult to cancel. They charged me an extra month before I was able to finally cancel,” JustMarvG, an X user said. Another tweeted, “I am glad the US is suing Adobe for their harmful, inconvenient subscription practices.” So what’s up? This week, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint accusing Adobe of hiding fees, which can sometimes amount to hundreds of dollars, and other crucial terms within its “annual paid monthly” subscription plan. It’s hard to cancel an Adobe subscription, and the US is going after the company for this reason. Almost all of Adobe’s revenue in Q1 came from subscriptions. In the quarter ending March 1, 95% of Adobe’s $5.18 billion in revenue came from subscriptions, totalling $4.92 billion. The FTC alleges that Adobe violated the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, a federal law enacted in 2010. This law prohibits merchants from imposing charges or deceptive charges such as those for automatic subscription renewals unless it discloses essential terms and obtains informed consent from customers. It also names two Adobe executives David Wadhwani, the president of the digital media, and Maninder Sawhney, a senior vice president
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Africa Data Centres raises $108.9 million
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Eid Mubarak If you haven’t, please move TC Daily to your Primary/Main folders so you don’t miss any of our important coverage. And if—a big if—we’re in spam or promotions, just drag and drop this email away from Spam to Primary if you’re on desktop, or click the buttons on the top right corner and select “Move Email” if you’re on mobile. Thank you! In today’s edition ADC raises $108.9 million to increase data center capacity Airtel activates first phase of 2Africa cable Safaricom and Pezesha launch new loan service The Nigerian government weighs in on data use The World Wide Web3 Job openings Cloud Computing ADC raises $108.9 million to increase data centre capacity Africa houses less than 2% of the world’s co-location data centres. These statistics come as no surprise, as the continent lacks energy infrastructure and government policies to support the launch of these data centres. While the government may be unable to support these data centres, external investors have jumped in. Since 2022, 25 new data centers have been launched on the continent, with big name data centre operators like Equinix and Microsoft launching in Cape Town and Nairobi. In February, Airtel also announced plans to launch its data centre in Kenya. And now, Africa Data Centres, a telecom service provider, has raised $108.9 million to expand its capacity in South Africa. ADC, which currently operates four data centres across South Africa, will use the funding to increase its data centre’s power capacity by 20MW to support more servers and infrastructure. The increased inflow of data centres across the continent might also be partly attributed to artificial intelligence, as systems need large amounts of data and computational resources to operate effectively. While these investments signify positives for Africa, there’s room for improvement. According to data from the Africa Data Centres Association, more than half of the data centres in Africa are located in South Africa, leaving room for investments across other regions in the continent. Process payments smoothly with Moniepoint And we’ll have processed almost 5,000 more by the time you’re done reading this. Your business payments can be one of them. Click here to sign up. Internet Airtel activates first phase of 2Africa cable Poor internet connectivity may be coming to an end in Africa with the activation of subsea cables. With the aim of spanning three continents and reaching 1.3 billion people, the 2Africa project is the world’s longest subsea cable designed to interconnect Africa, Europe, and Asia. It will provide high-speed internet to Africa’s remote regions and boost 4G/5G adoption. Shortly after Google announced its first undersea fiber optic cable that will connect from Africa to Australia, Airtel Telesonic, the wholesale arm of Airtel Africa announced the activation of the first phase of 2Africa cable. The first phase connects Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa thereby boosting internet connectivity across Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Airtel Telesonic achieved this feat by partnering with well-respected Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) which specialises in building underwater cables with advanced technology. This partnership was essential for Airtel to achieve building 16 pairs of optical fibers. Eight companies joined forces to create the 2Africa cable consortium: Bayobab, MTN, Center3, China Mobile International, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC. The cable measures 45,000 kilometers and is the world’s longest subsea cable; it will connect 33 countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia. With landing points in 46 locations, this massive undersea infrastructure boasts a high capacity of up to 180Tbps, significantly boosting internet connectivity for millions of people. In March, internet connectivity was disrupted causing telecommunications and banking services in some parts of Africa due to subsea cable cuts. Since then we have seen increased attention on protecting subsea cables and providing more cables to avoid a recurrence of the disruption. Issue USD and Euro accounts with Fincra Create and manage USD & Euro accounts from anywhere. Fincra allows you to issue accounts to your users, partners & customers to collect payments without the stress of setting up and operating a local account. Get started today. Fintech Safaricom and Pezesha launch new loan service When it comes to loans in East Africa, Safaricom is at the top of the game. Its Fuliza product, as of 2022, was being used by over 7.8 million East Africans who borrow KES1.57 billion ($12 million) everyday—over $5 million annually. Another loan offering, M-Shwari, has over 10 million customers and disburses 50,000 loans every day. Kenya’s lending market is so ripe, even the government jumped in for a bite with the launch of the Hustlers’ Fund in 2022. Safaricom is also pushing deeper into this market by expanding its loan offerings. It has teamed up with Pezesha, a digital lender, to offer Mkopo wa Pochi, a loan product that will provide small business owners with convenient access to credit through their M-PESA business accounts. Launched as part of the M-PESA super app update, Mkopo wa Pochi complements Pochi la Biashara, Safaricom’s business wallet catering to small business owners. Pochi La Biashara users are business owners such as food vendors, small kiosk owners, boda-boda operators, secondhand clothes dealers, etc. The partnership leverages both companies’ strengths: Safaricom’s vast M-PESA user base (over 32.4 million active users) and Pezesha’s expertise in digital lending. Here is how the loan works; Mkopo wa Pochi offers short-term financing and is meant to be repaid quickly, with a base term of 7 days. Borrowers can choose to extend the loan for another 7 days, but there’s an additional fee for doing so. Kenn Abuya has more important details in his coverage. What do you want to see from Paystack in 2024? Paystack would love to hear from you! Let us know what improvements or new features you’d like to see from Paystack in 2024. Share your wishlist here → Telecoms Here’s why your data bundle expires quickly If, like this writer, you wonder why you spend so much
Read MoreSafaricom and Pezesha launch new loan service for small businesses
Safaricom, Kenya’s top mobile network, has picked Pezesha, a digital lender, to provide credit to small business owners, which will add to the telco’s existing loan products, including M-Shwari and Fuliza. The new product, Mkopo wa Pochi, will allow small business owners to borrow money directly through their M-PESA business accounts. Mkopo wa Pochi, already available through Safaricom’s M-PESA super app through an update rolling out today, will complement Pochi la Biashara, Safaricom’s business wallet for small business owners. This marks Pezesha’s debut in Kenya’s mobile money market by partnering with Safaricom, which will give it access to the telco’s vast customer base of over 32.4 million active M-PESA users. Mkopo wa Pochi takes advantage of both company’s strengths. Safaricom’s Pochi la Biashara has over 632,000 active merchants, and processed $564 million (KES 73 billion) in transactions that generated $6 million (KES 800 million) in revenue for the operator between March 2023 and March 2024. Pezesha, on the other hand, is known for its credit partnerships and expertise in digital lending, having worked with Marketforce, Kysok App, and Rocket Health. Mkopo wa Pochi loans have a one-time access fee of 2.76% on the borrowed amount. Borrowers have a 7-day term with a single and optional 7-day extension. Extending the loan incurs a one-time fee of 3.85% for the entire 14-day period, and late repayments will be subject to a 1% daily penalty for a maximum of 7 days. Pezesha will assess Pochi la Biashara customers’ creditworthiness using tools like credit bureaus that list loan defaulters. “Pezesha may make a credit assessment after considering information from various sources, including but not limited to your business transaction history with Safaricom, your mobile money account transaction history, your credit information from the Credit Reference Bureau, your history of use of the product and prevailing market conditions,” Safaricom says in the product’s terms and conditions page. In May 2024, Pezesha secured a $500,000 grant from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to improve its credit scoring technology. This follows a $11 million pre-Series A funding round in 2022 led by Women’s World Banking Capital Partners II.
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Code for BVN check 2024 on all Nigerian networks
The Bank Verification Number (BVN) is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s banking security. It serves as a unique identifier, linking your bank accounts to prevent fraud and enhance security. In this article, we’ll provide you with the code to check your BVN on all major Nigerian mobile networks in 2024. Importance of your BVN Understanding and using your BVN is vital for several reasons: 1. Enhanced security: With all your bank accounts tied to one BVN, fraudsters cannot manipulate your accounts. 2. Smooth transactions: Your BVN is required for many banking services in Nigeria, including new account openings, mobile banking, and fund transfers. 3. Government verification: Increasingly, government services are also relying on BVNs for identity verification. Accessing your BVN easily allows you to confirm its validity, manage account linkages, and ensure all information is accurate. USSD code to check your BVN in 2024 Checking your BVN is easy, regardless of your mobile network. Follow these steps: 1. Dial the code: Open your phone’s dialer and enter the code for BVN in 2024 – *565*0#. This code works with MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile. 2. Confirm fee: You may be prompted to confirm a service charge of N20 (subject to change). Reply with “1” to proceed. 3. Get your BVN: After confirming your payment, your 11-digit BVN will be displayed. 4. Save for use: Write down your BVN or take a screenshot for future use. Registering for BVN in 2024 If you need to register for a BVN, here’s how: 1. Visit your bank: Go to your local bank to book an appointment. 2. Complete the form: Fill out the provided form. 3. Provide documentation: Present necessary documents such as a Nigerian Passport, National ID Card, Driver’s License, or Passport (for non-Nigerians). 4. Undergo registration: Complete the registration process, which includes capturing facial images and biometric data. 5. You should receive your BVN within 24 hours. Final thoughts on code for BVN check 2024 on all Nigerian networks The code for BVN check in 2024 is *565*0#, and it is easy to check your BVN on any Nigerian mobile network. Knowing your BVN strengthens the financial system and gives you access to a broader range of financial services.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – FBI director visits Nigeria to discuss cybersecurity
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Eid Mubarak If you’re a young person and you’ve asked yourself when the perfect time is to leave the shadow of your parents’ house and venture off on your own, we’ve got the answer for you in this article. We spoke to seven young people who left home at different times, and asked them what their big regrets are and how they’re coping with the prices of toothpaste, milk and toilet paper. The big answer: you never know when the right time is, it’s all a leap of faith! Find more answers in Entering Tech, and Leaving Home. In today’s edition SEC warns against $DAVIDO as Sabinus launches new meme coin Nigeria drops tax evasion charges against Binance executives FBI director visits Nigeria to discuss cybersecurity The World Wide Web3 Job openings Crypto SEC warns against $DAVIDO as Sabinus launches new meme coin Depending on who you ask, meme coins can make you a load of money quickly, or help you lose money just as quickly. Meme coins have become popular in the Nigerian crypto space since Wakanda Inu, the first African-themed meme coin, broke the glass ceiling in 2021. Since then, many more—way too many to list in this blurb—have launched. On May 29, Afrobeats singer Davido backed and promoted the Solana-hosted meme coin, $DAVIDO, which shot up to a $10 million market cap within four hours… and dropped by 90% afterwards. It now sits at $268,000, according to DEX screener. Nigeria’s Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), last week, warned investors and the general public that the meme coin, $DAVIDO, is “highly risky” and “lacks fundamental value.” It further stated that people who invested in unregulated assets like $DAVIDO, do so at their own peril. Nigerians have shown mixed reactions to the news as some still criticise the singer, Davido, who they say keeps getting away with his questionable crypto projects. This is not Davido’s first rodeo: The singer previously backed and promoted a shilled ERC-20 token, $Rapdoge which he claimed was the “Doge coin killer.” That project died a while ago, but according to Etherscan, it still has 1,553 holders. Crypto tokens like $DAVIDO lack any evidence of whitepaper, solidifying that these assets are not intended to be long-term projects as they lack utility. Creating meme coins or crypto tokens that sell like $DAVIDO isn’t just a simple flick of the coin, but it sure does help if you’re a celebrity like Davido and have millions of people who will lap up your music and invest in your merch. Solana’s creator platform, pump.fun requires just the name of your coin, ticker symbol, short description, image of the coin and $0.02SOL (less than $0.02) to deploy any meme coin. The other herculean task is getting investors—regular folks and fans—to believe in your crypto token project to pool funds that drive up its value. Another Nigerian celebrity launches a meme coin: Following Davido’s token outing, another “celebrity” status, Emmanuel Ejekwu, Nigerian comedian and skit-maker popularly known as Investor Sabinus, launched his own token, $SABICOIN, over the weekend. A quick, inquisitive look showed that the coin already had a buy value of $1,200 in less than 24 hours. Fooled by randomness? We’re starting to wonder if these people are naturally addicted to high-octane adventures. Process payments smoothly with Moniepoint And we’ll have processed almost 5,000 more by the time you’re done reading this. Your business payments can be one of them. Click here to sign up. Crypto FIRS drops tax evasion charges against Binance executives The Binance saga in Nigeria takes another turn as the country’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), responsible for facilitating tax-related activities in Nigeria, has dropped all tax evasion charges against Binance executives, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, leaving “Binance Holdings Ltd” as the sole defendant. A Binance spokesperson welcomed Gambaryan’s tax charges being dropped, stressing he’s “not a decision-maker” and need not be “held hostage” to resolve government issues. How did it happen? On June 4, US lawmakers filed a petition for US President Joe Biden, to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen, and one of the Binance executives detained in Nigeria since February 26, calling his detention “baseless” and a “coercion tactic” used by Nigerian government to extort Binance. While Gambaryan and Anjarwalla have both been released from the tax charges after 110 days in detention, he still faces money laundering allegations from EFCC and remains in custody. On the one hand, Nigeria seems within its rights to prosecute companies it believes failed to pay appropriate taxes. One publication reported that the Nigerian FG were prosecuting Binance on multiple counts of tax non-compliance according to Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007. “Any company that transacts business in excess of N25 million annually is deemed by the Finance Act to be present in Nigeria. According to this rule, Binance falls into that category. So, it has to pay taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT) and also collect and pay Value Added Tax (VAT).” Binance reportedly had a turnover of $20 billion from Nigeria in 2023 alone, making the claim feasible. However, the prolonged detention of an individual, a non-decision maker, primarily employed to oversee compliance at the company, complaints of mistreatment, and an alleged bribe request painted a muddled picture of overcriminalisation for Nigeria. Thus, it is speculative that Gambaryan’s role in the tax evasion lawsuit brought forward by FIRS was overstated. Since Nigeria’s crackdown on cryptocurrency started, it has scapegoated Binance as one of the platforms facilitating forex exchanges that upend the value of naira. Gambaryan’s dropped charges may also have been facilitated by a visit from FBI Director Christopher Wray who was in the nation’s capital last week to “discuss cybersecurity”. We’ve got more on that in the next segment. Issue USD and Euro accounts with Fincra Create and manage USD & Euro accounts from anywhere. Fincra allows you to issue accounts to your users,
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Code to share data on MTN in 2024
Sharing data on the MTN network allows users to distribute their data bundles among friends and family. A USSD code to share MTN data makes this process easy and accessible. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use this service effectively. To begin with, ensure that you have an active data bundle on your MTN line. Without an active bundle, one cannot complete the data sharing process. Once confirmed, follow these simple steps: 1. Dial the code to share data on MTN The primary code used to share data on MTN is *312#, which is now the universal code for data-related services on mobile networks in Nigeria. Dial this code on your mobile phone to access the data sharing menu. 2. Select the “Next” option after dialing code to share data After dialling *312#, you will see a list of options. Select the option 0 for “Next”. This typically involves sending a corresponding number from the menu options provided. 3. Choose data gifting You will be prompted to choose between more data options. Select ‘Gift Data’ to share a specific amount of data. 4. Choose data source Choose if you want to transfer the data from your existing balance or if you want to buy directly from MTN for your potential receiver. 5. Enter the recipient’s number Input the MTN number of the recipient you wish to share data with. Ensure the number is correct to avoid sending data to the wrong person. 6. Specify the data amount Indicate the amount of data you want to share from the list provided. This can be in MB or GB, depending on your available balance. 7. Confirm the transaction Review the details you’ve entered and confirm the transaction. Final thoughts on code to share data on MTN in 2024 Using the USSD code to share data on MTN is not the only channel through which to send data to your loved ones. There’s the MTN app option too. However, the USSD code option is the quickest and most user-friendly option. By following the steps earlier provided, you can easily manage and share your data bundles on the MTN network.
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Check your NIN without phone number 2024
The National Identification Number (NIN) is an important identifier for all Nigerian citizens and permanent residents. Typically, checking your NIN involves using your registered phone number, but there are ways to check or retrieve your NIN in cases when your phone number is unavailable: 1. Use the NIMC mobile app If you have access to the internet on a device like your Android phone, you can use the NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) mobile app to retrieve or check your NIN in 2024: Download the app: The NIMC mobile app is available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Log in: If you’ve previously registered, log in with your credentials. If not, you can register using your details. Retrieve your NIN: Once logged in, you should be able to see your NIN displayed on your profile page within the app. 2. Visit an NIMC office The most direct way to check your NIN without using your phone number is by visiting an NIMC office. Here’s how: Locate the nearest NIMC office: Find the nearest NIMC enrollment centre. You can search online on the NIMC official website. Bring your identification documents: Carry valid identification such as your voter’s card, driver’s license, or passport. Request NIN retrieval: Inform the staff that you need to retrieve your NIN. They will verify your identity using your provided documents and retrieve your NIN from their database. Final thoughts on how to check your NIN without phone number 2024 Retrieving your NIN without your phone number is possible through reliable channels, including visiting an NIMC office, using the NIMC mobile app, or checking the NIMC website. If you eventually have to go to the NIMC office to retrieve your NIN due to the inability to access your registered phone number, it’s advisable to apply for a modification of data. Although the NIN data modification for phone number change can be done online, since you are at the NIMC because you need your NIN number, you can just apply for the modification in person. Do note that it comes at a fee.
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Get/retrieve your BVN without your phone number 2024
The Bank Verification Number (BVN) is essential for anyone using banking services in Nigeria. It helps secure financial transactions and ensures your identity is protected. If you need to get your BVN number, here are five practical methods, especially if you can’t access the popular USSD option due to a SIM card loss or damage. 1. Get BVN through your bank’s mobile app If you use a mobile banking app provided by your bank, you can easily access your BVN number there. Log into your mobile banking app and find that part tagged in your profile or account information section. Most banks have a dedicated tab that displays your 11-digit BVN. This method is secure and provides easy access if you frequently use mobile banking services. 2. Online banking platforms For those who prefer using a desktop or laptop, online banking platforms offer another way to get your BVN. Log into your bank’s online portal and go to your account settings or personal information section. Here, you should find your BVN listed. 3. Visit your local bank branch to get your BVN number Lastly, you can always visit your local bank branch to get your BVN. Head to the customer service desk and request your BVN. You may need to provide identification and account details for verification. While this method may take more time compared to digital options, it is a reliable way to ensure you get your BVN number accurately. 4. NIBSS portal The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) provides an online platform to verify and retrieve your BVN. Visit the NIBSS BVN portal, input your bank details, and follow the prompts to get your BVN number. This is a centralised and authoritative source for BVN information. 5. NIMC centres You can also get your BVN number from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) centres. Visit any NIMC centre with your identification documents, and they can assist in retrieving your BVN. This is especially helpful if you are handling other identity-related tasks at NIMC. Final thoughts on how to get/retrieve your BVN without your phone number 2024 Knowing how to get your BVN number is essential for smooth banking operations and financial security in Nigeria in 2024. Whether you choose to use the USSD code, a mobile banking app, an online banking platform, visit your local bank branch, the NIBSS portal, or a NIMC centre, each method offers a solution. Ensure you keep your BVN accessible, as it is vital for various banking and governmental processes.
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🚀Entering Tech #67: Seven techies talk about leaving home
Seven techies share why you should (not) leave home as a young adult. 15 || June || 2024 View in Browser In partnership with Issue #67 Entering Tech,Leaving Home Share this newsletter Greetings ET people As a young techie, the allure of becoming independent can be strong. Young people figuring out their lives need space, freedom from errands, and if you’re like this writer, you probably need breathing space to explain what you do for work to your parents every 3 market days. Twitter debates about when to leave home have been raging since 2019 and it trended again last week when people with hot takes said 25+ is the new age of independence. Some tell you to go lower. And others like this one warn you not to leave home until you have “bastard money”. It got us thinking at ET, so we decided to play devil’s advocate and ask 7 techies who left home—Chidum, Timothy, Lydia, Pelumi, Ayomide, Oscar, and David—why they did, when they did, and how it’s going for them today. Some stories are bougie, others are inspiring. But all of them, entertaining. Let’s dig in. Faith Omoniyi & Emmanuel Nwosu On leaving home The last stanza of my favourite poem “If: A Father’s Advice to His Son” by Rudyard Kipling goes like this: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything in it, and which is more, you’ll be a man, my son.” The stanza emphasises the role that important decisions (like leaving home) play in your character growth. The “unforgiving minute” typifies time. To “fill” that minute with “sixty seconds’ worth of distance run” means pushing your limits. Deciding whether to leave home or not can be tricky. On one end of the divide, parents want you to stay back and find your footing no matter how long it takes. On the other end, you want to move out and see the world for yourself. However, if you’ve caught yourself nodding to Twitter hot takes and need a strong pitch to convince your parents that you want to leave home right now, then take a hint from David, Technical Product and Project Manager, who left home to focus on his startup, Bondly, after trying and failing seven times. David left for boarding school at the age of eight, and hardly ever visited home again. When he completed his university education, he left his ₦100,000 ($63) job to take a ₦25,000 ($16) pay cut in Lagos while squatting with his friend. If this isn’t the real “hustle like your life depends on it” story, then I don’t know what is. David Chima On the other hand, there are parents who encourage their kids to leave as early as possible and find their own footing. Picture it as that classic mother eagle myth pushing its young off its nest to teach it how to fly. This was the story Lydia, a Growth Marketer at Circo Africa shared, “My parents pushed me out of the house to go do my own thing and meet someone at NYSC.” She was 22. Curious, we asked her how that’s going for her and she said that the confidence her parents instilled in her from a young age made the difference for her as she went Han solo into the world. She now beats her hand on her chest, proud that she can now fix a light bulb. Lydia Effiong The pattern for young people wanting to leave home is to find the freedom to do whatever they want, pursue opportunities that help them grow, meet new people—and possibly meet the love of their lives (like Lydia’s parents planned for her.) “Going out on your own gives you a sense of urgency to make money,” says Timothy, who left his parent’s house at 23. Timothy, who is now Product & Partnership Manager at Flutterwave, thinks that the amount of money you can make at your parent’s house is limited and leaving home guides your path to make the sacrifices needed for growth—and to up your bags. Oscar Soribe For Oscar, leaving Abuja for Lagos at 22 to become a badass graphic designer was his valid excuse for not wanting to sit in his father’s house after graduation. Upon entry in Lagos, Oscar enrolled in a design school that would go on to fast-track his career. Pelumi, at 24, mischievously worked out his NYSC deployment to Ibadan so he could fast-track his personal development and access career opportunities in software development. Ayomide Agbaje Ayomide, at 22, left his home city of Ekiti to pursue his career interests in Data analysis. That led him to discover opportunities in innovative tech companies in different parts of the world, including Rwanda where he now resides. Chidum, now an Onboarding Specialist at Flutterwave, left home at 22 so he could regain control and be free from his errands (that were haunting him) and, most importantly, to focus on his work and career development. So, he decided to move out and find his personal space. Timothy Timothy What it means to leave home Like every other tough endeavour, leaving the comfort of your parents’ house is not a bed of roses, Timothy used to wonder where his next meal would come from when he first moved out; Lydia almost cried the first time her apartment got flooded; Ayomide, felt like a stranger when he first landed in Kigali; Oscar’s loan from his mum didn’t suffice for his bills when he first moved out; Chidum’s exodus from home was met by skyrocketing inflation which made it difficult to purchase everyday items; Pelumi had a bone to pick with a lawyer and house agents after he paid for his first apartment. Chidum Obinwa While these techies found it hard at first, they adjusted just fine. Ayomide got used to the life and culture in Kigali; Lydia now knows to phone a plumber in case of emergencies;
Read MoreIn SA, digital advertising is eating TV and this is why
In the late 90s and early 2000s, TV was the peak form of leisurely entertainment in South Africa and ads had a high return on investment for advertisers. But from the late 2000s, as viewers went from watching big boxes in their living rooms to watching little boxes on their palms, TV’s attractiveness as an advertising medium has continued to wane. Broadcasters like state-owned SABC are feeling the bite, reporting R600 million ($33 million) in reduced advertising revenues in 2023. Multichoice, owners of pay-TV service DStv, also recorded a 7% decline in advertising revenue in its latest annual results, stating that “SA TV advertising came under pressure from the ongoing competitive pressures from digital online channels.” The broadcaster also blamed the impact of weak macro trends such as inflation and currency devaluation on marketing budgets and TV ratings. Back in the day, advertisers would pay whatever broadcasters charged to place their ads on prime-time TV slots. But a changing viewership landscape, driven by cord-cutting and the rise of digital advertising mediums, has seen the once almighty TV broadcasters scrambling to survive the migration of advertisers’ rands to digital platforms. TV ads like Oros’ “Flavour Drums” were popular in the early 2000s. (Source: YouTube/Oros) According to the 2023 Kantar Media Report, globally, TV fell from being advertisers’ third most preferred advertising medium to 12th. The Media Box, a 24-year-old television advertising agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa, initially focused on offering just TV advertising. The model worked well at the peak of TV in the late 90s and early 2000s but by the late 2000s, the agency saw the changing viewership landscape. According to managing director Marius Wannenburg, The Media Box started offering digital advertising for clients in 2010 as social media proved to be a mainstay with consumers. “Companies who want high-value leads have shifted their spend from TV to digital media,” Wannenburg told TechCabal. Digital advertising offers more for less A 30-second TV ad can cost more than R2.5 million($136,000) to produce and place on TV channels. Advertisers only have to spend a fraction of that in digital advertising because consumers of digital advertising “don’t have any production value expectation–they simply want to be entertained,” said Mannenburg. Digital advertising is also more measurable, helping advertisers know exactly how ads are performing.“TV is falling victim to these data-focused channels and the deeper engagement of in-person touch points,” said Matthew Arnold, chief connections officer at VMLY&R, a South African advertising agency. Advertisers like Nandos now advertise directly to consumers through platforms like YouTube and social media. (Source: Youtube/Nandos) Another selling point for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Google is that they can give advertisers access to billions of eyeballs globally. With this huge audience and good old economies of scale, the platforms can offer pricing which is a fraction of the cost of advertising on TV. According to Rob Smuts, CEO of RMS Media, insights like conversion volumes, conversion rates, click-through rates, and cost per acquisition which are offered by digital platforms are also important sell points. These metrics allow advertisers to personalise and target ads more precisely, something TV advertising cannot offer as it “broadcasts the same message to a broad audience, regardless of individual preferences or behaviours.” All is not yet lost for SA TV In its latest annual results, South African TV broadcaster eMedia recorded a profit of $17 million, showing that there is still bank to be made in TV advertising. Free-to-air broadcasters such as eTV continue to offer value to advertisers because access to the internet for social media and streaming remains a challenge, especially for low-income groups. Multichoice on the other hand, stated that to resurrect the declining DStv revenues, it would leverage popular sports events, bringing in new clients to TV via its small and medium enterprise initiatives, and driving uptake of the group’s digital advertising channels. To hedge against digital advertising’s surge at the expense of TV’s decline, some South African broadcasters are also moving ad sales in-house to block ad agencies like The Media Box from offering alternative digital advertising options to advertisers. “But companies will continue to allocate more of their ad spend towards digital because that market sector continues to grow,” said Mannenburg.
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