👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – The future of Kenyan banking
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning Welcome back, and happy new year! We’re back to our usual schedule, bringing TC Daily to your inbox by 7 AM WAT. Before diving into today’s news, we have a quick favour to ask. At the end of this newsletter, you’ll find a button to let us know if you enjoyed this edition. It’ll be there every day. We’d love to hear your thoughts as often as you can spare them! Should the future of Kenyan banking rely on Pesalink? Kenya Airways is back on the NSE Will Nigeria publish December’s inflation figures? World Wide Web 3 Jobs Banking Should the future of Kenyan banking rely on Pesalink? Image Source: CBK Kenya has earned global recognition as a trailblazer in mobile money and digital payments, thanks to innovations like M-Pesa, one of the world’s most successful mobile money platforms. Since its launch in 2007, M-Pesa has transformed how Kenyans send and receive money, enabling everything from paying school fees in rural areas to settling restaurant bills in Nairobi with just a phone number. Over the years, banks and other financial institutions have built on this foundation, creating solutions like digital loan products and payment apps that make transactions easier for millions of Kenyans. However, mobile money platforms like M-Pesa and Airtel Money often operate in silos, separate from banks and other financial institutions. For instance, a small business owner in Kisumu who uses M-Pesa might still need to visit their bank to reconcile card payments or transfer funds to their account. Managing payments from multiple systems—card payments, mobile wallets, or bank transfers—is inefficient, especially for businesses with tight margins. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) wants to fix this. On October 18, the CBK announced plans for the Fast Payment System (FPS) to enable instant transfers between all financial institutions, from banks to licensed payment service providers. With FPS, the SME owner in Kisumu can transfer money from their Airtel Money account to a bank account or use their digital wallet to pay for services without worrying about compatibility issues. Kenyan commercial banks have welcomed the move but believe there’s a quicker path forward. They’re advocating for an upgrade to Pesalink, a platform they already own through their fintech subsidiary, Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL). Pesalink, for example, currently allows people to send money from one bank to another within seconds, even during weekends or public holidays. The banks argued that leveraging Pesalink would be the fastest and most cost-effective way to achieve the CBK’s vision for a unified payment system. Pesalink currently enables person-to-person (P2P) transfers across its 39 member banks, but it struggles to integrate with mobile money platforms and fintechs. For example, a boda-boda operator in Mombasa who uses M-Pesa might not be able to receive payments from a customer whose bank only supports Pesalink, limiting the operator’s options. The CBK’s decision will likely shape the future of Kenya’s financial ecosystem. Whether the regulator builds on Pesalink’s existing framework or starts afresh to bring all players under one roof, the outcome could define the next innovation chapter in Kenya’s payments industry. For businesses and individuals alike, the stakes are high: seamless integration could unlock new opportunities, while continued fragmentation risks holding back progress in a country known for leading Africa’s digital transformation. Capital Markets Kenya Airways resumes trading shares on Kenya’s capital market Image Source: Kenya Airways In more news from Kenya, the pieces are gradually falling back in place for the once-castaway local airline, Kenya Airways. The company has made a return to the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) five years after it was suspended from the capital market due to the government’s plan to buy back privately-held shares and renationalise the airline. The NSE cited the airline’s improved financial performance and the withdrawal of the renationalisation bill—aimed at revitalising the struggling airline—as key reasons for reinstating the shares. From 2013 to 2022, Kenya Airways was neck-deep in the red, reporting $1.7 billion in losses. The airline—partly owned by the Kenyan government with 48.9% shares—has relied on the National Treasury to repay its loans and operational costs. However, according to CEO Allan Kilavuka, it didn’t receive funding from the government in 2023, likely owing to the latter’s inability to fund public projects—a problem that continued in 2024 with another airline, JKIA. Kenya Airways has since had to turn to equity investors to get funding to “restructure” its business. For an airline struggling with operating losses, that meant financial discipline. It has aggressively pursued cuts on excessive spending and making debt-to-equity swaps. Kilavuka has told investors that the company will break even by the end of 2023 and become profitable the following year. In 2024, Kenya Airways reported its first half-year profit in a decade, earning $3.9 million—a 102% increase year-on-year—as it cut operating losses by more than half. Since its resurgence, the airline has also seen an increase in registered flights. In 2023, it recorded 5 million passengers, and it carried that momentum into 2024 when it flew 8,000 people in and out of Kenya daily. Next for Kenya Airways, if Kilavuka’s predictions are to be believed, will be to achieve its first full-year profit for the financial year ending 2024/2025 when it announces the results later this year. The result will cement its comeback status as the airline’s wings begin to spread again. Economy Will Nigeria publish December’s inflation figures? Image Source: Zikoko Memes Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is in the spotlight, but not for its usual economic reports. Three weeks after a cyberattack forced its website offline, the country’s most reliable source of data remains out of reach. As businesses and policymakers prepare for 2025, the uncertainty around access to critical economic information is raising eyebrows—and concerns. The timing couldn’t be worse. Next week, the NBS is expected to release the December 2024 inflation figures, a key dataset that informs everything from corporate strategy to household budgets. Yet, it’s unclear
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10 reasons to go for the Infinix Hot 10 Play
The Infinix Hot 10 Play is a smartphone that has been gaining popularity in recent times, and for good reason. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why you should consider purchasing the Infinix Hot 10 especially if you’re looking for something in-between affordable and luxury. 1. Impressive display and design The Infinix Hot 10 Play has a 6.82-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels. The screen is vibrant, and the colours are bright and clear, making it a pleasure to watch videos and play games on. The phone has a sleek and stylish design, with a glossy finish that gives it a premium look and feel. 2. Long-lasting Battery Life One of the standout features of the Infinix Hot 10 Play is its long-lasting battery life. The phone has a massive 6000mAh battery that can last for up to two days on a single charge, even with heavy usage. This means you can use your phone all day without worrying about the battery dying on you. 3. Powerful performance The Infinix Hot 10 Play is powered by a MediaTek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) processor, which is a powerful and efficient chipset that delivers fast and smooth performance. The phone comes with 2GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on the variant you choose, which ensures smooth multitasking and seamless app switching. 4. Large storage capacity The Infinix phone comes with 64GB of internal storage, which is considerable storage for all your apps, photos, and videos. If you need more storage space, you can expand the storage capacity up to 512GB using a microSD card. 5. High-quality cameras The Infinix Hot 10 Play has a quad-camera setup on the back, which includes a 13-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a low light sensor. The camera takes high-quality photos with accurate colours and good detail. The phone also has an 8-megapixel front-facing camera that takes decent selfies. 6. Affordable price One of the most compelling reasons to go for the Infinix Hot 10 Play is its affordable price. While affordable may be relative, its affordability lies in between those looking for something high-taste without it necessarily being cheap or pricey. The phone offers excellent value for money, with its impressive features and specifications at a considerable price point. You’ll find it between ₦70,000 – ₦99,000 in online or walk-in stores. 7. One of the latest Android OS The Infinix Hot 10 Play runs on one of the latest operating systems—the Android 10 (Go edition). This version offers a range of new features and improvements over its predecessors. The phone also comes with Infinix’s XOS 7.0 skin, which offers a range of customizations and features that enhance the user experience. 8. 4G LTE connectivity The Infinix Hot 10 Play supports 4G LTE connectivity, which ensures fast and reliable internet speeds. This means you can browse the web, stream videos, and play online games without any lag or buffering. 9. Dual SIM support The Infinix Hot Ten Play has dual SIM support, which allows you to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This is especially useful if you travel frequently or need to keep separate numbers for work and personal use. 10. Durable build quality Also, the Infinix phone is built to last, with a sturdy and durable design that can withstand everyday wear and tear. The phone has a plastic back cover, which is less prone to cracking or shattering compared to glass backs found on other smartphones. Final thoughts on the Infinix Hot 10 Play Overall, the Infinix Hot 10 Play is a great smartphone that offers excellent value for money. It combines top features that make it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers great performance.
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Twitter does not exist anymore
Lire en français Read this email in French. Editor’s Note Week 15, 2023 Read time: 5 minutes In this edition, we curated crucial news from across Africa, such as Nigeria’s burgeoning carbon market, Swvl’s third delisting warning, Kenya’s data abuse crackdown, and more! Enjoy! Pamela Tetteh Editor, TechCabal. Editor’s Picks Twitter does not exist anymore Twitter Inc, the company, has ceased to exist as a standalone company and has been merged into an entity called “X Corp”. #plottwist Learn more. Meet the OPay Mafia OPay ex-employes have been on a startup spree, cooking up not one, not two, but about seven tech ventures in Nigeria, all within a mere five years since OPay touched down in the country. Learn more. Cassava to invest $250 million into SA’s economy Cassava Technologies pledges to invest $250 million to contribute towards positioning South Africa as an attractive investment destination. Learn more. Kenya fines two companies for data abuse Kenyan loan company, WhitePath Company Limited and workspace provider Regus Kenya are feeling the heat for not playing by the data protection rules. Learn more. Lazerpay shuts down Lazerpay, a web3 and crypto payment company, is shutting down months after the startup’s founder shared that the company was having trouble raising money. Now, its IP is up for sale. Learn more. World Bank invests $390 million in Kenya’s Digital Economy Kenya believe it? The World Bank Group Board of Directors just gave Kenya a digital high-five with a whopping $390 million in financing for its Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project. Learn more. TC Daily Get the most comprehensive insights and stories about Africa’s tech and business ecosystem. TC Daily goes out every week at 7 AM (WAT). Mastercard’s Fellowship admits 12 SA edtech startups Mastercard’s Edtech Fellowship has handpicked 12 game-changing startups. The startups will get equity-free funding worth over R1,000,000 (~ $540 000), product quality evaluation and certification, skills development, coaching and mentorship, market research and access. Learn more. AstraZeneca supports MedSol’s AI cancer detection Global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has announced that it is partnering with South African healthtech firm MedSol. MedSol’s AI technology can detect breast cancer in seconds. Learn more. Swvl’s fresh problems Low on cash and high on losses, Egypt-born mass transit startup Swvl has received its third delisting warning from Nasdaq. Per the warning, dated March 31, Swvl has 180 days—or until September 25—to raise the value of its publicly held shares above $15 million. Learn more. Healthlane switches lanes Following its six-month operational pause, Healthlane is changing its business model and discontinuing usage of its on-site laboratories. The company is seeking to reinvent itself after a phase of operational struggles and allegations against its founder. Read more. Who brought the money this week? Victory Farms, a Kenya-based aquaculture startup, raised $35 million in a Series B round led by Creadev. Other participants in the round include Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF), DOB Equity, Endeavor Catalyst Fund, and Hesabu Capital. The company’s founders and angel investors, including Joseph Rehmann, Steve Moran, Kamran Ahmad, and Hans den Bieman, also invested. South African agri-tech startup, FarmTrace, also closed an undisclosed amount of funding from Secha Capital and Hassium Capital to expand its operations as a cloud-based management solution for farmers. What else to read this weekend? SA startup founders tackle EV mobility amidst weak national grid Former Chipper Cash VP moves to EBANX Africa Next Wave: Crypto’s quick-money promise for Africa is collapsing Why Infinix Note 12 is still popular in 2023 Share TC Weekender Written by: Ngozi Chukwu Edited by: Pamela Tetteh 18, Nnobi Street, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria Unsubscribe from TC Weekender
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Check out the Infinix Hot 12 Play if you’re on a budget
In today’s fast-paced digital age, smartphones are no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Whether you’re a student, professional, or business owner, a smartphone is an essential tool that helps you stay connected with the world, stay organized, and access information on the go. The Infinix Hot 12 Play offers users a range of features that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone. In this article, we’ll explore why you should consider buying the Infinix Hot 12 Play. Display One of the standout features of the Infinix Hot 12 play is its large 6.82-inch IPS LCD display, which offers users a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. This display is perfect for streaming videos, browsing the web, or playing games. The size of the display also makes it easy to read text, view images, and navigate menus. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which ensures that it is resistant to scratches and other types of damage. Battery life The Infinix Hot 12 Play comes with a massive 6000mAh battery that can last up to 3 days on a single charge, depending on usage. This is a significant advantage for users who are always on the go and may not have access to a charging port for long periods. Additionally, the device supports fast charging, which means you can top up the battery in just a few minutes. Camera The Infinix Hot 12 Play features a triple-camera setup on the back, which includes a 13MP main sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera produces excellent images with accurate colours, sharp details, and good dynamic range. The macro sensor is perfect for close-up shots, while the depth sensor helps to create a blurred background effect that makes your subject stand out. The device also features an 8MP front-facing camera, which takes great selfies. Performance The Infinix Hot 12 Play is powered by an Octa-core 2.3 GHz, a powerful processor that delivers fast and smooth performance. The device also comes with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage, which is expandable by up to 256GB via a microSD card. This means that you can store all your photos, videos, music, and other files without worrying about running out of space. The device runs on Android 11, which is one of the latest versions of the Android operating system. Connectivity The Infinix Hot 12 Play supports 4G LTE connectivity, which ensures that you can enjoy fast internet speeds when browsing the web, streaming videos, or downloading files. The device also supports dual-SIM functionality, which means you can use two SIM cards at the same time. This is a great feature for users who travel frequently or have two phone numbers. Design The Infinix Hot 12 features a sleek and modern design that looks and feels great in your hand. The device has a plastic back that comes in a range of colours, including Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, and Champagne Gold. The rear camera module is placed in the top left corner of the device and has a unique design that adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the device. Price One of the most significant advantages of the Infinix Hot 12 Play is its price. Unlike Samsung or Google Pixel phones with similar specs, the device is priced affordably, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a reliable and high-performing smartphone without breaking the bank. The device offers a range of features that are usually found in more expensive smartphones, making it an excellent value for money. You’ll get it for around ₦79,000 – ₦97,000 in Nigeria, depending on which online or walk-in store you patronize. Final thoughts on the Infinix Hot 12 Play The Infinix Hot 12 Play is a smartphone that offers users a range of features that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-performing smartphone. Its large display, long-lasting battery life, powerful processor, and excellent camera setup are just some of the standout features that make it a great device for everyday use. Additionally, its affordable price makes it accessible to a wide range of users, making it an excellent value for money.
Read More12 SA edtech startups selected for the Mastercard Foundation Edtech Fellowship
Non-profit organisation Injini has announced the first cohort of 12 edtech startups participating in the inaugural Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship. Injini is part of an Africa-wide network of partners implementing the Mastercard Foundation Fellowship to support growth-stage EdTech startups as they seek to improve learning outcomes. “We saw many promising applicants during the selection process for our Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program,” stated Krista Davidson, Executive Director of Injini. “It was not an easy process to narrow down the applicants from hundreds to these 12 Fellows, as there are many impressive EdTech solutions operating and making a real difference to learners across the country. We are confident that we will be able to work with each one individually to grow their impact and improve educational outcomes in South Africa.” The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) which partners with technology and innovation hubs and EdTech accelerators across Africa to support promising, growth-stage EdTech ventures with the potential for scale and impact. Launched in 2019, the Fellowship supported 12 African EdTech companies from 7 countries in its first year. Collectively, these companies have reached over 800,000 learners to date. The Fellowship will provide the selected startups with direct funding support worth over R1,000,000 (~ $540 000) in equity-free venture funding, product quality evaluation and certification, intensive skills development, coaching and mentorship, bespoke market research, and market access through Injini’s network of stakeholders across the education innovation landscape. The selected startups are: Afrika Tikkun Bambanani strives to provide South African children with access to quality education by standardizing the ECD curriculum. The organization collaborates with renowned researchers and educators to equip children with specialized educational tools. Ambani Africa through the use of augmented reality, animation, and gamification, has successfully developed learner-focused products for language learning. They offer a free language app that currently offers six African language options. BuzzKidz Buzz-in-a-Box (BIAB), is an EdTech solution that helps South African teachers provide creative arts education to learners. Backed by research on play-based learning, the platform offers a comprehensive curriculum covering music, drama, and dance. Click Learning is an NGO that helps underserved primary schools in South Africa improve foundational literacy, numeracy, and digital skills through the deployment of relevant online programs. Code4Kids is a program that enables teachers to teach coding, robotics, and other ICT skills to students from Grades 4 – 9 through pre-made, curriculum-aligned lessons. Code4Kids offers multiple coding languages such as HTML, CSS and Javascript in a fun and easy-to-learn environment. Digify Africa is a chat-based learning platform that delivers interactive micro-learning through WhatsApp to low-income users in Africa. Lessons are accessible to learners wherever and whenever they want and at their own pace. FunDza Literacy Trust is a ‘library on a phone’ where readers, writers, and course participants can connect with FunDza through a mobile-friendly and data-light site. The platform publishes reading and writing materials that ignite a love of reading, specifically aimed at teens and young adults who have never previously identified as readers. Matric Live is a multifunctional education app with interactive lessons, gamification of learning, and an exam simulation feature for practising exam-like questions. Reflective Learning is a data-driven solution that helps teachers identify learning gaps and provides personalised learning pathways to empower learners to catch up on their backlogs. Resolute Education provides robotics and coding programs for schools and tertiary institutions. These programs follow the CAPS curriculum, include SACE-accredited teacher training and support, offer cost-effective robotics kits, and an LMS for educators and learners. Yenza offers smart career technology that combines the latest in psychometrics, data science and intelligent design to intuitively guide and recommend successful career pathway journeys for individuals. 12. Zaio is an online platform that provides highly interactive educational content on digital skills like coding, including on-demand live support, at a fraction of the expected cost.
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Why Infinix Note 12 is still popular in 2023
The Infinix Note series is one of the brand’s high-end devices. Despite being released in 2022, the Infinix Note 12 is still making waves in the industry. The Infinix Note 12 boasts a powerful performance and an impressive camera system, making it the perfect device for anyone who wants to stay connected and productive on the go. In this article, we will explore some of the key features and benefits of the Infinix Note 12, taking a closer look at why it’s still in high demand. Design and display The Infinix Note 12 has a sleek and elegant design, featuring a 6.7-inch Full HD+ display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen is stunning, clear, and has an excellent color reproduction that makes it perfect for gaming, watching movies, or surfing the internet. It also has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which provides a smoother and more responsive experience when scrolling through your social media feeds or playing games. In terms of design, the Infinix Note 12 has a slim profile and a lightweight body that makes it easy to carry around. It also features a fingerprint scanner on the side that provides quick and secure access to your device. Additionally, it has a triple camera setup at the back, which adds to its aesthetic appeal. Performance Another reason this particular Note Series may linger longer in the Android demand curve is its incredible performance. The Infinix Note 12 is powered by a Mediatek MT8781 Helio G99 (6nm) chipset, which is known for its excellent performance and power efficiency. This chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM, which ensures that the device can handle multiple apps and tasks with ease. It also has 128GB of internal storage, which provides ample space for storing all your photos, videos, and other files. One of the key features that make the Infinix Note 12 stand out is its gaming performance. It comes with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, which delivers smooth and lag-free gaming performance even for the most demanding games. It also features an advanced cooling system that prevents the device from overheating, even during extended gaming sessions. Camera For folks who are looking for cameras that can compete with high-end Samsung or Redmi phones, you have a sure bet in this Note version. The Infinix Note 12 comes with a powerful camera system that includes a 50MP, f/1.6, (wide) PDAF primary sensor, a PDAF 2MP, f/2.4, (depth) QVGA ultra-wide-angle lens. This camera system is perfect for capturing stunning photos and videos, whether you’re taking portraits, landscapes, or close-up shots. The device also features a 16MP front-facing camera that takes excellent selfies and provides clear and crisp video calls. Additionally, it has a range of advanced camera features such as Super Night mode, AI scene detection, and slow-motion video recording, which further enhances its photography capabilities. For video recording, you can shoot top notch videos with its Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama and 1440p@30fps video capacity for both front and back cameras. Battery life The Infinix Note 12 comes with a massive 5000mAh battery that provides excellent battery life. This battery can last for up to two days on a single charge, even with heavy usage. It also features 33W fast charging technology, which ensures that the device can be charged quickly, allowing you to get back to using your device in no time. Software The Infinix Note 12 runs on Android 12, which is the latest version of the Android operating system. This provides access to a range of new features and improvements, including enhanced privacy and security features, better performance, and improved user interface. It also features Infinix’s XOS 10.6, which adds a range of additional features such as Smart Gestures, Game Mode, and Multi-Window support. Price The Infinix Note 12 is competitively priced, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a powerful and feature-rich smartphone without breaking the bank. It offers excellent value for money, with its powerful performance, impressive camera system, and long battery life. In Nigeria, you’ll be able to cop this phone for anything from ₦130,000 – ₦150,000. Final thoughts on the Infinix Note 12 Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who enjoys mobile gaming and photography, the Infinix Note 12 has something to offer. Though pretty high in price compared to the Infinix Hot or Smart series, it’s definitely impressive when compared to brands like Google Pixel, Samsung, Huawei providing the same specs.
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