TechCabal Daily – Kenyan ride-hailing drivers threaten strike
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In today’s edition Fidelity Bank reinstates neobanks Kenyan drivers don’t want Bolt and Uber reinstated yet Airbnb launches $500,000 fund to support tourism in Africa Social commerce in MEA to reach $41.9 billion by 2029 The World Wide Web3 Events Fintech Fidelity Bank reinstates neobanks GIF source: Tenor Nigerian commercial bank, Fidelity Bank, has quashed its qualms with neobanks. Last Friday, sources confirmed that the bank reinstated customer transfers to OPay, Moniepoint, Palmpay and Kuda. ICYMI: This comes a week after customers noticed that several neobanks were no longer listed on the list of approved financial institutions in the Fidelity Bank app. While Fidelity, at the time, claimed that the removal was due to ongoing upgrades, other sources stated that it was due to KYC violations from the neobanks. Last week, sources at the neobanks said that they had been in contact with the commercial bank to resolve all concerns. However, the reinstatement was also due to one regulator, the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), expressing displeasure at Fidelity’s move. The big picture: All through October, the Nigerian tech ecosystem has been battling KYC issues with neobanks. Earlier in the month, OPay was accused of opening accounts for users without permission. The neobank denied the charge, stating that all existing accounts were either created on OPay or any of its now-defunct verticals including OKash, ORide and OFood. This explanation, however, isn’t stopping Nigeria’s data protection bulldog, the NDPC, which has launched an investigation into the neobank. Access payments with Moniepoint Moniepoint has made it simple for your business to access payments while providing access to credit and other business tools. Open an account today here. Mobility Kenyan drivers don’t want Bolt and Uber reinstated yet Image source: YungNollywood Drivers of ride-hailing platforms in Kenya are taking advantage of the situation. On Saturday, the drivers urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) not to renew the licences of ride-hailing platforms Bolt and Uber until the companies act on submitted complaints. The rearview mirror: Earlier this month, the NTSA declined Bolt and Uber’s requests to renew their operating licences. According to the regulator, the ride-hailing platforms were charging illegal booking fees and higher commission rates than the NTSA benchmark allows. While the companies have stated that the booking fees are used to cover taxes and “support or technological features”—in Bolt’s case—the regulator is still not satisfied. The drivers of the platforms are now urging the regulator to ensure that the companies are complying with all requirements of the Transport Network Companies, Drivers, Passengers and Vehicle Owners Regulations, 2022 before they are reinstated. This includes: The requirement that Bolt be registered as a corporate company in Kenya. The removal of the “illegal” 11% and 5% additional fees Uber and Bolt—respectively—charge drivers. Verification of every passenger that registers on the companies’ apps. Fair hearing and institution of notice periods for the removal, deactivation or suspension of drivers. The drivers have given the NTSA seven days to ensure that the companies comply with all regulations, or face a nationwide strike. A steep ride: We don’t think the strike will be effective. So far, these ride-hailing companies have not taken driver complaints as seriously as they probably should. Across the continent, drivers in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and even Tanzania are either striking or have gone on strikes for conditions that are still unfulfilled—or partially fulfilled. Whether it’s a demand for a reduction in commission rates or more safety measures, Bolt and Uber have always given the same response; they consider these drivers as contractors and not employees and are not necessarily responsible for their welfare or their actions. Also, these companies don’t joke with their commissions. In 2022, when Tanzania enforced a maximum commission rate of 15% for all ride-hailing platforms, Uber promptly suspended its operations in the country while Bolt bolted to its corporate clients. Less than a year later, the country reinstated a 25% commission rate that brought Uber and Bolt speeding back. While Kenya admittedly has a larger market than Tanzania and is taking a stronger stance with international trade, it remains to be seen how the country will respond to these new demands. Tourism Airbnb launches $500,000 fund to support tourism Image source: AptanTech We may be getting new tourism hotspots soon. Last week, at the Africa Travel Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, international marketplace Airbnb launched a $500,000 fund geared towards supporting tourism in Africa. Per Velma Corcoran, the company’s regional lead for MEA, the fund will be used to help governments, entrepreneurs and tourism organisations identify and unlock new tourism opportunities across different communities in Africa. The funds will also be dispersed via awards and grants given to local stakeholders. The company will also give access to the City Portal to 10 more African countries, including South Africa. This portal is a new tool for local governments and tourism organisations to learn about Airbnb in their communities and find ways to boost tourism. More for entrepreneurs: Airbnb is also expanding its Entrepreneurship Academy to five new countries in the next two years, following its success in South Africa and Kenya. The Academy is a skills development programme that helps people from diverse and underrepresented communities learn how to become successful Airbnb hosts, in partnership with local organisations. Zoom
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