After hitting ₦2 billion in ticket sales in 2023, Tix Africa looks to Rwanda and UK
Parties, conferences, live podcasts, and concerts all share one thing: they sell tickets on Tix Africa. After recording ₦2 billion in ticket sales in 2023, the company wants to expand to Rwanda and the UK. If you’ve attended a concert, live podcast, or conference in Nigeria in the last three years, odds are that you’ve interacted with Tix Africa, a ticketing platform launched in 2019. Founded by Folayemi Agusto and Nosakhare Oyegun, Tix recorded ₦2 billion in ticket sales in 2023, a big jump from the ₦884 million it reported in 2022. Despite Nigeria’s quickening inflation, that growth has continued in the first half of 2024—Tix Africa says it has sold over 150,000 tickets. Data from Tix “After sorting food and various essentials, Nigerians believe anything left is for enjoyment,” said Agusto. Nigeria is not Tix’s only market. It also operates in South Africa and Ghana, with plans to expand to Rwanda and the United Kingdom. The company will raise funding for this expansion. While the company would not be drawn into commenting, it is likely looking to raise over $150,000. “We have raised equity through our pre-seed round and accelerator programs like Google Black Founder Fund,” said Agusto. Tix Africa’s Rwanda and UK expansion In Rwanda, the draw for Tix is a 10,000-capacity BK Arena, and in the UK, the success of Afrobeats is driving live shows and concerts. Many Africans in the diaspora are underserved and craving more African experiences, said Agusto. Afrobeats has become Nigeria’s most significant export to the UK and Europe in the last decade. Three Nigerian artistes, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, have sold out the O2 arena in London in the last few years. “We don’t just go anywhere and sell tickets. There has to be an enabling environment to expand and grow.” The enabling environment in the UK is not just music but also tech events. While Tix has an impressive roster of corporate clients such as the Lagos Fashion Week (LSW) Jameson, Femme Fest Afrochella, Sterling, Palm Wine music festival, and Flytime music festival, it wants to connect with a consumer market. “Next month, we are launching a new website and checkout experience for Tix. It will take you less than 30 seconds to buy a ticket.” It is working on an app that helps people discover events near them. Tix recently partnered with Audiomack to provide ticketing tools for African artists to connect with their fans in person and bring music closer to them. By helping people find events near them, creators can sell more tickets by promoting their businesses in Tix’s feed and targeting the people in their target location. It is not Tix’s first experiment. In 2021, it launched Tix Pro, a subscription-based service, to help creators track the success of their events and have data for future events. Yet, many creators, who typically begin selling tickets close to the event date, didn’t want to be locked into subscriptions. In 2023, it discontinued Tix Pro and now offers full features to all users. While the company is not yet profitable, it hopes that surpassing its 2024 sales targets will bring it closer to this goal. Tix Africa, which competes with Eventbrite, Nairabox, and Ariya, makes money by charging a percentage of ticket sales for paid events (typically 5%) and a small fee on each ticket. Its vision of the future is bold: “We can own a 10,000-capacity event in the future. Owning a venue can serve as a funnel for ticketing. We will earn money from both ticketing and events. Already, our yearly Tixieland event—a company-wide event to showcase the Tix brand—is a great resource for us to test things.” Have you got your early-bird tickets to the Moonshot Conference? Click this link to grab ’em and check out our fast-growing list of speakers coming to the conference!
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JAMB original 2024 UTME result slip now available
Candidates who participated in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) can now access and print their original JAMB result slip. These slips, pivotal for admission processes into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, are now available for printing as per the latest directive from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Secure and official documentation The original JAMB result slip 2024 is an essential document that includes the candidate’s photograph and incorporates advanced security features. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of the document, making it a reliable record of the candidate’s performance in the UTME. Printing guidelines and approved centres Effective from Monday, July 22, 2024, candidates can print their original JAMB result slip 2024 exclusively from approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. It is vital to note that printing from cybercafes or other internet-enabled platforms is not a way forward. This precautionary measure aims to safeguard against potential security breaches and ensure the accuracy of the printed document. Avoiding fraudulent activities Candidates are to adhere strictly to approved channels for printing their original JAMB result slip 2024. This precaution is to prevent falling victim to fraudulent schemes, such as attempts to inflate scores. The physical copy obtained from accredited centres serves as a secure and verifiable record of the candidate’s actual UTME results. Guidance from JAMB original 2024 UTME result slips printing Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Public Communications Officer (PCA) at JAMB, emphasised the importance of obtaining the original JAMB result slips 2024 through authorised means. This process not only guarantees the authenticity of the document but also reinforces the transparency of the examination outcome. Final thoughts on JAMB original 2024 UTME result slips now available As candidates proceed to print their original JAMB result slips 2024, it is imperative to follow JAMB instructions. By doing so, candidates can secure documentation and representation of their UTME results.
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New SASSA payment August 2024
As August 2024 approaches, many South African citizens look forward to their scheduled grant payments from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). These payments play an important role in supporting older persons, individuals with disabilities, and children. Here, we provide an overview of the SASSA payment dates for August 2024 to help beneficiaries plan accordingly. SASSA payment dates for August 2024 The SASSA pay schedule for August 2024 has been clearly outlined to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their grants on time. The dates are as follows: Older Persons’ Grants: Payments for older persons will commence on Friday, 2 August 2024. This includes any grants linked to these accounts. Disability Grants: Payments for disability grants will begin on Monday, 5 August 2024. Beneficiaries should ensure their accounts are ready to receive these funds. Children’s Grants: Payments for children’s grants will start on Tuesday, 6 August 2024. This ensures that families relying on these funds can access them promptly. Importance of SASSA Payments The SASSA payment in August 2024 ensures that vulnerable groups receive the financial support they need. Older persons rely on their grants to cover essential living expenses, including food and medical supplies. Similarly, individuals with disabilities depend on their grants to manage their unique needs, which may include specialised care and equipment. Children’s grants help families provide for their young ones, covering costs related to nutrition, education, and healthcare. Avoiding the rush SASSA encourages beneficiaries not to rush to withdraw cash on the first day. Once the money is in the account, it will remain there until needed. This approach helps to reduce congestion at payment points and ensures a smoother process for all. Final thoughts on SASSA payment dates for August 2024 The SASSA disbursement in August 2024 will follow a structured schedule, ensuring that older persons, individuals with disabilities, and children receive their grants promptly. SASSA payment dates are designed to provide timely support and should be utilised wisely.
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Kenyan ride-hailing drivers threaten another strike to press home demand for better pricing
Ride-hailing drivers in Kenya may protest again on Wednesday after a strike from July 15th to 19th did not produce the expected results. The drivers, through associations like the Organisation of Online Drivers Kenya (OOD) and Ridehail Transport Association, are asking for involvement in pricing decisions, improved security features, and a revised system for deactivating drivers following security reports. Drivers have repeatedly said the current pricing model benefits the companies at their expense. They argue that the current system, where platforms take an 18% commission and the government takes another 16% (of their commission) as VAT, eats into their profit margins. The drivers also want a 24-hour customer care line amid claims that the response time when they report security issues in the app is slow. “The SOS button on the app does not always work as advertised. We also do not like cases where security issues are reported via support chat. We want to speak to a real person on the phone,” said OOD deputy chairman Dennis Nyariki. OOD has also faulted the apps for unfairly deactivating driver accounts. The body claims the apps unjustly deactivate accounts based on customer complaints, even when the fault may lie with the passenger. “Sometimes, when a customer is at fault and reports a trip through these apps, their account may be deactivated while an investigation is conducted, said one Bolt driver who asked not to be named. “Since some of our vehicles have been bought with loans, such deactivations put us at risk of defaulting on our monthly payments.” Last week, OOD, led by deputy chairman Dennis Nyariki, submitted demands to all Kenyan ride-hailing companies but has yet to receive a response. “They haven’t responded formally, and our demands have not been met. We will most likely proceed with demonstrations from Wednesday until they bow to our demands,” Nyariki told TechCabal. Uber told TechCabal it received the demands last week and is “following the due process, which includes relevant consultations to review the matters raised.” Last week, OOD demanded that Uber, Bolt, and Faras temporarily suspend their operations while they address current concerns. This demand has been criticised, with an executive who provides background checks for Bolt drivers calling it “outrageous.” That person argued that drivers are free to choose which platform to use and that these platforms have made taxi services more affordable for riders. Another expert claimed that this move could mark the beginning of the end for drivers. “Before Uber, people rarely used taxis due to the high costs.” Uber and Bolt acknowledged driver concerns and the strike on Monday last week; Uber told TechCabal that it was “closely monitoring the situation and making every effort to minimise disruptions for users.” Have you got your early-bird tickets to the Moonshot Conference? Click this link to grab ’em and check out our fast-growing list of speakers coming to the conference!
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Exclusive: Copia co-founder Tracey Turner plots comeback after e-commerce firm’s demise
A month after Copia Global administrators said the business would sell its assets to settle creditors, Tracey Turner, co-founder of the Kenyan-based e-commerce platform, is working on launching a new company. Four people familiar with the matter said the new company, which has been registered in Kenya, will deliver household items in Nairobi and the surrounding suburbs. Turner is also speaking with investors and has three investors lined up to provide funding, said one analyst at a VC firm with knowledge of the talks. Tracey’s cofounder and former Copia CEO Tim Steel will join the new team, but it is unclear in what capacity, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Steel was Copia’s chief executive from March 2017 until May 2024, when the company entered administration. On May 24, 2024, Copia entered administration after admitting it would struggle to make payroll. Under the administrators, Makenzi Muthusi and Julius Ngonga of KPMG, it laid off 1,060 staff and hoped to raise new funding. Ultimately, fundraising attempts failed, and the company began winding down after eleven years of operation. “Tim is a visionary. He was let down by his team. There was no hunger to get results as you would expect in most startups,” said one person with knowledge of Copia’s business. Tracey Turner and Tim Steel did not immediately respond to separate requests for comments. Kenya’s e-commerce sector has been hit by a series of high-profile closures this year including iProcure, a B2B farm input platform, and Rejareja, a B2B that allowed retailers to restock their shops. “If things go as planned, operations will resume in September or October at the latest,” the same person said. Have you got your early-bird tickets to the Moonshot Conference? Click this link to grab ’em and check out our fast-growing list of speakers coming to the conference!
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From Times Square to 2024 PUBG MOBILE World Cup – Infinix GT 20 Pro’s Path to Gaming Glory
Infinix has teamed up with champion players from the PUBG MOBILE Super League (PMSL) in Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Central and South Asia (CSA) regions to take over a massive billboard in New York’s Times Square, announcing Infinix’s upcoming participation in the 2024 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP (PMWC). As the official gaming phone for the 2024 PMSL EMEA and CSA seasons, the Infinix GT 20 Pro has consistently delivered exceptional gaming experiences to team players. Its impressive performance has earned unanimous endorsement from the players, leading to its prominent placement on the Times Square billboard. GT 20 Pro Shines in Times Square New York’s Times Square, known as the “Crossroads of the World,” is a bustling commercial district and a coveted showcase for global brands. The towering billboards of Times Square, capturing worldwide attention, represent the ultimate aspiration for many brands to be featured on.Infinix’s GT 20 Pro recently made a grand appearance in Times Square, highlighting its exceptional gaming prowess and reinforcing Infinix’s leadership in the esports industry. This move further enhances the brand’s global influence. Taking on the Esports World Cup The 2024 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP (PMWC) and ESPORTS WORLD CUP stand as the first grand event in the PUBG MOBILE esports ecosystem, with only teams that have endured rigorous challenges in the PUBG MOBILE regional series tournaments earning the coveted qualification to compete in the 2024 PMWC. This globally acclaimed “Esports World Cup” event brings together champions and top-tier teams from various PUBG MOBILE regional tournaments. Representing their respective regions and fans, they will battle it out for the title of 2024 PMWC champions and prepare for their journey to the year-end global finals, PMGC. Infinix GT 20 Pro will continue to empower teams and players from across the PMSL regions as they embark on their PMWC adventure. We look forward to witnessing their continued exceptional performances in the upcoming PMWC matches and anticipate their even greater success! Champion Teams and MVPs Praise Infinix GT 20 Pro“The Infinix GT 20 Pro is an incredibly successful gaming phone. Its 120Hz display delivers a smooth gaming experience. We will continue using the GT 20 Pro for our upcoming matches and practice sessions. We are immensely grateful for Infinix’s support, and we are confident in achieving even greater success!” – PMSL EMEA Champion Team and MVP “Our biggest impression after using the Infinix GT 20 Pro for a month is its ultra-high frame rate, efficient heat dissipation, and uninterrupted gameplay throughout. As hardcore fans of the Infinix GT series phones, we will continue to fight side by side with the GT 20 Pro and claim victory at PMWC!” – PMSL CSA Champion Team and MVP Showcasing Gaming Prowess The Infinix GT 20 Pro boasts cutting-edge features, powered by the Pixelworks X5 Turbo dedicated gaming display chip, marking it as Infinix’s first dual-chip smartphone. This innovative chip utilizes Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation (MEMC) game frame rate interpolation to boost the frame rate from 60FPS to an astounding 120FPS. The Infinix stable frame rate engine optimizes heat and power consumption, ensuring smooth and efficient performance. X-BOOST provides continuous performance management, utilizing vertical synchronization technology to prevent screen tearing and prioritizing game resources for the smoothest gaming experience.As the official smartphone for the 2024 PMWC, the Infinix GT 20 Pro will continue dominating the battlefield with its exceptional “dual-chip” power, cutting-edge technology, and deep collaboration with PUBG MOBILE, aiming for even greater peak performance. Infinx GT 20 Pro bundled with a PUBGM card featuring customized in-game items like a parachute, T-shirt, red rose skin and weapon skin, all for 280USD- a 25USD savings. Delivering unrivaled performance, innovative design, and breakthrough features, the Infinix GT 20 Pro caters to every gaming need, ensuring you have everything required to outplay the competition. About Infinix: Infinix Mobility is an emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of devices worldwide under the Infinix brand which was founded in 2013. Targeting young consumers, Infinix focuses on developing cutting-edge technology embodied in meticulously designed mobile devices that offer refined style, power and performance. Infinix devices are trendy & attainable with the end-user at the forefront of every step forward.For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Microsoft’s hard weekend
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning If you’ve ever believed that your career path is rocky, then you may like the latest edition of #EnteringTech. Our featured guest went from studying nursing to coding, and she hasn’t turned back since. Especially not since she won a $2,000 prize in 2023. Here’s more on why Eunice Jacob left the stethoscope for a laptop. In today’s edition What caused the IT outage on Friday? MNT-Halan raises $157.5 million to expand operations Meta will appeal $220 million FCCPC fine Microsoft to reduce office space in Lagos The World Wide Web3 Events Technology What caused the IT outage on Friday? A software update gone wrong at CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, triggered a global IT outage that lasted for 1 hour and 18 minutes last Friday. This outage came from an error in a routine update for CrowdStrike’s Falcon cybersecurity software. It caused crashes and malfunctions in many computers using the software. While CrowdStrike may not sound familiar to consumers, it is pretty important to global tech players. It provides cybersecurity services to more than half of Fortune 1000 companies—and one of them is Microsoft. Eight million devices struck: Due to the faulty update, Microsoft’s services were impacted, leading to the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) for businesses using Microsoft’s 365 cloud services. Businesses using its cloud services were unable to access information or automate digital processes. Microsft estimates that 8.5 million devices were affected. Banks, healthcare providers, and government agencies faced operational challenges. Airlines resorted to issuing hand-written flight tickets as their systems went offline. In Africa, flights across countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa were promptly cancelled, stranding thousands, and possibly millions of people travelling at that time. Money down the drain: Experts estimate the downtime could cost over $1 billion in lost revenue for businesses, making it one of the most impactful tech outages ever seen. In an interesting turn, Linux and MacOS systems were not affected as they don’t use Channel File 291 where the software update was deployed. “This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed,” CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz wrote on Twitter. What do experts suggest? Critics have questioned CrowdStrike’s rudimentary IT hygiene processes in deploying software updates. Many others are now calling for businesses to diversify their cloud service providers from the Big 3—Amazon, Microsoft, and Google—which control 65% of the cloud market—as outages plague these providers. CrowdStrike’s stock price tanked by 11.1% on Friday, raising concerns about the outage’s impact on its business and key client relationship with Microsoft, one of its biggest customers. Read Moniepoint’s 2024 Informal Economy Report 7 out of 10 informal business owners borrow money for their business. Click here to find out more about Nigeria’s informal economy and credit. Funding MNT-Halan raises $157.5 million to expand operations Egyptian fintech giant MNT-Halan, the country’s only private unicorn, has raised another $157.5 million in a new funding round. This latest injection brings their total funding to a whopping $677.5 million over the past two years. Since launching in 2018, MNT-Halan has grown its customer base to over 7 million users, and disburses more than $4.4 billion in loans. CEO Mounir Nakhla claimed the company surpassed $300 million in gross revenue in 2022. So, what’s the deal with MNT-Halan? The microfinance lending and payment company runs a hybrid business model. It targets customers lacking access to credit and financial services, and serves as a distribution medium for merchants selling fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs). The company’s hybrid approach seems to be working as it started expanding this year. In March 2024, it acquired Advans Group in Pakistan, instantly topping its user base by 62,000, and obtaining a microfinance bank licence to continue operating in Pakistan. MNT-Halan’s expansion philosophy is simple: To expand into populated, underserved areas that are heavily cash-reliant. With this new funding, MNT-Halan is setting its sights beyond Egypt. Nakhla highlighted plans to expand regionally through strategic acquisitions. Join Fincra at API Conference on July 20, 2024 Calling all devs!! This is your chance to dive deep into Fincra’s extensive suite of payment APIs and accompanying SDKs. Come and see how you can build your next big idea with easy-to-integrate APIs. Reserve your spot here! Data Privacy Meta will appeal $220 million FCCPC fine Here’s a hypothetical situation: You tell a friend you want to buy a gadget or anything at all. Minutes later while scrolling through your Instagram feed, the exact gadget pops up as an Ad. Of course, you’re surprised and wonder if Instagram has superpowers to read your mind. No, they aren’t wizards, they only spied on your conversation or so Nigeria’s consumer protection commission thinks. Why? Three years ago, the regulator began investigating Meta—the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp—over claims that it wasn’t giving users a say in whether their personal data could be collected and used. The regulator has found Meta guilty and handed the company a $220 million fine. Meta says no: Meta, however, does not agree with the decision and will appeal the decision. “In 2021, we went to users globally to explain how talking to businesses, among other things would work, and while there was a lot of confusion then, it’s actually proven quite popular. We disagree with the decision today as well as the fine, and we are appealing the decision,” a WhatsApp spokesperson told TechCabal via email. The FCCPC ruling came after Meta, Opay, and DHL were investigated for data privacy violations by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). If found guilty, Meta could be fined as much as 2% of its gross revenues in 2022. In May 2023, Meta also faced similar data violation charges, receiving a record $1.3 billion fine for transferring European user data to the US without sufficient safeguards. Paystack Virtual Terminal is now live in more countries Paystack Virtual Terminalhelps businesses accept secure, in-person
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🚀Entering Tech #70: From nursing to software development
What does it look like to go from nursing to full stack software development? 20 || July || 2024 View in Browser Brought to you by Issue #70 From nursing to coding Share this newsletter Greetings ET people One inside joke told in the tech community, especially among developers, is that you need to see the series, “Mr. Robot” first to decide if you want to fully commit to writing code and pushing git commits (pun intended.) It’s not just a joke; it’s a rite of passage. You’ll mostly get inspired by Elliot Alderson doing the cool hacker shebang and all, but you’ll also notice his dire lack of social skills. Now, picture a nurse; warm, friendly, and socially outgoing one minute, diving headfirst into the cold, calculating logic of zeros and ones the next minute. Watching anyone go from a medical career path to tech, especially coding, is like witnessing an unholy fusion of Jada Pinkett-Smith’s “Hawthorne” and “Mr. Robot”. For some reason, the juxtaposition of those TV shows should be criminal. But that is exactly what it feels like going from nursing to full stack software development. Pivoting is hard. Many Nigerian graduates struggle to decide for themselves what they want to do after school. The final resolution sometimes is to do whatever brings them money first, passion second. Our featured guest today, Eunice Jacob, pivoted from nursing to tech. Her lesson? Be open to opportunities where they find you. Here’s how she did it. Faith Omoniyi & Emmanuel Nwosu How Eunice started Infatuated by how the human body works and how fascinating the names of illnesses sounded, Eunice Jacob decided she was going to become a medical doctor. But that dream didn’t happen for her. After writing her post-UTME exam, worried that she wasn’t getting into medical school, she settled for the next best thing that bought her a freedom ticket from home: studying nursing at the Bayelsa State College of Nursing and Basic Midwifery. That was going well for a while until it no longer wasn’t. “I did not feel the drive and passion to want to grow in nursing, I could not see a future in it.” Like most graduates, and this writer who studied engineering, Eunice decided one day that she wasn’t cut out for a profession she’d spent three years studying. It wasn’t the sight of blood (thank goodness) or the long hours that bothered her—it was the realisation that her heart wasn’t fully in it. While nursing was great, she thought about the next best thing to do. Image source: YungNollywood. One day, during a routine call with her brother, Eunice finally voiced her doubts. That conversation probably started like this, “I don’t think nursing is for me.” Her brother played a key role in setting her up for her tech dream. He helped create a plan for her. Before long, Eunice started taking Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science—one of the best computer science open courses on the internet for anybody working in tech. Afterwards she contributed to an open-source project called the Odin Project. There, she learnt the basics, HTML and CSS, before advancing to the nuttier stuff in Node.js and database management. Yet, for her, this was the start of what she describes as a “wonderful but challenging” journey. *Newsletter continues after break New job, who dis? Fortune favors the bold, they say, and Eunice’s boldness paid off when she was accepted into the Women Techsters programme. Suddenly, her days were filled with intense four-hour calls, her nights with personal study sessions. The pressure to start a nursing career loomed large, but Eunice stood her ground, despite facing setbacks like lacking a functioning laptop. But Eunice wasn’t done yet. She graduated at the top of her class in the Women Techsters program, a testament to her dedication. And as if to put a cherry on top of her tech journey, her team, Techbots, clinched the first runner-up position in a hackathon organised by BeerTech Africa, bagging a cool $2,000 tech money. Image source: Eunice Jacob Entering tech didn’t come without the struggles. It took Eunice one year of self-learning and many job applications after to land her first role in tech. Her first job in 2022 was as a backend developer. It came with a paycheck that made her eyes pop: ₦150,000—more than just money, it was validation of her hard work, and her daring career switch. That made her work even harder. Today, Eunice works as a full-stack engineer at Famasi Africa. From the halls of a nursing college to the binary world of tech, Eunice’s journey was anything but ordinary. She traded stethoscopes for syntax, bandages for brackets. Learning software development felt right for her, now she feels at home doing what she loves. *Newsletter continues after break Anybody can do it too If you’re someone who’s looking to pivot into tech and weighing your options, Eunice wants you to know these five things: Follow your trail and don’t be afraid to change careers if you find tech more exciting Learn continuously and contribute to open-source projects. Take advantage of free resources and online courses. Stay hungry for opportunities. Most importantly, join tech communities. We can’t stress the last part enough. If you want to grow in anything you’re doing, gather people around you who are on the same path as you, and recommend Entering Tech newsletter to them. They understand your journey better than anyone and can provide support in your down days, guidance when you’re confused, and answers when you have questions. Image source: YungNollywood If you’re still in school, find tech communities to plug into and grow. Some standout ones are Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors, Data Science Nigeria, Zindi Africa, Ingressive for Good (I4G), and Google Developer Student Clubs. Most of them already exist in your university. If you’re out of school, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Staying active and contributing in communities like Stack Overflow, GitHub, and Codementor could make
Read MoreMeta will appeal $220 million FCCPC fine, disagrees with data privacy claims
Three years after opening an investigation into Whatsapp LLC and its parent company Meta over claims that it did not allow users the option of consenting to the gathering and use of their personal data, Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has handed down a fine. “The Final order also imposes a monetary penalty of Two Hundred and Twenty Million U.S. Dollars only ($220,000,000.00) (at prevailing exchange rate where applicable) which penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR),” said the FCCPC in a statement shared on X. Exclusive: Meta will reduce office space in Lagos after layoffs affected Nigerian team A spokesperson for Meta told TechCabal the company disagreed with the judgment and the fine and planned to appeal. The company also disputed the FCCPC’s central claim. “In 2021, we went to users globally to explain how talking to businesses, among other things would work, and while there was a lot of confusion then, it’s actually proven quite popular. We disagree with the decision today as well as the fine, and we are appealing the decision,” a WhatsApp spokesperson told TechCabal via email. The Consumer Protection Commission and the National Data Protection Commission found Meta “engaged in conduct that constituted multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements… particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects in Nigeria.” In October 2023, TechCabal reported that OPay, Meta, and DHL could be asked to pay up to 2% of their gross revenues in 2022 as fines if found guilty of data privacy violations according to Section 48 (5) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023. At the time, a Meta spokesperson told TechCabal it was assisting the NDPC with its inquiries. “Protecting people’s information and giving them control over their data is a company priority,” the company said. The status of the investigations into OPay and DHL remains undisclosed.
Read MoreMicrosoft shrinks Nigerian office from six to two floors, moves more roles to Kenya
After laying off half of its workforce in Nigeria, Microsoft will reduce its office space at the Kings Tower building in Ikoyi from six floors to two, suggesting a scaleback in its Nigerian operations. One person with direct knowledge of Microsoft’s business said the global technology company may not renew its tenancy in 2025 when its current agreement runs out. “Organizational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business,” Microsoft said in an emailed statement. “As we navigate these changes, Microsoft remains steadfast in our commitment to Africa’s growth and development.” Microsoft’s sales team, largely unaffected by layoffs earlier in the year, will occupy the two floors for the next year. Layoffs in May and July 2024 affected most of the engineering team in Nigeria after the company closed its African Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos. One person with knowledge of the matter said engineers who stayed on the team have been asked to relocate to Kenya to join new projects. “While we have made the difficult decision to close the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria, we want to emphasize that this move does not diminish our commitment to Nigeria and the region,” a spokesperson for Microsoft said. “We will continue to operate in Nigeria, actively supporting the country’s transformation objectives. Our investment in key growth areas remains unwavering, and we are determined to contribute to Africa’s progress by providing digital solutions, fostering innovation, and empowering local talent.” Exclusive: Meta will reduce office space in Lagos after layoffs affected Nigerian team After it closed the ADC in June 2024, Olatomiwa Williams, the company’s Nigerian MD, met with Finance Minister Wale Edun and shared a similar message. The Nigerian side’s worry was understandable after Microsoft chose to site a $1 billion investment in geothermal data centers in Kenya. It will also set up an engineering team to oversee those investments in the country. Kenya is now two for two in the race to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
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