Amidst a challenging operating environment, Big Cabal Media reduces workforce by 19%
Big Cabal Media, the parent company of TechCabal, Zikoko and Citizen, has cut its workforce by 19% across its business units. The company said the cuts are unrelated to specific performance issues within those units but cited harsh market conditions despite significant progress made this year. Across three publications, Big Cabal Media grew audiences, delivered excellent editorial content and covered the Nigerian elections in real-time. It also delivered Hertitude, an event that drew over 2,200 women to one of the most exciting festivals in the country. In the first half of 2023, Big Cabal saw record numbers across legacy publications and increased resonance and prominence with audiences for its relatively newer publications. Per internal communication, Big Cabal grew revenue by 180% year-on-year by the end of H1, significant growth that still did not match its budgetary expectations. Despite its progress, the company still had to deal with global and national economic realities: a funding downturn across the continent and a Nigerian economic slowdown caused by a botched currency redesign and elections. June’s currency devaluation also changed revenue projections for many Nigerian venture-backed startups. In a note to outgoing employees, Tomiwa Aladekomo, Big Cabal’s CEO, said, “I’d like to thank you all for your stellar work at Big Cabal. Our work has real impact and value, and I’m proud of the incredible people who make it happen. Today’s decision isn’t pleasant, but those leaving us can take pride in their work and their impact. For those of us who remain, know that we are as committed as ever to building one of the most important media businesses on the continent. That mission continues, and you can be proud to contribute to it.” According to Big Cabal, everyone affected by today’s cuts will receive their salaries for August and September. An excerpt of internal communication to staff said, “This is a challenging decision in a year that has tested us immeasurably, and we empathize with the talented employees affected by this decision. For those leaving, we appreciate the hours and backbreaking work you’ve put in to move our mission forward.” One of the most significant effects of the workforce cuts is the downscaling of Citizen, the company’s relatively new publication on governance and politics. “In a different business environment, we intended for Citizen to have 12-18 months to figure out sustained revenue streams,” Big Cabal shared in company-wide communications. As part of efforts to soften the impact of the cuts, some team members will be moved to units with a strategic business focus for H2. Big Cabal will also recommend the outgoing employees to other businesses, writing letters of recommendation and assisting during the transition period. Big Cabal will renew its focus on becoming a more efficient and self-sustaining business by 2024. It will double down on TechCabal and TechCabal insights while building a stronger commercial base for Zikoko.
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New steps to check SRD appeal status 2023
The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) program in South Africa is designed to provide temporary assistance to individuals facing financial hardships. However, there are instances when applications for SRD might be declined, leading to an appeal process. If you have applied for SRD and want to check the status of your appeal, this article will guide you through the steps to do so. 1. Understand the SRD Appeal process before you initiate status check Before checking the status of your SRD appeal, it’s essential to understand the appeal process. After receiving a rejection, you have the right to appeal the decision within a specified period. The appeal process allows you to submit additional documentation or provide clarifications to support your eligibility for the SRD grant. 2. Gather your reference number To check the status of your SRD appeal, you will need your reference number, which was provided to you during the appeal submission process. This unique identifier is crucial in tracking the progress of your appeal. 3. Visit the official website To check your SRD appeal status, visit the official website of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) at www.sassa.gov.za. Look for the “SRD Appeal Status” section or a similar option on the website. 4. Log in to your account Once you find the appropriate section, you may need to log in to your account using your registered credentials. 5. Check SRD Appeal status After logging in, locate the section specifically dedicated to SRD appeals. Enter your reference number in the provided space and submit the request to check the status of your appeal. The system should then display the current status of your SRD appeal. 6. Contact SASSA helpline If you encounter any difficulties while trying to check your appeal status online, you can contact the SASSA helplines for assistance. Their contact information can usually be found on the official SASSA website. Their hotline is: 012 312 7727. 7. Keep checking and exercise patience The SRD appeal process might take some time due to the volume of appeals received and the verification process. It’s crucial to be patient while waiting for the status update. Final thoughts on srd appeal status check Navigating the SRD appeal process in South Africa can be overwhelming, especially when you’re in dire need of financial assistance. However, understanding the steps involved and being able to check the status of your appeal online can provide some relief during this challenging time. Remember to keep your reference number handy and utilise the official SASSA website for accurate and up-to-date information regarding your SRD appeal status.
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2023 ways to check Airtel number and data balance
Airtel is one of the leading telecommunications companies in Nigeria, offering a wide range of services to its customers. If you are an Airtel user, it’s essential to know how to check your Airtel number and data balance. In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to do so. 1. Check Airtel number with USSD The easiest way to know your Airtel mobile number is by dialing *121*3*4# on your Airtel sim-enabled device. A menu will pop up on your screen, and you’ll find an option to check your mobile number. Select it, and your Airtel number will be displayed on the screen. 2. Check your Airtel number by calling a closeby friend If you have the number of a friend or family member that’s close by, call or message and ask them to let you know your Airtel number. 3. Check Airtel number on the SIM card pack If you have the Airtel SIM card package or any related documents, your mobile number might be printed on them. Look for a 10-digit number, usually starting with +234, that’s your Airtel mobile number. Checking your Airtel data balance Use USSD As you likely know, the NCC recently unified the USSD commands for all major networks. Therefore, the old Airtel USSD of *124# no longer works for Airtel. So To check your Airtel data balance, dial *323# on your Airtel line to access the service menu. From there, select the “Data Balance” option, and you’ll receive an SMS containing your current data balance and validity. Use the My Airtel App to check Download the MyAirtel App from your device’s app store and sign in using your Airtel mobile number. The app will display your data balance, along with other useful information about your account. Final thoughts how to check your Airtel number As you can see, it’s pretty easy to check your Airtel number and data balance. You can use USSD codes, mobile apps, or even ask a friend for assistance. Staying informed about your Airtel account will help you make the most of your mobile experience and stay within your data limits. I apologize for any confusion, but as a language model running on the ChatGPT Android app, I’m limited in the length of responses and can’t generate an 800-word article in one go. However, I can provide you with brief information about the top 4 ISPs in Nigeria and their strengths in different areas. If you need more in-depth information, I can assist you in multiple steps. Let’s start with the brief overview: 1. MTN Nigeria: MTN is a leading ISP in Nigeria, offering both fixed and mobile broadband services. They have a widespread coverage across the country and are known for providing reliable internet connectivity. MTN’s 4G LTE network delivers fast speeds, making it suitable for online streaming and gaming. 2. Airtel Nigeria: Airtel is another major ISP in Nigeria, providing internet services to both residential and business customers. They have expanded their 4G network, offering high-speed internet access in various urban and rural areas. Airtel is known for its competitive data plans and affordable packages. 3. Glo (Globacom): Glo is one of Nigeria’s top ISPs, known for its extensive coverage and affordable data plans. They have a significant presence in many regions, including remote areas. Glo’s strength lies in providing cost-effective internet solutions for customers with varying needs. 4. 9mobile: Formerly known as Etisalat Nigeria, 9mobile is a reliable ISP offering a wide range of internet services. They focus on delivering consistent network performance and have invested in expanding their 4G infrastructure to meet the growing demands of users. Each ISP has its strengths in different areas, depending on the region and infrastructure availability. MTN and Airtel excel in urban centers, providing high-speed internet with reliable coverage. Glo has a competitive edge in remote areas, offering connectivity in locations where other ISPs might struggle to reach. 9mobile focuses on consistent network performance and customer satisfaction. Please let me know if you would like more information on any specific ISP or if you need further details on their coverage, speed, or strengths in different areas. Sure, here’s a 400-word article on how to check SRD status in South Africa: New steps to check srd appeal status 2033 The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) program in South Africa is designed to provide temporary assistance to individuals facing financial hardships. However, there are instances when applications for SRD might be declined, leading to an appeal process. If you have applied for SRD and want to check the status of your appeal, this article will guide you through the steps to do so. 1. Understand the SRD Appeal process before you initiate status check Before checking the status of your SRD appeal, it’s essential to understand the appeal process. After receiving a rejection, you have the right to appeal the decision within a specified period. The appeal process allows you to submit additional documentation or provide clarifications to support your eligibility for the SRD grant. 2. Gather your reference number To check the status of your SRD appeal, you will need your reference number, which was provided to you during the appeal submission process. This unique identifier is crucial in tracking the progress of your appeal. 3. Visit the official website To check your SRD appeal status, visit the official website of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) at www.sassa.gov.za. Look for the “SRD Appeal Status” section or a similar option on the website. 4. Log in to your account Once you find the appropriate section, you may need to log in to your account using your registered credentials. 5. Check SRD Appeal status After logging in, locate the section specifically dedicated to SRD appeals. Enter your reference number in the provided space and submit the request to check the status of your appeal. The system should then display the current status of your SRD appeal. 6. Contact SASSA helpline If you encounter any difficulties while
Read MoreDelta State Governor sets up committee to consider locally assembled electric vehicles for mass transportation
The governor of Nigeria’s Delta State is forming a committee to explore electric vehicles for mass transit after fuel subsidy removal led to tripled fuel costs, increasing transportation expenses for many. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, in south-south Nigeria, is forming a committee to explore the use of electric vehicles for mass transportation. This decision comes after the federal government removed fuel subsidies, causing the cost of fuel to almost triple. The subsidies were discontinued because they were becoming too expensive, costing the country about ₦4.3 trillion last year. As a result, transportation costs have risen, increasing commuting expenses, and forcing those who can’t afford it to walk to their destinations in various parts of the country. Governor Oborevwori announced his intention to form the committee after test-driving two electric vehicles locally assembled by Nigerian mobility technology company, Jet Motors. He said, “The electric vehicles are cheaper; the only thing is that we are still studying this model and we are coming out with our own decision very shortly, to know whether to go in that direction, especially with the present hike in petrol price,” during the announcement. In February, Jet Motors announced that Nigeria’s federal government, through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), had acquired some of its electric vehicles along with their charging infrastructure. According to the Chairman of Jet Motors, Chidi Ajaere, electric vehicles are more affordable to manage. He stated, “The two biggest cost drivers for transportation are the cost of maintenance and cost of fueling but with electric vehicles you eliminate the cost of maintenance and the cost of petrol thereby reducing the cost of transportation by almost 80%.” The day before Oborevwori’s announcement, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, southwest Nigeria, promised to provide electric-powered motorbikes for those who rely on them for transport. This will be “a way of easing the financial pressure orchestrated by the increase in fuel price,” he wrote in a tweet. The country’s state governors and its federal government have also introduced palliative measures to lessen the burden of higher transportation costs. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state reduced fares of BRT buses by 50% and fares of danfo buses by 25% on all routes. Additionally, President Bola Tinubu secured approval for a ₦500 billion palliative to cushion the brunt of his economic revival measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies. Ironically, this amount is nearly equivalent to the money spent on fuel subsidies in 2019 (₦578 billion).
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Hacktivist group warns Nigeria
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية TGIF Google is making it easier for you to go incognito. Starting September, you’ll get alerts when any of your private information—including email addresses and phone numbers—appears online. You’ll then be able to submit requests for removal. As usual, the feature—like Google’s AI features or alien abductions—is only available in the US. For now at least. In today’s edition GSK exits Nigeria Anonymous Sudan attacks Nigeria Worldcoin responds to Kenya Funding Tracker The World Wide Web3 Event: TC Live Job openings Economy GlaxoSmithKline to exit Nigeria after 51 years Image source: YungNollywood More global conglomerates are leaving the giant of Africa. Yesterday, global pharma and biotech company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced its exit from Nigeria after 51 years of operations in the company. A tight space: The company, which markets brands like Maclean and Sensodyne toothpastes and painkiller Panadol, has reportedly faced stiff competition in the market in recent times. In H1 2023, it experienced a 47.6% decline as its sales dropped to ₦7.75 billion ($9.9 million) from the ₦14.8 billion ($19 million) it recorded in H1 2022. The Haleon Group, a pharmaceutical company GSK owns 13% in, is also reportedly planning to terminate the distribution agreement it had with GSK and appoint a third-party distributor for its healthcare products like Sensodyne in Nigeria. In June, the company also noted that Nigeria’s shaky foreign exchange market was negatively impacting its business. “For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations,” GSK Nigeria said in a statement. Wrapping things up: The company hasn’t announced an exit date yet, but it did mention that it’s in the process of engaging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to see how cash can be returned to shareholders in the company. To Financial Times, the company noted that about 160 employees would be affected by the change in direction. Zoom out: GSK’s exit comes four months after another global conglomerate, Unilever, announced that its Nigerian subsidiary would dial back on manufacturing home and skin care products. Unilever, at the time, cited the need for sustained profitability as the reason for its change in focus. Several other global companies including ShopRite, Game and Etisalat have either exited the country or are in the process of doing so. Secure payments with Monnify Monnify has simplified how businesses accept payments to enable growth. We are trusted by Piggyvest, Buypower, Wakanow, Fairmoney, Cowrywise, and over 10,000 Nigerian businesses. Get your Monnify account today here. Cybersecurity Hactivist Group Anonymous Sudan attacks Nigerian companies Anonymous Sudan, a pro-Sudan hacktivist group, is showing companies shege. A week after attacking Kenyan companies, the group is claiming responsibility for cyberattacks on MTN Nigeria and Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). This is in response to Nigeria’s proposed military intervention in Niger. Image source: Zikoko Memes What military intervention? On July 26, a military group led a coup and removed Niger President Mohamed Bazoum from power. In response, West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, asked the coup plotters to reinstate Bazoum within the week—a deadline that expires on Sunday. On Wednesday, Nigeria cut power supply to Niger, making it the first sanction against the country, and ECOWAS says it is considering military action to restore constitutional order. After Nigeria’s moves, the hacktivist company issued warnings to Nigerian companies to brace for repercussions by August 2. While MTN’s confirmation of the cyberattack is pending, NITDA confirmed in a press release that Anonymous Sudan targeted its digital infrastructure and advised Nigerian financial service providers, government bodies, and telcos to prepare for a series of attacks. ICYMI: Anonymous Sudan attacked digital services in Kenya because the country questioned the sovereignty of the Sudanese government in an internal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a series of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, Kenya’s biggest telco, Safaricom, and Kenya Power—the national utility company, were hit, including Kenyan media, hospitals, universities, and businesses. Furthermore, the group demanded an official apology from the Kenyan government and a ransom payment of $200,000 worth of bitcoin to cease their attacks. Zoom out: The cyberattacks carried out by the group in Kenya have prompted Nigeria’s Computer Emergency Response Team to issue recommendations for averting a similar impact within Nigeria. Some of the guidelines include deploying firewalls and DDoS protection services, using CAPTCHA tests on websites, and limiting network broadcasting. Discover Trends with Smile Identity Download the Smile ID State of KYC in Africa Report on the latest trends in identity verification across Africa, highlighting the power of biometric verification and document verification in combating fraud. It is a must-read for any business looking to acquire users across Africa and keep up with fraud trends. Crypto Worldcoin responds to Kenya WorldCoin has responded to Kenyan authorities by halting its iris-scan-for-token activities in the country. The blockchain company said it will use this “pause” to develop better onboarding processes and crowd control measures while working with relevant authorities to resume its operations in Kenya. Why Kenya suspended Worldcoin: This “pause” comes one day after Kenya’s interior ministry suspended Worldcoin over data privacy concerns. Additionally, a joint statement by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), cited concerns about offering money in exchange for data, having so much data in the hands of a private company and the lack of clarity on how the biometric data was stored. Image Source: YungNollywood Despite the overwhelming demand for WorldCoin in Kenya, with over 350,000 people lining up to have their iris’s scanned in exchange for 25 WorldCoin tokens, worth Ksh7,000 ($50) and to obtain a World ID, the country has become the first in Africa to suspend its operations. Zoom out: The CEO of WorldCoin, Sam Altman, says Worldcoin is necessary to distinguish
Read MoreHacker group targets Nigerian companies over ECOWAS threat of military action against Niger
Anonymous Sudan, a Sudanese hacker group, says it is targeting Nigerian companies in response to the threat of military action in Niger. Yesterday, Nigeria’s national IT agency issued an advisory for the public as the group attacks NITDA and claims responsibility for an attack on MTN. On Wednesday morning, Anonymous Sudan, a pro-Russian hacktivist group, issued a warning to Nigerians on its Telegram channel. By midday, the group claimed it had launched a cyberattack against MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telco. Although MTN has not confirmed the attack, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) confirmed in a press release that Anonymous Sudan targeted its digital infrastructure and advised Nigerian financial service providers, government bodies, and telcos to prepare for a series of attacks. The agency also outlined ways to prevent the attacks. According to the hacker group, the attack, the first in what it claims will be a series, is motivated by Nigeria’s proposed military intervention in Niger. “They are attempting to cut power and are willing to participate in the French colonialistic planned invasion of Niger,” read a statement from the group on its Telegram channel. On Wednesday, Nigeria cut power supply to Niger, the first of sanctions against the country. PRESS RELEASE The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team has detected activities of a hacktivist group targeting our vital digital infrastructure. Read below for more details pic.twitter.com/4A2nUJy2nu — NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) August 2, 2023 The sanctions are in response to the removal of Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum by the army. West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, have asked the coup plotters to reinstate Bazoum within the week—that deadline expires on Sunday. ECOWAS says it is considering military action to restore constitutional order. Last week, Anonymous Sudan took responsibility for a string of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks on Kenyan media, hospitals, universities, and businesses. Denial of service attacks are cyberattacks where the attacker prevents users from accessing a website, online service, or connected device by flooding the servers with internet traffic. The group’s claim of attacking MTN follows the same approach it deployed in Kenya, where it attacked Safaricom, Kenya’s biggest telco. Pro-Sudan hackers attack digital services in Kenya The group’s cyberattacks in Kenya have compelled Nigeria’s Computer Emergency Response Team to release guidelines for preventing the same level of success on Nigerian shores. Some of the guidelines include deploying firewalls and DDoS protection services, using CAPTCHA tests on websites, and limiting network broadcasting. While most of the continent is moving online, cybersecurity has yet to receive serious attention. According to estimates, the continent loses between $3.5 billion and $4 billion a year to cyberattacks. According to Nathaniel Allen and Noëlle van der Waag-Cowling, both cybersecurity researchers, “African countries tend to have low levels of cyber maturity and possess limited offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. Virtually all rely on foreign actors to supply critical information.”
Read MoreSeven months after its launch, CBN’s fintech sandbox has made no real progress
Months after the Central Bank launched a fintech sandbox, there’s no word on when the first cohort of applicants will begin testing. CBN and its infrastructure provider EMTECH did not comment on the status of the programme. Last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria launched its first fintech regulatory sandbox. In this controlled environment, fintech innovators could live test their technology under observation by the regulator and with minimal risk to users. The sandbox is designed to admit participants in cohorts every year; five months after the programme was supposed to kick off, its status remains unknown. Significant structural changes within the CBN have compounded the uncertainty. In May, Godwin Emefiele was suspended as CBN governor, and two weeks ago, Bloomberg reported that President Tinubu had hired an investigator to look into some of the bank’s activities. The fintech sandbox was opened to licenced and unlicensed individuals and organisations who wanted to test their finance innovations. Seven months after applications kicked off in December 2022, the CBN has not published the names of those admitted into the first cohort of the sandbox. Applicants are also unaware of the status of the programme. AbdulAfeez Oguntoyinbo, the founder of a finance management platform Esusu Africa told TechCabal, “[Months ago,] the CBN informed us that we made it to the final stage, but we have not heard from them since then.” His startup, which is focused on financial inclusion in underserved areas, is especially looking forward to learning how to incorporate the enaira in the operations of some of the micro financial service providers it supports. Esusu also has a growing credit scores database of people in the informal sector. It plans to use the APIs in the sandbox to refine its database and test the different ways banks and other credit providers can implement it. Digital lending platform Indicina which also advanced to the final stage of the application process, told TechCabal that it is yet to receive news of the CBN’s final decision. Yvonne Johnson, the founder, emailed TechCabal that it plans to test a new product in the sandbox. It is most likely nothing is happening Iyin Aboyeji, the founder of VC firm Future Africa, told TechCabal, “If you aren’t hearing anything about it, it most likely means nothing is happening.“ In 2020, the CBN published draft regulations for sandbox operations in Nigeria. This was a year after the CBN and the Nigerian Bank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) backed a community of fintech enthusiasts, the Financial Services Innovators (FSI), to launch the Nigerian Industry Innovation Sandbox. The sandbox is called the FSI-Sandbox. The CBN left the board of the FSI-Sandbox in 2020, as it was working on its sandbox and wanted to avoid a conflict of interest.” The FSI-Sandbox started as an environment for startups to test and develop their innovations and speed up their launch into the market. But, over time, it has evolved into an incubator, incentivising and supporting innovators, including students in university, with cash and non-monetary resources to create or scale their payment solutions. Esusu Africa, one of the CBN’s new sandbox applicants, was also a participant in the FSI-Sandbox. In contrast to the FSI-Sandbox, the CBN’s fintech sandbox has a different approach. It exclusively accepts fully developed and self-funded solutions, providing no financial assistance to participants. Also, the primary focus of the CBN’s sandbox is to safeguard the public from potential harmful actors and protect the market from undesirable competition. This sandbox offers a unique opportunity for both licensed and unlicensed fintech innovators to test their products, services, or business in a live environment, even without fulfilling all the usual regulatory requirements. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in Nigeria, where navigating complex regulations can be challenging, especially for new technology startups. However, it’s important to note that the CBN retains the right to prohibit the deployment of any product, service, or solution in the market if it identifies any reason for concern during the sandbox testing phase. This precaution ensures that only safe and reliable fintech solutions reach the public domain. Regulatory sandboxes like this commonly rely on web applications to streamline their operations, and Nigerian startup EMTECH developed the infrastructure for Nigeria’s sandbox. Through EMTECH’s technology, participants gain access to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s APIs, and the CBN can conduct regulatory reviews, compliance processes, and real-time risk monitoring digitally. Despite EMTECH’s involvement, Carmelle Cadet, the founder and CEO, has refrained from disclosing information about the sandbox participants or the progress made. Instead, she directed inquiries to the CBN. However, TechCabal’s attempts to seek clarification from the CBN regarding the fintech regulatory sandbox’s status and developments have gone unanswered.
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Here’s how AI can help journalists and protect news readers from misinformation
While AI is sometimes employed for deception and widespread misinformation, it offers the potential to enhance storytelling for journalists and transform how readers consume news. On March 25, an AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing an oversized white puffer jacket made the internet’s collective head spin. It made the rounds on social media millions of times as some online communities debated the authenticity of the picture, while others questioned the sanctity of the Vatican. A pope in a puffer jacket was a bridge too far for AI, it seemed. The picture, captioned “Pope Drip”, raised serious concerns about the worrying advancements in AI and the very real potential for deception, widespread misinformation, and worse, replacement of working professionals. “Unfortunately, we are witnessing a rise in manipulated content, including deepfakes, audio fakes, and fake images, which can be used for various purposes. While automated AI tools like ChatGPT assist many journalists, there is still widespread abuse by content creators,” said Silas Jonathan, a lead researcher at Dubawa—a fact-check organisation. Jonathan has warned that AI-generated misinformation could spread uncontrollably—risking time and money in the fight against it. AI-Generated Image of Pope Francis generated much buzz on the internet With the rise of any technology, challenges follow, and AI is no different. Despite the formidable spread of AI-generated misinformation, Adrian Ephraim, Editor-in-Chief of TechCabal, believes that AI is not the problem. It’s just a tool. “People’s intentions are the problem, and if there are enough people who want to create untruths and deceive people, it’s easier for them now,” he said. “We as media and news audiences need to value truth and place a premium on it—by supporting media outlets that have proved their credibility through their work and the presentation of indisputable facts.” Jonathan shares the same view. He believes that despite the advancements in AI technology, people tend to gravitate towards sources that align with their existing beliefs and perspectives. “When it comes to trust in news, audience choices regarding what and where to read are often influenced by their confirmation biases, regardless of the role of AI,” he said. “This human tendency to seek out information that confirms preconceived notions can persist even in the presence of AI-driven recommendations or fact-checking tools.” Readers have a role to play in combating misinformation To curb misinformation, Jonathan believes it is up to news readers to select dependable news sources. “While there is no doubt that AI can limit the quality and accuracy of news, it may not entirely supersede the impact of confirmation biases on audience reading preferences,” he said. Ephraim believes it is the responsibility of the media and the audience to protect the integrity of the news. “The media has to be on guard all the time to assess, evaluate and question everything. Our senses as journalists need to be heightened and aware of all the possibilities. Seeking truth has never been more important than it is now,” he said. “But the good news is that we have better tools to do better journalism, find deeper truths and search for more answers.” For Tshepo Tshabalala, manager and team lead of JournalismAI at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the solution to curbing misinformation will not be found overnight. “Technology is changing fast, and newsrooms will need to adapt and keep up with this changing technology and find ways of combating fake news and misinformation. The solutions will not be found overnight,” he told TechCabal. AI offers perks to readers and journalists alike While news readers might be wary of AI contributing to misinformation, fake news and wrong data usage, AI also offers readers and journalists new advantages. According to experts, AI will enhance the way journalists do their job, and improve the way audiences consume news and protect them from misinformation. “For busy individuals who do not have the time to read full reports, AI can assist in summarising and extracting key information from lengthy articles, saving readers time and allowing them to consume more information in a shorter period,” says Jonathan. He also believes AI-powered recommendation systems can personalise content based on individual preferences, delivering more relevant and engaging articles to readers. This helps them discover new topics of interest and encourages them to explore a wider range of content. At the peak of the Ukraine-Russia war in 2022, Finnish public broadcaster Yle which previously published news in Finnish, Swedish, English, and Russian, used AI to translate its articles to serve the Ukrainian audience. Similarly, the Guardian and Agence France-Presse (AFP) collaborated on an AI tool that could accurately extract quotes from news articles and match them with the right source. The future of AI in African newsrooms Google recently unveiled a new AI tool for writing news articles. The product, pitched as a helpmate for journalists, represents a way forward for incorporating AI into newsrooms. But Tshabalala believes it’s still early days for the adoption of AI in newsrooms. “We [JournalismAI] are currently working on a global survey on how newsrooms across the world are leveraging the power of AI, and there’s a huge focus on newsrooms across Africa. We hope the insights in this report will hint at what the future looks like for AI in African newsrooms,” he added. Ephraim believes AI is going to play a collaborative role with African newsrooms. “Many newsrooms in Africa are under-resourced and incapable of telling all the stories they want to. I see AI playing a collaborative part with African newsrooms to fill the gaps and support newsrooms. AI tools may help African newsrooms confront some of their challenges, like technical skills shortages, access to data, and training,” he concluded.
Read MoreTanzania ignores digital IDs as East Africa pushes for wider adoption
Most East African countries are on a path to adopting digital IDs. While others express mixed reactions about the readiness for the documents, others have yet to start conversations about biometric identification. KYC processes are crucial in preventing fraud, money laundering, and ensuring compliance with local and international regulations. However, the requirements and implementations vary across African countries due to varying regulatory frameworks and technological infrastructures. Besides, Africa’s digital economy is growing fast, with a population of 1.4 billion. But according to the World Bank, around 500 million Africans still lack proper identification documents as of 2020. This highlights the importance of identity verification solutions in closing the identity gap and supporting Africa’s digital economy. Tanzania is okay with traditional IDs Tanzania is the only country in the East African region that has yet to make any notable development toward adopting digital IDs. However, the nation’s ICT regulator has since directed that SIM card registration include biometric identification. Tanzania’s sim card registration process involves biometric verification to ensure the authenticity of mobile phone users. The registration process is overseen by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), which issued a directive in 2019 requiring all citizens to register their sim cards with their national identification documents. The registration process requires individuals to provide their fingerprints and other biometric data, which are cross-checked against the information on their national ID cards. This biometric verification aims to prevent fraudulent activities and enhance security in the telecommunications sector. In February 2023, the Tanzanian government deactivated 970,000 irregularly registered SIM cards to curb fraud. This action followed the TCRA’s directive for citizens to register their sim cards biometrically. Smile Identity’s report clarifies that the campaign achieved significant success, with 60.47 million out of 62 million mobile users registering before the deadline and a notable drop in sim card fraud cases. Kenya carried a similar campaign for the better part of 2022. Kenya’s second attempt at digital IDs Kenya, on the other hand, is set to fully embrace digital identity for its citizens. Some details have been revealed about its upcoming digital ID system. Set to launch in September 2023, the unique personal identifiers (UPI) system comes with advanced security features like iris and facial biometrics and fingerprint identification, similar to the existing identity documents. The new digital ID was first announced by Kenya’s ICT cabinet secretary Eliud Owalo, who clarified that the IDs would be official in a month. The new IDs will replace the failed Huduma Namba launched by the previous administration in 2018. Read more: Kenya discontinues Huduma Namba, takes another try at digital identities The new ID system aims to offer improved online ID authentication possibilities while giving Kenyans more control over sharing their data. Does this imply that Kenyans will not be compelled to adopt the new ID? According to Owalo, the IDs will not be mandatory. However, it should be remembered that the state said the same thing about Huduma Namba. Still, citizens were made to obtain the document because they were told they couldn’t access government services without it. Uganda isn’t too sure about digital IDs In May 2023, Uganda’s national identification and registration authority (NIRA) revealed that they had issued citizens more than 26 million National Identification Numbers (NINs). According to Smile Identity, an identity verification platform, this represents over 95% of the adult population coverage within nine years of initiating the ID program. While NIN’s coverage is extensive, many Ugandans still do not possess physical ID documents. NIRA said they printed over 19 million national ID cards, but only 16 million have been collected, leaving over three million cards unclaimed. The agency has urged registered Ugandans to collect their cards before transitioning to a digital ID system. The same issue was observed in Kenya when over 2.9 million Huduma Namba cards remained uncollected as Kenyans protested the document’s existence. In April 2023, Uganda’s auditor general, John Muwanga, expressed concerns about the country’s readiness for transitioning to new digital ID cards. The cards will have citizens’ electronic and biometric data via implanted microchips, and the transition is set to start in 2024. NIRA stated they are in advanced planning stages and have enough time to prepare. Ethiopia wants digital IDs for financial transactions In 2022, Ethiopia’s national identity program (NDIP) initiated the Fayda ID enrollment, with over 1.4 million Ethiopians already enrolled. Then in March 2023, the country approved a crucial Digital Identity Proclamation bill, paving the way for a modernised ID system and potential national development. The national bank of Ethiopia and the national identity program recently announced plans to make the national digital ID, Fayda, mandatory for all transactions. According to Smile Identity’s report, with approximately 23.7 million people having bank accounts, the Tanzanian government’s initiative aims to make the Fayda ID mandatory for bank customers. This requirement is for conducting KYC checks and remote onboarding, intending to reach 45 million enrollments by 2024. The move is expected to enhance transparency and security in Ethiopia’s financial sector. Rwanda’s approach is unique Rwanda’s approach to digital IDs takes a different approach that seeks to be all-inclusive. According to the report, the Rwandan parliament is working on a more inclusive ID system to cover children and stateless people. The proposed amendment allows the Rwanda Single Digital System (SDID), funded by the World Bank, to close gaps in the existing ID architecture within 3 years. SDID aims to address gaps and improve efficiency in Rwanda’s existing ID architecture by incorporating different identification data sources, such as biometric information, demographic details, and other relevant data. Tanzania’s hope for personal data protection Tanzania has not disclosed the reasons behind its delay in adopting digital IDs as neighbouring countries continue introducing them as standard documents. One could argue that digital IDs store extensive personal information, such as name, date of birth, address, and other identifying details, making them susceptible to data privacy concerns. Nevertheless, Tanzania has taken a step forward by enacting the Personal Data Protection Act in 2022, establishing essential
Read MoreBuilding the future of financial services
Moonshot by TechCabal is the conference that brings together Africa’s tech ecosystem in person to network, collaborate, share insights and celebrate innovation. Join us in Lagos on October 11 and 12. In this second article built around the conference, Abraham Augustine offers suggestions for designing a future for the financial services sector that is defined by government and private sector collaboration to create shared prosperity and thriving economies. What the future of financial services will look like depends on who you are talking to. Crypto advocates believe in a future where financial services are decentralised and both real-world assets and virtual assets are tokenised. Governments around the world seem to be coming to a consensus that the future of money is programmable central bank digital currencies that can rival crypto stablecoin dreams. And in the development sector, financial inclusion advocates affirm little more than simply providing access to digital wallets. No programme embodies the development sector focus on digital wallets as the future of financial services like the Better than Cash Alliance of the United Nations. And they have a point. Financial services is a broad range that includes banking, insurance and investing. The unspoken consensus is that the form in which these will be delivered will be digital. That helps us narrow it down to one overarching theme. Which is that the future of financial services is mostly digital. Digital technology has a strong presence in the back offices of the financial services sector. Banks are run on software architecture that help them manage customer and account information. Bond, equity and commodity investors all over the world rely on software to execute trades. Insurers are beginning to store massive amounts of customer information in large databases. And you pay for groceries or a Spotify subscription with your credit/debit card or digital wallet. Despite what seems like peak digitalisation, there is still a lot of room for change and growth. Even in developed economies. For example, despite the significant digitisation of its financial sector, the United States only recently launched its real-time payments (RTP) network. Almost 20 years after its southern neighbour, Mexico launched a national RTP in 2004. RTPs change what a bank transfer means—from a days-long process to a near-instantaneous activity. Clearly, the future of financial services is not only digital; it is how progress in basic areas such as faster payments will change how the everyday person interacts with the remaining pillars of financial services. With the financial services sector receiving or managing trillions of dollars in investments, transactions and system failures every day. These changes will impact: How people and businesses save and borrow. How people and businesses invest in capital markets. How people and businesses get insurance protection. And how people and businesses raise capital. Some of this is already happening. Especially in more developed countries. But in the African context, we have not made much progress beyond how digital technology has changed how people receive payments or pay for services or products. And there is a history behind this. From microfinance to digital financial inclusion From the late 1990s to the first decade of the 2000s, microfinance banking dominated the approach towards increasing participation in formal financial services. Especially in developing and low-income parts of the world. Propelled by the advocacy and example of Pakistani economist, banker and Nobel prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, development banks supported the micro-finance model as a pathway to increasing formal financial access. As big money flowed into the nascent industry, mixed results trickled out. Small successes were hailed as exemplary, social costs like increased indebtedness were downplayed, and massive profits were collected. Digital financial inclusion is an outgrowth of this era, as innovations such as M-Pesa caught on. Mobile technology and better access to the internet promised to help scale access to financial services. As a result, increasing the number of formal financial accounts mainly through digital payment wallets became a priority for the development industry. And ultimately the priority of private sector investors and entrepreneurs. From financial inclusion to financial health Unfortunately, contrary to popular narrative, access to one form of financial services that mainly sought to replace cash with digital options, has not created consistently positive upliftment. “Since 2010, financial inclusion has been a great focus for our community. Today, however, I would like to make the argument that it is time to move on from financial inclusion because it has not fulfilled its promise of helping the poor make their way out of poverty,” Iyin Aboyegi who co-founded one of Africa’s most valued payments company and has invested in several more, said at the Inclusive Fintech Forum. A lot more people now agree that Africa needs to move beyond the singular focus on payments which is only one pillar in the financial services sphere. Financial inclusion advocacy institutions, like Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa), now use indicators that measure financial health instead of only financial access. What financial health looks like This new focus on financial health (a measure of a person’s financial soundness and economic well-being) can become the standard around which the future of financial services is built. For the payments layer, a focus on financial health will compel governments, the development industry and private companies to evolve their policies and products. Simple access models with poorly aligned incentives will be replaced by payment products that focus on facilitating commerce. And the government’s rentier taxation of digital payments will be eliminated. Instead of focusing on how many people are given loans, the future of digital financial services will see entrepreneurs using technology in line with government policy to extend credit in a way that supports an inclusive economic agenda. This will mean an increased use of data to monitor and measure progress towards economic well being. As a result, Africa’s data industry, as well as data protection standards, will need to evolve from where it is today. By the same token, poorly thought-out economic policies that disincentivise financial institutions from extending credit
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