- July 7 2023
PoS operators may stop services as FCCPC blocks price increase
The regulatory clampdown on the recent price increase has raised uncertainty and apprehension among operators who are now faced with the prospect of significant changes to their business operations. On Wednesday, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) barred PoS operators in Nigeria from increasing the service charges and threatened a sanction. The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) fixed a service charge of ₦100 for withdrawals between ₦1000 to ₦2400. The president of AMMBAN’s Lagos chapter, Abiodun David, said the proposed price hike was due to the economic realities of PoS operators. According to him, PoS operators may consider other lines of business if the authorities don’t approve the service charge increase. “There is nothing strange in what we have done. The current realities are not convenient for us. Transporters and market traders have done so,” he said. “Why is our case different?” he wondered over the phone in an interview with TechCabal. POS service charge increase in Lagos remains unchanged in Abuja In Lagos and Abuja, the realities have been different. In Iju Ishaga, Lagos, Matthew, a PoS operator charged ₦400 for withdrawing ₦12,000. According to the new prices, the correct fee should be ₦600. In Abuja, the service charge for withdrawals and deposits is unchanged. Reuben, a regular user of the PoS service believes that if there are additional charges imposed on PoS services in Abuja, it will reduce his usage of the service for transactions. “Abuja is blessed with so many banks, and cash is mostly available in their ATMs. So instead of paying extra charges than what I am currently paying for the PoS service, why not just take a stroll to the nearest bank(s) around and get my money?” he asked.
Read More- July 7 2023
Afreximbank and Fiducia join forces to provide financing to SMEs through factoring
Through its partnership with African Export-Import Bank, Fiducia is providing financing to SMEs in Africa through factoring and actively raising awareness about its benefits among African businesses. Fiducia, an investment firm, is partnering with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to provide additional liquidity for small businesses in Africa through factoring. Factoring provides SMEs with immediate access to cash flow by converting their unpaid invoices to funds. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the driving force of economic development in Africa, accounting for 90% of all businesses, 50% of employment and 40% of GDP across the continent. While SMEs contribute the majority of economic output and employment generation in Africa, they often lack access to financing they need to strengthen their businesses. Only 20% of African SMEs have a line of credit. The partnership between Afreximbank and Fiducia seeks to address this concern through factoring. “Fiducia is actively raising awareness about factoring and its benefits among African businesses,” Imohimi Aig-Imoukhuede, the CEO of Fiducia, told TechCabal. “Through joint promotional and educational campaigns, we aim to highlight the advantages of factoring and provide the necessary knowledge to potential users.” Fiducia’s move to reduce the financial gap through factoring is a novel solution and the company is currently testing the waters in Nigeria. According to the CEO, the startup is working with developmental finance institutions and legal firms to “develop a blueprint for the sector” while also advocating for the adoption of sector-friendly policies and regulations. “By collaborating with these stakeholders, we can create an enabling environment for factoring to thrive and expand its reach in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said. Zuvy raises $4.5 million to scale invoice financing in Nigeria How it works The factoring process, which Fiducia aims to implement through its marketplace, involves SMEs supplying goods to corporate buyers. The SMEs upload invoices, which are validated and approved by the corporate buyers. Funders then bid on the invoices, and Fiducia selects the successful funder. Fiducia sends funding instructions to the funder, and the SMEs receive funding. On the due date, the corporate buyers pay the funder. Fiducia facilitates the entire process, ensuring efficient transactions and business growth. “The goal is to facilitate smoother cash flows, improve inventory management, and enhance overall financial stability within the supply chain ecosystem,” Aig-Imoukhuede told TechCabal. Risks abound While Fiducia’s novel approach represents a way forward for financing SMEs in Africa, risks abound. SMEs that opt for factoring may have higher default rates compared to larger, more established businesses. To mitigate this risk, Fiducia says it maintains close relationships with clients and actively monitors their performance and market dynamics to detect potential disruptions in the supply chain. To minimise the credit risks financiers face, Fiducia provides them with market and sector data to help them to filter out those that do not conform to selected criteria. While concentration risk might pose another challenge to financiers, Aig-Imoukhuede asserts that Fiducia mitigates this by allowing financiers to diversify their portfolios. “By employing a proactive and risk-aware approach, we will support the sustainability and resilience of our factoring solutions.” Future Plans While Fiducia is testing the waters in Nigeria, it aims to “make factoring a convenient and reliable financing option for African businesses,” according to the CEO. Aig-Imoukhuede stated that Fiducia plans to deepen its presence across multiple markets on the continent through strategic partnerships.” By establishing strategic partnerships, we will leverage existing networks and expertise to reach clients (even SMEs in remote areas),” he said. “Ultimately, our long-term goal is to contribute to the growth and development of African economies by empowering SMEs, fostering financial inclusion, and driving economic prosperity through factoring,” he concluded.
Read More- July 7 2023
Airtel Kenya announces 5G with unlimited broadband plans
Airtel launches 5G in Kenya, following Safaricom’s lead. 5G Wi-Fi was also introduced. Airtel has become the second telco to launch 5G in Kenya after Safaricom rolled out the service in October 2022, following months of testing. Airtel, also Kenya’s second-largest network operator, announced the product at an event attended by multiple leaders in the ICT sector, including Kenya’s cabinet secretary for ICT, Eliud Owalo, and the director-general of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Ezra Chiloba. Airtel 5G will initially be available to a select number of customers as the carrier only has 370 5G sites spread across 16 counties. The operator did not specify which areas would be served. However, the service is expected to focus on customers in major areas and cities such as Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Ashish Malhotra, the managing director of Airtel Kenya, said, “Airtel 5G will revolutionise various sectors, such as smart cities, education, healthcare, Agri-tech, transport systems, entertainment, and more, shaping the future of Kenya.” Airtel has also followed Safaricom’s lead by announcing the availability of 5G Wi-Fi. Safaricom introduced a similar product last year, enabling customers to purchase a 5G router and connect to the network in areas with 5G signals. Airtel 5G Wi-Fi plans Airtel will sell 5G-supported routers to interested customers at KES 10,000 ($72) and for businesses for free, whereas Safaricom charges KES 25,000 ($180) for the same device. Airtel will offer 5G home broadband connections to residential houses and businesses. Plans start at KES 3,500 ($25) at 10Mbps. Customers needing higher speeds will pay more, with 30Mbps costing KES 5,500 ($40) and 50Mbps at KES 7,500 ($54). Airtel will also sell volume-based home data plans starting from KES 3000 ($22). These packages are also unlimited, making them appealing to customers needing high internet speeds. Safaricom also offers the same product at KES 3500 ($25), KES 6000 ($43), and KES 15000 ($108) for 10Mbps, 40 Mbps, and 100Mbps, respectively. Unlike Airtel 5G Wi-Fi plans that are unlimited, Safaricom’s 5G broadband is limited to a given volume of data. Airtel 5G bands and mobile plans Airtel Kenya told TechCabal that its 5G connection is based on a sub-6 GHz frequency band. This refers to the frequency range below 6 GHz. It includes frequency bands such as 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 4.9 GHz. Sub-6 GHz signals have relatively longer wavelengths, so they can travel longer distances and penetrate obstacles like buildings and walls more effectively. However, they generally offer slightly lower data speeds compared to mmWave. mmWave operates at much higher frequencies, typically between 24 and 100 GHz. These high-frequency signals can provide fast data speeds, even reaching multi-gigabit-per-second rates. However, they have a limited range and are easily blocked by obstacles, including buildings and trees. Thus, mmWave 5G is primarily used in dense urban areas where high capacity and speed are needed. For now, Airtel customers need 5G-capable devices to access the network. However, the carrier has not announced specific 5G plans. Airtel argues that customers will be moving in and out of 5G areas and will be well-served by 4G bundles, which can access 5G without issues. In contrast, Safaricom has introduced 5G-specific bundles, cheaper than other plans but can be used on both 4G and 5G networks. Regulatory support More players may join the 5G race in Kenya, with the next candidate being Telkom Kenya. However, the state-run entity has been facing financial difficulties, leading to the telco’s failure to pay the American Tower Corporation (ATC) KES 200 million for tower leasing. As a result, ATC switched off half of the towers, impacting millions of Telkom customers. The presence of the Communications Authority of Kenya’s director-general, Ezra Chiloba, also indicates the regulator’s support for telcos as they transition to offering 5G services. The CA has not announced specific 5G spectrum fees but has chosen to bill telcos based on deployment and per-installed links. For example, if an operator installs 5G services in a particular area, they will pay fees for that specific area. The regulator will eventually establish a standard cost in the coming days.
Read More- July 7 2023
Exclusive: Healthtech startup, Medsaf, lays off all its full-time employees amid claims of unpaid salaries
In March, Medsaf, a Nigerian healthtech startup, laid off all its full-time employees. Former employees allege that their salaries and benefits remain unpaid. Nigerian healthtech startup, Medsaf has laid off all its full-time employees, TechCabal can exclusively report. The company’s chief operating officer (COO), Rotimi Lawal, told employees on Slack that Medsaf had to reduce its workforce following “challenges ranging from funding gaps to account receivables due to different the macroeconomic policies and dismal payment behavior of hospitals in our industry.” A source told TechCabal that about 30 employees were affected. At the time of Lawal’s Slack message, several employees confirmed that they hadn’t been paid salaries since December 2022. The company acknowledged the salary delays and promised to make good on the payments. “In the context of how work activity has fared so far this year, with the majority of the employees staying at home and doing little or no work, the Company will be paying full salary for December 2022 to those who I haven’t paid yet and half payments for January 2023 up till March 2023. These payments will be made to the staff’s bank account in the Month of April 2023,” Lawal wrote in the Slack message. A former employee who spoke to TechCabal on the condition of anonymity said the company only paid salaries for March. Three other former employees told this publication that they still haven’t received their owed salaries and that there has been no communication from the management on the payment. They also alleged that their pensions and pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax were not remitted. Another source who left the company last October alleged that his pensions were paid for only three months of the 15 months he spent at Medsaf. “The best way I can describe the situation is a tragedy,” the source told TechCabal over a call. In an email response to TechCabal, Medsaf’s CEO, Nwakah, blamed the situation on investors reneging on funding commitments. “The funds we were expecting would have been enough to extend our run rate for 1.5 years and allow us to close on a $2m loan that would push our company into profitability. We told people not to come to work in January and told people formally that we were not extending their roles in March. So many of the employees that you are speaking with hardly worked in January and are requesting salaries that are owed to them when they were not actively working for the company,” she said. Unpaid salaries and financial struggles In 2017, Vivian Nwakah co-founded Medsaf to combat the proliferation of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria and across Africa. Its website defines Medsaf as “a curated medication marketplace for African hospitals and pharmacies.” It also claimed it grew 200% during the pandemic and had raised $2.7 million in funding in January 2022. Two sources told TechCabal that Medsaf began to struggle in mid-2022 with delays in salary payments. According to the sources, the CEO told employees the company wanted to raise funds. “Some people left, but they [the management] kept promising that things would get better, so we decided to wait out for them,” one of the sources said. But the situation worsened, as the November salaries weren’t paid until the fourth week of December. According to our sources, the company also didn’t pay salaries from January till March, when the layoffs happened. Two other sources alleged that Medsaf also owed some of its vendors. Alleged financial misappropriation A former senior executive alleged that Medsaf’s CEO withdrew company funds for personal use. According to the source, Medbury Medical Services paid Medsaf over $100,000 in early 2023 for drug distribution projects but the money “was neither in Medsaf’s bank account nor was it in medication stocks.” “The money was used to pay other debts and siphoned out of the company. This left suppliers and employees unpaid,” the source told TechCabal. Medsaf did not specifically comment on these claims but suggested that the company’s lawyers would send a detailed response. Medbury Medical Services couldn’t be reached for comments at the time of writing this report.
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- July 7 2023
Steps to check CAO status 2023
The Central Applications Office (CAO) plays a vital role in facilitating the tertiary education application process in South Africa. If you’re an aspiring student seeking admission to a university or college, it’s essential to stay updated on your CAO status. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to check your CAO status in South Africa. Step 1: Visit the CAO website To begin, access the official website of the Central Applications Office in South Africa. Open your preferred web browser and search for “CAO South Africa.” Click on the official link, which should direct you to the CAO homepage. Step 2: Log in to your CAO account Once on the CAO website, navigate to the login section. Enter your username and password to access your account. Step 3: Locate the “Check my Application Status” After logging in, explore the CAO website interface and find the section dedicated to checking your application status. Look for a tab or link labelled “Check Application Status” or something similar. The CAO website is designed to be user-friendly, making it relatively easy to find the relevant section. Step 4: Enter the required details In this step, you will be prompted to enter certain details to retrieve your CAO application status. Typically, you will need to provide your CAO application number or ID, as well as any other specific information requested by the system. Ensure you double-check the accuracy of the details you enter to avoid any potential errors or delays in retrieving your status. Step 5: Complete your CAO status check Once you have submitted the necessary information, the CAO system will process your request. After a few moments, your CAO status will be displayed on the screen. The status will provide information regarding your application, such as whether it is still being processed, accepted, deferred, or rejected. Make sure to carefully read and note down the information provided. Final thoughts on CAO status check Staying updated on your CAO status is crucial when pursuing higher education in South Africa. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can conveniently check your application status through the official CAO website. Remember to regularly monitor your status throughout the application process to ensure you don’t miss any important updates or deadlines. Best of luck with your educational journey!
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- July 7 2023
TechCabal Daily – Kenya’s new ghost buster
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية TGIF Congratulations to the winner of our Referral Raffle: Tony! Thanks for reading and referring the newsletter. If you enjoy TC Daily too, you can win great prizes you actually need by spreading the word. We’ve got Showmax subscriptions, shopping vouchers and merch to give out. So spend our money, refer TC Daily today by sharing the code at the bottom of this edition. In today’s edition SA urges Starlink to engage ICASA Zimbabwean electricity industry seeks $246 million Kenya now has a unified payroll system Funding tracker The World Wide Web3 Event: The Africa Social Impact Summit Opportunities Internet Starlink not coming to SA unless it meets ISP requirements South Africans may not see Starlink anytime soon. This week, communications minister Mondli Gungubele reiterated the government’s stance on why Starlink cannot officially operate in the country: it needs to meet the SouthAfrica’s internet service provider (ISP) ownership equity rules first. The most critical of these rules is that ISPs like Starlink will have to give up a 30% ownership stake for historically disadvantaged groups (HDG) including black people, women, youth, or people with disabilities. Communications minister Mondli Gungubele It could take a really long time: Amending the regulations to accommodate Starlink would not be a simple process and would likely take several months or even years to pass through the public consultation process and government sign-off. Gungebele said that Starlink or its parent company SpaceX could engage with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to seek advice on local operations. Zoom out: Icasa has confirmed it had discussions with SpaceX regarding Starlink on two occasions. During these meetings, SpaceX sought guidance on the regulatory requirements or process for acquiring the necessary electronic communications service licences in South Africa. Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has already connected several African countries, including Mozambique, Rwanda, and Mauritius, with 35 more African countries scheduled for launch in 2023 and 2024. You’ll be in good company Moniepoint has made it simple for your business to access payments while providing access to credit and other business tools. Click here to open a business account today. Economy Kenyan government introduces payroll management system President William Ruto President William Ruto is ensuring civil servants in Kenya stay in check. The Kenyan president has ordered the implementation of a Unified Payroll Number (UPN) system in all state agencies to reduce the government’s wage bill and streamline payroll management. Promoting accountability: The UPN system aims to unify the payment structure for all government officials, including civil servants, teachers, and employees of state agencies, into a single, simplified system, ensuring fair and equal compensation for all public servants. Through a permanent and unique identification number assigned to each individual, the system can effectively address concerns like ghost workers, double-dipping, and incorrect compensation, safeguarding public funds and fostering accountable governance. Side bar: Double-dipping is when an individual receives multiple payments or benefits for the same period of work or service. On August 4, 2022, the head of the public service notified all Public Service organisations about the national government’s adoption of the Unified Human Resource System (UHR). This integrated system will function as a centralised platform for managing data related to human resources in the public sector, including payroll information. To this end, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has embraced the use of the UPN per the head of the public service’s decision last August. Zoom out: The introduction of the UPN system represents a major stride in the ongoing efforts to modernise administrative processes and establish a fair and efficient payment structure for government officials. Economy Zimbabwean industry seeks $246 million for floating solar panels Image source: Britannica Zimbabwe’s industrial electricity consumers are aiming to raise R4.7 billion ($246 million) for phase one of floating solar panels on Kariba Dam. Ownership agreement: The Zimbabwean government’s sovereign wealth fund will possess a 10% share in the company, while the remaining 38% will be open to investors, including development banks. Members of The Intensive Energy User Group, including mining companies, will have a 52% ownership stake in a development company responsible for the project located in Kariba Dam. The power station initially designed for 250 megawatts will generate electricity sold to the group and other eligible customers through a 25-year power-purchase agreement. Electricity shortages in Zimbabwe: Kariba Dam, the world’s largest dam between Zimbabwe and Zambia, causes acute electricity shortages in Zimbabwe. Low water levels hinder generation from the hydropower plant, coupled with frequent breakdowns at the thermal power station, leading to blackouts lasting over half a day. By installing 1.8 million photovoltaic panels on 146 modular units, the site has the potential to accommodate 1 gigawatt of capacity, according to a March report compiled for Zimbabwe Power Co. by China Energy Engineering Group. What are photovoltaic panels? Photovoltaic panels, also called solar panels, are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. Zoom out: These power supply challenges highlight the need for alternative solutions and investments in renewable energy sources to ensure a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply. GrowthCon 1.0: Learn how to unlock 10X Growth Connect with growth leaders, operators, and enablers to explore proven tactics for driving sustained business growth in Africa at GrowthCon 1.0. Experience curated masterclasses, case studies, a growth hackathon and more. Get your tickets now at 15% off. Use the discount code “TIX15”! TC Insights Funding Tracker Image source: TechCabal Insights This week, Nuru, a solar company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raised $40 million in equity funding. The round was led by IFC, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP), Proparco, E3 Capital, Voltalia, the Schmidt Family Foundation, GAIA Impact Fund, and the Joseph Family Foundation. Here are the other deals this week: MYDAWA, a Kenyan online pharmacy, received $20 million in an undisclosed round from Alta Semper Capital, a private equity firm. Zuvy, a fintech company, secured $4.5 million
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- July 6 2023
From hashtags to ballots: how an army of social media consultants and influencers impacted Nigeria’s 2023 elections
The EU Election Observation Mission released a report showing more social media activity during Nigeria’s 2023 elections. TechCabal interviewed campaign strategists to understand the social media strategies used by candidates, the costs, and how that might change in the future. While the actors on the Nigerian political scene may remain unchanged for years, the country’s politics adapts quickly. For instance, in 2015, social media was a big force in Nigeria’s presidential election campaigns. And a new report from the EU Election Observation shows that 2023 saw social media play an even more pivotal role in electioneering. Candidates and their supporters used social media to shape narratives and boost the appeal of their messaging to a wide audience. Image source: The EU Election Observation Mission Yet the correlation between social media activities and election outcomes remains tenuous. While the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the presidential election, its candidate made fewer social media posts compared to that of the other major parties; the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Despite how compelling social media conversations may be, only a fraction of Nigerians take part in social media discourse. Statista and the EU report show that only 31.6 million of 221 million Nigerians use social media platforms, and most of these users are young. This explains why youths make up 71% of the 12 million Nigerians who applied for voter cards last year. How much did social media matter? It takes a small army of social media professionals to give candidates and parties a voice on online; social media advisors and consultants are at the top of the pile but they all work with content creators and influencers. ”The candidates and their parties have separate social media advisors and consultants. Some consultants come with their own teams and campaign plan. But they all work in silos—independent of others,” Ayobami Adekojo, a strategist who worked for PDP said. Another strategist, Akin Adewale, who worked for APC, told TechCabal that these plans are based on the candidates’ strengths, weaknesses, allegations against him and his good deeds. And while social media was abuzz with election campaigns and discussions, it got little attention in most campaign budgets. Ayobami told TechCabal, “Only a drop of PDP’s budget went to social media.” Adeshina Ayomide, a member of the APC Campaign Council in the United Kingdom, said APC’s campaign budget was about ₦1.5 billion. “Most of it went to traditional media—television, radio, and print media —while only about ₦200 million went to social media channels,” he said. But Ayobami noted that this will significantly increase in the future considering the success of the Labour Party’s campaign. The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, came third. It was the first time a third-force candidate showed such potential. He received the most votes in online polls including one by Bloomberg. Strategists link his performance to his party’s social media campaign. How presidential candidates used social media Of all the 18 presidential candidates, nine used social media. An analysis of 1,089 posts by the presidential candidates showed that they mostly used Facebook and Twitter. Their posts included videos of campaign rallies, press statements, encouragement, manifestoes and smear campaigns. There were also accounts dedicated to promoting parties and candidates. The EU report identified 946 of them and found that the accounts of these supporters saw higher activity than those of the candidates. For example, Labour Party supporter Aisha Yesufu posted an average of 22 videos per week on YouTube and had about 5,619,278 views. This is much more than Labour Party did. Image source: The EU Election Observation Mission Parties often paid to increase the reach of their messaging. From January till the middle of March, Nigerian political parties paid Meta ₦28,784,369 to advertise political content on Facebook and Instagram. They also paid influencers on TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Even though only 0.04% of the country’s total internet users are on Twitter, political parties employed influencers on Twitter the most. “This is because Twitter has more real-time audience and the algorithm of the platform makes it easier for news to spread quickly,” Akin Akinwale explained to TechCabal. PR professional Adeshina Ayomide, who also worked with APC says it is also because other platforms are mostly for entertainment and do not have political influencers like Twitter does. Image source: The EU Election Observation Mission These strategists pay influencers to post content pre-crafted by content creators and narrative shapers. Toyosi Godwin, who has 111,800 followers confirmed this. He told TechCabal that most of the time influencers are approached with pre-written tweets which they post upon payment of the agreed fee. “Even when the influencer writes the post by themself, the contractor must edit it before they can share it with their followers,” he added. The influencer’s fee depends on their follower count and Twitter influencers typically charged between ₦25,000 – ₦50,000 per tweet. While popular Facebook and Instagram bloggers like Tundeednut, Linda Ikeji, and YinkaTNT charge ₦1 million or more per post. Even though it is popular and lucrative, Influencers often claim that they do not dabble in the pay-for-tweet venture. Toyosi told TechCabal that he turns down such offers because he values personal freedom and public integrity more. Adeshina, who has over 14,000 Twitter followers said, “Influencers like me in APC received a monthly stipend of around ₦100,000. But it is purely to support our work rather than serve as a fee for our services. We were not directly remunerated for the work we undertook.” Image source: The EU Election Observation Mission Challenges of social media campaigns Influencers often suffer online harassment for the posts they make about candidates. They get attacked by people who suspect that they were paid to make the posts. “Opposition campaigns use troll farms,” Ayobami who has worked on PDP campaigns told TechCabal. There are WhatsApp and Twitter groups of people that have used several accounts to attack posts about their opposition. When these social media sweatshops are not bullying
Read More- July 6 2023
Mastercard and SomBank partner to launch debit cards in Somalia
Somalia’s government is betting on QR codes, but low internet and smartphone penetration make debit cards a more resonant move. Mastercard is betting on cards with SomBank. Mastercard, a leading global payment services provider, has partnered with SomBank, a Sharia-compliant bank in Somalia, to launch the SomBank Card, a Mastercard-branded debit card. The collaboration aims to enhance financial inclusion in Somalia by providing customers with access to digital payment options. In the initial phase of the partnership, 100,000 SomBank customers will receive the SomBank Card in 2023, with the potential for further expansion in subsequent years. By offering digital payment services, this collaboration seeks to address the growing demand for convenient and secure transactions in Somalia. Customers will be able to make purchases, withdrawals, and online payments using the SomBank Card at Mastercard-accepted merchants and ATMs. The partnership represents a significant step towards improving financial access and empowering more Somalis to participate in the digital economy. “As a global technology company with a deep commitment to financial inclusion, Mastercard is proud to partner with SomBank to bring digital payments to Somalia. This also supports our commitment to work with financial institutions to bring more people into the digital economy,” said Shehryar Ali, Country Manager for East Africa at Mastercard. “By providing access to secure and convenient payment solutions, we believe that this partnership will help drive economic growth and improve the lives of millions of Somalis.” This strategic collaboration aligns with Mastercard’s broader strategy to expand its presence in regions with strong digital growth potential. Somalia, with its increasing (yet low) internet penetration and smartphone usage, offers a promising landscape for digital development. In 2021, Mastercard entered into partnerships with MyBank and Premier Bank in Somalia to further promote the digitalization of financial services. The Mastercard-SomBank partnership marks an important milestone in Somalia’s journey towards financial inclusion. The introduction of the SomBank Card will offer a convenient payment solution for everyday transactions and provide access to essential financial services. As digital payment solutions become more accessible, the collaboration aims to drive economic growth and empower more Somalis to participate fully in the economy. With the launch of the SomBank Card, Mastercard and SomBank are working together to accelerate the adoption of digital payments in Somalia, bringing the benefits of secure and convenient transactions to individuals and businesses alike. This partnership represents a significant stride towards a more inclusive and digitized financial ecosystem in Somalia. “This is a truly remarkable day for us, as we take another step towards making banking more accessible for our customers. We are excited to partner with Mastercard to bring digital payment solutions to our customers,” said Abdullahi Aden, CEO of SomBank. Somalia has been trying to rebuild its digital payments rails since most of its financial institutions crumbled in the aftermath of its 1991 wars. In June 2022, Techcabal reported the national launch of SOMQR, a standard QR code for the country. The move was criticised by several industry watchers, who cited the country’s low internet and smartphone penetration. For these experts, the bet should be on cards—exactly what Mastercard and SomBank are driving with their latest partnership.
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- July 6 2023
Beyond innovation, Nigerian fintechs must build strong partnerships to truly win
The past decade has seen Nigerian fintechs disrupt the operations of traditional banks by offering digital-driven products and services. But to truly win, fintechs must embrace partnerships. There is a running joke that the phrase “banking the unbanked” should be permanently erased from techspeak. The reason isn’t far-fetched. Over the years, many Nigerian fintech startups have sprung up to disrupt traditional banking known for its unsteady infrastructure. But for all the innovation and technology-driven convenience that digital banks have brought, some have questioned whether these upstarts are solving the problem of financial inclusion. According to this KPMG report, more than one in 3 Nigerian adults are financially excluded. Bar a few fintechs that appear to have hacked the agency banking model, most digital banks are banking the already banked. At the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN)’s Techpreneur 2023 Summit held on Tuesday, Olu Akanmu, president and co-CEO of OPay Nigeria, stated that there are more Nigerian fintechs focused on providing services for existing bank customers instead of targeting the unbanked population. “There is a greater purpose fintechs have to fulfill to drive more extended financial inclusion, not just to chase the customers of incumbent banks even when they might have been underserved,” he said in his keynote address. Olu Akanmu, president and co-CEO of OPay Nigeria, delivering the keynote address. To fully grasp the performance of Nigeria’s financial inclusion journey, let’s compare it with Kenya. Per the 2021 FinAccess Household Survey, financial inclusion in Kenya stood at 83% in 2019, with banks providing 44%, while non-banks—largely fintechs—contributed 39%. But in Nigeria, financial inclusion stood at 51% in 2020, according to the EFInA Access to Financial Services Survey. Of this figure, the banks led the way with 45%, while only an additional 6% was served by the non-banks mostly fintechs. Partnerships as the way forward Today, fintechs and banks are converging in the business of building platforms and offering financial services. While banks are fortifying their technology to retain customers, fintechs aren’t resting on their oars to make stronger inroads into the market. Industry experts have since made a case for collaboration between both players. Akanmu, whose company helped Nigerians deal with a cash crunch in early 2023, argued that the digital innovations of fintechs when combined with the partnerships could expand market access and reach and scale at no cost. “With deliberate partnerships for a bigger purpose to create more value, the customers and the businesses will benefit,” he said. Speaking during a panel session themed, ‘Promoting Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships’, Kristin Wilson, Strategy Lead at Spurt, reiterated Akanmu’s point on the essence of partnerships. “It is such a critical aspect of what makes it possible for early-stage tech businesses to thrive. It is important for businesses to continuously invest in partnerships that allow them to access customers,” she said. Image Source: TechCabal. But partnerships are a tricky business. As this TechCabal article argues, Nigerian banks want fintech collaborations, but for specific and unique needs. “In essence, the future of fintech-bank relationships rests on meeting at a point of common needs, where original value is exchanged at mutually beneficial costs,” it stated. Akanmu admitted that this is a contentious issue, “especially for startups that sometimes feel that they are getting the short end of the stick”. However, he urged startups to evaluate the opportunity cost of connecting with bigger platforms (read: banks) to expand their reach and market access. Another important issue tied to partnerships is the question of regulation. Nigerian fintechs are encouraged to have proactive management of regulatory and compliance issues. For example, in May, the Central Bank of Nigeria revoked the operating licenses of more than a hundred financial institutions—including fintechs—for non-compliance. But Akanmu noted that tech players should have an open mind to regulations: “Regulators see wider and broader than our individual businesses in terms of the macro effects of our innovations and their unintended consequences.”
Read More- July 6 2023
Bolt records 150 million users and appoints new CFO
Bolt has appointed a new CFO. Although it has faced legal challenges in Kenya, the company, which has been in operation for ten years, continues to maintain its position as one of the country’s most widely utilised ride-hailing apps. Ride-hailing platform Bolt has picked Mikko Salovaara as its new chief finance officer (CFO). According to the firm founded a decade ago, Mikko will start his tenure in July 2023. The announcement follows Bolt’s profit gains, having experienced notable growth for the first time since 2018. Its revenue jumped by 400%, climbing from $3.4 million in 2019 to $11 million in 2022. Bolt’s gross profit rose from $1.2 million in 2021 to $2.2 million in 2022. Salovaara, Bolt’s incoming CFO, said, “In an industry where it is notoriously hard to operate profitably, Bolt stands head and shoulders above its competitors. The culture of maximising operational efficiency, which was instilled by Markus ten years ago, continues to guide the business today and has left Bolt well-positioned to reach and maintain long-term profitability. I look forward to being part of this next stage in Bolt’s journey as the business prepares for IPO.” The company, which operates in 45 countries and across 500 cities, has also revealed that its customers have surpassed 150 million. Bolt has over 3.5 million driver partners and couriers. Over one million of the partners serve the African market. Development in Kenya Bolt operates from two critical offices in Kenya. Nairobi serves as the company’s regional hub, housing crucial Bolt executives who oversee the app’s operations throughout Africa. At the same time, Bolt has a local office to address driver partner issues. The establishment of this facility came after years of receiving complaints. Driver-partners, for instance, previously lacked the opportunity to personally present their grievances to the company, relying solely on phone or email communication. Despite facing numerous customer complaints, with some expressing dissatisfaction over the company’s perceived lack of efforts to ensure their safety from aggressive drivers, one of whom was involved in a kidnapping case, Bolt remains the most affordable e-taxi app in Kenya. Apps like Little, Uber, and Rwanda’s Yego are comparatively more expensive. Furthermore, Bolt has achieved a wider geographical coverage, as it was the first mobility app to extend its services beyond major cities like Nairobi and now serves 15 other towns in the country. In mid-2022, the Kenyan government implemented new regulations that lowered the commission rate ride-hailing companies could impose on their drivers, reducing it from 25% to 18%. In response, Little Cab adjusted its pricing strategy by shifting from a 15% commission to a fixed fee of 18%. Both Uber and Bolt also agreed to the new 18% commission rate. However, they introduced an additional booking fee to their fares, which was not present before implementing the new regulations. Consequently, despite adhering to the 18% commission rate, Uber and Bolt are still collecting over 23% of the total fare charged due to the inclusion of this booking fee.
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