- August 8 2024
Fintech startup Fincra opens new office in Lagos
Fincra, a Nigerian payment infrastructure provider, has transformed the former Lagos residence of one of Nigeria’s colonial administrators Lord Lugard into its new headquarters. The office, located in Ikoyi, will help the company get closer to its clients. “Our new office is more central for the clients and partners to access. It will enable us to better serve our customers with more efficient operations, faster response times, and personalized support.,” the company’s CEO of Fincra, Wole Ayodele, said at the launch on July 31. Founded in 2021, Fincra provides online and offline payment solutions that help businesses make and receive local and international payments. Its APIs also allow fintechs to build and scale cross-border payment solutions. Its clients are from multiple industries, including financial institutions, FMCGs, e-commerce, logistics, manufacturing, and large corporations. They include Lemfi, Raenest, Verto, and 1XBet. In 2023, Fincra secured a payment service solution provider (PSSP) licence from Nigeria’s Central Bank. The company operates in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America. Fincra supports transactions in over 30 different currencies across 150 countries. With the new headquarters, the company will pursue its ambition “to build the API infrastructure to digitally connect all of Nigeria and Africa to the rest of the world.” It will explore new market opportunities and launch new products. “Our customers’ satisfaction is our top priority. They should watch out for Fincra,” Ayodele said.
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- August 8 2024
TechCabal Daily – Nigeria’s next IPO
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Happy pre-Friday It’s the last day before tickets to Moonshot 2024 get pricier. Get your early-bird tickets here to join 85 speakers and 4,000 guests at Africa’s most ambitious tech festival in Lagos, Nigeria, from October 9–10, 2024. In today’s edition Founders Factory Africa rebrands to 54Collective FCMB Group plans to go public with Credit Direct Adani inks $900 million power transmission deal in Kenya MTN’s MoMo PSB CEO and CCO leave the company The World Wide Web3 Events Funding Founders Factory Africa rebrands to 54Collective In 2023, the early-stage accelerator, Founders Factory Africa (FFA), raised $114 million from Mastercard Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures. Before the raise, the accelerator which combines venture studios and VC models raised $32 million to invest in early-stage startups across the continent. FFA invested $20 million of that money in 57 companies. The accelerator has now rebranded as 54 Collective, a VC firm with a $40 million fund for early-stage startup investment. The VC firm has made over 20 investments as part of the fund. The startup writes checks of up to $250,000 and offers $150,000 loans at 5% to startups. 54 Collective claims the VC firm manages about $150 million in startup investment. Unlike traditional accelerators, which typically provide short-term support and seed funding, 54 Collective now offers larger investments and a longer-term commitment to its portfolio companies. The VC firm says it will be a sector-agnostic VC firm, by investing across all sectors. CEO Bongani Sithole is confident that his team’s deep understanding of the local scene and ability to identify high-potential startups across various industries will yield returns. Read Moniepoint’s 2024 Informal Economy Report Did you know that 57.7% of the business owners in Nigeria’s informal economy are under 34 years old? Click here to find out more about the demographics of Nigeria’s informal economy. Banking FCMB Group plans to go public with Credit Direct FCMB Group is planning an initial public offering (IPO) for its lending subsidiary, Credit Direct. The company’s strong business health will be an enticing entry point for investors who want to own a piece of the pie. Credit Direct has been on a steady growth climb since last year. It returned a profit after tax of ₦4 billion ($2.5 million) in 2023, and in Q1 this year, it recorded ₦2.9 billion ($1.8 million) pre-tax profit. Despite these strong showings, Credit Direct doesn’t get the same level of recognition as private lenders like Fairmoney do. The company has been doing great business under the radar servicing customers in the public sector. Credit Direct offers payday loans to paramilitary officers and civil servants. It serves more than 1.5 million users across 25 states in Nigeria, and now the company wants to expand its offering to private borrowers. When we caught up with CEO Chukwuma Nwanze in May, he told TechCabal that the next growth phase the company needed to unlock is visibility—and an IPO makes a great use case. Credit Direct will likely be listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). In the last ten years, 21 companies have been listed on the exchange, with 13 of them listed in the last three years. Credit Direct’s holding company, FCMB Group is currently offering 15.197 trillion shares to the public for ₦110.9 billion ($70.125 million), as part of Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation requirements. Going public with a subsidiary company will help it raise extra funding to run its businesses. That’s what holding companies are trying to achieve with their non-core banking businesses. Credit Direct will also launch a customer-facing app as it plans to reach more users. Collect payments anytime anywhere with Fincra Are you dealing with the complexities of collecting payments from your customers? Fincra’s payment gateway makes it easy to accept payments via cards, bank transfers, virtual accounts and mobile money. What’s more? You get to save money on fees when you use Fincra. Get started now. Energy Adani inks $900 million power transmission deal in Kenya Gautam Adani’s has just inked a $907 million deal to electrify Kenya to build out transmission lines and substations in a classic public-private partnership. Adani Energy Solutions, which operates more than 21,000km of power distribution lines, will build 371km of lines and five substations in the west and eastern of Kenya. But while the project promises to brighten the country’s power grid, it’s also throwing a spotlight on the growing concerns about Adani’s business practices. The latest venture comes hot on the heels of the equally controversial Jomo Kenyatta International Airport concession, which has sparked outrage and questions about transparency. These deals are part of Kenya’s push to offload infrastructure projects to private investors, a move driven by a mountain of debt. Adani, which has been weathering a storm of accusations over market manipulation and fraud, seems undeterred. A recent $1 billion equity raise suggests investors are still betting on the tycoon. However, with each new deal, the pressure mounts for the company to prove its critics wrong. Mobile Money MTN’s MoMo PSB CEO and CCO leave the company MoMo Payment Service Bank (PSB), MTN Nigeria’s wholly-owned fintech arm, saw a major leadership reshuffle. CEO Eli Hini and chief commercial officer Elsa Muzzolini both left the company in June and July 2024 respectively, with Muzzolini joining M-PESA Ethiopia as CEO three days after resigning. Phrase Lubega, previously the company’s group executive for fintech commercial operations, has been named the acting CEO, pending approval from Nigeria’s central bank. Hini and Muzzolini joined the company when MoMo launched in 2022 and are two executives credited for the growth initiatives at MoMo leading to its uprising in the mobile money sector. MoMo had over 77 million customers in 2023 and is one of the biggest MNO-led mobile money providers—second only to the 220 million customers Airtel’s SmartCash boasts. Following MoMo PSB’s strong performance in 2023 and H1 2024, it increased mobile money wallet signups to 5.5 million and
Read More- August 7 2024
MTN Nigeria renegotiates tower lease with IHS and ATC, quashes conflict rumors
MTN Nigeria, the country’s biggest telco, has renewed its lease agreement with tower infrastructure provider IHS Towers, ending a two-year boardroom tussle between the two companies. The new deal will see IHS manage MTN networks sites beyond the initial September 2023 deadline. The renegotiation comes eleven months after MTN selected American Towers Corporation (ATC) to take over its tower operations from IHS by 2025. Under the new agreement, ATC will provide tower services for 2,100 sites, while IHS will manage 1,400 sites. The 1400 sites include new 1000 MTN sites to be rolled out over the next few years, allocated between the two tower operators. These new agreements are effective April 1, 2024, until December 31, 2032. Before the renegotiation, the site leases expired between December 2024 and December 2029. The deal would benefit IHS Towers, which earns 63% of its tower revenue from Nigeria. By servicing Airtel and MTN Nigeria, the largest telcos in the West African nation, the tower could witness an improvement in revenues. In a separate filing on Wednesday, IHS Towers said the tower lease renegotiation is a testament to the deepened relationship between the two companies. The renegotiation, which includes new financial terms focusing on currency stability and diesel costs, aims to mitigate the impact of Nigeria’s economic challenges on both companies. The new contracts include a dollar-denominated component linked to US inflation, a naira-denominated component tied to Nigerian inflation, and a diesel-linked component to hedge against rising fuel prices and currency fluctuations. The agreement is expected to bolster IHS’s position in the Nigerian market, where it competes with ATC for tower management contracts. It also provides MTN with a more diversified tower infrastructure and potentially improved cost management.
Read More- August 7 2024
MTN concludes sale of Guinea-Bissau subsidiary to Telecel
MTN Group, Africa’s largest telco by subscriber base, has concluded the sale of its Guinea-Bissau subsidiary to Mexico-based Telecel for following regulatory approval. The deal is part of MTN’s strategy to divest from smaller West and Central African markets which only contributed 7.3% to the company’s 2023 revenue. per 2023 annual results. In October 2023, MTN received a binding offer for the sale of both MTN Guinea-Bissau and MTN Guinea-Conakry for a consideration of $1 for each of the companies. MTN and Telecel signed a sale and purchase agreement on 15 December 2023, with the deal subject to regulatory approval. MTN Guinea-Bissau faced financial struggles after breaching a R171 million ($9.3 million) loan with an undisclosed lender. It became insolvent in December 2023 after its liabilities of R802 million ($43.6 million) surpassed its assets of R619 million ($33.7 million). “MTN has taken steps to ensure a seamless transfer of ownership, which the Group believes is in the best interests of MTN Guinea-Bissau, its stakeholders and the sector in Guinea-Bissau at large,” MTN told shareholders on Wednesday MTN will focus on larger West African markets including Ghana, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire which accounted for 19% of the pan-African telco’s revenue per 2023 annual results.
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- August 7 2024
4 easy ways to check MTN number in 2024
Keeping track of your mobile number can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you’ve recently changed SIM cards or have multiple numbers. Fortunately, there are several easy methods to check your MTN number in 2024. This article will guide you through ways to find your MTN number, ensuring you stay connected without any hassle. Methods to check MTN number in 2024 Using the MTN Mobile App One of the most convenient ways to check your MTN number in 2024 is through the MTN mobile app. This app allows you to manage your account effortlessly. Here’s how to use it: Download and Install: Obtain the MTN mobile app from your device’s app store. Log In: Open the app and log in using your account credentials. Navigate: Go to the “Account” or “Profile” section. Find Your Number: Your MTN number will be prominently displayed on the screen. Using a USSD Code Another quick method to figure your MTN number in 2024 is by using a USSD code. This method does not require an internet connection and is very straightforward: Dial the code: On your mobile device, dial *123#. Select the option: From the menu that appears, choose the option that says “Account info” then “Check My Number” or a similar description. Display: Your MTN number will be displayed on your screen. Calling a Friend If you’re unable to use the app or USSD code, another simple way to get your MTN number in 2024 is to call or message a friend who has your number saved. Here’s how: Contact a friend: Call or message a friend who has your MTN number saved in their contacts. Request your number: Ask them to share your MTN number with you. Contacting customer service For those who prefer speaking directly with a representative, contacting MTN customer service is a reliable option. Here’s how to check your MTN number in 2024 by contacting customer service: Dial the Hotline: Call the MTN customer service number, typically 180. Follow prompts: Follow the automated prompts to connect with a customer service representative. Request your number: Explain your situation and request your MTN number. Important tips apart from how to check your MTN number in 2024 Apart from checking your MTN number in 2024, keep these safety tips in mind to protect your personal information: Use official channels: Only use official MTN codes and apps to check your number. Avoid third-party services that may ask for personal information. Keep your information secure: Do not share your phone number or SIM card details with untrusted sources. Store your SIM pack safely: Keep your original SIM card pack in a safe place as it contains important information, including your MTN number. Update your contact Information: Ensure your contact details with MTN are up-to-date to receive important notifications and updates. Final thoughts on how to check MTN number in 2024 There’s no need to worry if you find yourself needing to check your MTN number in 2024. With multiple methods at your disposal, including the MTN mobile app, USSD codes, friends, and customer service, you can easily retrieve your number. Choose the method that best suits your situation and stay connected with ease.
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- August 7 2024
FUTA Post UTME for admission 2024
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has released its admission form for the 2024/2025 academic session. This article provides a detailed overview of the eligibility criteria and important deadlines for prospective candidates seeking admission. Eligibility criteria for FUTA admission 2024 Candidates aspiring to gain admission into FUTA must meet the following criteria: 1. Minimum UTME Score: Candidates must have scored a minimum of 180 in the 2024 UTME conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Direct Entry (DE) candidates who selected FUTA as their First Choice Institution are also eligible for the screening. 2. O’ Level Requirements: Applicants must possess at least five (5) credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two (2) sittings in O’ level examinations conducted by WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or their equivalent. 3. Age Requirement: Candidates must have reached the age of 16 years by 1st October 2024. This is a mandatory requirement for all prospective students. 4. O’ Level Results Upload: It is important for candidates to ensure that their O’ level results are uploaded on JAMB CAPS and shared with FUTA by Friday, 20th September 2024. Failure to do so will render candidates ineligible for admission. Important notes Screening Participation: Any UTME candidate who is not screened will not be considered for admission to the University. Participation in the screening process is essential for all applicants. First Choice Institution: Only candidates who made FUTA their First Choice Institution in their UTME registration will be eligible for the FUTA Post UTME for admission 2024. Application process for FUTA Post UTME for admission 2024 Prospective candidates should follow these steps to apply for the FUTA Post UTME for admission 2024: 1. Visit the official Post UTME FUTA portal to access the admission form. 2. Fill in the required details accurately and ensure all information is up-to-date. 3. Upload the necessary documents, including O’ level results, on JAMB CAPS to share them with FUTA. 4. Submit the application before the specified deadline. Final thoughts The FUTA Post UTME for admission 2024 is a step for all aspiring students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Adhering to the eligibility criteria and deadlines is essential for a successful application process.
Read More- August 7 2024
Advocating for better gender representation in Africa’s tech ecosystem
This article was contributed to TechCabal by June Barasa. The lack of gender diversity in tech, especially in Africa, is a glaring issue that should no longer be ignored. As a woman who has spent years navigating this male-dominated industry, I can attest to the systemic barriers and unconscious biases that persist. The numbers speak volumes: only 30% of tech roles in Africa are occupied by women, with an abysmal 14% in software engineering and 25% in computer science-related roles. There needs to be more entry points for women, i.e. apprenticeships, as this inequality is unacceptable. According to the UN, it could take a staggering 140 years for women to achieve equal representation in leadership positions. This unsatisfactory reality demands immediate action to foster inclusive workplaces and dismantle systemic barriers. Being a woman in tech comes with degrees of significance: closing the gender gap, breaking barriers, opening doors for others, changing perceptions and driving innovation. Every woman in tech knows they play an overloaded part in a male-dominated industry. Where other sectors have seen dramatic shifts in gender equity, an industry I have always dreamed of being a part of lags behind. To address this gap, we’ve seen women-led Initiatives like SheCodes and GirlsCode flourish, creating an entry-level talent pipeline into the industry. However, actual change requires a seismic shift in the industry’s culture and practices. Companies must take decisive action to nurture this talent and cultivate inclusive environments where women can truly thrive. This involves implementing concrete measures such as establishing mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, and sponsorship opportunities specifically tailored to support women in tech. The tech industry continues to face challenges in ensuring equal opportunities, particularly in funding for women founders. Even with the progress, companies founded solely by women received only 2% of all VC investment in 2022. Despite these obstacles, I’ve witnessed the landscape evolving, especially post-COVID, with many women-led startups carving out spaces to thrive despite demonstrating resilience and innovation. For instance, the shift to remote work has allowed for more flexible schedules, enabling greater participation and leadership from women in tech. This progress highlights the potential for even more significant advancements in inclusivity moving forward. Study after study confirms that diverse and inclusive companies outperform their homogeneous counterparts, underscoring the critical importance of women in decision-making, driving innovation and growth. At Deimos, we’re committed to catalysing change, seamlessly integrating our dedication to diversity into every aspect of our operations. Through intentional hiring practices and ongoing support, we actively foster an environment where women in tech not only thrive but lead. This commitment isn’t just a box to check; it’s woven into the fabric of our culture and practices, setting a potent example for the industry. While hiring qualified women should be the norm rather than an exception, achieving meaningful and sustainable change requires more than token efforts from all of us. It demands steadfast commitment and proactive measures to create inclusive environments where women can thrive and contribute fully to the organisation’s success. Initiatives like GirlsCode helped us equip the next generation of women with the tools, mentorship, and support necessary to excel, accelerating the journey towards gender parity. Even some of our products, like Salus, which I played a pivotal role in developing, embody our ethos of inclusivity – empowering developers from all backgrounds to create, manage, and deploy incredible applications fast and securely. Early in my career, I grappled with challenges like imposter syndrome that women in tech face particularly acutely daily. This fueled my passion for empowering others and driving systemic change. While I’m encouraged by some of the progress in global gender equity, we cannot become complacent. Tech pioneers who want to create a better world must forge ahead, envisioning and actively building a future where diversity is celebrated as a competitive advantage, not an afterthought. Our dedication to embracing diversity and fostering inclusion sets the stage for a more vibrant and equitable future in African tech. Looking back, I’m struck by the profound impact of creating spaces where every voice is valued, and each talent is nurtured. Empowering women isn’t merely a moral obligation—it’s a strategic imperative for driving innovation and fueling progress. With unwavering resolve, we must take the lead in ensuring that our strides today lay the foundation for a more inclusive tomorrow, benefiting us all. — June is a skilled Technical Product Owner at Deimos with over six years of experience, having worked with industry leaders like Mastercard Foundation, American Express, and Wikipedia.
Read More- August 7 2024
Exclusive: MoMo PSB CEO, chief commercial officer resign in surprising exit
Eli Hini, CEO of MTN’s MoMo Payment Service Bank (PSB), and Elsa Muzzolini, Chief Commercial Officer, have left the company in a surprising leadership change at the fintech. Muzzolini joined M-PESA Ethiopia, Safaricom’s mobile money business as CEO on July 15. Muzzolini informed employees of her resignation in a note on July 12. She also updated the new role on her LinkedIn profile. It is unclear if Hini, who left in June 2024, has taken another role. Hini and Muzzolini joined MoMo PSB in 2022 and led its growth strategies in Nigeria. Their exit comes at a time when MTN Nigeria ramps up investment in its fintech unit to grow its share of wallets and app adoption following losses in its core business, telecoms. Usoro Anthony Usoro, executive director of strategy and stakeholder management at MoMo PSB, has been named the substantive CEO. His appointment is subject to CBN approval, one person with direct knowledge of the matter said. MTN did not respond to a request for comments. MoMo grew mobile money wallets by 55.8% to 5.5 million in H1 2024 from 3.1 million in H1 2023. Fintech revenue grew by 11% driven by increased wallet and MoMo app adoption. Compared with Airtel mobile money scheduled to go public in 2025, its mobile money customers grew 14.9% to 39.5 million On Monday, August 5, 2024, MTN Nigeria paid ₦6.95 billion to buy off Acxani Capital Limited, the minority shareholder of MoMo PSB. MTN Nigeria took control of the fintech unit to strengthen MoMo PSB’s operations and position it for growth, according to a regulatory filing. The deal also allows MTN Nigeria to deploy more funding into the fintech unit. MoMo received an additional ₦9.4 billion in investment from MTN Nigeria as part of the deal.
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- August 7 2024
JAMB 2024 latest news for candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recently released crucial updates relevant to all 2024 candidates. This article outlines the essential points from the JAMB 2024 latest news. JAMB latest 2024 news on minimum age requirement For the 2024/2025 academic session, only candidates who are at least sixteen years old will be considered eligible for admission. This means you may go ahead to write Post UTME exams or screenings if you are currently 15 years of age. However, you will only be able to accept the admission (if granted) if you are 16 years old by the time the institution admits you. This follows the directive from the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, OON. The enforcement of this policy aims to curb the submission of false affidavits and doctored age adjustments. JAMB latest 2024 news on stoppage of illegal admissions JAMB has announced the end of the condonement of illegal admissions. Institutions must disclose all candidates admitted illegally before 2017 within the next month. Any admissions not reported within this period will not be recognised or condoned. Addressing daily part-time programmes JAMB has identified and condemned the practice of certain polytechnics and universities advertising unauthorised Daily Part-Time (DPT) and Top Up (TU) programmes. These programmes are not approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) or the National Universities Commission (NUC). Candidates are advised to avoid such programmes as they are not recognised and will not be regularised. Disclosure of candidates admitted outside CAPS Institutions must disclose all candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. Any admissions outside CAPS and not disclosed within the given time frame will not be tolerated. CAPS remains the only authorised platform for admissions, ensuring transparency and fairness. Key takeways The JAMB 2024 latest news emphasises the enforcement of strict age requirements, the cessation of illegal admissions, and the importance of adhering to CAPS for all admissions. Candidates must ensure they meet the age requirement and verify that their admissions are processed through CAPS. Avoid enrolment in unauthorised programmes that are not recognised by the appropriate educational bodies. The JAMB 2024 latest news bulletin contains vital updates for all current and prospective candidates. Candidates are encouraged to stay informed and comply with all outlined directives.
Read More- August 7 2024
Sendsprint expands to the US with Nobel Financial Inc. acquisition
Sendsprint, a cross-border payments startup operating in the UK, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, has acquired Nobel Financial Inc., a US-based remittance company, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will enable Sendsprint to offer money transfers and gift-sending from customers in 16 US states. “The US presents a massive opportunity for us as a company and we are excited to bring our unique blend of people-focused technology solutions and nuanced understanding of Africans in the US market to make this expansion into the US a remarkable success,” Damisi Busari, CEO and founder of Sendsprint said. As part of the acquisition, Nobel Financial Inc.’s Chief Compliance Officer, Scott McClain, will join the Sendsprint team as Chief Compliance Officer. Launched in 2022, Sendsprint operates in the competitive remittance market with established players like Western Union and MoneyGram and new entrants like LemFi and Leatherback. The company charges a $5 flat fee across all transactions. The company claims it partners with over 3,000 retailers across Africa—including big names like Shoprite, Dapper Monkey, Jumia, and Cake City—to allow users to send gift cards to recipients in Africa. Founded in 2014, Nobel Financial Inc. offers international remittance services from the USA to over 32 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. The company also allows users to send in-kind gifts such as bags of rice and other gifts to recipients in Africa. The acquisition comes at a time when remittance flows to Africa continues to grow. In 2022, remittances to the continent reached $100 billion, outpacing both Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The increase in remittances from the US to Africa is fueled by rising migration and improved financial wellbeing among Africans in the diaspora.
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