👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Magnificent 5
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Happy pre-TGIF! Big Cabal Media just turned 10. It’s been a decade of redefining storytelling, shaping conversations that drive meaningful change, and spotlighting African innovation and culture across tech, business, and youth. Our CEO, Tomiwa Aladekomo, reflects on the journey, the milestones, and what’s next for BCM. Read Tomiwa’s full note here. The ‘Big 5’ take the lead in most private deal inflows to Africa Nigeria expected to raise interest rates Yellow Card secures crypto licence in South Africa World Wide Web 3 Events Funding The ‘Big 5’ take the lead in most private deal inflows to Africa Image source: Zikoko Memes When you think of startup funding in Africa, you think of the Big 4 —South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya. These were countries where all the private capital flowed into. Think private equity, debt, venture capital deals, and mergers and acquisitions (M&As). The Big 4 raised at least 80% of all the continent’s capital since 2021. Slowly, another West African country has risen through the ranks. In 2024, Ghana has solidified its position as a new entrant in Africa’s “Big 5” private capital destinations. Startups like Fido, Kofa, and Complete Farmer have driven this growth, raising a combined $45 million in the third quarter of the year. Beyond startup activity, Ghana has attracted interest in private equity and debt financing, with notable deals in renewable energy and agribusiness. The country’s consistent focus on policy reforms and financial sector innovation has made it an attractive destination for broader private capital opportunities. M&A activity has also increased, particularly in consumer goods and logistics, as businesses expand regional operations. There were 73 private capital deals in Africa in Q3 2024, according to a report by Stears. Thirty-nine of these deals were worth $2.27 billion. The Big 5 claimed 85% of those deals, reinforcing their dominance. Financial services led the pack, accounting for 33% of investments, while consumer services followed at 19%. Notably, 90% of consumer goods investments targeted e-commerce, a promising sign for Africa’s digital trade growth. Yet, that’s not all. Rwanda, another tech ecosystem upstart continues to quietly grow. The East African country saw more private capital deals (15%) in Q3 2024 than Ghana (12%). Could there be a Big 6 soon? With Rwanda’s emergence, it’s hard to bet against it. Read Moniepoint’s Case Study on Funding Women After losing their mother, Azeezat and her siblings struggled to keep Olaiya Foods afloat. Now, with Moniepoint, they’re transforming Nigeria’s local buka scene. Click here for a deep dive into how Moniepoint is helping her and other women entrepreneurs overcome their funding challenges. Economy Nigeria expected to raise interest rates at next MPC meeting Image Source: TechCabal Nigeria’s Central Bank is expected to raise interest rates on November 26 at its next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. The MPC raised the interest rates five times this year to fight the country’s inflation rate. Nigeria’s headline inflation quickened to 33.8% in October after a hike in fuel prices and floods in food-producing areas affected consumer prices. Analysts predict that the unrelenting inflation may cause the MPC to nudge interest rates up by 25–100 basis points. The Central Bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said at the last MPC meeting that the regulator was committed to taming inflation and attracting foreign investment by implementing a positive real interest rate. While the governor has opted to continuously raise interest rates to tame inflation, analysts suggest that there might be a need for complementary fiscal measures. “In the long run, I don’t think continuous hiking will tame inflation significantly. There are other areas we should look at as a nation and economy to manage our inflation,” one analyst told me. Banks will be the biggest beneficiaries if the CBN raises interest rates. Four of Nigeria’s largest banks by market cap—Guaranty Trust Holding Co., Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and FBN Holdings Plc—all reported that net interest income had more than doubled since the last time the CBN raised rates. Get Fincra’s Embedded Finance and BaaS Report 2024 for FREE Fincra in collaboration with The Paypers have released the Embedded Finance and Banking-as-a-Service Report 2024. This report examines the key challenges and innovative solutions defining the future of seamless cross-border payments and remittances across the continent, among other topics, with key experts. Get this valuable, free resource today! Startups Yellow Card secures crypto licence in South Africa Image Source: Semafor One month after it raised $33 million from investors, Yellow Card, the stablecoin infrastructure company, has secured a crypto licence in South Africa. The licence will allow Yellow Card to offer financial services related to crypto assets that are not regarded as legal tender in South Africa. Yellow Card joins over 138 other companies with crypto licences in South Africa as the country softens its stance on cryptocurrency after $26 billion flowed through crypto between June 2023 and 2024. Yellow Card launched in South Africa in 2020 and operates as a payment rail across 20 African countries. The company enables users to send money using stablecoins pegged to the dollar. The startup does not charge transaction fees but makes money from FX spread during transactions. Since its inception in 2016, it claims to have facilitated over$3 billion in transactions. While getting a licence is good news for Yellow Card, it may need to brace up for a stricter regulatory environment. The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the country’s anti-money laundering regulator now mandates crypto platforms to verify the identities of both senders and recipients in cryptocurrency transactions. This is part of efforts to fight money laundering and terrorist financing since South Africa is on the FATF Greylist. South African regulators may have welcomed crypto with open arms, but the scepticism on crypto remains. Introducing Paystack transfers in Kenya Paystack merchants in Kenya can now send single and bulk transfers to any Kenyan bank or MPESA account (including customer wallets, Paybills, and Tills) Learn more → CRYPTO
Read MoreKCB Group grows profits by 49% as total assets hit $15.4 billion
KCB Group, Kenya’s biggest bank, grew its profits by 49% in the first nine months of 2024, driven by income growth. It reported KES 45.8 billion ($354 million) in profits compared to KES 30.7 billion ($238 million) in the same period last year. Its revenue also jumped by 22% to KES 142.9 billion ($1.1 billion), including contributions from both lending and non-lending activities such as foreign exchange income and transaction fees. The bank’s total assets—including cash, loans, investments, and property—also grew to KES 2.0 trillion ($15.4 billion), led by customer deposits of KES 1.5 trillion ($11.5 billion). Net loans and advances rose to KES 1.1 trillion ($8.5 billion) following a sharp rise in retail sector lending. KCB’s ability to grow deposits and loans at this scale shows strong customer confidence and operational capacity amid currency volatility that pressures foreign-denominated loans, one banking executive told TechCabal. KCB’s subsidiaries outside Kenya accounted for 36.6% of profits and 34% of total assets, KCB said in its financial report, indicating a shift toward regional markets. The performance of Trust Merchant Bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo—a lender KCB Group acquired in December 2022—shows the impact of geographic diversification, though it also brings exposure to markets with varying economic and political conditions. Bad loans rose to KES 215.3 billion ($1.67 billion). Provisions for these non-performing loans (NPLs) increased by 12.2%, but high NPLs show ongoing problems in sectors like real estate and manufacturing. Fixing these bad loans remains problematic, the bank said. Shareholders saw better returns, with return on equity growing to 25.6% from 19.6% last year. Shareholders’ funds grew to KES 249 billion ($1.9 billion). The bank’s capital remains strong, well above regulatory limits at KES 10 billion, but one subsidiary—the National Bank of Kenya (NBK)—has not met this standard. In October 2024, Access Bank received approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to acquire NBK in a deal thought to be worth $100 million.
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The Big 5 economies are shaping Africa’s private capital future, says Stears report
Private capital investment in Africa is a key driver of economic growth, with significant potential to transform businesses and sectors across the continent. However, this growth is not evenly spread. In Q3 2024, five countries—South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt— emerged as the primary hubs for private capital, according to a new Stears report. These ‘Big 5’ economies alone accounted for 85% of all private capital deals, highlighting their dominant role in shaping the region’s investment landscape. The dominance of the Big 5 economies is no accident as they offer conducive environments for investment, more stable economic conditions, and policies that promote business growth. For example, Nigeria’s recent strides in fintech regulations and Kenya’s robust mobile money ecosystem are two factors that have attracted international venture capital. Technology is a crucial area of private capital investment, and the Big 5 countries are again at the forefront. For instance, in Q3 2024, Terrapay raised $95 million in debt financing to expand its remittance operations across Africa, demonstrating the appeal of these economies for tech-focused investment. With well-developed ecosystems that foster innovation, these countries continue to attract significant technology-driven capital. In Q3 2024, 73 private market deals were recorded across Africa, with 39 deals disclosing a combined value of $2.27 billion. Most private capital activity was concentrated in Southern, East, and West Africa, with Southern Africa leading at 45%, followed closely by East Africa at 41%. West Africa accounted for 33% of the deals, while Central Africa lagged with only 8% of total transactions. Sector-wise, financial services led the pack, contributing 33% of all private capital deals. Consumer goods followed closely, accounting for 19% of deals, with e-commerce making up 27% of that category as trade and commerce expanded across Africa. In contrast, the technology sector, while still growing, ranked fifth behind agriculture and energy, though 90% of tech deals were equity-based, signalling strong investor confidence in Africa’s tech future. While the Big 5 dominate private capital flows, smaller economies are also seeing growth despite facing different challenges. Deals outside the Big 5 rely more on debt financing, accounting for 28% of transactions, compared to 18% in the Big 5. The agricultural sector, for instance, remains highly localised, with 91% of its deals confined to a single country. However, the energy sector saw more activity in non-Big 5 countries, with renewable energy projects attracting significant investment, driven by the need to address energy shortages and spur economic growth. By improving policy frameworks, fostering stronger financial ecosystems, and addressing infrastructure deficits, smaller African economies position themselves as viable alternatives for private capital. The future of Africa’s investment climate will be shaped by both the pace set by the Big 5 and the emerging opportunities across the continent.
Read MoreYellow Card secures crypto licence in South Africa
Yellow Card, a pan-African stablecoin infrastructure company that raised $33 million in October, has secured a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence in South Africa, a significant step in its regional expansion. This comes as South Africa continues to relax its regulatory stance on cryptocurrency in 2024, with over 138 companies now licensed to operate within the country’s regulated crypto ecosystem. “The CASP license … reflects our dedication to providing secure, compliant, and transformative solutions for our customers both in South Africa and across Africa,” Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. Yellow Card, which entered South Africa in 2020, operates in 20 African countries, allowing users to use stablecoins to send money across these countries. The startup claims to have facilitated over $3 billion in transactions since its inception in 2016. South African regulators began licensing providers of advisory services, exchanges, payment gateways, and wallets to bring oversight to the country’s growing crypto industry as the industry processed $26 billion in transactions between June 2023 and June 2024. This regulatory framework has enabled the South African government to tax crypto returns and reduce risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing. However, the FSCA’s authority is limited to licensing and overseeing Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) for financial services involving crypto assets and does not equate to recognising crypto assets as legal tender or as “cryptocurrency.” The South African Reserve Bank also does not currently recognize crypto assets as currency. The earliest step in liberalising South Africa’s crypto regulatory landscape came in November 2018 when the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), in collaboration with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), South African Revenue Services (SARS), and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), established the Crypto Assets Regulatory Working Group. In October 2022, the FSCA declared crypto assets as financial products, bringing them under its regulatory jurisdiction. This move paved the way for the FSCA to open applications for licenses in June 2023 and began the welcoming of crypto in South Africa.
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SASSA December payment dates & more for 2024
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced its December 2024 payment dates and schedule for social grants. Beneficiaries, including older persons, those with disabilities, and children, can expect their December grants on scheduled dates, ensuring timely support during the festive season. December 2024 payment dates for all SASSA classes For the SASSA payment in December 2024, specific dates have been set for each grant category: Older Persons’ Grants: Payments for older persons will commence on Tuesday, 3 December 2024. This includes grants for the elderly and any linked grants for beneficiaries. Disability Grants: Recipients of disability grants will receive their funds starting on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. Children’s Grants: Payments for children’s grants, covering child support and care dependency, will be made on Thursday, 5 December 2024. These set dates for the SASSA payment December 2024 allow beneficiaries to plan accordingly, particularly with the holiday season approaching. Importance of the December SASSA payment The December SASSA payment plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable groups during a period when expenses often increase. It ensures that beneficiaries have access to funds for essential needs, providing stability and security at the year’s end. Points to remember for December payments Timing: Each grant has a designated payment day, so beneficiaries should follow the schedule to avoid long waits or crowded collection points. Collection options: Beneficiaries can collect funds from their chosen bank accounts, ATMs, or designated retailers. For those collecting in person, it’s advisable to visit payment points early in the day. Contact information: For any queries related to the SASSA payment December 2024, beneficiaries can call SASSA’s toll-free number, 0800 60 10 11, or visit the official website at www.sassa.gov.za. With the SASSA December payments in place, recipients can prepare to collect their grants smoothly. SASSA remains committed to providing efficient service, ensuring every beneficiary receives their due support promptly.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – JADA’s AI dream
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning! Imagine being able to sound just like yourself in a different language. Microsoft is introducing a new interpreter feature that allows real-time speech-to-speech translation during meetings on Microsoft Teams. So, here’s to more seamless global meetings! In other news, Google’s Gemini chatbot now has a memory. Like ChatGPT’s memory, Googlea’s Gemini chatbot can now remember information about your life, work, personal preferences, and those weird things you ask regularly. The feature is available only to Google One AI Premium $20-per-month subscribers. Google will release the feature soon in the Gemini app on iOS and Android. What do you think about this new feature? JADA launches talent hub for AI and data talents Big Kenyan firms are not tax-transparent South Africa’s fight against crypto money-laundering World Wide Web 3 Opportunities Startups JADA launches talent hub for AI and data talents Image source: FourthCanvas/ Olamide Fawole In August 2024, Google paid an undisclosed amount to hire the cofounders and other team members of personalised chatbot developer, Character. The acqui-hire continued what has been a war for AI talents across several global companies. While the tussle continues for talents that would build out future and present AI systems, African talents seem to be missing out on the fun. Global AI companies often relegate low-level tasks like data annotation and data cleaning to talents on the continent. Renowned Nigerian investor Olumide Soyombo and ex-Jumia Nigeria CEO, Massimiliano Spalazzi, want to change that narrative. Together, they have launched JADA, a data & analytics talent hub that will train and export AI talents to the rest of the world. Think of it like Andela for Data and AI talents. “We are betting big on an AI workforce out of Africa—one that can build for the world, starting here,” Olumide tells me during our hour-long chat in Lagos. JADA, which has started selection, its first cohort will select and train data professionals with at least two years of experience in data and analytics, machine learning and AI, or generative AI. “Our goal is to fill the data & AI talent gap by identifying and upskilling professionals who can be the right arm for businesses pursuing data and AI transformation,” says CEO Piero Trivellato, who brings over 10 years of experience in C-suite data & AI roles and management consulting at McKinsey & Co. Read more about JADA, its talent selection process, and its business model here. Read Moniepoint’s Case Study on Funding Women After losing their mother, Azeezat and her siblings struggled to keep Olaiya Foods afloat. Now, with Moniepoint, they’re transforming Nigeria’s local buka scene. Click here for a deep dive into how Moniepoint is helping her and other women entrepreneurs overcome their funding challenges. Regulation Kenyan firms fall short on tax transparency Image Source: Forbes Kenya-based multinationals and publicly-listed companies have come under fire for poor tax transparency, according to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report. The study looked at the tax disclosures of 10 top companies and found major gaps—none of them shared their tax strategies, transfer pricing practices, or how their tax policies connect to sustainability goals like ESG. The timing is key, as the Kenyan government, in recent weeks, has been pushing harder on tax policies to expand its tax base. Yet, the lack of transparency from the big companies could communicate a different message to taxpayers—one the government will be keen to avoid. PwC, a global consulting firm, urged Kenyan companies to follow frameworks like GRI 207 to improve accountability and help economic growth. While new rules like the 2023 Transfer Pricing Rules seek to prevent tax avoidance, enforcement is still a problem. For businesses, improving tax transparency is not just about following the rules—it’s also a chance to improve their reputation and support Kenya’s development. Without better transparency and following global best practices, Kenya risks losing trust in its tax system. Get Fincra’s Embedded Finance and BaaS Report 2024 for FREE Fincra in collaboration with The Paypers have released the Embedded Finance and Banking-as-a-Service Report 2024. This report examines the key challenges and innovative solutions defining the future of seamless cross-border payments and remittances across the continent, among other topics, with key experts. Get this valuable, free resource today! Cryptocurrency South Africa tightens crypto rules to fight money laundering Image Source: Google As more African countries move closer to regulating crypto, the next logical step would be to closely monitor transactions involving crypto assets that have previously blindsided these countries. South Africa issued the first set of crypto licences in April 2024 to 59 exchanges, including market leaders Luno and VALR. Now, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the country’s anti-money laundering regulator, has issued Directive 9, mandating that crypto platforms must verify the identities of both senders and recipients in cryptocurrency transactions. The directive aligns with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “travel rule,” a global standard aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Compliance is part of South Africa’s efforts to exit FATF’s greylist. Starting from April 30, 2025, FIC will introduce a tiered system—based on transaction value—to collect information on people and organisations that send and receive crypto. For transfers under R5,000 ($277), it has directed crypto platforms to record the names and wallet addresses of the sending and receiving parties. For crypto transactions that exceed this amount, the crypto exchanges must record and submit personal details of the senders and receivers, their account information, residential addresses, wallet addresses, and any valid means of identification used during KYC. Intermediary platforms that help crypto companies provide on-ramp and off-ramp services must also securely transmit and store this data to ensure money can be traced. South Africa is not acting alone on this. A few other countries, like Nigeria and Kenya, have previously shown interest in closely monitoring crypto transactions. South Africa, too, will tax crypto users. Crypto—dubbed the dark horse of financial assets—is notorious for being untraceable, so governments cannot monitor what happens in or out
Read MoreJADA, AI startup backed by ex-Jumia CEO, wants to bridge global talent gap
AI talents are in global demand. Yet, Africa has not fully capitalised on its potential to produce such AI professionals. Despite its youthful population, the continent is often relegated to low-level AI tasks like data annotation and labeling. JADA, a data & analytics talent hub focused on staff augmentation founded in 2024 by Massimiliano Spalazzi, former Jumia Nigeria CEO and Olumide Soyombo, wants to change that narrative. The startup has raised $1 million from Soyombo, co-founder of Bluechip Technologies and Voltron Capital, Spallazi, and other investors. “We are betting big on an AI workforce out of Africa—one that can build for the world, starting here,” says Soyombo, a founding partner at JADA. JADA’s pitch to clients is twofold: they can access a wider pool of talent in regions they might not typically recruit from without the liability of labor laws. The startup will select and train data professionals with at least two years of experience in data and analytics, machine learning and AI, or generative AI. JADA enters the market at a time of global AI talent shortages. According to Google’s Data & AI Trend Report 2024, 54% of digital leaders face a skills shortage in these areas. JADA, led by Piero Trivellato (CEO) and Azeez Busari (VP of Operations), aims to train over 100 professionals annually in different cohorts, each undergoing a 4-month training. During the program, trainees will receive stipends—although the firm declined to share the exact figure. “We are building an academy that is designed to select and develop world-class talent,” said Trivellato, who brings over 10 years of experience in C-suite data & AI roles and management consulting at McKinsey & Co. “Our goal is to fill the data & AI talent gap by identifying and upskilling professionals who can be the right arm for businesses pursuing data and AI transformation.” The startup, which operates from Lagos and has begun selecting its first cohort, claims that commercial considerations drove its decision to prioritize experienced data analysts and scientists. “Most clients complain that inexperienced candidates lack the skills to get the work done. But the way to scale is to find people who can deliver projects that generate significant cash flow that you can then invest back into a pipeline,” said Soyombo. To select candidates for each cohort, JADA follows an ultra-selective screening process using an AI-backed algorithm. Candidates are initially screened based on their profiles, followed by technical and non-technical assessments. The most promising candidates are invited to participate in case studies and live presentations. Finally, successful candidates undergo a culture-fit interview and a comprehensive background check. JADA’s revenue model is based on commissioned projects from clients and will primarily serve businesses in Europe and the Middle East. The company will compete with software outsourcing companies globally, especially those focusing on AI and data talents. like BairesDev and Tatvasoft. “We have a cost advantage, we have a language advantage, we have a geographical advantage, and we have a talent advantage,” said Spalazzi. The company is currently taking cohorts from Nigeria but plans to expand to fit the needs of its clients. “Our geographical expansion will also follow the footprint of the clients. We will make sure that we get to the language that they ask for,” said Trivellato.
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Top 6 Infinix phones to buy in 2024/2025
Infinix continues to bridge the gap between affordable yet high-performing smartphones, offering an impressive selection of devices for various needs. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a budget-conscious buyer, or a camera lover, there’s a model that fits your preferences. Here’s a look at the best Infinix phones in 2024, catering to a wide range of users. 1. Infinix Zero Flip The Infinix Zero Flip is a standout device for users seeking premium fearures in a stylish, compact form. This foldable smartphone boasts a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and impressive 1400-nit brightness, ensuring vivid visuals. Powered by the MTK D8020 chipset and 8GB RAM, it handles multitasking smoothly. With 512GB storage, it provides ample space for apps and media. The 50MP dual rear camera and 4K vlog capabilities make it ideal for content creators. This phone also features 70W fast charging to quickly top up its 4720mAh battery, offering convenience and power in a foldable design. Price range in Naira: Around ₦1,065,000. 2. Infinix Hot 30 For those who want a solid phone without breaking the bank, the Infinix Hot 30 offers remarkable value. With a 90Hz refresh rate on its display and a decent chipset, it handles daily tasks with ease. The 5,000mAh battery ensures long-lasting performance, and it doesn’t compromise on design. The Hot 30 is one of the best Infinix phones 2024 for budget-conscious users who still want a smooth, dependable experience. Price in Naira: Around ₦125,000 3. Infinix Smart 8 Infinix knows how to cater to the entry-level market, and the Smart 8 is a testament to that. With a 6.6-inch display and 5000mAh battery, this model is designed to keep you connected all day without straining your wallet. It offers reliable performance for basic tasks like social media and web browsing, making it one of the best Infinix phones 2024 for users looking for no-frills, budget-friendly options. Price in Naira: Around ₦134,000 4. Infinix Zero 30 With its 120Hz AMOLED display and 108MP camera, the Infinix Zero 30 is an absolute gem in the mid-range category. It balances powerful performance with affordability, offering a smooth, immersive viewing experience and impressive photo quality. This phone is a prime contender for users who desire flagship features at a mid-range price. The Zero 30 is one of the best Infinix phones 2024 for those who want value without compromise. Price in Naira: Around ₦135,000 5. Infinix Note 40 Pro The NOTE 40 Pro offers a premium experience with its 6.78-inch 3D-Curved AMOLED display, featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution, and up to 1300 nits peak brightness. It is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, paired with up to 12GB of RAM (expandable to 24GB with virtual RAM) and 256GB storage, ensuring smooth performance. The phone boasts a 108MP main camera with OIS, a 32MP front camera, and supports 2K video recording. For audio, it has dual speakers enhanced by JBL. The 5000mAh battery supports 70W fast charging and 20W wireless MagCharge, ensuring quick recharges. Additional features include in-display fingerprint, Gorilla Glass protection, IP54 splash resistance, NFC, dual SIM, and XOS 14 OS. Available in Vintage Green and Titan Gold, it is priced competitively for the high-end features it offers. Price in Naira: Around ₦370,000 6. Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ ‘The Infinix HOT 50 PRO+ is the latest Infnix a pocket-sized powerhouse, thin as a wafer at 6.8mm and light as a feather at 162g – almost enough to forget it’s there. The 6.78-inch AMOLED display hits 120Hz with a retina-searing 1300-nit peak brightness, perfect for scrolling, doom or otherwise. Inside, it’s all business with a MediaTek Helio G100 processor, 8GB RAM (expandable by another 8GB for those who insist on more) and up to 256GB of storage, plus microSD support if you fancy hoarding photos or podcasts. For photography, it sports a 50MP main camera and a 13MP selfie lens, along with AI-fuelled modes from Super Night to AR tricks. Battery life is sorted with a 5000mAh capacity, complemented by a 33W fast charge and even reverse charging for tech friends in need. And because it’s 2024, you get dual JBL speakers, NFC, in-display fingerprint, and Gorilla Glass for good measure, all neatly wrapped in IP54 splash resistance. Available in Sleek Black, Titanium Grey, and Dreamy Purple, this phone packs a serious punch without putting a dent in your wallet. Price in Naira: Around ₦235,000 Final thoughts on top 6 Infinix phones to buy in 2024/2025 Infinix continues to lead the way in providing powerful smartphones that cater to various needs. From the flagship Zero to the affordable Smart series, each model brings something unique to the table. If you’re in the market for a new device in 2024/2025, these six Infinix phones offer the best balance of performance, design, and price.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Kenya’s food crisis
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning! This year, AI startups have brought the search war to Google, challenging its monopoly in the market. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search, launched on October 31 to rival Google, quickly gained 700,000 users on the Chrome Web Store but saw interest dip soon after. What makes Google so hard to displace? Perhaps ChatGPT Search needs its own browser—instead of the Chrome Web Store—especially as the US Department of Justice pushes Google to sell off Chrome. 16 millions Kenyans cannot afford food, reports KNBS Lingawa raises $1.1 million MultiChoice sells insurance unit for $67 million to Sanlam Life World Wide Web 3 Opportunities Economy 16 million Kenyans cannot afford food, despite 4.3% ‘low’ food inflation rate Image Source: Bloomberg Kenya’s food inflation, at 4.3%, is one of the lowest in Africa, far below Nigeria’s 39.16% and South Africa’s 4.7%. Yet, 16 million Kenyans—nearly a quarter of the population—cannot afford food, according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Nearly 40% of Kenyans live below the poverty line, and rural households spend less than KES2,600 ($20) a month on food—insufficient to meet their basic feeding needs. The problem is particularly acute in arid regions like Turkana and Mandera, where recurring droughts have devastated agriculture, leaving food unaffordable for over 60% of residents. In urban areas, where incomes are slightly higher, inflation on essentials like housing and transport leaves little for food, pushing millions into food poverty. Kenya’s low inflation rate remains a hollow achievement, masking the reality of hunger for millions. Though the country has come a long way from the food insecurity it suffered in 2022 and 2023, the low food inflation doesn’t make a difference if the people cannot earn more to sustainably afford food. Read Moniepoint’s Case Study on Funding Women After losing their mother, Azeezat and her siblings struggled to keep Olaiya Foods afloat. Now, with Moniepoint, they’re transforming Nigeria’s local buka scene. Click here for a deep dive into how Moniepoint is helping her and other women entrepreneurs overcome their funding challenges. Funding Lingawa raises $1.1 million Image Source: Lingawa Language learning startups are on the rise in Africa. Last year, when I wrote about Izesan, a language learning app for African languages, I was in equal parts awe and excitement. It was my first time encountering an African version of Duolingo. Flash forward to this year and I have encountered more edtechs teaching African languages. Last weekend, we had a chat with Frank Williams, who had just raised funds for his edtech Lingawa, which teaches Nigerian languages to diasporan audiences. Williams is well aware of the gap that needs to be filled in teaching Nigerian languages to people living in the diaspora. A $45 billion market opportunity he calls it. To take a share of the market the startup raised $1.1 million from a coterie of investors including Voltron Capital, Weav Capital, Kaleo Ventures, MasterCard Foundation, and other angel investors. Lingawa, which currently teaches students through personalised tutor learning sessions, will use the cash injection to develop an interactive language learning app. Currently, students pay tutors $10 per hour to learn either Yoruba or Igbo on the Lingawa web based platform. Lingawa supplements lessons by tutors with online resources such as flashcards, immersive games, and virtual immersion sessions to aid their ability to speak fluently. With over 100 tutors, the startup claims it has taught over 3,000 learners. Its current crop of students are primarily located in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Lingawa will also use part of the funds raised to add newer languages, as well as invest in talent and development. It plans to include Zulu, Arabic, and Swahili in Q1 2025. The edtech will also launch a gamified app for learners who cannot afford its subscription. Get Fincra’s Embedded Finance and BaaS Report 2024 for FREE Fincra in collaboration with The Paypers have released the Embedded Finance and Banking-as-a-Service Report 2024. This report examines the key challenges and innovative solutions defining the future of seamless cross-border payments and remittances across the continent, among other topics, with key experts. Get this valuable, free resource today! Companies MultiChoice sells insurance unit for $67 million Image Source: Google MultiChoice, the pay-TV conglomerate, will pocket R1.2 billion ($67 million) in cash by the end of November after finalising the sale of its insurance subsidiary, NMS Insurance Services (NMSIS), to Sanlam Life. The deal, announced in June has now been approved by South African regulators. As part of the deal, Sanlam Life, an insurance company, will continue to sell long-term insurance policies to MultiChoice customers. The deal will also likely get bumped to R2.7 billion ($150 million) based on performance targets agreed upon by the two companies. The additional payment depends on how much gross premium NMSIS earns Sanlam by the end of 2026. For the 2023 fiscal year ending in March 2024, NMSIS’ gross written premium grew by 36% year-on-year to R970 million ($54 million), and profit after tax increased by 51% to R296 million ($16 million). NMSIS provided policies like device insurance for decoders and equipment used by MultiChoice customers. The transaction will provide MultiChoice with additional liquidity after the group announced mixed results last Tuesday. Despite slightly growing revenue in H1 2024 on a constant currency basis, MultiChoice took a hit as devaluation chopped its profits in several key markets like Nigeria and Zambia. The pay-TV company is also struggling with subscriber churn across its streaming businesses. Selling off its insurance product allows MultiChoice to focus on its other value-added services. Moment, its fintech product, and KingMakers, its sports and entertainment arm, were some positives from its last announced results. Multichoice is also betting heavily on Showmax, its local streaming platform. It grew its subscriber base by 50% year-on-year, and will continue to invest resources on streaming, where it hopes to compete with global giants. Introducing Paystack transfers in Kenya Paystack merchants in Kenya can now send single and bulk transfers
Read MoreAndela partners CNCF to train 20,000 Africans in cloud-native skills
Andela, the global talent outsourcing company that grew into a unicorn, has partnered with the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), a Linux Foundation project, to train 20,000 Africans in cloud-native basics. This initiative aims to address the global shortage of cloud-native talents. The free three-year training will focus on Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies, enabling participants to pursue certifications like the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD). The programme will be offered to Andela’s talent marketplace of over 150,000 tech professionals, predominantly from Africa. Participants will also have access to a supportive community and mentorship opportunities. The partnership comes amid a global demand for cloud-native talents. The lack of skilled cloud professionals negatively impacted businesses including delayed projects, increased costs, and reduced competitiveness. There will be an estimated 7.5 million unfilled cloud positions globally by 2025. “By collaborating with Andela, we aim to empower African developers and bridge the global tech talent gap,” said Chris Aniszczyk, CNCF CTO. Andela CEO Carrol Chang believes there is a growing demand for skilled tech talent in Africa and that African talents can fill the global gap. “This partnership with CNCF aligns with our mission to empower African developers. By equipping them with cloud-native skills, we’re enabling them to seize opportunities in the global tech industry,” she said. Training participants will take six to nine months to achieve the Kubernates and Cloud Associate (KCNA) and Certified Kubernates Administrator (CKAD) certifications and will be selected from Andela’s talent marketplace.
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