A week after subsea cable damage, startups and remote workers seek normalcy
“Ugh, this internet is killing my deadlines!” muttered Aisha, a Lagos-based web developer, as she stared at her screen. It was supposed to be a productive morning finalising a crucial project for a client, but the recent internet disruptions in Nigeria had thrown her entire schedule into disarray. Frustrated, Aisha glanced at her phone, the meagre 1Mbps speed a stark reminder of the nationwide struggle. Aisha is not alone. Across the country, Nigerians are experiencing severe internet disruption after major cuts to the subsea cable of Nigeria’s major internet service provider, MainOne. Businesses are struggling to complete essential banking transactions, remote workers like Aisha are scrambling for alternative internet solutions, and startups are facing lost revenue and project delays. “We saw almost a 50% drop in the number of customer sign-ups and customer activities during the period,” Adedeji Olowe, CEO of LendSqr, told TechCabal. For Babatunde Akin-Moses, CEO of Sycamore, a peer-to-peer lending platform, the latest internet outage has made it difficult to disburse loans. Banks reliant on Microsoft Azure for critical services faced delays in disbursing loans, as the cloud platform was also affected. Similarly, borrowers were unable to make repayments due to failed debit transactions initiated by the banks. Other founders who spoke to TechCabal claim that the internet outages have led to project delays and have affected both internal and external communications. “We identified tasks that can be completed offline and focused on them, allowing for some level of continued productivity,” Dennis Mary, CEO and founder of Yuki, a web3 startup, told TechCabal. “I was unable to access the LMS platform for my company’s training,” said Ire, a growth marketer who had tried completing an online course. A return to normalcy? Per Bloomberg, the broken subsea cable is expected to take weeks or months to fix. Ghana’s communication regulator also estimates that repairs would take at least five weeks to complete. However, MTN, which holds the largest market share of Nigeria’s telecom market and is the most affected by the outages, has been proactive in taming the outage. The mobile network provider said it is teaming up with ACE and the West Africa undersea cable systems (WACS) to send a dedicated vessel to repair the affected cables. Since then, TechCabal can confirm that its network service has slightly improved. In a message to its customers on Monday, MTN said that it was working towards full restoration of its services. “Please accept our heartfelt apologies for glitches you may still be experiencing with a few services and be assured that work is ongoing towards full restoration,” MTN’s text to its customers read. While the MTN network has been severely affected, people who spoke to TechCabal said that network reception on Glo—which runs a different submarine cable along the west coast of Africa between Nigeria and the UK—and Airtel have been okay. Several others have explored alternative internet service providers like Tizeti, FiberOne, and Elon Musk’s satellite-based Starlink to hedge against the bad network. “I have tried using VPN, but the result was the same, I just had to go to a coworking space,” Shadrach, a web developer told TechCabal.
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Top 8 tech events to attend in Lagos between April & October 2024
Many tech events are happening in 2024. As such we have curated the top eight tech events happening in Lagos from April to October 2024, including the highly anticipated Moonshot by TechCabal conference! Let’s go! 1. Tech Summit (April 6) The Tech Summit 2024 in Lagos aims to tackle the pressing issue of unemployment by leveraging the power of technology. With the theme “Breaking Barriers of Unemployment through Tech,” the event promises to be a pivotal moment for the tech community in Lagos and beyond. The Tech Summit will take place at 12a Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja Gra, Lagos. 2. GetBundi Demo Day (March 22) Be at this tech witness innovative new companies emerging from the Nigerian tech scene as startups that have been through GetBundi’s accelerator program showcase their ideas. The GetBundi event will take place at 21a Hunponu-Wusu Road Lagos, LA 106104. It’s free! 3. Build on FVM – 3 Hours of Innovation (March 23) This Build on FVM event is a call to grounded and budding developers. The hackathon focuses on building solutions on the FVM platform. Participate, learn about FVM, and compete for exciting prizes. The event is slated to take place at 1/3 Adebola Gbadebo Drv. (Adebola House) Off Abadek Avenue, off Akin Ogunlewe Rd, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, LA 106104. 4. Code Cash Crop 5.0 – financing the hidden middle (July 20) This is an event calling on entrepreneurs and investors. The event promises to be a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of financing small and medium-sized businesses in Africa. It’s taking place at Lagos Oriental Hotel, 3 Lekki Epe Express Way, Lagos, Nigeria. General admission to the Code Cash Crop event is free too. 5. Blockchain Interoperability Hackathon (May 2-4) Calling blockchain enthusiasts! This hackathon challenges participants to create solutions that address interoperability issues in the blockchain space. It’s an avenue for you to learn, develop, and win! The Blockchain Interoperability Hackathon will take place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja, Isaac John Street, Lagos, Nigeria. Admission is free too. 6. IOT West Africa (June 25-27) Businesses looking to leverage the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) shouldn’t miss this conference. Learn how IoT is transforming various industries and discover its potential applications for your business and the trajectory of the future of commerce and tech in general. The IOT West Africa event will take place at Federal Palace, Lagos, Nigeria. 7. Web3 Lagos tech conference and events (September 5-7) This conference is targeted at Web3 enthusiasts and the tech ecosystem at large! This summit delves into the next generation of the internet – Web3. There, you can network with like-minded individuals, attend workshops, and learn how to build innovative Web3 applications. The Web3 Lagos conference is slated to happen at The Zone, Gbagada, Lagos State. 8. Moonshot by TechCabal (October 9-11) Moonshot is the premier conference uniting Africa’s thriving tech ecosystem. It is arguably the biggest tech and commerce event in Africa, hosted by one of Africa’s leading tech publications, TechCabal. You cannot afford to miss the Africa-centric yet global standard Moonshot event if you’re invested in the African tech scene. What to expect at Moonshot: Two days of networking and collaboration: Not many tech events in Lagos will give you such a robust platform to connect with innovators, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and industry giants from across Africa. Unparalleled insights and inspiration: Gain valuable knowledge from a lineup of 50+ distinguished speakers, including government officials, CEOs, and tech VCs. Past speakers at the previous Moonshot edition include the Minister of Communication and Digital Technology, Bosun Tijani, and Olugbenga Agboola of Flutterwave. Focus on key areas: Deep dive into various tracks like The Future of Commerce, Big Tech & Enterprise, Emerging Tech (AI, VR/AR, Web3), Startup Festival, and the Creative Economy. Join the moonshot wait list now! Final thoughts on top 8 tech events to attend in Lagos between April and October 2024 This list provides a great starting point for your Lagos tech events calendar in 2024. Remember to check for more updates for each event via the links provided, so you can be in the know should there be an update to plans.
Read MoreAccess Bank values NBK at around $100 million as it continues East Africa expansion
On Wednesday afternoon, Access Bank confirmed it had agreed to acquire the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) after unconfirmed reports had teased the transaction for weeks. One of the big questions about the transaction—which is still subject to approval from Nigerian and Kenyan regulators—is how much Access Bank will pay for the acquisition. Access Bank will acquire the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) from KCB Group for 1.25x of the bank’s book, the company shared on Wednesday. Given NBK’s book value of $79.77 million in 2023, the deal values NBK at around $100 million. However, one financial expert shared that the final acquisition figure could still be markedly different from that estimate. The transaction is expected to take six to nine months to complete, per Paul Russo, the Group CEO of KCB Group. In 2020, Access Bank paid $12.8 million to acquire Transnational Bank. In 2022, it agreed to buy 83% of Sidian Bank, a Kenyan commercial bank, for $37 million, implying a price-to-book multiple of 1.1x. “All parties will be working together in the coming months to fulfill the conditions precedent relating to the proposed acquisition, which includes the regulatory approvals of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Kenya,” the two lenders said in a joint statement. Access Bank, which already has 22 branches in Kenya, will increase its footprint in East Africa’s largest economy, given NBK’s nationwide network. However, the Nigerian lender is expected to inject more capital into NBK. Since KCB Group acquired NBK in 2019, it began to push the ailing bank to profitability and spent $63.5 million to ensure it met minimum capital requirements. “During the period, we have made progressive investments in the Bank, and we believe that this is in the best interest of the Group and its sustainability. Our growth strategy is premised on both organic and inorganic plans, and we shall continue to seek opportunities that increase our shareholder’s value,” Russo said.
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3 ways to check your 2024 UCE results
The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams conducted by Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) mark a significant chapter in a Ugandan student’s academic journey. You need this results to register for the UACE exams. After release, UCE results are easy to check with about 3 options available. Checking UCE Results via SMS This method is perfect for anyone with mobile phones whether with Internet access or not. Here’s how to check your UCE results via SMS: 1. Open your messaging app Access your phone’s messaging application and start a new message. In the message body, type “UCE <space> Your Index Number.” Ensure you include the space between “UCE” and your index number. For example, if your index number is U008876/003, your message would read “UCE U008876/003.” 2. Send the Message Once you’ve double-checked the accuracy of your index number, send the message to the shortcode 6600. 3. Receive UCE Results (SMS Charges Apply) You’ll receive a reply message containing your performance in each subject after the UCE results have been released upon your check. Keep in mind that standard SMS charges apply to this service. Check your UCE results online To access your UCE results conveniently and at no cost, follow these steps: 1. Ensure you have a stable internet connection. 2. Visit the official Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) website. 3. Navigate to the “Results” or “Verification of Results” section. 4. Input your unique UCE index number, provided during registration. 5. Click on the “Search” or “Submit” button to proceed. 6. If the results are available, you’ll be directed to a page showing your comprehensive UCE results, detailing your performance in each subject. 3. Check with your school administrator While UCE results may be available online and via SMS, you may prefer to receive them through your school’s administrators. This method offers a personal touch and allows students to clarify any questions they might have about their scores. Schools typically receive the official results shortly after their online release and it’s more comprehensive compared to the one available to students. Students can visit their school administration office and inquire about result retrieval. The administrator will likely have a printed list or electronic copy available for students to access their results.
Read MoreUber resists real-time data sharing demand from Lagos state government
A 2020 agreement between ride-hailing platforms and the Lagos state government to share access to user data is now at the center of a potential fallout between the government and Uber. While competitor Bolt has agreed to the terms, Uber is hesitant, said one person familiar with the company. As part of ride-hailing regulations introduced in 2020, the Lagos State government asked for backend access to user trips and location data for planning, revenue, and security. But two weeks ago, the government began asking ride-hailing companies to share real-time trip details, threatening to sanction defaulters. “We already share the data of user trips with the commissioner of transportation daily. Why does it have to be real-time?” one person close to the situation asked. The government’s argument has remained the same: it wants to be able to identify both drivers and riders and protect users in cases of emergency. However, a source at Uber argued that giving the government this kind of access to data opens users up to surveillance and can open the company up to being sued. Uber did not respond to a request for comments. “The goal should be achieving a responsible data sharing framework that leverages data for the public good, such as improving transportation services, without compromising individual privacy,” said Kehinde Adegboyega, the founder and team lead at Human Rights Journalists Network. While Uber remains hesitant to share real-time details with the Lagos state government, Bolt and an unidentified ride-hailing company already comply with the new rule.
Read MoreExecution is King: How to avoid the top culprit of startup failure
This article was contributed to TechCabal by Catherine Young. Strategy sets the course for startups, but without team alignment and pragmatic action, a business will fail. After ten years of building capacity for thousands of entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, and Europe, the one thing I know to be true is that smart-thinking founders who favour pragmatic action and team alignment over everything else win. Starting, running, and growing a successful business is not an easy feat. Founders navigate the first year facing the dreaded statistic of a 70% potential failure rate. If a startup is lucky enough to make it through the first year, the chance of not making it drops to 35% by year three. The cruel truth as to why so many emerging businesses die? Poor execution, bad execution, and focusing on the wrong thing to execute rank high among the reasons. But there’s a lot that founders can do about this. Execution is a competitive differentiator In a volatile, uncertain, unpredictable world, strategies too often live on a server somewhere. Having an idea is the easier and less valuable part of the business. Marshalling the resources and humans needed to execute the business strategy is a completely different story. This is the hardest thing to do in business, which is why founders who have teams that nimbly execute well on strategy harness a major competitive differentiator. Clearly defining the roles and responsibilities in a fast-moving, growing business is masterful. Ensuring that the metrics, targets and rewards are in place to empower this is important. Great communication is the lubrication that turns strategy into united action. Not every company excels at communication, people management, and culture. Which is why execution is hard. Founders set the tone Outsourcing execution is disastrous – about as disastrous as trying to get someone else to realise your dreams or to live your life for you. And when it comes to execution, founders are the leaders who set the tone and create the culture that supports this. Founders and CEOs shape the flow on a Monday morning for how the rest of the week will pan out. Leaders set the tone with a new client when we sign the deal. And we set the tone with our team when the chips are down. Accepting how much we as founders set the tone for the present and future, is how we change this. Rituals and rhythms What helps good communication and activates action in teams are the rituals and rhythms of good leadership, communication, and project management. In business, feedback is the breakfast of champions and regular rituals that champion and measure execution are a massive difference maker. Companies that make the time to properly execute project management and enable an adult culture where teams take accountability, innovate, and own things go a long way to building businesses. I asked Mamela Luthuli, a leader in the technology industry—the best trailblazers I know when it comes to leadership and execution—what her secret to execution is. This go-getter recently won the IT Personality of the Year Award from the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa for her achievements. Luthuli told me, “Execution is when the rubber hits the road. The best way to execute is to keep it simple and actionable. It is also important to be an example to your team because they will follow suit by becoming doers.” “Execution works hand in hand with strategy — the real trick is to ensure that everyone buys into the strategy and is aligned about what needs to get done in the business,” she adds. “Execution needs great leadership with effective communication. Leaders must communicate the purpose and vision of a company convincingly and consistently. This isn’t a once-off but is a process. It is something you do repeatedly to get buy-in from your team. To drive great execution, communicate clearly and create a culture of getting things done on time and done well.” Execution is a people thing; it is about culture and relationships. When founders get this consistently right it becomes a compounding force that truly scales sustainable businesses. Catherine Young is the founder of Thinkroom Consulting and Managing Partner of Grindstone; and Grindstone Ventures. As the founder of Thinkroom, Young is involved in entrepreneurial ecosystem development across Africa and has grown businesses in Southeast Asia and the UK. An SME ecosystem influencer in Africa, Young works with clients in the space of entrepreneurship development across the continent.
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Three charts that explain the internet outage across Africa
On March 14, over a dozen African countries experienced internet outages due to damage to submarine fibre optic cables along the West African coastline. The impact was severe, with massive disruptions to financial services. Among the worst affected were Ghana, Liberia, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, which recorded internet connectivity of 25%, 17%, 14%, and 4% respectively. Service providers affected include the West African Cable System and African Coast to Europe, which experienced faults, and SAT3 and MainOne, which experienced downtimes. Over 1.4 million kilometres of these cables are spread across the earth’s oceans, with France, the US, and Japan being the major suppliers. According to data from Submarine Networks, Egypt has the most subsea cables landing in the continent, with 15. This is followed closely by South Africa and Djibouti, with 11, while Nigeria, Cameroon, and Kenya have six each. Although the scale of the incident was unprecedented in Africa, cable cuts are relatively common. Around 100 of them happen on an annual basis, on average. Most service providers try to avoid a single point of failure by spreading their network capacity over multiple cables as a backup, which is why you don’t often hear of them. The most common cause of cable faults is human activities. However, MainOne ruled out human activity as the cause of the internet disruption in Africa and suggested it was caused by “some form of seismic activity on the seabed.” Estimates vary over when full service will be restored. Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) said complete repairs could take up to five weeks. Some internet users in Nigeria observed that some Google services, like YouTube, remained accessible during the outage. Mobile network Globacom also announced that it was unaffected by the disruption. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed that internet services are now at 90% capacity. In South Africa, four undersea cables went offline at once. The load-shedding challenge combined with the internet outage has made Starlink an appealing alternative to South African customers as it doesn’t use terrestrial or undersea backhaul infrastructure. While the productivity and financial losses due to the outage may be unquantifiable at the moment, the silver lining may be that it lays bare the importance of building a more robust internet infrastructure on the African continent.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Access Bank to acquire Kenya’s National Bank
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning Get inspired by the women shaping the future! Tune into our vodcast, “Hustle & Heart”, on our YouTube channel. Hear the brilliant founders behind Bamboo, SendStack, and ShopFawl talk about building a revenue-making business in Africa, how they use AI, and more. In today’s edition Access Bank to acquire Kenya’s National Bank SA’s DocFox gets acquired for $75 million Kenya’s judiciary goes digital Telkom to sell tower business to Actis Safaricom teams up with Onafriq for remittance play The World Wide Web3 Opportunities Banking Access Bank to acquire Kenya’s National Bank As far as ambition goes, Nigeria’s largest commercial bank by asset, Access Bank, is one to be reckoned with. The bank in recent times has been deepening its roots across the continent and beyond. Now, the bank is making a bold move to solidify its East African presence. The news: Yesterday, Access HoldCo signed an agreement to acquire Kenya’s National bank. The acquisition, touted to cement Access’ East African presence is the company’s second acquisition in the Kenya. The Nigerian lender bought Transnational Bank Ltd. in 2019. Why Kenya? When compared with Nigeria, Kenya has a more developed lending sector, and its economy is expected to grow at a quicker rate than Nigeria’s, making it an appropriate location for the lender to extend its footprint. Before the acquisition of NBK, the company has demonstrated its voracious appetite for acquiring banks within the continent. In July 2023, Access HoldCo, its parent company, reached an agreement with Standard Chartered Bank for the acquisition of Standard Chartered’s shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its consumer, private and business banking business in Tanzania. The bank received regulatory approval to conduct business in Asia, in December 2023, joining the ranks of South Africa’s TymeBank on the continent. In February,, the bank acquired Megatech Insurance Brokers Ltd, an insurance brokerage company licensed and regulated by the National Insurance Commission. The bank says is sticking to its ambitions of doubling its assets outside NIgeria by 2027. Experience fast and reliable personal banking with Moniepoint Give it a shot like she did . Click here to experience fast and reliable personal banking with Moniepoint. Acquisition nCino acquires DocFox for $75million Founded in 2016, DocFox carved a niche for itself by tackling the bane of banker’s existence: the account opening process. The company provided automated onboarding solutions for commercial and business banks, reportedly boasting over 450 customers across three continents. DocFox’s ambition, however, isn’t limited to regional dominance. The news: In a move to enhance its cloud banking suite, nCino, a US-based cloud banking solution has acquired DocFox for $75 million. The acquisition is expected to close in March 2024. nCino helps financial institutions modernise their operations, making it easier for businesses and individuals to onboard, secure loans, manage accounts, and navigate the loan lifecycle. Merging with DocFox will create a single platform for banks to manage the entire client lifecycle, from information gathering to due diligence. For DocFox, the $75 million price tag will propel its solutions onto a global stage, giving it the resources and reach to empower banks worldwide. Legal tech Kenya’s Judiciary system goes digital Many justice systems around the world have traditionally been bogged down by mountains of paper—case files stacked high, endless reams for printing documents, and a complex process for navigating legal battles. This reliance on physical records can lead to inefficiency, delays, and difficulty for citizens seeking justice. In Kenya, a new chapter is about to begin. The East African country is using tech to improve how justice is delivered in the country. On March 11, 2024, Chief Justice Martha Koome launched a Nationwide E-Filing, Data Tracking Dashboard, and Causelist Portal dubbed “All Courts Go Digital,” to revolutionise the Kenyan legal system. All Courts Go Digital: Starting July 1, 2024, the new system will streamline case management with e-filing, eliminating the need for physical documents. This not only reduces paper waste but also allows for efficient tracking through an e-filing data tracking dashboard that will monitor case progress, identify reasons for delays across courts, and help with strategic planning by highlighting trends in caseloads. The Causelist portal will also allow lawyers and anyone involved in a court case to easily see which cases are being heard each day. The new initiative will improve transparency and accessibility by offering a central location to find daily court schedules. E-filing is gaining traction: South Africa’s court system also utilises an online case management system, which includes some e-filing capabilities including access to upcoming hearings, filed and served documents, and court notifications. Additionally, the platform allows secure document exchange and sharing with other parties in the case. No hidden fees or charges with Fincra Collect payments via Bank Transfer, Cards, Virtual Account & Mobile Money with Fincra’s secure payment gateway. What’s more? You get to save money for your business when you use Fincra. Start now. Telecom Telkom to sell its tower business to Actis Telkom Kenya has hit a rough patch in the last couple of months. Between March 2022 and June 2023, the telecom lost 1.62 million subscribers due to a crackdown on irregularly registered SIM cards. To worsen matters, it lost another 800,000 subscribers due to unpaid leasing fees—$51.7 million—to American Towers Corporation (ATC), which forced the shutdown of 246 Telkom towers. A bid to recover financial ground: Now facing a dwindling subscriber base of 1.3 million, Telkom is in discussions to sell its Kenyan mast and tower business, Swiftnet—reportedly valued at $332 million— to private equity firm Actis LLP. The potential deal could provide much-needed financial relief for Telkom Kenya, grappling with a shrinking subscriber base and network issues. The deal would also include a smaller, local partner which, at this point, remains unnamed. This development follows Telkom’s announcement in November 2023, that it was in exclusive negotiations with a “reputable private equity firm” to sell Swiftnet.
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How to register for UACE exams 2024
The Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) is a crucial step for Ugandan students seeking university admission. Here, we’ll guide you through the process to easily register for the UACE exams. Eligibility for UACE registration Before fully going into the registration process, it’s important to confirm your eligibility. To register for UACE, you must have completed the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and achieved the required passes in relevant subjects based on your desired university program. Schools typically handle the initial eligibility checks, so consult your school administration for guidance. Registration period and fees The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) conducts the UACE exams annually. The registration period typically falls between April 1 and May 31. Registering within this timeframe allows you to benefit from the standard registration fees. Late registration attracts a surcharge, so adhering to the designated period is crucial. How to register for the UACE exams: Step-by-Step UACE registration is handled electronically through schools. Here’s a breakdown of the process: 1. School Liaison As a student, your first point of contact is your school administration. They will guide you through the registration process and ensure you have the necessary documentation. 2. Data collection and verification You’ll be required to provide personal information, academic details, and your chosen subject combination. Double-check the accuracy of this information, as any errors can lead to complications during the exams. 3. Examination fees The registration process involves settling the UACE examination fees. These fees are typically paid directly to the school, who will then forward them to UNEB. 4. Confirmation and submission Once all the information and fees are in order, your school will submit your registration electronically to UNEB. You’ll receive a confirmation slip acknowledging your successful registration for UACE. Additional considerations when registering for the UACE exams Some other things to consider during your registration for the UACE exams include the following: 1. Subject selection Carefully consider the subject combination you choose to register for UACE. Ensure they align with your future university program requirements. Consult your school counsellors or university admissions departments for guidance. 2. Private candidates to register for UACE exams Students who are not enrolled in a formal school can register for UACE as private candidates. The registration process for private candidates differs slightly, and they may face additional requirements. Contact UNEB directly for details on registering as a private candidate. Final thoughts on how to register for UACE exams 2024 Registering for UACE is a significant step towards achieving your academic goals in Uganda. By understanding the eligibility criteria, registration period, and process, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate this crucial step. Remember, adhering to deadlines and ensuring accurate information is key to a successful UACE registration.
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WhatsApp new status video limit and other new 2024 updates
WhatsApp has recently added extra bandwidth for expression with a long-awaited update: the ability to share videos up to one minute long on your status. Previously restricted to 30 seconds, this new feature allows you to express yourself more fully and share more comprehensive moments from your life. Read further to see how to get this particular WhatsApp update and other new updates you may not have noticed. More updates on WhatsApp The extended video limit is just one of several exciting updates WhatsApp has rolled out recently. Here are a few more to enhance your messaging experience: 1. Increased Privacy Controls For users who prioritise discretion, WhatsApp has introduced features like “Silence Unknown Callers” and “Privacy Checkup.” These tools give you more control over who can contact you and how your online presence is displayed. 2. Disappearing Messages by Default For chats where you want messages to vanish after a set time, you can now set disappearing messages as the default for new chats. This ensures your conversations remain private and impermanent. 3. Multiple accounts use You can now use two or more WhatsApp accounts on one WhatsApp app. 4. WhatsApp Channels This is a feature similar to Telegram, where businesses and public figures can get verified and have people subscribe to their channel in thousands and more. 5. Improved business features Business users haven’t been left out! WhatsApp continues to develop features specifically for businesses, such as “WhatsApp Flows” for automated interactions and “Meta Verified” badges for enhanced legitimacy. How to get these 2024 new WhatsApp updates Primarily, here’s how to make sure you have the latest WhatsApp updates: Automatic Updates: If you have automatic updates enabled for WhatsApp, you’ll receive the update as soon as it’s available in your region. Manual Update: Open the Google Play Store (for Android) or App Store (for iPhone). Search for “WhatsApp” and tap “Update” if a new version is available. The above options may sometimes not work for some users if the feature has not been generally rolled out. This point is where WhatsApp Beta becomes the prize. Try WhatsApp Beta for earlier access to these kinds of updates Want to be among the first to experience all WhatsApp latest features? Consider joining the WhatsApp beta program. As a beta tester, you gain access to upcoming features before they’re officially rolled out. However, keep in mind that beta versions might be less stable and contain bugs. To join the WhatsApp beta program for Android, visit the Google Play Store and find the WhatsApp listing. Joining the Beta program may be a bit tricky, so we explained it in detail here. Final thoughts With the ability to share longer videos and a host of other updates, the possibilities for creative expression on WhatsApp statuses are endless. Experiment with different video editing tools to add music, text overlays, or special effects to your stories. Remember, statuses still disappear after 24 hours, so have fun and share those fleeting moments with your friends and family.
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