Kenyan e-commerce startup Chpter raises $1.2 million in pre-seed round
Chpter was accepted into two accelerator programs before closing this pre-seed deal. Chpter, a Kenyan e-commerce startup launched by co-founders of YC-backed Marketforce, has raised $1.2 million in a pre-seed round and will use the new funding to improve its technology stack. Founded in 2022 by Tesh Mbaabu, Mesongo Sibuti, Kuria Kevin and Mark Kiarie, Chpter helps businesses convert social media from a marketing channel to a sales platform with chat, order, and payment tools. The company charges a monthly subscription and earns a transaction fee for payments processed on its platform. Some of its clients include insurer Britam, shoe store Kicks Kenya, and e-commerce platform Phoneplace. The company operates in Kenya and South Africa. “We are investing in our tech stack to offer an end-to-end product, connecting the APIs from social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram with popular e-commerce and customer relationship management systems like Shopify and Woocommerce,” Tesh Mbaabu, Chpter’s co-founder and CEO told TechCabal. Pani, an Africa-focused investment firm co-founded by Cellulant’s former CEO, Ken Njoroge, led the funding round. Other participants include Plesion Capital, Techstars, Norrsken, Renew Capital, and ViKtoria Ventures, and angel investors, including Nala founder and CEO Benjamin Fernandes and Workpay co-founders Paul Kimani and Jackson Kibigo. The fundraising is a vote of confidence from investors in the young startup. It was founded while its two co-founders were running Marketforce, a YC-backed Kenyan e-commerce platform once valued at over $100 million. Some of Chpter’s investors had previously invested in Marketforce, although Mbaabu declined to share further details. Chpter operates independently of Marketforce. “Chpter was and is not under the MarketForce umbrella. It is going to continue operating independently. However, MF is a shareholder in it,” Mbaabu told TechCabal in May 2024. Chpter’s acceptance into the Norrsken Accelerator in 2023 and the Safaricom Spark Accelerator in May 2024 may have positioned it as a key startup in conversational commerce. Norrsken Accelerator investment remains undisclosed. In May 2024, Safaricom Spark Accelerator invested between $150,000 and $500,000 in Chpter, one person familiar with the matter said. The telco did not participate in the pre-seed round.
Read MoreTingo Group CEO Dozy Mmobuosi must pay over $250m after inflating financial performance
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered Dozy Mmobuosi, the CEO of Tingo Group, to pay over $250 million and barred him from serving as a director of any public Company. The SEC opened an investigation into Tingo Group in 2023 and filed charges against the company and its CEO in December. The company, which has often described itself as an agri-fintech and reported millions of dollars in revenue, was listed on the NASDAQ. However, the SEC alleged that the company inflated its financial performance. One of its subsidiaries Tingo Mobile reported cash and cash equivalents of $461.7 million for 2022 in its Nigerian bank accounts, but its actual bank balance was less than $50, the SEC said. “The judgments, entered on the basis of default, enjoin Mmobuosi, Tingo Group, Agri-Fintech Holdings, and Tingo International Holdings from violating the anti-fraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. “ Despite Tingo’s denial of the charges, the company and its CEO did not enter a defense in the civil complaint, said the Financial Times. Judge Jesse M. Furman of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered Mmobuosi and his three US-based entities to pay more than $250mn in fines. Despite its grand claims, Tingo has long been regarded as a curiosity, given how little was known about the company.
Read MoreWhen data reigns supreme: Retailers in Africa can turn loyalty into long-term success with AI
This article was contributed to TechCabal by Stefan Gerber. As the world transitions into the information age, data-driven insights, automation, and data management are becoming increasingly vital for business survival. For retail businesses, whose success depends on maintaining a healthy customer base, data-rich loyalty programs are essential tools for achieving this goal. In May 2024, the market research firm BrandMapp and consultancy Truth published their 2023/24 Loyalty Whitepaper, which revealed that 76% of South Africans now use a loyalty program in some form or another. The study also revealed that 30% of the respondents indicated they were using loyalty programmes more than the previous year, revealing that consumers were becoming more desperate for any discount or deal against the backdrop of rising cost of living. The demand by the consumer class for more financial relief from loyalty programmes is increasing and provides a golden opportunity for businesses that manage these data-heavy systems. As digital technology rapidly evolves, so is how companies—retail or not—manage their data and the systems they use to leverage it. Businesses are now seemingly rushing to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations to streamline business processes without pausing for thought on the current condition of their data management systems. Before one can even think of advancing their systems into the age of intelligence, one must adopt the principle of effective data management. If one were to simply skip this and input garbage data into their AI applications, garbage data is bound to be the product. This justifies the need for businesses that are heavily reliant on data to avoid scrambling to collect it on an ad-hoc basis. To leverage AI to its true potential, businesses need to begin with data warehousing. Without further delay. A data warehouse is a centralised depot that stores data from numerous sources in a single location, making it easily accessible and crucial in supporting business intelligence and analytics. To make this more relatable, imagine a big library with countless books, with each book representing a different type of data, such as sales, customer information, or website engagement. A data warehouse is like a catalogue that collects and organises all these books into one place, enabling the user to find specific information more easily, see relationships between different data points, and gain valuable insights. The work of a data warehouse is complemented by the functioning of a customer data platform (CDP), a software application that collects, unifies, and organises customer data with the primary purpose of providing a single, comprehensive view of each customer, allowing for personalised marketing, sales, and customer service. In simple terms, think of a CDP as a magic scrapbook that collects and combines all the relevant information about each customer from various sources. The data warehouse is the repository for all data, while the CDP uses this data to create a personalised view of each customer. But how does this practically work? As we progress further into the online shopping dynasty, the demand by customers for more personalisation in their online shopping experience is overwhelming. This requires businesses to have systems in place that can operate at scale. Picture a customer who purchases a Nikon camera online. With the help of data warehousing and CDP systems, an online store can catch their customer before checking out and provide various recommendations, in real-time, based on different data sets, such as a camera lens of the same brand of camera they picked, products within the same category as the camera they chose, or other products associated with other customers who demonstrated a similar purchasing behaviour. This experience can easily be replicated with loyalty programmes for customers still shopping at physical stores. Omnichannel experiences are also particularly important, and refer to integrated customer experiences across multiple channels and touchpoints, whether online or offline. The goal of an omnichannel approach is to provide a consistent and cohesive brand experience for customers, regardless of how or where they interact with a business. An example of an omnichannel experience in retail would include the process of a customer browsing for a product online, checking in-store availability, and then picking up their purchase at the physical store. On top of personalisation and omnichannel experiences, data warehousing and CDP systems also help businesses satisfy another desire of today’s digital consumer: instant responses and feedback. If you can use these tools in a manner that leverages AI-based analytics, you can guarantee a rapid transformation that will make your company far more competitive in the South African (and even global) market. This is exactly what makes a retail giant like Shoprite so successful, especially when executed through its various loyalty programmes. With the right data management systems in place, aided by machine learning infrastructure, any business has the potential to build a data kingdom like Shoprite and retain customer loyalty through personalisation and instantaneous feedback. While these systems likely sound costly for the little guy, there is an opportunity to start by targeting low-hanging fruits at a reduced cost while gaining most of the benefit for your business. Working with local experts can help you learn about the easiest ways to get started on your data journey by building systems specifically catering to your needs. Regardless, the goal of leveraging cloud technology, data warehousing, and CDPs is to achieve rapid business transformation, enabling your business to gain a competitive advantage, improve project timelines, secure funding, and strengthen stakeholder relationships. In the age of intelligence, where data is the new currency, businesses that prioritise effective data management and leverage AI-driven insights will be the ones to reap the rewards of loyalty, retention and ultimately, reign supreme in the market. __ Stefan Gerber is the co-Founder of Tregter, a South African data-management agency.
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586% tax increase for telcos threatens Nigeria’s drive to provide high-speed internet
In the first half of 2024, MTN Nigeria, the country’s biggest mobile network operator, paid ₦232 billion in taxes—an astonishing 586% increase from the same period last year. It paid 54 separate taxes in 2024 alone across various federal, state, and local government agencies. The tax burden on telcos like MTN Nigeria will rise further by the end of 2024 as the number of taxes continues to grow. According to the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), state governments collect the majority of these taxes. These taxes include building permits, sewage fees, convulsion levies, storage licenses, and more. Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON’s President, told TechCabal that these taxes increased operational costs of telcos by 50% in 2024. Some taxes are statutory, but others are imposed arbitrarily. For instance, the newly formed National Association of Telecom Landlords in Bayelsa has imposed levies not recognized by state law. While federal taxes are mostly legally grounded and number less than 20, state and local taxes include a mix of legally-backed and arbitrary levies. “The multiple taxes are driven primarily by revenue,” Adebayo said. “There is a perception that the telecoms industry is highly profitable and so can be treated as a cash cow.” MTN Nigeria did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The current tax environment threatens the expansion of broadband infrastructure, which is crucial for integrating millions of Nigerians into the digital economy. As of December 2023, 27.91 million people in 97 communities still have no reliable high-speed internet, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). In states like Niger, there is no high-speed internet. One major issue is the inconsistency in right-of-way fees, which allow telcos to lay fiber optic cables on state-owned land. Most federal government agencies charge ₦145 for fiber laying on highways, while the Nigerian Inland Waterways Agency (NIWA) charges ₦2,500 per linear square meter for laying fiber along waterways and bridges. State charges vary widely, from Kwara’s ₦1 per kilometer to as much as ₦9,000 in Oyo State. States like Osun, Lagos, Cross River, and Abuja have invested in fiber ducts that protect cables and lease these ducts to operators. However, the requirement to charge separate fees for the lease and right of way make this arrangement more expensive. Operators like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom use these ducts but still face high costs. “States have limited revenue sources, so they continually squeeze telcos,” Manish Kochhar, a former chief technology officer at Globacom, told TechCabal. He added that even after paying lease or RoW charges, states frequently fail to protect the cables from damage caused by construction projects. This results in degraded cable quality and poor connection across Nigeria. The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, established in 2023, promised to review and harmonize these taxes. However, there has been no update on their progress regarding telecom taxes. Taiwo Oyedele, the committee’s chairman, did not respond to requests for comments. Some telecom operators are taking matters into their own hands by negotiating directly with states, according to two people familiar with the matter. In 2023, Lagos State granted MTN Nigeria a right-of-way waiver in exchange for free high-speed internet in public institutions. Edo State offered a waiver and tax incentives to operators that engaged with it. During a telecom stakeholder meeting organised by the Association of Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), State ICT commissioners in Niger, Kogi, and Cross River suggested that telecom operators need to engage more actively with them to resolve these issues. There is a concern that engaging individually is not a sustainable solution as it gives bigger operators the opportunity to negotiate juicy deals over smaller operators. Get Moonshot tickets 20% off with the code MSVIP. Offer valid till 5th September. Here is the link.
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Head in the cloud: AWS Summit in Johannesburg draws an 8,000-strong crowd
At the 2024 AWS Summit in Johannesburg, 8,000 stakeholders gathered at the Sandton Convention Center on 29 August to discuss the latest trends in cloud computing. From the presentations and demonstrations at the stalls scattered across the 11,000 square metre exhibition hall, startups and corporates are evolving their cloud computing use cases to take advantage of the technology’s evolving capabilities. There was a demonstration of a generative AI-powered dictation product which enables the virtually impaired to transform their spoken words into written words. “Through the cloud-powered database, this product enables the virtually impaired to type and draw just like you and me,” the presenter tells the wide-eyed audience. Women In Tech panel session at the AWS Summit in Johannesburg. (Image source: AWS) At the keynote stage, David Brown, vice president of AWS compute and networking, showed how Ghanaian health tech startup mPharma uses cloud computing to scale its inventory management solutions to hospitals. “Every modern business is a data business and cloud computing allows them to focus on using this data to build products without having to worry about the intricacies of how to manage it,” Brown tells the audience. Media roundtable discussion featuring from L-R, David Brown (Vice President, AWS Compute and Networking Services) , Aasif Karachi(Director: Strategic Alliance Leader at Deloitte , Chris Erasmus (Country General Manager, South Africa, AWS and Strini Mudaly (Vice President of Information and Communication, Gold Fields). (Image source: AWS) Capitec, South Africa’s largest bank by clients with over 22 million customers, has also deployed its robocall-detection product on AWS. The product informs customers whether they are talking to a legitimate Capitec staff or a potential fraudster. “So far we have analysed over 5 million calls which helps our customers stay safe and protected from potential fraud,” said Blessing Mgaga, Capitec’s division executive of retail client experience delivery. Whether it is bringing medicines closer to homes, helping the virtually impaired write down their thoughts or tackling digital fraud, one thing is clear–cloud computing use cases in Africa are expansive. With AI taking the foray and enabling innovators to build even more products, cloud computing will play a vital role in providing the requisite compute power to bring the innovations to life.
Read MoreQuick Fire🔥 with Dolapo Omotoso
Today’s guest is Dolapo Omotoso, the Revenue Growth Director and marketing strategist leading TransferGo’s African expansion. With expertise in creative storytelling and community-led growth, Dolapo drives impactful growth strategies, leveraging her experience from customer success intern to senior leader in the industry. Explain your job to a 5-year-old Think of me like Santa Claus, but instead of delivering gifts from the North Pole, I deliver money. I help people who live far away from their family and friends send money to them every day. You started as a customer success intern and rose to country manager for a Series A company and you’re now a director at an international company. What steps did you take to make this happen? I became the go-to person for difficult tasks and delivered excellent results. I also love learning and implementing new ideas. Most importantly, I was resilient and focused on understanding how the business works and how all roles contribute to the big goal. How have these skills translated to your current job? Everything matters. From learning patience and empathy during my time at Piggyvest to understanding crisis management as a social media manager, engaging a community as a content marketer, and knowing how to view growth—all of it contributed. No knowledge was wasted. What drew you to remittances? My sister. I wanted to build something for her, to make it easy for her to hold currencies that mattered to her. At some point, my friends moved away, and now I guess I’m building for them too. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? Ensuring everyone is happy. From satisfying customers with the rates, service, and product, to adapting to new environments rapidly, localising strategies, and balancing the need for rapid growth—it’s a lot to juggle. This requires a deep understanding of each market, strong collaboration with local teams, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions that drive growth without compromising on quality or customer satisfaction. What advice would you give anyone trying to enter the fintech industry from a non-finance or engineering background? You are only as good as your foundation, so make sure it’s solid and grounded. Leverage communities and networks—don’t be afraid to network and learn. Being taught by people who have gone through what you’re dealing with is the easiest way to gain valuable, rare insights. What exciting things are you working on now? Right now, I’m leading growth in Africa, for TransferGo which is incredibly exciting. We’re expanding into new markets, like East Africa, and working on localizing our services to fit the unique needs of these regions. As a director, I get to shape the entire strategy. I’m also exploring opportunities to build and lead local teams. It’s a dynamic role that allows me to make a significant impact on the future of TransferGo in Africa. What do you do outside work? Turns out I love to yap. I had a mentorship class I was running with the Empowerher community and I find it interesting doing speaking engagements. I am passionate about connecting with people and sharing my journey. I did a bit with communities like the Non-Tech in Tech Community and some universities.
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Latest SASSA appeal for R350 procedures 2024
The SASSA appeal process for the R350 grant can be challenging, but understanding the steps involved can help make the process smoother. In 2024, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) continues to offer the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, designed to support individuals facing financial hardship. If your application gets a rejection, you have the right to appeal the decision. This article will guide you through the updated procedures for lodging a SASSA appeal for R350 in 2024. Understanding the SASSA appealing process The SASSA appeal for R350 is a process that allows applicants to challenge the decision made on their SRD grant applications. Whether due to incorrect information or changes in your financial situation, if your application is denied, you can request a review. This appeal is crucial for those relying on the grant for their daily needs. Steps to appeal for SASSA R350 Visit the Official SASSA appeals website:Access the appeals portal at srd.sassa.gov.za/appeals/appeal to begin your SASSA appeal for R350. Provide your personal InformationYou’ll need to enter your South African ID number and the mobile number you used when applying for the SRD grant. Request a PINYou will receive a one-time PIN (OTP) on your mobile number. Enter this PIN to continue with your appeal. Select the month for your appealChoose the specific month for which you are appealing. You must appeal separately. State your reasons for the appealClearly explain why you believe your application should be reconsidered. This could be due to incomplete information, technical errors, or an updated financial situation. Submit your appealAfter completing the above steps, submit your appeal. The SASSA team will review your submission, and you will be notified of their decision. How long does SASSA appeal take? The SASSA appeal for R350 typically takes up to 90 days to process. During this time, your application is reviewed, and a decision is made. It’s essential to submit your appeal within 30 days of receiving the rejection notice to ensure timely processing. SASSA status check appeal: tracking your appeal To monitor the progress of your appeal, follow these steps: Online status check: Log in to the SASSA SRD website using your ID and registered phone number, then click on “Check Appeal Status.” Call centre assistance: If you encounter difficulties online, you can contact the SASSA call centre for assistance with your SASSA status check appeal. Regularly checking the status of your appeal ensures that you stay informed throughout the process. Reasons for a pending or declined appeal There are several reasons why your SASSA appeal for R350 might still be pending or could be declined: High volume of appeals: SASSA handles a significant number of appeals, which can cause delays. Incomplete or incorrect information: Ensure all your SASSA details are accurate and complete to avoid delays or rejections. Eligibility criteria: Make sure your income does not exceed the threshold, and you are not receiving multiple SASSA grants. Reconsideration for rejected months If your appeal is rejected for multiple months, you must submit a reconsideration request for each specific month. Patience is essential, as this process can take time, but persistence often leads to a successful outcome. Final thoughts on the SASSA appeal The SASSA appeal for R350 is an important process for those who rely on the SRD grant. By following the steps outlined above, you can improve your chances of a successful appeal. Don’t forget to regularly perform a SASSA status check to stay updated on your application’s progress.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Zambia’s inflation hits 32-month high
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية TGIF It’s still salary week, and to help you spend your hard-earned coins wisely, we’re currently running a salary week discount for Moonshot 2024! From now until September 5, you can get Moonshot tickets 20% off with the code MSVIP. Share this with your friends and help them save some cash. Quick Fire Busha and Quidax receive crypto licenses in Nigeria Zambia’s inflation hits 32-month high Funding tracker The World Wide Web3 Opportunities Features Quick Fire with Dolapo Omotoso Dolapo Omotoso is a Revenue Growth Director and marketing strategist leading TransferGo’s African expansion. With expertise in creative storytelling and community-led growth, she drives impactful growth strategies, leveraging her experience from customer success intern to senior leader in the industry. Dolapo Omotosho for TC Daily Explain your job to a 5-year-old Think of me like Santa Claus, but instead of delivering gifts from the North Pole, I deliver money. I help people who live far away from their family and friends send money to them every day. You started as a customer success intern and now you’re a director at an international company. How did this happen? I became the go-to person for difficult tasks and delivered excellent results. I also love learning and implementing new ideas. Most importantly, I was resilient and focused on understanding how the business works and how all roles contribute to the big goal. How have these skills translated to your current job? Everything matters. From learning patience and empathy during my time at Piggyvest to understanding crisis management as a social media manager, engaging a community as a content marketer, and knowing how to view growth—all of it contributed. No knowledge was wasted. What drew you to remittances? My sister. I wanted to build something for her, to make it easy for her to hold currencies that mattered to her. At some point, my friends moved away, and now I guess I’m building for them too. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? Ensuring everyone is happy. From satisfying customers with the rates, service, and product, to adapting to new environments rapidly, localising strategies, and balancing the need for rapid growth—it’s a lot to juggle. This requires a deep understanding of each market, strong collaboration with local teams, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions that drive growth without compromising on quality or customer satisfaction. What advice would you give anyone trying to enter the fintech industry from a non-finance or engineering background? You are only as good as your foundation, so make sure it’s solid and grounded. Leverage communities and networks—don’t be afraid to network and learn. Being taught by people who have gone through what you’re dealing with is the easiest way to gain valuable, rare insights. What exciting things are you working on now? Right now, I’m leading growth in Africa, for TransferGo which is incredibly exciting. We’re expanding into new markets, like East Africa, and working on localizing our services to fit the unique needs of these regions. As a director, I get to shape the entire strategy. I’m also exploring opportunities to build and lead local teams. It’s a dynamic role that allows me to make a significant impact on the future of TransferGo in Africa. What do you do outside work? Turns out I love to yap. I had a mentorship class I was running with the Empowerher community and I find it interesting doing speaking engagements. I am passionate about connecting with people and sharing my journey. I did a bit with communities like the Non-Tech in Tech Community and some universities. 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. Crypto Busha and Quidax receive provisional VASP licences Image source: Pymnts Nigeria’s softening its stance towards crypto wasn’t on anybody’s 2024 bingo card after the country dragged Binance to court in February for allegedly being complicit in helping unscrupulous people steal $35 million. About two years ago, it implicitly banned crypto and asked all financial institutions to freeze accounts that did as little as mention “crypto” or used crypto-related words in their transactions. But the country has made a U-turn since. On August 29, the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued crypto licences in principle to two crypto companies; Busha and Quidax. It has also onboarded five others to its Regulatory Incubator (RI) programme to learn about how Nigerians use crypto. These Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) licences will help crypto companies offer crypto services to customers including buying, selling, storing, and trading cryptocurrencies. While Nigeria is rightly adopting crypto fast; trading it, storing it, or doing whatever else with it, for the government, controlling crypto is likely more than just this “catch the thief” outlook it’s portraying. There are more than 30 crypto and crypto-related companies in the country. All of them, unregulated. This meant they were untaxed—or there wasn’t a proper structure for taxing them. But with new crypto laws and regulations coming, Nigeria can collect money from these companies while still keeping an eye out for people misusing crypto. There just leaves two questions: how did crypto companies in Nigeria avoid scrutiny pre-2024? Did simply being facilitators rather than participators in crypto over-the-counter (OTC) trades help these companies survive long enough? Either way, we’re witnessing a Nigerian masterclass. 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. Economy Zambia’s inflation hits 32-month high Image source: UBA Group For most African countries, changes in food prices are a major driver of overall inflation. This is because food constitutes a significant
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Change SASSA banking details for R350 2024
Updating your banking details with SASSA is crucial to ensure you receive your R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant without interruption. Whether you’ve changed banks or opened a new account, you must promptly update your information. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to change SASSA banking details for R350 2024. Why you need to change your SASSA banking details for R350 in 2024 It’s essential to update your banking details with SASSA if: You’ve switched to a new bank. Your current bank account number has changed. You’ve opened a new account that you prefer SASSA to use. You’re concerned about the security of your existing account and want to switch. Steps to Change SASSA banking details for R350 2024 Follow these steps to ensure your new banking details update is correct: Needed documentation South African ID: Ensure your ID book or smart card is up to date. Proof of Bank Account: Obtain a recent bank statement stamped by your bank. Proof of Residence: Have a utility bill or similar document showing your current address, not older than three months. SASSA Card: Keep your SASSA card handy, especially if it’s your current payment method. Visit the Nearest SASSA Office While some processes may be handled online, changing your banking details typically requires a visit to a SASSA office. Use the office locator on the SASSA website to find the nearest branch. Complete the SASSA banking details change form: At the SASSA office, you’ll be given a form specifically for updating banking details. Fill this form out accurately, ensuring all information matches your bank records. Submit your documents: After completing the form, submit it along with your supporting documents to the SASSA official. Ensure that all documents are originals or certified copies to avoid delays. Verification and processing: SASSA will verify the information provided. This process might take several days or weeks, depending on the workload. During this time, SASSA will ensure that the details match those registered with your bank. Receive confirmation: Once the SASSA details change is processed, you’ll receive a notification. Check your bank account to ensure your next payment is deposited into the correct account. Changing SASSA banking details online While updating banking details in person is generally recommended, SASSA provides some online services. Here’s how to attempt the process online: Log In to your SASSA account: Get on to your SASSA account on the SASSA website. Navigate to the anking Section: Follow the prompts to update your banking details. Upload the required documents: You may need to scan and upload documents proving your new banking information. Submit the changes: Once you’ve reviewed your information, submit the changes. Keep track of any confirmation or reference numbers provided. Important Tips for a Successful SASSA Details Change Security first: Always keep your personal information secure. Avoid sharing your ID or banking details with unverified sources. Stay updated: Regularly check the SASSA website or visit your local office to stay informed about any changes in the process. Monitor your payments: After submitting your SASSA details change, closely monitor your bank account to confirm that your payments are processed correctly. Updating your SASSA banking details is a vital step in ensuring that you continue to receive your R350 grant without issues. Following this guide to change SASSA banking details for R350 2024 will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth transition to your new banking information.
Read MoreNigeria’s SEC grants provisional crypto licences to Quidax and Busha
Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted provisional licences to two digital asset exchanges, Quidax and Busha, one week after the regulator hinted that it would issue its set of first crypto licences. “The referenced Approvals-in-Principle are a precursor to the grant of full registration by the SEC and are meant to ensure that appropriate protection and transparency is in place in respect of each product or service,” the SEC said in a statement on Thursday. The two companies will operate under the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program (ARIP) which the regulator introduced in July 2024 to onboard existing crypto exchanges operating before it released rules on virtual asset service providers in May 2022. “The license admits the startups into the SEC’s accelerated regulatory incubator which allows us to study them and fashion rules [to guide their operations],” SEC Director General Emomotimi Agama said on a call with TechCabal. “Millions of Nigerian crypto enthusiasts and users deserve safe and moderated local venues for managing and trading crypto-assets, and this is an overdue step to sanitise the space for the benefit of the economy, in line with global expectations,” Busha CEO Michael Adeyeri wrote on X. Quidax also confirmed it has received the provisional licence. This ends months of uncertainty about the regulator’s stance on issuing crypto licences. Last week, several publications claimed that the SEC approved a provisional licence to a major crypto platform—a claim the regulator denied. In January 2024, TechCabal reported that at least two crypto exchanges were in talks with the SEC over a crypto licence after the Central Bank lifted a two-year ban on crypto-related banking transactions. It will also signal a major policy turnaround for crypto exchanges that have faced increased scrutiny from Nigerian regulators since February 2024. The SEC has talked up banning P2P trading which Nigerian authorities blame for the volatility in the FX market. In May 2024, the SEC DG met with crypto industry players and reiterated the need for crypto exchanges to delist naira from P2P trading.
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