(Page 53)

Sign in Subscribe

CBN Policies and Financial Inclusion: Open Banking in the Spotlight

CBN Policies and Financial Inclusion: Open Banking in the Spotlight

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in following up with its plans towards achieving financial inclusion in Nigeria has introduced an Open Banking policy, which is aimed at deepening financial innovation and inclusion in the country. The policy allows for the sharing of financial data between different financial institutions, third-party

The Jennifer Ward-Oppenheimer Research Award Opens for African Cleantech Innovators

The Jennifer Ward-Oppenheimer Research Award Opens for African Cleantech Innovators

Young African scientists with novel research proposals are eligible for the 2023 Jennifer Ward-Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Award. The main applicant must hold a degree or a higher qualification and have close ties to an accredited African institution. The institution must have a track record of successfully managing funds and adhering

Cross Switch Ghana Gets a Node from the Bank of Ghana to operate as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider

Cross Switch Ghana

Cross Switch Ghana Gets a Node from the Bank of Ghana to operate as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider

Cross Switch Ghana LTD, a Ghanaian fintech startup, and its parent company, Cross Switch International S.A.R.L., have announced that Cross Switch Ghana LTD has received approval from the Bank of Ghana to operate as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider. The payment firm plans to use the EPSP

Kenya's WorkPay, Takes it's HR-Payroll Services to the Moroccan Workers

Kenya's WorkPay, Takes it's HR-Payroll Services to the Moroccan Workers

Workpay, a Kenyan HR-payroll startup, which recently secured $2.7 million in pre-Series A funding from a group of investors including Launch Africa, Saviu Ventures, Acadian Ventures, Proparco, Fondation Botnar, Kara Ventures, Axian, P1 Ventures, and Norrsken has expanded its operations to Casablanca, Morocco in its latest expansion drive. This

Innovative Fund of Funds Launches in Ghana to unlock $75M for SMEs

Ci-Gaba Fund of Funds

Innovative Fund of Funds Launches in Ghana to unlock $75M for SMEs

Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh) has launched its Ci-Gaba Fund of Funds, a private sector-led initiative that aims to mobilize $75 million in local and international funding to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also, the fund, which will invest locally and

ALX Launches WomXn and Tech Program to Train 50k South African Female Software Engineers

ALX Launches WomXn and Tech Program to Train 50k South African Female Software Engineers

The first-ever all-female software engineering cohort of 50 000 women in South Africa has been announced by tech training provider ALX in honor of International Women’s Day, which is observed on March 8. The cohort is a component of ALX’s “WomXn and Tech” project, which was motivated by

A Potential $13B Blackouts Loss in South Africa and How Tech May Solve it

A Potential $13B Blackouts Loss in South Africa and How Tech May Solve it

The South African central bank estimated that $51 million is lost every day due to load shedding. With the country responsible for 12% of economic activity on the continent and accounting for 30% of electricity demand in Africa, which produces 229 gigawatt hours of power annually, it is really a

UPYO, NFT marketplace, signs partnership with Saudi e-learning platform Classera to offer technological solutions

UPYO, NFT marketplace, signs partnership with Saudi e-learning platform Classera to offer technological solutions

Arabian’s largest NFT marketplace, UPYO has entered into a new partnership with e-learning platform Classera to support smart education. The aim of the partnership is to provide more technological solutions for Classera in terms of education through blockchain technology, adopted by UPYO. This deal will enable Classera to benefit

International Women's Day 2023: Speaking to the Gender Imbalance in the African Tech Startup Ecosystem

African Women Tech Founders

International Women's Day 2023: Speaking to the Gender Imbalance in the African Tech Startup Ecosystem

The United Nations designates March 8 as International Women’s Day to recognize and celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political contributions to the world’s development. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for Gender Equality,” which emphasizes the role of innovative

Southern Women Digitizing Africa

Southern Women Digitizing Africa

More positive movements geared toward tech and startup acceleration are being led by women. These effective organizations show that women are capable of handling problems affecting their nations’ economic development. Thus, the gender gap must be closed, and all traces of gender inequality must be eliminated from society. For women

EchoVC, a Lagos-Based Blockchain-Focused VC, Launches $8M Blockchain-Focused Seed Fund

blockchain technology

EchoVC, a Lagos-Based Blockchain-Focused VC, Launches $8M Blockchain-Focused Seed Fund

EchoVC, a Lagos-based early-stage VC firm focused on investing in underrepresented founders and underserved markets, has launched a blockchain-focused seed fund called EchoVC Chain. The $8 million pilot seed fund is aimed at investing in startups and founders that span EchoVC’s specific areas of interest, as first reported by

African Telecom Giant, Orange, Takes Orange Digital Centre to DR Congo

African Telecom Giant, Orange, Takes Orange Digital Centre to DR Congo

Orange, a leading telecom operator, has launched the 15th Orange Digital Centre (ODC) in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The ODC as an ecosystem dedicated to developing digital skills and innovation, offers free and accessible programs to the public, including a coding school, digital manufacturing workshops, an

Citizenship-by-investment Programs. The New Investment Strategy of the South

Citizenship-by-investment Programs. The New Investment Strategy of the South

Unless the individual is a naturalized South African, the South African Citizenship Act allows for the retention of South African nationality prior to the acquisition of a foreign nationality. Prior to obtaining a foreign nationality, individuals must apply for and be given permission to retain their South African nationality. This

Fawry and Syrve Partner for F&B Payments Ease in Egypt

Fawry and Syrve Partner for F&B Payments Ease in Egypt

With the help of Syrve, an all-in-one restaurant management system, Fawry, the country’s top provider of banking services and e-payments solutions, will give Egypt’s food and beverage industry access to an automated checkout process and seamless payments. In New Cairo, Egypt, at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre, the

XPay collaborates with Fawry to roll out FawryPay Reference code for its customers

XPay collaborates with Fawry to roll out FawryPay Reference code for its customers

Egypt’s leading electronic payments company, Fawry, has signed a partnership with Fawry to provide the ‘FawryPay Reference code’ and cash-out services to XPay’s customers and merchants in Egypt. The new deal will enable XPay to provide its customers and merchants with ultra-modern electronic payment methods to facilitate the

Cyber Attacks as a Threat to the Rise of Fintech Platforms in Nigeria

Cyber Attacks as a Threat to the Rise of Fintech Platforms in Nigeria

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to redesign the country’s naira notes has resulted in a cash shortage, forcing Nigerians to turn to fintech platforms such as Kuda, MoMo, Fairmoney, Flutterwave, and Vbank. However, these startups have recently become targets of cyber attacks, with hackers stealing billions of

Paymenow Expands to Zambia to Provide Earned Wage Access Services

Paymenow Expands to Zambia to Provide Earned Wage Access Services

Paymenow, a platform for Earned Wage Access (EWA), is getting ready to launch in Zambia thanks to a partnership with financial services provider Izwe. Paymenow recently announced its growth, stating that all “employers that seek to support their employees with the most cheap and responsible liquidity management solution in the

Stitch Enables Rapid Payments Programme and Capitec Pay in its API

Stitch Enables Rapid Payments Programme and Capitec Pay in its API

The Rapid Payments Programme (RPP) or PayShap, as well as Capitec Pay, have been integrated into the API of South African-based payments business Stitch in order to increase the scope of its payments infrastructure service. Due to this integration, Stitch customers will be able to add Capitec Pay as an

Financial Inclusion: Will the CBN Newly Launch eNaira Enhanced Services be the Masterstroke?

Financial Inclusion: Will the CBN Newly Launch eNaira Enhanced Services be the Masterstroke?

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched the e-Naira, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), under the project Giant Initiative in October 2021 as a digital version of the Nigerian currency to promote financial inclusion, improve payment systems, and foster economic growth. Central bank digital currencies have been one of

Trustee Announces Guinea Fintech Week 2023 to Drive Digital Financial Inclusion and Innovation

Financial Inclusion

Trustee Announces Guinea Fintech Week 2023 to Drive Digital Financial Inclusion and Innovation

Trustee, a leading international organization promoting financial inclusion and innovation, has announced Guinea Fintech Week 2023, which will be held from June 14-16 at the luxurious Palm Camayenne hotel in Conakry, Guinea. Furthermore, the event is organized in collaboration with KF invest & consulting and will bring together a diverse

Microsoft and Liquid Intelligent Technologies Partner to Further Provide Internet Access to 20M Africans

Internet connectivity

Microsoft and Liquid Intelligent Technologies Partner to Further Provide Internet Access to 20M Africans

Microsoft has today announced several new initiatives aimed at expanding digital infrastructure, digital skilling, and digital development in the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The tech giant is partnering with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a subsidiary of Cassava Technologies, to provide high-speed internet access to 20 million people in Africa

Truzo Launches Digital Escrow Service to Curb Transactionary Risks for UK-SA trade

Truzo Launches Digital Escrow Service to Curb Transactionary Risks for UK-SA trade

In order to facilitate secure and dependable transactions between the UK and South Africa, Truzo, the first digital escrow platform with an African emphasis and FCA approval, has been launched in the UK. After winning the UK Tech Hub Going Global 2019 competition and accelerating its growth as part of

Capitec Partners Ozow for New Payment Channel

Capitec Partners Ozow for New Payment Channel

To introduce a revolutionary payment option that might completely transform the South African banking industry, Capitec has teamed up with Ozow and other key partners. Innovative payment ecosystems and increased financial inclusion in the nation will be established through cooperation. For underserved customers and businesses, a simpler and more convenient

Jumia’s Fall from Grace and Takealot’s Strategy for Growth

Jumia’s Fall from Grace and Takealot’s Strategy for Growth

The Shadow Over E-commerce in Africa The value of e-commerce in Africa reached $16.5 billion in 2017, and by 2025, it may reach $75 billion. Although these forecasts present an upbeat picture, caution should be exercised before putting too much stock in them. The fact is that due to