Here are last weekend’s top headlines on startups, entrepreneurship, innovation and tech around Africa.
No more PINs? This should be interesting. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is reportedly planning to replace ATM PINs with biometric IDs (fingerprints, perhaps iris scans?) because apparently, too many "illiterate people" are posing a security risk by giving out their PINs to third parties.
If you ask me, I'd say maybe we need to figure out our National ID scheme first before moving on to such logistically challenging things. But then again, seeing as the BVN project was a relative (debatable) success, maybe I am being unfair. Read more on Nigeria Communications Week
MTN Ghana. MTN Ghana has announced a $113 million syndicated loan facility, arranged jointly by Ecobank Ghana Limited and Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC), that will be used to finance infrastructure expansion and working capital needs across the country. Read more on IT News Africa.
Regulating Bitcoin. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is in discussions with some of the top technology companies in the world to enable it to track cryptocurrency trades more efficiently in the country. Read more on TechCentral.
Oromo protests. Ethiopia’s government has blocked the internet following days of protests and unease that resulted in deaths and injuries in universities and towns across the country. Read more on Quartz Africa.
Featured image: African Business Magazine
