SweepSouth pauses operations in Nigeria due to an “unfavourable global macroeconomic environment”

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November 23, 2022
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4 min read

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Nǐn hǎo,

Do you remember Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, mentioning on October 26, 2022, that the redesigned naira notes will be introduced on December 15, 2022?

Well, it seems it's coming a bit early.

Starting today, November 23, 2022, Emefiele said that the federal government would begin issuing the new redesigned ₦100, ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 notes. 

Quick reminder: All old notes will not be legal tender by January 31, 2023.

Here’s what I’ve got for you today: 

  • How a tech solution can uncover terrorist hideouts and end terrorism in Nigeria
  • SweepSouth pauses operations in Nigeria
  • Leta’s $3m pre-seed

How a tech solution can uncover terrorist hideouts and end terrorism in Nigeria

A drone at RAIN Labs Source: rainnigeria.com
A drone at RAIN Labs Source: rainnigeria.com

Did you know that the drone was initially designed for military use in the 1900s?

Interestingly, drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have found their way into mainstream uses like filming, photography, or just a plaything for hobbyists.

Speaking on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, Nigerian artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics expert and Founder of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), Olusola Ayoola, said that drones could help Nigeria fight against terrorism.

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According to Military Africa, Nigeria is the only country in sub-Saharan Africa to have used drones for combat. 

They were first deployed in the country by Britain, France, and Israel in search of over 250 abducted Chibok school girls. 

In this news report, one of the survivors narrated how she had to walk for three days in the Sambisa Forest to escape. 

A system like Ayoola’s could have scoured the area to detect carbon emissions by the terrorists and helped the military rescue the victims. 

How? With little carbon emissions in these areas, Ayoola believes that human activity in the area will create a spike in carbon emissions in that environment, which will be detectable. 

So, how does a carbon-detecting drone work? Find out here: This Nigerian robotics expert is developing a tech solution that could uncover terrorist hideouts and end terrorism

SweepSouth pauses operations in Nigeria

SweepSouth

South African online home cleaning service, SweepSouth, announced yesterday that it would “pause” operations in Nigeria starting November 25, 2022.

Per the company, it can’t operate sustainably in the country due to an “unfavourable global macroeconomic environment.”

SweepSouth was founded in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa, by Aisha Pandor and Alen Ribic. It has since expanded to Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria, where it launched earlier this year.

The company is still active in South Africa and Kenya. It is also in Egypt, where it acquired FilKhedma, an online marketplace for home maintenance and improvement services like plumbing and carpentry.

All bookings after November 25 will be cancelled, and users refunded.

Interestingly, in September 2022, the startup raised $11 million in pre-seed funding. 

SweepSouth said it would use the funds to develop and grow its infrastructure and team while launching new services in existing markets and pursuing greenfield expansions and acquisitions across the African continent and beyond.

While there is no set resumption date, SweepSouth said it would continue to monitor developments in the market and prepare for a possible re-entry later.

Leta’s $3m pre-seed

leta team

Leta, a Kenyan B2B supply chain and logistics SaaS provider, has announced a $3 million pre-seed round.

4Di Capital, Chandaria Capital, Chui Ventures, PANI, Samurai Incubate, and Verdant Frontiers Fintech took part in the round. Cellulant Co-founder, Ken Njoroge and Google executive, Charles Murito also participated.

Launched in 2021 by Nick Joshi, the company claims it optimises fleet management.

According to Joshi, “We are an operating system for logistics, and our software can show distributors the most efficient route to serve the customers quicker, and enables them to use less assets (vehicles) to serve more customers.” 

Leta says it also allows its users to track the driver, the specific goods carried, the truck loading to see if space is being used efficiently, the time spent travelling, and the distance travelled.

Besides, businesses can measure other vehicle metrics such as speed, braking, and idle time, among other data points that define operational efficiency.

Leta claims to have optimised over 500,000 deliveries, dispatched over 20,000 tonnes of goods, and managed 2,000 vehicles since its launch.

While scaling operations in its existing five markets — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe — the company is looking to expand to Ghana this December and Nigeria soon by partnering with some of the largest distributors and eCommerce players.

What I’m reading and watching

Opportunities

  • The Wikimedia Foundation is looking for a remote Senior Software Engineer to join its team. Apply here.
  • Applications are open for the Village Capital Financial Solutions for Migrants Accelerator Programme 2023. It supports innovation across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia to increase migrant access to financial services and employment opportunities. Apply here.
  • Applications for the CyberGirls Fellowship Programme 2023 are now open. Apply here.
  • Startups in Kenya and Tanzania can get a chance to scale their impact-driven companies and receive a grant investment of up to €100K from the develoPPP Ventures. Apply here.
  • Applications for the Metaverse Design Thinking Course are now open. Apply here

Have a lovely Wednesday.

Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.

She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.
She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.
She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.

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