Salve,
Happy new week!
Are you looking for the latest innovations and trends in the Nigerian ecosystem? Look no further than the Lagos Startup Expo, scheduled for May 20, 2023, at Landmark Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
This exciting event, themed ‘Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth,’ brings together hundreds of innovative Nigerian tech startups to showcase their products, network with investors and customers, and more.
But it’s not just for startups. Investors, corporate partners, and tech enthusiasts will find plenty to explore and discover.
With a focus on product exhibitions and workshops, the Lagos Startup Expo is the perfect opportunity to learn about the latest industry trends and gain valuable insights into the Nigerian tech ecosystem.
Do you have any queries concerning the Lagos Startup Expo? Get answers here: Discover the future of Nigerian tech at Lagos Startup Expo 2023
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Chipper Cash lays off over a third of its workforce
- Twitter to remove text 2FA for non-Blue subscribers
- Starlink is testing a new satellite Internet service
Chipper Cash lays off over a third of its workforce
African startup cross-border payments company, Chipper Cash, has reportedly let go of 140 employees, or more than a third of its workforce.
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Although 15% of those impacted are Nigerians, the layoffs affected staff from IT, engineering leadership, engineers, technical programme managers, and analysts.
This move follows a previous 13% headcount reduction in December 2022, which resulted in the termination of 50 employees from the Product, Marketing, and Compliance departments.
Also, the fintech reportedly shut down its cryptocurrency division and sent all its employees home. Nearly half of the staff members in all other departments are said to have left.
However, the Engineering department, which sources claim was particularly clumsy before this and was possibly reduced for the right reasons, received the most significant cuts.
Twitter to remove text 2FA for non-Blue subscribers
Starting March 20, 2023, Twitter will remove text message two-factor authentication (2FA) from any account that does not pay for it.
It means users — other than Blue subscribers — who rely on Twitter sending a code via text message to their phone to log in will have their 2FA turned off, allowing anyone to access their accounts using a password.
If you've been affected — especially if your Twitter password is easy to guess or if you use the same one for multiple websites or services — you have two options: Subscribe to Twitter Blue by paying $8 per month or use a different service that allows you to use strong 2FA to protect your Twitter account without paying a cent.
Several app-based 2FA solutions, including Google Authenticator, Duo, or Authy, are secure because the code never leaves your device.
After installing an authenticator app on your phone, go to your Twitter account and click in this order: More – Settings and Support – Settings and Privacy – Security and account access – Security – Two-factor authentication – Authentication app.
Follow the instructions carefully when Twitter prompts you to enter your account password and the code from your authenticator app.
Because this is a much more secure method, regaining access to your account may be difficult if you misplace your phone. So, keep a record of your backup codes in a secure location in your password manager to access your account if you get locked out. You get your backup codes when you set up app-based 2FA.
Starlink is testing a new satellite Internet service
Starlink is testing a new satellite Internet service that will allow you to "connect from almost anywhere on land in the world."
The Global Roaming Service will cost $200 per month in addition to the $599 base Starlink Kit. But there’s a catch.
The company says users can expect "Starlink's typical high speed, low-latency service intermixed with brief periods of poor connectivity, or none at all," but this will "improve dramatically over time."
Because Starlink is still awaiting regulatory approval in some countries like Rwanda and Kenya and unavailable in others, it is unclear how it will deliver on its promise to provide Internet access virtually everywhere.
Further, PCMag claims that Starlink is providing the Global Roaming service to some users in areas where the company does not have coverage.
Also, unlike the usual Starlink service, users outside the US are "responsible for acting as the Importer of Record for the Starlink Kit."
Consequently, they will be responsible for ensuring that the kit complies with applicable local laws and regulations and paying customs duties and import taxes.
Last week on Techpoint Africa
- CcHub to support 72 startups in Nigeria and Kenya with $15m edtech accelerator programme
- Nigerian fintech startup, Moni, wants to provide loans for businesses in Africa by leveraging social capital
- Electronic health and medical records can improve healthcare in Africa, but there are obstacles to their widespread adoption
- Kenya’s BuuPass has raised $1.3m pre-seed to digitise pen and paper public transport ticketing system in East Africa
- Cleantech startup, Qotto, raises $8 million Series A to expand to Ivory Coast
- Online dating is changing how Africans find love, leading to an increase in romance scams
- Kenyan fintech startup, Power, secures $3 million in seed funding to enter other African markets
- Why more people would give office romance a shot in 2023
- Treepz launches in Kenya on the back of a $1.2 million investment
- Nigerian insurtech startup Curacel has raised a $3 million seed to expand into North Africa
- Moroccan foodtech, Terraa, raises $1.5 million pre-seed round
- Naked raises $17 million Series B round to expand digital insurance in Africa
- African identity verification and KYC provider Smile Identity raises $20m Series B
- What is Banking as a Service, and how does it work?
- Akowe wants to put Nigerian certificates on the blockchain, and here’s how it will work
- 2022 was great, but is PR a viable career for you in 2023?
- Old ₦200 notes to remain legal tender in Nigeria until April 10, 2023
- Jumia posts 24.7% revenue growth in 2022 but continues to lose money
- Blockfinex acquires Nigerian crypto payment gateway, Fluidcoins
- Discover the future of Nigerian tech at Lagos Startup Expo 2023
What I’m reading and watching
- Keep Forgetting Things? Neurosciencece Says These Very Simple Habits Boost Memory and Learning
- Google’s long-awaited Tasks and Reminders consolidation starts in March
- Seniors vs Children | Middle Ground
- How Everyday Interactions Shape Your Future
- 'You don't have to look black to be black': The complex racial identity of a tiny Ohio town
Opportunities
- Apply for the Code for Africa (CFA) CivicTech Fellowship 2023 here.
- Pulse Sports is looking to hire a data-oriented digital marketing manager in either Kenya or Nigeria. Check out the Job description here before you email a CV to sports@pulse.ng.
- Codeless, Interactive LLC is hiring. Apply for the Freelance Social Media Copywriting position here and Junior Content writing here.
- Rupetta Academy is hiring a content creator. Apply here.
- Applications for the inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator, African Women Founders Africa Program, are now open. You can apply online before February 20, 2023.
- Applications are now open for NAMIP's Sustainability Challenge for Nigerian media. Winners will be awarded up to $50,000 for their project and join NAMIP’s innovation and capacity building program that extends up till 2024. Apply here.
- If you are a software engineer, creative designer, product manager, design researcher, or a techie looking for an internship role, please, check out this website.
Have a productive week.
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
