Salve,
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has completed its plans for the clinical trials of the R21 malaria vaccine in Nigeria.
This trial is a part of the agency's effort to eradicate malaria.
In April 2023, Ghana's Food and Drug Authority approved the use of the vaccine for kids between the ages of five months and three years old. The R21 vaccine has a 75% success rate.
Developed by Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the latter plans to produce around 100 to 200 million doses annually.
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Nigerians to pay more for electricity
- Uber One launches in South Africa
- South Africa's driving licence card machine is back
Nigerians to pay more for electricity
Beginning July 1, 2023, Nigerians could pay more to buy electricity units as prices might increase by over 40%.
Remember, during his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, President Ahmed Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy. And last week, he floated the naira.
These moves have made it more difficult to set prices for the 2022 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) — a tariff model — of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the electric power industry regulator.
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In the MYTO for 2022, the average price per kilowatt for all customer classes was ₦64, up from the previous average of ₦60.
The 2015 tariff was determined using a foreign exchange rate of ₦198.97/$, ₦383.80/$ in 2020, and ₦441.78/$ in 2022. Inflation in the 2015 MYTO was 8.3%, 12% in 2020, and 16.97% in 2022.
The current inflation rate is 22.41 per cent, and some experts predict it will reach 30 per cent by the end of June 2023, given the floating of the naira and the fuel subsidy removal.
But what does the hike in electricity tariffs mean for cleantech companies? For one, demand for renewable energy sources like solar power systems and energy-saving technologies could increase as the price of electricity rises.
But there's the issue of affordability in a nation where 88.4 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty.
The Energy Progress Report 2022, released by Tracking SDG 7, shows that Nigeria has the lowest access to electricity in the world, with approximately 92 million people out of the country's "200 million" population lacking access to power.
Several questions come to mind: Is buying at that rate sustainable for the average Nigerian? How many more would be added to the approximately 92 million people that can't access power currently?
Uber One launches in South Africa
Uber has introduced Uber One, a subscription service for its ride-hailing and delivery services, for R50 a month or R500 a year in South Africa.
Users can benefit from several features, including unlimited free delivery and service fees on groceries and food from Uber Eats.
Uber One subscribers will receive 5% of the value of their rides in Uber Cash, which they can apply to their subsequent trips.
Additionally, they will have access to several promotions and exclusive deals only available to members.
Members would also receive R20 in Uber Cash if their order arrives after the latest arrival estimate.
Uber One replaces Uber Eats Pass, the company's food delivery subscription service. It costs R29.90 monthly and guarantees customers R0 delivery on orders from participating restaurants with a green ticket-shaped logo next to their name.
In January 2022, the ride-hailing company announced a significant price drop for its Eats Pass from R50 to R29.9.
South Africa's driving licence card machine is back
The Department of Transport (DoT) has reported that the driving licence card machine in South Africa is now working.
The DoT and Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) said they would clear the 350,000 backlog of cards by August 2023.
It comes after a technical issue occurred during routine maintenance at the beginning of May 2023.
The DoT informed the public that they had to replace a broken part, and stated that repairs would take two to three weeks.
However, it has been six weeks since the announcement, but the department explained that this was because of a testing period.
Following the part replacement, the machine required an extra two weeks to pass testing before production could begin.
The DoT and DLCA can now increase the machine's output from 60,000 to 120,000 cards per week now that it has ramped up to maximum production.
Also, the DoT said it is preparing to roll out the updated driver's licence approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa's cabinet in August 2022.
Before the current fiscal year ends on February 28, 2024, the new driver's licence card will be introduced.
Additionally, it will bring new card production equipment to replace the existing machine.
In case you missed it
- Malawian asset financier, Yellow, secures $14m series B to expand its presence in Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia
- Domiciliary account holders in Nigeria can now withdraw up to $10,000 daily
- Seedstars Capital and Foundation Botnar partner to improve the well-being of people under 30 in Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt
- Binance issues cease and desist order to "Binance Nigeria Limited" amid regulatory scrutiny
- Google Cloud partners with Moniepoint to provide financial services to underbanked businesses in Nigeria
- Airtel Nigeria set to launch 5G mobile network today, igniting competition in the telecom market
What I'm reading and watching
- IMF working on global digital currency platform
- What Are You Doing With Your Life? The Tail End
- Tinubu Meets Dangote, Bill Gates Behind Closed Doors In Aso Rock
- Why You Are Lonely and How to Make Friends
Opportunities
- Ethena Labs is hiring remote for Quantitative Software Engineer and Senior Web3 Engineer (Full-Stack). Apply here.
- Bravado is looking for a remote Lead Product Designer. Apply here.
- Applications are open for the AWS Startup Loft Accelerator. It's an equity-free programme focused on supporting early stage startups in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with technology, product development, go-to-market advice and getting you funding ready. 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 lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
