Hey guys.
Ogheneruemu here. Yesterday, Bolu filled in for Victoria because she was under the weather. As you can probably already tell, she still is and I'm covering for her today. Please send her your wishes; she'll definitely see them.
ID verification company, Smile Identity has launched a no-code identity verification tool, Smile Links. It is a customisable solution that enables businesses generate a shareable identity verification flow complete with their name, logo, and data privacy policy in a few minutes.
Meanwhile, Bolu was watching the Apple event yesterday and I asked him if there was anything new. Here's what he said: the iPhone 15 is basically a clone of the iPhone 14 pro but with a USB C charging port and a 48 MP camera, new Apple watches, and all-day battery life.
Bolu is curious about how Apple wants to gate keep its ecosystem away from other USB C charging cables. Me, I don't really care; you should ask Bolu for an article, though.
Here's what I've got for you today:
- 28 loan apps delisted in Nigeria
- Lipa Later's debt funding
28 loan apps delisted in Nigeria
Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has delisted more loan apps from the Google Play Store.
The number increased from 9 to 37 and some of the delisted apps include: Swiftkash, Hen Credit Loan, Cash Door, Eaglecash, Luckyloan Personal Loan
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The Commission also disclosed that the number of fully approved loan apps has increased to 164 from 154, while apps with conditional approval have decreased slightly from 40 to 38.
Apps on their watch list have moved from 20 to 56.
In the last three years, the FCCPC has ramped up efforts to protect consumers from fraudulent loan apps. In March 2022, it stormed the offices of GoCash, OKash, EasyCredit, Kashkash, Speedy Choice, Easy Moni, and Sokoloan.
Google's May 2023 update to its Personal Loans policy for apps on the Play Store has seen it restrict these apps from accessing users’ sensitive information like photos, external storage, videos, contacts, precise location, and call logs.
Lipa Later's debt funding
Kenyan fintech, Lipa Later has announced the closure of a KSh 500 million ($3.4M) privately placed debt issuance.
The raise was supported by Rubicon Landing as transaction advisors and KN Law as legal advisors.
Eric Muli, Lipa Later CEO, says the funds "have enabled us to further invest in technology and infrastructure to make our financing solutions even more accessible and convenient for our customers."
The 5-year old buy now, pay later startup has previously raised $12 million in pre-Series A funding in a bid to expand to new markets. It is also currently exploring a crowdfunding option to raise $1.2M, and has so far received more than $27,000 from a pool of 29 investors.
The company says it plans to raise an additional KSh 2 Billion in equity and debt to spur its growth further as it works "towards unlocking a $500bn financial inclusion opportunity in urban Africa."
What I'm reading and watching
- Olumide "D.O' Olusanya shares his perspective on KloudCommerce's demise, as he looks to pursue legal action
- Founded by an ex-Amazon employee, Powerfull wants to help solar asset financiers mitigate risk
- Inside Moniepoint's gamified, offline strategy for retail banking and financial inclusion in Nigeria
- Music, Health, and Well-Being: Jon Batiste in Conversation with Walter Isaacson
- Why does this lady have a fly on her head? | National Gallery
- Tips to get unstuck in your Video Editing
Opportunities
- GitLab is looking for a remote Product Manager. Apply here.
- Are you interested in Technology Risk, or an IT Auditor or Data Analyst? Apply for this Visa-sponsored opportunity in the UK. Apply here.
- Apply for the AWS Startup Builds Accelerator 2023 for pre-MVP founders before September 22, 2023, here.
- Gen F, a three-month initiative sponsored by Founders Factory Africa, is open to idea-stage founders. Participants will receive a monthly stipend, an experimentation budget, and access to experts to help them test and launch their ideas. 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.
