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Privet,
Apple began rolling out the new iOS setting, Stolen Device Protection, to beta testers yesterday.
When you activate the new Stolen Device Protection, your iPhone will limit certain settings when it is not in a familiar place, like your house or workplace.
Enabling this setting will stop hackers from accessing passwords saved on your iPhones, controlling your accounts, stealing money, or locking you out of your digital memories.
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Copia enters a 5-year partnership with Visa
- Telkom tests six electric vans in South Africa
- Bolt drivers are independent contractors in Nigeria
Copia enters a 5-year partnership with Visa
Copia Global has announced a 5-year strategic partnership with Visa to offer middle-class and lower-class consumers access to several innovative solutions in Kenya.
This news comes almost a month after the eCommerce company announced it would start a campaign to increase sales via its mobile app.
The collaboration will give users access to a digital wallet that integrates financial services with online shopping. Customers can shop and make payments with Visa cards on this platform, granting them access to other financial services.
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This covers remittance services, Visa's loyalty programmes, "Save Now, Buy Later" savings, Visa’s loyalty solutions, and Buy Now, Pay Later credit.
The partnership aims to enhance financial inclusion, empowering users to manage their finances more effectively.
“Our partnership with Visa will impact millions of lives by providing unparalleled access to digital financial services and fulfils Copia’s ambition to be a one-stop shop for all underserved customers in Africa,” said Tim Steel, Copia’s CEO.
In April 2023, the B2C eCommerce platform suspended its operations in Uganda to focus on growing Kenya’s operations into a profitable company.
Telkom tests six electric vans in South Africa
Telkom, a South African telco, is testing six electric vehicles, Telkom T-Connect vans.
Users can pay their bills, place orders for delivery via Telkom's online store, and register for digital services like fibre-to-the-home by scanning the embedded QR codes on the T-Connect fleet.
Per the telco, all services provided by the vans are zero-rated, which means that no customer information is needed for users to top off data, visit the eCommerce site, establish a connection to the account payment portal, or register for any digital services offered by Telkom.
Locally manufactured by South African company MellowVans, the vans will offer digital services to beachfront, office parks, gated communities, and events in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.
The telco states that previously unemployed young people drive the EVs in exchange for commissions from sales and sign-ups. It also mentions that Delivery ka Speed, a township delivery partner, has accredited all drivers.
Despite being the country's third-largest mobile network provider, Telkom has struggled to compete with MTN and Vodacom's duopoly in the mobile phone market.
Thus, Telkom's foray into the electric vehicle sector is a component of a broader plan to diversify sources of income and increase the range of services it provides beyond conventional telecommunications.
This news comes a week after the South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition unveiled the government's plans to launch its first EV in 2026.
What’s more, on December 14, 2023, Telkom will launch its flagship "store of the future," an omnichannel outlet, in Pretoria's Menlyn Shopping Centre.
Sidebar Alert: Telkom selected Delivery Ka Speed in September 2023 as one of its strategic consumer dealers to deliver its goods in townships in the provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, and the North West.
Bolt drivers are independent contractors in Nigeria
Bolt Nigeria has clarified the “dispute” with the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). .
Bolt’s Senior Public Policy Manager for West Africa, North Africa, and Central Africa, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said the drivers are independent contractors, not workers or employees, as the union suggested preceding their formal registration as a trade union.
Formerly the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON), in August 2023, the union changed its name to the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) following the issuance of its trade union certificate.
Consequently, AUATON covers all gig workers engaged in the transportation industry, a shift from AUATWON, which had a narrower focus and included all transporters.
This means the union is not a worker’s union, and the drivers are not employees.
This move has implications but marks a step towards greater autonomy and independence for Bolt drivers. Since drivers are now independent contractors, they might have more flexibility in selecting their work schedules and processes.
Although independence offers flexibility, it can also present drawbacks, such as losing access to traditional employment benefits and job security. Bolt drivers may face increased responsibility for managing their taxes, insurance, and other aspects of self-employment.
Sidebar Alert: The ride-hailing company revealed on December 6, 2023, that it had suspended over 5,000 drivers in the previous six months for safety-related violations and non-compliance.
Bolt's Country Manager, Yahaya Mohammed, disclosed that the company was stepping up security on its platform, paying attention to drivers and riders.
In case you missed it
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What I'm reading and watching
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Opportunities
- Sporty Group is looking for a Senior Data Scientist. Apply here.
- LifeBank is hiring a Product Designer. To apply, check out this post by December 15.
- Remote is looking for a remote product designer. Apply here.
- Lawyers Hub has opened applications for its 2023 Startup Law Accelerator program. Apply here.
- If you are a female between the ages of 18 and 28 who lives in Africa and is interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, apply for the CyberGirls Fellowship by December 11, 2023 here.
- Do you live in Nigeria and work with a local or foreign company? Whether it's remotely, on-site, hybrid, full-time, part-time or as a freelancer, @TheIntelpoint is trying to understand the Nigerian workspace: how you work, and toxicity in the workspace among others. Please, fill out the questionnaire 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 fantastic Wednesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
