Anneyonghaseyo,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Gebeya transitions into a talent cloud provider
- CBN might shut down crypto websites in Nigeria
- Teraco plans to build $106 million solar facility
Gebeya transitions into a talent cloud provider
Gebeya, a SaaS-enabled tech talent marketplace, has transitioned into an all-in-one talent cloud provider.
The company, founded in 2017 as an edtech startup, has evolved into a multi-sided marketplace that now provides Software-as-a-Service solutions via Gebeya 3.0, which includes the Gebeya Talent Cloud (G-TC) platform.
The AI-powered platform provides scalable solutions, addressing many organisational requirements, including public, private, strategic, and sourcing talent clouds.
Through Gebeya's talent cloud solutions, professionals across various sectors can access opportunities aligned with their skills and interests. For instance, software developers can join Talent Clouds offered by partners like Microsoft, gaining access to skills, jobs, and networking opportunities within specific ecosystems.
According to the company, this evolution reflects its seven-year journey of empowering thousands of talented individuals and forming partnerships with industry leaders, including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and the Mastercard Foundation.
For instance, the company partnered with Microsoft to launch a 300,000-strong African Talent Cloud focused on Microsoft Azure and AI skills in December 2023. This platform aims to facilitate digital transformation efforts by connecting businesses and professionals within the Microsoft ecosystem.
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Looking ahead, Gebeya aims to elevate Africa's potential and global competitiveness through its innovative Talent Cloud technology, fostering collaboration and empowerment within the African tech ecosystem.
CBN might shut down crypto websites in Nigeria
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might consider blocking Nigerians from accessing crypto websites to counter the weakening of the naira.
Though unconfirmed, a source familiar with the matter suggested that the central bank could use telecommunications companies to block access to these websites and apps in Nigeria.
This move comes after Binance suspended peer-to-peer (P2P) activities on February 20, 2024. Users expressed concern about the absence of USDT buy ads on the platform.
Binance responded with a statement emphasising its commitment to providing a market-driven, fraud-free platform, but did not specify the reason for suspending crypto activities.
Binance stated that it’s collaborating with local authorities, lawmakers, and regulators to ensure compliance.
However, a user named Brother Bernard claimed that the CBN, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are collaborating with Binance to set a cap for USDT traders.
On February 21, 2024, Binance issued another statement explaining the suspension of peer-to-peer trading on its platform. It stated that its system automatically pauses during significant currency movements to prevent abuse and that a temporary suppression exceeded system limits, necessitating adjustments.
Users expressed scepticism despite Binance's explanations, seeing the move as a joint effort with the CBN to regulate trading and resulting in a decline in platform trust. Several platforms listed alternatives to Binance, with users complaining that the platform is unreliable.
What's more, a few hours later, Binance resumed P2P trading with 1 USDT trading at over ₦1,840.
Teraco plans to build $106 million solar facility
Teraco, a player in the African colocation scene, plans to build a massive 120-megawatt solar power plant in South Africa's Free State province to power up its data centres and give Eskom, the country's electric company, a run for its money.
Teraco's CEO, Jan Hnizdo, revealed that the company has finally secured some grid space from Eskom. It will cost the company R2 billion (roughly $106 million) to get the solar project up and running within the next 18 months.
The company figures that by connecting to the national power grid through Eskom's grid connection, it will be able to send its solar power across the nation, keeping Teraco's data centres operational.
Once operational, the company expects to churn out over 338,000 MWh of power each year.
With Eskom constantly dropping the ball on power, companies in South Africa are looking for other options. Eskom's infamous load shedding has caused business disruptions, so with this new move, people can avoid them like hot potatoes.
CEO Hnizdo reckons this grid allocation is a game-changer, bringing them one step closer to their green energy dreams. It’s been chasing these approvals for ages, and now it's all about making it happen, pronto.
Teraco collaborated with Subsolar and Juwi Renewable Energies South Africa to bring this solar show to life. Juwi is in charge of the design and construction, while Subsolar is responsible for the installation.
In case you missed it
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- Why this French investor does not look for unicorns in Africa
- Sawari Ventures to back Egyptian startups with $150 million fund
- COMESA competition commission commences investigations into ATC and Airtel Africa
What I'm reading and watching
- WhatsApp adds formatting support for lists, block quotes, and inline code
- Why the God of the Bible is Evil
- Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal
Opportunities
- Curious about the role of investors in a funding downturn? Join us for an insightful discussion tomorrow, Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 6 p.m. WAT, in our X space! Set a reminder here.
- UpdraftPlus is looking for a PHP Software Developer lead. Apply here.
- Phantom is hiring a senior Product Designer. Apply here.
- Selar launches Selar Tuition Funds, offering ₦100,000 to 50 final year Nigerian students to ease education costs. Additionally, internship opportunities will be provided to enhance their career growth. Apply by February 21, 2024, here.
- Application for the Innovest Afrika accelerator programme is open. Apply by February 14, 2024, here.
- Kenyan startups focused on embedded finance, future fintech, SME productivity tools, and content like local gaming and mobile advertising can apply for Safaricom’s Spark Accelerator programme. For more information, check this out.
- The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is looking for an editor to support the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship. Apply here.
- Application for the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Class of 2025 is now open. Check out the one-year, fully sponsored, graduate-level programme in tech entrepreneurship here before March 18, 2023.
- 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.
- Explore this website to find multiple job opportunities in Data that align with your preferences.
- 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 beautiful Thursday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
