Halo,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Asia’s richest man eyes Ghana’s telco space
- How mobile games are also a playground for scammers
- Why there's a silent bias against Africa for EMEA roles
Asia’s richest man eyes Ghana’s telco space
Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest tycoon, is stepping into Ghana’s telecom scene with Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC), a project set to tap into the booming mobile broadband market.
Spearheaded by Radisys Corp., a Reliance Industries Ltd. subsidiary, NGIC aims to roll out 5G broadband services in Ghana starting later this year.
Backed by tech giants like Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and Microsoft, NGIC aims to provide affordable digital services in emerging markets, leveraging Ghana’s growing telecom sector. Teaming up with local players like Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. and K-NET, along with Ghana’s government, bolsters NGIC’s foothold in the market.
Securing exclusive rights to offer 5G services in Ghana for the next decade, NGIC is in sync with Ghana’s vision to digitally connect the entire nation within six years. With a hefty investment of $145 million over three years, NGIC is eyeing a replication of the success seen by Ambani’s Jio Infocomm Ltd. in India.
Ghana’s sizable population of over 33 million presents a lucrative market for NGIC, given the rising demand for budget-friendly mobile broadband services. Success in Ghana could pave the way for similar ventures across the continent, fostering digital connectivity and economic progress.
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How mobile games are also a playground for scammers
Mobile games are booming in Africa, with titles like Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM), Fortnite, PUBG, and Candy Crush. Africa now has the second-highest number of mobile gamers globally, with 253 million players, right after Southeast Asia's 323 million.
Many African gamers have transitioned from casual play to becoming pro players and content creators. However, these games are also becoming hunting grounds for scammers. An eye-opening post by X user Abazz sheds light on how yahoo boys use PUBG and CODM to scam people.
Scamming in these games isn't much different from social media scams. Scammers build friendships within the game, and then ask for money to buy in-game items like new guns, which are seen as status symbols.
Once the target sends the money, usually between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, the scammer might cut ties or keep asking for more.
Curious to learn more about how these gaming scams work? Check out Bolu’s full story here.
Why there's a silent bias against Africa for EMEA roles
Ever wondered how Europe, the Middle East, and Africa ended up in the same EMEA box?
Despite their economic differences, they share commonalities like time zones, languages, politics, and cultures. Plus, many African and Middle Eastern countries were once European colonies.
But this grouping affects more than just geography — it influences hiring and recruitment too. Sadly, many African applicants face marginalisation due to their location, as recruiters often assume they're not suitable for EMEA roles.
Some people shed light on this issue. Jarir Mallah, an HR Manager, shares how African talent is sidelined because roles are deemed unavailable in their region, cutting off opportunities before they even begin.
Then there's the issue of working visas. Most roles in EMEA are listed by European companies and often require candidates with existing work authorisations. So, when Africans apply, they often don't get responses.
Take it from Ndemo, a developer who's navigated global opportunities. He highlights how skills and company culture also play a role in rejections. Some companies prefer a hybrid work model over fully remote setups.
Want to dive deeper into this topic? Click the link to learn more about the challenges African applicants face in securing EMEA roles.
In case you missed it
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What I'm watching
- My Parents Were Pedophiles-Lisa
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Opportunities
- Moniepoint is currently hiring for 63 positions in the United Kingdom and several Nigerian states, including Lagos, Abia, and Anambra. Check them out here to apply.
- Monniepoint is hiring a Product Manager. Apply here.
- If you have a small business in Nigeria, Kenya, or South Africa, apply for the Google Hustle Academy here.
- If you're a Product Designer and are looking for a remote role, check out this link for several roles.
- Several companies are looking for software engineers. Check out this link to work remotely with them.
- Check out this link for several remote Product Manager roles.
- If you have an early-stage startup, apply for Pitch2Win to pitch your ideas to a panel of esteemed judges and investors. The selected startups will vie for a grand prize of $10,000 equity-free funding and an all-expense-paid trip to IVS2024 Kyoto, Japan. Apply by May 5, 2024, here.
- Apply for Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI) by May 6, 2024, 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 terrific Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
