Shalom,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Nigeria launches CNG conversion app
- Why Quizac is shutting down
- TikTok slashes its African headcount
Nigeria launches CNG conversion app

The Nigerian government has rolled out a new app to help people switch from petrol to compressed natural gas (CNG) as part of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI).
Available on Google Play and the Apple Store, the app helps users find nearby conversion centres, book appointments, and get discounts and updates on fuel prices.
It's especially geared towards ride-hailing drivers, offering them discounts through the RideShare CNG Conversion Incentive Program, which could help lower their booking prices with Uber, Bolt, and other services.
The app, which is currently on version 1.2.4 and is just 36.6 MB, has had some issues. Users have reported problems with email verification and mismatched names with their National Identification Numbers (NIN), making it tough to sign up and log in. The government is aware of these glitches and says it’s working to fix them.
Despite these hiccups, the push for CNG is strong because it’s a cheaper alternative to petrol. E-hailing drivers are especially interested in converting, as it can significantly lower their fuel costs.
The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) is even offering a repayment plan that could save drivers around ₦260,000 a month on fuel.
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In other news, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has also introduced a 50% discount on CNG conversions through their MY-CNG App, which is perfect for Uber and Bolt drivers.
Why Quizac is shutting down
Imagine turning studying into a game that kids can’t get enough of—that’s exactly what Quizac did!
Launched in 2019 by Tade Samson and his team, Quizac made learning fun for Nigerian students with quizzes and materials in subjects like physics, math, and chemistry.
Here’s what happened: When they saw how hard it was to get kids to study but how easy it was to get them hooked on games, they jumped on Nigeria’s smartphone trend. They created a gamified learning platform for kids, kind of like Duolingo but covering more subjects.
Parents were thrilled because it turned their kids’ love for video games into something educational. At its peak, Quizac had over 12,000 young learners using the platform.
To keep things fresh, Quizac used crowdsourced content, letting users create material that their team would review and add. With this new approach, they aimed to raise $250,000 from investors.
Up until then, they’d mostly been funded by the founders, a bit from friends and family, and $5,000 from pitch competitions.
In 2022, they got a $250,000 offer from a South African VC but turned it down due to the terms and proposed a counteroffer instead.
Now, Quizac is shutting down. It’s a real bummer, but why? Check out the full story to find out why Quizac had to close its doors in Chimgozirim's latest.
TikTok slashes its African headcount
TikTok, the popular Chinese short-form video app, laid off a bunch of employees from its African team in June 2024.
This came a month after they announced global cuts, especially targeting marketing and operations teams.
It turns out they’d already let go of some staff in March 2024, but the June layoffs were even bigger, hitting over 100 people across marketing, content ops, and trust and safety.
Most affected were from TikTok's teams in Nigeria and South Africa. And it looks like more layoffs might be coming in the third quarter of 2024. This round of cuts is the biggest TikTok's seen in a while, as they usually do smaller restructures.
The layoffs were expected to hit teams handling user support, communications, content, and marketing. The company’s been planning this for nearly a year, but delays happened due to high employee turnover.
While some speculated the layoffs were linked to TikTok's regulatory issues in the US, the company says they’re just reviewing and adjusting their operations.
TikTok isn’t alone in cutting jobs in Africa; Meta and Microsoft have also reduced their teams on the continent recently.
In case you missed it
- Not your regular Millennial: 12 years, ONLY two jobs—And it's not what you think
What I'm watching
- The Dark Side of Empathy
Opportunities
- Pillser is hiring a UI/UX designer. Apply here.
- Livingston Research is hiring a freelance content writer/copywriter. Apply here.
- Pitch Friday is this Friday, August 16, 2024. To attend, apply here.
- Are you a startup founder or operator in search of like minds to learn and grow with? Join Techpoint Africa's community to access resources, network, and build the future here.
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Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.