This Content Policy governs all submissions to Brand Press, Techpoint Africa’s platform for publishing corporate announcements from startups, corporations, agencies, or PR firms operating in Africa’s technology ecosystem. 

All submissions must adhere to these guidelines. Any material that violates the policies outlined below may be rejected, edited, labeled, or removed at Techpoint Africa’s sole discretion.

1. Purpose & Scope

1.1 Purpose

This policy exists to protect reader trust and maintain Brand Press as a reliable source of credible, value-adding news for Africa’s tech ecosystem. Our guidelines ensure that all published content meets quality standards, reflects accurate information, and delivers genuine value to our audience.

1.2 Who Must Comply

These guidelines apply to all parties submitting content to Brand Press, including but not limited to:

• Founders and startup teams
• Established technology companies
• Corporate communications departments
• Public relations agencies
• Marketing teams
• Any authorised third party submitting on a client’s behalf

1.3 Covered Material

This policy governs all press releases and announcements, including:

• Product and feature launches
• Funding announcements
• Partnership and collaboration news
• Market entries and expansions
• Corporate social responsibility initiatives
• Major business milestones
• Event announcements
• Executive and leadership appointments
• Time-sensitive corporate statements

Note: Thought-leadership pieces and opinion editorials fall outside the scope of Brand Press. For these types of content, please consider our Publishing Partner programme.

2. Audience Fit (“Right-Fit Definition”)

2.1 Primary Readers

Brand Press reaches a diverse audience across Africa’s technology ecosystem, including:

• Startup founders and entrepreneurs
• Technology professionals and enthusiasts
•  Investors and venture capitalists
• Policy influencers and regulators
• Industry operators and decision-makers
• Technology journalists and media professionals

Our readers are looking for timely, accurate information about developments, innovations, and opportunities within Africa’s technology landscape.

2.2 Relevance Test

For content to be considered appropriate for Brand Press, it must meet two essential criteria:

1. Industry Relevance: The announcement must concern technology, digital services, or innovation-driven sectors operating in or affecting African markets.
2. News Value: The content must present new or materially updated information that would be of genuine interest to our audience, such as significant business developments, innovations, or market activities.

Submissions that don’t clearly connect to Africa’s technology ecosystem or lack newsworthy elements may be rejected or recommended for alternative publication channels.

3. Allowed Categories

Brand Press accepts announcements in the following categories, provided they meet our relevance and quality standards:

Product and Feature Launches

• New products or services entering the market
• Significant updates or enhancements to existing offerings
• Beta releases of potentially market-changing solutions

Funding Rounds, Grants, or Awards

• Investment announcements with specified amounts and lead investors
• Grant acquisitions from notable institutions
• Recognition through industry awards or competitions

Partnerships, Mergers & Acquisitions

• Strategic partnerships between companies
• Joint ventures and collaborative initiatives
• Merger announcements and acquisition details

Market Entries and Expansions

• Company launches in new African markets
• Significant regional expansion announcements
• New office openings in strategic locations

Major User or Revenue Milestones

• Achievement of significant user numbers
• Notable revenue or growth benchmarks
• Anniversary announcements with substantive achievements

CSR or Sustainability Initiatives

• Technology-focused social impact programs
• Environmental sustainability efforts by tech companies
• Community development initiatives with technological components

Event Announcements

• Industry conferences and summits
• Webinars and virtual events
• Hackathons and innovation challenges
• Product demonstrations and launches

Executive or Board Appointments

• C-suite and leadership appointments
• Board member additions
• Key technical or operational role announcements

Time-Critical Advisories

• Security updates or patches
• Service interruption notifications
• Data breach disclosures (when legally required)

Each submission should clearly identify which category it belongs to and focus on delivering substantive information relevant to that category.

4. Prohibited & Restricted Content

4.1 Fully Disallowed Content

The following content types are not permitted on Brand Press under any circumstances:

Content Written Solely for SEO or Link-Building Purposes

• Content primarily designed to manipulate search rankings
• Link-building schemes or artificial backlink generation
• Keyword-stuffed announcements with minimal news value.

Please contact a representative regarding our Publishing Partner programme, which is better aligned with these objectives.

Political Campaign or Lobbying Materials

• Electoral campaign announcements
• Political endorsements or advocacy
• Lobbying for specific legislation or policies

Gambling, Betting, or Lotteries

• Online gambling platforms or services
• Sports betting announcements
• Lottery or raffle promotions

Cryptocurrency Token Sales, ICOs/IDOs, Airdrops

• Initial coin offering announcements
• Token generation events
• Cryptocurrency airdrop campaigns

Medical or Health-Efficacy Claims

• Unverified health benefits or medical claims
• Therapeutic effect statements without regulatory approval
• Disease prevention or treatment claims

Adult or Sexually Explicit Products/Services

• Content containing explicit material
• Adult entertainment services
• Products with primarily adult-oriented uses

Weapons, Defense-Related Offerings

• Firearms or ammunition sales
• Military equipment or services
• Self-defense products with potential for harm

Alcohol, Tobacco, or Recreational-Drug Promotions

• Alcoholic beverage marketing
• Tobacco or e-cigarette promotions
• Cannabis or other recreational drug announcements

Content Primarily Targeting Minors (<18)

• Products or services specifically marketed to children
• Youth-focused promotional campaigns
• Apps or services requiring parental consent

Forward-Looking Financial Projections Presented as Fact

• Unsubstantiated financial forecasts
• Revenue predictions without clear disclaimers
• Market valuation claims without verified basis

Unverified Superlatives

• Claims of being “first,” “best,” or “largest” without supporting evidence
• Industry-leading statements without verification
• Record-breaking claims without documentation

AI-Generated Text or Imagery That Lacks Human Review

• Content created entirely by AI without human oversight
• AI-generated visuals presented as authentic photographs
• Automated content lacking factual verification

4.2 Conditional Content (Allowed Only if Stated Requirements Are Met)

• Financial/Funding Claims: Must state public source or be attributable to named investor with their consent. Example: “Company X raised $2M led by Investor Y, according to the company’s CEO.”
• Regulatory/Medical Statements: Must cite relevant regulatory approval or peer-reviewed source. Example: “Our medical device received [Regulatory Body] approval on [Date] for the specific use of [approved application].”
• Sensitive Imagery: Must be copyright-cleared, non-graphic, and contextually appropriate. All images must respect individuals’ dignity and privacy rights.

5. Truth & Liability

5.1 Accuracy Attestation

By submitting content to Brand Press, you affirm that:

• All factual statements, claims, and data points are accurate and truthful
• You hold all necessary rights to the content, including text, images, and trademarks
• You have secured appropriate permissions for any quotes or endorsements from third parties
• All claims can be substantiated if requested

Making false statements or misrepresentations may result in immediate removal of content and potential restriction from future submissions.

5.2 Non-Verification Notice

Brand Press does not independently fact-check or verify claims made in submissions. Each published post carries the following disclaimer:

“This Brand Press post is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment guidance. Always conduct your own due diligence.”

Readers are advised to verify information independently, especially regarding investment opportunities, product capabilities, or market claims.

5.3 Right to Request Documentation or Retract

While Brand Press does not routinely verify submissions, we reserve the right to:

• Request supporting documentation for any claims that appear questionable
• Remove or amend content if credible evidence of inaccuracy emerges
• Publish corrections or retractions if necessary to maintain reader trust

Submitters should be prepared to substantiate any claims upon request, particularly regarding funding amounts, user metrics, or market position statements.

6. Language & Regional Considerations

6.1 Accepted Languages

Brand Press primarily publishes content in English, reflecting the primary language preference of our readership. We also accept submissions in French for announcements specifically targeting Francophone African markets or audiences.

Currently, we do not support submissions in Arabic, Portuguese, or local African languages. If you believe your announcement would best serve the audience in another language, please contact the Brand Press team to discuss potential accommodations.

6.2 English Copy

French-language submissions targeting Francophone audiences are not required to provide an English translation. However, we recommend including an English version whenever possible to maximise reach across the broader African technology ecosystem.

For multilingual companies, consider which language will best reach your target audience for the specific announcement.

6.3 Spelling & Style

Brand Press follows British English spelling and punctuation conventions. This includes:

• Using “s” rather than “z” in words like “organisation” (not “organization”)
• Using double quotation marks for quoted material
• Following British conventions for date formatting (DD Month YYYY)

Submissions may be lightly edited for consistency with our house style, though we strive to maintain the original voice and meaning of all content.

7. Style & Tone

7.1 Voice

Brand Press announcements should be written in a third-person, factual, and professional voice. Avoid:

• Second-person address (“you,” “your”) that creates a direct marketing tone
• First-person plural (“we,” “our”) except in attributed quotes
• Overly casual or conversational styles that undermine credibility

Example:

❌ “You’ll love our revolutionary new app that transforms how you manage your finances!”

✅ “Company X today launched its new financial management application, designed to streamline personal budgeting through automated categorization.”

7.2 Clarity

Clarity should be prioritised over complexity. This means:

• Avoiding unexplained jargon or technical terms
• Spelling out acronyms on first use (e.g., “Application Programming Interface (API)”)
• Using plain language where possible without oversimplifying important concepts
• Providing context for industry-specific terms

8. Structural & Technical Requirements

8.1 Word Count

• Brand Press announcements should be comprehensive yet concise:
• Recommended length: 800–1,500 words
• Minimum: No strict minimum, but submissions under 500 words may lack sufficient detail
• Maximum: No strict maximum, but submissions exceeding 2,000 words should be particularly substantive

Focus on quality over quantity. Include all relevant information while avoiding unnecessary repetition or filler content.

8.2 Links

• External linking in Brand Press submissions is limited:
• Maximum of one outbound link to your company website or relevant landing page
• The link will automatically receive a “no-follow” tag for search engine purposes
• Additional citations to reputable sources may be included at the editor’s discretion
• Avoid embedding links within crucial information as they may be removed

8.3 Images

Visual elements enhance your announcement:

• You can include up to five images, including one featured image
• Featured image appears at the top of the post and in social sharing
• Maximum file size: 500 KB per image
• Formats accepted: JPG and PNG only
• All images must be properly licensed for commercial use
• Provide appropriate alt text for accessibility

8.4 Multimedia

Currently, Brand Press has limited multimedia support:

• Embedded videos are not directly supported
• If video content is crucial to your announcement, include a text link within the body
• File attachments (PDFs, presentations, etc.) cannot be hosted
• Consider creating a dedicated landing page for multimedia content and linking to it

9. Submission Process

9.1 Who May Submit

Brand Press accepts submissions from:

• Official company representatives with verifiable corporate credentials
• Founders and executive team members
• Authorised public relations or marketing agencies acting on behalf of a company
• Corporate communications professionals

All submitters must be able to demonstrate their authority to speak on behalf of the company being featured.

9.2 Contact Details

When submitting content, you must provide:

• The official name of the issuing entity (company, organisation, etc.)
• A verifiable contact person and email address for internal communication
• Publication of contact information within the announcement is optional but recommended

This information is used for verification purposes and to address any questions that may arise during the review process.

9.3 Upload Portal

All submissions must be made through the official Brand Press dashboard:

• Create or log into your Brand Press account
• Complete all required metadata fields
• Upload your content in the specified format
• Attach approved images as required
• Direct email submissions or submissions through other channels will not be accepted.

9.4 Scheduling

Brand Press offers flexible publishing options:

• Choose publication within 2-hour window
• Schedule for a specific future date and time
• Coordinate with product launches, funding announcements, or other timing requirements

Brand Press does not manage embargoed content. Your selected publication time is when the content will go live if approved.

9.5 Confirmation

After submission, you will receive an automated notification confirming receipt. Your submission enters our editorial review queue and any required changes will be communicated clearly with rationales

9.6 Policy Acceptance

All submitters must explicitly accept this content policy prior to payment and submission. By proceeding with submission and payment, you affirm that:

• You have read and understood all policy requirements
• Your content complies with all stated guidelines
• You accept Techpoint Africa’s editorial authority regarding your submission.

10. Payment & Refunds

10.1 Pre-payment Model

Brand Press operates on a pre-payment model:

• All fees must be paid before editorial review begins
• Payment alone does not guarantee publication
• Pricing information is available on the Brand Press dashboard
• Various payment methods are accepted as indicated on the payment page
• When submitting, you select your preferred publication date and time
• Payment is the only action that guarantees your chosen publication slot
• While your selected date/time will be temporarily reserved, this reservation will be automatically cancelled after 30 minutes if payment is not completed

10.2 Non-compliant Submissions

If your submission does not meet our content guidelines:

• The Brand Press team will contact you with specific feedback
• Required corrections will be clearly outlined
• You will have the opportunity to revise your submission
• Publication will proceed only after all required corrections have been implemented and approved

We strive to work with submitters to bring their content into compliance rather than outright rejecting submissions.

10.3 Refund Policy

In cases where compliance cannot be achieved:

• If corrections are not possible or you decline to make required changes
• If the content falls into a prohibited category that cannot be remediated
• If the announcement is no longer timely or relevant during the correction process

Techpoint Africa offers two options:

• Refund (less Paystack transaction charges) processed within 5-10 working days, OR
• Account credit for a future submission (no expiration date)

To request a refund, please contact brandpress@businessfront.com with your transaction reference.

10.4 Account Credits

If you choose the account credit option:

• The full amount paid will be credited to your Brand Press wallet
• Credits can be applied to any future Brand Press submission
• Credits have no expiration date
• Credits must be used in full for a single submission (no partial credit use)
• Credits are non-transferable between accounts

Account balance and credit information will be accessible from your Brand Press dashboard.

11. Editorial Review & Enforcement

11.1 Initial Screening

• All submissions undergo an editorial review process:
• Content is checked for compliance with prohibited content guidelines
• Formatting, grammar, and readability are assessed
• Relevance to our audience and adherence to category definitions are evaluated
• Basic factual consistency is verified (though detailed fact-checking is not performed)

This screening typically takes less than an hour.

11.2 Outcomes

After review, one of three outcomes will occur:

• Approve: Content meets all guidelines and will be published as scheduled
• Request Revisions: Minor to moderate changes are needed before publication
• Reject: Content significantly violates guidelines and cannot be published even with revisions

When revisions are requested, detailed feedback will be provided with specific areas requiring attention.

11.3 Edits

The Brand Press team may make certain modifications:

• Minor grammatical corrections or British English spelling adjustments
• Formatting changes to conform to Brand Press style guidelines
• Adjustment of headlines that exceed character limits
• Addition of required disclaimers or notices

Substantive edits that could alter the meaning of your announcement will not be made without your approval. You will have the opportunity to review such changes before publication.

11.4 Post-publication

After your announcement is published:

• Techpoint Africa may unpublish content if new information reveals guideline violations
• Factual errors may be corrected with appropriate notation
• Updates may be applied at the editorial team’s discretion for critical inaccuracies

Repeated submission of non-compliant content may result in account suspension and restriction from future submissions.

12. Policy Updates

Ongoing Policy Evolution

Brand Press content policies may be updated periodically to:

• Adapt to changes in the media and technology landscape
• Address emerging content categories or formats
• Refine our standards based on submitter and reader feedback
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry best practices

Notification Process

When material changes to this policy occur:

• Existing users will receive notification via the Brand Press dashboard
• Email alerts will be sent to the account email on record
• A summary of significant changes will be provided
• The policy page will display the last update date

If you have questions regarding how a policy update affects your submissions, please contact our support team via chat or email brandpress@businessfront.com. Reference the specific policy section in question when seeking clarification.