Nigerian learning tech platform, @uLessonApp is kickstarting 2021 on a high note. The startup has raised $7.5m in Series A, led by US-based Owl Ventures, bringing its total investments to $10.6m in ju…
News
Ghanaian-based fintech startup, OZÉ raises $700k seed to drive growth for African MSMEs
OZÉ, the Ghanaian fintech startup founded in 2017 to help MSMEs with capital has raised $700k in seed funding. Anorak Ventures, Matuca Sarl, and Rising Tide Africa joined Ingressive Capital and MEST t…
Nigeria’s apex bank releases framework for fintech sandboxes, QR payments
Nigerian fintech startups to face new regulations as the Central Bank of Nigeria publishes updated regulatory frameworks for fintech sandbox operations and QR code payments…
Flutterwave remains the most valuable YC-backed African startup
US seed-stage accelerator, Y Combinator released its updated Top Companies list which includes companies with $150m+ in valuation. Flutterwave is the only African startup on the list despite Paystack&…
Tokunbo Adetona to lead Nairabox as Jay Chikezie steps down from co-CEO role
Nairabox, one of Nigeria’s largest lifestyle concierge platforms, wants to pursue growth aggressively in 2021. Tokunbo Adetona will be tasked with carrying this out going forward, a responsibility he …
What you should know about the newly approved NIMC app
Four months after the Nigerian government claimed responsibility for a faulty NIMC mobile app, it formally confirms it for public use. Now with some interesting features, this may lead up to achieving…
Bitsika posts impressive 2020 metrics including a 4,000% increase in transaction volume from 2019
Joining a growing list of private fintech startups that have shared numbers publicly in the past, Ghana’s Bitsika posted impressive metrics in its fiscal year of 2020 (Jan 1, 2020 – Jan 1, 2021)…
Techpoint Africa is 6! We are just getting started
They say 50% of businesses don’t make it past their 5th year; Techpoint Africa is officially 6 years!! We made it, in spite of the pandemic!!! Here are our favourite milestones in 2020 and futur…
Google Nigeria top search trends 2020: Coronavirus, US elections top list
Data collated by Google in its annual top searches shows that Nigerians searched more for the coronavirus and the US election in 2020. It also didn’t leave out the sad moments featuring notable deaths…
5 months after expanding to South Africa, Nigeria’s Kiakiaprint goes to the US and Canada
Following its expansion to South Africa, Kiakiaprint, a Nigerian print-on-demand startup, is now live in the North American countries of Canada and the US. Here’s what you need to know about the expan…
Nigeria’s apex bank bans Mobile Money Operators from receiving remittances
Citing alleged defaults in its recent directive, Nigeria’s Apex bank has banned mobile money operators from receiving remittances. It has also ordered payment switches to stop processing remitta…
Burning questions arising as the Nigerian government plans to block SIM cards without NIN
Following the Nigerian government’s latest directive, millions of mobile subscribers without a National Identification Number could be blocked in two weeks. We explore some questions this move b…
With $950k pre-seed, OnePipe is building a super aggregator for every financial service API in Nigeria
OnePipe aggregates APIs from banks and fintechs into a unified gateway that makes partnerships seamless. Here’s why the Techstars-backed startup raised $950k in pre-seed investment and its plans to fo…
Kenyan healthtech startup, Ilara Health, raises $3.75m Series A led by TLcom Capital
Ilara Health has raised $3.75m to expand its diagnostic reach across Africa. This is two months after receiving a $1.1m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and securing a $735k seed in…
Senegalese-based solar energy startup, Oolu Solar, raises $8.5m Series B
With over 60,000 solar home systems sold in five African markets since launching in 2015, Senegalese-based solar energy startup, Oolu Solar, has raised $8.5m Series B for product development and expan…
After Ekocab, Lagos yellow taxis partner with new ride-hailing company
Amidst backlash a few months ago, ride-hailing company, Ekocab, partnered with Lagos yellow cab drivers. However, a new ride-hailing company appears to have struck another deal. We try looking behind …
Disney partners Africa’s Kugali Media for animated series set in Lagos, Nigeria
The African entertainment industry could be set for another landmark as Disney, in collaboration with African entertainment entity, Kugali Media, plans a movie series adaptation of pan-African comic b…
Why you can no longer buy or register new SIM cards in Nigeria, for now
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has temporarily suspended the sales, registration and activation of new SIM cards for all telcos and ISPs. With laudable plans at play, we explore what thi…
Nigerian pop artiste, Mr Eazi, to offer fans equity in his yet-to-be-released music
Six months ago, Nigerian pop artiste, Mr Eazi, launched a $20m Africa Music Fund for up-and-coming artistes. Now, he is starting another music-and-tech adventure but this time, it’s with his fa…
Some Google Maps users have been struggling with navigation on the app
If you’re one of the many Nigerians regularly using Google Maps, you may have noticed some navigation glitches on the mobile app. Having confirmed the situation, Google says it’s working to reso…