South Africa’s Grindstone Accelerator has secured a $1.5 million investment from the SA SME Fund and has finalised partnership agreements with Google for Startups and Deloitte to extend its reach. The investment and partnerships will see Grindstone, run by VC firm Knife Capital, greatly increase activities by doubling intake numbers, digitising learning…
Author: AdeO
As global numbers continue to rise, and with Coronavirus (Covid-19) reported in a number of countries across Africa, including in Nigeria, Facebook continues in its commitment in helping to keep people safe and informed globally, and locally through local partnerships, and updates to its platform. This includes: Supporting the Nigeria…
Jumia has announced a major partnership with Reckitt Benckiser, the global health products manufacturer to help consumers access hygienic products at the lowest price. The partnership will provide a steady supply of hygiene products such as soap bars, disinfectants, and liquid hand wash at affordable pricing. These products are facing…
MusicTime, the world’s first time-based music streaming application has revealed its new corporate identity. The logo was revealed this week via social media, following months of research and testing, and has already found favour across the market. MusicTime was first launched in South Africa in December 2018 and it is…
Worried about the coronavirus and how to keep it from affecting your small business? From a health standpoint, working in a small office may be one of the safest places you can be. There are fewer workers than in large businesses, and you’ll notice anyone who gets sick. From a financial standpoint,…
uLesson Education Limited, an edtech startup owned by Sim Shagaya has launched an application which offers West African students a holistic curriculum-relevant learning experience in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The app, uLesson, allows students in Nigeria (SS1-3), Ghana (SHS1-3), Liberia (Grade 10-12), Sierra Leone (S1-3), and Gambia (S1-3) prepare…
JET Motor Company, a Nigerian automobile manufacturer, has secured $9 million seed funding from Canadian-based Africa Development Capital, Greatman Legend and a number of Asian investors. The company will use the money to fund the research and development of its electric vehicles which it has called JET EV. It might…
The digital content distribution company, Publiseer, has been selected as one of the 10 socially driven businesses of the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize by the Human Security Division of the Swiss FDFA, to join the Seedstars Investment Readiness Program (IRP). The Migration Entrepreneurship prize aims at supporting socially driven businesses that…
YouTube has launched YouTube Music and YouTube Premium, two digital services in Nigeria. The launch, which had Naira Marley, a Nigerian street singer, as the celebrity guest, held on Wednesday in a Lagos event that united music lovers and showbusiness moguls alike. The Google-owned music platform will offer access to…
Lagos State Yellow taxi/Cab Drivers Association has launched a ride-hailing service called EkoCab to enhance their operational efficiency. Speaking at the launch of the app in Ikeja, Lagos transport commissioner Frederic Oladeinde urged the drivers to be civil and operate in compliance with the regulations that guide public transportation in…
ARM has announced Eferobosa Oguegbu of The Paper Packaging Company as winner of the 2020 edition of the Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) program held on March 6th, 2020 at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos. DAAYTA 2020 focused on identifying startups with a minimum viable product (MVP) and…
iCreate Africa has become a skills hub to help tackle unemployment in Nigeria. iCreate Africa has a mandate to fill up 5 million jobs in technical skills trades, the organization has made huge strides within the first 2 years of existence. In 2019, the organization hosted three regional competitions across…
Airtel Africa Plc has acquired additional spectrum for its Nigerian operation, the company said, after receiving approval from the communications regulator. A sum of $94 million was paid to Intercellular Nigeria Limited for the 10 new MHz spectrum (in the 900 MHz band), including fees payable to the Nigerian Communications…
Jumia Nigeria has delisted 390 products belonging to 168 sellers of hand sanitisers and face masks from its platform. The move followed a warning issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to sellers engaged in an arbitrary increase in prices of protective and hygiene products in the wake…
eBay has stepped up its efforts to prevent price rise by banning all face masks and hand sanitizers from its site. eBay sent a notice to sellers that said it’s blocking new listings for hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and surgical masks, including N95 and N100 masks, “effectively immediately.” The decision, which only applies to…
As part of its ongoing celebration of International Women’s Day, and under the banner of this year’s theme #EachforEqual, Facebook honours women from across Africa who have been using their voices to bring people together, build and make a significant impact in their communities, while inspiring other women by changing…
Timbu.com, a Mauritian travel site, has announced plans to invest $25k in 20 travel startups in each Southern African country. The travel agency, focused on African destinations, is currently a market leader in Nigeria and other West African countries and now aims to grow its presence in South Africa by…
Facebook is reportedly altering its plans for its own digital currency after resistance from regulators. The new plan may accommodate more cryptocurrencies and digital versions of established currencies. The Libra Association, which Facebook founded to create the currency, will continue its work, according to reports. The plan will include Libra,…
AYO, a South African technology investment group has launched a $12.7 million fund to support and invest in African startups. The fund is aimed at second-round funding opportunities for companies that have a proof of concept and that are ready to scale. The announcement was made at the Fast Company…
Applications are now open for the 2020 Orange Prize for Social Entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle East. Until June 5, 2020, candidates will have the opportunity to submit their project on the website https://startup.orange.com/ in the section dedicated to OPSEAM. Awarded by Orange, this prize rewards technological projects with positive impact…