Author: Staff Writer

Y Combinator has just launched a new video series “How to Build the future”. In this first episode, YC’s Sam Altman speaks with Mark Zuckerberg. Interviews with Bill Gates, Jessica Livingston and Elon Musk are coming soon! All episodes will be posted here: http://www.themacro.com/future/ In the first interview with Mark Zuckerberg,…

Though it was still in beta stage, blab was a good product. It seemed the future was bright but according to the CEO, Shaan Puri, “Blab was great in many ways, but it wasn’t going to be an everyday thing for millions.” Blab was a livestreaming app that competed with Twitter’s…

Shine Technologies has signed a deal to provide network-level ad blocking to the 40 million subscribers on the Econet Wireless network across Africa. The agreement marks the first availability of Shine’s network-level ad control technology in Africa, following a similar agreement with the Three Group in Europe. An analysis of Econet’s network performance…

Randstad has announced that it is acquiring employment site, Monster, for $429 million in an all-cash transaction. Randstad intends to build the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of HR services by leveraging Monster’s multiple distribution channels to bridge two different but complementary parts of the extended recruiting industry. Monster will continue operating…

Twitter has announced the suspension of 235 000 new terrorist related accounts. Earlier this year, it announced that it had suspended more than 125,000 accounts since mid-2015 for violating our longtime prohibition on violent threats and the promotion of terrorism and shared the steps we are taking as a company to combat…

This Friday, Showmax celebrates its first year anniversary. Showmax is Naspers’ answer to Netflix. By its statistics, it has had an impressive and busy year. The South African based Video on demand service has clocked up to 10 million views, which is equivalent to 700 years’ worth of TV shows and…

Facebook celebrated the creativity and excellence of young African creatives at The Loerie Awards for 2016, the premier annual advertising awards in the advertising industry in Africa and the Middle East. The Loeries Creative Week kicked off on the 15th of August and will end on the 21st of August. Facebook…

MEST will be hosting its first event in the city – an interactive session and fireside chat with experienced speakers where they talk about Investing in Tech Startups. Theme of the session is “MEST talks Lagos: Investing in tech startups.” Founded in 2008, MEST is an established incubator and training programme that…

Visa is planning to launch a QR code based mobile payment service, mVisa, in Nigeria in conjunction with some Nigerian banks before the end of the year. Launched in India in August 2015, mVisa enables consumers pay for goods by scanning a QR code on a smart phone or entering…

South African financial technology company, Zoona, has successfully raised $15 million dollars (two hundred million Rand) in a second round of financing. International Finance Corporation (IFC) led this round which includes first round investors Accion and Omidyar Network who reaffirmed their commitment by doubling their respective investments. The Lundin Foundation, a…

Two ex-Jumia Africa managers are set to launch an energy drink, named Kabisa, into the Nigerian market through a Polish firm – Mutalo Group. Kabisa is coming on the heels of a bi-polarized African beverage industry that features low-quality and cheap energy drinks on one side as well as high quality,…

Clearly Buzzfeed must have stumbled onto something with its lol, win, omg, wtf content that has made it a successful media company that there are many wannabes or copycats globally that want to ride on its success. The 80 million people (US alone) that read Buzzfeed cannot be wrong. Here is…

Etisalat Nigeria has announced the calls for entries in the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Innovation. Etisalat Prize for innovation rewards product, services or ideas that promote mobile broadband usage in Nigeria. Prizes are to be awarded in two categories: Most Innovative Product/Service category (prize of (N5,000,000) and Most Innovative Idea category (prize…

Univision has emerged the winner in the auction for Gawker Media. The TV network and digital publisher beat Ziff Davis who had originally offered $90 million for Gawker Media. The $135 million bid will encompass all seven of Gawker Media’s sites, Gawker.com,Deadspin, Lifehacker, Gizmodo, Kotaku, Jalopnik, and Jezebel. Gawker had filed for…

Google Duo works across Android and iOS — all you need is a phone number Google has announced the worldwide roll out of its one-to-one video calling app. The app was announced at Google I/O in May and rolls out globally today on Android and iOS 9 in 78 languages. Here are the…

Private transport company owners, under the aegis of Association of Private Transport Companies of Nigeria (APTCON), have called on stakeholders in the sector to tap into every potential the sector has to offer for its growth and development. Speaking on Sunday, the Convener of the association, Dr Henrietta Onwuegbuzie expressed…

SITA, the global air transport communications provider, is to roll out faster, new-generation connectivity across Kenya Airways’ global network, a vital investment in infrastructure needed to support the airline’s renewed focus on cost optimization and airline modernization. Among Africa’s top three airlines, Kenya Airways is seeking to leverage SITA’s latest…

Nigeria’s leading online classifieds site, OLX.com.ng partnered with TechCabal.com;  Nigeria’s largest tech blog focused on promoting conversations around technology, mobile and internet in Africa in a product masterclass for developers themed “Building products that will be useful to people”. Speakers at the event were Stephen Ballot, Chief Technology Officer, OLX…

Kenya’s SportPesa makes history as Hull City steps onto the field in the beginning of the English premier League today against Premier League Champions, Leicester City. It is the first African company to sponsor a premier league team. The online sports betting company signed a three-year deal and has its name and company…

Chierika Ukogu set out to sponsor herself via GoFundMe when there was no financial support from the Nigerian Rowing Federation. Yesterday she tweeted that she surpassed her sponsorship goal of $15,000. As at the time of this report, she has raised $15,646. https://twitter.com/cukogu/status/764245519979782144 And she is ready to compete in the D-Finals…