54gene, a genomics startup, is reportedly shutting down after raising $45 million in funding over four years. Founded in 2019, the company aimed to bridge the genetic research gap in Africa, where less than 3% of genetic material used in global pharmaceutical research originates. However, it has faced internal turmoil,…
Author: Smart Megwai
Smart Megwai
Smart is a Tech Writer. His passion for educating people is what drives him to provide practical tech solutions which helps solve everyday tech-related issues.
OpenAI, the developer of the popular ChatGPT, has announced its chatbot can browse the internet to provide users with the latest and reliable information. This expands its capabilities beyond data from before September 2021, OpenAI claims in a Twitter update today. Since it introduced browsing in May, the company said…
WhatsApp is working on redesigning its application to conform with Material Design 3 guidelines and has plans to enhance certain existing features to improve the user experience. One of these features is the “about” section, which may be rebranded as “Status” in the future. In an upcoming WhatsApp beta for…
Twiga Foods, the Kenyan agritech startup, has found itself under the looming threat of liquidation due to an outstanding debt amounting to KES 39 million (equivalent to $263,691). The debt has been contested by Incentro Africa, a Kenyan Google Premier partner, who provided Google Cloud Services and Partner Service Funds…
U.S. President Joe Biden has chosen Ham Serunjogi, the CEO of Chipper Cash, to be part of the Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement. This appointment, along with eleven others, shows a strong commitment to building a strong partnership between the United States and Africa. A White House statement, released…
Last week, China implemented a ban on Apple iPhones and foreign-branded devices for government officials due to escalating concerns about data security. In a similar move, French regulators have now taken a significant step by prohibiting the sale of Apple’s iPhone 12 within their country. France’s decision is grounded in…
Yellow Card, Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has teamed up with Moonpay to facilitate straightforward cryptocurrency transactions in Nigeria through local bank transfers. In simpler terms, this partnership with Moonpay via Yellow Card opens up greater cryptocurrency access for Nigerians. Yellow Card is a well-established cryptocurrency company with a strong presence…
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced a new mobile app aimed at tracking power outages across the country. This development reaffirms a statement made by NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, during the inauguration ceremony of the commission’s forum office in Abeokuta, Ogun State last year. The official launch…
WhatsApp, in its Android beta version 2.23.19.8 seen by WABetaInfo, introduced a feature called “Third-party chats.” This development follows the European Commission’s confirmation that Meta, the owner of the instant messaging platform, is considered a “gatekeeper” under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). DMA requires communication apps like WhatsApp to…
NABU, the international literacy nonprofit, has partnered with WhatsApp, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF) to introduce “NABU Nigeria.” This initiative, unveiled on International Literacy Day, is dedicated to tackling Nigeria’s literacy issues and promoting the preservation of its rich culture. The primary goal of…
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu announced a joint foreign exchange (FX) liquidity program with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a high-level meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday. President Tinubu revealed the initiation of a joint FX liquidity program between Nigeria and…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to telemarketers, saying in a press release, that it will prosecute those who illegally access the telephone numbers of telecom subscribers for commercial activities and gains. This is because utilising people’s phone numbers without their consent is considered a violation…
Flutterwave, a leading African fintech company, has entered the Indian market through a strategic partnership with IndusInd Bank Ltd., a significant financial institution in India. This expansion aims to extend Flutterwave’s remittance services into Asia’s second-largest economy. Flutterwave’s Olugbenga Agboola expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…
China has issued directives to officials working in central government agencies, instructing them not to use Apple iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for official purposes. While the specifics of the ban and its extent remain somewhat unclear, it has sparked concerns about data security and raised questions about its potential…
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria recently shared his vision for the country to partner with global technology giant Oracle. This partnership aims to address critical challenges facing Nigeria’s civil service, including “a bloated payroll and outdated data management systems”. Mr President expressed his vision for a more efficient and citizen-centric…
Zoho Corporation announced today it is celebrating 100 million users with its 55+ business apps. This makes the global tech company standout in the SaaS industry, being the first bootstrapped organisation to achieve such a feat. This milestone follows its remarkable $1 billion annual revenue, highlighting its rapid growth in…
Btrust, a non-profit organisation co-founded by music icon Jay-Z and Block CEO Jack Dorsey, has acquired Qala, an African Bitcoin talent development firm. This acquisition, which remains undisclosed in its financial terms, holds the potential to transform the world of Bitcoin software development in Africa. How? Btrust has made it…
Pesapeer, a digital finance company, has announced it is rebranding. This strategic move is designed to redefine the company’s core identity, placing a renewed emphasis on localising the global money transfer experience for immigrants. In doing so, Pesapeer is preparing to reshape its entire approach, pivoting towards the dynamic future…
Wasoko, an innovative African e-commerce company, recently announced its expansion plan into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The strategic move capitalises on the company’s well-established e-commerce hub in neighboring Rwanda, marking the second time in 2023 that Wasoko has ventured into new territory, following its successful entry into Zambia…
A hacking group, self-identified as Anonymous #Sudan, orchestrated a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack on X, formerly known as Twitter, affecting over a dozen countries on a fateful Tuesday morning. Their objective: to apply pressure on Elon Musk to launch his Starlink service in Sudan. Reports of technical issues flooded in…