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Nigeria-based Healthtracka, gets into Techstars Toronto Accelerator programme

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Nigeria-based Healthtracka, gets into Techstars Toronto Accelerator programme

Healthtracka, a Nigeria-based healthtech startup decentralised laboratory testing in Africa by providing at-home tests and digital results, has announced joining the Techstars Toronto Accelerator programme.

The three-month-long scheme will provide direct mentorship, funding, and access to a global network for the platform. The five-month-old startup will be joining 11 other startups in this cohort.

Last week, we díd a feature on the startup. We discussed the inspiration behind the idea, starting and scaling in the ecosystem as a first-time female founder, foraying into the southwestern city of Ibadan, and much more.

 

Culled from https://techpoint.africa/

Nigeria digital bank ‘Brass’, raises $1.7m funding to accelerate growth across Africa

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Nigeria digital bank ‘Brass’, raises $1.7m funding to accelerate growth across Africa

What’s the news? On Thursday, October 21, 2021, Brass, a Nigerian digital bank, announced  $1.7 million in funding to aid their growth across Africa. The raise saw participation from US-based early-stage investors, Hustle Funds, Acuity Ventures, Ventures Platform, and Uncovered Fund.

Prominent ecosystem individuals like Flutterwave’s Co-founder, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, and Paystack’s Co-founder, Ezra Olubi, also participated in this round.

What does Brass do? Sola Akindolu, ex-Head of Products at Nigerian fintech, Kudi, and Emmanuel Okeke, ex-Engineering Manager at Paystack, launched Brass in July 2020 to provide SMEs with banking services and help business owners have control over their money operations.

Currently, the platform provides SMEs with various services, including payroll and expense management, credit and payment services, and API support.

Brass has reportedly served thousands of businesses from schools to restaurants and malls, with a customer portfolio that includes platforms like Mono and Eden.

They claim to have disbursed $2 million in credit via their crediting platform, Brass Capital, which is still in the Beta phase.

Where are the funds going? With this raise, the startup is looking to scale and improve upon its products. Already, they have completed incorporation in Kenya and are looking to do the same in South Africa. By 2022, they want to launch in both countries fully.

The big picture is to develop innovative products that offer all-inclusive banking solutions in Africa.

Neobanks spree? With the number of Business to Customers (B2C), and Business to Business (B2B) neobanks like PayHippo, Prospa, and Sparkle already offering similar services, one wonders what makes Brass different. Per TechCrunch, Akindolu shares that the company’s focus is financial operations and cash flow support for SMEs.

 

Culled from https://techpoint.africa/

Facebook is reportedly planning a name change

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Facebook is reportedly planning a name change

Social media company, Facebook is reportedly planning a name change to be known for more than just social media.

Per The Verge, the name change might be announced at Facebook’s annual Connect conference on October 28, 2021.

The rebranding is also to position the social media platform, Facebook, as one product among many others, separate from  Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus.

Speaking of Oculus, the company is gradually pivoting into consumer hardware like Augmented Reality glasses, which Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO,  tells The Verge, will be as widespread as smartphones.

Facebook’s name change is similar to Google creating a parent company called Alphabet in 2015 to indicate it was more than just a search engine. It housed other companies owned by Google, including YouTube, Chrome, and Android.

While Facebook’s name change could be a way of proving there’s more to it than social media, it could also be a ploy to shed some of the controversies surrounding it.

Recently, its former employee, Frances Haugen, revealed internal research that showed that the company profited more from content that instilled fear and hate in users.

The metaverse agenda: Another area Facebook wants to be known for is the metaverse, a concept that isn’t widely understood. However, the company announced a $50 million investment to research and ensure that it is built responsibly.

It defines it simply as a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical space as you.

 

Culled from https://techpoint.africa/

MFS Africa announced its acquisition of Baxi, a super-agent network in Nigeria

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MFS Africa announced its acquisition of Baxi, a super-agent network in Nigeria

On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, Pan-African digital payments hub, MFS Africa announced its acquisition of Baxi, a super-agent network in Nigeria, for an undisclosed amount.

Founded in 2009, MFS Africa connects mobile money systems to banks and other financial institutions. Baxi, on the other hand, is a platform launched by payments-oriented company, Capricorn Digital Limited.

Baxi offers digital payments services including, bill payments, airtime purchases, withdrawals, and money transfers. It provides them through a network of agents across Nigeria.

What does the acquisition mean? The deal, which is subject to approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), could ease online and offline cross-border payments for Nigerian SMEs despite low mobile money activity in the country.

 

Culled from https://techpoint.africa/

Multichoice Gets Go-Ahead To Appeal $4.4b Alleged Tax Fraud In Nigeria

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Multichoice Gets Go-Ahead To Appeal $4.4b Alleged Tax Fraud In Nigeria

A tax tribunal sitting in Lagos has cleared MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of entertainment services, DStv and GOtv, to appeal the ₦1.8 trillion ($4.4 billion) tax bill levied on it by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

According to Bloomberg, the company was allowed to continue with the appeal after paying an ₦8 billion ($19.4 million) deposit.

It was initially required to deposit half the levy — ₦900 billion ($2.2 billion) — it allegedly owes the FIRS before it could continue with the appeal.

Why? Because, according to Abdullahi Ahmad, FIRS Director, Communications and Liaison Department, it is in line with the FIRS Act of 2007.

Recall that in July 2021, the FIRS directed some commercial banks to freeze and recover ₦1.8 trillion ($4.4 billion) from MultiChoice.

This is an excellent time to revisit Nigeria’s tax authority queries MultiChoice over possible ₦1.8 trillion tax fraud. 

 

Culled from https://techpoint.africa/

Lagos Based TalentQL launches AltSchool Africa, to train entry level tech talent for free

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Lagos Based TalentQL launches AltSchool Africa, to train entry level tech talent for free

African tech talent startup, TalentQL, has today, October 21, 2021, launched AltSchool Africa. The programme is the startup’s latest attempt to create a tech talent pipeline following the launch of Pipeline, it’s mentorship and upskilling program for senior developers.

As Africa’s tech ecosystem has grown, a number of organizations have sprung up to supply tech talent for startups. After an initial focus on building entry-level talent led by the likes of Andela, the demand for senior talent meant that for a while, training entry-level engineers took a backseat.

A knock-on effect of this is that as the senior engineers get more skilled, they are more valuable to startups outside Africa. Without the ability to compete on remuneration with these foreign startups as well as the option of relocating, local startups face a huge struggle to get the right talents for their startups.

This is the problem that TalentQL is trying to solve with AltSchool Africa. For nine months, participants would receive training in software development after which they undergo a three month internship. At the end, they get a diploma certificate. Currently, the startup is partnering with the Michael and Cecilia Ibru’s University to issue these certificates.

 

Read Full story here

#BBNaija’s Yerins Makes Nollywood Debut in “Okirika Series”

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#BBNaija’s Yerins Makes Nollywood Debut in “Okirika Series”

Big Brother Naija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ star, Yerins Abraham will make his Nollywood debut in Muka Ray‘s forthcoming comedy-drama “Okirika Series“.

He will be joining Binta Ayo Mogaji, Iyabo Ojo, Ini Edo, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, Yvonne Jegede, Broda Shaggi, Debo Adebayo (Mr Macaroni), Aloma Isaac Junior (Zicsaloma), Denrele Edun, Chigul, Adebayo Ridwan (Isbae U), Jide ‘Jblaze’ Oyegbile, Jide Kosoko, Priscilla Ojo, Anita Asuoha (Real Warri Pikin), Ariyiike Owolagba, Yinka Quadri, Layole Oyatogun, Small Doctor, and many more in the series.

“Okrika Series” is a comedy packed movie series styled into the fairly used clothes trading business in Lagos, and also incorporate the nuances of street area boys.

Jide ‘Jblaze’ Oyegbile directs the Star Times-powered series, which is executive produced by Muka Ray, while Iyabo Ojo doubles as an actor and project coordinator.

It will debut on ST Nollywood Plus, ST Yoruba, PBO and Wakaati TV on Star Times.

See the BTS photos below:

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @okirikaseries_

Music diva Simi follows up her latest hit single “Woman” with the official video

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Music diva Simi follows up her latest hit single “Woman” with the official video

Music diva Simi follows up her latest hit single “Woman” with the official video directed by Dammy Twitch.

According to the singer, “Woman” is a song about uplifting women as much as it is about pointing out the institutional barriers placed on them, Simi points out society’s unequal treatment while demanding a more equitable system.

Listen Here

Watch the video below:

Get Ready for Afrobeats rap artist Ladipoe’s Forthcoming EP “Providence”

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Get Ready for Afrobeats rap artist Ladipoe’s Forthcoming EP “Providence”

Afrobeats rap artist Ladipoe has announced he has an extended play “Providence” on the way, in a statement released to his fans, titled “To My Lifelines”.

Ladipoe began with the highlights of his year which include winning the Best Collaboration Award at the 2021 Headies for “Know You” featuring Simi and his BET Best Hip Hop Award nomination.

“It’s been some time since I sat in silence. What a year it’s been. There have been many reasons for me to celebrate. The headies win in February was incredibly special, it was my first one.”

The rapper opened up about being nervous concerning the reception of his hit single “Feeling” featuring Buju, which turned out to be one of the most played singles of the year. “I remember on the morning of May 7th, I was nervous, for just a second, that people would not accept “Feeling”, now look what it’s become! My first single of the year became the number one song on Nigerian Radio”.

“Still, that number 1 is not the highlight of my year; someone else holds that special space. I feel blessed. Here we are after a BET nomination in September. My first international nomination. Although I didn’t win, I hope you are proud of me. I hope it inspires someone somewhere,” Ladipoe recounted his many firsts this year, but clearly, nothing beats welcoming his first child.

He went on to announce the coming of his extended play, imploring fans to show it the same love they have shown him. In his words:

Before the year ends, I will release my EP titled PROVIDENCE. I took my time to create a project I can be proud of; a project you can cherish. Show it the same love you’ve shown me.

Thank you for always supporting the Revival. Stay with me. There is no movement without you.

But you knew that.

 

New Music + Video: Timaya feat. Buju – Cold Outside

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New Music + Video: Timaya feat. Buju – Cold Outside

Timaya teams up with Buju on a new track titled “Cold Outside,” which is accompanied by a music video directed by TG Omori.

“Cold Outside,” produced by Young Willis, is Timaya’s second official single for 2021 and a follow-up to his previously released track “Eff All Day” with Phyno.

Listen to “Cold Outside” below:

Listen on Digital Streaming Platforms

Watch the music video below:

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