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Propel Job Opening: Application Engineer – Blockchain

Hassan Barakat
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Propel Job Opening: Application Engineer – Blockchain

Propel seeks to build an ecosystem for the future of work. With this mission, propel is building novel products, new channels, and extensive partnerships to harness the abundance and growth potential of African tech talent.

Application Engineer Role

  • Job Type: Full Time
  • Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
  • Experience: 5 years
  • Location: Lagos
  • Job Field: ICT/Computer

Job Description

  • You will have a particular focus to work with enterprise users (public institutions and private companies) to help them build apps and integrations.
  • You will be working directly with the customer’s team and the engineering team, to deliver and adapt our tools to the specific customer’s requirements.
  • Experience with React, Gatsby, REST APIs, GraphQL.

Job Responsibilities

  • Design creative prototypes according to specifications
  • Perform unit and integration testing before launch
  • Conduct functional and non-functional testing
  • Write high-quality source code to program complete applications within deadlines
  • Understand client requirements and how they translate into application features
  • Collaborate with a team of IT professionals to set specifications for new applications

Requirements

  • 5+ years of software experience
  • 2+ years Javascript experience
  • 2+ years blockchain frontend (web3.js) or backend software experience
  • 2+ years of experience in customer-facing projects

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Apply Here

PennyTree Launches Penn Rules, Financial Discipline App

Mena Adediran
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PennyTree Launches Penn Rules, Financial Discipline App

PennyTree, a Nigerian fintech startup, has released a financial lifestyle app called Penn Rules. The use of this app is to promote healthy financial habits in Nigerians. Penn Rules is said to make financial discipline achievable and “fun.”

Penn Rules users get to merge their savings culture with their lifestyle so they can develop a saving habit that works for them, consistently. Users are enabled to save money as they get paid as well as save while spending.

Savings culture is a topical issue as many individuals experience obstacles in keeping consistent savings; and so PennyTree aims, with this app, to ease the entire process.

Ayo Ogunlowo, co-founder and president of PennyTree, made a statement on this development; “We are currently at a level where savings and wealth building are characterized by setting debit reminders and locking funds away in digital vaults. We are making this more fun and enjoyable by building an affinitive ecosystem; creating a clan of financially savvy customers who would automate wealth as they live their lives.”

The application is currently available on both Apple’s App Store and Android’s Playstore. Ogunlowo further disclosed that the app launch is controlled, and still in its early stage, and open to feedback. 

“This is to ensure that early adopters experience the gamified digital lifestyle platform in its early stage (Minimum Viable Product), giving feedback while continuously improving,” he explained.

Ayo also explained that they made this move in a bid to ensure they understand their customers, implement feedback, roll out new features and scale their architecture to accommodate a bigger customer base.

Bantu Blockchain Community Hangouts Storms the City of Port Harcourt

Boluwatife Aponmade
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Bantu Blockchain Community Hangouts Storms the City of Port Harcourt

Africa’s maiden and largest blockchain infrastructure, Bantu, held its biggest and special community hangout in Port Harcourt, Nigeria at PRUndergraound, on the 29th of November, 2021. It was a successful outing.

Bantu continued its series of special community hangouts, the last one for the year 2021 in the beautiful and vivacious city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The event took place weeks after the previous Bantu hangout that was held in Abuja which attracted over 200 people from all over the country, especially established and notable blockchain technology startups.

The event featured Bantu’s major partner, Sterling bank who sponsored its feature educational game (SABI), just like they did in Abuja, with a two hundred thousand naira cash prize for the ultimate winner, there were also consolation prizes for other participants.

The SABI game came again but this time, had over 30 contestants vying for the grand prize. SABI game is a way of teaching the players and audience about the Bantu blockchain and its ecosystem and has been a hit since its debut a fortnight ago.

Bantu showcases its signature wallet is known as BantuPay, Mitambo (a game of chance built on Bantu blockchain, and Timbuktu Exchange, the world’s first non-custodial peer-to-peer decentralized digital assets exchange. It also showed the audience other validation features of the BantuPay wallet and its mode of operation.

After all funs and games, there was a period of serious conversation with Ernest Mbenekum and Victor Akoma-Phillips, the founders of Bantu about the questions raised by the audience about Bantu’s tokenomics, its long term plan, where Bantu’s Native Utility token (XBN) can be acquired. Bantu’s relationship with other blockchain networks and their potential partnerships with Reserve Banks in Africa to create Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC).

Mbenekum gave hints about other major blockchain projects that will be wrapping their tokens on the Bantu blockchain very soon. The full AMA video clip can be found on the Bantu Blockchain YouTube channel.

Towards the end of the event, Ernest Mbenukum announced a special XBN giveaway at a value of US$1000. To win this special giveaway, active participants at the Bantu hangout were called on stage to play Mitambo (Kinshasa Arena). There were a few groups of five players in each and winners from each group went ahead to play a final round of Mitambo. The overall winner was immediately credited with over 66,000 XBN tokens.

As usual with Bantu hangout, the event ended with a “Scan to claim’ airdrop moment where all attendees who had initially validated their attendance with BantuPay can claim 250 XBN tokens each. This was done courtesy of the Bantu Blockchain Foundation.

The event was filled with lots of interesting things such as networking, strategic meetings with the newly converted Bantu enthusiasts. The Bantu train keeps moving forward, and the next stop for Community hangout will be announced when due.

Pantami Leads Nigeria’s Delegation to Future Tech Forum 2021

Abdulquadri Ayilara
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Pantami Leads Nigeria’s Delegation to Future Tech Forum 2021

Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is currently leading the Nigerian delegation at the Future Tech Forum in London, UK. The two-day event at London’s Science Museum is a melting pot of worldwide digitization ideas.

The Forum aims to address a variety of challenges, including health-tech advances, digital regulation building blocks, infrastructure, climate change, and artificial intelligence (AI), among others.

Pantami will attend the Ministerial Roundtable on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021, along with ministers of digital economies from other countries, to discuss issues such as the Future of Trust in Data as a Force for Good, the Future of the Internet; Trends and Opportunities, governance challenges, and keeping pace with Tech in Governance Frameworks.

During the event, the Minister will meet with global industry leaders from both the public and private sectors.

At the launch of the Future Tech Forum, Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries remarked “You’ll see “NeXTcube” – the computer that Tim Berners-Lee was using when he developed the World Wide Web – as you go about this building over the next few days. Berners-innovation Lee’s in 1989 set in motion a series of events that has brought us all here today.”

“Because digital technology has altered our way of life dramatically. In reality, the global economy’s – and modern society’s – whole infrastructure is now based on technology. The top five tech firms are now worth about $10 trillion, more than the next 27 most valuable US firms combined. Amazon is the world’s third-largest employer. Apple’s stock is worth more than the whole wealth of Belgium.”

These businesses keep tabs on who we are, what we enjoy, where we go, and what we buy. Mallam Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi (CCIE), Executive Secretary Universal Services Provision Fund (USPF), Mallam Ayuba Shuaibu, Managing Director Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Dr. Abimbola Alale, Dr. Amina Sambo Magaji, SA Special Duties Dr Kalli Zannah, and Spokesperson to the Minister, Uwa Suleiman, are among the Nigerian delegation at the event.

Africa Data Centres Has Opened a 10MW Colocation Facility in Lagos

Abdulquadri Ayilara
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Africa Data Centres Has Opened a 10MW Colocation Facility in Lagos

Africa Data Centres has announced the formal inauguration of its new 10MW data center facility in Lagos, Nigeria, which is part of one of the continent’s largest networks of an interconnected carrier, and cloud-neutral data center facilities.

According to the company, the new facility would allow hyperscale customers of Africa Data Centres to install digitization solutions throughout West Africa.

Stephane Duproz, CEO of Africa Data Centres, identifies Nigeria as one of the company’s main markets since there is a rapidly-growing need for data centers in the region, which is eager for digitization as African businesses of all sizes speed their digital transformation journeys.

Africa Data Centres, as part of the newly formed Cassava Technologies company, he claims, plays a crucial role in providing the digital infrastructure required to support the region’s growing adoption of digital services by consumers and enterprises.

The most recent data center project from ADC is in Eko Atlantic City, a special economic zone. When fully constructed, the facility would include six data halls with a total area of 6000m².

Duproz also revealed that the new facility is the first of four planned for Nigeria, adding that the company aims to create an additional facility in Lagos at a separate location to assure full disaster backup, as well as facilities in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

“The Africa Data Centre is experiencing an unprecedented demand for fintech services, apps, internet, cloud technologies, and other technologies, all of which are seeing data demand increase.”

“These are the most ambitious ambitions Africa has ever seen.” They will see us construct ten interconnected, cloud- and carrier-neutral data centers throughout the continent in an unprecedented $500 million investment in Africa’s digital transformation, doubling our already large commitment in the continent,” says Duproz.

The 10MW facility in Lagos is an important part of this expansion because Nigeria is a crucial African market for hyperscale customers looking to deploy digitization solutions in West Africa.

According to Duproz, the Lagos facility would serve as the de facto headquarters for Africa Data Centres in West Africa.

BitKE Hosts First Blockchain And Crypto Crash Course For African Journalists

Boluwatife Aponmade
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BitKE Hosts First Blockchain And Crypto Crash Course For African Journalists

Kenyan journalists will receive free education on how to report on cryptocurrency and blockchain thanks to a partnership between BitKE and CELO, a mobile-first blockchain for emerging markets. The first Blockchain and crypto crash course for African Journalists is scheduled to hold on December 3rd Dec 2021 between 09.30 am – 12.30 pm (East Africa Time) and  07.00 am – 10.30 am (West Africa Time).

The Celo Foundation, a non-profit foundation that supports the development of the Celo open blockchain platform has organized a one-day blockchain technology training programme. Topics to be covered include:

  • Introduction to Blockchain and Crypto 
  • Adoption of Blockchain and Crypto in Africa/Kenya
  • The Regulatory Landscape
  • Blockchain Innovations 
  • Reporting on Blockchain and Crypto.

The crash course will be virtual as well as physical, and it will be open to all interested business journalists and editors from across Africa.

The following are some of the trainers for the session:

  • Michael Castillo – Editor, Forbes
  • Daniel Kimotho – Ecosystem Lead Kenya, Celo
  • Roselyne Wanjiru – Lead on Chain Analyst, Utafiti
  • Alex Matu – Educator/Advisor, BitKE.
  • Michael Castillo   Forbes Editor (Keynote speaker).

This is the first of many journalist pieces of training BitKE plans to conduct as part of its mission to educate Africa about crypto and blockchain.

Understandably, the knowledge of crypto and blockchain has not been well spread out in Kenya and other parts of Africa, and that is why BitKE has decided to find a solution by hosting this crash course for Kenyan journalists on Blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Blockchain is a technology that enables the existence of cryptocurrency and other things. For a lot of people, Bitcoin is the most recognized cryptocurrency, but there are a whole lot of others.

Even when blockchain technology and the use and adoption of cryptocurrencies are gaining traction and relevance in Kenya, media coverage of these innovations remains limited and less recognized.

IST-Africa Week 2022

Hassan Barakat
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IST-Africa Week 2022

IST-Africa Week 2022 is hosted by the Government of South Africa through the Department of Science and Innovation. It is supported by the European Commission (EC) and African Union Commission (AUC). IST-Africa Week 2022 would hold in May. This would be the seventeenth edition of the annual series.

The conference will serve as a world-class international event for showcasing existing technology-enabled R&D, innovation, and ICT4D initiatives and capabilities in Africa, Europe, and other regions of the world. The conference combines strategic keynote talks, a high-level roundtable, technical and policy papers, case studies, and workshops. It also allows possible partners for future Horizon Europe research collaboration to be identified.

IST-Africa Week 2022
IST-Africa Week 2022

The IST-Africa 2022 Program will include Opening and Closing Plenary Sessions, as well as a Scientific Program with Parallel Sessions that will feature presenters from the public, private, education, and research organizations from Europe, Africa, and other parts of the world.

Each conference, which focuses on Information Society and ICT Policy Dialogues, International Development and Research Cooperation, and Community Building, brings together senior delegates from 50 nations to discuss policy, share insights, and discover partnership prospects.

Goals of the IST-Africa Conference Series

– Assist the Development of the Information Society and Knowledge Economy in Africa

– Encourage International Research Innovation, and Policy Cooperation and Coordination

– Demonstrate Africa’s capacity for research and innovation

– Encourage the public and business sectors to use research findings.

IST-Africa 2022’s core thematic priorities include:

– Technology-enabled Healthcare (mHealth/eHealth)

– eSkills and technology-enhanced learning

– Agriculture aided by technology (mAgriculture/eAgriculture) and environmental sustainability

– Energy – Micro-grids, ICT for Power Delivery

– NRENs and eInfrastructures (National Research and Education Networks)

– Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Future Internet, and Internet of Things

– eGovernment and the Delivery of Public Services

– Languages and Content Technologies; Digital Preservation

– Trust, privacy, and cyber security

– Technology-enabled Entrepreneurship and Collaborative Open Innovation (including Social Entrepreneurship)

– Languages and Digital Preservation in Content Technologies

– Trust, privacy, and cyber security

– International Development (including ICT4D)

– Technology’s Social Consequences

 

Online Registration will commence in February 2022.

To read more and register for the conference, click here

Adumo Buys Fintech Startup Switchpay

Sopuruchukwu Elizabeth Mba
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Adumo Buys Fintech Startup Switchpay

Adumo, a South African Fintech company, and one of the biggest payments platforms in South Africa reported today that it has bought SwitchPay, a startup fintech company responsible for providing alternative payment solutions for in-store and online merchants.

According to Adumo CEO Paul Kent, the investment comes at a time when consumer interest in new payment options is at an all-time high.

The amount invested was not disclosed by Adumo.

“The impact of the pandemic and the rise of new, more convenient and value-adding payment options is revolutionizing how South Africans purchase goods and services. The team at SwitchPay has built a world-class suite of alternative payment solutions that brings new forms of value to consumers and retailers alike. We look forward to working with the team as we bring convenient new payments within reach of all South Africans,” Kent stated.

SwitchPay is a digital payment provider that offers merchants a digital platform where customers can utilize an alternative payment service in-store and online including lay-by, customized subscription models, and purpose-based lending.

SwitchPay uses an API system that supports third-party payment products. The company also integrates credit-related products from several credit providers including banks and other fintech.

“We are proud to have built an innovative digital platform that has attracted this investment from Adumo. We now have an established partner in payments that we can learn from whilst leveraging one another to unlock growth opportunities. This investment allows us to shift our focus to scaling the business through delivering on our core purpose of growing our merchant partners by providing their customers access to affordable and responsible financing products,” said Justin Hawkins, CEO at SwitchPay.

Kent added that the alternative payment options provide retailers with a wider range of customers which will help them scale up their revenue.
“By simplifying the in-store payment process and enabling greater choice in how consumers pay for goods, the services offered by SwitchPay can increase basket size and help improve customer retention. As the effects of the pandemic continue to affect consumers and merchants alike, the ability to offer a wider range of payment options can help merchants grow their customer base and revenue at a critical time.”

Adumo has over 50,000 active clients and 90,000 active card machines in thirteen African countries, processing over R80 billion in transaction value.

Sureswipe, iKhokha, Innervation Pan African Payments, Innervation Rewards, Adumo Online, Humble Till, GAAP, and now SwitchPay are among the company’s trusted alternative payment suppliers.

MEST Express Acceleration Program 2022

Abidemi Ogunyemi-Aderibigbe
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MEST Express Acceleration Program 2022

The Ghanian Acceleration program for early and growth stage Startups MEST Express Acceleration Program is now accepting applications for the 2022 MEST Express program.

The MEST Express acceleration program is a 20 weeks program designed to give hands-on expert-led workshops, mentorship, and business interventions to startups that are focused on rapid practical application and realistic business outcomes.

The program collaborates with founders to make sure their businesses are growth assured and have increased impact. Each cohort of the program has the opportunity to participate in a pitching session where the most successful of all receive equity-free grant funding.

The program sessions will be physical and virtual. All participants are expected to participate actively in all required sessions either physically or virtually. The COVID pandemic protocols will be duly adhered to for the safety of all the program participants.

Mest Express Acceleration Program Requirement

  • Ghanaian startups in the early to growth stage
  • About 1-3 years in operation
  • Startups must be tech-enabled or technology related
  • $100,000 or less in funding
  • Proven to be a problem-solution fit
  • Already generating revenues 
  • Ability to demonstrate traction
  • Open to any business model

Focus Area for the Program

  • Funding and Investment readiness
  • Risk Management & Crisis Resilience
  • Product Management and Positioning
  • Business & Revenue Modelling
  • Sales and Customer Acquisition
  • Market Research and Competitive Analysis
  • Brand awareness and Marketing
  • Organizational Structuring

Attached Benefits

Capital: Most successful, the best-performing startup receives equity-free grant funding for sustainable growth.

Know-how: Startups will learn and apply strategies that are focused on rapid application and worthwhile outcomes.

Mentorship: Access to industry professionals and sector experts mentorship.

Network Access: Acess to meet and link up with the community of experts, investors, and founders.

Schedule of the Program

  • Week 0- Onboarding and Orientation
  • Week 1- Assessing participant needs
  • Week 2 to Week 4- Workshops ongoing
  • Week 5- Assigning Mentors
  • Week 6 to Week 9- Workshops ongoing
  • Week 10 – Midpoint debriefs
  • Week 11 to Week 19- Workshops continues
  • Week 20- Restrospective and Final Exhibition

Application Process

  • Fill out the application form on F6S (startups are required to create an account)
  • Startups will be shortlisted for the interview stage
  • Shortlisted startups interview are conducted
  • Finalists receive offer letters

Time Frame

Applications open: Nov. 8, 2021

Applications close: Jan 16, 2022

Program Begins: Feb 21, 2022

Program Ends: June 15, 2022

For more information: Visit the MEST Scale Venture Acceleration Program 2022

Africa Green ICT Forum, 2021

Hassan Barakat
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Africa Green ICT Forum, 2021

Africa Green ICT Forum will be holding its 2nd edition of virtual events. This popular event is running in partnership with Huawei, as part of Africa Tech Festival 2021.

Theme

Providing Insights, Best Practices, and Key Learning on How to Provide the People of Africa and The ICT Industry with Access to Clean, Reliable Energy.

Date

7, December 2021. 10:00 – 13:20 (GMT+1). Virtual.

Event Highlights

More than half of Africa’s 1.2 billion people do not have access to a consistent and stable electricity supply. These communities rely on approximately 30 million diesel generators as their primary power source, with an average operating cost of over 30,000 USD per site and 31 tons of carbon emissions. With a global focus on achieving net-zero emissions, we believe that existing systems may be replaced by creative solutions and new green policies that will play an increasingly vital role in energy conservation and emissions reduction across all industries.

The Green ICT Forum this year intends to share insight, best practices, and critical learnings on how all sectors can collaborate to develop a zero-carbon plan and supply Africa’s people with clean, reliable energy.

  • Implementing green policies in Africa to utilize its rich natural resources
  • Creating eco-friendly business environments all over the continent
  • Optimizing OPEX via lowering CO2 emissions
  • Solar and hybrid energy systems to fuel Africa’s economy.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

  • Huawei

How to Apply

To attend Africa Green ICT Forum, register here

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