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Surge in Kucoin Users Reached 200 Percent in the First Ten Months of 2021

Abdulquadri Ayilara
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Surge in Kucoin Users Reached 200 Percent in the First Ten Months of 2021

Cryptocurrencies have become a true store of alternative value in African countries afflicted by currency issues or hyperinflation. The same digital currencies are becoming more popular as a means of sending money or making cross-border payments.

Africa appears to have seized the lead when it comes to cryptocurrency or blockchain, despite the fact that it trails far behind the rest of the globe in many other areas.

To put it another way, cryptocurrencies have real-world applications in Africa that go beyond business. Many African bitcoin users or holders are becoming more interested in the commercial aspect of cryptocurrency, according to Johny Lyu, CEO of Kucoin, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

According to him, African consumers have purchased more BTC, ETH, SOL, KDA, and LUNA. The majority of African users are interested in these projects. With the emergence of NFT, Gamefi, and Metaverse, native tokens of these industry-related projects, such as BLOK, DREAMS, and others, have been added to the portfolios of African users. Furthermore, coins like DOGE, SHIB, and ELON have attracted the attention of African investors due to market mood.
He goes on to say in his interview that “Aside from the increase in traffic, the number of new African Kucoin users has exploded, indicating a fresh wave of traditional cash flooding into the crypto sector. The level of adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in Africa is rising, indicating that the crypto business is rapidly developing.
Blockchain could be the next big thing after the internet, and all countries are on the same starting line, thus we feel blockchain may be a way for poor countries to catch up with their industrialized counterparts.”
As part of its preparations for the launch, Infinite Launch stated that it has successfully raised $2.2 million in early private fundraising from prominent investors such as IBA, Everse Capital, Lotus Capital, and Phoenix Newtribe. The Infinite Launch platform is a cutting-edge launchpad for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) initiatives, allowing investors to participate as early adopters in cutting-edge projects.
Infinite Launch will also be available on KuCoin, one of the largest centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. Johny Lyu wrapped up by saying “Since the beginning of 2021, both the number of African users and the trading volume on the Kucoin platform have increased each month. In October 2021, the calculated trade volume climbed by 74% over the previous month, while the number of newly registered users increased by nearly 200%. So far, the exchange rate of growth has been constant.”

Data Protection in Nigeria To Be Institutionalized By NITDA

Boluwatife Aponmade
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Data Protection in Nigeria To Be Institutionalized By NITDA

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is preparing to institutionalize data protection in Nigeria. NITDA has begun the process of licensing and partnering with qualified institutions to set standards, issue certificates on data protection skills in Nigeria, and prepare exams. These processes make part of the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) which is a subsidiary of data legislation in Nigeria.

Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency has strongly advised during a hybrid symposium organized by Lagos State DPOs, on the need for Data Protection Officers (DPOs). He had said, “Data protection officers should constantly keep themselves abreast of trending innovations in keeping their data credible”.

He said it was important to incorporate artificial intelligence into data protection to allow its accuracy and consistency. He went ahead to disclose that there is a need to sieve and compartmentalize data elements that will determine the cloud adoption strategy to be used. He also added that there is a need to create professionals in the data protection world to meet global standards.

“One of the ideas we are mulling over is to have an industry association for DPOs and the proposed DPO forum that would be a peer review mechanism and a point of contact with regulators to shape policies and propose standards for the industry”, the DG said.

According to Kashifu, since the NDPR was issued in 2019, NITDA has empowered DPOs by drafting. Engaging the public, and publishing the NDPR Implementation Framework, is to shed light on the provisions of NDPR for easy applications and interpretation.

He added that the Agency’s partnership with the DPOs has created more than 7,600 new employment roles in the data protection sector. “We envisage that Nigeria would lead Africa by certifying 350,000 people with local and global competence in data protection by 2024”, Inuwa affirmed.

Her Excellency, Ms. Patricia Adusie-Poku, executive commissioner GDPC has lauded NITDA for the great initiative in organizing the symposium to add knowledge value to Data Protection Officers. She said DPOs are like risk managers in their organizations and that it is their responsibility to ensure that all requirements are in place to checkmate data breaches and to promote data protection.

Some of the attendees of the symposium are as follows; Mr. Yaya Itai of First Bank Plc, Mre Moyosore Jide-Taiwo from Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Ridwan Oloyede from TechHive Advisory, Mr. Bharat Soni from GTCO, DR Alexander Anago, and some other data protection officers from different organizations.

African Digital Week 2022

Abidemi Ogunyemi-Aderibigbe
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African Digital Week 2022

African Digital Week is a virtual event devoted to the digital transformation of modern society. It entails about 15 forums, allowing viewers access to useful information about the essential trends related to digital technology. Experts and business leaders from Africa and across the globe will be present to share personal and professional ideas, knowledge, best-case practices, and showcase project experiences.

Goals of the African Digital Week

  • To speed up digital transformation for businesses.
  • Inspire young professionals in taking lead for the digital revolution 
  • To grow overall interest in digital technologies.
  • Create a platform for experts across the globe to share their knowledge and experience.
  • Build a community of professionals with a new mindset towards the digitalization of our world and economy.
  • Present breakthrough innovations in digital technologies.

Details of Event

Date: February  21- 25 2022

Venue: Virtual

The participation in African Digital Week 2022

You can choose to participate in the event as 

To Register for African Digital Week

Free: This ticket is valid for the Expo zone only

Early bird: $40 ($48 incl. VAT) From 01/05/2021 – To 31/10/2021

Regular: $80 ($96 incl. VAT) From 01/11/2021 – To 10/02/2022

Late fee: $160 ($192 incl. VAT) From 11/02/2022 – To 20/02/2022

Ovex Exchange, South Africa, Has Launched the First Rand Stablecoin, Zarp

Abdulquadri Ayilara
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Ovex Exchange, South Africa, Has Launched the First Rand Stablecoin, Zarp

The ZARP Stablecoin, which is tethered to the South African Rand, is now available on the OVEX Exchange, which is based in South Africa. The Kempen Group audits ZARP on a regular basis, attesting to the stable’s token supply and cash maintained in its treasury account.

Simon Dingle, one of ZARP’s founders has noted that the smart contract of ZARP has been audited by Solidity Finance, which has guaranteed the quality of the stable.

Aside from OVEX Exchange, ZARP is also listed on Curve, an Ethereum-based exchange liquidity pool designed for low-risk Stablecoin trading and supplemental fee income for liquidity providers with no opportunity cost. This indicates that yield incentives will be available in native ZAR value on Curve shortly.

Keep3r.network, an innovative decentralized platform meant to improve collaboration between projects that require outside development activities and those that can provide such services, has also been merged with ZARP, according to the company.

South Africans are believed to be able to use DeFi while avoiding RAND (ZAR) exposure thanks to ZARP. As a result, it attempts to deliver the benefits of stablecoins, which, according to Dingle, are critical in representing fiat currencies in the new DeFi environment.

OVEX is the first centralized exchange to list ZARP, demonstrating that the popular cryptocurrency platform is at the cutting edge of the South African business once again.

You may buy ZARP quickly and easily using OVEX’s Buy and Sell Service, which generates quotes for you to accept right away.

OVEX also has an Over-the-Counter desk that offers additional services to businesses and high-net-worth individuals, such as post-trade settlement, margin services, and a 24-hour phone line.

YoungEd Africa Job Opening: Software Developer

Hassan Barakat
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YoungEd Africa Job Opening: Software Developer

YoungEd Africa Initiative (RC150500) is a non-profit organization on a mission to prepare Africa for the future by empowering young Africans to build successful careers in education. Interested in joining the team? Explore the current opening below to apply and a member of the team will review your application and reach out to you if successful.

Software Developer Role

  • Requisition ID: YEDAFR1006
  • Location: Remote (WAT Timezone)
  • Job Type: Contract
  • Length of Contract: 6 Months (Renewable)

​About the Role

YoungEd Africa is looking for an experienced software developer who’ll be responsible for developing web and mobile products to support how we deliver on our mission of preparing Africa for the future by investing in Young African Educators.

​Our goal is to ensure educators enjoy excellent online experiences via YoungEd Africa’s online platforms and you will be working with internal and external stakeholders towards achieving this goal.

​Role Description

On this role you will be:

  • Responsible for building and maintaining modern web and mobile applications.
  • Writing and maintaining clean and reusable code.
  • Developing internal tools and dashboards to support program execution and decision-making.
  • Working with product managers/designers and providing recommendations to improve overall product design and user experience.

Requirements

  • Minimum of 2 years experience building modern web and mobile applications.
  • Fullstack development experience, with proficiency in frontend and backend technologies/languages – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React/React Native, MyQSL, PHP, Python NodeJs, etc
  • Experience using cross-platform development frameworks.
  • Experience with Rest API development and integration.
  • Proficient in developing and optimizing web scrapping and automation tools.
  • Knowledge of modern web development tools like WordPress, WiX, Webflow, etc
  • Strong technical and product documentation skills.
  • Experience in using code version tools like Git
  • Experience with AWS or other cloud services is a plus
  • Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools like Trello, Slack, Notion, etc.
  • Able to work effectively with remote teams in different time zones.
  • Able to deliver on tight project timelines with excellent and timely communications on progress and risks.

Additional Details and Benefits

  • Competitive Salary
  • Free internet per month
  • Flexible working hours

Click this link to apply for the YoungEd Africa software developer role.

Tunisian Fintech Startup Kaoun Adds New Features to Its Mobile Banking App

Sopuruchukwu Elizabeth Mba
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Tunisian Fintech Startup Kaoun Adds New Features to Its Mobile Banking App

Tunisian fintech startup Kaoun has added new features to its mobile baking app. This is following their participation in a regulatory Sandbox put together by the Central Bank of Tunisia.

The Tunisian fintech startup Kaoun was co-founded in January 2018 by Rostom Bouazizi, Nebras Jemel, and Aris Kallel after obtaining certificates from universities in the United States.

Having observed the digital baking system, the affordability, and the quality of services provided by this banking style, the team decided to pitch their financial inclusion plan in Tunisia by employing the same banking method.

The co-founders established Kaoun and launched the Flouci mobile banking app with the mission of banking the millions of unbanked adults in Tunisia, and to offer reliable alternative banking services to the already banked.

The Flouci mobile banking app brings financial solutions directly to customers by removing the stumbling blocks of cost and distance. The app offers peer-to-peer merchandizing, bill payments, and e-commerce.

The Sandbox is a new development by the central bank of Tunisia to work hand in hand with innovative startups while utilizing information on real data to transform the regulatory framework.

Kaoun is one of its first cohorts and has implemented the use of the electronic Know Your Customer process to open free banking accounts for the underbanked and unbanked.

This involves making use of a proprietary identification process that enables Strong Customer Authentication as opposed to the identification process of video interviews with banking agents. The goal is to cut down to minutes the time it takes to process and open accounts and wallets for customers.

“The national decashing strategy first starts with providing better payment tools, suited for the needs of the target populations currently excluded from these services and forced to work in the informal sector and to only use cash;”

“We realized that facilitating access to financial services with a 100 percent free banking offer opened remotely and in under an hour can help contribute to that, on top of the transfer and payment functionalities integrated with Flouci. We would like, through this collaboration with the Central Bank of Tunisia, to allow every financial institution to use this technology, and reduce the cost and time of access to essential financial services. The technology allows it, and the regulations will make it possible at scale,” Anis Kallel explained.

Bolt Launches Car Financing Aid for Drivers in Nigeria

Sopuruchukwu Elizabeth Mba
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Bolt Launches Car Financing Aid for Drivers in Nigeria

Bolt, one of Africa’s leading ride-hailing company has launched a car financing aid for Nigerian drivers.

The company announced a partnership with Metro Africa Express (MAX) – a platform holding one of the highest car subscriptions of low to zero-emission cars in Africa – to finance ride-hailing drivers.

The collaboration aims to increase the output of Nigerian drivers by providing access to valuable services such as low-to-zero emission cars, licenses and permits, affordable health coverage, insurance, and other value-added financial services.

The initiative by Bolt will support and increase earnings for ride-hailing drivers, who will be able to own cars with a low equity repayment offer. It will also give the drivers the freedom to maintain flexibility as car owners.

The Bolt partnership with MAX will model the hire-purchase or the rental process using leased cars. A lease-to-own structure will be available, allowing ride-hailing drivers to rent a car and pay for it in installments. When the payment is complete, the driver takes full ownership of the vehicle.

“We launched our vehicle financing scheme early this year to enable drivers to own a car or motorbike with low equity repayment and have decided to expand the scheme to create opportunities for more prospective drivers. In partnership with Max, we are looking to expand our commitment to helping drivers on the Bolt platform to earn more and at their own pace, either driving full-time or part-time. Drivers are fundamental to our business operations, and it is important to provide solutions that ensure that driving on Bolt is flexible and profitable because improving partner earnings is fundamental to sustaining the trust and loyalty that we have earned over time,” explained Femi Akin-Laguda, the Country Manager at the event of the collaboration.

“Our vision for African mobility is for shared modes of transportation to become the norm. We strive for a world where people and goods can move in a predictable, safe, and efficient way with zero impact on our climate. Our partnership with Bolt is perfectly aligned with this goal. We are enthusiastic about transforming the transport sector together, enabled by our innovative and industry-leading mobility and financial services infrastructure,” said Adetayo Bamiduro CEO and co-founder of MAX.

“At MAX, we are constantly developing solutions to make travel easier, safer, and more pleasing. This is what powers our focus on innovation and strategic partnerships. We are excited about this opportunity to extend these solutions with Bolt further,” commented Chinedu Azodoh, co-founder of MAX.

After successfully incorporating the first batch of drivers into the program, Bolt in collaboration with MAX is committed to empowering drivers by offering inexpensive, and reliable transportation options.

E-Health Africa Appoints Juliet Odogwu as New Executive Director

Boluwatife Aponmade
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E-Health Africa Appoints Juliet Odogwu as New Executive Director

E-Health Africa has announced Juliet Odogwu as the incumbent Executive Director of the organization. The organization is a non-profit organization that envisions building stronger healthcare systems through the implementation and design of data-driven ideas and solutions.

Juliet Odogwu’s position as Executive Director of eHealth Africa will begin on the 1st of January, 2022. She is the current Director of Program and Impact and will carry on in this current position.

Juliet has more than 13 years of experience in Project and programs implementation and many years of experience in strategic planning and development of new programs, and very recently, Director of Programs at Impact at eHealth Africa.

She has held several positions at eHA, including Senior Program Manager and Director at Program and Impact before being appointed as Executive Director, where she has been since 2018. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Information Systems and Analysis from Howard University, Washington DC.

Juliet has also served as Portfolio Manager in the DFID-funded Growth and Employment in States (GEMS3) Program, where she provided oversight on several projects that were targeted at improving the legal and regulatory environment for small and medium scales enterprises in Nigeria. She was the New Technology Lead and Senior Analyst on HIV Laboratory Access at the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Nigeria.

Co-founders and co-Executive Directors, Adam Thompson and Evelyn Castle, led the organization by working closely together with a strong network of organizations, foundations, and institutions across both public and private sectors in erecting new standards of health delivery and emergency response by way of integrating information, technology, and resources.

Africa Blockchain University and YIELD App Collaborate on NFT Education Program

Abdulquadri Ayilara
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Africa Blockchain University and YIELD App Collaborate on NFT Education Program

Africa Blockchain University and YIELD App, a digital wealth management platform, have entered into a partnership to teach and enable African artists to realize their value on the open market through Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs), while also securing their intellectual property and improving their financial future through blockchain technology.

Sebastian Savolainen, YIELD App’s regional director for Africa, said in a statement that “bridging the gap through education and providing access to digital assets is at the heart of everything we do at YIELD App and inspired us to help with this initiative… we hope to teach these inspiring and talented artists how to earn and invest their earnings from NFTs safely and profitably.”

Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) offer a global opportunity for artists to promote their careers and protect their intellectual property. He added that while many people see NFTs as a passing trend, they have enormous potential to help people in poor nations get access to the global economy.

Africa Blockchain University is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting blockchain technology across Africa through project incubation, education, research, and policy advocacy.

Meanwhile, according to Collins Dictionary, the term NFT has been making headlines and gaining popularity this year. Collins experts claim that they chose NFT as the word of the year because of its “meteoric rise in usage” in 2021, which increased by 11,273 percent.

NFTs are blockchain-based digital assets whose worth is tied to their uniqueness due to the fact that they are non-divisible and must be purchased in their entirety. As a result of their scarcity, these characteristics provide NFTs with inherent worth.

Given that these tokens differ from coins like Bitcoin (BTC) due to fungibility, the NFT sector has seen an increase in its activities. For example, secondary sales of NFTs recently surpassed $10 billion, with ETH accounting for more than $6 billion of that total.

Analog TV Switch-Off Completed in South Africa First Province

Boluwatife Aponmade
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Analog TV Switch-Off Completed in South Africa First Province

Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, Communications minister has said the Free State has become the first South African province to completely switch off its analog television transmitters. The residents of the province now require a digital set-top box (digital decoder) or a TV with a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) tuner before getting free-to-air broadcasting.

“We have managed to conclude analog switch-off in the Free State province at the end of October, following the plan.”, the Communication minister said. Ntshaveni added that no viewer has complained that they do not have access to TV broadcasts after the analog TV switch-off, meaning that everybody in that province could access digital broadcasts.

“I am very happy there are no blackouts of any household”, Khumbudzo stated. “We are also on track to conclude the North West switch-off in line with the program that we shared with you”. Ntshaveni said the present plan was to switch off all SABC transmitter sites by the 31st of January, 2022.

Minister of Communications, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni said a total analog switch-off dates would be given at a later stage, but the department still targets 31st March 2022 as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa at his SONA speech in February 2021. Khumbudzo also added that the government has ramped up DTT installer capacity in the past months.

“Sentech’s installer capacity for the remaining provinces has been created, and this will intensify installations in the coming months”, she said. “In Limpopo and Mpumalanga, we are fully ramped up, and we are on track with the plan as well”.

“We are commencing with Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape in terms of the installations”, the Communications minister added.

Khumbudzo has also addressed concerns that some viewers without digital decoders of televisions without digital tuners would be left without access to free-to-air broadcasts, due to the slow uptake in sign-ups for minimized set-top boxes (STB). By the end of October, the government has registered 1,228,879 indigent households qualified for the set-top boxes. Of over one million households that had registered, 572,255 of them have been migrated.

Ntshaveni said the reason the numbers were not going up as expected is that 11 million South Africans are already watching TV through satellite while others watch through DTT-compliant TV sets. The minister also said the department found out that most indigent households who qualified for STBs already have DTT-compliant TVs, this would only require an aerial to access digital television.

Khumbudzo further emphasized that the government has received assurances from set-top boxes manufacturers that they have sufficient capacity to satisfy the digital decoder in South Africa.

The minister emphasized the call to non-indigent households that do not qualify for a free STB to buy a television with a digital tuner or an STB that can receive digital or satellite signals. An Openview or DStv decoder is another alternative.

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