Gloo.ng, Nigeria’s E-commerce Now E-procurement Platform Gloopro, Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, Fliptin, Microsoft Idea Collective Set up Technology Hub in SA and More

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Remember when we reported that Nigeria’s ecommerce platform, Gloo shut down? Well, they have now rebranded, dropped consumer online retail and pivoted to Business-to-Business e-procurement with Gloopro as their new name. Gloopro will supply large and medium corporates with everything ranging from desks to toilet paper.

We have also have news that, Nairobi based local ICT company, MobiTill Epesi Smart Transport Solution has launched a mobile app that aims to streamline public transport just like ride-hailing apps have done with taxi. Through the app, they can access the GPS location of the buses and know the fares for each route in advance. The Epesi Trip Planner app is available for download on google play store.

Moving on, The Kaglema Motlanthe Foundation has partnered with Fliptin, Microsoft and Idea Collective to host AI in Mitchells Plain boot camp on the 15th to 17th of March 2019. The boot camp aims to discover the AI possibilities with the youth in celebration of Human Rights Day on the 21st of March 2019. This girl-only boot camp will tend to the exclusion of youth in diverse careers, by offering a platform for, new tools acquisition, knowledge and better prospects at female digital inclusion and socio-economic forecast.

See also: Nigerian Fintech, Onefi secures $5million to Increase Debt Facility, Gebeya, IFC to Fund Female Ethiopian Software Developers and More

Next on the Big 5, MTN Nigeria has launched its first smartphone powered by Kai Operating System (KaiOS). The newly launched phone will help MTN dominate mobile phones in Africa and also provide rural communities with internet access. MTN aims to leverage on this to provide connectivity to a large number of people. As research by the GSMA shows that the $100-$200 price tag of a smartphone is preventing 64% of people in Africa from upgrading their phones to 3G/4G devices that can access the internet.

Finally, on the Big 5, Mshtarii Investments has launched 5 new platforms across a wide range of industries. This is aimed at empowering graduate interns- to participate in their Mshtarii Software Development Academy. The Mshtarii Academy offers two Seta accredited courses- end user computing and software development. The Director of Mshtarri believes the Academy will be hugely beneficial for both employers and students.

That’s it for the Big 5 Daily.

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