Holla!
Have you tried making your search engine results disappear? Google, triggered by the latest release of Avengers Endgame, began offering users the power to eliminate half their search results yesterday. Type Thanos and click on the Thanos gauntlet to see the magic.
Interestingly, this week ushered in a lot of celebrations including World’s Creativity and Innovation Day on Sunday, followed by the World’s Book and Copyright Day on Tuesday, and today is the World’s Intellectual Property Day. All these focus on the essence of creativity, innovations and intellectual properties.
Let’s move on to the news…
Are Samsung Foldable phones truly foldable?
The long awaited Samsung Foldable phone was which was just released for testing has been retrieved by Samsung after report of controversies surrounding its flexible display. The screens of samples that were sent to reviewers got broken on top and bottom exposed parts of the hinges. Let’s wait and see how this unfolds.
Katapult Future Fest is here again!
The Katapult Future Fest is a three days event that explores how exponential technologies like AI, Blockchain, VR, AR, and Robotics can contribute towards building a thriving society for the world. The event will hold in the Norwegian capital, Oslo from the 14th – 16th of May 2019. Read More.
The World Bank seeks to empower Egyptian women and youths
The World Bank announced that it will support startups in Egypt with $200 million to help fund businesses and to create jobs for women and youths. The program dubbed “Catalyzing Entrepreneurship for Job Creation” will ensure that non-financial institutions will provide loans to small business owners. Read More.
Nigerians in the diaspora can now send money to loved ones via Paga App
Paga has partnered with WorldRemit to curtail the stress of sending money overseas. This will not only reduce excessive charges on money transfers but will also strengthen WorldRemit’s presence in Nigeria. You can either send money through the WorldRemit app or website and the recipients can transfer the money to a Paga wallet or bank accounts. Read More.
Nigeria’s biggest telecom has transitioned from private to a PLC
MTN Nigeria has met the requirements of NCC to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It will also increase Nigerian ownership from 20% to 35%. It plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange soon. Read More.
The United Nation awards rAInbow for supporting victims of violence
rAInbow is a South African company that was launched last year to educate victims of violence on their rights. It communicates these rights through a chatbot on Facebook Messenger. rAInbow received a UNESCO Netexplo award from the United Nation for assisting victims of violence in South Africa. (What are you doing to curb social challenges in your community?)
Who else remembers the craze for a Blackberry phone, a few years back?
The company has realized that new brands have taken over their market shares, and customers are no longer crazy about them.
They announced closure of their BBM consumer service on the 31st May 2019. They mentioned that the BBM Enterprise app (BBMe) will be downloadable for free in the first year, and subsequently, it will cost $2.50 for 6 months’ subscription. Read More
Another news that trended this week was the launch of Uber’s tipping option for Nigerian customers who wish to reward drivers.
The tipping option is totally based on the client’s discretion, and not compulsory. Although the tipping option already exists in other parts, we don’t know whether Nigerians will use the medium to appreciate drivers. Read More
Moshood Shades Ridwan emerges winner of 2019 ICON Comic and Gaming Convention in South Africa
The ICON CGC is a three day’s events for games and comic startups to review and proffer solutions to the challenges of the gaming industry in Africa. The Nigerian boy won the competition with an animation titled “Into the Odd”. Last year, Moshood won the first Cartoon Network Africa Creative Lab Competition with his work titled “Garbage Boy” which will premiere on Cartoon Network this year. Read More
Zimbabwe’s Billionaire wants to make Mascom Wireless Public for as low as $10 per share.
Strive Masiyiwa has decided to list his company at the stock market for as low as $10 per share for ordinary people in Botswana. This low amount will make it possible for many people to own shares in the telco. Read More
One more thing, remember that the Avengers Endgame is already in cinema. Have you seen it?
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of the Africa News Roundup.
For the latest tech gist, please follow us on all social media platforms @techgistafrica.
Have a restful weekend.