Hello techies, welcome to the Africa Tech News Roundup. Thank God it’s Friday (Dancing).
It’s indeed been a busy week, especially with the restriction on Motorcycle (Okada) on the major street of Lagos. I hope you didn’t have to trek long distances? And if you did, this is the appropriate time to get some rest (Stretch).
In the news:
MTN, Globacom, Airtel and other telcos in Nigeria have begun to charge the new 7.5% VAT on calls and text messages. Several telecom users have received notification about the deductions.
Still in Nigeria, bike hailing company continues to downturn staff members as the ban on Okada enters the 7th day. Gokada tops the list as it downpours about 80% of its staff capacity in Lagos, Nigeria.
Outside Nigeria, Zimbabwe AI expert, William Sachiti has published an open-source technology dubbed Trees of Knowledge. The technology will help to improve access to quality education by making rural landmarks to broadcast WIFI connections.
Meanwhile, 54Gene has launched a genomics research institute for scientists in Africa. The centre will provide grants, fellowships, internships and training for researchers in Africa.
Back in West Africa, the Nigerian government has mandated the Communication Commission, NCC to regulate SIM cards owned by citizens to 3. The move was part of its activity to curb insurgency and kidnapping in the country.
And in Ethiopia, Gebeya an edtech training platform for software and developers has raised $2million in Funding. The fund will be used to advance technology development in Africa.
Meanwhile, mCash has raised 88.56 billion naira and conducted over 218,132 volumes of payments within the past one year. The figure shows the rate of fintech penetration in Africa.
And Amazingly, Rwanda is phasing out physical airtime (recharge cards) in the country. The move is in tandem with its drive to digitalize the Rwandan telecommunication sector.
Finally, TLcom Capital is set to invest in 12 startups over the next one and a half years. The investment will come from the $71 million raised by the VC.
That is it on the Africa Tech News Roundup.
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