A selection of tech news from Nigeria and Africa at large.
Firm Launches Dollar Payment | Edutech Loans | Nigeria Digital Postcode | Hackers Attack Whatsapp | Verve Card Expands Payment Scheme
Firm launches dollar payment option for merchants – The Times News
Kora has launched a dollar payment option on its platform to ease dollar transactions for merchants. The firm stated that the dollar card-acquiring was the latest addition to its suite of currencies that include naira bank account issuing, pay-ins, payouts, and cross-border settlement across multiple countries.
Commenting on the new product, the Head of Product at Kora, Sandra Israel-Ovirih, said, “Incorporating USD card payments has been a priority for a while now. “We understand that many businesses operate in a global marketplace and need a seamless payment system to handle cross-border transactions. This will be a game changer for African businesses selling to a global market.” Read more here
Edutech to offer loans to students – PUNCH NEWS
Utiva has revealed plans to offer a ‘Learn Now, Pay Later’ loan scheme to 100,000 students.
According to the firm, it has partnered with six loan and credit companies to offer 100,000 students loans to enable them to acquire tech skills in areas like data science, cloud computing, and product management.
In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, Utiva, Eyitayo Ogunmola, said, “Our commitment has always been to reduce the barriers to entry for those who want to learn tech skills, and this is an opportunity to do it in a big way.” He stated that his firm uses technology to provide a streamlined onboarding process, enabling students to start learning within five minutes of applying. Read more here
Tech – Nigeria to launch digital postcode in June – Ripplesnigeria
The Federal Government has announced that it will introduce a digital postcode system in Nigeria by June 2023. The Postmaster General of the Federation and CEO of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Adeyemi Sunday Adepoju, made the disclosure at a recent two-day workshop and retreat on the digital postcode system.
The event, which was held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, was organized in partnership with the National Population Commission, National Space Research and Development Agency, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, and other stakeholders. Ripples Nigeria gathered that the introduction of digital postcodes is expected to improve the efficiency of mail delivery, enhance emergency response by security agencies, and curb criminal activities like banditry, kidnapping, and internet scams. Read more here
NCC Says WhatsApp is Now Main Targets For Hackers, Releases Safety Tips – Legit News
- The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned WhatsApp users in Nigeria to be wary of hackers.
- The agency said the platform is now the primary target of hackers across the globe.
- NCC asked users in Nigeria to activate security features such as Two-Factor Authentication on the platform
The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) has warned WhatsApp users in Nigeria, saying the platform has become the primary target of hackers and scammers looking for ways to gain unauthorized access to users’ accounts. The Commission disclosed this in its latest advisory to Nigerian users, asking them to be security conscious while on the platform. It recommended that users activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to become hackproof. NCC provides safety tips for WhatsApp users A Nairametrics report quoted NCC as describing 2FA as an identity and access management security procedure requiring two forms of identification to access resources and data o WhatsApp. Read more here
Verve Card Expands Payment Scheme, Integrates Contactless Payments – TechEconomy
Africa’s leading and most successful payment Scheme, Verve International, has announced a significant milestone in its continuous drive for expansion across Africa and the globe. The payment brand has onboarded 50 additional scheme members, bringing the total number of its scheme members to 250, spread across banks and other financial institutions. Verve’s position as a market leader can be attributed to its ceaseless dedication to creating innovative payment solutions as well as leveraging strategic partnerships that provide Verve cardholders with more convenient and secure payment options.
One of such options is the contactless payment solution that enables customers complete transactions in record time. The integration of contactless payment technology allows Verve to provide a seamless and secure payment experience with its over 45 million cards in circulation, for existing and newly onboarded individuals and businesses who will be able to make payments faster by simply tapping their Verve cards at payment terminals with the contactless feature, including Point of Sale (PoS) terminals at merchant and agent locations. in addition, Verve’s contactless payment card leverages the latest security technology to protect customers’ personal and financial information using the EMV technology. Read more here
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