A selection of tech news from Nigeria and Africa at large.
Software For Smes | Women Founders Google Startups Accelerator | Nigeria Growing Tech Ecosystem | Ouranos Technologies Secures $2m | Routepay Granted New Digital License
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Firm unveils software for small businesses – Punch News
Zoho Corporation has unveiled the latest version of Bigin, its customer relationship management solution for small businesses. According to the firm, the new solution offers a simple yet powerful CRM without the high barrier of entry and cost. It stated that its product updates further support small and micro businesses by providing them the tools and insights they need to maintain and grow meaningful and high-value relationships with customers in a challenging economic environment.
The Country Manager, Zoho Nigeria, Kehinde Ogundare, said, “Small businesses face challenges in choosing the right technology for managing their customer-facing operations because of constraints related to time, cost, and software implementation.
“Bigin is the only solution that brings together all customer operations like sales, onboarding, delivery, training, advocacy, and more into an intuitive interface that takes only 30 minutes to deploy. By bringing together all the facets of customer operations into a single view, Bigin allows small businesses to have a more accurate understanding of the customer’s journey. Read more here
Google launches first dedicated Startups Accelerator for women founders in Africa – The Guardian
Google has announced that applications are now open for the inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program. The program aims to empower and support women founders on the continent by providing resources and opportunities for them to scale their startups and address African problems.
Women founders, who are building tech startups in Africa or for Africa can apply through the program website at g.co/acceleratorafrica before the February 20th, 2023 deadline. Eligible applicants must have a working product or service, a viable business model, and a working team. The application process includes a written application and an interview with the program team.
The 12-week program will commence in March 2023 and include one bootcamp per month, held in a hybrid style of online and in-person sessions. Selected participants will receive access to Google’s products, mentoring from industry experts, resources, tools, and technology, as well as networking opportunities and connections with investors to support the growth of their startups. Read more here
Federal Government Reiterates Commitment to Grow Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem – Tech Economy
Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration remains committed to providing all necessary support to enable the growth and development of a thriving and globally competitive tech and innovation ecosystem.
Inuwa, who was represented by Babajide Ajayi, the agency’s Director of Zonal Offices Directorate (ZOD), stated this at the recently concluded e-Government Hackathon organized by the Ilorin Innovation Hub in collaboration with the Kwara State Government to discover solutions to real-life problems that can transform governance and public sector operations, with a focus on leveraging new technologies to bridge the existing governance gaps.
According to Inuwa, the enactment of the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA), which was the outcome of the collaborative effort of the ecosystem and the Presidency, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is a testament that Nigeria is on the right track to harnessing the potential of the digital economy. Read more here
Ouranos Technologies boosts enterprise tech with $2m lab, appoints CIO – The Guardian
Information Technology (IT) infrastructure services and solutions provider in West Africa, Ouranos Technologies Ltd, has launched Ouranos Labs, a venture studio focused on building the products and solutions that will power the future of enterprise technology in Africa.
The Lab is backed by a $2 million investment from Ouranos Technologies and will be led by Olusegun Maleghemi as Chief Innovation Officer. Maleghemi has served as Director of Incubation at The Nest Innovation Technology Park, which provides support for startups building impactful solutions.
Making the announcements, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Ltd, Joseph Aransiola, said, “Ouranos Lab is a natural next step for our company as we look to increase our presence in Africa and drive innovation in the technology and innovation space.
“Africa is poised for tremendous growth in the technology space, and Ouranos Lab will play a key role in driving that growth. I am confident that our investment will be used to identify and develop new technologies and solutions that will drive sustainability and growth for the enterprise technology industry in Africa.” Read more here
Fintech ecosystem expands with RoutePay’s new digital payment license – Vanguard
The Central Bank of Nigeria has granted Full Operating Licence to RoutePay Fintech Limited to provide digital payment solutions in Nigeria.
The apex bank in a letter to RoutePay titled, ‘Payment Solution Service Licence Category’ and dated January 12, 2023, said, “We are pleased to inform you that the CBN has approved the issuance of a licence to operate under the Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) in Nigeria.”
The CBN approval followed a painstaking review and updates including on the spot assessment of facilities at the fintech firm to ensure that it meets developments in the payment ecosystem. The CBN had granted RoutePay an Approval In Principle (AIP) last year. With this full approval, Routepay is certified to have fulfilled all the conditions stipulated by the CBN.
Former Managing Director of Inlaks and now Group Managing Director, RoutePay, Mr. Femi Adeoti said the company is managed by a team of astute professionals with deep knowledge and understanding of the digital payment systems in Nigeria. Adeoti said, “The CBN approval validates the firm’s trustworthiness in the financial services industry.”
Highlighting the growing need for improved processes, services, products and accessibility in the digital payment and financial technology industry, Adeoti said Routepay is poised to ensuring that “digital payment solutions are made possible and available in our environment without hassles”. Read more here
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