| | | | | Today's Menu ☕️
👷🏽♂️Uber for Artisans: The Nigerian Government's Bold Move to Digitize the Skilled Workforce
⚖️ EFCC Blacklists 58 Companies As Ponzi Schemes
📱 South Africa to Scrap 9% Luxury Tax on Budget Smartphones to Boost Digital Inclusion
💰 Kazyon Expands in Morocco with IFC's $30 Million Investment
🪙 Centi partners with Yellow Card to enhance fund transfers from Europe to 20 African nations |
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| | | | | If you haven't subscribed, join over 7,000 people curious about Innovation, New Products, New Technologies in Africa. | |
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| | | | | 👷🏽♂️ MARKETPLACE | Uber for Artisans: The Nigerian Government's Bold Move to Digitize the Skilled Workforce | | The Nigerian government is taking a major step toward revolutionizing the construction industry with a new digital platform designed to connect skilled artisans with job opportunities. Dubbed "Uber for Artisans," this app aims to serve as an online marketplace that makes certified professionals more visible, accessible, and efficient in delivering their services. | The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, is part of the broader National Artisan Skill Acquisition Programme (NASAP)—a government-backed plan to bridge the skills gap in the construction sector, create employment, and ensure quality service delivery......…continue reading |
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| | | | | ⚖️ GOVERNANCE | EFCC Blacklists 58 Companies As Ponzi Schemes | | Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) released a list of 58 businesses that scam unwary Nigerians through illicit investment schemes, also referred to as Ponzi schemes. Among these organizations, Crowdyvest, Farmforte Limited, and Agro Partnership Tech are noteworthy. The EFCC's dedication to cleaning up Nigeria's financial system and shielding its citizens from dishonest investment platforms is demonstrated by this action.
The EFCC noted in a statement issued on March 11, 2025, that these businesses are operating illegally because they are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In independent letters, both regulatory agencies affirmed that these organizations do not have the required authorization to operate as investment firms......…continue reading |
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| | | | | 📱DIGITAL INCLUSION | South Africa to Scrap 9% Luxury Tax on Budget Smartphones to Boost Digital Inclusion | | In a bid to increase digital accessibility, the South African government has proposed removing the luxury tax on budget-friendly smartphones—a move that could significantly impact low-income households. The proposal, set to take effect from April 1, 2025, will eliminate the 9% ad valorem excise duty on smartphones priced below 2,500 rand ($136.37), making entry-level devices more affordable. | According to the National Treasury, the removal of this tax is intended to lower the financial barrier to smartphone ownership, particularly for individuals who rely on basic mobile devices for internet access, banking, and communication. This change aligns with South Africa's broader goal of bridging the digital divide and preparing for the transition to faster 4G and 5G networks....…continue reading |
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| | | | | 💰INVESTMENTS | Kazyon Expands in Morocco with IFC's $30 Million Investment |  | Cikü Mugambi |
| Kazyon, one of the largest discount grocery chains in Africa and the Arab world, has secured a $30 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This investment is set to boost Kazyon's presence in Morocco, expand its retail and storage operations, and create thousands of new jobs—a significant win for the local economy. | With the latest funding from IFC, Kazyon is now set to scale up its operations significantly, creating 3,000 new jobs and further solidifying its presence in Morocco's retail landscape.......…continue reading |
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| | | | | 🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY | Centi partners with Yellow Card to enhance fund transfers from Europe to 20 African nations | | Centi, a Switzerland-based fintech company, has announced an exciting new collaboration with Yellow Card, a prominent pan-African cryptocurrency exchange. This partnership enables Centi users in Europe to transfer funds to 20 African nations, significantly enhancing Centi's presence on the continent. With this collaboration, Centi expands its reach from eight to 20 African countries, allowing Swiss users to convert their funds into cryptocurrency and store them in Centi-issued non-custodial wallets. | Once the funds are in the wallet, users can easily send money to recipients in supported African countries, who will receive the payment in their preferred local currency. This streamlined process facilitates direct transfers, making it easier for users to support their families and friends back home. At the core of this partnership is Centi's integration with Yellow Card's crypto-fiat onramp and offramp gateway, which ensures seamless cross-border transactions......…continue reading |
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| | | | | OTHER STORIES | Nigerian startups founded by women encouraged to apply for AWIEF Growth Accelerator Programme……continue reading Vumatel receives approval for Herotel acquisition, enhancing fibre network expansion across South Africa…..continue reading iPhone vs. Google Pixel: Which is the Best for User-Friendliness?….continue reading
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Innovation Village |
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