Techpoint Africa Podcast

Techpoint Africa Podcast

By Techpoint AfricaBusinessNewsTechnology
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Techpoint Africa Podcast episodes

  • Why does the Metaverse feel like an innovative lie?

    Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we discuss some of the happenings in the African tech space this week.

    The stories:

    • Kuda 602% loss in 2021
    • Uber gets hacked by an 18-year old
    • First bank scraps dollar transactions with its naira card
    • Nedbank joins MTN in the metaverse
    • To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

      Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store

      Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022 

      Build a solution for Africa’s financial woes and stand a chance to win $5,000 

      Timestamps

      00:00 - Introduction
      00:23 - Kuda 602% loss in 2021
      09:56 - 18-year old hacks Uber
      15:04 - First bank scraps dollar transactions on naira card
      25:28 - Nedbank joins MTN in the metaverse

      Useful links

      • Kuda’s loss increased by 602%, from $2m in 2020 to $14m in 2021
      • 18-year-old breaks into Uber’s internal systems, said the ride-hailing giant has weak security 
      • Why your employees, not firewalls, should be your first line of defence against cyberattacks 
      • The shocking truth about Nigerian email scams 
      • You can no longer shop on foreign websites with your First Bank naira card 
      • One of South Africa’s largest banks, Nedbank, joins MTN in the metaverse 
      • This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and Gracious Sede

        Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

        37 min
      • Is Nigeria ready for Electric Vehicles?

        Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, Bolu sits down with Michael Mandela Oniemola, VP, Business Compliance and Government Relations, Autochek to discuss electric vehicles (EVs) and car financing in Nigeria

        Some highlights:

        • Nigeria's readiness for EVs
        • Possible obstacles
        • The impact of the economic downturn on the automobile industry
        • To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

          Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store

          Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022

          Timestamps

          00:00 - Introduction
          01:22 - We meet Michael
          02:57 - First thoughts on Nigeria's partnerships to manufacture EVs
          04:07 - Is Nigeria ready for EVs?
          07:04 - Can Nigerians actually avoid EVs?
          11:57 - Can Autochek finance EVs
          13:31 - Has there been a reduction in vehicle purchases
          17:06 - How do Autochek interest rates work?
          21:49 - How Autochek makes money
          22:33 - Speaking on Autochek's acquisitions
          25:59 - Customer behaviour in the different Autochek markets
          28:32 - Solving the problem of trust
          32:28 - Challenges unique to Autochek
          33:43 - Is there a demand for EVs?
          37:09 - Aren't our local manufacturers good enough for the government to partner with?

          Useful links

          • Nigeria signs MOU with foreign partners to manufacture electric vehicles, but local manufacturers say the country may not be ready for EVs
          • Nigeria’s Siltech produces electric vehicles, for a clean and elegant Africa 
          • Building Africa’s Tesla: Can JET Motor Company accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Africa?
          • This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and Gracious Sede

            Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.


            42 min
          • Even CEOs are getting fired?!

            Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we discuss the hot topics and happenings in Africa's tech space.

            Today's stories:

            • Capiter laid off 100 employees, the company's CEO and COO
            • Fundraising trends in Africa
            • Brazilian unicorn, EBANX's expansion to Africa
            • The Kenyan Assets Recovery Agency dropped money laundering charges against three Nigerian companies
            • To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

              Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store 

              Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022 

              Timestamps

              00:00 - Introduction
              05:42 - Egyptian startup Capiter fires CEO and COO
              11:29 - Fundraising trends in Africa
              14:42 - Brazilian unicorn, EBANX expands to Africa
              21:41 - Kenya's Asset Recovery Agency drops money laundering charges against Nigerian companies

              Useful links

              • Capiter’s founders are relieved of their positions for allegedly mismanaging funds, and the company lays off 100 employee 
              • Layoff Convos: What you should know 
              • Brazilian payments fintech company, EBANX, expands into Africa
              • Kenya’s Asset Recovery Agency drops money laundering charges against Nigerian companies
              • This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and Gracious Sede

                Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                36 min
              • Tap to pay on Danfo? The future of payments on public transport

                Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast we discuss how to enable a cashless economy in Africa, using Lagos, Nigeria as an example.

                Our guests, Co-founders of Touch and Pay (TAP), Afolabi Olamide (CEO) and Micheal Oluwole (Chief Growth Officer), explain how a single card could disrupt the future of payments, starting with the Lagos transport system.

                To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

                Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store 

                Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022 

                Timestamps

                00:00 - Intro
                00:20 - We meet Olamide and Michael
                02:47 - What Touch and Pay (TAP) is
                06:25 - How TAP has evolved over time
                10:24 - How this can help financial inclusion
                17:33 - Are there enough people using this solution?
                24:12 - Is this payment solution scalable to all forms of transportation?
                28:03 - Let's talk numbers
                29:53 - Will this work with other transactions?
                35:19 - Why use a Cowry card when you have other options?
                40:30 - What are the biggest challenges in payments in Nigeria?
                46:04 - How has adoption been like?
                48:58 - What's the future for this?

                Useful link
                How Touch and Pay (TAP) got 1.5 million Lagosians to adopt cashless bus rides 

                This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and Gracious Sede

                Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                56 min
              • Can they succeed where Amazon and DHL failed?

                This episode is also available on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYDnbv96Wc&list

                Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we do a rundown of some of this week's news in the tech space, with Oluwanifemi, Emmanuel, and Bolu as our hosts.

                Some highlights:

                • Apple iPhone 14 event
                • Nigerian government's suspension of 5% excise duty on all telco services
                • Y Combinator's S22 Demo Day
                • Jumia's partnership with Zipline to use drones to deliver in Ghana
                • To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

                  Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store

                  Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022  

                  Timestamps

                  00:00 - Intro

                  02:36 - Apple iPhone 14 event

                  09:46 - Nigerian government suspends 5% excise duty on data, calls, and SMS

                  17:00 - Google's Startups Black Founders Fund

                  19:22 - YCombinator's S22 Demo Day

                  26:55 - Jumia using Zipline drones for deliveries in Ghana

                  Useful links

                  • Here’s everything Apple just announced at its iPhone 14 event
                  • The Nigerian federal government has suspended the 5% excise duty on telecommunications
                  • Nigerians to pay more on calls, SMS and data
                  • Google has selected 60 African startups for its second Startups Black Founders Fund (BFF) cohort, with 23 Nigerian and 12 Kenyan grantees
                  • Discover fintech products that can help you build wealth before retirement at The Fintech Summit 2022
                  • YC S22 Virtual Demo Day
                  • Some insights on Y Combinator's S22 Demo Day from Intelligence by Techpoint
                  • Jumia is using Zipline’s automated drones for deliveries in Ghana
                  • This episode was produced by Oghenerumu Oneyibo and Gracious Sede

                    Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                     

                    38 min
                  • How this startup is providing pay-as-you-use car insurance for Nigerians

                    This episode is also available on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RI2J6uXz_M&list

                    Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we discuss the Nigerian insurance industry with the CEO and Founder of pay-as-you-use insurtech startup, Pay-U, Temitope Adeyemi.

                    Some highlights:

                    1. Why are businesses in the insurance sector not growing?
                    2. Why Nigerians rarely use insurance
                    3. A possible solution and if tech can help.

                    4. To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

                      Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store

                      Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022  

                      Timestamps
                      00:00 - Intro
                      02:15 - We meet Temitope
                      03:20 - The state of insurance in Nigeria
                      05:22 - Why you should care about insurance
                      08:22 - Can you roll over your premium?
                      12:21 - Is there truly a market for pay-as-you-use insurance
                      20:33 - How can tech drive insurance penetration
                      27:55 - Who are regulators in the insurance space and can they help improve trust?
                      34:27 - Why should legacy insurance companies change their model

                      Useful link

                      • How technology can play a crucial role in capturing the untapped insurance market 
                      • This episode was produced by Oghenerumu Oneyibo and edited by Múyìwá Mátùlúkò

                        Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                        46 min
                      • Everything you need to know about the 5G network in Nigeria with MTN CMO, Adia Sowho

                        This episode is also available on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV_uNYz6GTY

                        As you might have noticed, today's Techpoint Africa Podcast is a little — well more like a lot — different. Last Thursday in the studio, we discussed MTN launching the 5G network in Nigeria. This week, we travelled down to the company's headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria to talk with Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria.

                        If you have questions like whether you'll pay more for data or be able to exchange your 4G router for the 5G router then you should listen to/watch this. We also talked about the potential use cases for 5G and how it could be a gateway for more financial inclusion.

                        Timestamps
                        00:00 - Intro
                        01:07 - We meet Adia
                        02:44 - What 5G is
                        04:27 - What you can expect with 5G
                        05:36 - Betting big on 5G in Nigeria
                        07:13 - Usecases for 5G
                        10:59 - Where you can get 5G
                        13:15 - Why those specific locations?
                        14:08 - Dealing with vandals and protecting infrastructure
                        16:13 - Would 5G help increase Nigeria's broadband penetration?
                        16:52 - Can you exchange your 4G router for a 5G router?
                        17:27 - Will you pay more for data?
                        20:36 - The 5G rollout does not affect your 4G network
                        21:16 - Does 5G have a negative health impact?
                        24:04 - MTN's plans to "own the home"
                        27:10 - Can the average Nigerian afford this realistically?
                        28:15 - Will you get unlimited Internet?
                        30:13 - How does this tie in with MTN's overall strategy?
                        34:48 - Final words

                        Useful links

                        • What you must know as MTN starts rolling out 5G in Nigeria 
                        • 4 things we learnt from MTN Nigeria’s 5G demo 
                        • 11 burning questions about 5G answered
                        • MTN is rolling out its new 5G network across Nigeria. We talked about some of the places you can find it
                        • This episode was produced and edited by Damola Olubajo

                          Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                          37 min
                        • Why are African tech startups laying off staff?

                          This episode is also available on YouTube - https://youtu.be/3ltkVytZfZs

                          Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we discuss layoffs by companies within and outside the tech space. Tech human resources expert, Wenyimi Barber walks us through:

                          1. What to expect in the coming days,
                          2. How to protect yourself from being laid off,
                          3. How to tell your employees they are being let go,
                          4. The effect layoffs have on both employer and employee, among other things.

                          To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

                          Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store.

                          Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022


                          Timestamps
                          00:00 - Introduction
                          03:31 - Why are tech startups laying off employees?
                          10:36 - Was this inevitable?
                          11:51 - What could have been done to cushion the effect?
                          14:28 - Other alternatives to layoffs
                          18:10 - Making the decision to downsize
                          20:22 - Can you avoid been laid off?
                          21:10 - Case study: Strategies Xiaomi's HR person could have taken when downsizing
                          22:27 - How to diplomatically tell an employee that they are been laid off
                          25:17 - What severance packages are
                          27:09 - How to handle the stigma as a company
                          30:42 - Is there a respite in view?
                          34:21 - Who comes out as the "winner" at the end?
                          36:02 - What causes talent churn?
                           
                          Useful links

                          • Softcom’s Weyinmi Barber is making HR desirable one startup at a time
                          • Kenyan startup, Marketforce, lays off 9% of its workforce 
                          • A troubling startup layoff trend has emerged
                          • Post-pandemic rebound: Why businesses must weigh the cost of layoffs
                          • The reality of corporate layoff dawns on Xiaomi as 900 of its employees become jobless
                          • This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and edited by Múyìwá Mátùlúkò

                            Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                            40 min
                          • Where you can find MTN 5G in Nigeria

                            This episode is also available on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QFWhJiubC10

                            Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we welcome back an old face that has been behind the camera as we give you the weekly roundup on African tech news.

                            We discussed MTN rolling out the Fifth Generation (5G) network in selected places in Nigeria, the Tanzanian government installing Internet service on Kilimanjaro, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria's (ARCON) ban, and the Google Wallet launch in South Africa.

                            To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

                            Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store.

                            Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022

                            Timestamps

                            00:05 - Introduction

                            03:04 - MTN rolls out 5G in Nigeria

                            10:25 - Tanzanian government launches Internet on Kilimanjaro

                            18:00 - Google Wallet is now in South Africa

                            Useful links

                            • What you must know as MTN starts rolling out 5G in Nigeria
                            • 4 things we learnt from MTN Nigeria’s 5G demo
                            • 11 burning questions about 5G answered
                            • There’s now super-fast Internet on Kilimanjaro, but it’s useless to millions of Tanzanians living miles below
                            • Nigerian advertisers can no longer use foreign models and voice-over artists, and there’s more to come
                            • Google’s mobile payment system, Google Wallet, is now available in South Africa
                            • This episode was produced by Gracious Sede and edited by Múyìwá Mátùlúkò

                              Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                               

                              27 min
                            • How Africa is contributing to the creator economy boom

                              This episode is also available on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v26kNDs5CKw&list

                              The creator economy recorded a 550% growth between 2016 and 2020. Today on the Techpoint Africa Podcast, we discussed what this could mean for Africa and African creatives.

                              Joining our host, Oluwanifemi, in the studio, was Femi Taiwo CEO, TERAWORK and Douglas Kendyson, CEO Selar. Both guests shared insights as to what Africa stands to gain from the creator economy, the challenges African creators face, and possible solutions to these challenges.

                              To advertise or promote your brand, visit this link or send an email to [email protected]

                              Follow this link to download the Whistle app on the Google Play Store.

                              Timestamps

                              00:00 - Introduction

                              04:00 - What is the creator economy?

                              11:55 - How are African creatives contributing to the creator economy boom?

                              18:15 - Is being unique truly a selling point?

                              26:55 - What Africa benefits from the creator economy

                              29:48 - Hurdles to enjoying the creator economy boom

                              34:45 - Why creators should choose TERAWORK/Selar

                              Useful links

                              • Nigerian freelance startup, TERAWORK is providing growth opportunities for African offline professionals
                              • With 17k users and $270k in revenue, Selar wants to build the passion economy of Africa
                              • Explore the fintech in everything at The Fintech Summit 2022
                              • Funding a booming creator economy in Africa
                              • This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and edited by Múyìwá Mátùlúkò

                                Email us your feedback at [email protected]. Visit www.techpoint.africa for more stories.

                                 

                                41 min

                              About Techpoint Africa Podcast

                              From the publisher's feed

                              The Techpoint Africa Podcast brings you the most important stories of the week on startups, technology and innovation in Africa.