Technology
Tech Companies Making a Difference in Africa
Africa has long been touted as the continent with the most growth potential when it comes to tech and innovation. Many African countries are building their own equivalents of Silicon Valley and tech companies from all across the world have been setting up offices and launching themselves into markets across the continent. And in addition to growing their customer bases, these companies are also committing to making affecting change in Africa. Here’s how.
They are Investing in communities and equipping people to become entrepreneurs
Last year Airbnb announced a three-year commitment to South Africa to address barriers to becoming a tourism entrepreneur and to help rebuild a more inclusive and resilient domestic tourism economy. The commitment focuses on infrastructure, training and investment and builds on Airbnb’s 2017 $1 million commitment in Africa to boost community-led tourism projects, and the Africa Academy, which has trained more than 300 Hosts.
As part of this commitment, Airbnb announced its partnership with the University of Johannesburg School of Tourism and Hospitality to expand the Airbnb Academy programme to at least 1000 students over the next three years.
They are assisting in developing quality journalists and newsrooms
Over the years, Google, perhaps the biggest tech giant in the world, has been doing its fair share for small businesses, content creators and business owners across Africa. And just recently the company announced that five South African recipients have been selected as part of Google’s News Initiative (GNI) Innovation Challenge.
The GNI Innovation Challenge is aimed at helping the journalism industry thrive in the digital era. Their projects are among 34 chosen from 17 countries, to receive a share of $3.2 million in funding.
The recipients, among them 21 journalists and publishers from 10 countries in Africa, were selected for their work in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in the journalism industry. The GNI Innovation Challenge is part of Google’s $300 million commitment to helping journalism thrive in the digital era and has seen news innovators step forward with many exciting initiatives demonstrating new thinking.
Companies are nurturing talent from a young age
“At Huawei South Africa, we have long been committed to cultivating ICT talent and discovering new ways to harness technological innovation to advance sustainability,” says Vanashree Govender, Media and Communications Manager for Huawei South Africa. “Last year, we launched our Tech4Good Global Competition as part of our Seeds for the Future talent development programme, which exposes learners to courses on the latest technologies like 5G, Cloud, AI and IoT.
The Tech4Good competition gets students to think about how to use technology to address social and environmental issues. Through this programme, participants boost their creativity, hone their entrepreneurship skills, and develop a sense of social responsibility. This is a fun team effort, with coaching by Huawei experts and world-renowned social impact leaders”.
Huawei also runs a Tech4All program globally in which Huawei works with partners to create real change through connecting the unconnected, empowering underserved communities and protecting the planet. In South Africa, Huawei’s DigiSchool project in partnership with operator rain and educational non-profit organisation Click Foundation has connected over 100 urban and rural primary schools to the internet using 5G technology.
They are building the right skills through access to digital media education
Today, there are local entrepreneurs in fields as diverse as fashion, healthcare, and decor who have proven that with more equal access to the digital marketing ecosystem, it’s possible to expand regionally and internationally.
In order for that to happen at scale, they also need the requisite skills to market themselves online in the markets they want to reach. At the very least, those entrepreneurs should have easy access to people with those skills. It’s important to note here, that these aren’t just fundamental digital marketing skills, but ones that relate to the specifics of marketing on the world’s leading digital advertising platforms such as Twitter, Snapchat, and Spotify where people across the globe spend most of their time online. With the right types of messages, these platforms are the most effective places to reach new customers across a broad range of markets.
“This is something that we’re passionate about, and recently, Ad Dynamo by Aleph launched a free Digital Ad Expert programme for young people in Nigeria and Ghana, which aims to educate, certify and connect thousands of Africans with the digital skills needed to succeed in a rapidly digitising economy. While it’s entirely possible that someone with the right degree of determination and curiosity could develop those skills on their own, it’s critical that more and more resources are accessible to build them up at scale,” says Elyse Estrada, Global Chief Marketing Office, Aleph Group.
This is crucial to ensuring that markets such as Ghana and Nigeria aren’t just growth targets for international companies, but incubators for a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of competing on a global level themselves.
They are creating access for everyone
MFS Africa, the continent’s largest omnichannel payment gateway, believes in a “borderless world” to which everyone has access. Their comprehensive digital networks link 320 million mobile wallets, enabling cross-border payments remittance firms, financial service providers, and worldwide merchants.
MFS Africa CEO and founder, Dare Okoudjo, believes that interoperability is crucial in allowing customers of different mobile financial services providers to interact with each other. This can be done by making direct payments from the mobile money account of one provider to the mobile money account of another provider.
To do this, MFS Africa acquired Global Technology Partners (GTP) recently, broadening its bank and fintech base and supplying tokenisation in the mobile money space by connecting with established card ecosystems like Visa and Mastercard. The ultimate objective is to give millions of mobile money users on the continent access to the global digital economy and new possibilities. For its partners, these new capabilities enable scalability, security, and new markets and consumers as technology innovation continue to penetrate and reshape societies.
By Dipo Olowookere
To tackle the critical cash flow challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa, investors like P2Vest, Norrsken Accelerator, Afrinovation Ventures, Kaleo Ventures, and 54 Collective (formerly known as Founders Factory Africa), have invested about $1.6 million into Billboxx.
The integrated billing-to-payment platform, founded in 2023, successfully closed the pre-seed funding round, which is a mix of debt and equity, due to its innovative approach and commitment to building a more financially secure future for SMEs – the backbone of the African economy.
Manual invoicing and deferred payments often result in delayed payments, stifling many SMEs, but Billboxx’s integrated billing-to-payment platform streamlines billing processes, reduces inefficiencies from manual invoicing and mitigates the impact of deferred payments.
By providing automated billing and invoicing, secure payment facilitation, and tailored cash flow financing, Billboxx empowers businesses to achieve consistent cash flow and focus on growth.
Since its inception, the company has facilitated over $4 million in invoice payments through its MVP launched in May 2023.
The platform boasts strategic integrations with a leading commercial bank in Nigeria, a prominent African payment gateway, and multiple lending partners, enabling seamless payment facilitation via bank transfers, cards, and financing options.
“Cash flow difficulties are the leading cause of business failures in Africa, with delayed invoice payments being a major contributor.
“Billboxx is dedicated to solving these issues with an integrated platform that ensures consistent cash flow and financial resilience for businesses.
“This funding round enables us to expand our impact and empower more SMEs to thrive,” the co-founder and chief executive of BillBoxx, Mr Justus Obaoye, said.
Another co-founder and chief technical officer, Mr Abdulazeez Ogunjobi, noted that, “Delayed invoice payments pose a significant threat to SME growth and survival.
“Our platform not only streamlines the billing-to-payments workflows but also offers strategic embeddings to expedite payments. We aim to alleviate payment concerns and allow SMEs to focus on their core business.”
One of the investors, Bongani Sithole of 54 Collective, said, “We’re enthusiastic about the innovative work the Billboxx team is building. These 3x founders with successful exits under their belts are leveraging their leadership and business experience to tackle a massive pain point for SMEs across Africa.
“We invested in the company due to the large market size of the opportunity, impressive early traction gained from strong early partnerships with notable large corporates and startups, and the solid tech product the team has developed. We’re delighted to back Justus and Abdulazeez as they continue to scale Billboxx.”
Mr Obaoye and Mr Ogunjobi previously co-founded two startups: Charistouch (Carido), successfully acquired by Cars45, and Fixit45, a spin-off from Cars45.
Their leadership experience in large corporations and scaleups such as Schlumberger, Bolt, and OLX add to their strategic insight and entrepreneurial prowess.
As technology advances, the internet is undergoing a revolutionary shift toward decentralization. Known as Web3, this next phase of the internet is redefining how we interact with digital systems by emphasizing transparency, user ownership, and autonomy.
At the heart of this evolution are Web3 developers—professionals whose expertise in blockchain and decentralized systems is driving innovation and creating exciting new opportunities. Pursuing a Web3 career is not just about adapting to industry trends; it’s about shaping the future of technology. In this article, we’ll explore why Web3 developers are in high demand and how you can step into this promising field.
What is Web3?
Web3 represents the decentralized evolution of the internet. Unlike its predecessor, Web2, where centralized platforms dominate, Web3 leverages blockchain technology to create an ecosystem that is transparent, secure, and community-driven.
Some of the defining features of Web3 include:
- Decentralization: Control is distributed among users rather than being concentrated in a single organization.
- Transparency: Blockchain technology ensures that all transactions and operations are open and verifiable.
- Automation: Smart contracts allow for self-executing agreements, reducing the need for intermediaries.
This paradigm shift has unlocked immense opportunities, particularly for developers who can create, manage, and enhance Web3 applications.
Why a Web3 Career is the Future
- Rapid Growth in Blockchain Technology
Blockchain is no longer just about digital currencies; its applications have expanded to include finance, healthcare, logistics, and gaming, among others.
This rapid adoption is driving an unprecedented demand for Web3 developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and integrate blockchain solutions across various sectors.
- High Demand and Competitive Compensation
The demand for Web3 talent has outpaced supply, making it one of the most lucrative fields in tech. Web3 developers often earn significantly more than traditional developers due to their specialized skills.
Many roles offer remote and flexible working arrangements, enabling global opportunities.
- Opportunities for Innovation
Web3 is still in its infancy, making it a playground for innovators. From creating decentralized finance systems to building virtual economies in the metaverse, developers have the chance to work on groundbreaking projects that redefine industries.
Key Skills for a Successful Web3 Career
To excel as a Web3 developer, mastering certain skills is essential:
- Programming Knowledge: Proficiency in languages like Solidity, Rust, or Go, commonly used in smart contract and blockchain development.
- Blockchain Fundamentals: A deep understanding of how decentralized networks function and their architecture.
- Smart Contracts: The ability to design and implement self-executing contracts.
- Cryptography: Knowledge of encryption techniques to ensure security in applications.
Soft skills such as adaptability and problem-solving are equally important, given the fast-paced nature of the industry.
Benefits of Pursuing a Web3 Career
A career in Web3 comes with a range of unique advantages:
- Global Reach: The decentralized nature of Web3 opens doors to international opportunities without geographical limitations.
- Future-Ready Skills: Web3 expertise is increasingly sought after, offering a secure and sustainable career path.
- Collaborative Ecosystem: Unlike traditional tech environments, Web3 thrives on open collaboration and community-driven development.
- Freedom to Innovate: Developers have the flexibility to experiment and contribute to transformative projects.
Steps to Start Your Web3 Journey
Breaking into a Web3 career may seem challenging, but with a focused approach, it’s entirely achievable. Here’s how to get started:
Understand the Basics
- Learn the core concepts of blockchain technology, decentralized systems, and smart contracts.
- Explore educational resources, tutorials, and online communities for foundational knowledge.
Develop Technical Skills
- Master programming languages and frameworks commonly used in blockchain development.
- Familiarize yourself with Web3-specific tools and libraries to streamline your workflow.
Build Projects
- Start small by creating basic decentralized applications or experimenting with smart contracts.
- Showcase your work in a portfolio to demonstrate your capabilities for a potential employer.
Engage with the Community
- Join forums, developer meetups, and hackathons to network with others in the field.
- Stay updated on industry trends by following Web3-focused discussions and publications.
Continue Learning
- The Web3 space is constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date with advancements is crucial.
- Seek out certifications or courses to deepen your expertise and credibility.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While the opportunities in Web3 are immense, they come with challenges. The fast-evolving technology requires developers to continually upskill. Additionally, the regulatory landscape for blockchain and decentralized systems is still developing, which may introduce uncertainties. A Web3 career offers more than just a job—it provides a chance to shape the next wave of technological innovation. As industries embrace decentralization, the demand for Web3 developers will only grow. Whether you’re a seasoned tech professional or someone looking to enter the field, now is the perfect time to explore this exciting career path. By stepping into the world of Web3, you’re not just advancing your skills—you’re becoming part of a movement that’s redefining how we connect, transact, and collaborate online. The future of technology is here, and it’s decentralized. Will you be part of it?
By Adedapo Adesanya
HubPharm has emerged as the winner of First City Monument Bank (FCMB)’s HERccelerate Showcase Day held recently at Hub One, FCMB’s Innovation Hub in Yaba, Lagos.
The tech accelerator, powered by FCMB’s SheVentures and Hub One and delivered by 8thGear Hub & Venture Studios, was designed to empower women-led startups in Nigeria with the skills and resources needed to secure funding and scale.
HubPharm was the best out of 10 finalists with Midddleman, a platform simplifying payments for African e-commerce businesses sourcing from China coming second, while Onit, a productivity tool designed for African SMEs, secured third place.
The Showcase Day brought together the finalists selected from over 1,000 applications who pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of judges.
Ms Tope Kareem, the co-founder of the startup explained that HubPharm is a digital platform with a retail pharmacy chain which has delivered over 100,000 medications across 15 cities, ensuring 98 per cent on-time delivery with AI-driven logistics.
We plan to explore more options and ensure Nigerians, both at home and abroad, know the importance of prioritizing their health. This funding will enable us to keep growing and making an impact,” she noted.
Speaking on the HERccelerate initiative, Mrs Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head of SheVentures, described it as “a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in women. While this is the first pilot of its kind, it is clear that women in tech have the talent, resilience, and vision to drive innovation.”
She also highlighted SheVentures’ broader impact, noting that over the past five years, they have “scaled businesses through four key pillars: access to finance, knowledge, markets, and networks. Our Zero Interest Loan program has provided over N800 million in funding to women entrepreneurs so far, an unprecedented achievement in the industry.”
The top 10 finalists will get free access to Hub One’s coworking space for a year, valued at over N5 million and will also be supported to scale their businesses.
FCMB’s HERccelerate programme is setting a new standard for supporting women in tech, with plans to accelerate over 200 startups in the next five years. By fostering innovation and inclusion, FCMB is shaping a brighter future for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
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