Brands/Products
KreekAfrica: Leveraging the Freelance Market for Business Growth in Africa
By Adedapo Adesanya
The cost of hiring and keeping employees inhouse goes way beyond salaries. Cost of pension payments, sick leaves, insurance, and training, all add to the expenses that businesses incur to make a profit. But even with all these investments, there is no guarantee that the venture will see an increase in return.
With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, it has even become more costly to keep employees inhouse as there is a limit to how certain business activities can go on. And this creates a situation where there just aren’t enough resources to cater to all the expenses. But that doesn’t mean that businesses should shut down or experience a decline in productivity because there is a smart way to go about it.
Kreekafrica.com presents a platform where businesses can still function as planned by with a fast-rising alternative to traditional employment: the gig economy. This involves outsourcing parts of the overall tasks in a business, to professionals, with the same level of security.
Especially because of the large population of youth in Africa, and the lack of formal jobs to accommodate them, there is a huge employment gap that has long been a topic of conversation for governments and policymakers.
Due to the lack of a definite and lasting solution that can cater to all, Africans are resorting to the gig economy by looking for freelance work as a source of steady income. Being a freelancer also offers flexibility and the work-life balance that a lot more people are looking for in their employment.
What started as a trend is gradually turning into a sector that could revolutionize the way of doing business in Africa, and boost the economy in the process. Now, businesses can leverage the resources provided by this informal employment option.
The only problem is that there isn’t much investment in this sector in a way that builds on its potential. That is why platforms like kreekafrica.com are necessary to create a more organized way of going about it. In the Western world, the informal sector is considered as a legitimate employment option, with many of today’s corporate giants’ success based solely on the gig economy.
There are many platforms and freelancer networks that allow individuals to put their skills to work, connecting them with many businesses that need it. The many freelance sites that constitute the best freelance sites 2018 alone make it clear that there is a market out there, and it is time for Africa to start capitalizing on the opportunity.
With this in mind, businesses need to start reviewing their business model to assess their sustainability. In times, like these where employees are more of a luxury, it is prudent for African companies to take advantage of the gig economy, which has a plethora of talent just waiting to be harnessed from a freelance content writer, and freelance footwear designer to freelance python programmer.
With platforms like kreekafrica.com, businesses can hire a freelancer online or build a freelance team consisting of seasoned professionals across various fields, with guaranteed security and at a relatively lower cost. It is a secure platform where like-minded individuals with a desire to get things done efficiently get to connect and with tangible results.
One other advantage for businesses is that all expenses made are based on results, and so losses are kept to the barest minimum. It is indeed a smart way of doing business.
So far, technology and the internet, in particular, seem to be the main facilitators of the gig economy. Fortunately, an impressive amount of the continent’s population is already privy to how it works.
Therefore, the future of smart freelance is bright, and businesses can hop on; it is never too late. There is a chance for the informal sector in Africa to be well defined, and expansion and Kreek Africa is a step in the right direction.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigerian shoppers who use one of the world’s largest online retail platforms, AliExpress, can now pay for the items with their Verve cards, Business Post has learned.
This has been made possible because of a partnership between the e-commerce platform and the leading domestic payments card scheme and token brand, Verve International.
It was gathered that the collaboration empowers Verve cardholders, both locally and internationally, to engage in cross-border transactions.
It also reinforces Verve’s unwavering commitment to delivering inclusive, innovative, and secure digital payment solutions that empower individuals and businesses alike, while bridging the gap in global digital commerce.
With AliExpress joining this network and Verve integrated into its payment options, Verve cardholders can easily shop and pay for a wide range of products.
To shop on AliExpress using a Verve card, users need to simply sign in, select the items to buy, and click ‘Buy now.’ When prompted, add a new card and enter the Verve card details. Save the information for future use, confirm the details, and complete the payment seamlessly.
“We are excited to announce that Verve is now accepted on AliExpress, a globally recognised e-commerce leader.
“This marks a significant milestone in our global expansion journey, reflecting our commitment to providing cardholders with access to more possibilities in today’s digital economy.
“The addition of AliExpress to our growing network is just the beginning, there’s much more to come as we continue to innovate, expand, and deliver value to millions of Verve cardholders in Nigeria and beyond,” the Managing Director of Verve International, Mr Vincent Ogbunude, said.
Verve’s expanding global network is bolstered by partnerships with renowned brands such as Google, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Uber, Spotify, among others, enabling cardholders to conveniently pay for subscriptions in Naira.
These alliances solidify Verve’s position as a trusted leader in the digital payments space, ensuring that consumers can access top-notch services across diverse industries.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised alarm about low-quality sugar from Brazil in the Nigerian markets.
In a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, the consumer protection agency said it uncovered the availability of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets, particularly smuggled brands from Brazil, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean and Arapora Bionergia.
The products failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, posing serious health risks to consumers, undermining the integrity of the local sugar industry, and contributing to price manipulation that harms the market.
Acting on a tip-off, FCCPC operatives conducted discreet investigations across the country, particularly in the South-West and the North-East.
The investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labelling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration.
“Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being.
“The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women,” the statement added.
The FCCPC also lamented concerns about the economic impact of these products, noting that the influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards.
The body warned that importers of these substandard products engage in price manipulation to the detriment of genuine producers and consumers while pretending that the products are genuine.
“This jeopardises the sustainability of the Nigerian sugar industry and also erodes consumer trust in the market,” the statement added.
The FCCPC also warned that smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Cameroun and the Benin Republic, further complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.
FCCPC also reassured the general public that it is taking decisive steps to address this issue consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
“The Commission charged Nigerian consumers to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ascertaining they carry proper labelling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.
“The FCCPC is intensifying enforcement and surveillance in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies. These efforts include enhanced surveillance and follow-up market inspections to disrupt the supply chain of smuggled sugar products.
“The FCCPC is also engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market,” it added.
MultiChoice Nigeria, the leading pay-TV service provider, has announced the extension of the Supa Plus Golden Window for the festive season.
Customers can continue to enjoy the GOtv Supa+ package at the discounted price of N13,900 instead of the regular N15,700.
The Executive Head of Marketing for West Africa at MultiChoice, Tope Oshunkeye, stated that the extension of the Golden Window is in line with making entertainment accessible to every home during the festive season.
“By extending the Golden Window, we’re allowing our valued customers to enjoy premium entertainment at a discounted price and create an immersive and delightful experience for families to enjoy together while creating memorable moments”. It’s part of our bigger goal this festive season; to make it a good season for everybody.
In addition to the extension of the Golden Window, GOtv also has an exciting lineup of shows on Africa Magic Showcase to keep viewers entertained throughout the festive season.
Running throughout the festive season, to January 11th, the lineup features captivating titles such as The Jump and 10th Anniversary two new Africa Magic original movies.
The schedule for this season promises something for everyone to enjoy, with the launch of the Holiday channel and the exclusive Bovi Comedy Special – Christmas with Bovi, from December 24th to 26th. Rounding up the entertainment is a feast of football this season.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy1 year agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN