Technology
Software Engineer Favour Ori Disrupts Fintech Space With PayDay
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The financial technology (fintech) space in Africa is getting disrupted with the introduction of a payments product called PayDay designed by a software engineer and entrepreneur, Mr Favour Ori.
The expert is keen on building and shipping innovative products geared toward simplifying, automating, and generally improving lives in Africa.
In 2016, he relocated to the United States to study Computer and Information Sciences at Southern Arkansas University. Since then, he has worked with the likes of Turing, GO, ABiTNetwork, CultureBase PBC, Saint Louis University, and Oklahoma State University.
The entrepreneur has spoken at several international conferences like the NCHC Conference in Atlanta, the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York, the YCBS Conference in Atlanta, and 1MillionCups in Tulsa.
In 2018, prior to founding TalentMatch, he launched an IBM-backed non-profit called FavCode54, which aimed at empowering Africans and helping them launch their tech careers. IBM provided resources valued at $90 million to enable beneficiaries of FavCode54 to learn and deploy real-world cloud products.
In 2020, Mr Ori launched and sold College Situation and Tugure to ABiTNetwork. College Situation connects African students in Africa to renowned institutions, scholarship opportunities and fellowship programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many other countries outside the African continent. On the other hand, Tugure allows Rwandese to trade new and fairly used items easily and securely.
During the coronavirus pandemic last year, he was inspired to build WeJapa, a talent matching platform to help experienced software developers secure foreign jobs.
He partnered with companies like IREMBO, Quorum Control GmBH, and ABiTNetwork to recruit and the young entrepreneur is working tirelessly with his team at TalentMatch to ensure accessibility of employment in technology on the African continent with PayDay, which they believe is the fastest and most efficient way for technology talent and creatives throughout the African continent to receive payments from their global or foreign clients within minutes, all on their mobile phones or personal computers.
PayDay is a product by TalentMatch, with team members including Dr Rex Idaminabo (co-founder), Chidi Nwaogu (co-founder), and many other competent African talents. Together, they are working to facilitate cross-border payments in Africa.
TalentMatch has raised over $100,000 in funding; $50,000 in pre-seed funding and $50,000 from angel investors. Though, TalentMatch, which will be joining a Canadian accelerator and will be setting up its headquarters there, is still seeking to raise a seed round of $1 million in the following months.
Technology
Telco Subscribers Threaten to Sue Over 50% Tariff Hike
By Adedapo Adesanya
An association representing the interest of telecommunication subscribers in Nigeria has rejected the 50 per cent tariff increase announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and has threatened legal action.
On Monday, the NCC approved a 50 per cent tariff increase for telecom operators in the country, the first since 2013.
The 50 per cent call was lower than the 100 per cent recommended by the other stakeholders, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which has members like MTN and Airtel.
Now in response, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has faulted the move, saying the 50 per cent was too high and called for another review.
The association’s president, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, said on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics, monitored by Business Post on Tuesday, that the body would approach the courts if there’s no reversal.
He noted that Nigerians are already bearing the brunt of a cost of living crisis, adding that the 50 per cent hike which was supposed to reprieve from the initial 100 per cent recommendation, was still not acceptable.
“It is not it at all. It is so much for subscribers to bear. Already, we are grappling with a lot of things that are surrounding the business climate here… fuel cost, electricity cost, and all that… you are now looking at telcos asking for 100 per cent and NCC now is granting them 50 per cent It is a no-no,” he said.
“We are definitely not going to accept this,” he declared.
The NCC, announcing the hike on Monday, said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
“…Over 100 per cent requested by some network operators was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024,” the announcement statement noted.
Technology
NCC Approves 50% Hike in Call, SMS, Data Tariffs
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday approved a 50 per cent tariff increase on calls, SMS, and internet data for telecoms companies in the company.
This comes after telcos suggested a 100 per cent hike in the tariffs, the first of such changes in over 10 years.
Despite the recommendation, the NCC was concerned about the impact this would have on Nigerians, who are battling a cost of living crisis.
The NCC rationalised the 50 per cent hike, saying it wanted to strike a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring the industry’s sustainability.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” a statement from the NCC read on Monday night.
Recall that the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, has said the federal government may consider between 30 and 60 per cent hike in tariffs.
“I think it should not be more than anywhere between 30 and 60 per cent,” he said during an interview recently.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, said telcos are proposing a 100 per cent increase in tariffs to the Nigerian government.
He, however, pointed out that it won’t get such approval but said a substantial change, beneficial to all stakeholders, could be agreed upon.
It is not certain what the reaction of the telcos may be concerning this new development. If they disagree with the approval, it may lead to another round or dialogue or limitation of service offerings.
Technology
Nigerians Hail Acceptance of Naira for AWS Cloud Subscription
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The acceptance of the Naira for payments for cloud services in Nigeria by global cloud leader, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has continued to excite its customers in the country.
Before now, Nigerians subscribing to the company’s cloud services were forced to purchase foreign currencies, particularly the United States Dollar (USD).
But to make transactions easier for its teeming clients in the country, AWS announced it was now accepting payments in local currency.
“With payments in their local currencies, customers can avoid foreign exchange costs associated with making foreign currency payments.
“This also removes payment friction for customers in countries where local regulations put limits on the foreign currency amount a customer can access,” the American firm said in a statement.
By lowering the barrier for Nigerian companies to pay for cloud services in their local currency, AWS has given itself an edge, but the growing local alternatives may still present a challenge.
The organisation said it is not just about price anymore—it’s about local relevance and helping businesses navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s economic environment.
The decision of AWS to accept naira payments comes in response to the growing appeal of local cloud providers in Nigeria.
Recall that in January 2023, the firm launched its AWS Local Zones facility in Lagos to reduce latency and improve performance for Nigerian businesses—often an important factor since many Nigerian companies host their services in AWS’s European region due to geographical proximity.
By offering a new payment option alongside this infrastructure, AWS can solidify its foothold in the Nigerian market, especially as local providers continue to present an attractive, economically aligned alternative.
“This is a welcomed development. We have been waiting for this to happen for a long time. I am glad it has finally become a reality. I don’t need to buy forex (foreign exchange) to pay for Amazon cloud services,” a tech enthusiast based in Lagos, Mr Kolade Adewale, told Business Post.
“I want to believe that the competition from Microsoft’s Azure may have forced AWS to include the Naira as a payment option. This is what competition does to the market. You can see such in the telecommunications and petroleum sectors with Dangote Refinery,” another tech enthusiast, Mr Goke Fashina, said.
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