Following the completion of successful trials, Standard Chartered has today launched SC Juza, a short-term lending mobile app has today launched SC Juza, a short-term lending mobile apphas today launched SC Juza, a short-term lending mobile app for its clients. SC Juza aspires to meet the growing demand for short-term unsecured loans that are easily disbursed through mobile wallets. The 100% digital product allows clients to borrow any amount between KES 1,000 to KES 100,000 with a two-month repayment period. Interest will only be charged on the days the loan is held enabling clients to benefit from early repayments. “SC Juza represents the…
Author: Cynthia Moses
Healthcare is one of the biggest challenges facing Africa today, with research showing that as many as half of all Africans lack access to quality healthcare. Even when healthcare is available, accessing it can be a massive challenge. Kenya is no exception to this set of circumstances. The public healthcare sector, in particular, faces a looming crisis thanks to a shortage of medical workers. As a result, many Kenyans seeking healthcare at hospitals and clinics face long waits, which disrupt their days and their ability to care for their families. Reducing those wait times and ensuring that Kenyans have access…
The culture of an organization, the way that things are done, will develop whether there’s intention or not. By defining what it should be, you can influence the behavior. If you don’t define it, it’ll develop organically and you might not like the results. Josh Sephton, Via LinkedIn. Culture is “the way we do things around here.” When you join a new team, you will quickly be humbled. Everybody knows everybody, everyone has a circle – or not. They know the bosses’ good and bad times -read, when to ask for favors and when not to. There’s clearly a formula…
In the pulsating heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where innovation meets opportunity, Africa stands at the forefront of technological advancement. And in the midst of all the exciting changes happening, although not talked about as much, women have fast risen to the call of technology and become bold trailblazers who have broken through barriers, challenged norms, and transformed the tech scene in Africa. From coding geniuses to visionary entrepreneurs, these pioneers have not only harnessed the power of technology to change lives but have also become beacons of inspiration and hope for generations of women and young girls to…
“Breaking barriers, superseding expectations, and aiming for best-in-class performance worldwide are all values that Visa deeply embodies, as it seeks to innovate and drive the future of commerce. Visa, a world leader in digital payments, on Wednesday unveiled a new partnership with Egyptian football legend Mohamed Salah, effectively making him the Visa Ambassador for the several regions including United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kuwait, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The Humble Beginnings The #MoSalahxVisa partnership depicts the power in relentlessly pursuing one’s dreams, with Mo Salah’s journey from a small village in Egypt to becoming a global Football Icon being highlighted…
African startup funding has seen a significant fall from the highs of 2021 and 2022, with investments in the startup scene in Africa dropping by around 27% in 2023 Disrupt Africa’s African Tech Startups Funding Report. Would you start a startup if there was no funding for it? African startup funding has seen a significant fall from the highs of 2021 and 2022, with investments in the startup scene in Africa in terms of funding dropping by around 27% in 2023, according to Disrupt Africa’s African Tech Startups Funding Report. The number of investors during this time, according to the same report…
In the early days of 2024, major players in the tech industry, namely Amazon, Google, and X, are implementing a fresh wave of workforce reductions. 2024 has kicked off with the tech sector raising concerns of industry and career stability, with major players in the industry like Amazon, Google and X beginning the year with rounds of layoffs. In the early days of 2024, Amazon announced it was taking steps to streamline its operations, resulting in significant workforce reductions. The e-commerce giant made substantial cuts in its film and television studios division and its streaming platform, Twitch. These layoffs extend…
The high failure rate in the early years is often attributed to many different factors, but the biggest one has to be the founder’s mindset. The Success or failure of any business heavily relies on its founder. The startup world can be tough. According to statistics, about 20% of new businesses don’t make it past the first two years, and around 45% don’t survive beyond five years. It’s a challenging journey, but those who make it often have some incredible stories to tell.The high failure rate in the early years is often attributed to many different factors, but the biggest…
Following the anticipated increase in scam levels from the Visa Holiday Edition Threats Report, Visa Inc. has released a list of 5 habits consumers can follow to practice safe and secure shopping. These habits for good security hygiene can guide consumers who are planning to shop this holiday/festive season on best practices to stay safe. Visa’s 5 tips For Secure Shopping: The Holiday Edition Threats Report warns that threat actors will seek to exploit consumers’ increased interest and urgency in finding deals and one-of-a-kind gifts. Highlights of the report’s findings include:
The 2023 Holiday edition anticipates threat actors will use advanced schemes to exploit consumers’ information during the holiday season. It also shares tips and tricks for safe transactions. Visa has released its latest Holiday Edition Threats Report, which anticipates heightened scam activity during the holiday season across both card-present (CP) and card-not-present (CNP) transactions. The 2023 Holiday edition anticipates threat actors will use advanced schemes to exploit consumers’ information during the holiday season. It also shares tips and tricks for safe transactions. The report red marks the period between the months of November 2023 and January 2024 as most anticipated to…
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and Oxfam America recently announced their partnership to expand Oxfam’s Building Resilient, Adaptive and Disaster-Ready Communities (B-READY) project. This collaboration aims to provide real-time streamlined money movement and relief payments to individuals and businesses in the Philippines, Kenya, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. The B-READY project utilizes parametric forecasting and community inputs to offer humanitarian assistance before disasters strike. The joint effort by Visa and Oxfam America seeks to scale B-READY into a mobile-based payment solution infrastructure, digitizing humanitarian payments to enhance preparedness for families, individuals, and small businesses facing potential disasters. The partnership…
In a bid to address growing concerns surrounding its operations in Kenya, Bolt, the Estonian e-hailing company, has responded to a wave of social media uproar, acknowledging specific challenges and outlining measures taken to address them. The move comes amidst a wave of social media uproar regarding the alleged unprofessionalism of some drivers, coupled with complaints about low remuneration and high commission fees, and a recent mishap on its license renewal that has since been approved. In response, Bolt outlined a number of key responses to these pressing issues. Bolt Driver Training and Engagement Centers: Responding to reports of unprofessionalism…
In a move to reiterate the future of Bolt in Kenya, the Estonian firm has announced plans to invest an upward of ksh 100 million in electric mobility, by introducing electric cars in Kenya. Digital mobility company Bolt has reaffirmed its commitment to the Kenyan market, days after renewal of its operating license by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). The renewal process faced a temporary setback due to allegations of transportation regulation violations, prompting Bolt to fulfill the NTSA’s licensing requirements. The company expressed its readiness to hold discussions with all stakeholders for continued compliance of regulations. Addressing…
Being in Africa and trying your hand at remote jobs is a headache. Here is a list of 6 job boards that hire remote workers from Africa.
In an era dominated by technological advancements, the healthcare industry has been undergoing continual transformations, begging the question, Are we on the brink of a tech-driven health revolution? Has technology already taken the reins in healthcare, and what does this mean for the future? Let’s explore the healthtech landscape, with a specific focus on Kenya. The Current State: Tech’s Takeover in Health: It is undeniably evident that technology is reshaping the very fabric of healthcare as we know it. From wearables that monitor vital signs to virtual hospital consultations and online medicine dispensers, tech is already a prominent player in…