MTN wants to be Africa super-power in tech, Gozem goes live in Gabon – Top Stories In Business And Tech

Welcome to this week’s top story round up in business and tech:

MTN wants to be Africa’s answer to Big Tech
Telecoms giant, MTN has bg dreams. And one of these is to become Africa’s answer to the infusion of social media and digital payment.

Taking its inspiration from China’s WeChat and possibly Apple, the company is making a strategic shift into transforming itself to become a major player in Africa’s tech space.
The company recently teamed up with the Chinese government to bid for Europe’s new telecoms licenses.

FG again Extends NIN-SIM Linkage deadline

The Federal government yet again extended the deadline for the NIN-SIM linkage to June. The new deadline is now June 30. This makes it the fifth time it has been extended since December last year which was first set.

Meanwhile, MTN says only 35 million subscribers have submitted their NIN out of its 64 million users.

 

CBN Extends Naira4Dollar Scheme

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday announced the extension of its Naira4Dollar Scheme. The bank via a circular to all Deposit Money Banks, International Money Transfer Operators and the general public titled, ‘Re: Introduction of the CBN’s “Naira 4 dollar scheme” for diaspora remittances’ said the extension was indefinitely.

“All aspects of the operationalisation of the programme remain the same. Please take note and ensure compliance,” the circular read.

 

Scroll joins the Twitter family

Scroll recently announced its acquisition by Twitter. According to the blog,  “The service will be going into private beta as we integrate into a broader Twitter subscription later in the year. We’re very excited!”.

According to Twitter, Scroll will become a meaningful addition to its subscriptions product suite. This comes on the heels of Twitter’s acquisition of Revue, another publishing platform based in the Netherlands, in January.

 

Gozem goes live in Gabon

Gozem, a multi-function app founded by two Nigerians, Emeka Ajene and Raphael Dana has this week launched its service in Gabon. Gozem operates an app that offers services like transportation, logistics, e-commerce and financial services primarily in francophone Africa countries.

Initially available in cities across Togo and Benin, it offered motorcycles, tricycles and delivery of goods, gas and meals.

According to the company, it has more than 500,000 registered users who have completed more than 2.5 million trips since inception.

Paystack expands to South Africa

Nigerian payment startup, Paystack on Thursday announced its official launch in South Africa. Reports have it that the South African launch was preceded by a six month pilot.

Recall that it was recently acquired by global payment brand Stripe although it still operates as an independent brand despite the acquisition.