Nigeria’s Tech industry has grown exponentially in the last ten years, surpassing South Africa to emerge as a premier investment destination for big technology firms. More than 60 tech hubs have raised millions of dollars in funding.
For more on the Tech scene in Nigeria, Africa 54’s Paul Ndiho, via Skype, spoke to David Alozie, a Disruptive Innovations technologies consultant in Lagos.
Technology is revolutionizing the way women do business in Africa. It allows young entrepreneurs to think outside of the box and create enterprises via the internet, changing lives. In Ghana, Lily Botsyoe, an aspiring global ambassador, is on a mission to change the way young people in Ghana use technology.
In Accra, Ghana, Africa 54’s Paul Ndiho via Skype, spoke to Lily Botsyoe, Team Lead, Community engagement, and Internships at Hacklab Ghana.
By Paul Ndiho
A Nigeria-based online auto platform, Cars45, is competing with traditional car dealers as it grows its platform, which buys, sells, prices, and rates the condition of per-owned vehicles.
Auto Trader’s 2020 Car Industry report, released in earlier this year, says global interest in Pre-owned vehicles is at an all-time high. There are over 400 million online searches between mid-2019 to 2020, reflecting a massive 40 percent increase in used car searches. Lagos-based Cars45, an online auto platform that is positioning itself as the go-to website for used car sales in the region. Olajide Adamolekun, Chief Finance officer, cars45.
“We looked at the industry and realized that there was a lack of transparency in the used car automotive space. How do we know the real value of the car, how do we know what the car’s condition is and whoever is buying, how would they know what they are buying? So that lack of transparency – Saw the opportunity to create value where people who want to sell their car, people who want to buy cars, can meet in a very transparent manner.
The used-car market in Nigeria is a big hassle. There’s so much mistrust, no vehicle history, and not much of a structured dealer network. These are just some of the challenges Cars45 is trying to solve.
“Whoever wants to sell their car, first, you go online to get a sense of evaluation. Posts the vehicle’s model, year of the vehicle, and once it’s posted online – our website, it gets a range of prices of which the car could fall depending on the grade, and I think we are the first in Nigeria to do that.”
Started in 2016, Cars45 has since expanded to more than 60 locations where sellers or owners enter their vehicle information for a free quote. They can then schedule an appointment at one of the inspection centers.
“We currently have over 63 inspection centers across Nigeria and these retail footprints where people that want to sell their cars go to or drive too, and it’s 200-point inspection. It’s like if a patient goes to a Doctor and says they want to do a blood checkup, that’s what we do.”
In much of sub-Saharan Africa, the imports satisfy the demand for mobility. Simultaneously, many public transport systems are undeveloped and newer models are not affordable to many in the growing middle class.
“Individuals import over 500,000 (used cars) vehicles per year. And because of that fragmentation, there are many other value chain services and possibilities that are not available– so the question is how can we do this in the most transparent manner where the customer knows what they are buying.”
Like many technology companies in Nigeria, Cars45’s continues to attract venture capitalists and has raised millions of dollars in funding. The company is setting its sights on pursuing Nigeria-first growth strategies before expanding to other markets. However, analysts say that pre-owned cars present environmental challenges. They contribute to the pollution burden on a continent that contributes far less than other regions to the emissions that may contribute to global warming.
Unemployed people in Ghana often feel alone and isolated. But, in Accra, Nadia Owusu digital marketing consultant and technology enthusiast is using her digital skills to empower, mentor young girls and women on how to enter the field of science and technology.
Africa 54’s Paul ndiho via Skype, spoke to Nadia Owusu a digital marketing consultant, in Accra, Ghana.
The Cyber-threat is on the rise in Africa. Millions of people are susceptible to a range of online criminal activities, including financial fraud, drugs, human trafficking, and terrorism.
Analysts say the fight against cyber crime requires a cohesive and coordinated approach because the potential for internet abuse in Africa is very high.
For more, Africa 54’s technology correspondent Paul Ndiho via skype, spoke to Mojisola Alabi, director, program, and partnerships at the center for cyber awareness and development.
In a rapidly changing market, you never know whether a customer will still be yours tomorrow. Earning customers’ trust means delighting them with excellent user experiences, exciting new offers, and advice tailored to their needs.
For more, Africa 54’s technology correspondent Paul Ndiho via skype, spoke to Ngaruiya Kamau, a budding tech entrepreneur in the energy sector in Kenya. Kamau and his team are simplifying life through technology.
Long before covid-19, there was already high adoption in education technology – whereby teaching is done remotely and on digital platforms.
In Kenya, Sproutfy, a school mobile web-based management and communication tool, is enhancing collaborative learning.
For more, Africa 54’s technology correspondent Paul Ndiho via Skype, spoke to Penina Kimani, mobile app developer, and founder Sproutfy.
The digital revolution in Africa has transformed our societies, impacting how we tackle some of the continent’s biggest problems.
However, women are significantly underrepresented in the field of technology. But Gbemisola Takuro a young mobile app developer, says although the number of women in the tech world has been growing, more needs to be done to encourage women.
For more perspective, Africa 54’s technology reporter Paul Ndiho, via Skype, spoke to Gbemisola Takuro, a mobile app developer, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Africa’s video game industry is soaring due to tech expansion, smartphones, and creative game studios. According to the industry experts, critical markets like Kenya saw $50M in video game revenue in the last five years, and it’s expected to double by 2021.
Gaming pioneer Atari is looking to expand its reach in Africa with long-standing investments in Nairobi, Kinshasa, Liberia, and Nigeria and existing mobile and casino games.
Africa 54 technology reporter Paul Ndiho, via Skype, spoke to Fred Chesnais, CEO Atari, about the gaming industry in Africa.
Global fashion search platform Lyst reports that tie-dye is one of the fastest-growing fashion search keywords of the year so far. And a Sierra Leonean – American Nurse based in the US State of Virginia is trying to mark her in the fashion industry.
Khadijah Kalokoh recently launched her fashion label “Dijahdave,” She is already generating a buzz in the African community with her unique Tie and Dye designs.
Africa 54 technology reporter Paul Ndiho, via Skype, spoke to Khadijah Kalokoh, Founder and Designer, Dijahdave fashion label.
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