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THE FUTURE IS HERE – USPF Changemaker Challenge 2018 Begins

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Innovative ICT Solutions and Entrepreneurship development project provides an avenue for self expression and creativity through technology.

 

This is a Hackathon and Incubation event where people with technology backgrounds and business vision come together, form teams around a problem or idea, and collaboratively code a unique solution from the scratch.

 

These solutions are usually in the form of websites, mobile apps, IOT, robotics andmore.

 

Therefore, instead of meeting at the local bars,coffee shops or social media groups to discuss and ponder on social problems every weekend, you actually have a chance to meet diverse but like-minded fellows to tackle these problems head-on.

 

It is considering this that the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) initiated thethird season of the Changemaker Challenge.

 

This is an innovative competition for persons who have ideas on how to apply technology in solving problems.

 

The theme for the Changemaker Challenge 2018 is “THE FUTURE IS HERE: Disrupting Legacy Ecosystem with Technology”.

 

Apply now at www.uspfchangemaker18.ng and stand a chance to develop your idea.

 

This Hackathon is scheduled for the 25thto 27th of January 2019 and open to all Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45 (well interested persons below the age of 18 would require their parents/guardians to fill out a permission slip and accompany their ward to the event).

 

Eligible persons can participate in the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2018 as individuals or as a team (each team consisting of a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 5 members).

So what’s in it for you?

Should you decide to participate in the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2018, there are lots of benefits outside the fame and cash prize. Some of which include:

 

  1. You get to make new connections and network: This Hackathon will be a great opportunity to get to know people who have the same interests as you and care about the same technologies. Plus you get the chance to actually work and collaborate on projects with like-minded people and pitch your ideas to potential investors.

 

  1. Awesome Collaborative Experience: Working intenselywith the new people you meet for many consecutive hours over a short period of time lets you create strong bonds, learn from others strengths and learn how to work with a team that you don’t already know and with who you’ve never worked before.

 

  1. Great for your CV: while you will be getting some real tech experience and you can win cash prizes, people in the field know that during a Hackathon you increase your knowledge and gain team work experience.

 

  1. Prize Money: There is a total prize money of over N3.5m to be won! While mentors and investors are seated to guide and launch your idea for business success or social good, you will also be winning some money for your effort.

 

Apply now at http://uspfchangemaker18.ng/apply-now/and stand a chance to develop your idea.

Other perks include theopportunity to: innovate and develop a product; free food; free swag; meet industry leaders; increase your chances of getting a job offer and most importantly, you get to LEARN (all these for free) and eventually pitch your ideas to potential investors.

 

So what are you waiting for?

The USPF Changemaker Challenge event is the perfect place to network and connect with brilliant, software developers, UX Designers, Data Scientists, ICT Experts, Budding Entrepreneurs, Strategists, Angel Investors, Idea Funders, Public Policy Experts, Incubation Experts and Technology Enthusiasts.

 

It will be a weekend of freedom to create a new product, learn new techniques for your future development, and be part of a community of new ideas and ventures thus Ideas Festival, Investors Delight!

 

The total cash prize is over N3,500,000 and there will also be transportation subsidies for applicants that apply early. It is the much-awaited ideas festival, investors delight!

 

For more information, visit www.uspfchangemaker18.ng


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Detained Binance executive drags EFCC, NSA to court

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Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has has dragged the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to court alleging violations of his fundamental rights.

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In a filing dated March 18 and presented by his lawyer Olujoke Aliyu from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, Gambaryan sought redress before Justice Inyang Ekwo, requesting five reliefs. Similarly, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped custody on March 22, initiated a separate suit before Justice Ekwo.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, alleged that his detention and the confiscation of his international travel passport violated Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, constituting a breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty. He further requested the court to order his immediate release and the return of his passport. Additionally, he sought an injunction preventing further detention related to any Binance investigations and demanded a public apology from the respondents, along with costs incurred.

Gambaryan stated that he visited Nigeria on February 26 alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, representing Binance, in response to invitations from ONSA and EFCC. Despite attending the meeting as requested, both were detained afterward without formal charges.

During the court proceedings, T.J. Krukrubo, SAN, representing Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, informed the court of the respondents’ absence despite being served. Krukrubo also mentioned their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla, filed on March 26.

Justice Ekwo noted the withdrawal of legal representation and adjourned the matter to April 8 to allow the applicants to seek new representation and give the respondents an opportunity to appear.

In Gambaryan’s case, Krukrubo stated that although the processes were served on ONSA and EFCC, they still had time to respond. He requested an adjournment, indicating that the respondents’ deadline to file their applications would expire the following week.

Consequently, Justice Ekwo scheduled the next hearing for April 8 to continue proceedings.


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AXA Mansard Empowers Female SMEs with Financial, Digital Skills

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AXA Mansard, a member of AXA has empowered 200 female Small and Medium Enterprises with financial literacy and digital business skills.

In collaboration with SME 100 Africa, the two-day training, which was held in Lagos, is part of AXA’s lined-up programmes to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

Speaking, Olusesan Ogunyooye, Head of Marketing AXA Mansard, said the training was aimed to empower female SME owners with skills to improve business output and position them for the increasing economic opportunities available in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Ogunyooye noted that the move was in line with AXA Mansard’s sustainability agenda, explaining that the company was convinced that support for women through its inclusive protection programmes was pivotal to its purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters and its mission of moving from being a payer to a partner.

He further said that focusing on digital skills was important because the company realised the importance of digital skills to the growth of the SME sector in Nigeria and wants to ensure that women were empowered enough to be a consequential part of that growth.

“It’s almost trite to say that SMEs are the engine for economic growth, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where over 45 million adults are business owners. What needs to be continually discussed is how Nigeria is going to unlock that potential for economic development and how much of that potential will be unlocked by women and for women.”

“For us at AXA Mansard, we are aware that digital will play a major role in unlocking these current opportunities and Nigeria’s economic future. So, to ensure that women are equally represented in unlocking these future potentials, that’s why we have collaborated with SME 100 Africa to support them in developing the required skills”.

“Our choice of digital and financial literacy skills is deliberate. We understand the power of the duo. We understand that helping these SMEs with the skills to attract more customers will be a faster means to empower them.

“We see that they have amazing products and services, but they need to understand how to attract value for themselves by attracting the right customers, and you will agree with me that virtually all customer segments are online in one way or another today.

“So, if we can empower them with digital business skills, we would have helped them with the heavy lifting of trying to find and attract customers”. Ogunyooye explained.

According to him, AXA Mansard believes that for the world to experience progress truly, there must be an equitable distribution of creation and access to opportunities for men and women. This quest for balance informed the SHE for Shield initiative, a women-centred inclusive protection programme of AXA Mansard.

SHE for Shield is a group of initiatives designed for the Nigerian woman. The goal is to see them grow, add value, and help them mitigate risks at every step.

According to the company, research has found that access to health care is one of the most important things to Nigerian women, regardless of their economic segment. They desire to be financially independent, secure, and respected in the community.

 


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IFC Invests in New 4DX Ventures Fund to Support Tech Startups in Africa

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IFC is investing $10.5 million in a new fund by 4DX Ventures, a New York-based venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage African technology companies across a broad set of sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, edtech, climate tech, and health tech.

IFC’s investment in 4DX Ventures Fund III will come from IFC’s $225 million venture capital platform, which was launched last year to strengthen emerging VC ecosystems and invest in early-stage companies in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Pakistan.

Africa is among the regions least served by venture capital, receiving just 2% of global venture deal volume in the third quarter of 2023. Access to capital on the continent has been further exacerbated by a slowdown in global venture capital investment.

Tech ecosystems are nascent, or even nonexistent, outside of more established markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

“IFC and 4DX Ventures share the commitment to supporting tech entrepreneurs with innovations that will help Africa leapfrog in critical areas such as climate, health care, fintech, e-commerce, and education,” said Walter Baddoo, Co-Founder and General Partner of 4DX Ventures.

“We look forward to partnering with IFC to help promising tech startups build transformative businesses and realize sustainable development impact on the continent.”

4DX’s new fund will invest in companies with tech solutions that can improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness across Africa. The firm’s first two funds invested in companies such as Egypt-based e-commerce platform MaxAB, an IFC portfolio company; Ghana-based health tech firm mPharma; and Kenya-based B2B e-commerce platform Wasoko, formerly known as Sokowatch.

“By supporting the development of tech ecosystems in emerging markets, IFC’s venture capital platform aims to improve access to key services, boost business competitiveness, and promote job creation through digital transformation,” said Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries at IFC.

“Our investment in venture funds such as 4DX Ventures will help African entrepreneurs access more financing and resources they need to scale tech innovations and bolster sustainable growth across the continent.

In addition to providing capital, IFC will work with 4DX Ventures to implement their environmental and social management system.


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