Telecom
KongaPay Projected to Hit 3m Subscribers by 2022
KongaPay, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-licensed fintech platform, is on course to grow its active subscriber base to over three million by 2022, data released by the company has shown.
The mobile money platform, the leading provider of digital services for e-commerce shoppers in Nigeria, is one of the thriving subsidiaries within the Konga Group, Nigeria’s e-commerce giant.
Feelers from within the company indicate that KongaPay was recently repositioned to take a greater share of the payments market in Nigeria, a development that has seen the platform taking the fintech space by storm. The move has seen KongaPay – which has witnessed an astronomical 400% rise in adoption, growing from about 272,000 to 1.1 million subscribers within a space of less than three months and from a paltry 81,000 wallets at the point of acquisition in 2018 by the Zinox Group – now on its way to tripling its subscriber numbers in the next one year to over three million.
Furthermore, the management of KongaPay is also targeting an ambitious growth in active usage by 25% in 2022.
Worth emphasizing is the fact that the fintech platform has not only expanded its suite of offerings but is equally set to roll out additional smart features of great products and services offerings, a point further espoused by VP, KongaPay, Isa Aliyushata.
‘‘KongaPay is set to take a greater share of the market, in line with the exciting offerings on the cards which we are set to unveil soon. We have not only enjoyed greater engagement and increased transactions from our existing subscribers but have also seen a huge leap in adoption by new subscribers.
‘‘KongaPay is currently growing at a rate of 400% month-on-month and we are envisaging our subscriber base to hit and possibly exceed the three million mark by 2022.
“This is all down to the hard work still ongoing behind the scenes to make KongaPay the payment platform of choice for millions of Nigerians, the loyalty and confidence we have enjoyed from Nigerians, as well as the smart features and additional products and services we are adding to our growing bouquet of offerings.
“As we continue to take pride in our great vision to constantly solve the challenges of the payment ecosystem globally, KongaPay remains relevant in the minds of its customers with great innovation and hybrid technology solutions,’’ he stated.
Meanwhile, KongaPay was recently identified by Statista, a globally renowned market and consumer data firm, as the leader in providing e-payment services for e-commerce transactions in Nigeria and a foremost enabler of online shopping in Africa’s biggest market.
A robust and reliable digital payments platform, KongaPay offers a long list of services to subscribers including cardless withdrawals for all banks in Nigeria, money transfer to individual accounts or various accounts at once, receiving payments from customers, creditors or benefactors through a variety of means, airtime purchase from various telcos or network providers such as MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9Mobile, etc., payment for or renewal of internet subscriptions, recharge and payment for electricity digitally, renewal of cable TV subscription including DSTV, GOTV, IrokoTV, etc., payment for flights, travel and hotel accommodation, funding of sports betting, lottery and gaming accounts, while also functioning as a mobile money wallet, among others.
KongaPay is also in the forefront of promoting financial inclusion across the reached, the unreached and under-served segments of the populace. Specifically, the platform is deepening the scope of Point of Sales (POS) transactions in Nigeria with the aggressive deployment of mobile money agents across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. KongaPay is confident of adding 10,000 POS agents nationwide by end of financial year 2022.
Launched in 2015, KongaPay debuted as a pilot product in partnership with Nigerian commercial banks in response to concerns expressed by customers about the confidentiality of their details while trying to make payment for products on the Konga website.
Since inception, the platform has grown immensely and under the drive of the new management of Konga, is leading the new-found appetite for digital payments among e-commerce patrons and other subscribers, processing tons of transactions daily.
The company has also recently extended its services to Nigerians in the Diaspora, many of whom have often struggled to find a reliable way to extend support to their families and relatives back home, make payments to suppliers or even receive payment for the goods and services they sell locally.
Starlink has added major price hikes for its Nigerian customers, with roaming now 234 percent more expensive, despite the cost of living crisis gripping the country.
Nearly two years after launching in Nigeria, Starlink, said that it is hiking the price so significantly because of rampant inflation gripping the nation.
“Due to excessive levels of inflation, the Starlink monthly service price will increase,” reads an announcement seen by TechCabal.
Customers will begin paying the new rates for the standard residential and Starlink roaming plans from 31st October.
The standard residential subscription will receive a 100 percent price increase, from $24 to $48 with the 1TB soft-cap still included.
Meanwhile, customers that use Starlink to roam – allowing them to use the kit outside their homes and workplaces in Nigeria – will see a nearly 234 percent price increase, from $30 to $100 per month.
This is over R1 700 in South Africa.
The $100 per month cost for the roaming price in Nigeria now mirrors the pricing of Starlink roaming in Botswana, a close neighbour of South Africa.
Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 4.0), one of the continent’s leading technology-focused events, is scheduled to hold Thursday, November 07, 2024 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Lagos-Nigeria.
The forum will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to explore the theme “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy.”
AfriTECH 4.0 is poised to address critical conversations around the digital evolution of Africa, with a focus on key topics such as emerging technologies, sustainability, policy frameworks, and innovation in the tech ecosystem.
The forum will highlight the importance of building sustainable and inclusive digital infrastructures that can drive economic growth and social development across the continent.
Event Highlights Include:
· Keynote Presentations from prominent technology leaders and policymakers.
· Panel discussions: telecommunications/data centre business, artificial intelligence, fintech, blockchain, cybersecurity, and digital skills development.
· Workshops and Masterclasses led by industry experts on strategies for digital transformation.
· Networking Opportunities for attendees to connect with key stakeholders in Africa’s tech landscape.
· Exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative startups from across Africa.
· Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards in recognition of individuals, businesses and institutions leading digital transformation in Africa.
Notable Speakers at AfriTECH past events include Mr. Austin Okere, founder, CWG PLC, Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria & Ghana; Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO, Open Access Data Centre (OADC); Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Kashifu Inuwa, DG, NITDA; Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO, Digital Realty (Nigeria); Chuks Anakudo, Managing Director/CEO – Global Accelerex; Prof. Wale Peter Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Limited; Dr. Seyi Akindeinde, founder, NeuRaL AI; Chris Uwaje (Oracle) pioneer president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria; Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, the Regional Executive for West Africa and Morocco at Africa Data Centres; Emmanuel Amos, President, InnovationBed Africa; among others.
Prominent speakers have also lined up for AfriTECH 4.0 who will share insights on driving Africa’s digital economy, fostering innovation, and ensuring digital inclusion for all.
“With Africa’s growing digital economy and the increasing importance of technology in various sectors, AfriTECH 4.0 will provide a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on strategies to harness the power of technology to solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges”, said, Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener, AfriTECH.
Event Registration is now open via the link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xQJc8d141wUZ5Swuj2lhiPFLLKUV0xCjE3f_P2bjKfY/edit and interested participants can sign up to attend the forum both virtually and in person.
WhatsApp has been on a roll lately, introducing new features such as the creation of AI images from attachments, the ability to like status updates, and more features in September. Now, as we step into October, WhatsApp has officially added Filters and Backgrounds for video calls to its app.
This comes as an attempt to make video calls more engaging and fun, as in the official release blog, WhatsApp writes, “…we’re rolling out filters and backgrounds to make your video calls even more engaging. With these new effects, you can now change your background or add a filter during a video call for a more personal touch.”
The blog post talks about how filters can create “playful atmospheres.” Meanwhile, when it comes to backgrounds, they emphasize how they help keep surroundings private. I mean, letting those on a video call see your messy room can be embarrassing, so this is a nice feature for sure.
There are ten distinct filters and backgrounds to choose from. WhatsApp says “you can select and mix a wide range of options to create a unique look.” Additionally, WhatsApp also reveals the filter options, namely Warm, Cool, Black & White, Light leak, Dreamy, Prism light, Fisheye, Vintage TV, Frosted glass, and Duo tone.
When it comes to video backgrounds in WhatsApp, users can choose from Blur, Living room, Office, Cafe, Pebbles, Foodie, Smoosh, Beach, Sunset, Celebration, and Forest options. Moreover, alongside filters and backgrounds, WhatsApp has introduced Touch up and Low light modes, which can help enhance and brighten up your environment for more clarity and aesthetics in video calls.
To use the feature, when on a video call, WhatsApp users will need to tap on the magic wand icon at the top right to summon the filters and backgrounds panel. Then, from here, they can make their selection.
Well, that said, these features are not new to WhatsApp Beta users. Back in June itself, WABetaInfo noted the addition of this feature to WhatsApp beta for Android. Anyway, it’s good to see the feature make its public debut. Over the next couple of weeks, the feature will gradually roll out to everyone on both Android and iOS.
Also, another WABetaInfo report suggested that these filters and backgrounds will be making their way to the native WhatsApp Camera, letting users take advantage of them on the fly.
What do you think of WhatsApp’s new filters and backgrounds for video calls? Drop your thoughts in the comments down below!
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