Telecom
How STEP is Empowering Startups and Talent in Africa
Africa is rapidly becoming a hotbed for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancements. Yet, for many startups and talented individuals, the journey from concept to market traction and revenue is often fraught with challenges. Enter the Startup and Talent Enhancement Program (STEP), a pioneering initiative by IDEA Africa, with support from the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub. STEP is not just a program; it’s a transformative force empowering startups and talent across Africa to scale up and achieve sustainable growth.
The vision of STEP is simple yet profound: to bridge the gap between potential and success for startups that have moved beyond the post-revenue stage but are struggling with technical debt, growth hacking, marketing, and other critical areas. How? By giving them access to a large pool of professionally trained talent, strategic market advice from industry experts with years of experience, and a community with like-minded people and fellow founders. By providing targeted intervention and strategic resources, STEP ensures that these startups are not just surviving but thriving.
STEP’s approach is holistic, providing support in multiple areas crucial for startup success. From offering technical assistance, helping startups overcome technical debt and improve their product offerings to providing growth hacking strategies and tools to drive rapid growth and scale operations, to offering marketing insights and resources to effectively market products and reach the right audience and also assisting startups in developing robust business strategies that ensure long-term success.
STEP is committed to empowering individual talent and helping mentors attain fulfilment. By connecting skilled professionals and experienced mentors with high-potential startups, STEP not only helps these individuals find meaningful work and fulfilment but also fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. This creates a dynamic ecosystem where both startups, talent and mentors can thrive.
To maintain the quality and impact of the program, STEP employs a rigorous selection process. Startups are evaluated based on their growth potential, market fit, and alignment with STEP’s objectives. This ensures that only the most promising startups, ready to embrace transformative changes, are chosen. The result is a cohort of high-potential startups primed for success.
Why STEP?
We are not just another initiative, but an organisation committed to transforming lives and businesses. We believe in the power of local startups to drive economic growth and create jobs. With tailored support and resources, we help you overcome challenges and reach new heights. Also, we provide comprehensive talent and mentor support, connecting you with skilled professionals who can help take your business to the next level. At STEP, we are dedicated to the professional growth of individuals. Through our program, selected talent will receive upskilling opportunities and access to job placements that match their skills, ensuring a bright future for all.
Application Details:
Key Dates:
- Application Period: July 22nd – August 31st, 2024
How to Apply for Startups, Talent and Mentors:
- Click www.steptech.ng
- Select your track
- Create an account with us
- Verify your email
- Log in to start your application
How to Apply for Hubs:
- Send a mail to Enquiry@steptech.ng with “Hub Application” as the subject
Join Us in Transforming the Startup Ecosystem
We invite all innovators, from startups to mentors, talent, and hubs, to join us in this exciting journey. STEP is your opportunity to make a significant impact, drive innovation, and contribute to the growth of the startup ecosystem in Enugu, Rivers, and Ekiti states.
“Scaleup with STEP” is not just a call to action; it is a testament to the potential and resilience of African startups and talent. By providing targeted support, fostering connections, and driving innovation, STEP is paving the way for a brighter future in Africa’s tech landscape. Join STEP today and be a part of this incredible transformation.
Join Our Community
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates, success stories, and live Q&A sessions. One of the most vital parts of STEP is the community that we are creating. By joining STEP, you join a community of like-minded innovators, tech enthusiasts, and industry experts. This community is a place to collaborate, share experiences, and form long-term connections that can help your startup grow.
Follow STEP’s innovative and exciting journey on social media platforms @steptechnigeria on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
For more information, visit our website or contact us at Enquiry@steptech.ng.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief Enterprise business officer, MTN Nigeria, has assured the network subscribers that the new end-user billing system for the use of USSD services will jot affect them.
USSD, otherwise Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes are commonly used for banking transactions, airtime recharges, and other mobile services.
The telco said that there is no significant impact or change other than the fact that they will now pay the same N6.98 per session (120 seconds) with their airtime instead of direct bank debit.
Saint-Nwafor, said this during a chat with MTN MIP fellows, explaining that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered telecom operators to ensure that the new billing model resolves trust issues and ensures transparency in the billing process.
“Our regulator insisted that at the end of every month, we are going to be providing history and statistics on the performance of the service across the board”, she explained.
Saint-Nwafor added that the new billing model has standardized messaging across all operators and ensures consistent communication with customers.
“We will take all the error codes and map them into messages that are standardised across the board. So, if you initiate a transaction, you will know if it is failing. And, when the transaction fails, you will know if it is from your bank or the telco,” she explained.
The U.S. government has recovered $225 million in what is now the largest seizure of funds linked to a cryptocurrency investment scam.
In a statement released Wednesday, June 18, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the recovery followed an extensive investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, using blockchain analysis and other forensic tools. The statement did not confirm whether any arrests had been made.
According to the authorities, the stolen funds originated from fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes that tricked victims into believing they were making legitimate investments. More than 400 individuals around the world, including dozens in the United States, were reportedly affected.
The operation involved a sophisticated money laundering network that carried out hundreds of thousands of blockchain transactions to obscure the source and ownership of the stolen assets.
“These scams prey on trust, often resulting in extreme financial hardship for the victims,” said Shawn Bradstreet, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Secret Service office in San Francisco.
Bradstreet added that U.S. officials hope the recovered funds can eventually be returned to the rightful victims.
Cryptocurrency investment fraud accounted for over $5.8 billion in reported losses in 2024 alone, according to the statement.
In a rousing declaration that is electrifying minds across the continent, Hon. Nnaemeka Ani, Special Adviser on ICT to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for a homegrown digital revolution under the banner “Africa Will Rise: By Code, By Courage, By Us.”
Hon. Nnaemeka Ani
The message, part challenge, part philosophical—seeks to galvanize African innovators to move beyond buzzwords and build technology with impact and legacy in mind.
“Let’s stop building for hype. Let’s start building for legacy,” Ani urged while speaking to ICT journalists over the weekend. “Let’s stop waiting for someone else. Let’s start creating the future—on our own terms.”
At the heart of Ani’s vision is a shift from tech consumerism to tech authorship. With innovation hubs sprouting across cities like Enugu, Lagos, Kigali, Jo’Burg, and Nairobi, and a growing community of developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs determined to solve Africa’s unique challenges, the movement is already taking shape.
Ani emphasized that Africa’s future lies not in flashy apps or international admiration but in persistent, intentional solutions that uplift communities—solutions that digitize public services, bridge rural-urban divides, empower women and youth, and build resilience in food and climate systems.
“We have the talent,” he said. “Now it’s time to harness it—to stop building for likes and start building for lasting impact.”
With support from leaders like Ani and rising momentum in Africa’s tech corridors, it seems that a new chapter is being written—one line of code at a time.
MTN Says New N6.98 USSD Charge Won’t Affect Airtime Recharge
Sofri Rejigs Digital Platforms for Better Customer Experience
DLM Group Unveils Innovative Sovereign Bond Backed Composite Notes
Study Reveals 7% of Industrial Organizations Tackle Vulnerabilities Only When Necessary
NITDA, NCFRMI Forge Strategic Alliance for Inclusive Digital Transformation of Displaced Nigerians
General News3 days agoNASRDA, Galaxy Space Firm Sign MoU on Satellite Connectivity
Telecom3 days agoOver 1m Nigerians Reached through MTN Staff’s Digital and Community Outreach
Telecom3 days agoMafab Gets 0724 Number Series, Launches Mcom 5G Brand
News3 days agoDBN Awards N13m in Grants to Tech Startups
Telecom3 days agoNCC to Name, Shame Telecom Infrastructure Vandals
News3 days agoFCCPC Shuts France, Belgium, and Italy Visa Centres in Abuja Over Alleged Consumer Rights Violations
Telecom3 days agoWSIS Review: Nigerian ICT Leaders Urged to Shape Global Digital Future
E-Financial3 days agoBank Customers Petition CBN over Illegal Deductions, Demand Action