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#StartupSouth to Hold 9th Conference on October 3-4 in Port Harcourt

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#StartupSouth, the premier Technology and Business Innovation Conference in the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria will take place on October 3rd and 4th, 2024 in Port Harcourt.

Announcing this in a media parley, Uche Aniche, Convener and Cofounder of #StartupSouth said this year’s theme, “Deep & Broad: Extending Frontiers of Technology and Economic Development,” is a reflection of the organization’s ongoing mission to drive innovation and deepen economic growth in Nigeria’s frontier regions.

Nothing that the event promises to be the largest and most impactful edition yet, showcasing the latest trends in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship across Africa and the region in particular.

“#StartupSouth started in 2015 as an ambitious initiative with the goal of inspiring and enabling the next generation of dexterous founders and innovators.

“Today, nine years later, I am proud to say that we have grown into the foremost community of founders, policy makers and investors as well as a premier platform for technology, business innovation, and networking through our events and programming.

“We’ve not only expanded in terms of scale and reach but also in the impact we’ve made on Nigeria’s startup ecosystem”.

This year’s Conference is designed to offer a rich and immersive experience for participants with over 50+ Session, 70+ Speakers in 6 Tracks.

The tracks cover areas like Policy Innovation, Technology & Business Innovation, EdTech and Talent Development, Climate Resilience, Creative Economy and Creative Enterprise Support.

The annual Startup Awards has also received a refresh in format as well as the introduction of new Categories – particularly the Most Innovative Public Institution and Leader – both of which will spotlight outstanding public servants and institutions leveraging technology to drive public good.

The Startup Awards ceremony, scheduled for October 4, 2024 is one of the most anticipated parts of the event.

Key Features of #StartupSouth9:

Over 70+ speakers including renowned leaders such as Tomi Davies, a key player in Africa’s tech ecosystem, Seun Onigbinde (Co-founder, Budgit), Ugochukwu Aronu (Founder, Xend Finance), Yen Choi (Board Chair, ChipLab), Adebayo Adedeji (Group CEO, WakaNow), Jane Egerton-Idehen (MD/CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited) and many more.

50+ sessions across 6 content pillars including Technology, Creative Economy, Policy, Capital, Entrepreneurship, Climate Resilience and the Future of Work.

Networking opportunities with investors, founders, talents, and executives from across the globe.

The unveiling of the Ecosystem Mapping Report, which will provide insights into key players, sectors, and trends within the South-South and South-East startup ecosystem.

Unveiling of South-South-East Angel Network (SSEAN) Impact Report

$RWA Hackathon – that will give $4000+ in Prizes to participants plus the opportunity of upto $1Million in investment for the Winner
Female Focused Founders Investment Conversation and Pitch Session by Rising Tide Africa and EHA Impact Ventures

Partners and Sponsors:
#StartupSouth9 is sponsored by Zoho Corporations, MainOne, Xend Finance, Cool FM with support from Rising Tide Africa and Eha Impact Ventures and many others.

Call to Collaborators:
As we continue to grow, we welcome more partners and collaborators to join us in amplifying the success stories emerging from the South-South and South-East regions. Together, we can create a thriving ecosystem that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship, driving sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

Tickets for #StartupSouth9 is currently on sale, with options for individual and team passes at 9.startupsouth.org/tickets.

 

 


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Austriacard to Partner Banks, Fintechs, Others Boost Payment System

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Austriacard Holdings, an international card and secure chip solution provider, has   said it will partner with banks, fintechs and other stakeholders   to enhance development of the Nigerian payment system.

Burak Bilge, Executive Vice President, Turkiye, Middle East and Africa, MEA, Austria Card disclosed this while speaking to journalists at the sidelines of a breakfast event organized by the company to interact    with senior management officials in the payment industry including banks and fintechs companies.

Stressing that the vision of Austria Card is to be an important partner in the Nigerian payment ecosystem, Bilge   explained that the purpose of the meeting is to   introduce the company’s latest product and service offerings to the stakeholders in the Nigerian payment industry.

Speaking on the value of partnership   for the Nigerian payment industry, Bilge said, Austriacards offers B2B clients solutions ranging from bank payment cards, technologies and chip operating systems.

The company, he said, “is a leader in fast growing segments such as Challenger banks, with dominant positions in Central and South Eastern Europe, expanding in MEA, UK and the US.

“Austriacards has an   industrial presence in nine countries, and sales operations across the world, having Visa, MasterCard, HSA, CC EALS certifications, and strong research and development capabilities.”

In addition to this, Bilge said Autriacard has strong financials, with the company achieving over €300 million in revenue, 43.1 million Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, EBITDA and Net Income of   €16.8 million in the first three quarters of 2024.

He said: “We are bringing in, first, a lot of domestic experience from other countries. There are a lot of local brands across the world which we know, which we have developed so far.

“We don’t want to sell a chip or card. We want to become a stakeholder in the Nigerian ecosystem so we can support and we can also learn from Nigeria.”

Stressing the benefits of partnership with Austria Cards to   Nigerian payment firms, Bilge said, “In   order for a local brand to become successful, it also need international experience, because this has been done in other markets, so you need that experience to come into the market also, and this is what Austriacard will do.

“I believe it’s the right moment for Austriacard to step in, because especially with the trade tariffs, and especially with states being more active against China, Taiwan, there will be gaps, and there will be potentials in Nigeria, which they (local brands) will not be able to fulfill.

“So I believe, if we don’t act as Austriacards and as a company that wants to help the industry here, there might be some interruptions also with the service levels and with the kind of products that is coming into the market.”


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NITDA, Flutterwave, Alami Sign MoU to Accelerate Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

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L-r: DG, Ms. Olu White, Alami's CEO; Kashifu Inuwa, DG, NITDA, and Olugbenga Agboola, CEO Flutterwave, during signing of the MoU
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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a strategic partnership with Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, and Alami a private limited liability company with  focus on empowering young entrepreneurs and SMEs in the technology and creative industries through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive digital transformation and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.

This collaboration aligns with NITDA’s commitment to implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are equipped with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital era.

The partnership came following a meeting between NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, the CEOs of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, and Alami’s CEO, Ms. Olu White, to strengthen collaborations on FinTech innovation, digital literacy, infrastructure development, and promoting open-source technology.

The Parties will be working together to bridge the digital divide by promoting digital literacy, fostering fintech innovation, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to leverage secure and efficient financial solutions.

Speaking on the partnership, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasised the significance of public-private collaboration in achieving Nigeria’s digital economy aspirations.

“Flutterwave’s innovative fintech solutions align with our vision for a thriving digital economy. Slow digital adoption among SMEs has been a major obstacle to economic growth, and through this collaboration, we aim to provide businesses with the resources and infrastructure needed to transition into the digital age,” he stated.

Inuwa also underscored the importance of strengthening NITDA’s engagement with key private sector players like Flutterwave to accelerate digital transformation.

“This partnership is a vital step towards achieving shared goals for digital transformation, showcasing our commitment to the betterment of Nigeria in line with the President’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

By equipping Nigerian businesses with the tools to embrace digital solutions, we aim to enhance economic growth, create job opportunities, and ensure inclusive access to the benefits of a digital economy. Together, we are committed to building a resilient and sustainable digital future for all Nigerians.

Flutterwave’s Founder and CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to empower SMEs, sayinh “Many small businesses in Nigeria struggle to fully embrace digital solutions, and we believe that by providing seamless and secure payment technologies, we can help them scale with confidence. Our collaboration with NITDA reinforces our dedication to fostering a truly inclusive digital economy,” he said.

The partnership will focus on Strengthening Public-Private partnerships through Digital Payment Infrastructure and Technology Financing; Digital Nigeria Week 2025: Showcasing Payment Innovations, Workshops & Panel Discussions, Empowering SMEs & Startups, and Fostering Strategic Partnerships.

Furthermore, the MoU will focus on Collaboration on NITDA’s Key Initiatives like the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0),          Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programmes, Digital Literacy and Skills Development, and Cybersecurity.

This collaboration represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward digital transformation, demonstrating NITDA’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable digital future for all Nigerians.


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Reps Summon Galaxy Backbone over Alleged Financial, Contract Breaches

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Galaxy Backbone, Nigeria’s information technology and shared service provider, has been given 72 hours to appear before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) due to multiple claims of financial violations and breaches of existing contract and financial regulations totalling billions of Naira.

Reps Summon Galaxy Backbone over Alleged Financial, Contract Breaches

The committee found Galaxy Backbone guilty of non-remittance of taxes worth N329,845,000 to be paid within the stipulated 21 days and ruled that necessary sanctions should apply.

The committee, headed by Representative Bamidele Salam at its hearing in Abuja, grilled the organisation due to several queries in the Auditor-General’s For the Federation’s 2021 report.

Another issue that came under scrutiny was the payment of N66,799,440 for a contractual obligation without relevant documentation.

The committee requested the organisation to furnish it with details of the transaction within 72 hours.

The committee also uncovered the payment to a company in the United States of America (USA), ST Engineering, which used the same address in terms of street and number in two different states.

The committee observed that there was no evidence of execution of the contract.

Galaxy Backbone was also given another 72 hours to furnish the PAC with all the details of the contractor and all documents as required by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other regulatory procedures.

The failure by Galaxy Backbone to convincingly explain other violations, such as e-payment violations totalling N12,661,300 in addition to other doubtful payments amounting to N2,433,701.56, as well as a procurement contract of $164,403, further infuriated the committee.

Consequently, Galaxy Backbone was handed another invitation for reappearance to speak on pending issues on Thursday, 27th February, 2025, by 1pm.

The Managing Director of the Galaxy Backbone was represented at the hearing by Mr. Sani Mohammed Ibrahim, executive director, Finance and Corporate Service, along with other key officials of the company.


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