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We’ll Continue To Open ‘Support Hubs’ Across Africa- Lits
By peter oluka
September, Uber celebrated four years on the African continent, and with more than 1.8 million active riders using the app since Uber’s launch in Johannesburg in September 2013, it’s clear that Uber has achieved a lot in a short timeframe.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has certainly benefitted from Uber’s arrival. Citizens have a new, reliable way to get around, entrepreneurs have found a new way to earn an income and cities have also benefitted – with possibly less cars on the road and therefore less carbon emissions.
A Look At Driver-Partners
In a region of high unemployment and stagnating economic prospects¹, Uber’s business partnership approach provides an accessible means for entrepreneurs to not only supplement their own income, but also to become small business owners, thereby helping to improve the lives and futures of individuals, families and communities.
The steadily growing number of Uber driver-partners in countries across the region is testament to the appeal of the model, because it creates real opportunities for local entrepreneurs. And as demand for rides also grows, so does the demand for driver-partners.
“Currently we have more than 29 000 driver-partners taking advantage of Uber’s earning opportunities. Drivers love being as flexible as they like; earning what they want, when they want, whether it’s a full-time entrepreneur or someone looking to supplement their income,” said Alon Lits, Uber general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Ongoing commitment to our driver-partners is a key priority; ensuring they receive the latest in technological innovations means they can be at the top of their game,” added Lits.
Uber continues to open support hubs across the continent to ensure driver-partners are well-equipped. Apart from existing hubs across the continent, three more of these state-of-the-art Greenlight Hubs were opened in Dar Es Salaam, Nairobi, Kampala, Kumasi and Lagos this year and, in addition to offering driver-partners technical and app support, Uber also offers information sessions and workshops to driver-partners.
A Look At Riders
The 1.8 million active riders using the app since Uber’s launch on the continent is testament to the new mode of transport that riders are embracing. Which is not hard to believe when with Uber, riders have access to safety features such as driver and vehicle identification, In-App help, GPS and feedback post each trip.
Uber has brought many benefits to riders that did not exist before Uber – from its GPS tracking and 24/7 support, to new technologies being added, such as ‘scheduled trips’, as the business develops.
Repeat Uber usage in South Africa is a prime example of shifting private transport perceptions. This month more than 25 000 South Africans each used Uber more than 10 times a week, which points to the increasing adoption of this tech-driven solution, not just as a leisure transport option, but also for work and business purposes.
And while riders and drivers benefit, Uber continues to keep social and environmental needs at the fore
This year alone, Uber has used its network to support and assist those in need. In March UberCommunity was quickly activated for the thousands of victims of the terrible Hout Bay fires in Cape Town, South Africa. UberCommunity allowed riders to request a car to collect items for donation to the people and animals impacted. In June, UberCommunity again assisted the thousands affected by the Cape storms and the Knysna-Plett fires in South Africa.
Similarly, in September last year, Uber assisted a local Nigerian business in Lagos after devastating destruction, by uniting with the local community to help Nuli Juice continue its operations. And across East Africa in early December, thousands of riders contributed to SOS Children’s Villages through an app donation dive dubbed UBERGIVING.
Importantly, Uber’s approach to shifting perspectives of how people in sub-Saharan Africa move around their cities is one of partnership with all stakeholders. Uber strives at all times to collaborate closely with local regulators to understand the challenges they are grappling with in their cities and then help them to develop workable and accessible solutions that benefit people and economies. It’s with this in mind that Uber has just launched UberMovement in Johannesburg, a new website to help urban planners, city leaders, third parties and the public better understand the transportation needs of their cities.
“Four years have gone by incredibly quickly. We’ve learnt and grown; we look back at our time in sub-Saharan Africa with pride because we’ve achieved so much and look forward to what’s next to come”, concludes Lits.
Cycling enthusiasts, gear up for an exhilarating experience this Saturday, November 23rd, as FXTM proudly sponsors the Lagos State Monthly Crit at Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Interested participants should register at 6:30 AM and prepare for the main race, kicking off at 7:30 AM. Participants will compete for four thrilling hours in three categories: Professional, Junior, and Veteran.
The top prize starts at $500, adding an exciting competitive edge to the event. There will also be refreshments, music and an opportunity to socialize with like-minded individuals.
FXTM, known for its global commitment to promoting fitness through charitable cycling events, is thrilled to bring this spirited race to Lagos. Riding has always been synonymous to freedom, matching the company’s value of freedom to succeed.
The event not only aims to foster a love for cycling but also to enhance community fitness and well-being.
The stand-in Country Representative for FXTM, Kelechi Ehibudu said: “We are thrilled and delighted to sponsor this event as part of our charitable project.
“We look forward to an exciting time with all participants from all works of life. It’s going to be action packed event.”
Thembi Alfreds was driving home from a soccer match in Johannesburg when she stopped at a traffic light. A thief suddenly appeared and smashed the window of her car, grabbing her phone. She struggled with the thief but they managed to get away with the phone.
The incident left her feeling violated and unsafe. Not only did she lose personal memories, like photos of her children, but her personal and financial information stored on the phone was now compromised.
Phone theft is a serious concern in many countries across Africa, including South Africa, where Thembi’s situation highlights the need for better phone theft solutions.
Smartphone usage is on the rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, with adoption rates reaching 61% in Kenya, 31% in Uganda, and 24-25% in Rwanda and Burundi. This increased uptake has been accompanied by a rise in cellphone theft, as these devices become attractive targets for criminals due to their resale value and sensitive data within. This poses a significant challenge that can have serious consequences for both individuals and businesses in the region.
According to the GSMA Consumer Survey 2023, 19% of mobile phone users in South Africa experienced theft or loss of their device in the past year.The GSMA reports millions of devices stolen every year, and the numbers continue to grow. With our phones becoming increasingly more valuable & central to storing sensitive data, like payment information and personal details, losing one can be an unsettling experience.
Phone theft can be a traumatic experience, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and protect personal information. That’s why we have developed and thoroughly beta tested, a full suite of features designed to protect you and your data at every stage – before, during, and after device theft.
These advanced theft protection features are now available to users around the world through Android 15 and a Google Play Services update (Android 10+ devices).
Theft Detection Lock uses powerful AI to proactively protect you at the moment of a theft attempt. By using on-device machine learning, Theft Detection Lock is able to analyze various device signals to detect potential theft attempts. If the algorithm detects a potential theft attempt on your unlocked device, it locks your screen to keep thieves out.To protect your sensitive data if your phone is stolen, Theft Detection Lock uses device sensors to identify theft attempts.
This feature is rolling out gradually to ensure compatibility with various devices, starting today with Android devices that cover 90% of active users worldwide. Check your theft protection settings page periodically to see if your device is currently supported.
In addition to Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock protects you if a thief tries to take your device offline to extract data or avoid a remote wipe via Android’s Find My Device. If an unlocked device goes offline for prolonged periods, this feature locks the screen to ensure your phone can’t be used in the hands of a thief.
If your Android device is lost or stolen, Remote Lock can quickly help you secure it. Even if you can’t remember your Google account credentials in the moment of theft, you can use any device to visit Android.com/lock and lock your phone with just a verified phone number. Remote Lock secures your device while you regain access through Android’s Find My Device – which lets you secure, locate or remotely wipe your device. As a security best practice, we always recommend backing up your device on a continuous basis, so remotely wiping your device is not an issue.
These features are now available on most Android 10+ devices via a Google Play Services update and must be enabled in settings.
Advanced security to deter theft before it happens
Android 15 introduces new security features to deter theft before it happens by making it harder for thieves to access sensitive settings, apps, or reset your device for resale:
- Changes to sensitive settings like Find My Device now require your PIN, password, or biometric authentication.
- Multiple failed login attempts, which could be a sign that a thief is trying to guess your password, will lock down your device, preventing unauthorized access.
- And enhanced factory reset protection makes it even harder for thieves to reset your device without your Google account credentials, significantly reducing its resale value and protecting your data.
Later this year, we’ll launch Identity Check, an opt-in feature that will add an extra layer of protection by requiring biometric authentication when accessing critical Google account and device settings, like changing your PIN, disabling theft protection, or accessing Passkeys from an untrusted location. This helps prevent unauthorized access even if your device PIN is compromised.
Real-world protection for billions of Android users
By integrating advanced technology like AI and biometric authentication, we’re making Android devices less appealing targets for thieves to give you greater peace of mind. These theft protection features are just one example of how Android is working to provide real-world protection for everyone. We’re dedicated to working with our partners around the world to continuously improve Android security and help you and your data stay safe.
You can turn on the new Android theft features by clicking here on a supported Android device. Learn more about our theft protection features by visiting our help center.
Lagos State Government has awarded a whooping sum of N100 million in grants to 26 successful young agripreneurs at the maiden edition of Agrinnovation.
The grant award ceremony took place yesterday, Tuesday 14, November 2024 at Marcelina house Ikeja Lagos, and was attended by top government official from the Lagos State Government and technocrats of renown.
Agrinnovation, was not only the the very first of its kind, but an audacious step which was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, in conjunction with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and the Eko Innovation Centre and designed to foster meaningful conversations, collaboration, and groundbreaking innovations within the agricultural sector.
Some of the successful young startup agriprenuer who benefitted from the Lagos State Government include; Farmcraft Foods limited, Rehoboth 910, Foodie world, Hommal foods, Ofadahub Nigeria limited, Dharkag Empire limited, D-olivette Renewable Energy and Green Mall.
Others are; Dehydrator hub, Agricfood Technology limited, Corporate farmers international limited, Ultra Farms Integrated Ventures limited, Eti Farms Global limited, Hairat Ajao & Co ( Fisherwoman, Happy Coffee, Ecotutu Limited, Ofadaboy Company, Leky Mills Limited, Yellow fish limited, Ufarmy Ecoedu-Tech Solution Limited, Fauzziyah’s Honey Limited, Green Republic Limited, Price Pally Limited among others.
In his address, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, stated that the state will not stop until she achieves food security and production serving as an example to other parts of the nation and Africa.
He also said that the gesture is a symbol of what the state can achieve when it trusts the youth to lead and supports them in doing so.
His words, “We gather here with the purpose to build sustainable agriculture and food system for the next generation and to ensure that Lagos not only sustains itself but leads Nigeria and Africa towards food security and agricultural excellence.
“As a government, we understand that agriculture development depends on more than just traditional practices. It requires us to embrace technology, foster collaboration and create sustainable practices that endure.
“I want to commend particularly the creation of the Lagos Agrinnovation Club. This club is not just an initiative, it has become a community of young agriprenuers, a hub of creativity and a platform for those who dare to reimagine agriculture.
“This year’s Agrithon saw 316 business case entries from dynamic startups, championed by young people who are driven by their vision to transform agriculture and build sustainable solutions.
The 26 finalists we honour today have not only made it through a rigorous selection process but have also shown us that the future of food in Lagos is brought. With access to mentorship, network and share of the N100 million Agrinnovation Fund, these entrepreneurs will have the resources to take their enterprise’s solutions further”.
He also said that the young entrepreneurs will be monitored to ensure that they use the grant well. “To our Agrithon finalists I urge you to put this funding to excellent use, as you’ve demonstrated through your impressive and innovative ideas”, he added.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Abisola Olusanya, Honourable Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems of Lagos state expressed her appreciation to all in attendance and especially to the jurors who worked tirelessly in the selection process of the 26 finalists.
“We would like to thank everyone for being here, especially our jurors, who worked throughout the rigorous process on the Agrithon programme, helping us with the selection process from 316 business entries to 26.
“We are here to celebrate young entrepreneurs who have not waited for the government to give them opportunities but have looked within themselves and others for inspiration. They have made themselves and their enterprises something to be proud of and we are proud to be associated with them.
“They have shown that agriculture is indeed a pathway towards being prosperous as a nation, they have shown passion and connectivity. We are proud to celebrate them, to encourage other people to come into the state.
“We want newcomers to know that there is a lot to gain in the agricultural space and particularly in the direction that the government of Governor Samwo-olu is going, there is enough to unearth in the coming months. It is up to you newcomers to come in and plug into what is happening in the sector.”
Also speaking at event and charging benefiacries of the grants, was Mr Victor Afolabi, the Founder of Eko Innovation Centre, according to him, it was important that entrepreneurs understand that investments should be meant for businesses and not for personal upliftment.
His words; “It’s very important for founders to understand that you are not a celebrity, when you raise funds, use it for the business that it was meant for.”
Afolabi who is a serial entrepreneur, noted that it was necessary for young founders to embody discipline when it came to work, addding that this was contributing to the demise of many young startups in the country.
Corroborating his thoughts, Aisha Raheem, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Farmz2u, noted the importance of plan and vision.
According to her, many startups lose this vision when they become profitable at the first instance.
This was also echoed by Jummai Abalaka, Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) who noted that it was necessary to have a positive attitude towards work.
She said that this works hand in hand to ensure the success of enterprises in the country. They pressed on the matter of separating work from personal wants.
Also speaking at the event, was Prince SJ Samuel, the Chairman of Origin Tech Group who noted that innovation was facing a lot of challenges in the Nigerian landscape.
He pointed out that the average farmer earns about two thousand dollars and takes home about 40%, with more than half of the earnings going into logistics and other expenses.
He also noted that Inflation is very high in the Nigerian economy and food inflation makes up about 38% of that which serves as a major concern in the country.
The entrepreneur stated that the agricultural space contributes about 37% to gdp of the country. Although he a plauded the current administration for its investment in the agricultural sector in the country, compared to its predecessors.
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