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Facebook Launches Africa’s First SME Council in Nigeria

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Mark Zuckerberg
  • Facebook Launches Africa’s First SME Council in Nigeria

As part of ongoing commitment to help support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout Africa, Facebook has launched its Nigerian SME Council, the first on the continent, designed to boost SME development in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

Through the Nigerian SME Council, Facebook plans to reach out to other African counties to develop their SME ecosystem.

The Nigerian SME Council brings together Facebook Africa’s SME team and Nigerian business owners from a range of industries, in a partnership designed to provide better digital tools for business and customer growth.

The SME Council is made up of a combination 15 vibrant start-ups and established SMEs from a range of industries, and each business brings with them a wealth of unique experiences in understanding and embracing digital and mobile strategies, as well as reaching the Nigerian customer, making them ideally positioned to offer support to other companies who need it.

Speaking at the launch, Facebook’s SMB Sales Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Abi Williams, said: “Small businesses form the backbone of most of the thriving economies in the world, driving sustainable growth and creating jobs, and those in Nigeria are no different. Facebook is strategically positioned to help SME’s grow their businesses, and with a vibrant SME sector, Nigeria is a natural choice in launching our very first SME Council on the African continent. With 35 million people in other countries connected to a Nigerian business on Facebook, the global market has never been closer for Nigerian SMEs.”

Most of the SMEs Council members present at the launch, testified how Facebook as a social media platform, has helped in growing their businesses and giving their businesses unprecedented exposures.

One of the SMEs Council members cum Head of Innovation and Marketing at GIG Group, Mr. Ifeanyi Azubike, said that the launch of the Council would boost SME growth through funding and other relevant assistance. According to him, “It is difficult for government to support SME funding because there is no pull of money anywhere that was set aside by government for SME development. The SME Council is therefore a good initiative that will boost the growth of SME ecosystem in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. For example, we have over 9 million Nigerians that visit Facebook on a daily basis and majority of the 9 million Nigerians are SMEs that need financial support and mentorship, which I think the SME Council will be of immense help to address their challenges.”

The Nigerian SME Council is made up of 15 small-to-medium sized business owners in varying sectors and locations across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano. The Council joins 10 SME Councils across the globe, including North America, Ireland, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Poland, India and Brazil.! and the Council members are expected to meet a minimum of twice a year with Facebook and Instagram teams to discuss successes and challenges, business ideas and solutions.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Fintech

From Trading to Credit: Robinhood Launches No-Fee Credit Card with Gold Membership Perks

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Robinhood

Robinhood Markets Inc. has announced the launch of its highly anticipated no-fee credit card and it was accompanied by exclusive perks for Gold membership subscribers.

This bold move is a step in the company’s mission to evolve into a comprehensive financial services provider.

The Robinhood Gold Card boasts an array of enticing features. Chief among them is the absence of annual costs or foreign transaction fees, positioning it as an attractive option for consumers seeking financial flexibility.

Moreover, cardholders stand to benefit from a generous 3% cash back on all categories of purchases, a competitive offer in comparison to industry rivals.

Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and industry leadership in an interview.

He expressed the intention to not merely introduce a credit card, but to revolutionize the market with a product that sets new standards for customer satisfaction and financial empowerment.

The announcement has sparked enthusiasm among investors, with Robinhood’s shares witnessing a 6.9% surge in early market trading following the news.

This surge further underscores the market’s confidence in the company’s strategic direction and its potential to disrupt traditional financial services.

Beyond the credit card venture, Robinhood has been steadily diversifying its offerings. With the introduction of retirement products and the expansion of commission-free trading services internationally, the company is positioning itself as a formidable player in the global finance landscape.

As Robinhood continues to innovate and expand its suite of services, its trajectory suggests a promising future as a leading force in democratizing access to financial tools and services.

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Telecommunications

NCC Files Copyright Infringement Charges Against MTN Nigeria and Others

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Karl O Toriola - Investorsking.com

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken legal action against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four individuals, including its Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, over alleged copyright infringement.

The charges, filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, revolve around the unauthorized use of musical works belonging to artist Maleke Idowu Moye.

According to the NCC, the defendants are accused of offering for sale, selling, and trading musical works of Maleke without his consent between 2010 and 2017. These works were allegedly used as Caller Ring Back Tunes without proper authorization.

The musical pieces in question include popular tracks such as “911,” “Minimini-wanawana,” and “Stop racism,” among others.

The commission further alleges that the defendants distributed these musical works to subscribers without authorization, infringing upon the rights of the artist.

The charges are based on provisions of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

As the case awaits assignment to a judge and a fixed date for mention, it marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to uphold copyright protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

This legal action underscores the NCC’s commitment to safeguarding the intellectual property rights of artists and creators within the country.

MTN Nigeria, a major player in the telecommunications industry, now faces a legal battle that could have broader implications for how intellectual property rights are respected and enforced within Nigeria’s digital landscape.

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Telecommunications

MTN’s MoMo Sees 32.2% Surge in Transaction Volumes

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MTN Nigeria - Investors King

MTN Group’s mobile money platform, MoMo, has experienced a 32.2% surge in transaction volumes.

With 72.5 million active users, MoMo continues to solidify its position as a leading fintech service provider in Africa, tapping into the continent’s burgeoning mobile banking sector.

The company’s success underscores the growing trend of Africa’s young and tech-savvy population embracing mobile technology to address financial needs.

Mobile phones are increasingly becoming a tool for bridging gaps in services, particularly in banking, presenting a lucrative opportunity for wireless carriers like MTN to capitalize on the burgeoning fintech market.

MTN’s achievement comes as it finalizes a deal with Mastercard Inc., valuing its fintech business at an impressive $5.2 billion.

This strategic partnership further enhances MTN’s position in the digital finance space, positioning it for continued growth and innovation.

However, MTN is not alone in its fintech endeavors. Rivals such as Airtel Africa Plc, Safaricom Plc, and Vodacom Group Ltd. are also making strides in digital transformation, with plans to separate and monetize their fintech businesses in the long term.

Airtel Africa, for instance, is reportedly considering an IPO for its mobile money unit, indicating the high stakes and intense competition within the sector.

Despite the remarkable success in its fintech ventures, MTN faced challenges in its core telecommunications business, with service revenue growth slowing to 6.8%.

Inflation and currency devaluation in key markets, particularly Nigeria, impacted profitability, highlighting the complexities of operating in diverse African markets.

As MTN continues to expand its fintech footprint and invest in infrastructure to enhance connectivity across the continent, it remains poised to capitalize on the immense potential of Africa’s digital economy.

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