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Waffarx, First-Ever Cashback Website in North Africa, Raises New Capital

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WaffarX

WaffarX, the first-ever cashback shopping service in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, announces it has completed a multi-million dollar financing round led by the Silicon Valley venture capital firm, Lobby Capital – for whom it is their first investment in the MENA region.

The endorsement by San Francisco-based Lobby Capital is significant for WaffarX. Lobby Capital is experienced in investing in successful cashback platforms, having been an early investor in the US firm Ebates, which was successfully sold to Japanese company, Rakuten, in 2014 – in what was Japan’s largest ecommerce deal at the time.

WaffarX will use the proceeds to expand its platform, drive user acquisition and enter new markets in the MENA region.

Founded in 2018 by Ezz Fayek, Mahmoud Montasser and Ahmed Kamal, WaffarX uses cutting-edge technology to distribute cash back rewards, helping shoppers save on every dollar they spend. WaffarX’s secure channel helps brands shift advertising spend directly to consumers via cashback rewards. This creates deeper loyalty for brands, whilst customers monetize their own data, instead of third parties.

Consumers want seamless, personalized engagement rather than disruptive advertisements – with easy-to-achieve, tangible cash rewards – transforming everyday transactions into savings. Brands want cost-effective digital advertising solutions and loyalty programs which focus on customers first and resonate with them. Brands can then incentive customers without discounting or devaluing products.

WaffarX has grown exponentially, and now has over 260 merchant partners and over 450,000 members. The company’s cutting-edge technology provides what modern consumers and merchants/brands want, and benefit both groups.

Ezz Fayek, Co-Founder and CEO of WaffarX, said:

“We’re delighted to have completed this latest funding round. The support of an esteemed Silicon Valley firm such as Lobby Capital, and existing investors – A15, are a huge endorsement of WaffarX’s business model and strategy.

“We have always been pioneers in our industry and our solutions are a win-win for consumers and brands. This capital raise will help us maintain our market leadership, break new ground in our platform, increase our user base and expand our geographic presence.”

David Hornik, General Partner of Lobby Capital, commented:

At Lobby Capital, we know the power of the cash back shopping model to drive growth for merchants, savings for consumers, and positive returns for investors. We also know the benefit of working with great founders like Ezz Fayek. We are very excited that the right business model and right people can come together for Lobby’s first investment in the region.

Karim Beshara, General Partner of A15, commented:

As early investors in WaffarX we are excited to see their continued success. Ezz and the team have been thought leaders in the cash back space in MENA and we are excited to see how they continue to innovate and bring new, exciting products to market.”

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Moniepoint Inc Vows to Drive Financial Inclusion Amidst National Development Agenda

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Given the critical importance of financial inclusion to national development and building a sustainable economy, Group CEO Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda has reaffirmed his organization’s resolve in increasing financial inclusion and driving the adoption of technology by the underserved consumers in the country.

The Moniepoint boss was speaking on the sidelines of the 16th edition of Leadership Newspapers Conference and Awards where Moniepoint Inc received an award as the Fintech Company of the Year. The event, which took place at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja also coincides with the 20th anniversary of founding of the Leadership Group. The selection of the award recipients followed a critical review of their various contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria, as laid down by the founding chairman of the LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group, the late Sam Nda-Isaiah.

The prestigious Fintech company of the year award recognizes Moniepoint’s innovative efforts to increase access to financial services for underserved and unbanked populations across Nigeria. Through its nationwide network of point-of-sale terminals and digital payments platform, Moniepoint has empowered millions of Nigerians, including petty traders and roadside businesses, to participate in the digital economy.

“We are immensely proud to receive this recognition from Leadership,” said Tosin Eniolorunda. “From the start, our mission has been to democratize financial services and create equal opportunities for every Nigerian to thrive. Powering dreams and ensuring that the large majority of our people irrespective of where they live experience financial happiness is our reason for being. This award validates our commitment to driving genuine financial inclusion in tandem with the government’s mandate and we are spurred to do more in terms of leveraging innovative solutions and technology to create more value for Nigerians.”

In her welcome remarks, Chairman, Leadership Newspapers, Zainab Nda-Isaiah signposted the role of the awards in recognizing individuals and organizations who are taking bold strides towards creating a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous nation. While paying homage to the legacy of the legendary and visionary Founder and her late husband, Sam Nda-Isaiah, she noted that awards spotlighted those considered deserving and exemplary in their various categories.

“We may not be where we would like to be, but these men and women are making strides in the direction that we hope will lead us to a nation of peace, stability, and the possibility of prosperity for all who dare to seize it”, Nda-Isaiah said.

Keynote presenter, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, who was speaking to the theme, “An Economy In Distress: Which Way Forward?”, made a case for fixing the fundamentals and advised that the current economic crisis must not be allowed to go to waste.

“There is no better time to fix these challenges than now. The CBN’s policy actions are well intended and will serve to stabilize the macroeconomic environment. We must fully understand the causes that have led us to where we are and ensure that they are fixed by deploying real strategies.” He canvassed for property rights, innovation and access to capital as core pillars for a successful and productive economic growth.

Prominent personalities at the event include, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi who represented awardee for Person of the Year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who received the Politician of the Year award; Governors Fr Hyacinth Iornem Alia of Benue State; Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State; Managing Director/CEO of First City Monument Bank Plc, Mrs. Yemisi Edun who received Banker of the Year Award and Salisu Auwalu, a keke rider from Kano who returned a  bag containing 15m naira  left in his tricycle,  received an award as outstanding Young Person of the year.

It will be recalled that in 2023, Moniepoint MFB received the prestigious Rising Star Family Business Award Pwc/Businessday Family Business Summit; the Most Outstanding Microfinance Bank in Consumer Engagement at the Brandcom Awards, while Moniepoint Inc was listed for the second year running amongst the 100 most promising private fintech companies by CB Insights and the reputable Financial Times named it Africa’s second fastest-growing company. Moniepoint Inc also received critical acclaim as the “Most Outstanding Fintech Company in Financial Inclusion at the Brandcom Awards. Group CEO, Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda was named the 2024 Legit Business Leaders Awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economy.

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Kuda Business Surpasses 100,000 Customers, Empowering Entrepreneurs

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Kuda Microfinance Bank - Investors King

Kuda Business, a segment of Kuda Microfinance Bank, has surpassed 100,000 customers on its platform.

Launched in 2022, Kuda Business serves as an all-in-one business management and banking platform tailored for freelancers and micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).

The platform offers a range of features including sending estimates and invoices, making bulk transfers, and paying business bills all in one place.

Its user-friendly interface and efficient banking processes have made it a preferred choice among entrepreneurs seeking agility and accessibility in financial management.

Nosa Oyegun, the Vice President of Product Innovation Strategy at Kuda, emphasized the platform’s commitment to empowering small businesses and freelancers.

He highlighted Kuda’s mission to provide essential financial tools necessary for thriving in today’s competitive market.

Okoronkwo Kanno, the Senior Product Manager at Kuda, explained the importance of intuitive and efficient banking platforms in an increasingly digital world.

Kuda Business has rolled out unique features like Sales Mode, Kuda Payroll, and business registration on its mobile app, enhancing its appeal to entrepreneurs.

As recent data from the International Labour Organisation indicates, MSMEs contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and employment.

With Kuda Business exceeding the 100,000 customer milestone, it stands as a testament to its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and driving economic growth in Nigeria.

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Africa’s Fintech Giant, Flutterwave, Closes Barter to Prioritize Enterprise and Remittance

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Flutterwave, Africa’s leading financial technology company, has announced the closure of its virtual card service, Barter.

According to the leading fintech company, the decision will allow the company to focus resources on enterprise and remittance business segments.

Barter, launched by Flutterwave in 2017, initially symbolized innovation and accessibility for Nigerians seeking international payment solutions.

However, its journey has been marked by challenges, including downtime issues and merchant rejection complaints.

Flutterwave’s recent decision to sunset Barter reflects a calculated shift towards prioritizing services that resonate more strongly with its business strategy and revenue objectives.

In a statement shared with the media, Flutterwave said the decision to discontinue Barter was the result of a comprehensive analysis of market trends and consumer preferences.

The company cited the dominance of its enterprise services as the primary revenue driver, with Barter accounting for only a minute fraction of its transaction volume.

Flutterwave’s pivot towards remittance and enterprise solutions aligns with broader trends in Africa’s fintech ecosystem.

With the continent’s remittance market valued at $54 billion, Flutterwave’s remittance products, Send and Swap, aim to capture a significant share of this lucrative sector.

While the progress of these offerings remains uncertain, Flutterwave’s strategic focus suggests a concerted effort to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the financial services landscape.

As Flutterwave navigates this transition, stakeholders anticipate how its evolving business model will shape the future of fintech innovation across Africa, especially in facilitating seamless cross-border transactions and bolstering enterprise capabilities.

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