In today’s menu 🥘

⚕️Cameroon initiates world’s first-ever malaria vaccination program
📚 Nigerian edTech startup AltSchool Africa expands into Kenya
💰 Moroccan startup Crealo secures $1.42 million in seed funding to expand its management system
🚙 Bolt introduces deterrent feature for offline trips
👨🏻‍💻 Opportunities

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⚕️ HEALTH

Cameroon initiates world’s first-ever malaria vaccination program

A baby girl named Daniella in Cameroon received the first routine malaria vaccine in a historic event on January 22nd, 2024. This major development signifies an important stride in saving numerous children’s lives in Africa, the continent most severely affected by the mosquito-borne disease.

Malaria claims approximately 600,000 lives yearly in Africa, with children under five, who account for at least 80% of these deaths, being particularly susceptible, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).….continue reading

📚 EDTECH

Nigerian edTech startup AltSchool Africa expands into Kenya

The Nigerian edtech startup, AltSchool Africa, known for its likeness to the US coding bootcamp BloomTech, has expanded its operations to Kenya, its second-largest market in terms of revenue.

Adewale Yusuf, the founder of AltSchool Africa, confirmed this development in an interview. With Kenya contributing the second-highest revenue, the startup will now offer more hands-on support to its Kenyan customers. Moreover, it aims to expedite the process of local payments.

Since its inception in 2021 as an online platform offering diplomas in engineering, data, and business analytics, AltSchool Africa has grown beyond Nigerian borders. It has now established its presence in the US and Rwanda, with a Norrsken hub office opening in 2023….continue reading

💰 FUNDING

Moroccan startup Crealo secures $1.42 million in seed funding to expand its management system

Crealo, a Moroccan startup specializing in copyright management, has successfully secured 14.1 million dirhams ($1.42 million) in seed funding. The funding round was led by 212 Founders Programme, part of CDG Invest, with participation from Kima Ventures, Evolem, Super Capital, and other angel investors.

This funding will allow Crealo to enhance its product quality, grow its staff, and initiate new partnerships..….continue reading

🚙 TRANSPORTATION

Bolt penalizes drivers who encourage offline ride transactions

E-hailing company Bolt has introduced a new cancellation feature within its app to discourage users from making offline trips. Offline trips are trips taken without using the online features of the Bolt app, such as a driver negotiating a lower fare with a rider, which can potentially expose them to various risks.

The increase in offline e-hailing trips is often a result of drivers seeking additional income by persuading riders to cancel an ongoing trip and take an offline trip for a lower fare. Drivers benefit from this as they receive the full fare for the trip rather than a portion that is usually divided between Bolt and the vehicle owner.

With the new cancellation feature, riders can now cancel a trip if the driver asks for payment outside the app, requests a higher fare than agreed, or suggests canceling the trip to go offline. To cancel, riders can select the option ‘driver asked to pay off-the-app’ under specific conditions...….continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Nigerian Government prepares for launch of Smart National Transport Databank Initiative…..read more

• Thabi Leoka resigns from MTN board amidst controversy over her PhD qualification….read more

• Microsoft's stock market value crossed the $3 trillion milestone for the first time on Wednesday, retaining its place as the world's second most valuable company, just behind Apple…read more

🚀 OPPORTUNITIES

• The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is calling on all aspiring African entrepreneurs seeking to turn their business dreams into reality to apply to the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme (TEF2024), for the opportunity to receive a non-returnable seed capital of $5,000. Application deadline: 1 March 2024 Click here to apply.

• The Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has opened applications for Nigerian girls to participate in its new initiative called the National Girls in ICT Competition. Application deadline: 18 February 2024. Click here to apply.

• Safaricom, M-PESA Africa and Sumitomo Corporation calls for tech startups looking to join the Spark Accelerator program, which aims at accelerating early stage startups to grow and scale their businesses. Application deadline: 16 February 2024 . Click here to apply

• Norrsken22 invites African startups to apply for its $125k Accelerator Program. Interested entrepreneurs can apply here.

• Cohort 2 of the Visa Accelerator Program is now open for applications. Click here to apply. Application deadline: February 18, 2024

• CcHUB is currently accepting applications from EdTech companies interested in becoming members of its 2024 cohort. Click here to apply. Application Deadline: 17th February, 2024

• Application open for the MEST Training Program. The MEST Training Program is a one year, fully sponsored, graduate-level program in tech entrepreneurship. Click here to apply. Application Deadline: 18th March 2024