💰Float secures $11m | 🛜 Ghana to license Starlink | 🧠 Neuralink patient video

In today’s menu 🥘

💰Float Secures $11 Million Funding Facility from Standard Bank to Revolutionise Payments
🛜 Ghana to License Starlink Amidst Subsea Cable Disruptions
🛠️ Anambra State seeks to rejuvenate the Igbo apprenticeship system
🧠 Neuralink video shows patient using brain implant to play chess on laptop

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💰FUNDING

Float Secures $11 Million Funding Facility from Standard Bank to Revolutionise Payments

Float, a South African fintech startup, has announced a significant milestone in its journey towards transforming the payments landscape with the procurement of an $11 million funding facility from Standard Bank. This strategic partnership is poised to propel Float’s growth trajectory over the next four years as it introduces its card-linked installments platform to the market.

Founded in November 2021, Float has swiftly emerged as a key player in encouraging responsible credit card usage while empowering merchants to enhance their sales performance. The startup’s innovative technology allows shoppers to split their payments into up to 24 interest-free, fee-free monthly installments using the available limit on their existing Visa or Mastercard credit cards. With a user-friendly approach that eliminates the need for sign-ups, registrations, or credit checks, Float has already garnered a substantial user base of nearly seven million pre-approved credit cards in South Africa.……continue reading

🛜 TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Ghana to License Starlink Amidst Subsea Cable Disruptions

Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has revealed plans to license satellite internet provider Starlink, following recent disruptions to four subsea cables that caused a widespread internet blackout in Ghana and neighboring regions. Just three months after warning against the use of Starlink kits, the country now appears poised to authorise the service as an alternative connectivity solution.

SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, is anticipated to launch its services in Ghana by the third quarter of 2024. However, Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) network, consisting of approximately 6,000 satellites, already covers Ghana and several other African countries where regulatory approval is pending...….continue reading

Hormuud Telecom Launches 5G Service in Key Locations Across Somalia

Hormuud Telecom, a prominent telecommunications company based in Somalia, has initiated the rollout of 5G connectivity in eight strategic locations across the nation.

Commencing on March 21, 2024, Hormuud Telecom is offering complimentary upgrades to its existing 4G customers. Additionally, subscribers in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Galkayo, Baidoa, Dhusamareeb, Beledwayne, Afgoye, Merca, and Dhobley will benefit from the enhanced 5G coverage, reaching up to 81% in these areas.

The newly introduced 5G service promises remarkable technical specifications, delivering speeds ranging from 10Gbps to 400Gbps per single wavelength, with an overall capacity spanning from 0.96Tbps to 38Tbps.……continue reading

🛠️ ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Anambra State seeks to rejuvenate the Igbo apprenticeship system

The Anambra State House of Assembly has successfully advanced a bill to its second reading, aiming to rejuvenate and establish a regulatory framework for the Igbo apprenticeship system, also known as ‘Igba Boi’. 

It is a form of vocational training and economic arrangement where young individuals are placed under the tutelage of experienced craftsmen or entrepreneurs to learn various trades or skills....…continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company released a video purporting to show the first human patient using Neuralink’s brain implant to control a mouse cursor and play a game of chess….read more

• Redefining the role of Human Software Engineers in the wake of Devin, the first AI Software Engineer….read more

• The U.S. Department of Justice and 15 states on Thursday sued Apple as the government cracks down on Big Tech, alleging the iPhone maker monopolized the smartphone market, hurt smaller rivals and drove up prices….read more

• Is There Any Space for the Chief Product Officer on the Board of Directors?.…..read more

• Netflix hikes prices in Nigeria effective April 1…..read more