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🪴 Nigeria Leads New Google for Startups Accelerator Class

🪴 Nigeria Leads New Google for Startups Accelerator Class

Plus: 📱Lebara Nigeria Unveils 0724 Number Series

Innovation Village
June 25, 2025

Today’s Menu ☕️

🪴 Nigeria Leads Google’s Class 9 of the New Google for Startups Accelerator Class
📱 Lebara Nigeria Unveils 0724 Number Series, Announces Full Interconnectivity Ahead of Launch
🏠 Lagos Launches the Lagos Identity Project – a Digital House Numbering System to Power Smart City Future
🚚 Nowlun raises addtional $600K, bringing total seed funding to $2.3 million
💵 Flutterwave Officially Launches Digital Payment Services in Cameroon

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🪴 STARTUPS

Nigeria Leads Google’s Class 9 of the New Google for Startups Accelerator Class

Africa’s tech boom continues, with Nigeria taking the lead once again. In the newly announced Class 9 of the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, Nigerian startups represent the largest share—six out of 15 selected—reflecting the country’s strength in AI-driven innovation. Chosen from nearly 1,500 applicants, the cohort includes ventures from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal, and South Africa, tackling challenges in fintech, healthtech, agritech, and logistics.

Nigeria’s startups—E-doc Online, GoNomad, Middleman, Myltura, Pastel, and Scandium—are solving real-world problems such as compliance, cross-border payments, remote healthcare, and software testing with AI at the core. These ventures will undergo a three-month accelerator program featuring expert mentorship, technical training, Google Cloud credits, and investor exposure.

With over 150 African startups supported since 2018, the program has helped raise $300 million and create 3,500+ jobs. This latest cohort confirms that Africa isn’t waiting for solutions—it’s building them, with Nigeria leading the charge....…...…continue reading

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📱 TELECOMS

Lebara Nigeria Unveils 0724 Number Series, Announces Full Interconnectivity Ahead of Launch

Lebara Nigeria has officially launched its 0724 number series, signaling its readiness to serve Nigerian customers and solidify its presence in the telecom market. This move, paired with full interconnectivity across all major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), ensures seamless communication for users from day one. According to COO Mary O. Akin-Adesokan, these milestones reflect Lebara’s commitment to inclusivity, integration, and delivering a smooth user experience.

As a holder of a Tier 5 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) license, Lebara Nigeria brings the infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and operational strength to offer high-quality, customer-centric services. The MVNO model allows the company to focus on affordability and innovation while leveraging existing networks.

Backed by its global reputation and experience, Lebara aims to drive competition, enhance digital access, and offer Nigerians reliable, cost-effective mobile solutions. This launch marks more than market entry—it represents a strategic move to transform Nigeria’s telecom landscape and connect more people across the country........……continue reading

🏠 INFRASTRUCTURE

Lagos Launches the Lagos Identity Project – a Digital House Numbering System to Power Smart City Future

The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Identity Project, a digital house-numbering system designed to modernize urban governance and service delivery. Spearheaded by Dr. Olajide Babajide, Special Adviser on e-GIS to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the initiative introduces QR-coded address plates embedded with property data, streamlining emergency response, postal services, and utility access across Lagos.

Piloted in Eti-Osa LGA, the project aims to scale across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. It targets issues like tax evasion, untraceable addresses, and rental fraud—particularly in densely populated areas. The plates are colour-coded by locality and linked to verified geospatial data, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

Implemented by youth under the Ibile programme and developed in collaboration with Interspatial, the system incorporates Know Your Customer (KYC) elements for added security and planning support. Fully funded by the state, this bold initiative reflects Lagos' smart city ambitions and commitment to global civic data standards—laying a strong foundation for a safer, more connected future........……continue reading

🚚 LOGISTICS

Nowlun raises addtional $600K, bringing total seed funding to $2.3 million

Egyptian logistics startup Nowlun has secured an additional $600,000 in seed funding, bringing its total to $2.3 million. Founded in 2021 by Moataz Khamis, Mahmoud Khaled, and Ahmed Emara, Nowlun offers a digital platform that simplifies international shipping by enabling businesses to compare rates, book shipments, and track cargo in real time. This new capital, led by Ingressive Capital, will accelerate the development of Nowlun’s AI-powered Smart Logistics Assistant and expand operations in Egypt and Saudi Arabia—two key trade hubs.

The Smart Logistics Assistant will provide users with automated insights, personalized shipping recommendations, and cost-optimization tools. This follows Nowlun’s earlier $1.7 million seed round led by Nama Ventures and A15, which funded its entry into Saudi Arabia and the launch of its Bulk freight product. Nowlun aims to modernize the logistics sector, replacing outdated manual systems with intelligent, scalable solutions that bring speed, transparency, and precision to trade across MENA and Africa....……continue reading