LATEST TECH NEWS: Nigeria’s Skool Media broadens E-Learning amidst COVID-19 crisis. 4 other things and a trivia you need to know today, April 20, 2020

These 5 latest stories from the tech space will keep you updated with trends today.

1. Nigeria’s Skool Media broadens E-Learning intervention in Federal Unity Schools

In order to see the continuity of education since the lockdown pronouncement by the government, Nigeria’s e-Learning support platform, Skool Media, has broadened E-Learning intervention in Federal Unity Schools. According to the media organisation, the intervention of Skool Media Nigeria Limited in exposing students to their studies through e-learning has snowballed into greater dimensions.

Today, with this new development, the students and teachers of the 104 Federal Government Colleges across Nigeria will particularly be the major beneficiaries. Plans revealed that the “UNITY SCHOOLS VIRTUAL LEARNING” will be handled by a team of 102 edutech experts and personnel to provide a robust hitch free virtual learning experience.

2. UK gov pledges £250M to support startups affected by coronavirus

The U.K. government has unveiled plans for a new “Future Fund” designed to ensure high-growth companies — namely, startups — across the U.K. receive enough investment to remain viable during the coronavirus crisis. This is coming following several debates from the U.K. tech startup ecosystem, seeking government’s assistance and considerations.

On Monday, April 20, the U.K. government revealed pledging a total of £250 million of taxpayer’s money to the new fund (delivered via the British Business Bank). According to the government, to unlock the investment — which looks to be in the form of a convertible loan note — businesses must secure an equal or greater amount of match funding from private investors, and be a U.K. registered private company that has previously raised at least £250,000 in private investment in the last five years.

---

Tech Trivia

When did Apple iPhone first become available?

A. 2007
B. 2008
C. 2009
D. 2010

Answer: See end of post.

---

3. Alibaba Cloud set to invest $28 billion into infrastructure

Alibaba Cloud announced Monday that it will invest another RMB 200 billion (or about $28 billion) into its infrastructure over the next three years. According to press reports, this decision was prompted in part by increased demand for services like video conferencing and live streaming as businesses adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company explained that the investment will focus on expanding Alibaba Cloud’s technology, which will include its operating system, servers and chips, in its data centers. In a press release, the company’s spokesperson further noted that the initiative is intended to “offer cloud-based intelligent solutions to support their digital transformation in the post-pandemic world.”

4. Alan raises $54.4 million for its health insurance product

Despite the plaque of the pandemic, French startup Alan has not stopped increasing its worth, portfolio and market shares. The Startup recently raised another $54.4 million (€50 million) Series C funding round. According to Alan, Temasek is leading the round with existing investors (such as Index Ventures) also participating.

Over the past four years, Alan has raised $136 million (€125 million). With a robust business model, Alan has built a health insurance product for the French market. Industry review indicates that Alan has a huge market opportunity in France as every employee is covered by both the national health care system and private insurance companies.

5. IFC to invest $20m in startups in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia

The World Bank’s International Financial Corporation (IFC) reportedly plans to invest up to $20-million in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The new fund, according to IFC, will in turn be invested in small and mid-cap companies, with expected opportunities to open for tech innovations as Fintech players.

The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (Avca) said in a statement that the fund, SPE AIF I is managed by SPE Capital Partners and will focus mainly on Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Commenting on the development, SPE Capital CEO and managing partner Nabil Triki said this fund also aims to provide industry and value-creation expertise.

Tech Trivia Answer: 2007

The first iPhone was released in 2007. By the end of 2009, iPhone models had been released in all major markets. After some trial and error, the first iPhone was officially launched and made accessible to the public in 2007, and this iPhone and was advertised noticeably at the Macworld of that same year. In this first release, the iPhone was accessible in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Spain, Italy and South Africa.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now