TechNigeria: A weekly digest of what went down in Nigeria’s tech space

Regarded as the ‘Big Win Week’ by tech players in Nigeria, the week recorded an astonishing feat as Nigeria’s electronic money gateway company, Paystack, announced its acquisition by America’s financial institution, Stripe, in a deal estimated to over N70 billion.

Aside developments around raisers and new product launch,which are fast becoming a regular weekly feature, the week also saw Twitter, Google, and a host of other tech companies joining to lend their voices to the #ENDSARS campaign by young Nigerians.

Below is a digest for the week, highlighting the major tech build up.

Government websites hack spree

Decentralised international ‘hacktivist’ group, Anonymous, intercepted a number of websites, including social media handles, belonging to a number of government agencies. Amongst these organisations are EFCC, INEC, NBC, and NNPC.

According to this group of international hactivists, the action was in solidarity to the ongoing protests against police brutality in Nigeria tagged #EndSARS. With the crack down, the group threatened to expose government activities should the yawningof the people is not met.

The Jack Dorsey surprise

Before the Anonymous hack spree, American tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, pulled a surprise, identifying with Nigerian youth as they protest against police brutality. The tech leader did not only lend his voice in support of the movement but also canvassed for funds donation.

Considered a surprise as Jack remained about the only international tech founder, of his rank, who threw his weight behind the movement. Courtesy of his inputs, the movement’s most visible hashtag #ENDSARS was also pimped as an icon.

Big win of the week

Perhaps, the biggest win in the month or quarter, American financial firm, Stripe, acquired Nigeria’s Paystack for a whooping sum of $200M.

Read also: TechNigeria: A weekly digest of what went down in Nigeria’s tech space

Paystack broke the news on Thursday, October 15, noting that the development will further ensure the improvement and enhancement of services. Celebrated across board, especially for a company of only dive years.

Product launch

Nigerian marketing technology company, Dochase, entered into the race to drive more sales for businesses and business owners. Launching a WhatsApp chatbot-as-a-service product, thecompany claimed it will allow businesses interact with customers, gain leads, and automate sales processes.

Reviewing the chatbot, users, who tested the demo, noted that its usability is hinged on connecting adverts to a straight forward chatbot, where sales are consummated easily and in a personalised manner.

New raiser

One of Nigeria’s lending marketplaces, Evolve Credit, during the week, secured a pre-seed round as it looks to invest in scaling its product.

The raiser will further support the company on its mission to nail the coffin of paper application methods in financial institutions, as well as increase inclusion and transparency in financial markets.

Remarks

These stories, and many others, made headlines during the week. Join us next week for another edition of TechNigeria.

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