Tech

Egyptian digital payment startup, Copal, partners with Mastercard to launch family app

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2023

Egypt’s first digital payment solutions platform, Copal, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mastercard to introduce the first family payment and expenses management application in the country.

The partnership which was reached on Tuesday, according to the Country General Manager, MENA Central, Mastercard, Adam Jones, aims to further drive financial inclusion in the country through the integration of underbanked youth into the formal economy.

“Our partnership with Copal demonstrates our commitment to expand the financial digital market in Egypt by providing our partners with the necessary services and tools to transform bold ideas and achieve scale at pace,” Jones said.

The introduction of Copal in the Egyptian market is designed to provide a seamless and innovative cashless experience for all family members, Ahmed Refaat, Co-Founder and CEO of Copal, said in a statement.

“Copal’s vision is to fill the gap for the un- and under-banked through introducing a product that is specifically tailored to meet their every need,” said Ahmed Refaat, Co-Founder and CEO of Copal.

“We are proud to partner with Mastercard, and we are confident that, with their leadership and support, Copal will grow and expand as fast as we ambitiously planned,” Refaat added.

Giving the benefits of the partnership, Refaat said:

“Backed-up by Mastercard technologies, Copal brings entire family members on a unified payment platform that is fully managed by the parents.

“Accordingly, parents and custodians are able to control young family members’ funds and easily track and manage their finances, in addition to ensuring safekeeping of their allowances, controlling overspending and ensuring availability of fund in case of emergencies.

“The solution also comes with simplified financial education tools that support the inclusion of youth in the digitized payment ecosystem and help them become more financially savvy.

“Young family members will learn how to manage their money and savings as well as give back to the community,” he said.

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

22 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.