Tech

Leaf Wallet rebrands to BOSS Money as part of African expansion plans

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

Africa-based fintech startup, Leaf Wallet, has rebranded to BOSS Money in its bid to expand its offerings across the continent.

The app which is the brainchild of IDT Corporation, a global fintech provider, cloud communications, and traditional communications services, announced the rebranding in a statement by its CEO, Nat Robinson, on Friday.

According to Robinson, the rebranding from Leaf Wallet to BOSS Money is part of a “broader initiative to leverage the key technologies of Leaf Wallet to gradually expand across Africa, and allowing US consumers to send money transfers directly to family and friends in the continent.”

“The newly branded BOSS Money wallet will continue to use the Leaf Wallet’s innovative, blockchain-based technology on the Stellar Network, so that customers across Africa can safely store, send, receive, and exchange currencies on their phones domestically and across borders,” he said.

“The wallet will continue to allow customers to access funds and transact on feature phones utilizing a USSD interface accessed via a short code and via the app.”

“The BOSS Money wallet will enable customers across Africa to receive money in their local currency directly from customers in the US using the BOSS Money app. Transferred funds can be used to purchase airtime, pay bills locally, and send to other BOSS Money users across Africa for free.”

“We see a tremendous opportunity across Africa to grow our footprint and reach millions of new customers with the BOSS Money wallet and to connect both our current and new customers to their family and friends in the U.S.,” said Robinson.

“The newly rebranded BOSS Money app is already available for download in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, and will soon be available in Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Tanzania,” he added.

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation