Tech

Kenyan marketing startup Wowzi partners Mastercard in $2m deal for content creators

Published

5 months ago

June 14, 2024

Kenyan influencer marketing platform, Wowzi, has announced a partnership with Mastercard and Masria Digital Payments which will see it disburse $2.04 million to transform the financial management landscape for content creators through innovative digital card solutions.

Co-founder and CEO of Wowzi, Brian Mogeni, who made the announcement, said the agreement with Mastercard and MDP is a five-year deal that will see Wowzi provide Kenyan content creators with access to a wide range of digital card benefits.

“Our journey has always been driven by the belief that content creators are the heartbeat of the digital age. This strategic partnership with Mastercard and MDP represents a pivotal moment in our mission to empower these creators,” Mogeni said.

“Leveraging MDP’s expertise in digital payments, these cards are designed to offer content creators a seamless and secure user experience, simplifying both online and offline transactions.

“Innovation is at the core of our values, and we recognise that the influencer and creator market is underserved when it comes to payment solutions.

“We are dedicated to being at the forefront of technology solutions that cater to the unique needs of content creators. This collaboration allows us to not only address those needs but to set new standards in financial empowerment, security, and convenience for our valued community,” he added.

Wowzi which was launched in 2020 by Mogeni, Mike Otieno and Dr Hassan Bashir, has built a self-serve online platform that allows brands of any size or industry to create and manage massive, distributed messaging campaigns utilising thousands of real, everyday customers and fans who get paid to offer authentic endorsements online for the products they already love.

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Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

22 hours 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.

Tech

Orange Egypt earmarks $52.7m to support African startups

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Orange Egypt has earmarked the sum of $52.7 million to support African startups in what is going to be the largest investment to drive a youth-focused tech revolution.

According to the company, the mammoth investment will see over 40 startups benefitting from the funds, with most of them being Egyptian companies.

‘It’s a boost for Egypt’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and a step closer to cementing its spot as a top startup hub in Africa,” the company said in a statement.

The investment is coming on the heels of the telco signing a deal with the Egyptian government to roll out the second phase of its 5G licensing.

The statement noted that with Egypt’s startup game already strong and ranking as the third most funded country in the MENA region, “the numbers speak for themselves.”

“In 2022, Egyptian startups closed 143 funding deals worth nearly $766.7 million, outpacing the $606.79 million raised the year before.

“Plus over 2,100 startups employing more than 50,000 people, the country’s ecosystem is one of the top 10 emerging startup hubs globally.

“The Egyptian government is all in on this. And since launching initiatives like Egypt Ventures in 2017, they’ve been backing startups to drive innovation and growth in the tech space.

“Orange Egypt’s latest move only adds fuel to this already blazing fire, paving the way for more opportunities and a stronger startup culture across Africa,” it added.