Tech

Nigerian fintech startup, Ruubby, launches platform to help shoppers build credit scores

Published

1 year ago

March 12, 2023

Nigerian fintech startup, Ruubby, has announced the launch of a platform aimed at actively encouraging users to build their credit scores while shopping for their favourite items online.

The founder and CEO of Ruubby, Joseph Ezekwem, who announced the launch of the platform, said the necessity rose from the realisation that more than 85 per cent of Africans do not have access to credit or other financial products, largely because banks and financial institutions do not have enough data to determine eligibility.

He said the Ruubby which was founded only in 2022, is to bridge that gap by helping users build and improve their credit scores, thereby making them eligible for credit and financial products.

“When you transact on Ruubby, with your approval, we submit your data that is needed by the credit bureaus to build your credit score,” Ezekwem said on Friday.

“Ruubby also provide a platform for business owners in Nigeria to have a store online to sell to current and new customers, with a business management tool provided.”

“Our target customers are every Nigerian adult that intends to improve their financial profile while shopping for their everyday favourite items online. We all need financial independence and access to loans when needed.

Currently, the startup already has a handful of companies as partners and some businesses that have created online stores through its platform and has also begun signing up its first customers, he said.

“Our first goal is to onboard as many businesses as possible on our platform. We want to provide that opportunity for local stores to have their stores on our platform and be able to sell to anyone in any state in Nigeria,” Ezekwem added.

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Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Global Direct Air Capture (DAC) firm, RepAir, has entered into a partnership with carbon storage technology company, Cella, to launch a first-of-its-kind innovative Carbon Capture and Storage venture in Kenya.

In a statement on its website on Friday, RepAir said the venture will see a replication of its “cultivating partnerships” with storage firms in Europe, U.S. and Africa.

“This storage agreement will streamline the sale of high-quality carbon credits to off-takers, enabling corporations to meet evolving ESG standards, manage offsets and advance towards net zero goals,” the statement issued by RePAir CEO, Amir Amir Shiner, stated.

“Our solution sets a new standard, requiring only 600 kWh per ton of CO2 captured, marking the lowest energy consumption on the market.

“This agreement is perfectly aligned with the launch of our commercial demonstrator in 2025, empowering RepAir to offer high-quality carbon credits to our customers.

“It will see to the establishment of a storage partnership with Cella aimed at creating dedicated value chains for extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and permanently storing it underground through in-situ mineralization.

Corey Pattison, CEO, Cella, who also issued a statement on the partnership, said “by partnering with Cella at our first demonstration site, RepAir can capitalize on two critical resources: the potential for truly permanent, highly verifiable carbon storage via mineralization combined with Kenya’s abundant renewable energy sources.

“Together these resources provide a comprehensive solution for capturing and storing CO2 for off-takers. This collaboration represents an extraordinary opportunity to nurture mutual growth.”

Tech

Intel Liftoff Hackathon 2024 calls for applications from African AI startups

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Applications for the 2024 cohort of Intel Liftoff Hackathon has opened for African AI startups designed to bring together aspiring tech entrepreneurs, software developers, and AI enthusiasts to collaborate, innovate, and create solutions to concrete African challenges.

In its second edition, the hackathon welcomes pioneering early-stage AI startup teams from the African continent, delving into experiments with LLM technology, a statement on the website of the organiser stated.

It added that the Intel Liftoff Hackathon for African AI Startups, which will be held online on May 27-31, is themed “Hack and Connect”, and will take place in partnership with Modus Africa, University Mohamed VI Polytechnic, Morocco

Other partners include TUT Hub of Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa, Prosper Africa, UM6P Ventures, FAST Accelerator, Innov8 Technology Hubs, and Open Startups International.

“The hackathon will feature hands-on workshops that will allow learning of AI essentials; three days of challenges with mentors to test skills; exhibition opportunities to showcase startups and forge partnerships with industry leaders; and networking opportunities to engage with fellow startups and gain insights from domain experts in the AI ecosystem,” the statement said.

“Winners will be invited to join the Intel Liftoff for Startups programme, and receive unique mentoring sessions with ecosystem partners and marketing opportunities with blog articles,” it concluded.