Encouragement, Tech Advances & COVID19 in Africa

Our founder, Bayo Adelaja, has shared a letter of positivity for everyone in our community. Bayo reminds entrepreneurs of the effect of our insecurities on our endeavours: "It’s a crude expression of Occam’s Law in that our insecurities manufacture insurmountable ordeals that deter us from doing what is tried, tested and obvious. Insecurities left unmanaged will find you in your business, and they will limit your ability to move, grow and envision a future beyond the barriers of the comfort zone you have built around you. Rona has forced me to reckon with an insecurity that I have lived with for years; a debilitating fear of change." Read the full post.

In recent years, tech startups in Nigeria have secured a global lens on the capital raising nearly $650 million in 2019 alone. Now the world needs these innovators to apply their skills to problem-solving in a crisis. Quartz Africa reports on those making a difference:  "Lifebank, a health startup that finds and delivers blood to patients has turned its attention to seeking critical medical equipment for Covid-19 treatment and has created a national register to track hospitals with working ventilators and respirators. Hotel booking platform Hotels.ng has partnered with hotels to create isolation centres across Nigeria, an added buffer for the country’s limited quarantine facilities."

FinTech has seen massive growth in Africa over the last decade so it's no surprise that across the continent, fintech startups and governments are responding to the crisis, working with banks and retailers to make digital payments accessible to all in order to prevent the spread of the virus on currency.

While healthtech, fintech, edtech and logistics / delivery tech startups are innovating responses to the crisis, there is likely to be a shortfall in funding for 2020, and some sectors seeing little investment. Disrupt Africa warn that while African tech smashed funding records in 2019, with 311 startups securing over US$490 million worth of investment, the negative impact of COVID-19 on the global venture capital market may mean it remains a record year for a little while yet.

 Coping with COVID19: 

• Keep informed and head to coronafacts.africa for the latest statistics and figures,, where recovery rates are front and centre helping us keep track of the successes. 
• Listen to The Guardian's: Covid-19: how are African countries coping? Sarah Boseley speaks to Prof Trudie Lang about the outbreak on the continent and explores how a history of responding to Ebola and other public health emergencies could help.
• Switch off, kick back and relax with this Bill Withers tribute from NTS Radio. We love you Bill! 

What can I do?

• Follow WHO guidelines and keep up to date with the latest developments 
• Support local retailers by shopping in or ordering from independent stores
• Track, share and support crowdfunding campaigns 
• Try to respect normal business hours, embrace time out and turn off devices when you can
• Keep in touch with those in your network who may be alone or suffering