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African Superapp Ayoba Launches Nigeria Accelerator Programme with Adanian Labs

July 8, 2023

Ayoba, the innovative all-in-one app revolutionizing communication, entertainment & e-commerce in Africa is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Adanian Labs The companies have partnered to launch an SME Accelerator program aimed at empowering and accelerating the growth of small businesses in Nigeria. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as Nigerian SMEs play a vital role in driving economic growth and job creation in the country.

The SME Accelerator aims to address the key challenges faced by small businesses, including limited access to capital, technology infrastructure, access to market and mentorship. The program is designed to foster innovation, improve competitiveness, drive growth and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The ayoba-Adanian Labs partnership brings together Ayoba’s comprehensive all-in-one app, which offers a messaging suite, hyperlocal content, gaming, music, and e-commerce, with Adanian Labs’ expertise in technology solutions and ecosystem development. By leveraging these capabilities, the SME Accelerator program will provide Nigerian SMEs with access to vital resources, including digitalization, mentorship, access to networks, technological support, and mobilization of partners for funding enabling them to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable growth.

By offering tailored mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and technological resources, the accelerator aims to equip Nigerian SMEs with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age. The program officially launches on Monday 10th July; businesses will have two weeks to apply and the top 20 will be announced. Applications will be through the Adanian Labs website.

According to recent statistics, small and medium enterprises account for over 90% of businesses in Africa, contributing approximately 50% of employment and 33% of the continent’s GDP. In Nigeria alone, SMEs represent about 96% of businesses, employing millions of people and serving as engines of innovation and economic progress.

Shiela Yabo, ayoba’s Head of Ecosystem Development said “The potential impact of empowering Nigerian SMEs is significant. By strengthening this sector, the country can experience accelerated economic growth, increased job opportunities, and enhanced competitiveness on the global stage. Furthermore, supporting small businesses fosters entrepreneurship, drives innovation, and contributes to wealth creation, ultimately improving the overall socio-economic landscape of Nigeria.”

“We are excited to partner with Adanian Labs in launching the SME Accelerator, a pivotal initiative that will empower Nigerian small businesses,” further stated Yabo. “Through this collaboration, we aim to unlock the potential of Nigerian SMEs, driving economic prosperity and creating opportunities for sustainable development.”

Killian Mayua, Country Manager for Adanian Labs, Nigeria said “We are thrilled to collaborate with Ayoba in launching the SME Accelerator program, which holds great promise for Nigerian small businesses. Adanian Labs is a firm believer that Africa will realize its full potential once its SME sector is transformed. We have dedicated our work to building solutions that powers and digitizes SME’s. Our joint efforts will support the growth of SMEs, boost economic resilience, and contribute to the overall development of this important sector.”

The partnership between Ayoba and Adanian Labs, through the launch of the SME Accelerator, represents a significant milestone in fostering innovation, driving entrepreneurship, and contributing towards economic empowerment positioning Nigeria as a hub for SME growth and development.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

MTN Appoints Burak Akinci as New CEO of Simfy

August 26, 2021

Africa’s largest telecoms firm, MTN Group has announced the appointment of Burak Akinci as CEO of Simfy (ayoba) and he will be reporting to the MTN Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer Serigne Dioum. Akinci will also be in charge of the company’s ayoba super app.

Effective 1 September 2021, Burak joins MTN from Turkcell, a converged telecommunication and technology services provider, founded and headquartered in Turkey, where he was CEO of BiP, an instant messaging platform with millions of users across 192 countries. Burak, with over 20 years of experience in marketing, digital businesses and technologies, led the build-out of the BiP platform, which has more than 30 million users. In his new role, he will be based in Cape Town.

“We are thrilled that an executive of Burak’s calibre is joining us. His appointment accelerates our work to build the largest and most valuable platforms as we target greater digital and financial inclusion across the continent,” said Dioum.

“I feel honoured and very excited to join MTN family and ayoba. I believe in the digital vision for Africa driven by MTN and I am confident that, with this great team, we will build the best communication platform and super app of Africa,” Akinci comments on his appointment.

At the end of March 2021, MTN had amassed 5.3-million monthly active ayoba users across 20 markets. The company says it plans to grow this to 100-million in 2025.

“We aim to capture more than 10% of the gross merchandise value of the digital economy in our footprint as we move beyond the traditional telco-led Mobile Money (MoMo) offering with ayoba, which is an OTT (over the top) service that does not require users to be MTN subscribers,” MTN says in a statement.

“We are also targeting 100 million MoMo users by 2025, up from 46.6 million at end-March.”