Goddag,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Bolt Nigeria mandates AC in all ride categories
- This startup helps you see products virtually before purchase
- London-based company wants to expand into SA
Bolt Nigeria mandates AC in all ride categories
The last time I got into a ride-hailing car without AC was sometime last year. The Bolt driver told me in advance, and I remember thinking, “It’s not that deep.” And to be fair, it wasn’t, at least while we were moving.
But on Saturday, an Uber driver literally begged me to let him fill his tank so he could keep the AC on. I brushed it off, thinking it wasn’t a big deal since there was no traffic. But this guy kept pleading until he finally bought fuel. He said some passengers would’ve flipped out if he didn’t keep the AC on the whole trip.
Well, Bolt has now addressed the AC drama. Per Technext, the company says that all drivers, including those in the Economy category, must use air conditioning during trips. Bolt Nigeria’s General Manager, Osi Oguah, had to step in after a confusing message from Bolt’s own support team made it seem like AC was optional for Economy rides.
A message from Bolt’s Support had earlier stated that AC is not guaranteed for Economy trips since they are designed to be budget-friendly. They even suggested that if AC is important to you, you should book a more expensive ride instead. That response made it seem like Economy riders shouldn’t expect AC at all.
But according to Osi Oguah, that’s not the case. He clarified that drivers across all categories are required to use AC unless a rider specifically asks them not to. So officially, Bolt hasn’t changed its policy; AC is still supposed to be standard.
That said, rides without AC are slowly becoming the norm, and not just on Bolt. A lot of drivers are turning it off to save costs, especially on inDrive, where fares are already ridiculously low.
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This startup helps you see products virtually before purchase
Consider ordering a sleek new couch online, only for it to arrive looking nothing like the pictures. Or purchasing a pair of trainers that seemed perfect on the website but fit weirdly in real life.
We’ve all seen those “What I ordered vs. What I got” memes, and if you haven’t experienced it firsthand, consider yourself lucky. (But seriously, have you never had this happen? Reply to this email; I’m curious.)
Back to the story: Danjuma Mohammed gets it. Online shopping is super convenient, but it’s also a gamble. That’s why he created VerveAR, a Nigerian-founded, Canada-based startup that helps you see how products will look in your space before you purchase them. Want to check if those sneakers match your outfit? Or if that massive bookshelf actually fits in your tiny apartment? Just pull out your phone, and VerveAR overlays a virtual version of the product in your real-world environment.
Turns out, people love this idea. VerveAR pulled in $558,000 in 2024 by making online shopping less of a guessing game. But with tech giants like Google and Apple already playing around with augmented reality, what happens when they fully step into this space? Can VerveAR hold its own, or is it only a matter of time before the big guys take over?
Danjuma breaks down his target market, business model, and what’s next for VerveAR. Get all the details in Bolu’s latest story here!
London-based company wants to expand into SA
Revolut, the London-based digital banking giant, is eyeing South Africa for its next big expansion and has reportedly applied for a full banking licence. If all goes well, it’ll be going head-to-head with local digital banks like TymeBank, Discovery Bank, and Bank Zero.
In a chat with TechCentral, Revolut confirmed its interest but kept things cautious, saying, “South Africa is a market we are evaluating, and one we see as attractive. However, we are quite early in the process.” So, while nothing is set in stone yet, it’s clear they’re seriously considering setting up shop.
Revolut isn’t just another banking app. It offers multi-currency accounts, fee-free currency exchange, stock and commodity trading, and even crypto trading. If it officially enters South Africa, traditional banks might have to step up their game to keep up. To solidify its local presence, the company has already appointed Tom Morrison as Head of Strategy & Operations in South Africa.
This move is part of Revolut’s global expansion play. It recently made moves into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and secured investments from major players like Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor, Mubadala, to push its growth in these regions. Clearly, Revolut is going all in on emerging markets.
It’s also been making money transfers between Europe and Africa faster by expanding its Mobile Wallets feature. By partnering with services like Airtel, Orange Money, and MTN, the company is tapping into Africa’s heavy reliance on mobile wallets for transactions.
Revolut’s entry into South Africa could bring some serious competition, giving consumers more choices and potentially better banking experiences. But even with its hefty $45 billion valuation, it’ll have to face off against the likes of TymeBank, a $1.5 billion fintech that knows the local terrain. As Revolut figures out its licensing and strategy, all eyes will be on how it reshapes South Africa’s digital banking space.
In case you missed it
- d.light joins DARES programme to bring solar power to 17.5 million Nigerians
What I’m watching
- Why are more adults than ever getting cancer younger? – The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service
- What Pregnancy Does to the Body
Opportunities
- Interswitch is hiring a Senior Software Developer. Apply here.
- PalmPay is recruiting a Business Developer. Apply here.
- Standard Bank Group is looking to fill several positions across Africa. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Follow Techpoint Africa’s WhatsApp channel to stay on top of the latest trends and news in the African tech space here.
Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
