Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [27/04/2020]

SA’s Trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel says the government can’t lift restrictions to allow all ecommerce traders to operate, while not doing so for bricks-and-mortar stores, as doing so would be seen to be “unfair competition” and risked spreading Covid-19.

This, while SA startup Send It has launched a live streaming platform which enables zero-rated or reverse-billed video viewing on South African telco networks.

With the coronavirus (Covid-19) headlining news all over the world, Ventureburn has launched a regular daily roundup on the virus and how it is affecting Africa’s tech startup sector.

Trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel says the government can’t lift restrictions to allow all ecommerce traders to operate over ‘unfair competition’ concerns

Those with any news releases relating to Covid-19 and Africa’s tech startup sector can send these to editor@memeburn.com.

Here then is the latest on the coronavirus and African tech startups:

Lockdown to lift for certain businesses: The South African government has proposed lifting lockdown restrictions on a string of businesses, from this Friday, Fin24 reported in an article on the weekend. They include among other things, retailers selling children’s clothes and winter goods; professional services such as legal services, accounting, call centres; and restaurants and take-aways which will be able to open, for delivery only. Businesses like hair salons and many other retailers, will have to stay shut.

Restrictions on ecommerce to remain: Trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel has said the government can’t lift restrictions to allow all ecommerce traders to operate, while not doing so for bricks-and-mortar stores, as doing so would be seen to be “unfair competition” and risked spreading Covid-19, TechCentral reported in an article on the weekend. The move had been criticised by etailer Takealot.com, as being out of step with other countries. Venture capitalist Michael Jordaan said in a tweet that the government should “encourage all economic activity that is safe”.

Zero-rated video platform: SA startup Send It has launched a live streaming platform which enables zero-rated or reverse-billed video viewing on South African telco networks. Viewers can enjoy live video, without the cost of mobile data. The startup, which launched two weeks ago, was founded by James Coetzee and Brandon Muller. “We are primarily interested in focusing on the education market, and those in the entertainment industry whose income has been affected. We assist them through providing a platform to host live shows, and collect donations in realtime during their online performances,” said Coetzee. Send It has a team of six and is self-funded. Before the lockdown, the two had been running a WiFi startup for the last several years where they built their own custom hardware.

Twiga Foods, Jumia deal: Kenyan mobile-based B2B distribution platform Twiga Foods has signed a distribution deal with Jumia to deliver fresh and processed food to the homes of consumers, tech publication TechMoran revealed in an article on Friday (24 April). The publication said the deal aims to cover home delivery into most of Nairobi’s suburbs, leveraging Twiga’s existing infrastructure of depots.

Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [24/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [23/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [22/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [21/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [20/04/2020]

Featured image: Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel (GovernmentZA via Flickr)