Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [28/05/2020]

Zimbabwean edtech SMBLO has announced that it has signed up its 1000th registered student, since the launch of its e-learning platform on 1 May.

This, as a pitching competition run by Nigerian bank First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Passion Incubator, which was delayed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will now take place via Zoom today at 4pm Nigerian time.

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

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.

Zimbabwean edtech SMBLO has announced that it has signed up its 1000th registered student

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

Unemployment set to rocket: South Africa’s unemployment rate is forecast to rise to 50% while there were 1.9 million UIF applications in the first two weeks of the national lockdown, Business Report said in an article earlier this week.

Zim platform records 1000th learner: Zimbabwean edtech SMBLO has announced that it has signed up its 1000th registered student since the launch of its e-learning platform on 1 May. Founded by Nigel Misi, Amanda Marufu and Tawanda Chitongo (pictured above), the startup’s learning management system enables schools to educate their students online. So far three schools in Harare have signed up to use the system. The three are currently seeking external funding in order to grow the business and have put in $2000 of their own money, which has mainly gone towards the development of the platform.

Innovation Summit goes virtual: The organisers of South Africa’s annual SA Innovation Summit have announced that the summit will this year be held as a virtual event. The event will take place in September.

Epic pitch to take place today: A pitching competition run by Nigeria’s First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Passion Incubator , which was delayed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will now take place via Zoom today at 4pm Nigerian time. Passion Incubator announced in a blog post on Tuesday (26 May) that five finalists, Gradforth, One Kiosk Africa, Friendsvow, Xcard and StanLab will battle for prizes which include 100 000 naira ($300), access to investors and potentially partnering with FCMB.

Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [27/05/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [26/05/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [25/05/2020]

Featured image: SMBLO CFO Tawanda Chitongo (Supplied)