Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Yellow Card (www.YellowCard.io), Africa’s leading stablecoin-based infrastructure provider, has been issued a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.  

Commenting on the FSCA’s decision to issue the licence to Yellow Card Financial South Africa, Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, said, “The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent.This achievement reflects our dedication to providing secure, compliant and transformative solutions for our customers both in South Africa and across Africa.  

The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent

Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%. In South Africa alone, where the number of total users of crypto assets is estimated to amount to 5.8 million people, stablecoins have experienced growth of 50% month over month since October 2023, displacing bitcoin as the country’s most popular cryptocurrency.  Yellow Card is excited to play a pivotal role in this financial revolution in South Africa. 

Yellow Card, which launched in South Africa in 2020, has facilitated over US$3 billion in transactions in the last several years and now operates in 20 countries across the continent. The company recently completed a US$33 million Series C financing, led by Blockchain Capital and existing investors, including Polychain Capital, Valar Ventures, Third Prime Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Block, Inc. (Square/Cash App), reflecting strong investor confidence in its mission.   

As the stablecoin landscape continues to evolve, Yellow Card is committed to leading the charge in making digital assets accessible and secure for businesses across Africa. With the recent licensing and funding, the company plans to expand its B2B offerings by enhancing its stablecoin rails, upgrading infrastructure, and advancing its B2B API and Widget. These efforts will empower businesses with seamless solutions for liquidity management and their general operations. 

To learn more about Yellow Card, visit: https://YellowCard.io/. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Yellow Card Financial.

MTN Cloudplay will allow MTN users in South Africa to access a wide range of cloud-based video games, providing a high-quality gaming experience without the need for downloads or high-end gaming consoles

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ —

• Both companies extend their collaboration to introduce cloud gaming in South Africa.
• MTN Cloudplay aims to revolutionize digital entertainment with affordable, high-quality gaming access.

MTN, Africa’s leading telecommunications operator with over 290 million subscribers across the continent, announces the launch of Cloudplay, a revolutionary new cloud gaming service, with Telecoming (www.Telecoming.com), a sportech company specializing in developing and distributing mobile experiences for sports and entertainment. This project marks a new milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two companies.

MTN Cloudplay: A Game Changer

MTN Cloudplay will allow MTN users in South Africa to access a wide range of cloud-based video games, providing a high-quality gaming experience without the need for downloads or high-end gaming consoles. The service will allow customers to stream high-end PC games to their mobile phones, enabling them to play anywhere, anytime.

This service seeks to democratize access to high-quality mobile gaming for the whole family; including various genres which include retro games and exciting popular gaming titles with multi-device gameplay, at an affordable price of only R79 per month.

Jason Probert, General Manager for Digital Services at MTN South Africa shared his thoughts on the collaboration:

Customers can use their existing Steam licenses on the service, and have access to more than 300 games on the service for only R79 per month

“We’re thrilled to launch MTN Cloudplay in South Africa. We’re committed to enabling our customers to enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life and the advent of 5G means that it is now possible to stream and play games without the need for a PC or console. Customers can use their existing Steam licenses on the service, and have access to more than 300 games on the service for only R79 per month.”

Alí Karaosman, MEA Director of Telecoming says “It is very exciting for us to extend our collaboration with MTN, bringing our nearly decade-long experience in this market and supporting the operator in this innovative digital entertainment offering, we are convinced that MTN Cloudplay will revolutionize the way users in South Africa enjoy video games. For Telecoming, this partnership with MTN is a strategic step in our mission to bring esports and innovative digital services to Africa. We are committed to continuing to develop technological solutions that enhance digital leisure for people in the region.”

Service Details

MTN Cloudplay is available to all MTN users in South Africa since November 2024. With a vast library of over 340 games from over 50 publishers, this cloud gaming service offers an unmatched gaming experience on any device.

MTN Cloudplay is accessible to MTN subscribers. Users can visit https://Cloudplay.MTN.co.za to explore the platform and enjoy a wide selection of gaming titles.

Highlights

• Extensive Game Library: Enjoy classics like Contra, PacMan and Mortal Kombat and modern hits like Hogwarts Legacy and Borderlands 3.
• Bring Your Own License (BYOL): Access games you’ve purchased on Steam, such as Grand Theft Auto V and Fallout 4.
• Multi-Device Access: Play on any device and switch seamlessly between them.
• Low Latency: Experience responsive gameplay with minimal lag.
• Subscription: Available directly on https://Cloudplay.MTN.co.za or via the MTN Play https://Play.MTN.co.za website for R79 per month.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Telecoming.

Reinforcing Its Position as a Tech Leader in Africa with a Strong Focus on AI

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 19, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Gebeya (www.Gebeya.com), a leading Pan-African SaaS Service marketplace technology company, is thrilled to announce its acceptance into the prestigious Microsoft ISV Success Program (http://apo-opa.co/3B0nwZb) as well as the ISV and Startup for Azure program. This significant milestone underscores Gebeya’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the technology sector across Africa, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI).

The Microsoft ISV Success program is designed to support independent software vendors (ISVs) in building and scaling their businesses on Microsoft Azure. By joining this program, Gebeya now has access to a wealth of resources, including technical support, cloud infrastructure, co-selling opportunities, and marketing assistance, enabling the company to enhance its product offerings and expand its reach in the competitive tech landscape.

In addition, participation in the Azure CXP for ISVs and Startups will provide Gebeya with the tools and infrastructure necessary to leverage the power of Azure’s cloud services. This will empower Gebeya to develop cutting-edge AI solutions that address the unique challenges businesses face in Africa, fostering innovation and driving economic growth across the continent. Gebeya has been diligently working on AI agents (http://apo-opa.co/3ANzNjH) to reinforce its SaaS technology and accelerate the gig economy in Africa. These AI agents will be the interfaces for both service providers and buyers for multi-sided marketplaces. They are currently being trained in as many African languages as possible. The Microsoft support from these 2 programs is timely to reinforce the performance and scale the models behind these AI agents.

“We are excited to be part of both the Microsoft ISV Success and ISV and Startup program for Azure programs,” said Amadou Daffe, CEO of Gebeya Inc. “This partnership validates our efforts to accelerate the Gig Economy in Africa by enhancing our capabilities to deliver AI-driven solutions that can transform industries and improve consumer services, whether they are businesses or individuals. With Microsoft’s support, we are poised to accelerate our growth and solidify our position as a tech leader in the region.”

Gebeya has been at the forefront of accelerating the gig economy in Africa,  connecting service providers with customers looking for a more convenient, faster way to access service providers across the continent. The company’s focus on SaaS and AI aligns with the growing demand for intelligent technologies that can optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive opportunity matching between

“As part of Azure CXP, our FT-ISV program offers comprehensive technical enablement for ISVs and startups, such as Gebeya, that are prepared to build and commercialize their solutions on the Microsoft Cloud.” – says Ibra Diouf, Senior PM at Microsoft. “We’re enthusiastic about this collaboration and look forward to supporting the integration of Microsoft AI within Gebeya’s product. Our team will continue to guide building secure, scalable, and high-quality solutions on our platform,” he continues.

As Gebeya continues to expand its offerings and capabilities, the collaboration with Microsoft will enable the company to harness the latest advancements in AI and cloud computing. “Gebeya’s participation in both of these programs has been in the works for some time. This is great news, as it will enable Gebeya to reach new levels of collaboration with Microsoft and unlock new potential through Azure and AI,” said Steve Buchanan, Fractional Chief Technology Advisor at Gebeya.

Joining these programs will benefit Gebeya’s clients and contribute to the broader tech ecosystem in Africa, inspiring the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Gebeya and Microsoft partnered to launch the microsoft.gebeya.com talent cloud earlier this year. This gateway aims to empower 300,000 African tech talents over the next 3 years with Microsoft-focused cloud and AI skills. Since the announcement of the partnership in December 2023, more than 10,000 developers from across the continent have signed up to the platform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Gebeya.