Ready player ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶ Nigeria?🎮
Hello Venturer,
I think science fictions are the most thrilling movie genre (sorry if you love Romcoms). That's because they usually have something bigger than their plots -- a prediction. Think about it. Many of the new-age tech trends started from science fiction. Touch-screen phones and computers, artificial intelligence, robots and even virtual reality were all saliently sold to us through stories. After these movies, innovation always seems to tilt towards these ideologies. It makes me wonder if anyone is going to invent time travel one day. I mean, the many levels of groundbreaking technology today can certainly cause you to redefine what you call impossible.
Now we're in the middle of another sci-fi concept, called the metaverse. Everyone is talking about it. Some people say we're going to be living like characters of the Ready Player One movie. Some of us don't even understand what the fuss is all about. Some others have a completely wrong notion of what it is. But whatever side you're on, we can all agree this is likely to be the next big thing on the internet.
But how will Nigeria, or Africa, be part of this new wave? We want the sci-fi level of advancement, but are we ready for it? It's 2021, and many people still don't use the internet. This week, one of our stories analyses some of the hurdles African countries have to scale before they can be full partakers of the metaverse.
Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe
Writer, Ventures Africa.
Metaverse: will Nigeria, Africa, be ready for the next wave of internet revolution?
Everyone is trying to be an early partaker in building the metaverse. Africa has the youngest population in the world, and that should make it a potential growth market for this new wave. However, it will take more than a zealous young population. Africa’s in-house challenges might still be roadblocks against its potential. Read more
Meet John Amanam, the pioneer of pan-African prosthetics.
Amanam’s innovation — which spans prosthetic hands, legs, fingers, toes, ears, noses, and breasts — was so rare that he registered a patent over his innovation in Nigeria last year. However, his work, which has thrilled many Africans, comes with a backstory. Read more.
Home-based VCs and PEs led investment in Africa's startup ecosystem in 2021.
Between January and October 2021, investments in more than 8, 300 African startups have exceeded the $1 billion mark for the first time, as top global investment companies secure their share in the market. Learn more.
Chibuzo Opara discusses DrugStoc’s helpful quota in Nigeria's pharmaceutical supply chain.
Founded in 2017, DrugStoc is a drug procurement platform that provides an anti-counterfeit supply chain in Africa by linking pharmaceutical companies with hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Health care providers can effortlessly source all their medication, consumables, and medical devices they need for their patients or to practice. Learn more.
TradeDepot's new $110 million Series B fund will aid in the expansion of Africa's informal sector.
Africa comprises low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income countries. Yet, a lack of access to financing and a fragmented distribution network have resulted in distribution inefficiencies and numerous missed opportunities across the value chain. Learn more
Mastercard expands presence across MEA and Eastern Europe.
Mastercard has reaffirmed its commitment to the UAE and the wider region by expanding its regional footprint and announcing a series of leadership changes. Learn more
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