Here's a brief look at the day's activity as it has happened across the continent.
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Goods Express closed with millions of its shoppers' money locked in its wallet
In November last year, e-Commerce platform Goods Express made an announcement to its Ugandan customers that it was shutting down “temporarily”.
However, confessions from a couple of customers indicate the process wasn’t handled in the best way possible. Additionally, many claim the company could have closed with millions of shillings of its shoppers’ money in their wallet.
Goods Express closed with millions of its shoppers' money locked in its wallet - Digest Africa
2. Jamii raised $2 million round of investment to expand to Kenya
The insurtech firm has confirmed investment from Patrick Munis, founder of US-based digital health company NewWave Technologies, to take the total of their planned round raised so far to US$700,000.
Jamii was one of the 20 scale-ups accelerated by the World Bank’s XL Africa programme last year, and also secured grant funding from the GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator.
Tanzania’s Jamii raises funding from US-based entrepreneur - Disrupt Africa
3. UNBS launches new e-services to improve efficiency
In a bid to enhance and reinforce their operations, transparency, and accountability in processes and systems, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has automated a number of their services that were previously manual.
The new electronic services are Laboratory Information Management Services (LIMS), Certification Information Management Systems (CIMS) and Online Support Service Automated imports clearance procedure.
The online support service will allow clients to register complaints as part of UNBS effort to increase public participation in the fight against substandard products on the market.
UNBS launches new e-services to improve efficiency - Sauti Tech
4. Kenya's Bitsoko secures $100,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The grant will enable the startup to open its doors in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe in 2019. The grant will also be used to fund the research and development of its projects.
Bitsoko will also receive a grant worth $1 million if its project is a success. The startup aims to combine the good attributes of mobile money and blockchain technology to enable affordable transactions through its mobile app.
Kenya’s Bitsoko Secures $100,000 Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates - Kenyan Wall Street
5. African Blockchain Lab Launched in Nigeria
Nigeria's KAD ICT Hub in collaboration with Coinfirm, a London-based blockchain company, has launched the Africa Blockchain Lab in Nigeria.
The new hub based in Kaduna is interested in companies that are focused on financial inclusion and has already accommodated one such startup called Kora.
African Blockchain Lab Launched in Nigeria - Bitcoin Africa