Issue 98: Stolen Good Markets & New Ways to Get Paid

Hi, Here is how the past week went in Ethiopia's startup and innovation ecosystem.If you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.

Stolen Goods Thrive on Social MediaSocial media platforms like Facebook and Telegram are being utilized for the illicit sale of stolen items. According to The Reporter, some individuals have discovered their stolen goods being offered for sale on social networking sites and have been able to repurchase them. Read more.

Financial Inclusion in Ethiopia: Time to Move Beyond Access Towards DeepeningStriving for financial inclusion entails more than just enrolling individuals in bank accounts or mobile wallets. It is equally crucial to guarantee the active utilization of these services, maintain high-quality standards, and ensure a positive impact on individuals and households, writes Tewodros Tassew. Read more.

Dashen Bank Join Forces with Mastercard to Launch Virtual Prepaid Card for TravelersDashen Bank teamed up with Mastercard to launch the ‘Dashen Mastercard,’ a multi-currency international prepaid card designed for travelers. Read more.

M-PESA Debuts in EthiopiaSafaricom has launched its mobile money platform, M-PESA, in Ethiopia.  Read more.

Chapa, Coop Introduce Telegram-Based Financial Service to Harness Ethiopia's Vast Telegram User BaseChapa Financial Technologies has collaborated with the Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coop) to introduce an innovative financial service that facilitates money acceptance, sending, and receiving via Telegram. Read more. 

NINJA Acceleration Program Showcases Six Startups Graduating from Four-Month ProgramThe Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) has graduated six startups from its acceleration program after they successfully completed a rigorous four-month acceleration program.With the aim of propelling entrepreneurial ventures in Ethiopia, the showcasing event showcased these startups' pitching and attracted guests, including representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology, JICA, Renew Capital, and various stakeholders in the startup and innovation sphere.

Here is what we've been reading:

The fastest-growing shopping app in the worldTaxi drivers are earning more from viral TikToks than from ridesAs MultiChoice’s troubles continue, Canal+ is smelling bloodIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.