BD Insider, Letter 98: Africans are world-class

Johnstone Kpilaakaa -

In this letter:

  • Google hires Zimbabwean James Manyika as its first senior vice president
  • 26 Africans join the #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2022
  • Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao writes to Nigerian users

This letter is sponsored by Fincra.

Google hires a Zimbabwean as its first senior vice president of science and technology

Google has appointed James Manyika, a Zimbabwean, as its first Senior Vice President of Technology and Society. Manyika will report directly to Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet — Google’s parent company.

Previously, Manyika was appointed by President Obama as Vice-Chair of the Global Development Council at the White House. He got his first degree — in Electrical Engineering — from the University of Zimbabwe, and then went on to get two Masters degrees and a PhD from the University of Oxford.

In his new role, Manyika will explore the impact of technology on society and shape Google’s perspective on vital subjects including artificial intelligence, the future of work, sustainability and other areas that could make a significant difference amid widespread criticism of the big tech.

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26 Africans join the #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2022

YouTube has announced that 26 African Youtubers, including bakers, vloggers, animators, business owners, filmmakers, will be part of its #YouTubeBlackCreators class of 2022.

These 26 creators will receive access to dedicated partner support, seed funding to invest in the development of their channels, and participate in training on production, community engagement and wellbeing, as well as workshops and networking programmes.

YouTube launched the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund in 2020. It was created to directly support Black creators and artists so that they can thrive on the video-sharing and social media platform. Last year, 132 creators and artists from around the world were part of its first class.

The Class of 2022 is made up of 11 Nigerians, 11 South Africans and 4 Kenyans. The Nigerian creators are Adaeze Jideonwo, Chinyere Nneka Abang, Critics Company, Fisayo Fosudo, Funmi Ayo, Chikodinaka Haven, Halima Yusuf Rabiu, Steven Ndukwu, Skybelle, TNC Africa, and Data Pepple.

The South African creators are Gugulethu Nyatsumba, Defining, Hungani and Stephanie Ndlovu, Michelle Expert, Aarif Muhammad Manjra, Mpoomy Ledwaba, The Tshegofatso, Halima Yusuf Rabiu, Nico Nomyayi, Nozibele Qamngana, and Mlungisi Nkosi.

Other creators from Kenya are Angel Lately, Cheyenne Muvunyi, Justus Nandwa and Mandi Sarro.

Binance CEO writes to Nigerian users, reaffirms its commitment to user protection.

Last week, several Binance users in Nigeria took to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with the crypto exchange platform, using the hashtag #BinanceStopScamming. Binance had blocked the accounts of many Nigerians for weeks and months.

In response, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has written an apology letter, reaffirming his company’s commitment to user protection. "User security remains our top priority. As such, protection mechanisms such as KYC, anti-money laundering measures, collaboration with law enforcement, and account restrictions are in place to ensure our community remains protected and that fraudulent activity is prevented", Zhao stated.

According to Emmanuel Babalola, Binance’s African director, "30% of the alleged blocked accounts were related to stolen cryptocurrencies and were cases with law enforcement agencies, while 70% were general issues related to KYC requirements".

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