Attention: During the week starting 13th of November 2023, many people in Tanzania received WhatsApp messages from a foreign number. The person identified to be a representative of an agency from Tanzania.
Our agency, Tanzlite Digital was among the brand names these automated messages used. Some of the messages read:
My name is Ayanna, I am a Senior Representative Officer at Tanzlite Digital Marketing agency . Our company is recruiting part-time/full-time online employees, Our job is very simple, May I take a few minutes of your time? I would like to share a job offer for you.
FAKE!
Hello Hello I am Cynthia a Senior Representative of of Tanzlite Digital Ltd . Our company is hiring online employees for part-time. Can I share salary and job details?
FAKE!
And another similar message came from Vinza Masana
First of all, this is a PURE Scam. Just look at it yourself. It’s bullshit.
Let us reiterate what we posted on all of our social media channels:
First: There are no titles or hierarchical structures at Tanzlite Digital. If you receive a message that sounds corporatey, like some senior somebody from us —that’s NOT us. We don’t have Vinza Masana, Ayanna, or any representative with a foreign number.
Second: Tanzlite doesn’t reach out to anyone. People reach out to us.
Third: We single out talent from LinkedIn only. Not in your WhatsApp app.
Fourth: There’s no one in a foreign country with a foreign number representing us.
And lastly: You’re too smart to be scammed by this automated WhatsApp message. It’s the AI version of “Ile hela tuma kwenye namba hii.”
What should you do when you receive such a scam message?
Block and report that number to WhatsApp IMMEDIATELY. Don’t even waste time to reply because it is probably not a human on the other side. Just automated messages reaching you by guessing random numbers. They will probably come with a different name and company but, you have been warned.
We have entered the Digital Realms where the most talked about topic is “Digital Marketing.” But why has the phenomenon of Digital Marketing suddenly taken the front seat? And what do you think, you are seated in which row?
Yes! One explanation is the sheer amount of technology that has entered our lives, from mobile phones to tablets. Surprisingly, the most significant factor is that one does not need a tech background or an e-based degree to operate as a digital marketer.
I do not back the argument that formal education is not important. If it cannot give you the key to open closed doors, at least it can help you find the keys. Remember, not every school dropout can become Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. The world of Digital marketing welcomes everyone, and anyone can learn it.
A building can only stand on a strong foundation, digital marketing could initially seem intimidating, but with time and your willing to learn new skills you have a potential to become an expert.
Do you want to begin your digital marketing journey? Here is where to start
Lay the foundation by Learning the basics
Digital marketing could initially seem intimidating, but be prepared to pick up new skills. Invest your time learning the basics; a building can only stand on a strong foundation. Today, access to information is easy. Utilize it and educate yourself autonomously. Don’t stress yourself out trying to be an expert in everything. You are just learning the basic concepts and terminology.
There is a plethora of fields in digital marketing. You can pick from options like brand strategist, email marketing, website builder, social media, and SEO content development. Once you start learning the basics, you will be amazed at how interconnected these fields are.
This is the phase where you will put yourself under examination if you want to enter and survive in the Digital realm. Suppose you are not patient and do not feel like spending time learning; goodbye! You better hunt for a regular 9 to 5 job.
Get Familiar with the Tools
Now that you have learned the basics of “HOW TO,” it’s time for “LET’S BEGIN.” Every field in the Digital realm has its tools. Some may act as an assistant, while some may be used to fetch data. Tools refine your strategies and help you play or break the algorithm. Beginning your practice with free tools is a good idea.
Now Help a Small Business with your new skills
Small businesses have a low voice. To make it hear, you need Digital Marketing. Take the initiative to create an online presence for a small business. Here, clicks count, and content is the king. Optimize the content that resonates with the audience, create an advertising strategy, and make it visible in local searches. It will not only be a practical experience, but it will serve as a great motivator.
Build a personal Brand; it is Your Canvass.
Congratulations! Now you are working as a Digital Sorcerer, but no one knows you. You are just another person behind that screen. Let the world know you exist and build your brand. A personal brand is more than a resume.
It is a way to communicate with your audience, display your capabilities, promote your product or services, and win the audience’s heart by storytelling. Your brand is your asset.
Can I learn digital marketing if I’m still a student?
Digital Marketing is not a field meant for adults only. It is a great way for a student to get a glimpse of the real world. Encouraging students to freelance or begin an online business is terrific for navigating the world, exploring inner talents, learning to face failures, and becoming responsible beings. Acquiring extra skills alongside academic education is like icing on the cake.
Unfortunately, our education system relies on rote memorization from books and lacks the ability to equip us for real-life challenges. Not everyone excels in university, so developing digital marketing and other freelancing skills gives a chance to earn and succeed in life.
In the constantly changing field of digital marketing, learning never ends. Keep learning and keep yourself up to date with the changing trends. The digital world has no age limits, and no tech background is required. A mix of soft skills, knowledge of core principles, and determination can make you a “Digital Maven.”
Digital marketing is not just a world of pixels and data but a doorway to countless possibilities.
Are you a founder sitting behind a mahogany table, the old CEO way, and with zero online presence? Then you have to consider what that does to you and your company.
Social media is where successful brands are built. Brands that gain, not just followers, but interests and revenue. To achieve this kind of success, a brand needs a human element. Who best to do it if not the founder?
If you are not making your online presence felt to the world, you are sending your brand to the realms of the unknown.
Now is not the time to play low-key and leave it all to the marketing department. It is time to become a Chief Storyteller. If you don’t know how to do it, ask your marketing team for assistance.
CEOs can use social media to position themselves as industry leaders and brand storytellers. And by doing so, the interaction they generate will bring traffic to their business. This is by far the best digital strategy; founder + company marketing.
Your job as CEO of a startup is to be the Chief Storyteller and the brand ambassador sharing your company’s story every chance you get.
Companies realized a while ago that going digital is important. So they flocked there. Most companies are spending a lot of money on promotions. From influencers to ads –you name it. But for some reason, they struggle to establish a genuine connection with the target audience. Why? Well, that’s because there is a missing part to their online marketing efforts.
Why a Founder/CEO Marketing is Important?
CEOs who have abandoned social media may be ‘quiet quitting’ on their own business. You will lose a big chunk of people to your competitors who, in addition to company posts, have a digitally outspoken personality that gets eyes to their brand.
Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, faculty lead at the Tekedia Mini MBA program, is an excellent example of founder marketing. He is one of LinkedIn’s top voices from Africa, engaging an audience of over 165,000 people. He is aware that a company alone (Tekedia Institute) alone will not suffice. So being active, and writing extensively on his personal profile draws students to the Tekedia Mini MBA program.
Ndubuisi’s posts are more than simply his company updates. He contributes value and knowledge in his posts. This strategy fosters his image of a thought leader and a person that has wisdom.
Undoubtedly, a post on the CEO’s profile will gain more attention than one on the business page. Speaking from a human perspective is more impactful.
Founder’s Personal Brand: A Brand’s Best Ally
Founder’s (or CEO) marketing will complement your company’s brand marketing in a way outsider influencers can’t. It can help earn genuine engagement of the Brand and the audience.
Businesses cannot succeed without trust. The online visibility of the founder opens the way for credibility and trust in the Brand. See the image below:
If Microsoft promoted this from their company page, they wouldn’t get this much engagement. Why? People don’t often interact with a company page. Microsoft has over 10 million followers but likes on its posts rarely pass 200.
People need a face, not a logo. A logo cannot achieve the level of trust that a CEO of that Brand can establish. Founder Marketing contributes to the Brand’s increased visibility.
As a social CEO, you must engage with your audience meaningfully. That can take the shape of Tweets, Linkedin Posts, TikTok videos, or whatever platform you like. Just be careful not to post all about your business. Share your opinions on pressing matters such as geopolitics and how they affect business. Sometimes remember the youth and share experience-based career tips. You will be likable.
Ryan Reynolds making fun of Nuvei CEO for not being on social media
Real personalities breathe life into brands. Especially now that demand for business transparency is greater than ever. A CEO can win over consumer trust and create emotional bonding with other people.
A social CEO consequently becomes the public face of the Brand or business. Furthermore, it is comforting to learn from their engagements that CEOs are not distant figures who only attend meetings.
A Tweet or a Post by a Social CEO is not just another noise in the realm of Social Media. It is an echo of their remarkable Leadership.
P.S.: If you are looking to see how a mix of founder and company marketing will help grow your business, click HERE to contact us.
The world is full of brands echoing in every corner. Everyone claims to be unique and the best. But in a hurry to identify as a brand, everyone is doing what is already being served to the audience. It is easy to choose a path that is generic and become mired in mediocrity.
When so many companies offer the same thing, you may stand out by developing a unique content strategy and engaging with something your competitors do not.
You can have a perennial presence by posting Happy Sunday, Monday, and Friday; Happy Holidays or Morning Wishes, but will this help you make an indelible presence?
In the history of customer complaints, no one has ever complained that a company did not wish them a happy Easter, New Year, Eid, or any holiday.
Nor has it shown to influence purchase or engagement. "I'm buying because they posted Happy Eid" never happened.
Being distinctive doesn’t just mean being seen; it also means having the power to establish your presence by creating a persistent impact. Your efforts to foster trust, authenticity, and value for customers are just as important as financial investments in your company.
Anyone can use images from photo stock, but you must work exclusively to establish yourself as ‘Exclusive.’ It is entirely up to you to stand out or be generic and give up your Uniqueness.
What everyone is doing
Companies that are unfamiliar with the game copy exactly what another company does. This is what makes them the same as any other company. They usually post:
Their team: You will only attract job seekers wishing to work at your company.
Holiday wishes: If every company does that, why do it?
Overly Promotional Content: They aggressively market their goods or services and engage in direct sales instead of building genuine connections with the audience.
Scarcity Mindset: Companies with a scarcity mindset only focus on the now. They fail to invest in things that take time but guarantee long-term returns, such as a content strategy for authority building.
Creating content and doing activities that demand effort and resources establishes credibility and proves that you are confident in your offering. It gives the impression that you want to provide the best for your customers. Your customized marketing means you have put efforts to understand the needs of your target audience. It is a way to create an emotional bond with your customers or audience.
In social media, you can break away from the herd by signaling your investments in long-term relationships with your customers. This means posting opinionated and experience-driven insights. Not the generic stuff. It is how you can build a powerful brand presence:
1. Share case studies or testimonials
Social Validations are the voice of your credibility. Case studies are a great way to show how your product helped the real user instead of mere claims. It is human psychology to seek out references and experiences of others to help them make their choices. By considering other people’s decisions, it can aid in personal decision-making.
2. Organize webinars
There are numerous platforms available to get on a live conversation with your audience, including X Spaces and Linkedin Live. Webinars can showcase your brand’s online presence, engage and educate your audience, and turn leads into actual clients.
3. Diversify your content
Nothing makes you fall into the pack more than being overly promotional. Sharing opinionated and experience-driven insights give your customers something they don’t usually see from other companies. Brands that know what works have a combination of educational, entertainment/Inspirational, and Promotional content. They don’t focus on promotional content alone.
4. Play the long game
Valuable content may take longer to give results, but it will have a lasting impact. Your communication and engagement with the audience should all show your authenticity. Play the long game and you will benefit from the compounding return of your efforts.
A crowd of brands is out there, and people’s attention spans are short. Unique content imprints your brand image in the mind of customers. Which leads to word of mouth, the magic of business growth.
Your content should address their pain points, offer solutions to their problems, and serve as a bridge between your brand and the customers. Customers who are happy with your services or product will be your most loyal advocate.
The generic approach might appear quick and simple, but you must go above and beyond to establish your brand authority. Don’t have some Brand B; replace your Brand A. You can stand apart from the noise by giving your brand a distinctive voice.
Remember, uniqueness lives on the edge, where there is less crowd.
Digital transformation has become the new normal in every industry. The rate of technological progress accelerates year after year, bringing disruptive innovations and game-changing technologies such as virtual reality, VR, AR, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, and robots.
These changes are not just about using new tools to improve current services. They are about transforming businesses to make them better and more cost-effective in a new digital world.
Let’s look at how AI and robots are changing the world of work today and in the future.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a term that has been around since the 1950s. It is the concept of machines that can perform human tasks and complete them more efficiently than humans can. In other words, artificial intelligence is the idea of machines that act as if they are sentient.
They are able to analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions in a way that is indistinguishable from how humans would approach the same problem.
AI depends on machine learning, which is a subfield of computer science that uses algorithms to discover patterns in data and then build models based on those patterns. Machine learning is responsible for most of the AI technologies that we see in the world today.
Why Are Robots Becoming So Popular?
Artificial intelligence is boosting the use of robots worldwide, especially in manufacturing and logistics. For instance, an autonomous robot could be used to deliver your order in a warehouse, in a restaurant, or even at home. If you’re in manufacturing, you probably already use robots.
But if you have production lines that are highly automated, you may have already incorporated some AI technology into them. In many industries, robots are being used in place of human workers. It’s not because employers are heartless or intend to make people redundant but because AI and robots are simply more efficient.
Consider these examples: Retail: In a typical store, the flow of goods from different areas of the warehouse to the sales floor is a manual process. This includes the selection of products, packaging, and placement. If a store wants to try out new products or change the way things are displayed, it’s often a long, costly process. With AI and robots, the process could be automated, streamlined, and much more efficient.
Healthcare: This sector is responsible for a significant portion of the world’s medical expenses. AI and robots can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. They can perform medical procedures that were once only done by humans.
Will AI and Robots Make You Unemployed?
Artificial intelligence and robots are being developed to work in combination with humans, not replace them. So we won’t see a time when these technologies rule the world and humans have no place in it.
The reality is that AI and robots are more likely to create jobs than reduce employment. They are going to be used to perform tedious tasks like data entry and predictable physical tasks like lifting and moving objects in a factory.
There is a risk that AI could make people more redundant. However, the number of jobs created by AI will exceed the number that is lost. With the number of AI startups growing, it’s likely that we’ll see some of these companies go global and employ many people.
The Existing Jobs That May Disappear Due to AI and Robots
Some jobs that may disappear due to AI and robots include:
Data Entry: American data entry workers are often paid less than $15 an hour. That’s less than the minimum wage in some states. As AI becomes more advanced and capable, it’s likely that your company will switch to automated processes. This could mean no more duplicate data entry or human transcription.
Translation and Language Interpretation: The translation of text, speech, and languages is a $100 billion market. This could be transformed by AI and end human translation.
Trucking: Self-driving vehicles are expected to be on our roads in the next five to 10 years. They will change the way we gain freight, move goods, and transport passengers. It’s likely that many truck drivers will lose their jobs.
Service Call Jobs: Customers have been able to get immediate service via apps and chatbots. This has led to a reduction in service call jobs in many industries, including retail, travel, and telecommunications.
The New Jobs That Will be Created by AI and Robots
According to the World Economic Forum, the jobs that will be created by AI and robots include:
Data scientists: Data scientists are needed to analyze the data collected by robots. – Ethical and social engineers: They need to create algorithms that make AI and robots work for society in a socially appropriate way.
Cybersecurity experts: AI and robots need to be protected against hacking. These experts will work to secure them against cyber threats.
Designers: Designers will be needed to create AI-powered products that are intuitive and easy to use.
Policymakers: Policymakers will be responsible for ensuring that AI and robots are used in a socially responsible way.
SUMMARY
Artificial intelligence and robots are transforming the way we work. They are being developed to work in combination with humans, not replace them. AI will create new jobs as well as eliminate others.
There is a risk that AI could make people more redundant. However, the number of jobs created by AI will exceed the number that is lost.
As technology continues to advance and become more complex, it’s important to keep in mind that it can be a great resource for improving productivity and efficiency—but only if it’s managed properly.
The health sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, driven by rapid urbanization, an aging population, and a growing middle class.
In Africa, the number of people aged 60 or older is expected to double from 123 million today to 260 million by 2050. The continent also has some of the highest rates of chronic disease in the world.
In this article, we take a look at 10 African startups in the health sector that you should watch out for. These innovative start-ups are addressing various needs within the healthcare industry through technology and innovation, making them not only interesting case studies but also ventures that have the potential to have a massive impact on society as a whole.
O7 Therapy
O7 Therapy is a digital health startup that has developed a specialized protocol for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients. The protocol is designed to treat the root cause of the disease. It uses a combination of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and targeted biophotonic light therapy to treat the root cause of the disease, unlike other treatment options that are only focused on symptom management.
O7 Therapy was founded by Dr. Paul Carter and Dr. Philip Lewis in 2017. They have offices in London and Johannesburg. The team at O7 consists of over 50 engineers, designers, and scientists. They are currently raising funds through their ICO.
mPharma
mPharma is a pharmaceutical e-commerce platform that connects patients with doctors and pharmacies in their vicinity. They aim to bridge the gap between patients in remote areas and local medical practitioners by providing them with a platform to order medical supplies and seek medical advice through a smartphone app.
The platform is designed with a simple user-interface and a language-translator that facilitates communication between the patient and the medical professional. mPharma was founded in 2016 by Marc-André Blanche, a German pharmacist, and Michel Euge, a Belgian entrepreneur. They have offices in Paris and Berlin. mPharma has raised $1.3 million in a seed round of financing led by Newfund and Sistema Biomedical Ventures.
MedAfrica
MedAfrica is an online medical store that sells a range of healthcare products in Africa, including diagnostic equipment, medical supplies and home healthcare products. These products are purchased from manufacturers around the world and are resold to customers in Africa at a lower cost.
MedAfrica was founded in 2015 by Andre J.A. Van Den Bosch, who is the CEO. The store is headquartered in The Netherlands and serves customers across Africa through a network of resellers in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana. The company has raised $3 million in equity financing from Fonds 1818 and the Dutch Investment Fund for Developing Countries (SIDCO).
Africa Health Holdings
Africa Health Holdings (AH) is a technology-enabled healthcare services provider that delivers healthcare services to Sub-Saharan Africa. AH offers services like telemedicine, e-consultation, remote patient monitoring, and e-commerce health products.
The company was founded in 2008 by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. AH has offices in Lagos, Abuja, London, and New York. The company has raised approximately $5 million in funding from companies such as Blue Shadow Ventures and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).
54gene
54gene is a DNA testing platform that helps users understand their DNA, genetic health risks, and ancestry. The platform was designed with an easily navigable user interface that provides users with their test results and useful health insights in a matter of minutes.
54gene was founded in 2018 by Dr. Charles van den Broeke and Max Nieuwland. The company has offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. 54gene has raised $1.1 million in equity financing from Dutch Investments Funds for Developing Countries (SIDCO) and private investors.
Ilara Health
Ilara Health is an online pharmacy that provides a wide range of medicines at an affordable price. The pharmacy carries both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications and has partnered with many pharmaceutical companies to bring down the cost of medicines.
Ilara Health was founded in 2017 by Dr. Mohit Bhatia and has offices in Bangalore, India. Ilara Health has raised $10 million in equity financing from investors such as Reliance Capital, Endure Capital, and IDG Ventures.
Helium Health
Helium Health is an online marketplace for health insurance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The platform enables customers to purchase health insurance and provides detailed information on the policy, such as coverage, exclusions, and inclusions. Helium Health was designed with the goal of making health insurance policies more accessible to the average African.
Helium Health was founded in 2018 by Dr. Isaac Awai and Ben Silverman. The company has offices in Nairobi, Kenya. Helium Health has raised $3 million in equity financing from investors such as Endure Capital, Lufa Ventures, and Capital Peak Partners.
Reliance HMO
Reliance HMO is a health benefits company that offers health insurance plans to individuals and groups across Sub-Saharan Africa. The company was founded in 2018 by Dr. Arvind Parthasarathi.
It has offices in London and Mumbai. Reliance HMO has raised $500,000 in equity financing from investors such as Khosla Ventures, IDG Ventures and Endure Capital.
Dabadoc
Dabadoc is a healthcare information management system. The platform was designed with a simple user interface and is compatible with most operating systems. Dabadoc was created to make information management in the healthcare sector easier and less time-consuming.
Dabadoc was founded in 2016 by Alex Ziles. The company has offices in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dabadoc has received funding from the Swiss Government and private investors.
DrugStoc
DrugStoc is a drug discovery and development company that uses blockchain technology to streamline the drug discovery process. The platform is designed to connect researchers, investors, and patients by creating a virtual ecosystem that is accessible to everyone.
DrugStoc was founded in 2016 by Dr. Rudi Parikh. The company has offices in Philadelphia and Mumbai. DrugStoc has received funding from investors such as Khosla Ventures, Endure Capital, and IDG Ventures.
Final words
If the above article has managed to pique your interest in African startups in the health sector, then you might also be interested in Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and fintech.
As we have seen, there are many exciting startups across Africa that are focusing on these trending industries. If you are interested in learning more about exciting African startups, we recommend that you check out our Startup section.
