The
first AfricaBeta event where technology experts and startups discussed
the ideas shaping the future of mobile in Africa held on the 3rd of
October. It was organized by TechCabal and powered by WeChat.
The
invite-only event was tagged Chat 3.0, and there, speakers and
participants discussed chat applications, messaging and how those are
increasingly moving beyond communication and into business and commerce.
Three
speakers; leading figures in mobile internet and startups in Nigeria
steered the conversation at the event. Adia Sowho, Head of Digital
Media, Etisalat Nigeria, spoke about the telcos’ perspective on the
state of messaging; Seyi Taylor, co-Founder Big Cabal media, publishers
of TechCabal spoke on the integration of mobile into core aspects
people's lives, and Etop Ikpe, co-MD at Dealdey discussed hyperlocal
possibilities, peer-to-peer commerce and "social commerce".
In
his session where he discussed the chain of transaction from customer
interest to purchase, Etop said “[eCommerce stores] have to turn on the
social aspect of your platform as the first step to monetization." This,
according to him, will help stores monetize customers whose interests
in purchase begin to ebb at the social level in the chain of purchase.
WeChat's
regional director, Idemudia Dima-Okojie also gave an exposition on the
workings on WeChat. According to him, "a lot of activities are going on
in WeChat. It's not just messaging". Via official accounts, startups can
run targeted brand engagement, run competitions, polls, facilitate
location-based promotions, send push notification on new listing and
more.
From the WeChat ideathon which received over 80
entries with 10 ideas making the finals, one finalist, Traclist, also
demoed their integration into WeChat at the event. The Traclist
integration allows users to buy directly from within WeChat using
natural language text navigation.
The event was hosted
by Lamide Akintobi, an award winning journalist and on air personality
with over 250 people, including local and international press in
attendance. The event ended with a raffle-draw where five attendees won
five Samsung Galaxy Note Edge devices, courtesy of WeChat.
Pulse, Black House Media, 360 Nobs and Ynaija were media partners for the first AfricaBeta conference.
About WeChat
WeChat
is the world’s fastest-growing social communication app with more than
600 million monthly active users globally. It provides a central point
of control for users to share voice, photo, video, text messages as well
as transact for free across their entire social eco-system – on and
offline. Through Official Accounts, WeChat allows brands to deliver
rich, high-touch content experiences to engage with and grow their
communities – on and offline.
Learn more about WeChat and download the app at www.wechat.com
About TechCabal
TechCabal is Nigeria's largest tech blog focused on promoting conversations around technology, mobile & internet in Africa.
TechCabal editors taking a selfie
Idemudia Dima-Okojie interacting with early guests
Adia Sowho and Idemudia Dima-Okojie
Seyi Taylor introduces Africabeta, Chat 3.0
Adia Sowho delivering her talk
Etop Ikpe presents to the audience
Idemudia Dima-Okojie explains the features of WeChat
Emotu Balogun demos his Traclist to WeChat integration
Winners of the WeChat raffle come forward to claim their Samsung Galaxy Note Edge devices
Bankole Oluwafemi thanks the audience for coming
Lamide Akintobi, the host of the first Africabeta
Adia Sowho and Bankole Oluwafemi
Cross section of guests at Africabeta
Africabeta guests pose for a picture
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