Hell Wazoplus  beautiful readers and creators. I hope you're all doing well. I was curious to know if any of you still use Netflix. I know that some of you may have more financial resources, but for those who use Dropbox, have you had a chance to watch "The Gentlemen"? My sprinkles that's a great show, The production quality of the TV show is truly remarkable, rivaling that of a film. The show boasts impeccable clarity, attention to detail, and expertly crafted camera work. The acting is also superb, and the show does not contain any hidden messaging. While it is not technically the first season, it serves as a strong introduction to the characters and plot. It is a welcome addition to the film universe it is connected to, and I hope to see more characters from that world make an appearance in future episodes. It's great to see a show that stands out from the crowd and offers a breath of fresh air from the subpar content we've been bombarded with on streaming services lately. It's nice to know that there are still some quality shows out there that we can enjoy. like Shogun, represent a potential turning point for the industry. It is my hope that more high-quality, community-supported content will be produced, and that we can move away from the trend of heavy-handed messaging that has dominated the industry as of late. It is truly gratifying to see the industry treat its audience with respect and produce shows that can be appreciated on their own merits, without resorting to labeling viewers as "ists" or "phobias" based on their opinions of the show. I hope you get to enjoy it 💕 and have a productive week ahead🌀

How to Survive the Present Economy Challenges

Economically, the chances of survival are very low compared to before when the price of things was normal.

Nowadays,

So to survive the present challenges, you have to do these things:


• Plan yourself ahead of time: With the rapid increase in the prices of goods and services, planning yourself on the way to spend your money is very important. For example, planning how to carry out your spending as a person will help you a lot.


• Have an order of priority: Spend money on things based on your pressing needs. Weigh your needs from top to bottom, and give interest to the ones you can't do without. This will help you to avoid spending money unnecessarily.


• Have a budget: Based on the amount of money you have at hand, write a list of what you want daily, weekly or, sub-weekly and allocate money to each of them. Then, spend the money in line with the prices on the list to avoid unnecessary spending.


• Save up: Learn to save even if you don't have much. Bringing out a certain amount of money for saving will save you every time, most especially when you are in dire need of money in the future. There are many ways to save money (local or modern means). If you always find it very difficult to save, source for legit banking apps that would allow and remind you to save the little or more you have.


• Increase your earnings: If you've always been earning lower before the drastic rise, look out for means of increasing your income. As the prices of commodities rise, your income too should rise. Strive diligently to increase your earnings.

You can always seek professional help on saving. Always review your progress as time goes on to see the areas where you will improve. This will help you to keep track of your spending and how to manage your life as an individual. Ensure that you show up to your line of duty and save more.

In January 2024, Jumia, a leading African e-commerce platform, initiated layoffs in Kenya and other African markets. This move followed the company's exit from its food delivery venture, Jumia Food, a month prior. The exact number of employees impacted by this decision remains undisclosed.

An anonymous Jumia employee voiced their concerns on Glassdoor, stating that while the layoffs were announced, no specifics were given regarding who would be affected.

This round of layoffs follows a previous downsizing in 2023, where Jumia let go of 900 employees in a bid to reduce costs and steer the company towards profitability. Some employees were reassigned within the company, as reported by TechCabal.

Jumia, in an email to TechCabal, explained that the layoffs were part of a strategic refocus on activities and projects that support their path to profitability. The company remains optimistic about the future of e-commerce in Kenya and Africa.

In 2023, Jumia began phasing out its food delivery business, ceasing operations in Ghana, Senegal, and Egypt. By the end of the year, the company had completely exited the business, citing unsustainable competition with more aggressive players.

Under the stewardship of Francis Dufay, Jumia has prioritized cost discipline and operational cost reduction. The company's Q4 2023 report revealed a decrease in operational losses to $4.5 million for the quarter, along with a reduction in advertising expenses. Despite challenges such as inflation and currency devaluation in key markets, Jumia remains hopeful that cost discipline and positive trends in other markets will lead to profitability.

Performance Marketing Tips for African Startups

Startups in Africa are growing daily, and to survive the heavy competition, you might want to try a different approach to marketing strategy, known as performance marketing.

Performance marketing focuses on measurable outcomes and the impact of marketing efforts on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as customer acquisition, conversion rates, and revenue generation.

Unlike traditional marketing approaches, which emphasize brand awareness and visibility, performance marketing is inherently data-driven, enabling you to optimize your campaigns and allocate resources more effectively.

In this article, I will explain in detail what performance marketing is all about and how to mine the treasure in it.

Key Performance Marketing Channels for African Startups

1 . Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

What are SEM AND SEO?

SEM (search engine marketing) involves paid strategies to increase a website's visibility in search engine results, using methods like paid advertising.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on organic, non-paid methods to enhance a website's visibility in search engine results, improving its ranking through content and technical optimizations.

• With most consumers turning to search engines to discover products and services, startups can harness the power of SEM and SEO to enhance their online visibility.
• By targeting relevant keywords and optimizing website content, African startups can improve their organic search rankings and drive qualified traffic to their digital properties.

2. Social media advertising.

Social media advertising is the use of paid promotional content on social platforms to reach a specific audience. It involves creating and targeting

Growth Marketing vs Performance Marketing

Marketing, in its myriad forms, has always been the lifeblood of business development and sustainability.

However, as the digital age continues to metamorphose how consumers interact with brands, the strategies that businesses employ to capture attention, build relationships, and drive sales have also evolved.

Two of such strategic paradigms that have grown in popularity are growth marketing and performance marketing.

marketing and performance marketing is all about.

Defining Growth Marketing and Performance Marketing

Before delving into the nuances separating growth marketing from performance marketing, it’s crucial to understand what each term embodies.

Growth marketing is an integrated approach that focuses on expanding a company’s customer base and increasing its revenue by experimenting with a variety of channels and strategies.

It not only aims to attract new customers but also to activate, retain, and ultimately turn them into champions of the brand, fostering organic growth.

Growth marketers are data-driven, yet they equally prioritize creativity and customer experience throughout the funnel stages.

Performance marketing, on the other hand, is directly tied to specific actions and results.

It’s a blanket term that covers online marketing and advertising programs where advertisers pay only when a specific action such as a click, sale, or lead is completed.

Performance marketing is highly metrics-oriented, focusing on quantifiable results that can be tied back to specific marketing efforts and campaigns.

The Philosophical Distinctions

Beyond definitions, understanding the philosophical differences between growth marketing and performance marketing is essential.

Growth marketing views the user’s journey as a cohesive na

Rwanda Day 2024 in Washington DC: Are Emerging Opportunities on the Horizon?

Rwanda Day 2024, the 11th edition of the annually celebrated diaspora event, is set to take place on February 2 and 3 in Washington D.C., marking its return after a temporary halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda will gather to reflect on the country's development and explore avenues for their contributions.

This highly anticipated event not only provides a platform for the Rwandan Diaspora community to meet and engage with President Paul Kagame but also serves as a valuable opportunity for the youth in Diaspora. Discussions aligning with the country's agenda include topics relevant to the youth, fostering engagement and offering a space for their ideas and concerns.

The impact of Rwanda Day extends beyond cultural and social aspects. It plays a crucial role in contributing to the economy and emerging job sectors. Through discussions and networking opportunities, participants explore avenues for collaboration, business ventures, and investments, fostering economic growth and innovation. As Rwanda focuses on commemorating significant milestones, including 30 years of rebirth after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, elections, and the 20th edition of Kwita Izina, Rwanda Day remains a catalyst for youth empowerment, economic development, and advancement in emerging job sectors. Over the past decade, the event has consistently been held in various cities in Europe and the Americas, reinforcing its significance in shaping Rwanda's future.

 1. Don't call someone more than twice continuously. 

If they don't pick up your call, assume they have something important to attend to.

2. Return the money that you have borrowed.

even before the person who borrowed it remembers or asks for it. It shows your integrity and character. Same goes with umbrellas, pens, lunch boxes, etc.

3. Never order the most expensive dish on the menu.

 when someone is giving you a lunch or dinner.

4. Don't ask awkward questions like, 

'Oh so you aren't married yet?' Or 'Don't you have kids' or

'Why didn't you buy a house?' Or why don't you buy a car? For God's sake, it isn't your problem.

5. Always open the door for the person coming behind you. 

It doesn't matter if it is a guy or a girl, senior or junior. You don't grow small by treating someone well in public.

6. Pay it forward or afterwards. 

Eg: If you take a taxi with a friend and he/she pays now, try paying next time.

7. Respect different shades of opinion.

Remember, what's 6 to you will appear 9 to someone facing you. Besides, a second opinion is a good alternative.

8. Never interrupt people who are talking.

 Allow them to pour it out. As they say, hear them all and filter them all.

9. Know when to stop.

 If you tease someone, and they don't seem to enjoy it, stop it and never do it again. It encourages one to do more and it shows how appreciative you are.

10. Embrace gratitude.

Say "thank you" when someone is helping you.

11. Empathize Loyalty.

 Praise publicly. Criticize privately. If you want to retain those who are present, be loyal to those who are absent.

12. A compliment goes a long way compared to a criticism.

There's almost never a reason to comment on someone's weight. Just say, "You look fantastic." If they want to talk about losing weight, they will.

13. Respect boundaries.

When someone shows you a photo on their phone, don't swipe left or right. You never know what's next.

14. Mind your own business, if they want to share, they will.

If a colleague tells you they have a doctor's appointment, don't ask what it's for, just say " hope you're okay". Don't put them in the uncomfortable position of having to tell you about their personal illness. If they want you to know, they'll do so without your inquisitiveness.

15. Respect everyone, regardless of their status, ethnicity, or age.

You can't be a good business partner or anything else unless you are a good human being to the core, Treat the cleaner with the same respect as the CEO. Nobody is impressed at how rude you can treat someone below you but people will notice if you treat them with respect.

16. Eye contact and body language.

If a person is speaking directly to you, staring at your phone is rude.

17. The power of silence.

Never give advice until you're asked; sometimes all people need is a listening a ear free of judgments and advice. Knowing this will help you help those in need and you will not be listening to respond but to empathize with the other person.

18. Avoid unnecessary questions.

 When meeting someone after a long time, unless they want to talk about it, don't ask them their age and salary.

19. Mind your business unless anything involves you directly - just stay out of it.

20. Small gestures go a long way.

Remove your sunglasses if you are talking to anyone in the street. It is a sign of respect.

21. Understand your audience.

 Never talk about your riches in the midst of the poor. Similarly, don't talk about your children in the midst of the barren.

22. After reading a good message, try to say

"Thanks for the message".

Appreciation remains the easiest way to get what you don't have.

        Knowing that there has been a recent tech awakening across Africa and that youths are more heavily invested in this change,the global economy has felt the impact of African tech personnels, through it's contributions to the tech world.

    *. Africa's high population

This has  been a major factor that has contributed to the impact of Africa's Tech Talent to the global economy, because Africa has a high population,and there has been an awakening in  tech, thereby leading to many Africans going into the tech world.

    *The increase in new tech players in Africa

The massive increase in the growth of tech players from Africa has contributed to the boost on the economy.

     this has also attracted the attention of international companies and venture capitalists (Vcs)to the region to hire tech talents to work in these international companies,and also helped in the funding of tech ideas in the African region.

     *African developers are resilient

Africans are resilient in their pursuit, therefore they tend to learn fast and adapt to any environment they find themselves.this has be confirmed by many international organizations that have African talents in their team.

  *Overcoming obstacles

Tech Talents in Africa have overcome infrastructural challenges to become visible in the global tech stage,these has made their efforts visible in the economy.

Africans train themselves to become world class communicators and software developers.they are independent,agile and self motivated.

Conclusion

As Africa continues to be a major destination for tech investors, with the volume of venture capital flowing into the continent tripling over the past years, software developer openings continue to grow. Tech companies are setting up new offices across Africa and hiring local software developers to fill the available tech roles,Not only does this expansion create more jobs, but it also impacts the economy – both on a local and global scale.  It will be interesting to see the impact African software developers continue to have on the global economy in the coming years.

An overthinker is someone who tends to dwell on their thoughts and worries to an unhealthy degree. Because they are constantly second-guessing themselves and considering all possible outcomes, they may struggle to make decisions or take action.

If you  happen to have difficulty in this area, here are some healthy factors to help you overcome it: 

 

1. The problem is rarely the problem

You and your thoughts are responsible for 99% of the damage.

in reality, what actually happens, and the outcome are responsible for 1% of the harm.

Most of the time, the problem isn't the problem. It is the way you approach the problem.

You mght have no control over what happens around you, but you certainly do have control over how you react to it.

2. Avoid Self-rejection

Do you believe you are unworthy of such an opportunity? In any case, apply for it.

Do you believe your article is inadequate? Regardless, publish it.

Do you believe they will not respond to your e  mail? Send it nevertheless.

Never rationalize yourself into self-rejection.

3. Silence and time

The truth is that most problems can be solved with less thought rather than more.

The majority of the answers you seek can be found in isolation, leisure, and with a clear mind.

Don't try to solve a problem if you can't solve it.

4. An important question

When you begin to blame yourself for past mistakes or picture danger lurking around every corner, ask yourself:

"Is there anything I can do right now to change the past or influence the future in a positive way?"

Take action if the answer is affirmative.

If the answer is no, accept it and let it go.

You must either act or let it go; anything else is self-harm.

5. The power of now

You will not overthink your way to a brighter future.

You're not going to reason your way out of a bad situation.

Because tomorrow is not guaranteed, all you have is right now. 

And what you do NOW can make your past right and your future better.

Make peace with yesterday, let go of tomorrow, and seize the now.

live in the moment, focus on the now.

6. Fact check your own thoughts

In your mind, your ideas will construct scenarios that represent your insecurities, concerns, and worries.

As a result, it's critical to always double-check your own ideas before accepting them, because in highly emotional situations, your mind will tell you lies.

Fact check yourself.

7. Acceptance is peace

No amount of worry can affect your future, and no amount of regret can change your past.

Acceptance leads to peace:

-Accept your flaws.

-Accept the unknown.

-Accept the inexorable.

You don't have to understand, tolerate, or even forget anything, but you must accept it if you desire serenity.

Practice mindfulness.

8. Health starts in your mind

You can go to the gym, eat healthily, practice yoga, drink water, and take supplements, but you will never be genuinely 'healthy!' unless you tackle the negativity in your thinking.

our health is not assessed by scales, muscular size, or waist circumference.

The quality of our thoughts and the calm of our mind are indicators of true wellness. Health begins in the mind.

Change your mindset.

All of this is to say that things improve when you allow yourself to believe in yourself, give yourself  a break and have an optimistic attitude.

When you think of successful tech entrepreneurs, you might picture a Silicon Valley wunderkind with a computer science degree from Stanford. But in Africa, some of the most inspiring and innovative founders are self-made entrepreneurs who started from humble beginnings.

Take the story of Aliko Dangote, for example. Before he became Africa's richest man, with a net worth of over $11 billion, he sold sweets and chewing gum on the streets of Kano, Nigeria. He eventually went on to build a business empire that spans industries from cement to sugar to telecommunications.

Or consider Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, who grew up in a poor neighborhood in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She founded the footwear brand soleRebels, which has since expanded to over 20 countries and is on track to reach $100 million in revenue by 2025.

These bootstrapped entrepreneurs are not only inspiring, but also crucial to the growth of Africa's tech ecosystem. With limited access to traditional financing, many entrepreneurs have had to rely on their own savings and ingenuity to get their businesses off the ground.

And yet, despite the odds, many have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. In fact, a recent report by the African Development Bank found that 22% of African startups were profitable, with an average annual revenue growth rate of 17%.

So, what makes these entrepreneurs so successful? For one, they often have a deep understanding of the local market and its needs. Many of them have started businesses that address specific pain points in their communities, from affordable housing to mobile payments to e-commerce.

In addition, bootstrapped entrepreneurs tend to be scrappy and resourceful. They know how to stretch a dollar and make the most of limited resources. And because they don't have the luxury of relying on outside investors, they often have to be creative in finding alternative sources of funding, such as grants or crowdfunding.

Of course, bootstrapping isn't without its challenges. It can be difficult to scale a business without outside investment, and many entrepreneurs struggle with limited access to mentorship and business support services.

But as more and more entrepreneurs like Dangote and Alemu prove, it's possible to build a successful business from scratch, even in the face of adversity.

So, the next time you're feeling discouraged about your own entrepreneurial journey, remember the inspiring stories of Africa's bootstrapped entrepreneurs. They prove that with hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of creativity, anything is possible.