Access Bank Plc has launched its new brand identity with 400 branches after a successful merger between the bank and Diamond Bank.

A statement from Access Bank disclosed that the merger will create a Nigerian banking powerhouse and a pan African financial services champion.

“Access Bank today is the largest retail bank in Africa by the customer base. One bank with 27,000 staff across 592 branches, spanning three continents, 12 countries and with 29 million customers,” it explained.

According to it, “It builds on the layers of meaning that were built into two iconic brands. Diamond Bank’s was youthful, vibrant and human.

“Access Bank’s was trusted, global and fast.  Bringing them together to capture the strength created through the merger meant drawing from the essence of each logo but refreshing them to create a sense of energy and forward momentum.

https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/04/01/access-bank-unveils-new-identity/

“The diamond shape is fused into the three chevrons, which radiate in all directions to create layers around a core.”Continuing, the bank explained that the retention of the access typeface, colour and font was complemented by the orange logo, which draws from the colour palettes of both banks.

It stated that the use of the diamond colour palette was further emphasised with the dominance of green in its retail application, ensuring continuity for retail customers, while the dominant orange in the corporate application provides the same sense of familiarity to Access Bank’s customers.

It stated further: “To accompany the new logo, there is a new brand promise: access. more than banking. This is more than a tag line.  It is a philosophy.

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Mr Herbert Wigwe, had said: “Together, we would have 27 million customers, which is the largest customer base of any bank on the continent. We would have 33,000 points of sale (PoS) terminals, 3,300 automated teller machines (ATMs) and all of that.

“Access Bank has grown over time and has built a very strong wholesale banking capability. We have also shown significant expertise as far as the treasury is concerned, risk management as well as our capital management plan.

“We created and pushed a very strong value chain strategy which was our own way of building our retail business.

“This was because we realised that the creation of a large diversified bank is critical, not just for Nigeria, but in Africa and the world. If you go to any part of the world, what you tend to see is that the top three or top five banks technically control market share.”

Speaking further, Wigwe said the combination of Access Bank and Diamond Bank would ensure that “we are able to take and solve customers’ issues right from the wholesale end, down to the man in the village, just because of the use of technology.”

One of the biggest challenges that many Small and Medium Scale Enterprises encounter in emerging economies like Nigeria is access to funding and capital. Majority of them either bootstrap or rely heavily on friends and family members for funding. For the latter, it usually leads to disagreement or dispute, especially when parties involved are not on the same page, and this might eventually lead to the liquidation of the business.

Meanwhile, for SMEs that approach banks for the so-called ‘soft loan’, they may not be able to meet the demands and the many paper works required to successfully secure the loan. Banks generally charge between 5-9 per cent interest rate (and more), for 1-5 years short-to-long term business loans. In Nigeria, you can obtain bank loans as small as N50, 000 and as big as N100 million depending on the scope of your business.

If you eventually get the loan, it may arrive too late and you might need collateral. Interestingly, if you survive the aforementioned, you should be ready for the neck-deep monitoring of your bank to ensure that you deploy the loan judiciously.

Despite this, the government and the private sector are making painstaking efforts to support SMEs. The present government’s TraderMoni through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) is helping a lot of small businesses in the country by providing them with as little as N10, 000.

Jumia, Nigeria’s No 1 shopping destination is also at the forefront of supporting SMEs. through the Jumia Lending initiative that gives businesses the opportunity to grow and expand by granting them fast and quick working capital. Some of the advantages of Jumia Lending are easy access to working capital, quick registration process, flexible repayment plan within 1-6 months, low-interest rate, no collateral, no hidden or extra charges and free training and support services to help achieve your business goals.

An important caveat to note to qualify for the loan are (1) You must have been selling on Jumia for at least 6 months, (2) Your 6-months average sales revenue on Jumia must be greater than 100,000.00 and (3) 6-months average items sold on Jumia must be greater than 25 items.

What makes Jumia lending and other digital credit companies quite attractive and the cynosure of SMEs is their flexibility. The paper works are not as taxing as that of the banks and you can get a significant amount between 24 and 48 hours. No bank in Nigeria will grant you a loan within this stipulated period without carrying out exhaustive due diligence.

In fact, some banks have taken a cue from the online quick service loan companies as they now offer non-collateral loans. But, not as quick as the digital credit companies. The indisputable truth is that the new wave of digital credit is good for SMEs.

There is no gainsaying that Nigeria is endowed with lush green vegetation, faux and fauna, awesome tourist attractions, historical monuments and much more. Each Nigerian state has something to offer tourists.

The interesting thing here is that Nigerians have recognized this fact and are beginning to tour Nigeria. Efforts by Jumia’s hotel and flight marketplace through Jumia Travel is beginning to yield results. The online travel agency has been promoting Nigeria as an exciting tourist hub that you do not need to break the bank to visit. It has listed on its website packages to different local destinations. As an incentive to encourage local travel and support tour operators, the OTA opened up its platform to tour operators to list their tour packages.

Nevertheless, some Nigerians still think you cannot travel Nigeria on a budget. This is far from the truth. For $50 (19k) or less, you can explore some states. So, if you have been searching for a state (s) you can explore for less than the referenced amount, here are some of them.

Ogun (Olumo Rock, Adire Market & the Presidential Library)

For Ogun state, $50 is too much especially if you reside in Lagos. It is very affordable to visit this southwestern state and of course, there is so much to do in the state’s capital - the ancient city of Abeokuta. One of Lagos next door neighbour’s most valuable possession is the Olumo Rock. The rock served as a source of refuge during the war era. There is also the Itoku Market where you can have a firsthand experience of how the indigenous traditional Adire is made. You can also explore the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

Osun (Osun/Osogbo groove, Erin Ijesha Waterfall, and the Osun/Osogbo festival)

Osun is the cradle of the Yorubas’. As such it is revered by persons of Yoruba extraction. It is the bedrock of Yoruba culture and you can visit to see cultural sites and festivals to celebrate Osun state‘s very cultural background. On your itinerary, add a visit to the Unesco World Heritage site, Osun Osogbo groove, the popular Osun/Osogbo festival and experience nature at Erin-Ijesha Waterfall.

Calabar (The Calabar Carnival)

Calabar has so much to offer in terms of tourism. The state, over the years, has positioned itself as a must-visit for local and international tourists. Calabar, located in south-south Nigeria, has the Slave Museum, Statue of Mary Slessor, Calabar Drill Monkey Ranch, Agbokim Waterfall, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, Tinapa Resort, Waterfall and host Africa’s biggest street party, the Calabar Carnival. You cannot visit all these destinations for less than $50. You have to increase your budget. But with this said amount, you will comfortably visit any one of these destinations. And you decide to sleep, you can book a hotel for the best price here.

Lagos (Nigeria’s Commercial City)

Lagos is never a dull city. There are so many things to do in Lagos. There are destinations to explore, monuments to see, museums to visit, clubs to unwind, and beaches to pass time. Just ask for what you want to do and there is a spot or hub for it as far as it is legal. You will really have a swell time in Lagos.

Abia (Nigeria War Museum, New Yam & Mmanwu festival, Ariaria International Market)

Abia state in South East Nigeria is also a destination you can visit for $50. Dominated by the Igbos, and they hold their culture in high esteem. They have a handful of festivals to celebrate their cultural heritage: Mmanwu (masquerade festival), Museum of Colonial History, New Yam festival and others. You can also experience the industriousness of an ‘Abian’ by visiting one of the biggest markets in West Africa - The Ariaria International Market. And to round off your visit, go learn about the Biafran War at Nigeria War Museum. Due to the distance, it is advisable to go with a group of travellers to reduce costs.

The rate at which businesses are shutting down in Nigeria is very worrisome especially when the reason (s) for the liquidation of the company is not economic. In recent months, we have reported the end of Gloo.ng, etyres.ng, Careers24 and DealDey.

Today we report that another business this time from the fintech/digital payment sector has joined the list.

OyaPay has closed after just one year – or as the CEO Abdulhamid Hassan puts it: “Our grand experiment is at an end after 365 days.”

Hassan said the decision to shut down OyaPay was not informed by issues around the product itself or the market.

“When I moved back to Nigeria from France in January 2018, I had a goal in mind to not raise external capital until we’d attained a market fit and by so doing not hustling to get investor money. Instead, it would be on a neutral ground where we all (OyaPay and participating investors) need each other,” explains Hassan.

In a lesson for us all, he warns of family involvement. He had earlier taken a small seed round from a senior family member (an uncle) and at the point of product market fit where the need for investors kicked in, the said family member pushed back on the idea of diluting his investment.

“For months we couldn’t resolve it, I became frustrated and decided to call it quits,” Hassan says. Hassan adds in a blogpost: “We will be making wallet refunds and disbursing merchants balance by 18 Feb 2019 and shutting down by February.

https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/02/22/rip-nigeria-fintech-startup-oyapay-shuts-down-allegedly-due-to-family-feud/

A story published by Vanguard newspaper on Monday, February 4th, 2019 featuring Jumia Food Managing Director, Mr Guy Futi, involved in an arrest is fabricated and simply untrue. The management of Jade Internet Services, owners of Jumia Food has said the allegation that Mr Futi was arrested by the men of the Nigerian Police Force, Zone II over the allegation of fraud and conversion of company’s funds for personal use, is a mere fabricated allegation.

The statement reads thus: “The current Managing Director of Jumia Food Nigeria, Mr Guy Futi neither misappropriated the company’s funds nor converted them for personal use. If this had happened, Jumia would have taken legal action against him, and probably involved the press. He was never involved in any fraudulent act. Mr Futi was invited for questioning by the Nigerian Police Force on Thursday, January 31st, 2019 in relation to an ongoing case of fraud filed by Jumia Food against one of its vendors, Castle Logistics Services.

Mr Futi was never detained by the police. He was invited for questioning and left the station after the interrogation same day. At the time the incident for which Jumia took legal action against Castle Logistics occurred, Mr Futi had not joined the company.

The allegation of fraud by Castle Logistics is thus a malicious attempt to distract Jumia Food from carrying out legal action against the company.”

We condemn in strong terms the libellous intent of the article published by Vanguard newspaper because the allegations are completely untrue, and appear to be a cheap effort by Castle Logistics to malign Jumia.

Your location can sometimes be tracked through apps—which might have caused you to turn off this particular permission for a bunch of apps on your smartphone. But location tracking goes a lot deeper than that. Here are five ways that apps, companies, and marketers can know where you’ve been, even after you’ve disabled location permissions inside your favourite apps. We can’t tell you exactly how this data is used, but we can give you some ideas about how it’s collected from you.

Logging into websites

Every time you log into Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere else, these websites know where you’re browsing from, roughly speaking. In some situations, this is useful—to spot unusual and unauthorized logins, for instance—but it all adds to the data points that these firms have on you and which they might choose to sell on to other interested parties. When you’re online, you’ll be revealing a public IP address tied to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which is linked to your rough geographic area. On its own, it’s not enough to reveal exactly where you live, but it can be tied to other bits of information to learn more about you. It’s why you’ll sometimes see online ads for your local area even when you’re not logged in anywhere. The only real way around this is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, which can connect to the web through a node that’s not at all related to your current location.

Tagging your photos

As you might already know, if you tag a place in an Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, or Twitter photo, that location gets linked to your account and your identity. You should think very carefully about geotagging your pictures, especially if they are being published publicly, and especially if they’re around your home or place of work. Even if you don’t post these images for the world at large to see though, the location data can still be logged and shared with whatever data partners your apps are working with.

Logging into wifi

Public wifi is insecure at the best of times, but you’re also giving away your location whenever you log into a network that’s not your own. We can’t speak for every public wifi operator out there in the world, but we do know that allowing your email address or phone number to be linked to the network might well be one of the conditions of access. Companies don’t often offer wifi out of the goodness of their hearts—they do it to make money from advertisers who want to advertise to you, and to do that they need to know more about where you are.

Posting your fitness data

This one is related to apps, and particularly fitness apps. Now if you want to track your runs around the park, then you’re going to have to give your fitness app of choice access to your location—it’s a trade-off. But beyond that, it’s also worth considering where you’re posting the maps of these runs, whether that’s to other users inside the app on or social networks like Facebook.

Turning on your phone

Even if you switch off location tracking on all your phone apps, your phone itself is still going to grab as much location data as it can from you—it’s just part of the deal of owning a device made by Google or Apple, or indeed any mobile device at all. It’s essential for services like finding your phone when it’s lost or making sure you’re always connected to the nearest cell tower or automatically setting the right time zone.

Unless you want to go back to a dumb phone life, this location data is sort of necessary. To stop your iPhone logging locations full stop, go to Settings then tap Privacy and Location Services, and turn Location Services off. On Android, go to Settings then Security & location, Location, and turn Use location off.


https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/01/16/how-your-location-can-be-tracked/

It is just the beginning of the year and several businesses have either shut down or exited Nigeria. On the list of businesses that have already shut down are Careers24 and Deal Dey. We are yet to get over this, another business is closing shop and it is Nigerian online grocery startup-Gloo.ng.

The founder of Gloo.ng, Olumide Olusanya, made the announcement on Twitter that the startup winding down. He wrote: "Fellows, listen up! We’ve BIG news coming out of @Gloo_ng next month! We’ll be shutting down our ecommerce business & will be launching a new business we’ve built past 18months in stealth!  Ahead of that time, we’ll be selling off our inventory @ 50% discount! Stay tuned!


Olusanya added that he will be launching a new business he has been working on for the last 18 months.

Although he did not give details about the new venture, it was obvious from his tweets that he is exiting the eCommerce which is dominated by Jumia.

The reason for businesses shutting down may be due to Nigeria's economic situation or because of the fierce competition in Nigeria's eCommerce space. Whatever the case maybe, the tides of business es shutting down must be halted!

https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/01/15/founder-of-gloo-ng-shuts-down-business-set-to-launch-new-venture/

UK’s International Tech Hub Network has launched the search for Nigerian, Kenyan, and South African Startups to join the country’s Go Global 2019 programme.

This is a fantastic opportunity for start-ups using technology to solve local issues, to participate in an exciting and intensive programme in the UK to learn how to build their business to develop global solutions.

What’s involved?

Successful applicants will be sponsored to join a delegation of ambitious African start-ups to the UK for a 2-week immersive programme in March 2019.

The programme will help companies to improve their business skills and capability, build links with the UK’s thriving tech sector and work with UK expertise to take their business to the next level.

https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/01/14/nigeria-kenyan-sa-startups-can-now-apply-to-join-uks-go-global-2019-programme/

MEST Africa has launched application for the second annual MEST Africa Challenge, a Pan-African pitch competition for startups based in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire; who are ready to expand into new markets.

This year’s finalists from each country will attend the MEST Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, June 10-12, 2019, where they will once again compete on a global stage for up to $50k in equity investment and the opportunity to join the Pan-African MEST incubator community.

Last year, Accounteer was declared the winner of the Challenge taking home the grand prize of US$50,000 equity investment. The other 3 regional winners are Ghana’s Cowtribe, Kenya’s Data Integrated, and South Africa’s Swift Vee.

https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/01/14/apply-for-the-mest-africa-challenge-2019/

Jumia Nigeria has announced the launch of its clearance sales tagged ‘Everything Must Go’, targeted at boosting and encouraging new year shopping among Nigerians as well as help them save money on January shopping.

The Head of Engagement Marketing for Jumia Nigeria, Olamide Amosu who made the announcement in a press statement in Lagos said the campaign will run from Monday, January 14th through Thursday, January 31st, 2019.

https://www.techawk.com.ng/2019/01/14/jumia-launches-clearance-sales-to-boost-new-year-shopping-among-nigerians

eCommerce can broadly be defined as the buying and selling of goods and services electronically. eCommerce continues to grow and many have suggested that online retailing is contributing to the slow demise of traditional brick and mortar retailing.

By extension, an eCommerce ecosystem is a network of interconnected systems or services that make up an eCommerce business. In other words, the eCommerce firm does not only focus on offering one particular service but a network of services.

Since eCommerce became a popular trend all over the world, a good number of businesses have scaled their services in order to reach more customers and keep them within their ecosystem. This has somewhat ensured that a business is not entirely dependent on one particular product even though it is thriving.

Jumia is a well-known ecosystem in Africa. Over the years, the eCommerce company has built one integrated, inter-connected ecosystem that captures most of the simple day to day needs that people could do on the same platform rather than multiple platforms.

This model has really helped in scaling the business, building one brand across the continent and building the same experience for consumers across the continent.

If you have followed Jumia over the years, it kicked off its business in Nigeria as a marketplace where you can shop. However, today it has grown that you can shop for everything you want on Jumia without visiting other platforms.

Rather than just focusing on shopping, Jumia included the other things people would normally do, including ordering food, booking flights and hotels. This has enabled Jumia to build a sustainable business through the years.

Indeed, Jumia has proven that the eCommerce ecosystem is working. Regardless, some businesses are yet to embrace the eCommerce ecosystem even though they have the capability to do so.

Expectedly, there are so many challenges eCommerce ecosystem poses, but the benefits far outweigh these shortcomings.

Internationally, companies like Amazon, Alibaba, Google, Microsoft and Apple among others have also grown and have been able to meet their profit target thanks to being an eCommerce ecosystem.

Benefits of an eCommerce Ecosystem
One of the benefits of an eCommerce ecosystem is that your business won't struggle nor will your business liquidate or be bought over. This is as a result of not being over-dependent on a particular product or service. The dependency on one product or service has led to quite a lot of companies in a country like Nigeria to fold up

Another advantage of the eCommerce ecosystem is that it guarantees long-term business growth. An average business has a lot of responsibilities. Responsibility to the government, employees, suppliers, vendors among others. Sometimes a one-product offering won't let you meet these responsibilities. However, since you have different products, you have different streams of revenue. In the long run, you will achieve growth and of course, be able to meet your business responsibilities.

Finally, you will win the loyalty of your customers because when they think about buying or booking anything online, it is your brand that pops into their head.

If you fly even a few times a year, chances are at some point you'll have your flight delayed or cancelled. Either event can mean missed connections or disruptions to your schedule at your destination. A cancellation can mean being stuck in an airport for hours or days while you wait for another flight. As such, if you are worried about getting to your destination on time, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, share things to do to avoid flight delay.

Take non-stop flights

The more stops on your itinerary, the more opportunities for delays or cancellations you will face. This is especially true if some of your stops are in areas where unpleasant weather is common, or if you're travelling to an airport with a poor on-time flight record.

Avoid airlines with a bad reputation for delays

Some airlines are more prone to cancellations and delays than others, for various reasons. If it's feasible for you to avoid these airlines, you can add this strategy to your delay-avoiding arsenal.

Have alternative flights picked out and ready

If you are concerned about a flight delay, try choosing your alternative flights and having the information about them written down and easily accessible. That way, if your flight is indeed delayed, you'll be ready to let the airline know a solution to your issue.

Fly morning routes

If you fly morning flights, you have a good chance of squeezing onto another flight later in the day. This is especially true with popular routes that feature several flights departing from your home airport on a daily basis.

Pay attention to the weather

There’s not much you can do about the weather delaying your flight, but you can try to plan your trip during times when both your origin city and your destination city tend to have fairer weather. Another smart tactic you can employ is to keep an eye on the weather reports beginning about 10 days before your trip.

Flying might be the gateway to a great holiday, but for some, it can be a torture because of the leg cramps they suffer during their flight especially if it is a long one. This can actually ruin your flight and makes you very uncomfortable. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares ways to prevent leg cramps during a long flight if you were to experience it.

Move your toes

Keeping your feet and ankles moving while sitting for long periods will encourage regular blood flow. Part of the problem of sitting for a long time is that gravity encourages blood to pull in your feet and ankles. Without fresh blood being delivered to your legs, they become swollen and painful. Moving your feet and legs about prevents the blood from collecting in this way.

Be fashion conscious

The trendiest outfit for a flight is a cool loose-fitting clothing, and flat shoes. You will get through security quickly than your high-heeled wearing companions while loose-fitting clothes do not restrict blood circulation.

Watch your position

You know that long-haul flights can be boring and uncomfortable. However, trying to ease your discomfort by crossing your legs or curling up in your seat is not always the best plan. This has the same effect as wearing tight clothing. Blood flow is restricted, encouraging fluid to build up in your legs, rather than circulate towards your heart.

Choose your seat wisely

You can’t choose whether or not you will experience leg cramps on a flight, but you can usually choose where you’ll be seated. Book an aisle seat instead of a window seat, as it will allow you to periodically stretch your legs without disturbing the person next to you.

Exercise before your flight

Exercising a few hours before your flight can help burn off some extra energy and relieve your leg’s restlessness later on. If you don’t have the time for a workout in the busy pre-flight hours, try to stay active right up to the moments before boarding. Walk, stand, stretch, and browse the airport shops to keep your legs busy.

Go for a walk

You should try to get up and stretch your legs at least once or twice during the flight, even if you don’t have that coveted aisle seat.

Business travel can be stressful because you have to deal with a lot of things like increased airport security, being in a new city every week, feeling pressured to meet your target and spending sleepless working hours in your hotel room. But experienced business travellers develop their own ways of dealing with these travel pitfalls so they can enjoy a successful business trip. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares some tips to help make your next business trip more enjoyable.

Schedule some personal time

You should try as much as possible to take the stress out of business trips by scheduling personal time. A way to do this is to turn the business trip into an informal mini-vacation. For example, if you are in Calabar, you can take time out to visit Agbokim Waterfalls, Tinapa and Obudu Cattle Ranch.

Stay connected

The most stressful part of business travel is the distance and being physically disconnected. Take advantage of technology to keep in touch with your team, family and friends.

Do not overspend

Whether you are running a conglomerate or a small business, you should not go over- your budget. If you do, you will only add to the stress of travel. Comfort and a little bit of indulgence will definitely ease the stress, and with a little research, you can have that luxury at a price you can afford.

Stay healthy

Business travel can also take a toll on your health. Business travel can be disruptive to your regular sleep, exercise and eating routines. Consequently, this often leads to business travellers engaging in poor travel health habits. Poor travel health habits furthermore worsen the stress of business travel.

Rest easy

Contact Jumia Travel to help you select a hotel where you know you'll be comfortable. After a long day, having a comfy room to return to can make all the difference.

We all make mistakes, but when it comes to travelling abroad, we can make costly mistakes without even trying. Some of them are quick to fix and easily forgotten, others can be expensive, and time-consuming. When next you are travelling abroad, , the leading online travel agency, highlight mistakes you should avoid.

Failing to Check their Passport Dates
Did you know that many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return? If you go through customs with a passport that is soon to expire, you may be turned away. Check the passport regulations for your destination country well in advance of your trip.

Forgetting to buy travel insurance
Many travellers forget to buy travel insurance, but having a good travel insurance plan is cheap and smart protection from accidents, injuries and illnesses, passport and card theft, and even travel delays. Travellers who buy travel insurance know that they have the coverage they need in a travel emergency as well as a person to call for help when things go wrong on their trip.

Packing the wrong things
If a traveller packs well, they will have the right clothing, medicine, and tools they need to be comfortable. While you can’t plan for everything that can go wrong, having what you need when you need it can make a big difference in your safe and healthy return back home. Additionally, do not pack too many things.

Forget travel adapters
The electrical plugs that are standard in your home country are not the same in other countries, and you will need adapters to use your electronic devices and appliances. Buy the adapters you need for the country you are visiting and whatever you do, if the plug doesn’t fit, don’t force it.

Convert currency at expensive places
Travelling abroad is never cheap and it can get even more expensive when converting currency. Getting the best exchange rate is important. The best way to exchange currency is by visiting official bureau de changes.

Whether you are a leisure or a business traveller, you cannot downplay the role of technology in your travels. From using GPS to navigating unfamiliar destinations to checking apps for the best local restaurants and taking photos on multiple devices to document your travels, tech is important in almost every aspect of travel. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares, some top tech tips you should know whenever you travel.

Break language barriers

Download popular translation apps such as iTranslate, Google Translate and TripLingo to help you communicate more easily with locals when you visit countries you do not speak the language.

Share itinerary with friends and family members

Share your itinerary with any family members or friends who may be anticipating your arrival. Itinerary sharing quickly notifies your contacts about the status of your trip and provides immediate alerts regarding unexpected changes or delay.

Entertain yourself

Download your preferred music, movies and books on your smartphone and don’t forget your headphones. With these, you can entertain yourself whether it is a long haul flight or not.

Share travel photos on social media

With the existence of social media, you can easily share your pictures at the click of a button as long as you have an internet connection. Hence, there is no need to arrive your destination before you start sharing photos and experiences.

Allow push notifications

Push notifications deliver real-time updates and alerts about any flight, hotel or package deals to your phone. You simply need to have the app of the OTA on your phone to receive these notifications.

Bundle booking

When booking a trip on an online travel agency, book your flight and hotel at the exact same time. You will definitely save hundreds of naira by booking them together. However, if you book them differently, you will clearly be paying more.

Take pictures of your travel documents

Take a photo of all your travel documents and save it to your email or your drive for easy access. Also, make sure you never leave home without your phone just in case your documents go missen.

One of the best ways to de-stress on vacation is to travel as light as possible. Simply put, less baggage means less to worry about. It always sounds like a good idea until you actually start packing. That's when you realise that it is near impossible for you to pack light. Regardless, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency highlights tips to help you master the art of packing light.

It's all about the roll

Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is a huge space-saver. You will be able to fit more into a smaller suitcase.

Use shoes to store valuables

Don't let any space go to waste because it can be very useful. Filling your shoes with clothes and other items will help keep their shape while squished into your suitcase.

Plan your outfits for each day you're gone

Before you pack, lay out an outfit for each day to cut down the chances you'll pack more than you need. It's simple, but much more effective than just guessing and throwing a bunch of random stuff in a bag.

Pack bottoms you can wear several times

Maximize space by doubling up on how many days you wear your pants, skirts and other bottoms. The more outfits you can make from the least amount of bottoms, the better. For example, you can pack 3 shirts for one bottom.

Take advantage of laundry services

It's easy when you're staying with a friend or family member, but if you're staying at hotels, call ahead and get the details on their laundry service.

Getting sick is a part of everyday life, and travelling doesn’t exempt you from that fact before you are more exposed to bugs, parasites, and environments. The fact of the matter is the longer you are travelling, the more likely you may get sick. The secret to reducing the chances of this, however, is to actively combat the risk factors of becoming sick in the first place. Jumia Travel, the leading online booking platform shares tips to prevent you from getting sick anytime you travel.

Wash your hands

Hand washing is the most important thing anybody can do to protect their health. If you can’t wash your hands right away, you should not touch your face to prevent germs from entering via your eyes, nose or mouth. You can also use a sanitizer as an alternative to soap and water.

Stay hydrated

Water is the source of all life. It is very essential that your body gets the fluids it needs to support a healthy immune system. Imbibe the habit of drinking water and other non-sugary, decaffeinated beverages. Your body and your health will thank you.

Eat healthily and exercise

A healthy diet filled with plenty of vegetables and fruits is a great way to stay healthy. Eat Also, exercising and eating healthy go hand in hand. Even though you are on vacation or travelling, do not forget to exercise. Exercising and eating healthily has so many great benefits to keep you from getting sick.

Protect yourself against the sun

Protecting yourself from the sun goes beyond getting a bad sunburn. You should cover up with loose clothing and even use a hat or scarf. If you don’t, then dehydration can set in very quickly, and that can lead to more serious conditions such as heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which if left unattended can become a medical emergency.

Carry a medical kit

You cannot predict when you will fall sick, this is why you are advised to carry a medical kit whenever you travel. The kit should contain basic medical items.

Get enough sleep

This can be difficult if your trip involves a hectic schedule, noisy hotels or frequent flights, but it’s key to maintaining a healthy body system.

Many people have smartphones but they only use them to surf social media-Facebook, Instagram. What they do not realise is that their smartphone can do much more than surfing the internet. You can use to become more productive. As such, whether you’re looking for an easier way to send that signed notice to your boss, or just want to stay focused on work when browsing the web, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, highlights smartphone tricks that will make you more productive.

Use your iPad as a second monitor

Add up the dozens of tabs crowding your web browser and the overflowing email inbox you’re catching up on, and there’s never enough screen space. It’s especially cumbersome if you’re trying to do those things on a small laptop. That’s where your iPad can come in handy—by doubling as a second monitor by using the Duet Display app, you can turn your iPad into a second screen for your Mac or PC.

Speed through voicemail with Google Voice transcriptions

Google Voice will automatically convert your voicemails into Gmail emails or text messages that you can read later, at your leisure. You can convert those Gmail messages you receive from Google Voice into to-do list tasks with Gmail plugin.

Use your smartphone to scan documents

Even if you tend to use email for work-related documentation, there may be occasions when sharing hard copy paperwork becomes necessary. Try a free app like Evernote Scannable or Adobe Scan to scan documents, receipts, business cards, forms and more by using your smartphone’s camera.

Turn off Notifications

There are lots of things that distract us while working. Your smartphone is the biggest culprit here. Thus, your phone will be buzzing almost every second and it will become a distraction. So, the best way to be productive is to turn off notifications.

Airplane mode isn’t just for airplanes

Airplane mode has a number of fantastic benefits that go far beyond the runway. For example, if you’re having trouble with your 3/4G signal when you clearly shouldn’t, just switch airplane mode on and then off, and your signal should be restored. Also, if you’ve been on-the-go all day and have 4% battery when you get back to the office, turn your phone on airplane mode and it will charge much faster. Lastly, if you’ve had a long day and send a text message to the wrong person, quickly turn on airplane mode and when the message fails to deliver, you can delete it and then actually send it to the correct person.

Each one of us is forever on a journey to be healthier and happier, but it can be hard to do so when you're stuck behind a desk eight or more hours a day. There are all sorts of ways to stay healthy when you sit a lot; however, as many of us have experienced, these changes can be so challenging to permanently incorporate when you're already distracted by emails, texts, meetings, deadlines, and heavy workloads. Here are ways to stay healthy when you sit a lot.

Use adjustable desks

You probably know that too much sitting is bad for you. Know that no amount of exercising can undo the damage caused by too much sitting. Just 30 minutes of less sitting a day could have a significant and positive impact. One way to do this is to use adjustable desks. You can stretch and your knees or hips won't ache.

Adjust your monitor

Sitting too close to your monitor can cause a number of nagging eye problems which, although temporary, can be incapacitating, like eye exhaustion, burning, dryness, and muscle aches. Likewise, setting your computer monitor at the wrong height can lead to headaches, double vision and difficulty focusing your vision. Try to adjust your monitor.

Find the right kind of chair

The chair you are sitting in could make all the difference. Big, comfy chairs might feel great to sit in; however, they might also be placing you in an unhealthy posture.

Perform chair Yoga

Even while sitting, you can enjoy the benefits of yoga, including better muscle tone and breathing, and less stress. It can even help you sleep better — without ever leaving your chair. Poses like the cat-cow stretch, the eagle pose, spinal twists, and forward bends can be done by anyone in any type of chair.

Get a pedometer

A pedometer is a device, usually portable and electronic or electromechanical, that counts each step a person takes by detecting the motion of the person's hands or hips. So, wear pedometers and set daily goals for yourselves to become more active and improve your overall wellbeing.

Pay attention to posture

Poor posture, like sitting, is more detrimental to your health than many of us realise. It can lead to sore muscles, spinal curvature, blood vessel constriction, and nerve constriction. It can cause feelings of depression and lower levels of energy, reduce your life expectancy, and make you feel more stressed out.

Airlines have ways to help overweight travellers feel more comfortable when they fly. This said, these airlines can only do much. The passengers on their part have to consider the regulations in place for each airline and be aware of the arrangements before they make they fly. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, takes a look at how to make flying overweight less stressful.

Do your research

It is very easy to conduct research today because the internet is readily available for anyone to access. So, do your research to find out which airlines that are friendly to persons of size. If you can, you should call the airline yourself.

Book smarter

If you are a frequent traveller and a person of size, you are aware that you are not comfortable when flying. Airlines cram in as many seats as possible in order to maximize profits per flight.

Dress for comfort

Wearing clothes that breathe will make you feel very cosy whether you purchase two seats or not. Tight fitting attires will only add pain to the already stressful seat situation.

Pack light

You don’t have to spend time figuring out where your bag should go, how to retrieve your items, or if you should check them at the gate etc. You can avoid all these by ensuring that everything you need fit in a backpack.

7 Sure Ways To Get Kicked Off An Airplane

The hazard associated with flying is very dire and terrible. As such, flight attendants do whatever it takes to ensure that a flight is comfortable and pleasant for their passengers. Anything, or anyone, that stands in the way of them doing their job gets removed. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares some of the things that can get you booted off an aeroplane.

Being disruptive

Arguing and annoying the people around you as well as causing a scene can get your boarding pass revoked. You will be warned several times but do not push it. Just sit down quietly like a gentleman or woman.

Being too drunk

You do not need a breathalyzer test to determine if you are drunk or not. But, if you are, you won’t be allowed to board the plane let alone to be booted off the.

Having a crying baby

Unfortunately, air travel is particularly tough for parents with babies. Hence, it is important for you to do everything to keep your baby calm. If you cannot, the flight crew may ask you to get off and catch a later flight.

You're not properly dressed

If you wear a T-shirt with offensive words, are exposing too much flesh, or are provocatively dressed, flight attendants can kick you off the plane or prevent such passengers from boarding.

Not wearing shoes

There are two very good reasons why you need to wear shoes on a plane. The first reason is that your feet probably smell and the second is for safety. If there’s an emergency, the flight crew wants everybody to be able to quickly move to safety without hurting themselves. Shoes are very key for this purpose.

Looking sick

If you appear like you have flu, crew members have fears that you may spread it to other passengers. You really shouldn’t be around other people if you are ill. It is advisable you check with a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Being too big

Most airlines have rules regarding passengers who are too ‘big’ to fit into plane seats or are unable to sit in a seat with the seat belt fastened. This may sound discriminatory, but it really has to do with safety. If you can’t buckle your seat belt, you're at risk and so is the airline. Thus, do not be shocked if you are deplaned because of your size.

You have done everything you were asked to do to get rid of your belly fat. However, you are not seeing or observing any changes. In fact, it seems like your belly fat seems to be increasing. This is because there are certain mistakes you making when attempting to lose belly fat. Here are some of them.

You’re not getting enough sleep

There are so many reasons why you are always awake at night. One of such reasons is your smartphone. Aside from feeling tired and groggy the next day, not getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night can affect weight loss. Try going to bed a little earlier than usual to avoid this imbalance and remember to remove any distractions that might prevent you from sleeping.

You’re doing the wrong type of exercise

Only doing abdominal-focused workouts won’t help you get rid of your belly fat. Belly fat is simply where your body stores energy, so you need to take a whole-body approach to tackle it. The best type of workout is the HIIT training High-Intensityy Interval Training)-which is a great way to burn fat and get your heart rate up.

You are eating too much sugar

If your diet is made up of lots of sports drinks, sugar-sweetened drinks and sugary foods, it will make losing weight really difficult. So, make sure you run away from sugar or take verified and reliable sugar alternatives.

You’re not eating enough protein

Protein is awesome for fat loss. It helps build and preserve lean muscle tissue and can increase the number of calories you burn. It’s also a great source of energy that helps you feel fuller for longer, so you’re less tempted to eat often.

You feel stressed or anxious

Stress can do a lot of harm to the body. From High Blood Pressure to heart disease, obesity and diabetes, it can allow the body to produce the steroid hormone cortisol, which can make you crave sugary foods that provide instant energy and pleasure. When your cortisol levels are high for a long time, it can increase the amount of fat you hold in your belly.’

7 Indications You Are Prepared To Travel Solo

When you travel solo, you get to be the leader of your itinerary, and everything that comes with it. It is easy to say but never always easy to do. So, before you travel on your own, these signs shared by Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, will help you determine if you are ready or set to travel on your own.

You are comfortable making new friends

Traveling alone doesn’t mean you are lonely, it means you can handle all sorts of possible situations on your own including a conversation with a stranger. Travel solo means you get to meet and talk to people outside your culture and circle without feeling scared.

You don’t mind where you end up sleeping

You can pretty much sleep everywhere. It doesn’t matter if you end up sleeping in the airport, on a train, on a bus or in the car. You don’t care if your bag transforms into a pillow or your coat into a blanket. Travel solo literally gives you have the freedom and privilege to sleep wherever and whenever you want.

You are fine with being lost

If the possibility of getting lost doesn’t scare you, it’s a good sign that you are ready to travel solo. Being lost means something so amazing is waiting to be found.

You enjoy spending time with yourself

One of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself while you travel solo is some alone time. You find satisfaction or solace in treating yourself. You can sit and eat alone with or without the presence of people.

You know how to stick to your budget

If you can stick to your budget, it simply means you have taken full control of your spending and as you travel, you won't be extravagant.

You never let fear get the better of you

There are days when you feel scared or frustrated, but those feelings will never override your passion for adventure and going out into the world to experience something new. Instead, you prefer to turn those brief flashes of panic into a positive energy that keeps you going.

You keep a diary

Whether you’re happy, sad, excited or just bored, you turn to your diary to express this. You don’t need a face-to-face conversation, this way you can get it all out uninterrupted.

It can be demanding to persist and engage in your daily recreation without inevitably getting injured or facing muscle fatigue or strain. It can feel almost unavoidable that you get injured while exercising. However, there are a few ways you can stay active, and guard yourself as best as possible against injury especially the popular one referred to as Muscle strain.

Know how to play the sport

Proper form prevents injuries, especially injuries caused by overuse. For example, tennis players can learn how to position themselves to lessen pressure put on the arm, which helps alleviate tennis elbow.

Stretch and warmup

You need to warm up and stretch before doing strenuous exercise if you want to prevent muscle strain. Jumping into an activity without preparing your body can disrupt your system and result in pulled strain.

Select the right conditions

Being selective about where and when you exercise affects the likelihood of a muscle strain. If possible, try to avoid running on uneven surfaces. The weather is also a factor; if it’s rainy or the ground is slippery, you’re more likely to slip and injure yourself.



Know your limits

Make sure you’re in proper condition for your chosen activity. If you haven’t been running in years, don’t think you can complete a marathon. You need to gradually increase your activity and condition your muscles with regular exercise.

Employ the right equipment

You should select equipment that fits well and is appropriate for the whatever activity you are engaged in. You need to also invest in a quality pair of shoes that has enough support to stop you from falling.

De Edge Hotel is a 4-star Hotel located in the beautiful city of Port Harcourt. The Hotel houses spacious rooms and each is fitted with a TV and en-suite bathrooms. Also in the rooms are in-room tea and coffee making facility and digital safe. To tell us about De Edge Hotel, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, had a chat with Marilyn Esuabana, the Assitant Sales and Marketing Manager of the hotel. She shared the hotel amenities that are important to guests and more. Enjoy!

What are your predictions on the trends to expect in 2018 for the hospitality business?

Improved technology and digital marketing, cost-cutting, Online Reputation Management and Influencer marketing (ex: a celebrity stays at your property, takes photos there, posts them on social media and tags your hotel. This advertises us to his/her followers).

From your own personal experience, how would you describe the ideal customer service experience in the Nigerian hospitality industry?

I would say Erratic because, in some places it’s good, and in some places it’s bad. In Nigeria, there is a huge lack of expertise and passion for hospitality. People just build hotels for economic reasons. The hotels that ensure their staff undergo proper training in the values of the industry always end up with a workforce that knows the importance of customer service in the hospitality industry and how much power the customer has in making or marring the property’s reputation. In Summary, a lot has to be invested in personnel training.

In an ascending order, what hotel amenities are important to lodgers?

Free Internet, Bathroom amenities (Clean Towels, toiletries), Security, Round-the-clock Room service, Air Conditioning, Tea/Coffee Amenities, Bar and Swimming Pool

What are the top 3 challenges faced by hotels in the Nigerian hospitality industry in 2017?

Competition as new hotels are emerging every day, poor Energy/Power supply in the country and Poor Customer service.

We are in the festive season and customers expect some kind of offers/deals. What are some of the Christmas or festive packages you have for them?

We have special room rates inclusive of Breakfast & Dinner from the 15th of December 2017 – 15th of January 2018. Classic room-Single Occupancy-26,000 while Double Occupancy is 33,000.

For those looking to work in the hospitality sector in Nigeria, what will you say to them?
Only do it if you have the passion for it. The hospitality industry is one that needs passionate and committed persons, not just being there for the money.

Protea Hotel Victoria Island is a 4 Star luxury hotel strategically situated in one of Lagos' exclusive and affluent neighbourhood in Victoria Island. The 4 Star hotel which is strategically located close to the Eko Hotel Roundabout boasts many facilities. In this exclusive interview, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, spoke with the Marketing Manager of Protea Hotel VI, Rita Opiah, where she told us about her hospitality trends in 2018, challenges of the Nigerian hospitality industry and much more. Excerpts

What are the top 3 challenges faced by hotels in the Nigerian hospitality industry in 2017?

Some of the challenges we encountered in 2017 are pricing (Competitive Rates), location (proximity of guest's businesses) and poor power supply.

What are your predictions on the trends to expect in 2018 for the hospitality business?

The influence of social media as an effecting marketing tool to create leads, increased partnership with online travelling travel agents, competitive rates and good customer experience would be prioritized as an effective strategy to retain guests.

From your own personal experience, how would you describe the ideal customer service experience in the Nigerian hospitality industry?

Customer service experience needs to be more prioritized in Nigeria hospitality industry. There is the need for hospitality firms to increase awareness to their Staff by consistently reiterating the need for the customer to have quality experiences. The market is gradually tilting towards retaining guests from total experience marketing (TEM) to total quality marketing (TQM). It has been observed that the way a guest feels resonates better than the quality of your facility. Hence the reason guest’s experience should be prioritized.

In an ascending order, what hotel amenities are important to lodgers?

Good bed, television, swimming pool, air-Conditioner, Gym, quality food, and Internet connectivity.

We are in the festive season and guests expect some kind of offers/deals. What are some of the Christmas or festive packages you have for them?

We have a discounted rate for our Superior and Classic Rooms (N35,000 inclusive of breakfast for one, taxes, and arrival gifts for kids)

For those looking to work in the hospitality sector in Nigeria, what will be your advice to them?

Let your passion for hospitality precede your career pursuit.

Jet lag is a common problem among international travellers who fly different time zones in one flight. So, Like it or not, there is no cure for jet lag. However, there are many different measures you can take to deal with it. This is important since many people will be junketing from one destination to another in aeroplanes this festive season. As such, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares lifesaving tips for jet lag.

Stay hydrated

Drink a lot of water during the flight. This will have a good effect on your entire body. Avoid downing caffeine and alcohol because they increase dryness and dehydration. In addition, apply moisturizing creams to avoid skin dehydration.

Understand jet lag

It becomes easy to prevent and treat jet lag if you understand the different reason(s) that cause it. A major reason is the time zone difference between the two airports. It is estimated that every one hour of the time zone difference will cause 1 day of sleep disruption before you get back to normal routine.

Adjust sleeping time in advance

Prepare yourself in advance for the new time zone sleeping schedule. If your flight time zone difference is 1-3 hours then a couple of days before the journey, you can shift your sleeping time according to the new time zone. Begin to sleep early or late depending on the time zone.

Don't remain in your seat all through the flight

To reduce the consequences of jet lag, do not just sit in your seat throughout the flight. Endeavour to walk around. Go to the toilet and stretch your body.

Avoid last minute preparation

Being calm and relaxed before the flight is a hack you should have at your fingertips. What this means is that complete your preparations for the travel days in advance and arrive at the airport as early as possible.

The festive season is here again and it is the time many people travel to different destinations within and outside Nigeria. You know that travelling during this period can be very hectic and stressful. But while the crowds at airports and parks aren't going anywhere, there are steps you can take to make the experience a little easier. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares ways you can make holiday travel less stressful.

Avoid peak travel dates

The peak travel dates for the festive season are Christmas and New Year. So, if you want to travel and also want to save a lot of money, you should get to your destinations a week or days before these peak travel dates.

Book everything well in advance

Book hotels, transfers, tours and other activities well in advance to avoid disappointment and to also get the best deals. Flights and accommodation can even be double the price during peak seasons.

Be flexible

If you’re serious about saving, then being flexible about your departure date or time will potentially save you hundreds of naira. Look out for anti-social timed departures such as very early morning or late at night for the best deals. Avoid travelling out on Friday nights or back on Sunday nights or Monday mornings because these times are always hectic.

Pick a lesser-known destination

Instead of visiting the same places as everyone else, why not explore a new location which is lesser-known and therefore less crowded during peak times? For example, Dubai is a destination Nigerians frequent while Kajuru Castle in Kaduna is a tourism hub that quite a number of people overlook. It is advisable to vacation in Kajuru Castle as this involves little or no stress.

Pack wisely

If you do not want to lose your luggage, pack wisely. This is because almost everyone is travelling at the same time and besides if you overpack, you will find it extremely difficult to navigate with your luggage. A simple carry on bag is fine.

It is a fact that many travellers will prefer to visit a country or destination where they actually understand the language. It is easier to interact and communicate with the people. However, there are circumstances that may warrant you to visit a country where you do not speak the language. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares some tips that will help you have smooth and hitch-free getaway or trip regardless of your lingual abilities.

Learn a few words/key phrases

Before you travel, learn some key phrases. This is because there may be situations where it’s important to communicate something complex more exactly. If you can't, the locals may never fathom what you are saying.

Speak with hand gestures

Gestures like pointing and miming can often get your message across and it is one of the effective ways to let people or locals know that you do not speak or understand the language.

Use your smartphone camera to record your route

If you want to explore and do not want to get lost, use your smartphone to take pictures or videos of significant intersections, buildings and signs that might serve as landmarks along your path. This will assist you in retracing your steps.

Use a translator app

Technology always has a solution for nearly everything. So, do not hesitate to download a good translator app. Google Translate app can be a lifesaver. Point the app’s camera at the text, and the app automatically translates it. It also lets you have a conversation with someone.

Never assume that people speak English

You already know you are in a country where you do not speak the language. But, you may probably forget and assume that they speak your lingua franca. You may have started speaking before realising that they do not understand you. This can be frustrating. This is why it is important to learn the basic of the language.

Have a plan for getting from the airport to your hotel

The moment when you arrive at the airport is often when you are at your most vulnerable because you do not understand what everyone is saying. Thus, it is essential to have a plan for getting from the airport to your hotel. The best option is to let your hotel car service, if they have one, pick you at the hotel.

Carry a paper map in the local language.

Paper maps in the local language can also help. You can easily point out where you are going on the map and since it is in the local language, it will be easier for people to offer assistance.

Hotels are always looking for ways to make money. Thus, they have devised subtle ways to rake in more money-which may appear ingenious to them but not to their guests. Check your bill closely and always speak up when a hotel hits you with any of the following ridiculous fees shared by Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency.

Additional person fee

Hotel room rates are usually based on double occupancy. You don’t have to pay extra charges for kids or friends in the room. To avoid this fee, you need to be aware of it before you book so that you can search for another hotel that doesn’t charge it.

WiFi fee

WiFi should be one of the perks customers enjoy when they stay in a hotel. But a lot of hotels charge a fee for WiFi. This said, when you find such a fee on your bill, do not hesitate to make a complaint especially if it is ridiculously expensive.

Parking fee

You should not pay to park your car at a hotel you are lodging. But in a desperate bid to earn more, some hotels charge this absurd fee.

Early check-in fee

Some hotels will charge you extra if you check in at a certain time. If you arrive early, ask whether there is an early check-in fee. If there is, you should not hurriedly pay. The hotel should be magnanimous enough to check-in whether you arrive early or not.

Luggage Holding

Some hotels charge guests to leave their bags at the front desk. Always confirm if this service is free before stashing your luggage with them.