How does social media affect teen’s mental health?

It probably comes as no surprise that more people, especially teenagers, spend most of their time on social media today than ever before. Moreover, many of us rely on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram to find and connect in today’s modern world.

Thus, social media has become an inseparable part of today’s life; therefore, it certainly has a relatively significant impact on their daily lives for good and bad. But, unfortunately, it is so easy to fall into the trap of using technology and social media without any intention as the device is suitable for our hands.

As per the Pew Research Center, social media is “nearly ubiquitous” in the lives of teens. 69% of adults and 81% of teens use social media in the US. Among them, 51% of teens visit social sites daily, and one in 4 teens is social media addicted, using a minimum of two different types of social media each day.

In addition, 45% of teenagers say they are online almost constantly, nearly doubled from the 2014-2015 survey where the number was only 24%. Teenagers are the primary users of social media sites. The main purpose of using social media by teenagers is for social interaction.

If you are curious about how social media affects a teen’s mental health, what may be the ways to escape from it, and how a teen can benefit from it, here is the article for you that helps you remove the thirst of your curiosity.

Why do teenagers use social media?

Social media has become a crucial and inseparable part of today’s teen life. Social media allows teenagers to create their own identities, helps to communicate with new people regardless of geographic barriers, and teaches them about a variety of subjects and builds social networks. As a result, today’s teens can barely live without using social media. In addition, teens use social media, especially for entertainment and self-expression.

Some teenagers try to indulge in the social media world, thinking they might get famous by unknowingly pushing into the social media trap by themselves. However, teenagers often feel that they have different persona online and feel more comfortable opening up about their present life, choices, or being more themselves away from in-person family and peers.

Teenagers are more fascinated about using social media or being constantly active on these platforms because these platforms can expose teens to current events, allow them to interact across geographic barriers, and teach them about a variety of subjects, including healthy behaviors.

In short, some general reasons that teenagers use social media regularly are for:

• Communicating with friends or loved ones once
• Joining or participating in group chats
• Exploring different new things or trends
• Meeting new people
• When they have nothing to do or just for killing the boredom
• The feeling of missing out on something if they are not always up to date with social media platforms

However, as per the article published in academia, 21% of teens felt down about themselves after looking at social media. Furthermore, teens’ social media usage has been thought to be correlated with depression, anxiety, worsening self-esteem, and loneliness.

How does social media affect teen’s mental health?

Social media usage can negatively affect teens by distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives, and peer pressure. So let’s dig into the topic for more detailed information.

Social comparison:

Social comparison is one of the biggest reasons that hamper teen’s mental health. Social media undermines teen’s mental health through social comparison. In addition, social media is the source of unnecessary tension that hampers teen’s mental health.

As we all know that it’s hard not to start comparing our lives to the filtered lives of others, even subconsciously. As a result, teenagers spend a lot of time scrolling feeds and observing the lives and images of their peers, which leads to constant comparisons and ultimately ends up damaging their self-esteem and falling into depression.

According to the report on the effect of social media on teenagers published by the pew research center, 43% of teenagers say they feel pressure to only post content on social media that makes them look good to others, and 26% of teens say these sites make them feel worse about their own life.

Sleep deprivation:

Social media is very addictive. Research published in science direct shows that 70% of people use social media after getting into bed, with almost 15% spending an hour or more doing so each night. In addition, as per the article published in NPR, 84% of teenagers have a mobile phone, and it has become an essential thing in a teen’s life.

As a result, teens carried their phones everywhere, even to the bed, and ended up scrolling social media for hours and hours, depriving their sleep, resulting in vamping or even higher risk of developing a sleep disorder like insomnia. In addition, heavier social media uses result in more inadequate sleep patterns, making teens yawning and sluggish the next day and hampers their study in the long term.

Depression and anxiety:

On the one hand, social media works as a depression killer for those, especially teens who are far from their parents for studying. Whenever they feel homesick or miss their family, social media is the only way that connects them. But, on the other hand, social media can be the cause of depression and anxiety. As per the article published in bhpalmbeach, it was determined that those who used social media the most were about 2.7 times more likely to be depressed than participants who used social media the least.

Social media and depression are parallel to each other, and if not handled properly, the result can be severe. For example, there can be the case where teens get cheated, or someone broke the trust they met online, which leaves teens feeling depressed. Unfortunately, this results in depression, loneliness, mood swings, anxiety, guilt, dishonesty, trust issues.

Online bullying and online scam:

Social media can harm teen’s mental health. Teenagers can easily fall into the trap of an online scam that may be seen as an attractive advertisement popped out while using any social media. Teenagers are not mature enough, and they do not think about the consequences they may face when they click such a site while browsing the social site and end up being the victim of an online scam.

Similarly, there can be the case where teens comment on an actor’s post or try to be more sarcastic but end up being the target of the trolls. In such a case, it affects teen’s mental health, loses confidence, and makes them isolated from online and real-world thinking; they are now a piece of jokes.

How to improve mental health when using social media?

Some tips to improve mental health when using social media are:

Monitor screen time:

One of the most efficient and easiest ways to improve mental health when using social media is monitoring screen time. If you are determined and willing to improve your screen time habit, then you must give it a go. Many apps are available online that help you set your screen time limits.

Take a break:

It’s hard to accept that today’s teens have become somewhat dependent on their phones and social media as a significant part of their life. Social media has taken over their day-to-day life. To have a good balance between mental health and social media, make a habit of ditching your phone or log out from all the social media for a day per week. Give yourself time, spend time with family and friends, go cycling, walking or for a short trip.

Be mindful of the “why”:

It would help if you questioned yourself why are you using social media? Whether to escape or to connect. If you are using it to escape from the real world, then is it worth it for you? If yes, then go ahead, but if you feel something is still missing out, look for help from your family or peers. Please share your thoughts, your problems with them and find the solution without getting into the negative trap of social sites.

And if you are using it to communicate with others and after you are done, is it still necessary to be active on social media without doing anything and scrolling your feed? One of the reasonable ways to improve your mental health without cutting off the social site entirely from your life is by identifying or limiting where and when to use social media.

Final thoughts:

Social media is very addictive. Heavy use of social media or being online 24/7 can harm the teen’s mental health. Even though social media can be dangerous, it can also be life-changing if you use it for the right things. It is necessary to remember that your social media experience could be completely transformed into a healthy screen time if you wanted to.

To add to this article or start a conversation, join our forum to share your opinions with other readers. For stories of this sort and more, do well to log on to www.jbklutse.com or visit us on Facebook.

source https://www.jbklutse.com/how-does-social-media-affect-teens-mental-health/

Underwater camera buyer’s guide

Anglers were used to dependent on their imaginations, and unless they were also divers, they never really knew if their imagination matched reality or not before the sonar radar system. Sonar can represent the structure but not an actual image like you might think that you’re dragging your bait along a rough bottom; it could be clamshells or ridges of sand. You might assume the bumps to be rocking to say that there is no replacement for the ability to see under the water.

While the value of seeing was readily recognized by ice fishers when underwater cameras came on the scene, and they become able to see what was going on underneath a hole, many boating anglers were unsure what useful purpose they might serve and viewed them with a jaundiced eye.

For ice anglers, it’s natural. Cameras are used to point straight at your lure to see how fish relate to it and how they react to various techniques. Enabling a visual hook-set on takes that might not be felt, cameras are also a slam-dunk for delicate bites.

Underwater cameras have opened up many possibilities. These cameras are built on the inventive spirit of anglers. They develop cameras with unique techniques for open water that contribute to increased catches in soft water. The primary use of an underwater camera in open water is examining the structure and confirming the identity of pixilated sonar images.

Besides anglers developing useful techniques for underwater camera technology, the cameras have gone through significant improvements, and now they are more advanced than when they were first introduced. So now it’s your time to revisit the issue if you’ve looked at them before and decided to wait until they were refined.

Water Clarity

First and foremost, for the successful use of an underwater camera, water clarity is crucial. Winter is the ideal environment for underwater cameras use as in winters; the lakes are covered with ice that prohibits wave action, which stirs up the particulate matter in the water and causes a significant decline in the camera’s performance.

Cameras become very limited during spring rains when algae blooms start to cloud waters in the nation’s southern tier. You can’t see through muddy water, at least not very far; lakes and reservoirs with much clearer water are friendly for underwater camera use.

In underwater cameras, lens aperture is not an issue as it is in digital or film cameras. Instead, most cameras have an angle of 90 to 92 degrees making the viewing angle more relevant. Also, with the length of the lens, you will get an ideal compromise between wide coverage and image size.

Two technical issues which affect image clarity are:

1. A matched camera
2. A monitor

The clarity of the image is attached with monitor resolution, which is measured in TV lines. The more resolution you have, the sharper and clearer an image would be. A better quality image will be produced when your unit’s camera and monitor output are matched. No matter how good the signal is, if you have a high-resolution camera and a low-resolution monitor, only a low-resolution image will be produced.

Light Capability

What you’ll see topside is affected by another thing which is light capability. Having low light capability affects the quality of the image. For example, when a heavy blanket of snow covers the ice at dusk, dawn, and winter, ambient light is pretty scarce. An auxiliary light is mandatory during these critical viewing times, but which light works best?

While buying the camera, you need to see what the structure is like and what fish are using it. The typical advice is to look for a camera with a low LUX rating when you’re buying a standard camcorder, but there is some ambiguity in that statement. You will almost always have to use some illumination for underwater cameras as the real issue is the lighting source.

That is why strong development emphasis is placed on the lighting source of underwater cameras by the manufacturers. In some cameras, infrared light is used as it is not visible to humans and may not fish either. But the infrared light doesn’t travel well in water as well. So it doesn’t spook the fish.

To fix this, a Spectral Response (SR) lighting system is introduced by Aqua-Vu’s. To take advantage of each color’s positive aspects, the SR system uses red and blue lights on a black and white camera. It’s Aqua-Vu’s position that red light is more effective for close-up images, and blue light travels farther underwater.

One of the great options in underwater cameras is spydro. Spydro is the smartest underwater fishing Camera that captures amazing HD footage from the tip of the line.

It has:

• perfect hydrodynamic behavior,
• advanced power management capabilities
• intuitive hands-free operation truly empowers

All of these things combine to contribute to a better fishing experience. In addition, the camera reveals what’s going on underwater.

When we look at the wide array of options in underwater cameras, it’s easy to see that this technology has come a long way. Our recommendation is to buy spydro as it comes with all the best features. Now it’s your time to enhance your fishing experience.

To add to this article or start a conversation, join our forum to share your opinions with other readers. For stories of this sort and more, do well to log on to www.jbklutse.com or visit us on Facebook.

source https://www.jbklutse.com/underwater-camera-buyers-guide/

MDaaS Global raises $2.3m to launch digital health solution SentinelX and expand across Nigeria

MDaaS Global, the healthtech company building and operating a network of modern, tech-enabled diagnostic centers across Nigeria, has raised $2.3 million in seed extension led by Newtown Partners via the Imperial Venture Fund, with participation from CRI Foundation, FINCA Ventures, Techstars, and Future Africa, among others.

With this funding, the company is launching ‘SentinelX‘, a digital health membership that champions preventive, personalized, and continuous care using proprietary technology. The extension brings MDaaS Global’s total funding to date to $3.7 million; in addition to the launch of SentinelX, this new funding will see the company rapidly scale its physical footprint across Nigeria to become the largest diagnostic chain in the country.

MDaaS founders (L-R) Oluwasoga Oni, Opeyemi Ologun and Genevieve Oni

Since its founding, MDaaS Global has focused on increasing access to critical diagnostic services for underserved and geographically challenged communities. SentinelX builds on that mission by democratizing access not only to technology-enabled primary care but also to comprehensive preventive care that helps members identify and address health risks before they become problems. SentinelX operates as an annual subscription-based membership starting at just N35,000 [approx. $7 a month].

Over the past two decades, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also referred to as lifestyle diseases, have risen dramatically in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by a growing incidence of cardiovascular risk factors like unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, hypertension, and diabetes.

And by 2030, NCDs are set to become the leading cause of mortality on the continent. SentinelX is poised to tackle this challenge head-on and empower members to take control of their long-term health.

To do this, the SentinelX membership includes:

• A comprehensive diagnostic screening to give members a 360-degree view of their current health status and identify potential health issues early.
• A customized Care Plan designed to address each member’s specific risk factors and personal health goals, from reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease to improving energy levels.
• 24/7 ongoing support from the Care Team for primary as well as urgent care (via the SentinelX mobile app, phone-based support, and in-person visits).
• Access to dieticians and fitness coaches to support members with lifestyle changes.
• Help navigating the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem, from specialist referrals to answering questions about health insurance.

Currently, in private beta and with a speedily growing waitlist, SentinelX is set to launch publicly in September 2021. Prospective members can register via the website to schedule their diagnostic screening which looks at more than 65 unique biomarkers to assess individual risk for a wide range of diseases, including cancers, diabetes, kidney disease, and heart diseases.

Clinical and family history, as well as demographic data, are also taken into consideration as part of the comprehensive analysis. Screenings are carried out at MDaaS-owned facilities, expediting a cost-efficient medical process for patients and effectively allowing the company to manage the full lifecycle and health journey of its customers.

Members receive monthly check-in calls from their dedicated Care Team to monitor progress, make adjustments to their Care Plans, and supply answers to questions that may arise – providing patients with a holistic and proactive approach to their healthcare.

Speaking on the announcement, Oluwasoga Oni, MDaaS Global’s CEO and Co-Founder said, “Unrestricted access to quality healthcare has always been our principal objective and the pandemic has compelled us to consider innovative ways of offering more proactive care.

This additional funding will propel our growth as we look to serve more people and in more ways.” He continues, “SentinelX combines a human touch – which is still needed, with advanced technology to provide faster, easier healthcare solutions for Nigerians.

But importantly, it makes preventive care more accessible and affordable. This will pave the way for lowering overall medical costs for patients as well as improving their health outcomes in the long run.”

Llew Claasen, Managing Partner at Newtown Partners believes, “Most consumers in sub-Saharan Africa receive suboptimal medical care because of infrastructure gaps, low physician density, delays in diagnostics, and a lack of health data visibility.

We think the physical diagnostic infrastructure that MDaaS is building out, coupled with the means to collect data and deliver value-added software services, has the potential to completely change the way that physicians, clinicians and pharmacists do their jobs and lead to better health outcomes for a huge number of previously underserved consumers.”

Founded in 2017 by Oluwasoga Oni, Opeyemi Ologun, Genevieve Barnard Oni, and Joseph McCord, MDaaS Global has launched 7 centers in Ibadan, Ilorin, Osogbo, Lagos, and Abuja, with plans to expand to 6 new cities in 2021.

To date, the healthcare company has provided diagnostic services to over 40,000 patients in underserved communities, and following its seed round in 2019, has grown its staff capacity to over 70. The company has also performed over 80,000 diagnostics tests across cardiology, radiology, neurology, laboratory, and general health checks.

MDaaS has expanded its referral network to include over 750 clinicians and has partnered with over 500 health facilities and 10 HMO networks. By 2025, the company aims to operate 100 centers across the continent and serve 1 million patients per year.

To conclude, Oluwasoga said, “For many years, healthcare in Nigeria and across Africa has been focused almost exclusively on treating diseases rather than preventing them in the first place. Access to diagnostics and preventive care is key to addressing the burgeoning NCD crisis; through SentinelX, we aim to leverage our expertise in affordable diagnostics and put the ‘health’ back in healthcare for Africa’s next billion.”

To add to this article or start a conversation, join our forum to share your opinions with other readers. For stories of this sort and more, do well to log on to www.jbklutse.com or visit us on Facebook.

source https://www.jbklutse.com/mdaas-global-raises-2-3m-to-launch-digital-health-solution-sentinelx-and-expand-across-nigeria/

Ghana’s Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia commends MTN for building 600 bed girl’s dormitory for TAMASCO

MTN Ghana Foundation has officially handed over a fully furnished 600-bed Girls Dormitory and an adjoining house mistress bungalow to the Tamale Senior High School at a cost of GHc2.805 million.

The new dormitory block is a two-storey building consisting of 21 rooms, washrooms, courtyard, laundry area. The facility will provide accommodation for 600 female students annually. The provision of the facility will help ease congestion and increase girls’ enrolment in the school. The house mistress bungalow comprises two bedrooms, living area, kitchen, toilet and bath.

A front view of the 600 bed Girls Dormitory Block for Tamale Secondary School

Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Tamale, the CEO of MTN Ghana Selorm Adadevoh said, “The MTN Foundation invested in this project because we believe that young girls deserve a wholesome and safe environment to study and for many more young girls to have the opportunity of a decent education”.

“This year marks 25 years of Scancom PLC (also known as MTN) and it is exciting to mark our 25th year recognition with the opening of a 600-bed girls dormitory block that will no doubt change the lives of many of our young Ghanaian girls in the region,” he added.

The Vice President of Ghana, the South African High Commissioner, CEO of MTN Ghana and Board Member of MTN Ghana Foundation cutting the ribbon to formally open the dormitory.

The Vice President of Ghana, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, who is an alumnus of Tamale Senior High School was the guest of honour. The Vice President in his keynote address highlighted the role the school plays in the region as the first Secondary in the northern part of Ghana and congratulated them for churning out great alumni who are contributing to the development of Ghana.

The Vice President also commended MTN Ghana Foundation for completing the structure in good time. “I broke the grounds for the start of work on the MTN Foundation-sponsored 600 bed dormitory. I am happy to be part of its commissioning. This project will go a long way to ease congestion in the dormitories. TAMASCO is grateful to you.”

The Vice President, South African High Commissioner and CEO of MTN Ghana inspecting one of the dormitories

The Headmaster of Tamale Senior High School, Rev. Edward Azika, expressed his gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for the project and promised that the facility would be put to good use by the girls.

The project, which started in 2019 came at the request of the then headmaster who wanted a better housing facility to accommodate the increasing number of girls enrolled in the school.

Tamale SHS is a mixed boarding educational institution with a total student population of two thousand eight hundred (2800), comprising one thousand six hundred boys (1600) and one thousand two hundred girls (1200).

The handing over ceremony coincided with the official launch of the 70^th Anniversary celebration of Tamale Secondary School. The dignitaries who attended the ceremony included the Zunglana Col. Rtd. Mahamoud Tahiru who was the Chairman of the occasion, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon Alhassan Saibu, South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Madam Grace Jeanette Mason.

From management and staff of MTN Ghana, the team was led by the CEO Mr Selorm Adadevoh, MTN Ghana Foundation Board Member Mrs Nabila Williams, Chief Corporate Services Officer Mr Samuel Koranteng and Acting Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Nii Adotey Mingle.

As part of the 25th anniversary of MTN Ghana, the MTN Foundation will be handing over several other facilities to brighten the lives of Ghanaians.

Her Excellency the South African High Commissioner, Grace Mason and Samuel Koranteng Chief Corporate Services Officer at MTN Ghana being ushered to the event.

Education is one of the three focus areas of the MTN Ghana Foundation. Since the establishment of the MTN Foundation in 2007, the Foundation has invested USD 13.5 million in 157 projects in its focus areas which are estimated to have impacted four million people across the country.

Out of the total number of projects, the Foundation has invested in 87 education projects and they include ultra-modern technology laboratory for the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA), a six-unit classroom block for Nhyiaeso Basic School and a three-unit classroom block and ICT Center for Mangoaso R.C Basic School.

The MTN Foundation has also built ICT Centers for the Takoradi Technical Institute, Koforidua Technical University, Bonsu Agric University and the Assistive Technology Unit at the University of Ghana. The Foundation has also provided over 1,000 scholarships to needy and brilliant students across the country under its Bright Scholarship scheme.

To add to this article or start a conversation, join our forum to share your opinions with other readers. For stories of this sort and more, do well to log on to www.jbklutse.com or visit us on Facebook.

source https://www.jbklutse.com/dr-alhaji-mahamudu-bawumia-commends-mtn-for-building-girls-dormitory/

ZEEPAY GHANA COMPANY LIMITED, completes one of Africa’s largest Series A fund raise at USD7.9 million to drive balance sheet growth.

Zeepay, Africa’s leading challenger Fintech today announces completion of its Series A.0 fund raise in a round led by Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P). The leading Ghanaian Fintech announced that it has completed a fundraise of USD7.9 million in its Series A.0 which was a hybrid of both equity and balance sheet funds to support its operations. Zeepay is a pioneer of digital remittances from the diaspora to mobile wallets, bank accounts and visa cards across 20 markets in Africa, where it either operates a mobile money business or has approved partnerships. The business is successfully transitioning into an integrated omni-channel digital payments and value-added financial services provider operating across the continent.

The fund raise was led by I&P, an impact investing group with over USD250m in assets under management in the amount of USD3 million, and supported by ARK Holdings, a privately held family investment portfolio on behalf of Andrew Takyi-Appiah (Managing Director) and Zoe Takyi-Appiah in the amount of USD800,000. GOODsoil VC, an African-focused early-stage venture capital firm committed a follow-on investment to the tune of USD800,000 and were advised by Obsidian Achernar, a financial services firm licensed by Bank of Ghana. The transaction advisors for this raise were Verdant Capital and JLD & MB legal Consultancy.

The company raised a debt of USD3.3 million to drive balance sheet activities mainly for liquidity purposes which was led by Absa Bank Ghana in the amount of USD1.8 million and USD1.5 million supported by First National Bank Ghana. Zeepay, prior to the fund raise had efficiently deployed a total of about USD450,000 since its go-to-market in May 2016 to achieve a cumulative average growth rate of about 146 percent during the 5 years leading to these transactions. An exciting story on the continent, full of hope and inspiring for the New African – that is the young African looking to chart their own path through start ups across the Continent.

Andrew Takyi-Appiah, Managing Director and Founder of Zeepay mentioned that “Our raise of USD7.9 million in Series A.0 gives Zeepay a strong capital table, ahead of closing our Series A.5 in the coming months. I am delighted to mention that the raise is coming at the time when we have successfully moved into our new Commercial Property in Accra.”

Mr. Takyi–Appiah further mentioned that “Our performance, I believe is attributable to the Grace of God. Indeed, it is my wish that our Founding Chairman, Dr. Anthony Kwasi Appiah, was here today as we sign this deal. He played a pivotal role in getting the company to where it is today. May his soul continue to rest in peace. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Kwame Achampong-Kyei and the GLICO Group for their diligent support over the last 5years.”

According to Mr. Paa Kwesi Yankey, the Chairman of Zeepay, “Our strategy remains to drive our remittance to digital assets agenda across Africa and the Caribbean and we are excited by the rate of expansion. We have a number of strategic acquisitions lined up and anticipate closing before year end”. “We look forward to being able to expand our operations beyond our current 20 countries and increase our active 30-day business from 13 markets to 20 plus markets across Africa. Indeed, what we celebrate today could not have been possible without the passing of the Payment Systems Act 2019, which has been a very progressive Government initiative.”

Ruth Amenu, Chairperson, Zeepay UK mentioned “the additional funding is a landmark for a wholly owned African Company, and a testament of how technology has democratised the world to give Zeepay a seat at the table. For a business that started from such humble beginnings, this story is remarkable and inspiring. It is my prayer that this motivates the African Youth that “It is possible to succeed when you put your mind to it”.

Baafour Otu-Boateng, Investment Director at I&P remarked, “Zeepay has proven itself unique in its ability to take a leading position in the rapidly growing world of African fintechs while delivering profitability. We are excited to partner with a management team that has demonstrated a robust track record of delivering innovative products and services that transform the remittance and mobile money ecosystems. As an impact investor, we look forward to supporting Zeepay’s remarkable growth story as the company deepens financial inclusion for millions of users across Africa.”

Ashley Thompson-MacCarthy, CEO at Obsidian Achernar remarked, “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Andrew and the incredible Zeepay team, as they scale and roll out mobile money and remittance services across the continent. With remittance flows exhibiting considerable resiliency in times of pandemic-induced disruption, Zeepay has grown from strength-to-strength and the current fund-raise is a testament to the Company’s value and potential. As an Africa-focused financial services firm, we are driven by an unyielding commitment to contribute to the creation and furtherance of lasting economic growth and development on the continent and are excited to work together with an entity which shares our ethos.

Merene Benyah, Founding Partner of JLD & MB Legal Consultancy, mentioned – “We are extremely proud of our client Zeepay for this landmark raise and pleased to have supported Zeepay since its inception in 2014. Zeepay is a strong brand and comes to the transaction with a lot of experience and insight. The successful close of both debt and equity at the time when most markets have contracted is a strong indication of the trajectory that the company is on. We believe their success today will put Ghana once again on the world map and confirms the Zeepay as a strong contender in the Fintech space.

According to Verdant Capital, Zeepay has the potential to transform how Africans implement payments across borders and domestically and how these payments are integrated into value-added services such as credit and insurance. Zeepay has built a formidable market position in its anchor market of Ghana, which it is now replicating in synergistic markets across the Continent. Verdant expects this strategy to continue to drive rapid revenue growth, profitability and financial inclusion.

About Zeepay

Zeepay is the fastest growing mobile financial services company across Africa with operations in Ghana and the United Kingdom and terminating to 20 countries across Africa with termination agreements in over 90 jurisdictions globally. We specialize in remittance termination into mobile wallets and are completely network- and partner-agnostic. We are majority Ghanaian owned company and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority – FCA #592538 and in Ghana by Bank of Ghana – PSD/ZGL/20/03 under the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987). Zeepay supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and is considered as a Financial Inclusion Company positioned to improve last mile access. Visit myzeepay.com for more information.

About I&P

Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) is a pioneering impact investing group entirely dedicated to financing and supporting start-ups and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The team of approximately 100 people is based in 10 African hubs (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Uganda), in Paris and in Washington D.C. I&P has partnered with more than 150 companies operating in some fifteen African countries in a wide range of sectors. I&P brings long-term financing as well as strategic, managerial and technical support. As an impact investor, I&P’s mission is to maximize the societal impact of its partner companies and contribute to dynamic and inclusive growth in Africa.

About Verdant Capital

Pan-African Expertise | Global Reach

Verdant Capital is a specialist investment bank and investment manager operating on a Pan-African basis. Verdant Capital specializes in sectors including financial technology and financial inclusion.

About JLD & MB

JLD & MB Legal Consultancy is a top-tier corporate and commercial law firm with decades of experience advising global and local clients on some of Ghana’s highest profile transactions.

The Firm provides an integrated business and corporate law service with a multi- disciplinary team of lawyers.  Our primary objective is to produce work to the highest international standards, and we pride ourselves on our responsiveness, seamless delivery of client services and multi-jurisdictional experience.

We provide innovative and solution-oriented advisory services across several key practice areas including: Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial Transactions, Energy and Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Property and Transportation and Business Support Services.

source https://www.jbklutse.com/zeepay-announces-completion-of-its-series-a-0-fund-raise/

Designevo review: Perfect for your first statement logo

Graphic design can be a scary terrain to navigate, especially if you’re just starting out in business. Quality graphic designers are expensive. That’s why as a startup founder, it can be a difficult decision to make — in regards to your logo and brand visuals — when you’re on a tight budget. Which is where Designevo comes in.

Here, you don’t need to pay top Dollar to get something going. In fact, you can design a free logo for your business on-site. And you don’t have to be a design pro to use all the site. All you need is an eye for quality, just so you can make an informed decision on how your logo should look.

Designevo user review

For me, as a graphic designer, the first important feature I noticed about Designevo is the templates you get to work with. These make it easier for people who have no experience with design to be able to put together a decent look that can pass for a business’s corporate image.

These templates all come with vector images you can modify in terms of opacity, color, and positioning. Designevo comes with many font and text styles, so you have a variety of looks available to be used for your artwork.

The beauty of this site is that I was able to ‘fidget’ with various looks, colors, and possible backgrounds for my design. Also, I got to download a lo-res version of the logo; so I could test it on flyers and letterheads, as well as in mockups of other ways I’d want to use the design (t-shirts, mugs, and billboards). Of course, without downloading a sample, I can still preview the look on-site as there’s a preview panel to allow me have a good look at what my design in various print situations would look.

Who is Designevo for?

Designevo is for people who either have a working knowledge (layman’s experience) with design or totally inexperienced people who just want to put together a simple logo to visually represent their business. This means that you don’t need to be a professional to use the platform, as stated earlier. All you need is an eye for design so you can put together something worth using as a corporate icon for your business.

How do I use Designevo?

You can register on Designevo for free using your Facebook or Gmail account. Designing your logo is also free, and you get to download a lo-res version of your final design. However, to get the vector files, font files, and copyright to the design, you’ll need to pay $49.99.

My verdict

Designevo is good for basic looks that don’t come with too many frills. For $49.99, it’s a good deal since you’ll be in charge of the outcome and total look of your logo. I’d recommend it to people who just want a simple template look for their business. However, if you want a more customized look, I’d advise you go for a pro designer’s service.

As stated earlier in this article, design services can be costly. So if you’re going to be forking out good money for a logo, make sure that it is a look that can represent your business and brand for a very long time before there would be the need for a modification, or even a rebrand — when the business expands beyond what it was initially.

… … …

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source https://www.jbklutse.com/designevo-review-perfect-statement-logo/

Zeepay, ICODE Ghana announce strategic partnership

Zeepay, the fastest growing mobile financial services company across Africa, has signed a  Technical Cooperation Agreement with ICODE Ghana, a technology and business innovation hub in Takoradi. The signing event which took place on Friday 24th June, 2021 at ICODE Hub, will see a mutual exchange of technical services for innovation in the Western Region which includes hackathons and other related Zeepay projects.

This comes as Zeepay was awarded a grant from UNCDF to continue its financial inclusion efforts with the goal of providing last mile financial services to Ghanaians and Africans at large. With ICODE, Zeepay has an agenda of actively extending its operations to the Region through technological innovations focusing on remote communities.

“What makes this deal a landmark is the fact that two home grown companies have come together to sign a cooperation agreement that will make it possible for Zeepay to support ICODE with funding and technical support,” said Hon. Kwadwo Okyere Darko Mensah, the Western Regional minister, at the signing event. “We believe through this relationship the youth in the Region will not only have access to Zeepay’s Application Programming Interfaces (API) but also business mentoring, and employment generation.”

During the event, Zeepay made a donation of GHS 50,000 to ICODE to support initiatives towards monitoring and evaluation work, talent development and nurturing of local start ups.

“Through this cooperation, there is going to be an opportunity for people in the Western Region to be challenged to come up with innovative and bankable business ideas through a series of hackathons and pitch events supported by Zeepay as well as career development opportunities for the unemployed and young graduates within the Region from various educational institutions also supported by Zeepay,” said Prince Bonney, CEO of ICODE Ghana.

Zeepay also continued its graduate recruitment drive during the weekend at Takoradi Technical University and University of Mines and Technology to seek for potential interns and entry-level employees.

About Zeepay

Zeepay is the fastest growing mobile financial services company across Africa with operations in Ghana and the United Kingdom and terminating to 20 countries across Africa with termination agreements in over 90 jurisdictions globally. We specialize in remittance termination into mobile wallets and are completely network and partner agnostic. We are a wholly-owned Ghanaian company and regulated in the UK by Financial Conduct Authority-FCA #592538 and in Ghana by Bank of Ghana- PSD/ZGL/20/03 under the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987). Zeepay supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and is considered a Financial Inclusion Company positioned to improve last-mile access. Visit myzeepay.com for more information.

About ICODE Ghana

ICODE is a technology and business incubation hub that focuses on supporting technology and creative start-ups communities by providing the necessary resources to drive innovation in Ghana towards the broader agenda of creating sustainable inclusive growth by fostering competitiveness and promoting entrepreneurship.

source https://www.jbklutse.com/zeepay-icode-ghana-announce-strategic-partnership/

Five reasons why companies should switch to P2P cloud storage

We are all aware that most companies have a traditional data cloud storage structure, making their information vulnerable in one centralized data center with many potential security risks.

However, what if companies could place their data in a decentralized infrastructure? What benefits would they have? What would the process look like? How much money would companies save in doing this?

This article will provide the answers to those questions and more. But first, let’s explain the current situation of centralized data centers.

Current Conditions of Centralized Data Centers Worldwide

The total number of internet users worldwide grew by 332 million in the past 12 months, with more than 900,000 new users each day. To respond to these off-the-charts growing rates,  companies have developed massive centralized cloud computing and data storage centers. Unfortunately, therefore, the server’s Internet infrastructure is usually placed only in the most advanced regions of the planet, plagued with deficient distribution to the rest of the world.

On the other hand, it takes time and billions of dollars to construct hyper-scale data centers that could remedy this situation. At the same time, not all aspects of environmental impact are considered in the creation of such facilities, which makes the situation difficult since the usage of electronic devices made up between 10-20% of the world’s electricity supply in 2020.

Nevertheless, the Internet is the world’s largest network of information, so it is essential to have a secure, decentralized infrastructure and inexpensive architecture to store, share, and — in an ideal world — control our information.

P2P Cloud Storage Is the Best Way to Keep Your Data Private and Secure

A peer-to-peer cloud storage network is a decentralized and encrypted platform based on nodes, where these nodes are people around the world who store data in the most secure and private way.

But, why should we decide to move to a peer-to-peer network? Consider these four reasons:

1) 100% Secure and Censorship-Resistant

Because there is no centralized server, P2P systems do not have a single potential breach point and thus a single point of failure. As a result, any server may fail catastrophically, resulting in data outages and impacting millions at one go.

The strength of P2P cloud storage is generated in the nodes distributed around the world, where data is cut into pieces before being stored on different nodes and is reconstructed only when needed by the user. This means that if a node shuts down, the self-healing decentralized infrastructure will redistribute data to other nodes and make it fully available on the network again in milliseconds.

On the other hand, censorship is increasingly used on the Internet, demonstrating that it isn’t the free and neutral environment it used to be.   There are three forms of censorship today:

1. Prohibiting people’s access to particular Internet destinations and services.
2. Disabling access to disruptive technologies that enable users to overcome censorship.
3. Identifying users who are circumventing censorship.

Several censoring tools are available, where most of them take advantage of the fact that circumvention traffic is easily identifiable.

That’s why everyone needs access to a P2P cloud solution and a thoroughly reliable and globally scalable P2P filesystem.

2) Decentralized Ecosystem

Having a peer-to-peer secure infrastructure is essential for any web3 solution to efficiently scale Hosting web3 solutions and storing data on such infrastructures provide some major advantages. Here are two benefits:

Efficient Data Download

File download time is one of the most critical performance indicators for any project. In a peer-to-peer cloud storage network, download times are incredibly fast as the network finds the shortest paths for data to transit, and doesn’t depend on centralized servers to relay the information. The result is reduced latency, shorter and more sustainable paths, multiple hop connections, and cross ISP traffic the bottlenecks to make data download faster.

P2P networks are able to take the most efficient routes as the infrastructure is distributed across many locations and therefore data can be stored closer to where it is needed the most.. It can be compared to a “global peer-to-peer network VPN” that operates on top of existing networks and seeks any avenue to connectivity. At the periphery, strongly authenticated.

More Cost-Effective Infrastructure

On the other hand, P2P cloud storage eliminates the need for costly centralized servers that require ongoing maintenance and monitoring. Also, to support data centers’ hardware stacks, enormous cooling systems are required to keep them cool, leading to unnecessary extra costs.

By having many people and organizations hosting the infrastructure anywhere around the world, a lot of efficiencies are achieved. This allows storing large data sets with significantly reduced costs.

3) 100% Autonomy

The data centers that operate today are monitored by semi-automated processes, where the only way to verify that things are going well is through supervisors. Unfortunately, this makes the system vulnerable to human error and malicious hacking possibilities.

Therefore, if decentralized cloud storage systems were used, these overheads and backdoors would be eliminated since the system would be 100% controlled by autonomous technology that can execute all workloads.

4) Environmentally friendly

One of the significant benefits of migrating from traditional data center storage to a peer-to-peer network is the high energy-saving capacity. According to Computational Research, companies could end up using 87% less energy if they migrate to cloud storage.

Nevertheless, the challenge of maximizing energy savings in the IT industry must be continuous, so it has reached a level of proclaiming carbon neutrality. While some may argue that this is environmentally friendly, it decreases the quantity of green energy accessible to the rest of the economies they operate.

Finally, there is one P2P cloud storage alternative that fulfills these requirements: ThreeFold — an integral solution created to solve the specific issues mentioned above. ThreeFold is a + decentralized, secure infrastructure and self-contained decentralized internet network, offering evolving efficiency and innovative ways of connecting people around the globe.

5) Data Breaches and Power Outages

Remember the last time that you saw news related to data breaches and power outages in the data storage industry? These happen all the time and some unrecoverable consequences have occurred throughout the past years because big tech companies settled their data inside traditional data centers.

When a data breach happens, it is normally because of:

1. A lack of internal security
2. Unreliable data storage hardware
3. Weak user passwords.
4. Cyber-threats against centralized data centers
5. The human error leading to backdoors in the system

On the other hand, power outages occur because of:

1. Single point of failures
2. High data traffics that can’t be supported by centralized servers Meteorological reasons (Storms, earthquakes, high wind, snow)
3. Cyber-attacks to centralized data centers

As you can see, most of the causes that generate data breaches and power outages can be fixed if companies could implement a peer-to-peer network to manage their data, which makes ThreeFold the best solution.

Why You Want ThreeFold As Your P2P Cloud Storage Solution

With ThreeFold, your data is distributed across a decentralized cloud network of nodes that use ThreeFold’s ultra-secure and open-source software. Together, these nodes form a global grid of interconnected compute and storage that can host all forms of data and applications

At the same time, ThreeFold’s decentralized nodes have their IPv4 and IPv6 address. They are fully interconnected, and all traffic on the ThreeFold’s network is encrypted and conceived to be a complete peer-to-peer infrastructure, making it impossible for data to be stolen, modified, or shut down. This is very different from blockchain consensus mechanisms where data is shared across the network. On ThreeFold users benefit from a unique private environment accessible only via their private key.

Don’t store your data on vulnerable and centralized storage systems, the time has come to switch to P2P cloud storage.

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source https://www.jbklutse.com/reasons-why-companies-should-switch-to-p2p-cloud-storage/

Kim Dalius and Eric Dalius share some innovative theories on social responsibility and business ethics

As industrialization progressed, the control of many big firms became more dispersed. No particular person, household, or team of leaders could supply enough cash to maintain development.

According to the ethical principle of social accountability, citizens are responsible for performing civic duties, and their activities must help people as a whole. This approach must maintain a balance between economic progress and societal and environmental well-being. If someone can achieve this level, social conscience is complete.

Kim Dalius explains the definition of business ethics

Recognizing the difference between what is right and persevering to do the correct thing is what ethics entails. You can make ethical judgments based on your emotions or principles. People tend to judge based on the nation’s rules or their fundamental convictions in each scenario. It involves implementing and practicing what is legally correct regarding law. Embracing good ethics in business means you never disregard your core values no matter what the situation is. In the long run it will yield positive results.

What Exactly Is CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a professional self-regulatory concept that allows a corporation to be socially responsible to its public members. Businesses may be aware of their influence on all elements of society, primarily economic, societal, and environmental, by exercising sustainable business practices, also known as corporate responsibility. Corporate social responsibility may be observed as a public affairs endeavor in some ways, as Eric and Kim Dalius explained.

What Does It Signify to Be Socially and Ethically Accountable?

Social responsibility happens on an ethical framework in which one must morally verify judgments and acts. If an activity or choice harms society or nature, it is termed socially negligent.

Eric says, to be morally sound, a corporation must first be responsive to its investors. Companies that implement CSR programs frequently have developed to make a positive contribution back to the community. As a result, CSR is a corporate strategy that companies undertake to help the community. Furthermore, the more visible and successful a company is, it must set moral guidelines for its peers, competitors, and business.

This concept emphasizes the significance of governance in offering opportunities and performance measurement to help businesses succeed and openness and responsibility to guarantee that the profit distribution is fair. Finally, the importance of corporate governance in promoting societal security and fairness acknowledges a business’s constructive and constructive role.

Many businesses create an ethical management program that aligns with their purpose, goal, and objectives to guarantee excellent corporate moral values. Each open organizational program is distinct. A business ethics program intends to teach workers the principles and policies that define the company’s behavior for those who operate around it.

Like that of the market recovers, people are starting to demand businesses to contribute to the local community and ecosystems. Sustainability initiatives may help a corporation’s financial bottom line in addition to improving its branding and image. Manufacturing expenses reduce, and income increase by using less packing and much less workforce.

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source https://www.jbklutse.com/kim-dalius-and-eric-dalius-social-responsibility/

4 Must-haves in your puppy training facility

No matter the breed, a puppy is inarguably cute. But, unfortunately, people often get excited and adopt a puppy but fail to take their proper care. So relax; below is a complete puppy training guide that will keep your furry friend in the pink of health.

A Brief on Some Vital Things to Teach a Puppy

1. Socialize

First and foremost, one needs to teach its puppy that this world is a happy and safe place. In other words, they must socialize their puppy, that is, take them to different places, expose them to various surfaces, sounds, sights, other animals, and humans, and above all ensure that the puppy enjoys it. Take the puppy to places that are safe and where the environment is calm. Crowded streets and loud parties are a big NO. Instead, discover businesses that welcome pets and also take them shopping. Most importantly, keep the puppy away from anything that it is afraid of.

 2. Do not Leave the Puppy Alone

A dog is a social animal and spends most of its time in others’ company. Often pet owners leave their pets all alone at home for long hours. Owing to this, puppies develop isolation anxiety and separation behaviors. To keep away from this, it is best to introduce the puppy to aloneness slowly.

The pet owner must include exercise-pen training or crate during the process to leave it safely confined in their absence. They should also play with the puppy and then feed it properly. Finally, the pet owner should gradually increase his distance from the puppy and leave it alone till it is relaxed and calm on its own.

3. Housetrain

It is imperative to teach the puppy to estimate where the owner wants it. This process may be simple, yet it is not always that easy. Successful dog training needs ultra-management. Early-eye supervision, exercise pens, baby gates, crates, tethers, and leashes all play a crucial role as the puppy learns about the outdoor bathroom.

The idea is to take the puppy to its potty spot often and reinforcing it. Initially, take the puppy every hour and slowly increase the time between the bathroom trips. The pet owners should also encourage the puppy to go on various surfaces as if they get training to go just on grass; they will not go on any other surface if the grass is not available.

4. Associate Human Touch

Dogs have to deal with human touch all through their lives, which they are not always in favor of. And one cannot blame them as often the touch appears to be unpleasant with pain and forced restraint. A pet owner can make their puppy’s life easier by teaching it right from the beginning that human touch can make good things happen and minimize only necessary restraint.

One can start by pairing tasty treats with non-invasive touches and begin by slowly and softly touching the side of its neck and then proceed with the other parts that it is less comfortable with, such as under the belly or chest, paws, or ears. It is best to go slow.

Apart from this, let the puppy chew designated chew objects, adopt a force-free training, let it learn different new things, teach it a prompt recall, let the puppy enjoy car rides, and most importantly, reinforce the puppy’s trust. The bottom line is, if you have adopted a puppy, train it well. To know more, visit a good puppy training center, such as head to Ridgeside K9 NorCal Dog Training.

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source https://www.jbklutse.com/puppy-training-facility/

5 Things you need to know before you book a private jet

Everyone dreams of flying private, and it’s not hard to understand why. You get to enjoy luxury and unparalleled convenience. Not to mention, you’ll avoid the hassle of going through security checks, boarding groups, and the long wait at the airport as you wait for your flight. Furthermore, you can travel on your schedule.

However, flying private is starkly different from commercial flying. If you don’t know what to do, risk spending not only more than you should but also your safety. Don’t fret though, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we share five things you should know before booking a private jet. These tips will go a long way in saving you costs and improving your overall experience. Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?

1.  There are Smart Ways to Score Highly Discounted Private Jet Charters

Chances are you’ve been toying with the idea of flying private but never get to do it because of the costs involved. You’re not alone. Most people shy away from private jet charters because the experience comes with a hefty price tag. But did you know that there’s a way to score highly discounted private jet charters?

If you’re looking to cut back on costs and still enjoy the private flying experience, the best approach is to take advantage of empty leg flights. As the name suggests, these are flights scheduled to travel without any passengers. The flights operate when the plane needs to reposition or return for a charter.

These flights can be up to 75% cheaper than the standard charter price. However, these types of flights have several limitations you should be aware of. These include:

• They’re offered last minute, which means you should be flexible with your traveling time.
• Cancellations can happen without prior notice, and the company won’t be responsible for getting you to your destination.
• You have to figure out your way back because the flights are often one way.

2.  Don’t Book Your Flight Last Minute

Most people assume that private jets are easily accessible, meaning they can book their flight at the last minute. While this is possible with some agencies, it’s not wise. It’s better to book your flight well in advance. This way, you get to choose a suitable aircraft and customize the services to your liking.

Besides, the pilot and crew will have ample time to prepare for the flight when you book in advance. It’s advisable to book your flight at least two weeks before your day of travel for a wholesome experience.

3.  Onboard Amenities are Within Your Control

Unlike commercial flights, you’re in control of the amenities you get when you’re flying private. If you’d like to enjoy in-flight foods and drinks, pay for it. If you prefer drinks alone, pay for that only. The experience is tailored to your needs and preferences. Therefore, ensure you check what the service has to offer and customize the right package for yourself.

Don’t be afraid to consult and find out the best options they have, especially if this is your first time flying private. You want your experience to be memorable, so don’t cut any corners.

4.  Payment Terms Vary

All firms don’t offer pay and fly kind of service. The payment terms vary from firm to firm. Some of the standard payment methods you should expect include:

• Monthly subscriptions: The payment arrangement spreads your costs and may also lock you into a service that exceeds what you need.
• Card-based programs: This is a budget-friendly option, but the flight times are predetermined. Furthermore, unused miles have an expiry date. Lower upfront costs also cost you your convenience.
• Fractional ownership: This is where you’re offered a chance to buy part of the jet. This is an excellent option for individuals who fly private often. If you don’t, it may not be a wise investment because private jets are depreciating assets.

5.  Avoid Hidden Broker Fees

Most people prefer to book private jets online because the process is simpler. However, this approach often involves working with a broker. The firms charge brokerage fees to connect you with a flight operator. The fees differ from one firm to another, and most firms don’t disclose how much they get from the transaction.

A flat fee to secure your booking in the comfort of your home may seem like a convenient way to go about it, but it may lead to overpaying. If you want a trustworthy quote, it’s best to avoid brokerage firms. Contact the flight operator yourself and book for yourself.

Wrapping Up

Flying private offers a traveling experience like no other. It’s luxurious, convenient, and saves you a lot of hassle. However, if not done right, you risk losing a lot of money and putting yourself at risk. Don’t let it get to that. Use the tips in this article, research, and find out more about the flight operator before parting with your hard-earned money.

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source https://www.jbklutse.com/5-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-book-a-private-jet/

Emirates Business Rewards programme celebrates small and medium sized businesses with limited time incentive

To mark UN Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day and the vital role that they play in post-pandemic recovery, Emirates is empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to get back into the skies and turn their travel budgets into rewards by debuting a Business Rewards incentive for new members who sign up for the programme.

Small and medium-sized businesses who sign up for an account to Emirates’ Business Rewards corporate loyalty programme from today, 27 June to 27 July 2021 will receive a bonus of 10,000 Business Reward Points, the equivalent of one Economy Class return ticket to selected destinations in Europe.

Emirates currently has over 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses enrolled in its Business Rewards programme, and is providing a gamut of benefits including simplified enrolment, easier earning and redemptions, greater flexibility on retaining and using points as well as upgrade opportunities, even on last-minute bookings.

With countries easing their entry restrictions, business travel has begun accelerating, and small and medium-sized enterprises have become key drivers of demand with the flexibility to make travel plans quickly as new opportunities emerge.

Emirates has been supporting small and medium-sized businesses hit by the pandemic. Emirates Business Rewards programme members are taking advantage of the airline’s flexible booking policies, which are among the most generous in the industry for stress-free travel planning, in addition to its multi-risk insurance cover. Since the outset of the pandemic, Business Rewards programme members were provided additional reassurance with extensions on their points’ validity if travel plans needed to be adjusted.

Knowing their travel plans are protected, top destinations for Business Rewards programme members have been frequenting during the pandemic include London, Manila, Paris, Cairo, Milan and Beirut. Dubai also continues to be a key destination regularly visited by Business Rewards members, mainly due to its open business environment throughout the pandemic, world-class infrastructure and thriving start-up ecosystem.

The airline continues to work hard to restore its network and schedules to enable small and medium-sized businesses to visit clients and ramp up their business development activities as cities around the world gradually ease travel restrictions.

Businesses of all sizes can also ensure their health and safety expectations are taken care of throughout their journey. Emirates has to lead the industry with clear, consistent and properly implemented safety measures at every touchpoint, including a contactless travel journey and digital verification solutions such as the IATA Travel Pass to ensure it remains the preferred airline for business travellers.

Emirates has a long track record of supporting small and medium-sized businesses, not only through its Business Rewards programme but also through its procurement of products and services across the business. Hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses in a range of industries from around the world have benefitted from showcasing their products to a global travel audience, providing a boost to their growth plans.

In the UAE, Emirates prioritises SMEs as part of its tendering process and is actively committed to work with government stakeholders like Dubai SMEs in identifying businesses and evaluating the performance of active suppliers on a regular basis.

As a result, according to the Dubai SME report 2020, which summarises support provided to SMEs, Emirates ranked first among semi-governmental organisations, investing in procurement contracts worth over AED 79 million. It also ranked among the top five organisations supporting small to medium size businesses in Dubai.

* Customers only have to pay surcharge and airport taxes and Bonus Points for enrolment will only be for new accounts created between 27 June-27 July 2021.

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source https://www.jbklutse.com/emirates-business-rewards-programme/