Zap Africa: From Naming Battle to Building a Niche in African Crypto
The word “Zap” has been a point of contention within Nigeria’s bustling tech ecosystem, sparking a notable naming dispute. This controversy emerged when Paystack, a prominent Nigerian fintech company, launched its first business-to-consumer (B2C) payment offering, also christened “Zap.” However, the crypto startup Zap Africa, established in 2022, had already been operating under that identical moniker, setting the stage for what many observers characterized as a trademark skirmish that briefly captivated the Nigerian tech scene.
Navigating the Trademark Tangle and Focusing on Core Growth
The dispute escalated publicly when Zap Africa took to X (formerly Twitter) with a declarative post: “There is only one Zap in Africa,” signaling their assertion of identity. Initial reports shared with Techpoint Africa indicated a potential vulnerability for Zap Africa, suggesting they had not secured their trademark in the appropriate classification. Remarkably, just a day after Techpoint Africa’s story on the matter was published, Zap Africa swiftly remedied this, obtaining the necessary certification in the correct class, a development confirmed by documents seen by the publication. Beyond this high-profile trademark tussle, Zap Africa’s co-founders, Tobiloba Asu-Johnson and Moore Dagogo-Hart, remain steadfastly focused on the fundamental development of their crypto platform. While the naming clash undeniably thrust them into the spotlight – serving as an introduction for many, including this writer – their strategic priority lies firmly in building out their offerings and strengthening their presence in the African crypto space.
Ultimately, Zap Africa’s journey exemplifies resilience in the competitive African tech landscape. The public naming dispute, while initially a challenge, inadvertently amplified their visibility and brought their burgeoning crypto venture into the broader conversation. Despite the early legal wrangles, the founders’ unwavering commitment to innovation and product development is a clear indicator of their long-term vision, paving the way for their continued growth and establishment as a significant player in Africa’s evolving digital economy.
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