Writer: Tholani Alli * Blog: AfricanCultureBlog * Contact: africancultureblog@gmail.com * Languages: Zul/Swa/Lin/Yor/Hau/Bam/Eng/Fre * Proverb: Egyagaza omubi; omulugi takimanya (Luganda) ‘What makes the ugly person; the beautiful one will never know’ * Thank You!

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Recent Articles: * 100 Afrocentric Londoners Can Look Forward to in July 2022 ** Top 5 Apps Financially Supporting and Building Black British Communities (2022) ** 50 Africa-Related Job Vacancies in London (July 2022) ** African Community in Newcastle (Tyne & Wear) : Demographic, Debates & Dilemmas (2022) ** 7 Black British Designers that Inspire & Teach Fashion (2022) ** 25 African Supperclubs & Food Joints to Check out in London (July 2022) ** 100 African Tailors & Seamstresses in London ** 15 Traiteurs Africains à Paris pour vos réceptions, cocktail, marriage ** 7 Traiteurs BBQ Afro à Londres : (Hautement Recommandés). Anything else > africancultureblog@gmail.com

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Someone has already made what you’re searching for; someone has already compiled an index you will benefit from; someone has already made available to your door a platform your food shopping can rely upon and someone has already created a savings circle your community will be uplifted. Signing up to Bloom Money‘s ‘Esusu’ Circles waiting list; purchasing the Jamii Card, Downloading Zazuu‘s African money transfer comparison; installing Oja‘s groceries delivery app and joining Kwanda‘s transparent and democratic funding of sustainable local solutions in Africa is a no-brainer. These 5 recommendations are not only initiatives but solutions to healthy financial building within Black British communities and Africa as highlighted below:

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BLOOM MONEY

App: bloommoney.co * Sign up: /WaitingList (promo code: BloomBlog) * Twitter: /BloomMoneyCo * FB: /BloomMoney * Insta: /Bloom.Money * Linkedin: /Bloom_Money

How many of us have parents or aunties and uncles that participate in a rotating ‘contributions’ circle on a fortnightly or monthly basis? This cultural practice is not just practiced in all African and Caribbean countries but in diaspora households across the Europe and here in the UK. It is called ‘Dashi’ in Mali, ‘Likelemba’ in DRC Congo, ‘Djangui’ in Cameroon, ‘Obilimba’ in Kenya or ‘Stokvel’ in South Africa. If I add to that ‘Hagbad’ in Somali, ‘Gameeya’ in Arabic, ‘Esusu’ in Igbo and ‘Eqqub’ in Ethiopia; you get the point. Bloom Money is a savings club app designed to help growing UK communities thrive by using technology to champion community, safety, and convenience — helping you save together for what matters most. By seeking to address the problems of a lack of rewards, security, trust many participating savings circles members have ; Bloom’s secure ‘Bloom Circles’ app brings security, formalisation and rewards to your savings circles in your pocket. Bloom Circles will run on your phone and let you invite between five and 10 trusted people to join your digital circle, setting a sum to save up to £300. Payments will be taken automatically from the debit cards of those who join.

“There is a need to  to digitalise more community schemes, known as rotating savings and credit associations. [The app will] save people money and hassle, removing the admin burden from the organiser.” June 2022 UK Guardian Article

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KWANDA

App: kwanda.co * FB: /joinKwanda * Insta: /JoinKwanda * Twitter: /JoinKwanda * Linkedin: /Kwanda

With financial transparency being essential for an honest and open community; the Kwanda App seek to address the issue of donors not being able to see if the non-profit is using the money the way they said they would. And that is exactly what they do. The projects Kwanda fund are voted for by the community so you know where your money is going. Regular updates via email and a platform where you can communicate with other members. You will love being a villager of Kwanda as you really see and control the impact of your donations through frequent updates, voting on where to serve, and sharing your ideas with the team.

“To put it simply, if you agree with the betterment of black communities across the world – Africa primarily, then signing up to Kwanda is a no-brainer. It’s the first charity where I’m not at all skeptical about it’s motives, thanks to the ledger as I know exactly where my donations are going, not only that, as a donator/villager – I get a say on which projects I’d like to support!” 2021 Trust Pilot Review from J. Craig https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/kwanda.co 

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ZAZUU

App: Zazuu.co * FB: /ZazuuHQ * Insta: /ZazuuHQ * Twitter: /OjaHQ * Linkedin: /Zazuu

Check before you send! That is what they go by and that is how to best remember them. Zazuu is literally the sky scanner for international money transfer. Africa remains the most expensive place to send money and receive money. Many of the big players take a big cut in ‘hidden fees’ – no names mentioned. For those that do send money home it is imperative you have all the information in one app, including any fees charged which have traditionally remained a “hidden” cost. With Zazuu you can now be sure how much fees you’re paying. It will really help to know that!

“It is the best rate comparison apps I have used so far. It helped me compare the currency rates in turn helping me choose the right sending app that would give me the exact amount need in conversion rates when sending. I was able to successfully use this app to chose the right money transfer app with the best conversion rate. Thanks Zazuu will DEFINITELY recommend !!! To everyone, please use this app, it’s a MUST !!” 2022 Google Play review from Folashade

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OJA

* App: oja.app * FB: /ojaHQ * Insta: /ojaHQ * Linkedin: /ojaHQ * Twitter: /OjaHQ

Oja is a technology solution transforming access to cultural groceries and foods around the world acting as an online grocery store that provides and delivers cultural food produce to customers. Oja stands from the wealth of food delivery apps available in the UK for taking a new and refreshing approach focussing on community, heritage and access, as much as speed, convenience and variety. Enabling everyone to discover, access, and enjoy foods that remind them of home is why Oja do what they do. Currently, shopping with Oja means your favourite foods will be in your kitchen in less than 24 hours; so you don’t need to spend hours searching for their favourite foods. Soon, shopping with Oja will also see you connecting with others from your culture, and bonding over your grandma’s secret recipes.

“Great value for money, fresh groceries & a wide selection of African & Caribbean foods. I’ve ordered direct from their website and from Uber Eats and their service is impeccable and always a pleasure. I’m so happy that this business is available for me & my family to get essentials delivered to our door no more market ques and leaking foods travelling home. I hope your business goes from strength to strength as this is a brilliant idea. I also love the packaging all recyclable and can be repurposed! Its a win win all around thank you. You’ve gained a loyal customer 4th time ordering!” July 2022 Trust Pilot Review from Veronica

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JAMII

Card: /LoveJamiiCard * Insta: /UKJamii * Linkedin /UKJamii * Twitter: /UKJamii * FB: /UKJamii

Somewhere in the UK, someone is making what you’re searching for. And you best believe it’s a step up. There are Black creators and makers who’ve made moves on a good idea, small businesses who’ve honed their craft and raised the game. You just need to know where to find them. For those that already know Jamii; they don’t have an app – but they have a card. This card that offers up to 40% off products from over 180 independent black-owned businesses across a variety of industries – including beauty, homeware, clothing, and more. The card can be used on Jamii’s website, the brand’s own website and the brand’s own physical stores and can also be used as many times as you like.

“A seamless way to shop and support black. Love my product and Jamii will remain first point of call when looking for items I use on a day to day basis curated by and for people like me!” 2022 Trust pilot Review from Sabrina

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Writer: Tholani Alli * Blog: AfricanCultureBlog * Contact: africancultureblog@gmail.com * Languages: Zul/Swa/Lin/Yor/Hau/Bam/Eng/Fre * Proverb: Egyagaza omubi; omulugi takimanya (Luganda) ‘What makes the ugly person; the beautiful one will never know’ * Thank You!

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Recent Articles: * 100 Afrocentric Londoners Can Look Forward to in July 2022 ** 50 Africa-Related Job Vacancies in London (July 2022) ** African Community in Newcastle (Tyne & Wear) : Demographic, Debates & Dilemmas (2022) ** 7 Black British Designers that Inspire & Teach Fashion (2022) ** 25 African Supperclubs & Food Joints to Check out in London (July 2022) ** 100 African Tailors & Seamstresses in London ** 15 Traiteurs Africains à Paris pour vos réceptions, cocktail, marriage ** 7 Traiteurs BBQ Afro à Londres : (Hautement Recommandés). Anything else > africancultureblog@gmail.com

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