In what future can Africans transact without borders? The one Oreoluwa Adeyemo is building
Picture a ten-year-old boy, perched at a wooden desk, pencil in hand, carefully tallying figures from his father’s accounting books, a faint smile on his face. He imagines himself one day becoming an accountant like his dad or teaching finance at a prestigious university like Harvard. Fast forward to 2025, and that boy, now a man, is a tech founder instead. He sits across from me on a virtual call, saying matter-of-factly that his goal is to enable settlement of $6 billion in cross-border payments across Africa through his payment platform. He’s Oreoluwa Adeyemo, co-founder of Starks Associates, a four-year-old fintech startup that has enabled the settlement of cross-border payments worth nearly $3 billion spanning 18+ jurisdictions and 20+ currency pairs. He claims he has serviced over 50 clients, including heavyweights like unicorn fintech, Flutterwave, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and IHS, a global communications infrastructure provider. “Our goal is to double the amount in one year,” he tells me. “We’re hoping to consummate over $6 billion in 2025.” I stare at him quietly, wondering when I last heard anyone use the word “consummate” in place of “process”. I don’t ask about his word choice here, instead, I ask how a kid raised on ledgers becomes a tech entrepreneur tackling one of Africa’s thorniest challenges. With over 40 currencies governed by a tangle of financial regulations, cross-border payments in Africa is a tough nut to crack. Most are done via third-party currencies like the dollar or euro, jacking up costs. In 2023, to send $500 from Tanzania, you had to pay a staggering average transfer fee of $168. Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe Oreoluwa’s story is winding. “My dad was a ‘catch them young’ kind of guy,” he chuckles, recalling those early days when his dad taught him the basics of business accounting in a bid to set him on the same path. “Luckily for him, I also enjoyed it,” he says. But despite his passion, math, beyond basic arithmetic, wasn’t his strong suit. He says it was one of his friends who became his math tutor between 2010-2011. “She was giving me assignments, questions, tests,” he says. Day after day, he tackled problems during his self-study. The effort paid off. He soon got into the University of Ibadan (UI) to study economics—Adeyemo boasts that the school had one of the best curricula on the subject in West Africa at the time. However, it was outside the classroom that he gained the education that changed the course of his life. “I just wanted to get a first class, pursue a master’s, a PhD, and write [canonical] papers on econometrics and game theory,” he says. An introvert, he craved a quiet career away from the public eye. Entrepreneurship wasn’t on his radar until his second year, when a lightbulb moment changed everything. Someone offered him ₦4,000 to ghostwrite past questions and answers (coveted study aids for exam prep). He was excited because that was a lot of money for a young kid at the time, especially since it involved doing what he had always done, studying. But after a mentor pointed out the value of his intellectual property, he encouraged him to work on the book himself and earn more money. With funding from his dad, Adeyemo printed his book, adding an introduction to game theory. He convinced photocopy
Read More
Moniepoint’s unicorn round made employees billions of naira
When Moniepoint raised $110 million in October 2024 to become a unicorn, not only its early investors made money from selling shares to new investors. At least two senior employees also sold part of their shares in the round, making $20,000 and $850,000 (₦1.3 billion), respectively, according to documents seen by TechCabal. These employee share sales were the second of their kind for the decade-old company, as senior employees previously sold shares to investors during the company’s last fundraise in 2022. Over time, secondaries have become an integral part of senior employee benefits as Moniepoint continues to attract and retain senior executives from other financial institutions. “Equity is both a way to acquire staff and a means of staff retention,” Emmanuel Faith, an HR specialist, told TechCabal. Earlier this year, at Moniepoint town hall meetings, the employee share sale was announced, and qualified employees were notified with criteria, documents, and instructions via mail. The company also educated employees on how to sell shares via Carta, a marketplace for startup equity, according to one of the employees. Moniepoint declined to comment. Employee share sales remain rare in Africa’s tech ecosystem. However, as the continent’s largest startups remain private for longer periods and traditional exit paths, such as IPOs or acquisitions, remain scarce, secondary sales have emerged as a preferred way to reward long-term commitment and high-performing employees. Arnergy, a Nigerian solar energy startup, allowed employees to sell their shares to new investors in April. “This was something we only saw in movies like Silicon Valley and The Social Network,” said one of the Moniepoint employees who asked not to be named for privacy reasons. “I didn’t expect it at first. Paystack did it, but that was later. We weren’t familiar with it locally. Over time, we learnt more and became hopeful.” When companies raise money from new investors, they can allow employees to sell their shares instead of issuing new shares. The size of the investors’ commitment typically determines how much is set aside for these employee secondaries. In Moniepoint’s case, the company decided that some money from new investors would be allocated to buying shares from employees, who were then given the option to decide how much they wanted to sell. Due to the large demand for cash, Moniepoint only allowed employees who had spent three years at the company to sell shares in this round and set a limit on how many shares employees could sell. The employee who made $850,000 only sold a third of their shares. Employee shares become fully vested after four years, with 25% vesting annually. These shares were not sold at Moniepoint’s unicorn valuation because later-stage investors typically buy shares from earlier investors and employees at a discounted price due to a supply and demand imbalance, as the sellers often have limited options for liquidity. But that did not dampen the morale of the two employees, who have been with Moniepoint for ten and seven years. They both requested anonymity for privacy reasons. “It came at a great time. I had personal financial plans, and this cash gave me a boost,” one of the employees said. In May, when TechCabal reported on Arnergy’s employee share sales, a recurring theme among staff was the deep sense of ownership that equity created. That same theme echoed in conversations with Moniepoint employees, who described their equity not just as compensation but as a stake in the company’s journey and success. “At the beginner stage, companies issue equity because they know that they cannot afford to pay the market value of the talents they are bringing on board,” Faith said.”There is nothing that says ‘we believe in you and we want you to believe in us’ more than giving equity,” Faith said. While employee equity has long been overlooked in Nigeria’s tech industry, the growing trend of companies like Moniepoint and Arnergy rewarding staff with share ownership is raising hopes that equity compensation will gradually become a standard practice. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Join Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Early bird tickets now 20% off—don’t snooze! moonshot.techcabal.com.
Read More
Botlhale AI bets big on South Africa’s multilingual call centres
When you call a customer care service line, you’re likely to hear from a representative that “this call is recorded for quality purposes.” The promise of that message, ensuring quality, is what South Africa’s Botlhale AI is betting on, particularly for conversations that happen in African languages. Founded in 2019, Botlhale AI provides businesses with conversational AI tools and multilingual call center analytics. Their core offering is a suite of natural language processing (NLP) tools—including speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and language understanding models—that help call centres to transcribe, analyse, and extract insights from customer interactions. South Africa has 12 official languages, yet most call centre technologies and quality assurance systems have historically prioritised English. For millions of South Africans, English is not the language in which they feel most comfortable expressing themselves, especially when dealing with complex issues like insurance claims or service complaints. While calls are routinely recorded for “quality purposes,” Thapelo Nthite, cofounder of Botlhale AI, told TechCabal that up to 70% of call centre conversations happen in languages other than English, but most automated quality assurance tools can only process English calls. This means that for the majority of interactions where customers switch between isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, Setswana, or other local languages, companies rely on manual review, if any review happens at all. “That creates serious risk as critical information can be missed, compliance failures can go undetected, and vulnerable customers may not get the support they need,” Nthite said. “For example, in financial services, a missed medical disclosure in isiXhosa during an insurance sales call could result in a denied claim later, potentially exposing companies to regulator fines and brand damage.” Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe Business model Botlhale operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Clients, typically enterprise call centres, either pay per license (number of agents using the system) or based on consumption (e.g., minutes of audio processed). “It’s a recurring SaaS fee, as some clients want to monitor a percentage of their total volume—say 20% of 500,000 minutes—and we price accordingly,” Nthite said. According to Nthite, over 85% of consumers in Africa want to interact with brands in their native languages. You will often hear five languages on a single call, Nthite said. Additionally, audio is often low-quality and conversations tend to be fast-paced. Yet, many call centres still automate only English language calls. “If you are serving the South African market, about 70% of calls are not in English. That is a huge blind spot,” he says. Currently Botlhale AI translates 11 South African languages and others like Setswana and Sesotho spoken in its neighbouring countries making it easy to enter those markets. Some of Botlhale AI’s clients in South Africa already operate across African markets like Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria which represent major markets ripe for expansion, especially as mobile penetration deepens and financial services grow. Botlhale AI’s expansion strategy is to follow them into these territories. “Our customers are leading us. If they say they are launching in Ghana, we build support for Ghanaian languages,” Nthite said. Big bets Botlhale AI’s big bet is that African languages will soon be supported at a very high level of quality by language technologies. Over the next five years, Nthite highlighted that AI adoption in Africa will see significant growth especially across key language processing tasks like translation, transcription, text-to-speech, and language understanding. Access to high-quality tools will become
Read MoreAfrica’s 500 million person question (Part 2): The quest for a new economic model
This is part 2 of a 2-part series. We wrote a summary of part 1 on TechCabal, where we then invited people to read the full piece on our blog. Below, we are sharing the summary of part 2, and we have again written a longer piece here that we invite you to read. In part 1 of this series, we got into the details of the unexpected challenges African countries face in creating enough jobs for the 500 million people joining the job market in the next few decades. We delved into the continent’s past reliance on extractive industries and the challenges to replicating Asia’s manufacturing-led growth. Essentially, we saw that the manufacturing-based, export-led growth model that most countries have used to generate prosperity since the first industrial revolution in England in the late 1700s no longer shows as much promise. The continent will have to reinvent new models for the current age and, in particular, fight the “non-demand” for African labor by using technology to expand what is tradable on global markets. Now, in Part 2, we’re ready to confront the burning question: what kind of economic model is truly up to the task of putting 500 million people to work? It’s no small feat. We’re talking about creating a new economic playbook, one that hasn’t been tested before. Can we reinvent manufacturing against seemingly insurmountable odds? If not, where else can we find a sector powerful enough to generate millions of high-paying jobs, surpassing the limitations of commodity agriculture and basic services? To answer this, we must first dissect what made manufacturing such a powerhouse in the first place. Manufacturing isn’t just about factories and assembly lines; it’s a complex ecosystem fueled by technology, capital investment, and economies of scale, all of which drive relentless productivity growth. Critically, its output is often tradeable—exported, allowing countries to tap into global markets and break free from the constraints of local demand. But could these unique advantages be replicated elsewhere? Any new economic model for Africa must meet five crucial criteria. First, it needs to be able to absorb a massive number of low-skilled workers. Second, it requires sustained long-term demand to support millions of jobs for decades. Third, it must leverage technology, capital, and scale for efficiency gains. Fourth, it must be able to target global markets through export opportunities to achieve a large enough scale. And finally, it needs the ability to “ladder up” into higher value-added activities to grow wages over time. Few existing models tick all these boxes, making our challenge all the more pressing. While finding a perfect fit might seem elusive, we see promising possibilities in four key opportunity areas that we unpack in our longer piece. These are areas we feel have huge potential but don’t get enough attention in the broader discussion on economic policy. The potential of each area is illustrated by one or more investments from our portfolio: First, we explore expanding what is tradable. Services are the largest sector of the African economy but are usually not exportable as they require in-person contact. Using technology to broaden our export base, and replicate the core strengths of manufacturing—labor absorption, productivity growth, scale, and learning. John Page at Brookings has a concept of “smokestackless industries” like advanced agriculture, tourism, outsourced business services, and ICT – these are a good starting point. But we should go further. What if we could transform traditionally non-tradable services into export-ready opportunities through technology? The global trend favors us; services trade is booming, driven by advances in digital technology. With lower trade barriers and Africa’s abundant, low-cost labor, the potential here is enormous. Imagine African workers tapping into global markets for services. We’re already seeing glimpses of this with companies like Terminal (advanced, cross-border logistics), KaFresh (patented spray to preserve high margin Ag exports during transport), Matta (largest marketplace in Africa sourcing minerals for export), Chargel (cross-border transport marketplace), Turnstay (stablecoin rails for tourism businesses), and HustleSasa (marketplace bringing Africa’s creative economy to the world) —companies in our portfolio that are reshaping what’s possible and bringing Africa products and talent to the global marketplace. Next, we consider turbocharging export-led agriculture. Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land but contributes less than 5% to global agricultural exports. Something’s not adding up. Yields have been declining, and basic processing is often outsourced. But what if we focused on high-value agricultural exports for wealthier markets? Inspired by Asia’s earlier agricultural reforms, we see potential in advanced agriculture and horticulture. Technology can play a pivotal role in boosting processing, moving towards higher-margin exports, and integrating fragmented networks. KaFresh, with its patented organic spray that extends shelf life, and Yola Fresh, with its farm-to-table supply chain platform, showcase what’s possible. Then, there’s reshuffling the deck for manufacturing. While some have written it off, we believe there’s still life in this sector. Manufacturing accounted for 11% of Africa’s GDP in 2023, down from 17% in 1995. But improvements are possible. We need to tackle trade and logistics inefficiencies, strengthen supply chains, address human capital deficits, and improve the business environment. Rather than focusing solely on training, we see more potential in applying technology to supply-side marketplaces and cross-border logistics. Companies like Matta, Terminal, and Chargel are already making waves. And don’t forget intra-African trade. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could be a game-changer, but it needs to overcome its implementation hurdles. Finally (and most controversially?), we explore enabling labour migration. Africa has a labor surplus while the rest of the world faces a labor shortage. This seems like two problems that, in theory, should solve each other. Economists like Lant Pritchett and Charles Kenny highlight the potential of labor-based migration as one of the best ways to break the “non-demand” problem. But there are challenges — e.g., political resistance in wealthy countries and competition from other developing regions. Despite the headwinds, the economic pressures are undeniable, and investments like our investment in NALA (the leading African remittances
Read More
How to track a phone number in Nigeria in 2025
Phones have become an indispensable part of daily life in Nigeria, serving as essential tools for communication, social interaction, and business operations. When a phone is lost or someone’s safety is at risk, knowing how to track a phone number becomes crucial. Tracking a phone in Nigeria isn’t something you can do freely; there are strict privacy laws to protect people. In 2025, tracking is only permitted in specific situations. For example, you can use apps like Google Find My Device or Apple’s Find My to locate your lost phone. However, tracking someone else’s device, even for good reasons, requires legal authorisation or their explicit consent. This makes it tricky for most people to figure out how to track a phone number legally in Nigeria. One law you should be aware of is the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. It was signed into law on June 12, 2023, and establishes clear rules regarding the handling of personal information. It also led to the establishment of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which ensures that these rules are adhered to. This means that using shady apps or relying on tricks to track phones without permission is no longer a grey area; it’s simply illegal. Here’s a table to help you understand the main tracking options available in Nigeria in 2025: How law enforcement tracks phones in Nigeria If your phone gets stolen or there’s a criminal investigation, there are official ways phones can be tracked in Nigeria, but only by the right authorities. These methods are legal, reliable, and supported by robust systems designed to ensure national security and public safety. 1. IMEI tracking: Every mobile phone has a unique 15-digit code, known as the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). It’s like a fingerprint for your phone. When you make a call or send a text, your phone shares its IMEI number with the network. This enables tracking of the device, even if the SIM card is replaced. But here’s the catch: only police and approved security agencies are allowed to track phones using IMEI numbers. You can’t track someone’s phone yourself using their IMEI; it’s against the law. So while you can’t use IMEI personally, it’s still a valid method when asking how to track a phone number through official means. If your phone goes missing, the right thing to do is to report it to the police. You’ll need to give: Your IMEI number (dial *#06# on your phone to find it) A formal police report Your contact number and an email address The police can then begin tracking through legal channels. The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has also introduced a Device Management System (DMS). This system connects Nigerian phone records to global IMEI databases. If your phone is blacklisted, it becomes useless on all networks in the country, this helps reduce theft and blocks the resale of stolen phones. 2. How telcos help police track phones Mobile network providers, such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile, also play a significant role. By law, they must work with law enforcement to help track criminal activity and protect national safety. These companies provide what is called call data, including details such as who called whom, when, and where. In many cases, this data can be accessed by the police with written approval from a senior officer, even without a court order. Government officials have made it clear: telcos must cooperate. If they don’t, they can be penalised. Still, there are challenges. Audits by the NCC have found that some providers didn’t fully follow SIM registration and data protection rules. This means that while the law is in place, proper enforcement still needs improvement to ensure the tracking process remains reliable. 3. NIN and SIM registration: You’ve probably heard of the NIN-SIM linkage. This means every phone number must be tied to a National Identity Number (NIN). It’s not optional. Since the regulation started, over 153 million SIM cards have been linked to NINs in Nigeria. The goal is to make sure every SIM card is connected to a real person. This helps security agencies trace phone activity back to individuals. This linkage is also vital for authorities when determining how to track a phone number tied to suspicious or criminal activity. For example, if someone uses their phone during a crime, the police can identify the owner through the National Identity Number (NIN) associated with the SIM card. Telecom providers like MTN even offer online portals that allow you to check if your line is linked correctly. When you combine SIM registration with the DMS system that tracks IMEI numbers, the government gets a much clearer view of who is using each phone, and where. 4. NCC’s Device Management System (DMS): The Device Management System (DMS) is a tool created by the NCC to control and monitor all phones in Nigeria. It collects the IMEI numbers of every device connected to a Nigerian network and checks them against international databases. The goal? To stop fake or stolen phones from working, protect phone users, and help police track down phones used in crimes. Once a phone’s IMEI is reported as stolen, it’s added to a blacklist shared with all mobile networks. This means even if someone changes the SIM, the phone won’t work. The DMS also helps: Reduce phone theft and kidnappings Stop illegal phones from entering the market Protect users from buying blacklisted devices But there’s a concern: the system is powerful, and there isn’t much public information on how long data is stored or how your privacy is protected. Although it enhances safety, it also opens the door to potential overreach. 5. Cell tower triangulation: Another method law enforcement can use to track phones is cell tower triangulation. Every time your phone is on, it connects with the nearest cell towers. By checking which towers your phone talked to and how strong the signal was, authorities can figure out roughly where the phone is. If the phone
Read More
How much do PoS agents in Nigeria make in a month?
Abdul’s fingers rapped at the screen, his eyes barely lifting to meet mine. In the 10 minutes I stood by his wooden table listening to his almost-decade-long journey as a PoS agent, four people had walked up, handing him cash or their debit cards, making transfers in his small stall at Ojodu Berger. “Slow morning,” he broke off. He had already processed over ₦100,000 in transactions. In many corners of cities and towns across Nigeria, plastic chairs, battered umbrellas, and wooden stalls have become the unofficial signage of a PoS stand. The growing presence of such stalls represents Nigeria’s shifting financial landscape, characterised by the growth of digital payments and unstable banking systems. From the cash crunch of early 2023 to chronic ATM failures, PoS agents swooped in and reshaped how Nigerians access financial services such as deposits, bill payments, transfers, and withdrawals. In 2024, PoS terminals transacted a total of ₦18 trillion, a 69% surge compared with 2023’s ₦10.7 trillion. PoS agents make money by charging a fee on each transaction, including withdrawals, transfers, deposits, and some bill payments. These fees are rarely fixed. In many parts of Lagos, customers pay between ₦100–₦150 to withdraw ₦5,000; ₦250 for ₦10,000; and ₦400–₦500 for ₦20,000. The higher the amount of money, the steeper the transaction charge. These charges are a combination of the agent’s profit margin, the fintech platform commissions, and the ₦50 Electronic Money Transfer Levy on transfers above ₦10,000. How much do they earn? Many factors determine how much PoS agents rake in at the end of the month. For a business that has become a feature in nearly every neighborhood, location matters a lot. Agents operating in areas with high foot traffic earn more than those tucked away in quiet corners. Ore*, who operates from a hidden street off Surulere, and is only visible to residents and familiar faces, processes an average of 10 to 20 transactions daily. However, just a short walk toward a busier intersection, Ali sees between 50 and 60 transactions a day. The fintech platform an agent uses also shapes how much they keep per transaction. Agents using PalmPay and Moniepoint claim that the charge collected on every ₦1000 ranges between ₦5–₦10. But, Ibukun Abolarinwa, an agent who has tested various platforms, claims there are differences in how much is deducted on the backend. After conducting his comparative study, he saw that “Moniepoint removes more charges than PalmPay.” Then there’s Opay, which, as Abdul describes, runs a kind of reward system based on transaction volume. The more transactions you process using the Opay PoS, the less you’re charged over time. Though there are no official records of daily or monthly earnings, conversations with a handful of operators paint a revealing picture. With their charges starting from ₦100—and climbing based on the amount of money—and daily transaction volumes ranging between 20-70, daily income typically falls between ₦3,000 and ₦12,000. This means monthly income could range from ₦90,000 to ₦360,000. It looks like easy money from the outside, but behind every ₦100+ charge is a list of running costs that add up quickly. What they spend to earn Data is the biggest expense, with agents spending up to ₦30,000 per month. Joy, in her wooden kiosk in Surulere, claims she spends ₦10,000 weekly to keep her Moniepoint terminal running. Ibukun has a PoS machine from Wema Bank that needs no data connection. However, he claims that he risks delayed transactions and losing his customers’ interest if he uses that terminal. “If I withdraw ₦500,000 from it now, it is after one hour that the money will drop.” There is also the physical cost of transportation that agents spend in sourcing cash. With banks placing weekly limits on individual accounts, Ibukun rotates through his eight bank accounts at different branches every week—spending up to ₦25,000 monthly on transport alone. Some agents still claim to buy cash during periods where cash flow dries up. Abul, who operates out of a small shop, not the usual umbrella stalls, pays ₦300,000 annually for rent and spends ₦30,000 monthly to keep the lights on. And because he is a family man, he often pays a helping hand to watch over his business while he is away. After covering these expenses and attending to household needs, he says he’s left with just ₦15,000 to ₦20,000 at the end of the month. Tales of losses and risks The job of operating a PoS terminal comes with more than just overhead. It comes with risk. Abdul’s account of his years in the business took a dark turn when he recounted being attacked at knife-point one night. It taught him what many PoS agents already know: that running this business requires vigilance. He explained that while banks have security, PoS agents have to hold their own. Other agents echoed this. Ibukun says he hides his cash in different compartments of his purse and splits it into corners of his home, right in front of which his PoS stand sits. Beyond physical security, POS agents are also vulnerable to fraudulent transfers, especially from new customers. Several agents recounted instances they’ve heard of where customers show fake debit alerts or use network delays to confuse agents into thinking money has dropped when it hasn’t. Sometimes, the transaction shows “approved” on the terminal, but the money never arrives. Other times, it reflects briefly and then reverses back to the customer’s account without the agent knowing. In these cases, unless the agent notices quickly, they lose both the money and the customer. “It is very strict business; if you don’t handle it with care, you will experience a lot of losses,” Abdul retorted. Still, the rise of PoS agents says more about Nigeria’s economy than it does about the business itself. In a country where formal jobs are few and banks are retreating, a generation of young Nigerians has built its economy, ₦100 at a time. “It is still better than not doing anything at all,” Abdul says. Sitting
Read More
👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – dLocal to acquire Aza Finance
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Happy mid-week! To our fellow Nigerians, how are you feeling about the string of holidays ahead? There’s so much rest in front—we hope you’re leaning into it. Word on the street is, our Kenyan friends are about to clock some public holidays too. And to our non-Nigerian readers, we wish you strength and caffeine till your next break. Let’s get into today’s dispatch. dLocal to acquire Aza Finance Moniepoint set to acquire Kenya’s Sumac Fincra secures Tanzanian licence Kenya wants to give KRA your data—again World Wide Web 3 Events Fintech dLocal to acquire Aza Finance Access bank dLocal, the Latin American fintech unicorn that connects global merchants to emerging markets, is in talks to acquire Aza Finance (formerly BitPesa), a cross-border payments startup, as it continues its expansion into Africa. The company did not disclose the financial terms of the acquisition. Why does this matter? The acquisition is dLocal’s first acquisition outside of Latin America. After capturing much of Latin American markets, dLocal has increasingly expanded into parts of Asia and Africa, with Aza Finance being its latest bet on the continent. The acquisition gives dLocal access to key African markets where it previously had no presence, including Botswana, Mozambique, and Guinea. Aza Finance operates in 17 African countries, while dLocal currently supports local payment processing in 13. Aza Finance will also gain access to dLocal’s global merchant network as a result of the deal. DLocal intends to incorporate Aza Finance’s team, utilizing their extensive local knowledge to support ongoing growth and enhance operational scalability. Aza Finance: Founded in 2013 by Elizabeth Rossiello, Aza Finance was one of Africa’s earliest cross-border remittance startups. The company initially focused on leveraging Bitcoin and blockchain technology to facilitate faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments in sub-Saharan Africa. The company aimed to address the high costs and inefficiencies associated with traditional remittance methods by enabling Bitcoin-based transfers, allowing users to bypass conventional banking channels. The acquisition continues a run of fintech acquisitions on the continent. In January, Nigerian fintech LemFi acquired Irish currency exchange platform Bureau Buttercrane. In the same month, Stitch, a South African fintech startup that provides online payments infrastructure for large enterprises, acquired ExiPay. Join Fincra for an Exclusive Side Event at Money20/20 Europe Fincra is co-hosting “Stablecoins & The Future of Payments” at Money20/20 Europe with Utila, Rail, Wirex & more. Join fintech leaders for insightful panels & networking. Limited spots – RSVP here. Fintech Moniepoint’s second time lucky in Kenya? Image Source: Zikoko Memes After its first date with KopoKopo didn’t quite go as planned, Nigerian fintech Moniepoint is giving Kenya another shot—this time with Sumac Microfinance Bank. The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has approved Moniepoint’s bid to acquire a 78% stake in Sumac, potentially giving it a shortcut into one of Africa’s most competitive mobile payments markets valued at $67.3 billion (KES 8.7 trillion). The deal still requires the Central Bank’s approval , but if it is successful, Moniepoint will acquire a medium-sized microfinance bank with $8.1 million (KES 1.05 billion) in assets and nearly 44,000 active loan accounts. Know more: Sumac began in 2002 as an investment group and has since evolved into a fully licensed lender, offering a range of services including SME loans and forex trading. The move fits a broader trend: fintechs snapping up licensed operators to skip the red tape and hit the ground running. Moniepoint, which is based in Nigeria but registered in the U.S., has committed to keeping all of Sumac’s employees on board. Let’s just hope this one goes the distance. Read the full story by our East African reporter Adonijah Ndege. Tired of declined payments? Avoid the side-eyes at the cash till with Paga’s physical prepaid card. Designed to give you control, security, and ease. Fund and spend with confidence. Get yours today!. Fintech Fincra secures Tanzanian licence to drive East African expansion Image source: UNDP Steady stepping across borders. Fincra, we see you. Lagos-based fintech, Fincra, has secured a licence from the Bank of Tanzania to operate as a patent service provider in the country. “What’s the big deal?” Think of it like getting a driver’s licence before hitting the road. You can’t operate without it. With the issuance of this licence, Fincra is legally allowed to offer its financial services in Tanzania. This means that businesses and developers in the country can now plug into Fincra’s suite: payment APIs, payment links, virtual accounts, and checkout services. ICYMI: Fincra recently got a Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) licence in South Africa. This licence allows the startup to process debit and credit card transactions, electronic fund transfers (EFTs), real-time clearing (RTC), and rapid payments. Why Tanzania? The Tanzanian market is evolving digitally with a surge in mobile and digital payments. Mobile payment transactions increased by 26.73% in 2024, with transaction values rising from TZS 154,707.77 billion in 2023 to TZS 198,859.29 billion in 2024. The number of active mobile money subscriptions also increased by 17.46%, growing to 63.21 million subscribers in 2024 from 51.72 million in 2023. What’s Fincra trying to do? Fincra wants to build Africa’s payment infrastructure— it wants to be the ‘tech behind the scenes’ that helps businesses send and receive money locally and across borders. This Tanzanian license is a step towards expanding across East Africa, as it already operates in Kenya and Uganda. Fincra is also active in Ghana, South Africa, Europe, and North America. How Paystack protects your business from cyber fraud Discover how Paystack uses Static Application Security Testing to identify and prevent security threats before they become issues. Learn more → POLICy Kenya wants to give KRA your data—again The Kenyan government wants to remove the rule that protects your privacy. Here’s the deal: In December 2024, a clause that bars the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from compelling businesses to share personal data collected from their customers was introduced in Section 59A(1B) of the Tax Procedures Act. This
Read MoredLocal to acquire Aza Finance in deal thought to be valued at $150 million
dLocal, the Latin American fintech unicorn that connects global merchants to emerging markets, is in talks to acquire Aza Finance (formerly BitPesa), a cross-border payments startup, as it continues its expansion into Africa. “We’re proud to announce our intention to acquire AZA Finance, a leading fintech specialising in cross-border payments and FX solutions in Africa, pending regulatory approval, dLocal wrote in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday. “This move will reinforce our commitment to localised, seamless payment experiences across the EMEA region.” The company did not disclose the value of the acquisition, but Bloomberg reported the deal is valued at about $150 million, citing a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. dLocal frequently structures its acquisitions around transaction volumes rather than traditional equity stakes, according to a person familiar with dLocal’s acquisition strategy. Instead of taking ownership, the company invests in businesses through a combination of upfront cash payments and revenue-sharing agreements, that person said. This allows it to benefit from the acquired firm’s payment flows without assuming full operational control. After capturing much of Latin American markets, dLocal has increasingly expanded into parts of Asia and Africa, with Aza Finance being its latest bet on the continent. The acquisition gives dLocal access to key African markets where it previously had no presence, including Botswana, Mozambique, and Guinea. Aza Finance operates in 17 African countries, while dLocal currently supports local payment processing in 13. Aza Finance will also gain access to dLocal’s global merchant network as a result of the deal. The acquisition continues a run of fintech acquisitions on the continent. In January, Nigerian fintech LemFi acquired Irish currency exchange platform Bureau Buttercrane. In the same month, Stitch, a South African fintech startup that provides online payments infrastructure for large enterprises, acquired ExiPay. dLocal’s CEO, Pedro Arnt, said in a January interview that the company was analysing whether to buy a smaller fintech rival this year after the company itself was the target of takeover proposals. Arnt sees the emerging markets payments industry as big enough to justify a return to valuations north of $20 billion again if DLocal can keep its leadership position in that space. Founded in 2013 by Elizabeth Rossiello, Aza Finance was one of Africa’s earliest cross-border remittance startups. The company initially focused on leveraging Bitcoin and blockchain technology to facilitate faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments in sub-Saharan Africa. The company aimed to address the high costs and inefficiencies associated with traditional remittance methods by enabling Bitcoin-based transfers, allowing users to bypass conventional banking channels. “What began as a small team with a big vision has grown into a platform trusted by our amazing clients and partners across the continent. And today, I’m thrilled to share a major milestone in our journey: We’ve announced today that, pending regulatory approval, we’ve agreed to be acquired by dLocal!” Rossiello wrote in a LinkedIn post. As it expanded its services and geographic reach, it recognised the need to broaden its offerings beyond cryptocurrency transactions. In 2019, the company rebranded as AZA Finance to reflect its evolution into a comprehensive digital foreign exchange and payment platform. This rebranding marked a shift towards providing a full suite of FX and payment services across major African and G20 currencies. The company also secured $15 million in debt financing from the Development Bank of Southern Africa to support its growth initiatives. Over the years, AZA Finance has expanded its operations, managing over $2 billion in global transactions for SMEs, global organisations, and companies from more than 115 countries. The company’s growth strategy included acquisitions, such as Spanish remittance company TransferZero in 2018 and South African cross-border payment firm Exchange4Free in 2021.
Read More
Nigerians have tried and failed to curb dangerous policing; can a blockchain tool help?
In Lagos, the memory of October 20, 2020, still haunts Daniel Tambee, a Nigerian blockchain developer. That night, at the Lekki Tollgate, military personnel opened fire on protesters demanding an end to police brutality. Multiple casualties were reported, though exact numbers remain disputed. But what haunted Tambee most wasn’t just the violence—it was what happened to the evidence and victims afterward. The nationwide protests, known as #EndSARS, had begun weeks earlier, targeting the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad—a police unit originally established to combat armed robbery but which had devolved into a symbol of systematic abuse. The roots of the crisis ran deeper than one rogue unit. As online scams traced to Nigerian youth became increasingly common globally, police began using aggressive tactics in their bid to combat internet fraud or what’s colloquially referred to ‘Yahoo’ or ‘419’. This, however, has led to widespread profiling, arbitrary searches, and alleged bribe collections targeting any young Nigerian with a smartphone or laptop. The breaking point came with the death of Jimoh Isiaq in Ogbomoso on October 9, 2020, and several other victims of police violence. Nigerians, led largely by youth, took to the streets in unprecedented numbers. For days, the protests remained largely peaceful, with demonstrators demanding police reform and accountability. But the movement’s end was as tragic as its beginning was hopeful. DJ Switch live-streamed from the Lekki Tollgate on Lagos Island during the shooting, providing real-time documentation of the violence. Despite her footage, government officials later claimed her documentation was manipulated. In the chaos that followed the shooting, crucial evidence disappeared, witness accounts were dismissed, and the government’s official narrative contradicted what millions had watched unfold on social media. An ongoing reality Five years after these nationwide protests against police brutality, young Nigerians, especially remote workers, still face routine harassment. The statistics tell a stark story: The Nigeria Police Force’s own accountability reports acknowledge over 2,000 complaints filed against officers in 2024. Civil society organisations believe the actual number is much higher. Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), a Nigerian media company, analyzing data from the National Human Rights Commission, found approximately 83,802 human rights violations committed by police, military, and paramilitary forces between January and August 2024 alone. These figures underscore why innovative solutions remain urgently needed. “I wonder what would have happened if we had video recordings of that protest stored on the blockchain,” Tambee reflects. “What if footage of the Lekki Tollgate violence had been instantly secured on a system no government could ever delete or dispute?” It was in this aftermath—watching evidence vanish and justice delayed—that Tambee conceived his solution, Padi Protocol. An irrefutable evidence system Tambee didn’t arrive at blockchain by accident. With a background in traditional web development, he became fascinated by the technology’s potential beyond financial speculation. “The ideology behind blockchain is about so much more than just finance,” he explains. “It’s insanely broad.” What captivated him was blockchain’s immutability—the fact that once data is stored, it cannot be changed or deleted. For someone watching evidence of police brutality disappear or be dismissed as “doctored,” this feature felt revolutionary. “Imagine you record evidence and put it on [a] chain, where it cannot be tampered with,” Tambee explains. “That is a verifiable source of truth. And if you have multiple sources pointing to the same piece of evidence, that
Read More
South Africans weigh in on whether elections should go digital or not
South Africa’s 2024 general elections saw a voter turnout of approximately 59%, leaving millions of registered voters unaccounted for. In response to this decline in participation, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has embarked on a six-month consultation to explore the feasibility of electronic voting (e-voting). To understand public sentiment, TechCabal spoke to six people about their perspectives on e-voting. Their responses reflect a mix of optimism, skepticism, and deep concern over the potential impact of technology on democracy. Must be a system for all, not just the few; Atiya Mosam, public health physician and director at Mayibuye Health One of the prevailing concerns is whether e-voting would truly be accessible to all South Africans, rather than benefiting only those with reliable digital access. In previous elections, while some voters waited for long to cast their ballots, others in well-resourced suburbs breezed through the process in under a few minutes. The challenge remains ensuring that any new system promotes inclusivity rather than deepening existing disparities. “It took us less than 15 minutes to vote because of the suburb we live in and as we walked to the polling station all the similarly affluent people were enjoying their public holiday at the cafes whilst others had to sacrifice a large amount of their day waiting in line. My hope is that we do not further entrench inequity by introducing a system that will benefit only a few people and that they will have infrastructure to ensure everyone has access,” said Mosam. Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe A solution to long queues, but must be free; Anna Harris-Stone, human resources consultant and SME business mentor Endless queues that barely move can make the voting process discouraging. For many, the current system feels excessively time-consuming. Reports from previous elections indicate that some voters endured wait times of over eight hours just to cast their ballots, leading many to abandon the process altogether. Anna Harris-Stone, a human resource consultant and SME business mentor, experienced this firsthand and believes e-voting could save the day—provided it remains free and accessible to all. “I waited in what was considered a ‘short’ queue in a historical coloured township in Polokwane—five hours, just to vote. Many left after hours of waiting with no progress. After my last waste of a day, I’m definitely keen for a tech solution, but knowing the data cost challenges for many, it must be “free” to access,” said Harris-Stone. A gateway or a risk; Sam Wilcox–Diedericks, executive and leadership coach and Nokuthula Cwele, sexual reproductive health rights expert South Africa’s youth population aged 18 and above is estimated to be around 27.79 million, including 42% of the total eligible voter population (11.7 million). This tech-savvy generation, highly engaged with digital platforms and mobile technology, presents a promising opportunity for the adoption of e-voting. However, concerns remain around the potential for fraud and corruption, especially given the persistent and evolving cybersecurity threats within South Africa’s digital landscape. Executive and leadership coach, Wilcox–Diedericks envisions how the process will unfold, considering what strategies might succeed and what risks could emerge. “I am just not 100% sure how secure it would be, what [it] would be opening the door to? It could be higher levels of participation especially from the youth sector, new opportunities for fraud and corruption and maybe running a parallel system would work
Read More