Starlink is increasingly popular in Zimbabwean cities; can local ISPs compete in rural areas?
In Zimbabwe’s busiest cities—Harare and Bulawayo—it’s hard to miss the white, pizza-box-shaped Starlink terminals mounted on cars. Even the humblest Honda Fit taxis cruise from suburb to suburb with these satellite kits bolted to their roofs, a visible symbol of the country’s latest tech interest. When Starlink landed in Zimbabwe in late September 2024, it was noted as a big step forward especially for a country where reliable internet remains elusive outside the urban core. By Q1 2025, over 30,000 terminals were active nationwide, according to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellite internet promises what traditional Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have long struggled to deliver – stable, high-speed, and wide-coverage internet. And in urban Zimbabwe, the appetite is visible and growing. “There is increased adoption by individuals, businesses, schools—even public institutions,” said Never Ncube, the CEO of Dandemutande, Starlink’s authorised reseller in Zimbabwe. “The services are being used as either primary and secondary internet links.” Yet behind the uptake lies a deeper tension, who gets to connect and who gets left behind. “While Starlink’s low-latency satellite tech is a game-changer in terms of reach and speed, cost remains a barrier as hardware purchases and subscription fees are priced in USD leaving many rural users still struggling to afford,” said John Arufandika, a digital transformation strategist at Aptiva AI. In rural Zimbabwe, where over 60% of the population live, the picture is less futuristic. The same high-speed service is largely out of reach due to pricing. The standard hardware kit costs $350, while the smaller, portable Starlink Mini goes for $200. Monthly subscriptions start at $30 and must be paid in U.S. dollars—well beyond what most rural households, 76% of whom live below the poverty line, can afford. The promise of rural kids online, farmers accessing weather data, and startups in remote towns is farfetched as “access in rural areas, so far, is mostly limited to missionary schools and donor-funded initiatives,” according to Arufandika. 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Arufandika noted that Starlink’s arrival is also stirring unease among local internet service providers (ISPs), many of whom have long struggled to expand reliable connectivity to rural areas. While Starlink launched nationwide in September, local ISPs only received permission to offer similar satellite services in January 2025—giving the U.S.-based disruptor a significant head start. With rural network issues still unresolved in many areas, Starlink’s rapid entry is forcing a tough question: will this push local ISPs to improve and expand, or will they continue losing users to the more accessible alternative? While the long-term impact remains unclear, Ncube cautioned that it’s too early to gauge how Starlink will reshape Zimbabwe’s connectivity landscape—whether through competition, collaboration, or hybrid strategies. A clearer picture may only emerge after a year of operations. Arufandika noted that some ISPs have started using Starlink’s network as backhaul in remote areas, informally rerouting the service to extend their own coverage. But under Starlink’s current direct-to-consumer model, local players are left without formal reseller pathways or enterprise-grade partnerships.There is limited support for local reseller models, meaning many ISPs feel locked out unless they find workarounds. “The field is not level,” Arufandika added. “Starlink in Zimbabwe operates with fewer ground infrastructure obligations and lighter regulatory demands. It’s hard for local players to compete when they are not
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African startups undervalued globally due to poor storytelling, report says
Despite the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem in the last decade, startups on the continent continue to struggle with being overlooked and misunderstood on the global stage due to poor storytelling narrative on their transformative innovations and solutions, according to a new report by Talking Drum Communications, a public relations consultancy. The report said strategic narrative is now essential for attracting investors’ confidence, credibility, and long-term growth, and is to be treated as a priority. However, it noted that many African startups are failing to devise a strategic infrastructure to communicate their functionality effectively to global stakeholders, leaving a huge perception gap that could serve as a potential driver of their growth, making them misrepresented and undervalued. It cited a 2021 Village Capital report that ranked communications as one of the most underfunded capabilities among African startups, just behind talent and product development. It added that limited visibility, which fuels inaccurate understanding of startups’ value propositions, affects startups’ ability to attract funding, talent, and credibility. According to the report, in many cases, African startups rely on their founders’ personal journey to tell their story. While compelling in the early stages, it stated that it could lead to a one-dimensional narrative that fails to reflect the company’s broader mission, vision, or social impact. “…over reliance on this can overshadow the company’s broader mission and impact,” especially in complex sectors like B2B infrastructure or health logistics. It also highlighted the dangers of product-led storytelling, focusing on what the company does, from products, features, and services, instead of why they matter. This approach, it says, may appeal to early adopters but often alienates investors, regulators, or the broader public who are more interested in mission, values, and societal relevance. According to research cited from McKinsey & Company, many international investors and partners often lack confidence in African startups due to outdated narratives, fragmented information, and ingrained biases. Stated that even high-performing startups are often undervalued or overlooked, because their stories aren’t reaching or resonating with the global stakeholders. “Companies that neglect purpose and impact-led narratives risk being seen as interchangeable, forgettable, or irrelevant in the long term. In contrast, those that centre their communications on real-world outcomes, community impact, or societal relevance often build deeper trust, stronger emotional resonance, and more enduring brand equity,” the report said. It also outlines several success cases where storytelling has helped African tech companies overcome credibility barriers and sustain market leadership. Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, has used narrative to position its drone-based medical supplies system not as flashy tech, but as essential healthcare infrastructure. Now, expanded from Rwanda to other African countries, including Ghana, where it has impacted a 56% drop in maternal deaths and a 25% increase in skilled deliveries in the country’s Ashanti Region. Duplo, a B2B payments infrastructure company, took a data-led approach to simplify and digitise how African businesses make and receive payments, making it a trusted financial partner in a region where informal processes, fragmented data, and legacy systems still dominate. As a new class of tech firms is emerging with strategic narratives, the report identifies that owned media, proactive PR strategy, executive visibility, and cross-market and differentiated narratives are the core strategies to improve public and stakeholders’ perception and confidence. To help African tech firms operationalise the insights in the report, Talking Drum proposes two practical frameworks: the Narrative Maturity Ladder (NLM), which maps how companies could evolve from startup to legacy institution with effective communication and storytelling, while the Return on Investment Model (ROI) which will help them to measure how strategic storytelling and stakeholder engagement impact them in four core areas of enterprise value: brand equity, deal flow, crisis resilience, and employer reputation. The report advised founders, investors, and the communication team to define “why,” fund startups’ storytelling as part of value creation, and charge the communication team with a strategic narrative to align with growth goals and stakeholder expectations. 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
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These 3 HMOs are recommended by HRs in Nigeria
In Nigeria, access to healthcare is one of the most unpredictable aspects of everyday life. Public hospitals are underfunded. Private clinics are expensive. And even the best-laid health insurance plans can collapse under bureaucracy or poor service. Beginning around the mid-2010s, the sector saw the entry and growth of tech-powered health maintenance organisations (HMOs) that improved access to timely and quality care. These companies, as well as older ones turning to technology to enable their service delivery, are reshaping what employer-sponsored healthcare looks like, and Human Resource (HR) professionals are taking notes. I spoke to four HR professionals in Nigeria to find out which HMOs they trust, what makes them work, and where the system still fails. Their responses reveal what’s broken, what’s changing, and what’s actually worth paying for in Nigeria’s chaotic healthcare system. What HR professionals prioritise in HMO plans For HR professionals—Faith Emmanuel (8 years experience), Felix Bissong (7 months experience), Charity* (5 years experience), and Ebun* (3 years as a consultant)—the old metrics of price and “basic coverage” just don’t cut it anymore. More recently, professionals consider these three factors instead: Quick, reliable access to care: These HR professionals maintain that the ease and speed with which employees can access care from listed providers is crucial. “Delays frustrate employees and make them question the value of the plan,” Ebun says. Quality of service: For HR professionals, quality of service is non-negotiable. As Bissong puts it, “The peace of mind that comes with reliable service is worth more than cost.” Charity agrees: “If employees can’t access care because of poor service, the HMO ends up being underutilised [no matter] how affordable it is.” Emmanuel sums it up: “There are some mistakes money can’t fix, so it’s better they are prevented despite the cost [of the HMO]”. This includes access to specialists like Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctors or gynaecologists, but also extras like optometry and wellness features. There’s also a growing employee expectation that plans come with telemedicine services, gym memberships, and access to real account managers, not just customer service lines that lead to dead ends. Affordable plans with no surprise out-of-pocket payments: HR staff want coverage that protects employees financially. They are clear on the fact that employees shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for services their HMO is supposed to cover. Three HMOs that get it right These HMOs were named by Emmanuel, Bissong, Charity, and Ebun, who have tested them across companies and teams. They stand out, not just for popularity, but because they work, according to these professionals. Reliance HMO Reliance’s biggest strength is its tech, according to these professionals. The mobile app is intuitive, telemedicine support is responsive, and hospital approvals happen fast. HRs say this dramatically reduces complaints and absences resulting from sick days. “I’ve used Reliance for my company and recommended it to clients,” says Ebun. “It’s reliable. Their mobile app works. Their doctors respond quickly. The whole experience just feels like it’s built for the user.” Bridget Odo, a management engineer at First Primus, echoes this. As an employee, she says that before she arrives at the hospital, she can chat with an online doctor about her symptoms. “The registration process is smooth, and once I arrive, I don’t waste time. Their app is very easy to navigate,” she adds. Leadway Health Leadway isn’t new to insurance; it is one of Nigeria’s most established financial groups. While it may not have started out as a digital-first HMO like Reliance, HR professionals say it has adapted well to modern expectations, and praise Leadway for, among other things, managing new employee onboarding smoothly. Where other HMOs let names fall through the cracks, Leadway quickly resolves registration delays—a common pain point in Nigerian firms. “Leadway Health is the most effective HMO I’ve used,” says Charity. “They are prompt in service delivery, have a wide network of reputable health facilities, and are well respected by hospitals. This ensures that employees receive timely and hassle-free treatment when needed.” David*, a corporate communications officer at Globus Bank, adds that as an employee, he trusts Leadway because of its credibility. He adds that their pricing structure is affordable. AXA Mansard AXA Mansard stands out for its quality of service, according to Bissong. As part of the AXA Group, one of the world’s largest insurers, AXA Mansard is an older, more traditional player in the Nigerian HMO space. It may not be classified as a healthtech startup, but its scale and reliability still make it a top choice for HRs managing large teams. Employees under AXA’s plans also reported fewer service denials and better access to wellness benefits. HRs noted that AXA’s around-the-clock support and dedicated relationship managers make a noticeable difference, especially for large organisations. 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Benin makes its case as Africa’s next cybersecurity hotspot at Cyber Africa Forum
The Republic of Benin rarely comes to mind when one thinks of Africa’s tech powerhouses. But the small West African country—bordering Nigeria and home to just 14 million people—is working to change that. With startup-friendly policies, a currency pegged to the Euro, and growing investor interest, Benin is positioning itself as a serious player in the region’s digital economy. That ambition was on full display at the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF), held in Cotonou from June 24–25, 2025. Now in its fifth edition, CAF has quickly become one of the continent’s most important gatherings on cybersecurity and digital transformation. This year’s theme, “Resilience of Digital Ecosystems: The Necessity of Changing Paradigm,” underscored the urgency for African countries to reimagine digital sovereignty, infrastructure security, and public-private collaboration as cyber risks grow more complex and dynamic by the day. The two-day forum brought together about 1,000 people, including ministers, startup founders, investors, telco giants, and cyber experts. From artificial intelligence to venture capital, education policy to critical infrastructure, the forum tackled the most pressing digital questions facing the continent. But the central theme was clear: cybersecurity is no longer a technical footnote; it’s now a matter of national priority. “We’ve created this platform to enable everyone in the ecosystem to contribute to the discussions around cybersecurity and digital transformation,” said Franck Kié, founder and chief organiser of the forum. “And the rising number of government officials attending CAF each year proves how seriously that message is being received.” The event featured high-ranking government officials, including Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, the Minister of Digital Affairs of Benin; Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transition of Côte d’Ivoire; and Léon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Telecommunications of the Republic of Congo. Image Source: Cyber Forum Africa. In his keynote, Redda Ben Geloune, CEO of AITEC group, urged Africa to stop being a passive observer in the digital revolution and instead take control of its narrative by investing in its infrastructure and talent. He praised recent efforts across the Francophone region: Côte d’Ivoire has launched national AI and digital governance strategies, with a cybersecurity agency set to be operational by April 2025; Senegal has unveiled a $1.7 billion tech transformation plan; and Benin has established a national data center. Geloune outlined three urgent priorities. First, he called for sovereign infrastructure, citing Ethiopia’s sovereign cloud and Côte d’Ivoire’s investments as models for building local capacity in data hosting and computation. Second, he emphasised the need for digital education tailored to governance, advocating for the training of 1 million professionals—including legal and public sector experts—by 2030. Third, he stressed the integration of AI and cybersecurity into the core of government operations, warning that institutions must adapt or risk becoming obsolete. Day 1: Africa is starved of patient and local capital Day one saw discussions across the full spectrum. Panelists discussed everything from the need for patient and blended capital on the continent to how AI is driving growth in Africa’s economy and the current state of cybersecurity on the continent. The call for patient capital first surfaced during my conversation with Benin’s Minister of Digital Economy and Communications, who made the case plainly: Africa needs a different kind of money to thrive. It’s a sentiment shared by many across the continent and ro resurfaced during an investor panel. Panelists agreed that Africa’s innovation economy can’t be built on short-term returns. What’s needed is patient capital—money that understands the long arc of startup growth—and blended finance structures that de-risk early bets by layering donor support, technical assistance, and guarantees. Over 80% of startup funding on the continent comes from foreign investors. That dependency, panelists warned, creates blind spots. “Why do so many African startups incorporate in the U.S., Dubai, or Mauritius?” asked Charles Kie, Director General of Genesis Group. “Because those places offer the legal security and patience investors demand. We need to create that environment here.” Much of the responsibility, they argued, rests on the shoulders of local investors. But a fundamental gap remains: many domestic investors are still unfamiliar with the venture capital model. Changing this cultural orientation towards high-risk, long-horizon investing is critical to unlocking local funding. “We can’t expect African startups to scale on foreign capital alone,” one panelist noted. “Our own investors have to step in and stay in.” Ghislaine Samaké, CEO of Ecobank Guinea-Bissau, outlined what blended capital can look like in practice. “At our bank, we had to turn to several hybrid structures, blended finance mechanisms that include first-loss guarantees,” she said. She cited a program in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) that channels microcredit to rural farmers. “WFP provides the guarantees and technical support. We do the scoring and lending. It lowers our risk and makes financial inclusion viable. One of my favorite conversations at the event was the keynote by Irene Auma, Visa’s Head of Risk, on the state of cybersecurity on the continent. According to her presentation slides, across the world, $1.3 trillion is lost to cybercriminals annually. These threats have been exacerbated by advancements in AI and deepfakes, exploitation of technology, and customers being the weakest link. Yes, you read right. VISA’s Head of Risk says you and I are the weakest link in cybersecurity threats. Auma’s point was reinforced when the head of MTN Benin, Uche Ofodile, shared during another panel how she almost fell for a phishing test her company’s IT was running. Day 1 closed out with panelists on the AI panel divided on whether or not Africa should have sovereign data for its AI. While the four-panel team argued for and against data sovereignty, one question stuck out for me: Is there a market for sovereign AI data in Africa? Day two: Resilience, culture, and the rise of Africa’s cyber talent Day two rode on the high that day one finished with. Key panel discussions tackled pressing topics such as addressing cyber threats in the era of resilience. Elsewhere, industry leaders debated whether cultural factors would shape the future of the
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AI startup Caantin in talks for $4 million seed round as it nears $1 million monthly revenue
Caantin, the Zambian artificial intelligence startup replacing call centres with voice agents, is raising $4 million to scale its AI infrastructure and expand outside Africa. The startup, which claims it is already close to $1 million in monthly revenue, is projecting $10 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2025. The round comes just six months after Caantin pivoted from its past life as an artificial intelligence startup businesses use to analyse and visualise data and relaunched with a new core focus: automating high-volume call centre operations for banks and fintechs. It is the startup’s fourth attempt at finding product-market fit after pivoting from the hospitality sector to artificial intelligence. This is Caantin’s first raise, but its CEO’s second, as he raised $2.16 million for TopUp Mama, a Kenyan-based restaurant procurement management startup. Founded in 2023, Caantin’s AI infrastructure can now handle over one million calls a day and already counts fintechs like Fairmoney and Carbon as customers. Carbon’s CEO, Chijioke Dozie, is an investor in Caantin. In African markets, these financial institutions maintain large teams of customer support agents. Each requires office space, power infrastructure, internet, laptops, and constant management overhead. Caantin bets that AI can reduce this cost significantly while increasing scale and consistency. “If these banks stop calling borrowers, they lose money,” Njawa Mutambo, Caantin’s CEO, told TechCabal. “But managing that operation is expensive and fragile. AI is not a nice-to-have. It’s essential for scale.” In South Africa, it charges 4 rands (2 cents) per second, while in Nigeria, the rate is ₦185 (12 cents) per minute, nine times higher than what local telecom operators charge. Caantin is targeting banks and financial services firms with its voice AI product because of their massive customer bases and revenue scale. Banks make up at least 26% of the top 250 listed African companies and hold five of the top six positions. The startup’s usage-based monetisation model, charging based on the volume of calls processed, mirrors what infrastructure players like Paystack and Flutterwave are doing for Africa’s payment sector, except that Caantin is building on top of voice. “By serving banks and fintechs, we are effectively hedged within a high-yield vertical,” Mutambo said. “We are a telecoms business tailored to financial services. Their growth becomes our growth.” Caantin plans to use the funds to deepen its enterprise integrations, scale its infrastructure, and expand into new markets. The company is bullish on Latin America, where labour costs are higher than in Africa, and enterprises face the same customer engagement pain points seen in Africa. The minimum wage in Brazil is $262, compared to Nigeria’s $46. “In Brazil, the cost of call centre labour is around $2 per hour. In Nigeria, it’s closer to 25 cents,” Mutambo said. “So the ROI for AI is even stronger in LATAM.” Caantin also serves internet service providers and insurers, with South Africa’s Africa Hosts and Kenya’s Turaco among recent clients. 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
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Can buyers avoid Computer Village scams when merchants go online?
In May, Victor Adakole, a 22-year-old graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), visited Lagos’ biggest ICT market, Computer Village, to buy an iPhone 13 and repair his PlayStation 5 (PS5). He’d asked a friend for advice on how to navigate the sprawling market and researched how to ensure the phone’s authenticity when buying. Still, he fell victim to fraud, losing ₦15,000 to a fake repairman and abandoning his plan to buy the phone altogether. Adakole says he’d walked into what appeared to be a legitimate shop. At the same time he entered, a young man followed him in, offering to repair the PS5. After a brief inspection, he told Adakole he needed ₦15,000 to buy a part for the repair. Adakole handed over the cash, trusting that the man was affiliated with the shop he stood in. “I gave him the money and he asked me to wait, but that was the last time I saw him,” Adakole says. “When I asked the shop owner, they claimed not to know the guy and even said they thought we came together since he followed me into the shop. I was confused and heartbroken.” Adakole’s story mirrors the experiences of many buyers who visit Computer Village to purchase or repair devices only to end up paying for empty parcels or items that develop faults shortly after. 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 For decades, Lagos’ Computer Village has been known for affordable and resourceful gadget deals and repair services. But the market’s reputation has suffered, and it is now notorious for scams, counterfeit products, and bait-and-switch schemes that have eroded customer trust. Bello Lateef, a long-time gadget trader, believes that buyers unknowingly expose themselves to scams when they deal with merchants who have no physical shops and lure them with cheaper prices. “Most people come in, meet those boys standing outside shops, and hand over their devices or money that they may never get back.” Merchants are rethinking how they engage with customers in light of this reputation, and now leverage social media and e-commerce platforms like JiJi to improve transparency, rebuild trust, and expand their reach. Joseph Daniel, who has spent eight years selling phones and accessories at the market, said he turned to digital platforms as part of his business survival strategy, majorly relying on Jiji and WhatsApp to drive sales. “When people started hearing that scams and fake gadgets are common in Computer Village, they stopped coming, and that affected those of us running legit businesses,” he said. “Customers are now much interested to see your online activities, your store proof, and reviews from other buyers before they could trust you. They know you can’t run from your reputation online because just one bad review can ruin your credibility.” Double checking using online channels Although Yetunde David bought a laptop that went blank just a week later in 2023, she has continued to shop at Computer Village but with added caution. She double-checks vendors online, reviews their social media presence for customer feedback, confirms their contact number if reachable, before tracing them to their physical shops. “If they have no online presence or aren’t active, I just move on. That’s the safest option for me.” Still, this method isn’t foolproof as online footprints can disappear physically. “One time, I spoke with a seller and went to meet him at his supposed
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Ethiopia to allow foreign banks for first time in 50 years
Ethiopia’s central bank has issued a long-awaited directive allowing foreign banks and investors to formally enter its financial sector, marking a major step in the country’s broader economic liberalisation programme. The move comes after years of reform commitments and follows the December 2024 ratification of a new banking law by parliament. It is the first time Ethiopia is opening its banking system to foreign financial institutions since the sector was nationalised under the Derg regime in 1974. Despite being home to over 128 million people and the largest economy in East Africa by GDP, Ethiopia has long maintained a closed banking sector. Analysts say the move could inject new capital, boost competition, and accelerate the development of a sector that remains heavily dominated by the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. The new licencing rules were published by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) on Wednesday, June 25. They now provide a clear regulatory path for foreign banks to set up subsidiaries, open branches, or establish representative offices in the country. Foreign strategic investors can also acquire stakes in existing local banks, with individual ownership capped at 30%, and total foreign ownership capped at 40%. The NBE framed the new rules as part of a deliberate reform sequence designed to deepen financial access and attract global players to a market with strong growth potential. “The Ethiopian banking sector is hereby open for foreign participation and applications by foreign banks and investors can be submitted to NBE from today onwards,” the central bank said in the directive. The licencing directive also introduces a shift in how representative offices are regulated, placing their licencing and supervision under the NBE for the first time. The development follows months of signalling by top officials, including central bank governor Mamo Mihretu, who in recent weeks said foreign banks could begin operations in the country before the end of 2025. Foreign banks such as Kenya’s KCB Group and South Africa’s Standard Bank have previously expressed interest in entering Ethiopia once the regulatory environment allows. The NBE has said it will admit a limited number of foreign players, up to five licences over the next five years. The move is expected to complement Ethiopia’s wider reform push, which includes ongoing debt restructuring talks and a $3.4 billion agreement with the IMF. 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
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Zuvy gets acquired
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Happy pre-TGIF! This is not an ad. Meta has announced that a feature I like to describe as “long story short” is coming to WhatsApp. Do you get puzzled when people, out of the blue, send you long messages to read, or those chats that have been forwarded multiple times in your family group teaching you home-made remedial tips? I must confess, I’ve actually stopped to read a few of those. New-school CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his AI chefs are cooking up an AI-powered feature that lets you summarise long, boring (and frankly unnecessary) chats that otherwise feel like a violation on multiple fronts. Long story short. – Emmanuel. BAS Group acquires Nigerian fintech Zuvy Multichoice’s 50% price slash screams desperation Kenya blocks Telegram access amid June 25 protests World Wide Web 3 Opportunities M&A BAS Group acquires Nigerian fintech Zuvy L-R: Zuvy cofounders Ahmad Shehu and Angel Onuoha/Image Source: Zuvy, circa 2023 Whether you serve businesses or individuals, running a lending company will always be a risky terrain to operate in. Why? It’s hard to determine whether borrowers can pay you—or will ever pay you back. And it’s hard-to-operate terrains like these that develop innovative solutions to solve market-specific problems they have. We’ve seen it in bank statement verification and alternative data assessments, and asset-based financing for individuals. But what about invoice-backed loans for SMEs? Zuvy, a Nigerian fintech which was acquired by BAS Group, provided SMEs with invoice-backed loans. Like every other micro-lender, it struggled to issue loans directly. It’s the same case: borrowers want quick cash yet lack eligibility, and as a result, the startup struggled to grow its loan book. Without increasing your loan book size as a micro-lender, you struggle to make money on premiums and interest. And guess what? The timeline for the debt funding you raised—which is preferable for businesses like these with capital-heavy operations as opposed to tech and assets—is expiring. So, Zuvy pivoted to invoice-backed loans, which meant it excluded a huge chunk of businesses and targeted a specific group—vendors who sold to manufacturers. If you run a chicken poultry farm and supply to Chicken Republic? Check. Put your money credibility where your mouth is and get a loan. It’s similar to Rivy (formerly Payhippo), another Nigerian SME lender which shifted from direct lending to solar financing. What can SME direct lenders fundamentally fix about staying long-term in the market? Are niche-specific loans a better way to go, provided you keep recovery optimal? Well, this leaves one niggly problem: who takes care of the groups that have been excluded from these pivots? Zuvy’s acquirer, BAS Group, says it wants to do so. Read how the acquisition of Zuvy, which has disbursed “billions in loans,” went down. Save more on every NGN transaction with Fincra Stop overpaying for NGN payments. Fincra’s fees are more affordable than other payment platforms for collections & payouts. The bigger the transaction, the more you save. Create a free account in 3 minutes and start saving today. 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 Streaming Multichoice’s 50% price slash screams desperation MultiChoice shuffling through ideas—any ideas—to survive the winter/Image Source: Andertoons Three price hikes in 12 months. A staggering 1.2 million subscribers lost at the end of its last financial year. 1.4 million subscribers in Nigeria alone gone
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11 remote workers in Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa share how they work and earn
Remote work adoption across Africa has grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, with professionals in various fields now working for international clients from their home countries. This trend spans multiple industries, from technology and writing to consulting and data analysis. Earnings vary widely depending on skills, experience, and market demand. According to Hubstaff’s freelancer report, African remote workers charged an average of $22 per hour as of 2020, though individual experiences differ considerably based on factors like client base, experience, specialisation, and working arrangements. I spoke with 11 remote workers across Africa about their actual earnings, payment methods, and the daily realities of working internationally from the continent. Their experiences reveal the practical aspects of this growing employment trend. $700-$1,000 per month – Bob, 28 Location: Kenya Occupation: Freelance writer Work arrangement: Full-time freelance Clients: UAE, Japan, Australia How did you get started? I got started during university by offering academic writing and editing services on Upwork. How do you receive payments? PayPal, Payoneer, and M-Pesa How does this compare to local salaries? Locally, content writers might earn around $230–$530 per month, depending on experience and employer. So yes, freelancing internationally pays significantly more. What are your monthly expenses and does your income cover your expenses? My expenses total around $300 to $500 per month—that includes rent, groceries, internet, insurance, savings, and supporting a sibling’s education. My income covers these comfortably. Has remote work changed your lifestyle? Absolutely. I’ve been able to move out, support my family, and save for a master’s degree. I can also afford better healthcare and even travel occasionally. What challenges do you face? Power outages, unreliable internet in some areas, and currency exchange losses are common challenges. There’s also a lack of local legal protection when international clients delay or refuse payment. How do you maintain work-life balance? I set boundaries by defining my availability in each client’s time zone. I avoid late-night meetings and use tools like Calendly to stay organised. $2,000-$5,000 per month – Christopher, 26 Location: Nigeria Occupation: Structural engineer, voiceover artist & Linux programmer Work arrangement: Full-time remote plus part-time projects Clients: Audible, Carrillion Construction Company, plus own company How did you get started? I got started right from university. I was a member of the Google Developer Club. How do you receive payments? Chipper Cash How does this compare to local salaries? The difference is pretty clear… I mean, I’ve worked as a structural engineer in Nigeria, and I think the highest pay I ever received was about ₦300,000 ($200). What are your monthly expenses and does your income cover your expenses? My monthly expenses include domestic bills, family support, gadgets, etc. I can’t break it down precisely, but that’s roughly about ₦1-2 million ($650-$1,300) monthly. My jobs cover them perfectly, and I always have extra to invest in shares. I don’t do traditional savings. Has remote work changed your lifestyle? Yes, it has. I don’t worry about bills too much—I’ve got it covered. I live where I want because I don’t have to find accommodation close to work, and I get enough free time to hang out and take care of myself physically, mentally, and socially. What challenges do you face? None right now. It used to be network issues, electricity, and noise, but now it’s all sorted. How do you maintain work-life balance? I work at my own hours. Anything beyond that attracts a fee, and my clients are well-informed of that. So that helps me balance everything out. 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
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Abdulhamid Hassan won’t stop building until Mono becomes a fintech backbone
On September 24, 2024, as venture capital funding for African startups plummeted and anxiety around the decline grew, Abdulhamid Hassan, the founder of prominent open banking startup Mono, posted a simple tweet: “don’t give up. don’t die.” It wasn’t just a quip but a philosophy that’s guided the rise of the five-year-old YC-backed company, whose Delaware-registered parent company is named Relentless Lab, and which powers seamless financial experiences for companies like Mastercard, Flutterwave, and Carbon. It’s the same philosophy that carried him from a small Ijebu town in southwest Nigeria to Lagos’ tech hub, then hubs in Egypt, Latvia, the UAE, and France, before returning him to Lagos, where he’s been at work building Mono. “It feels like we have failed if I open a fintech app today and do not see Mono,” says Hassan. “I want a world where, if I open any fintech application in Nigeria today, there is one particular feature that Mono powers. If that doesn’t happen yet, I won’t sleep.” More recently, Hassan’s sleepless ambition has led to Owo, a new product that lets anyone make a payment by sending a WhatsApp message. Yet to launch, Owo is seeing impressive traction already: Hassan claims that the product is processing ₦1 billion naira monthly. “In five years, Owo will be the biggest way Nigerians spend money,” he says. From Ijebu to the world I spoke to Hassan from his hometown in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, in western Nigeria. He arrived on the call three minutes early. As we exchanged pleasantries, I took another look at his LinkedIn profile. Mono, his five-year startup, is the only work experience listed there. “That’s because Mono is my life’s work,” he says. It was easy to forget that we were not conversing in person. 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 Hassan’s tech journey began in his hometown with parents who were not only entrepreneurial but also particular about service quality. His late father was a pioneer in Ijebu’s rental business, setting up tents and chairs for parties with an obsessive attention to detail, Hassan recalls. “He’d make us wash the chairs, the tents. If there was a single spot, you’d start over. No half measures.” His mother, a fashion designer, who he says brought modern flair to Ijebu’s 1990s fashion, was his first teacher on user experience, instilling in him just how a product’s design could evoke trust and desire. “I got my sense of what a good user experience looks like from her,” he says. Those lessons shaped Abdul’s early forays into tech. After secondary school, he moved to Lagos to study computer engineering at the Nigerian Institute of Technology (NIT). The tech ecosystem was still a loose collection of forums and dreamers around the time, “not considered cool in Nigeria,” he recalls. Hassan found a home in Radar, TechCabal’s now-defunct popular forum for tech conversations, where he became a regular commentator. When Paystack launched in 2016, he was among those who first announced the news on the forum, a move that would later prove prophetic. His first startup, Washify, launched in 2014. It was an ambitious attempt to be the “Uber for laundromats,” connecting users to nearby laundry services. Washify didn’t pan out, but it introduced Hassan to Shola Akinlade, Paystack’s co-founder. At the time, Akinlade was an engineer at Klein Devort, a software development and consulting company.
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