“This is my life’s work, I’m not going anywhere”: Day 1-1000 of Fertitude
In exactly 80 days, Fertitude, a reproductive healthtech platform, will mark 1,000 days since its first version went live. Modelled after global femtech platforms like Flo, but deeply localised for African realities, Fertitude wants to become the go-to health companion for thousands of African women navigating fertility, hormonal disorders, and reproductive health. With a hybrid model combining AI-driven symptom tracking, real-time telemedicine, and community-driven care, it is one of the few startups in Nigeria solving the long-ignored crisis of access, trust, and care for women’s health. On today’s edition of Day 1 to 1000, Fertitude founder and CEO, Kieva Chris-Amusan, takes me through shame, startup friction, viral community growth, and the life-changing product she’s building, one period log and gynecologist consult at a time. This is the story of Fertitude, as told to TechCabal. Day 1: It started with pain Fertitude didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with shame. A quiet shame I carried through adolescence, into my twenties, and into doctor’s offices that made me feel small. It was the kind of shame many women know intimately—an unspoken rule that pain is something to be endured, not explained. So I did what we all do: I swallowed the discomfort, masked the irregularities, and kept going. Until I couldn’t. By the time I was diagnosed with PCOS—Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—the damage had already been done. Emotionally, physically, psychologically. The diagnosis didn’t come with a roadmap. It came with confusion. I was a doctor by training. And still, I felt lost. That loss led to a question. Why, in a world where I can hail a ride, order dinner, or find love with a few taps on my phone, couldn’t I access something as fundamental as women’s healthcare? Why was the experience of seeking help still mired in stigma, silence, and awkward consultations with men who didn’t understand—or didn’t care to? I didn’t know it at the time, but that ache—both literal and existential—was Fertitude’s first spark. In May 2023, I was running a thriving marketing agency. My path had veered far from medicine, and yet, the itch to build something that felt soul-aligned wouldn’t let me go. One night, I opened Wix and built an anonymous forum for women to talk about their health. I shared it with 30 women. They shared it with more. Within days, the stories started pouring in. They were raw. Honest. Quietly devastating. Women opening up about fertility struggles, recurrent infections, shame, silence, and deep-seated frustration with the healthcare systems around them. But one thread connected them all: they weren’t just seeking sisterhood. They were begging for care. That’s when I realized this was no longer just a community. It was infrastructure. 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 Day 180: From whisper to war cry By June 2023, I launched what I now call “version zero” of Fertitude—a barebones prototype rooted in community. But something extraordinary happened: women didn’t just show up. They stayed. They asked questions. They trusted us. And in doing so, I doubled down. I realized I wasn’t building a “fun project.” I was building a full-stack women’s health company. So I got serious. In September 2023, we got our first real sign that Fertitude might be more than a community project: a $150,000 in exchange for equity. But I turned it down because I felt the equity ask was too
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Digital Nomads: Tech privacy opened global doors for this Nigerian lawyer
After a rigorous law education, Motunrayo Adebayo worked for several years as a litigator, until she grew discontent with how boxed in she felt. The day she made the shift into tech, she said, was one of the happiest days of her life. Adebayo works in tech and IT privacy. It’s a tech-adjacent role with increasing influence in global companies, particularly in the United States, where privacy concerns and regulations have made this one of the fastest-growing segments in the global tech industry. The path into that world was far from obvious to Adebayo back when she still wore wigs and jumped buses to courtrooms. Let’s rewind. 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 Early years In 2018, after earning her law degree in Nigeria and completing law school in Abuja, Adebayo did what many young lawyers do: put on a gown, walked into courtrooms, and tried to thrive there. She was a junior counsel at a Nigerian law firm, but the courtroom life did not feel natural to Adebayo. The robes were heavy. The performative weight of litigation, its language, its posture, and its theatre, pulled against the quiet, introverted way her mind worked. “One aspect of law that challenged me was having to go to the courts,” Adebayo said. “I had to defend clients, but I was even struggling to express myself publicly at the time. But I saw my peers I graduated law school with; they were doing the same thing. So I kept at it for two years until I no longer enjoyed doing it.” Adebayo had a certification in corporate secretaryship, which allowed her to work in compliance departments for several companies. It was in the course of this work and alongside some digging that she discovered privacy. Over the next few weeks, she immersed herself in privacy policies, IT and tech laws, and it opened up a more exciting career path. In 2021, she got her first privacy-focused role, working full-time as an in-house lawyer at an IT consulting firm. There, she got into the trenches interpreting tech laws, reviewing privacy frameworks, and helping teams stay compliant. Adebayo described her role in IT privacy, which sits close to compliance, as looking for pins in a muddy haystack. Except this time, she said, you have to find the pins. Tech privacy means different things to different companies. The bigger a firm gets, and the more it expands globally, the harder it is to avoid occasional regulatory fines. At that point, the goal, month on month, becomes how much smaller the budget for those fines can get. She worked across two IT consulting firms in Nigeria as a privacy analyst and strategy operations lead before moving to the United States, where she went deeper into the technical side of privacy work. Life as a privacy analyst Adebayo wanted to go beyond legal interpretation. After years of drafting policies and reviewing compliance documents, she realised she needed to better understand the technology behind the rules. She wanted to communicate effectively with engineers and tech teams. So she pursued a master’s degree in Information Technology in the US. She graduated in April. And after two months of seeking new opportunities in the US, she clinched a job as an analyst. Today, her job is not vastly different from what she did back in Nigeria. But she admits that the
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Stuck at the border: The barriers to Nigeria’s global trade ambitions
Cross-border trade directly impacts Nigeria’s economic development, especially with the growing role of technology. However, this potential remains undercut by persistent and complex supply chain challenges, many of which are not often discussed. These challenges limit Nigeria’s ability to adopt emerging technologies, like agentic artificial intelligence, for efficient global marketplace operations. This piece explores three major hurdles obstructing Nigeria’s non-oil export ambitions: a hyper-focus on consumer goods, underutilised trade blocs, and inadequate infrastructure. Hyper-focus on consumer goods for export There is a gross imbalance between the export of consumer goods and value-added goods. In economics, consumer goods are finished products for direct consumption (e.g., biscuits, soap), while value-added goods are raw materials transformed to increase economic worth (e.g., Shea Oil or Cocoa Powder). Capital goods are the equipment used to produce both. Countries like China have thriving exports due to their heavy investment in capital goods, enabling the mass production of high-quality exports. In contrast, Nigeria struggles to match these volumes due to the lack of processing capacity. Despite opportunities like the UK’s recent decision to allow over 3,000 Nigerian products duty-free access, the impact remains minimal if dominated by processed consumer goods. Thousands of SMEs in Nigeria attempt to export consumer goods but fail due to stringent compliance requirements abroad. For instance, steam sterilisation is required to export certain goods to Europe, with one piece of sterilisation equipment costing around ₦90 million, well beyond the reach of many SMEs. This overemphasis on consumer goods, without the needed machinery and infrastructure to meet international standards, limits the economic impact and scalability of exports. Underutilised and unrealised trade blocs Trade blocs are agreements between countries to ease cross-border trade. Nigeria is a member of several promising blocs, yet these are either underused or practically ineffective. Take the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. trade initiative offering duty-free access to the American market for eligible African countries. It includes sectors like textiles, agriculture, auto parts, handmade goods, and beauty products. Despite its existence since 2000-2025, Nigeria has barely leveraged AGOA in non-oil exports. Similarly, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a landmark agreement among 54 African countries, aims to boost intra-African trade by removing 90% of tariffs, streamlining borders, and even introducing a single currency. However, its practical implementation lags far behind the political will. A typical example: shipping goods from Lagos to Kigali, Rwanda (a landlocked country), involves multi-modal transport, often routing through Kenya or Tanzania. Ironically, due to poor intra-African shipping routes, a container might transit through Europe or the Middle East before reaching East Africa, increasing cost, delivery time, and risks. This undermines the very essence of “free trade.” Hence, despite well-intentioned participation, Nigeria’s engagement with these trade blocs remains largely unrealised and limits its global economic leverage. Inadequate Infrastructure Global supply chains rely on critical infrastructure: sourcing, inventory management, payments, logistics, and warehousing, mostly powered by technology. In Nigeria, persistent issues with cross-border payments and warehousing continue to slow growth. Payment is particularly crucial for marketplaces dealing with hundreds of vendors. Initially, platforms like Mercury enabled Nigerian businesses to open U.S. accounts linked with global gateways like Stripe. However, when Mercury restricted access to Nigerian businesses, a gap emerged. Startups like Raenest have stepped in, recently offering payout services from U.S. accounts directly to Nigerian vendors. If sustainable, this could resolve a major bottleneck. Warehousing is another sticking point. International marketplaces operate subscription-based models (like Amazon), where vendors stock goods in destination countries for easy fulfillment. Nigerian vendors, however, are reluctant to pay recurring fees in foreign currency without guaranteed sales, while marketplaces still incur storage costs. Therefore, platforms must devise innovative models to address the warehousing issue or risk excluding many SMEs. What needs to change Currently, Nigeria ranks outside the top 50 exporters to the United States, the world’s largest consumer market. In 2024, Nigeria exported only around $5 billion worth of non-oil exports, compared to Mexico and China, which recorded over $500 billion and $400 billion, respectively. While Mexico benefits from NAFTA and China from government-backed industrialisation and machinery access, Nigeria’s challenges keep its global trade potential largely untapped. To reposition Nigeria as a competitive global exporter: SMEs must form consortia to pool resources and meet the volume requirements of international buyers. Production hubs with the right machinery must be developed with these consortia to meet regulatory standards. Value-added goods should be prioritised over raw or low-value consumer goods, as they face fewer trade barriers and are more adaptable to market needs. If Nigeria can tackle these issues systematically, it could create a ripple effect of innovation and industrialisation, especially technology-driven solutions that could transform its international trade. ______ Omowumi Omidiji is the founder of SOUQ OS, a B2B cross-border supply chain management platform leveraging technology to build trust and streamline Diaspora- Africa trade. With her experience in Law, Tech, and Export, she is a member of She Trades by ITC and eTrade for Women by UNCTAD. 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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South Africa’s Blue Label Telecoms to change name in major rebrand
South Africa’s Blue Label Telecoms, known for its prepaid and virtual service offerings, is planning to rebrand as Blu Label Unlimited Group. The proposed name change, pending shareholder approval, marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy, with ambitions to expand its footprint in the country’s tech and telecoms space. The company says it is undergoing a major restructuring, separating its telecoms operations from non-telecoms business units. In a statement to investors on Friday, the company said, “In light of this strategic shift, the Board believes it is prudent for the Company’s name to reflect this new direction by omitting the reference to “telecoms.” Furthermore, the adjustment of the term “Blue” to the abbreviated form “Blu” aligns with the recent adoption of the trading name and logo “Blu” across various marketing platforms. Blue Label is one of South Africa’s most quietly influential tech companies in the country’s prepaid economy. Its platforms and distribution network enable the seamless purchase of prepaid airtime, electricity, and mobile data through thousands of outlets, including spaza shops, petrol stations, and major supermarkets. In 2024, Blue Label reported serving around 35 million customers through a broad portfolio of telecoms, prepaid services, and digital financial solutions. It operates in a highly competitive market dominated by major players like MTN and Vodacom, who maintain an edge through extensive infrastructure, wide coverage, and strong consumer loyalty. South Africa’s telecom market is projected to grow from $10.43 billion in 2025 to $12.28 billion by 2030, and mobile data will be the biggest driver. The name Blu Label Unlimited Group has already been reserved with the Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Once approved, the company’s long name on the JSE will change to Blu Label Unlimited. Its short name will become Blu. The JSE share code will remain unchanged. It will continue to be listed under the telecoms sector on the main board This rebrand coincides with Blue Label’s progress in acquiring a controlling stake in mobile operator Cell C, announced in May. Under the leadership of former Vodacom executive Jorges Mendes, Cell C has adopted a “capex-light” strategy aimed at financial recovery and sustainable growth. Blue Label has also hinted at a possible future JSE listing for Cell C, as part of a broader restructuring initiative. This would involve several transactions designed to strengthen Cell C’s balance sheet ahead of its separation from the group. If the plan moves forward, the listing will be contingent on the success of these interdependent steps. 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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What Africa’s 2024 blockchain funding says about investor priorities
After a record run, investor attention is shifting—and that says a lot about where blockchain is going in Africa. Africa’s blockchain sector has hit a decline since its funding peak in 2022. Now, the industry is akin to a baby learning how to walk again, thanks to a myriad of reasons: sluggish regulatory catch-ups, an investor climate allergic to big-risk plays, and global capital flows reorienting toward safer geographies. In 2024, blockchain startups in Africa raised $122.5 million—36% less than 2023’s $191.4 million, according to the latest African Blockchain Report by Crypto Valley Venture Capital (CV VC). This marks the second consecutive annual drop since the sector’s $474 million peak in 2022. But unlike past years where investors spread their bets widely, 2024’s funding paints a clearer picture of what venture capitalists now care about in Africa’s blockchain ecosystem. The capital is shrinking—and concentrating Only five countries in Africa attracted blockchain venture funding in 2024. Seychelles led with $38.85 million across eight deals—despite a 56% drop from 2023. This wasn’t surprising. Seychelles has long been a magnet for crypto exchanges and trading platforms, thanks to its favourable regulatory stance, tax neutrality on foreign-sourced income, and reputation as a trusted offshore jurisdiction. Seychelles does not ban assets for incorporated companies, and its regulatory framework offers clear licencing for digital asset businesses. Global crypto exchanges like KuCoin and OKX have used Seychelles as a home base, giving the island nation global name recognition in blockchain circles. That appeal matters. In 2024, companies headquartered outside Africa but registered in Seychelles received over half (51.8%) of all blockchain funding on the continent, amounting to $63.4 million. Some of these firms may not be building primarily for African users but are drawn to the country’s regulatory haven and operational ease. As a result, Seychelles’ numbers may overstate Africa-focused funding. 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 Nigeria rises, Kenya stumbles Seychelles’ mixed bag of Africa-focused companies aside, Nigeria saw the biggest growth. Blockchain startups raised $18.86 million across 10 deals, a significant jump from just $1.57 million in the previous year. This growth likely reflects a bounce-back in investor confidence, especially after Nigeria lifted its two-year ban on crypto bank transactions in 2023. Kenya, on the other hand, suffered a steep drop. Its blockchain startups raised just $5.99 million across four deals in 2024—down nearly 84% from $36.1 million the year before. South Africa followed a similar trend, with a 51% decline, raising $22.54 million from five deals, down from $46 million in 2023. In Morocco, only one blockchain deal happened: Tookeez, a startup building a blockchain-based loyalty points marketplace, raised $1.5 million in seed funding. This was the country’s first blockchain investment since at least 2021, hinting at how investor confidence there is cautiously growing, given Morocco’s evolving stance on crypto. A thesis that favours consumers over builders The structure of the deals in 2024 indicates a shift in investor priorities. Of the $122.5 million raised, early-stage funding rounds dominated, with pre-seed and seed rounds making up $50.3 million, and early-stage VC contributing $31.3 million. That’s a combined two-thirds of total funding. Later-stage VC brought in another $40.5 million, while ecosystem grants and accelerator funding accounted for just $495,000—suggesting that philanthropic or development-driven capital could be playing a crucial, but negligible funding role at this stage. The companies attracting funding also say a lot about
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Equity Group expands fraud crackdown to Uganda after firing 1,500 employees in Kenya
Equity Group, Kenya’s second-largest bank by assets, has extended its internal crackdown on staff misconduct to Uganda, two months after sacking over 1,500 employees in Kenya over links to suspect dealings, including fraud. In Uganda, the bank has launched what it’s calling a “culture of accountability” campaign, a group-wide push to tighten internal controls, promote ethical behaviour, and weed out conflicts of interest. Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko told Daily Monitor that the exercise is not a reaction to any single incident, but rather part of the lender’s plans to strengthen governance across its operations. “We’re doing regular audits, reviewing performance, and looking closely at conflict of interest and fraud risk,” Shoko said. “It’s not about punishing people, but about supporting them and setting clear expectations. But where trust is broken, we’ll take appropriate action.” Shoko said the bank is rolling out new whistleblower protections, ethics training, and back-end risk checks, including AI-powered analytics that flag unusual transactions. “We’re looking at every disbursement and where it was deposited. What we saw in Kenya was a shock. And we want to be transparent.” That “shock” refers to the bank’s sweeping anti-fraud purge in Kenya, where an internal investigation uncovered widespread collusion between staff and fraudsters. More than $15 million is estimated to have been lost in questionable transactions over the past two years, some of it wired to offshore accounts. Equity Group CEO James Mwangi said some employees were dismissed over links to suspicious M-PESA and bank transactions, even where the amounts were small. “This is not a toll station,” Mwangi said in May. “If you have ever eaten Mama Mboga’s chicken, the moment has come.” The clean-up began in May and has since become one of the most aggressive anti-fraud campaigns in Kenya’s banking history. Mwangi has vowed to take the exercise across all seven of Equity’s markets, which include Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and the DRC. Shoko said Uganda is now going through the same process, backed by external auditors and legal teams. “All affected staff are being given a fair chance to explain themselves. Some have, others haven’t—and disciplinary processes are underway,” he said. He added that the exercise is expected to wrap up by the end of July. Once a small building society in Kenya, Equity has grown into one of Africa’s biggest banks with $1.3 billion (KES180 billion) capitalisation, mainly offering affordable services to low-income customers. But with that growth—and a rapid shift to digital banking—has come new vulnerabilities, especially in internal systems and staff behaviour. 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 – Safaricom scores a hat trick
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Wazzup! TechCabal has just launched a cool column, Delve Into AI, where we delve into the critical stories, questions, and opportunities driving Africa’s AI ecosystem. Every Thursday, Ifeoluwa, our intern reporter, looks deeply into topics surrounding local startups, talent pipelines, data infrastructure, and how AI is transforming our everyday social interactions. Read the first post here. MultiChoice enters mobile gaming territory Safaricom rehires for a crucial executive position Egypt keeps benchmark rates steady Funding Tracker World Wide Web 3 Opportunities Streaming MultiChoice enters mobile gaming sector Image Source: TechCabal MultiChoice, South Africa’s pay-TV giant, now builds mobile games. Yesterday, the company launched its first game, Shaka iLembe: Match Challenge, based on a South African series of the same name. This surprising venture has come at a time when MultiChoice is struggling to sustain user attention, or even justify the price of its pay-TV services amid inflationary markets where it operates. By March 2025, MultiChoice’s revenue declined as subscribers, with squeezed wallets, began to prioritise other necessary expenses. Why does it matter? MultiChoice’s gaming venture is following a bigger trend: streaming companies using their original stories to build new digital worlds and keep audiences hooked for the long term. Netflix, for example, now publishes more games than the maker of Candy Crush, King. MultiChoice could follow a similar playbook: it owns cherished African stories, has a considerable reach through DStv, GOtv, and Showmax, and can test whether mobile games can keep subscribers loyal to its broader offerings. It is starting small with Shaka iLembe, but it is looking to launch several new mobile games to boost opportunities for world-building and cross-platform engagement. State of play: Shaka iLembe: The Match Challenge is now live on the MyDStv app in South Africa, with additional games planned. The timing shows how MultiChoice is pushing for fresher ways to retain users amid the increasingly tougher operating terrain in streaming. In Ghana, regulators have just ordered MultiChoice to slash DStv prices by 30% to reflect the cedi’s rise. Meanwhile, MultiChoice Kenya will raise DStv prices from August 1, but lower Showmax fees to attract streaming-first viewers. The big picture: MultiChoice is transforming original TV hits into playable worlds and investing in games to help it compete, build customer loyalty, and stay relevant in the long run. Paying 2% or more on every transaction adds up fast. For businesses in e-commerce, logistics, travel, fintech, and more, every naira counts. Fincra helps you save more with 1% NGN fees capped at ₦300. Ideal for high-value or high-volume transactions. Get started for free with just your email address! 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This announcement came barely days after Cynthia Karuri-Kropac, the company’s former executive, left the role. Catch up: Formerly, data and voice revenue used to be important revenue drivers for African telecom companies. Data has remained steady, while voice has declined. As a result, the demand for internet connectivity has led telecom companies, seeking to expand their revenue baskets, to strengthen infrastructure for data and data services. Safaricom has run an enterprise services
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A guide to owning solar in Nigeria (2025): Prices, installation, and top vendors
Table of contents What is a solar system Types of solar panels How much does solar cost Solar providers in Nigeria It started with a blackout. The kind that catches you just as you’re about to iron your clothes or charge your phone before heading out. I looked at my dead sockets, then at my fuel-sipping generator, and sighed. Again. That day, I told myself, “There has to be a better way.” I’d heard people talk about solar, but it always sounded like something rich folks or tech bros figured out. But when I finally sat down to understand it, I realised: it’s not that deep. Once you know what you need, what it does, and where to buy it, setting up a solar system isn’t as complicated as people make it sound. This article is everything I wish I knew from the start: clear, simple, and straight to the point. If you’re tired of blackouts and ready to power your home, office, or shop with solar, this is for you. Why solar power is a smart move Solar power has clear benefits: Reliable energy: Nigeria receives 6–9 hours of intense sunlight daily. That’s free power you can tap into. Significant savings: After the initial cost, solar helps you eliminate fuel expenses and lower your monthly power bills. In 3–5 years, most systems pay for themselves. Cleaner environment: No smoke, no noise. Solar helps reduce air pollution and cuts down on harmful carbon emissions. Low maintenance: Simply clean the solar panel periodically. No fuel runs, no oil changes. What is a solar system? A solar system isn’t as complicated as it sounds. It’s just a team of parts working together to turn sunlight into electricity you can use for your home, office, or shop. Here’s how it all comes together: 1. Solar panel: These are the dark panels you see on rooftops. They absorb sunlight using tiny cells (called photovoltaic or PV cells) and produce DC (direct current) electricity.That’s your first source of power, but your appliances don’t use DC, so it needs to be converted. 2. Inverter: The inverter takes the DC power from your panels and converts it into AC (alternating current), the kind your fridge, TV, fan, or sockets need.There are different types of inverters: String inverters (most common and affordable) Microinverters (go under each solar panel, good if your roof has shade) Power optimisers (help boost performance before power reaches the inverter) 3. Battery: The battery stores extra power for use during nighttime or in the event of a blackout. Most people now go for lithium-ion batteries. A technician at Fixr Technologies Solar told me they’re “longer-lasting and need less maintenance than lead-acid ones.” 4. Charge controller: This part manages how electricity flows into your battery. It stops overcharging, over-draining, or overheating. The technician added that “MPPT charge controllers are more efficient, especially for bigger systems.” 5. Mounting & wiring: Your panels are typically installed on a metal frame, usually on your roof. Wires connect everything: the panels, the inverter, the battery, and your fuse box. Proper wiring and installation are super important; it’s what keeps your system safe, efficient, and long-lasting. Types of solar panels and how they perform Nigeria receives a significant amount of sunshine, making it an ideal location for solar power. However, due to the heat and humidity, you need to select solar panels that can withstand the weather and continue to perform well over time. 1. Monocrystalline panels – High efficiency, great for small roofs These panels are made from pure silicon and usually look black. They work very well in hot weather and have the highest efficiency, around 20–22%. That means they generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight. They’re perfect if your roof space is small and you want to maximise power from fewer panels. The downside? They cost more. But they also last longer and give better results over time, especially in Nigeria’s hot climate. 2. Polycrystalline panels – Budget-friendly for bigger spaces These solar panels are made from many silicon fragments and have a blue speckled finish. They’re not as efficient, around 16–18%, especially when the weather gets too hot. But they are cheaper, so they work well if you have enough space and want to keep costs low. You may need more panels to get the same amount of power as monocrystalline ones. 3. Thin-Film panels – Flexible but less common Thin-film panels are lightweight and bendable. They’re easy to install on uneven surfaces or in temporary setups. However, their low efficiency means you’ll need significantly more space. That’s why they’re not common in Nigeria. How much does solar cost in Nigeria? The cost of going solar in Nigeria can vary significantly. It depends on the amount of power required, the type and quality of components, and the complexity of the installation. However, before considering price, the first and most crucial step is to understand your energy needs. Step one: Know your power needs To size your solar system properly, list the appliances you want to power and indicate how long you use each one each day. You can also check your past electricity bills to see your average energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh). For accurate results, it’s best to get a professional energy audit. A solar installer can assess your roof size, sunlight exposure, and the number of appliances you have. This helps avoid costly mistakes, such as buying a system that’s too small or too large. Table 1: Estimated solar kit prices in Nigeria by capacity Here’s an estimated guide to the costs of different solar system sizes in Nigeria. These prices are estimates only and are subject to change based on the brand, supplier, and inclusions. Table 2: Average individual solar component prices in Nigeria If you’re planning to build your system from scratch or want to upgrade it later, knowing the cost of parts can be helpful. Keep in mind that cheaper parts may save you money now, but
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Delve into AI: A new column about AI in Africa
What do you think of when you read the word delve? Put simply, it signals a deep dive, an inquiry that pushes you to engage with something more profound. These days, however, the term is commonly associated with generic outputs from large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT. Sometime in April last year, the word caused a stir, especially on X, when Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator and a respected figure in the global tech ecosystem, tweeted that he deduced a cold email he received was AI-generated because the sender used the word ‘delve’. Many were outraged by this, particularly Nigerians and Africans who grew up learning English via literature and textbooks with elaborate vocabulary. They were shocked to find that their everyday language was now referred to as ‘AI-generated’. For days, the conversation continued. I got tired of it all eventually. Yet beneath all the online back-and-forths, the conversation revealed something deeper about the AI space and how we, as Africans, perceive our relationship with the technology. Should we be asking more about what major tech players are (or are not) thinking about when it comes to AI in Africa? In the current global race for AI dominance, where does Africa stand? What are the unique opportunities or issues we face as AI adoption rises in different aspects of our fast-changing world?’ In my weekly column, “Delve into AI”, I will delve deep into the conversation about AI in Africa and Africa’s place in the world of AI. On a weekly basis, I will provide people curious about AI in Africa with nuanced insights about how our continent’s AI trajectory is shaping up. AI is a fast evolving industry; this is a space for us to explore stories that help us all get smarter about the current and future landscape of AI on the continent. In the coming months, we will explore: How generative AI is facilitating gendered harassment on social media. How commercial banks think about their AI strategy, if they have any, and what this means for you as a consumer. What role AI is playing in upcoming elections across Africa this year, or has played in past elections. The growing wave of initiatives on the continent training tech talent in AI and where this newly skilled workforce is actually going. AI startups on the continent that should be on your radar. The state of our data centres and how we compete globally in terms of data collection, processing, and storage. Each column will examine, in detail, these topics and so much more about the AI ecosystem on our continent. Keep an eye out every Thursday for a new article and come along as we get smarter about AI and Africa’s future. 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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Safaricom replaces enterprise head Cynthia Karuri-Kropac amid executive shakeup
Safaricom has appointed Frankline Okata as its new Chief Enterprise Business Officer to replace Cynthia Karuri-Kropac, in another major leadership change at the telco giant. The reshuffle is part of a broader reset of the company’s executive team under CEO Peter Ndegwa, as Safaricom bets on enterprise and digital services to offset stagnating voice and SMS revenues. “Frankline brings a wealth of experience and a good understanding of our Enterprise business and operations,” Ndegwa said in a statement seen by Techcabal. “He joined Safaricom in 2006 as a Customer Care Representative and held several roles in the Care Centre before moving to the Enterprise Business Unit in 2011, where he grew through various roles.” Okata also led Safaricom’s strategy to scale integrated packaged technology solutions, and was responsible for the Small and Micro Enterprises segments, the CEO added. His appointment suggests a shift toward promoting internal talent to drive the company’s next phase. Karuri-Kropac, who joined Safaricom from AT&T in 2022, exited the role less than two years into her tenure. She had been brought in to stabilise the enterprise division following a series of short-lived leadership stints, including that of Kris Senanu, who left in 2022 after barely a year. She left the company in the first week of July, according to a source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to speak freely. “On behalf of the entire Safaricom family, I extend our gratitude to Cynthia for her contributions and leadership over the past couple of years and wish her success in her next chapter,” Ndegwa said. “ She led our efforts to drive new growth areas in enterprise, with a focus on IoT, ICT, and Cloud solutions, which are an important part of our vision of becoming Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company.” Karuri-Kropac’s departure also marks the third leadership change in the enterprise unit in just over three years. The division has become increasingly crucial to Safaricom’s growth strategy, as the telco moves beyond voice and text into enterprise connectivity, cloud, and digital financial services. Since Peter Ndegwa became CEO in April 2020, Safaricom’s executive bench has undergone a near-complete reset. All chief officers who served under the late and former CEO Bob Collymore have left—either through exits or early retirement—and were replaced within one or two years. That list includes Sylvia Mulinge, the former Chief Consumer Business Officer and now CEO of MTN Uganda. The leadership shakeup comes amid a broader strategy change at the telco. Voice and SMS revenues are flat, while M-PESA continues to expand. In 2024, M-PESA accounted for 44% of Safaricom’s $2.8 billion (KES 364.3 billion) service revenue, after growing 15.2% to $1.2 billion (KES 161.1 billion). The mobile money platform now processes over $11.6 billion (KES 1.5 trillion) monthly from more than 30 million active users. 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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