Togo’s Gozem expands into mobile money with new fintech platform
Gozem, a Francophone Africa-focused super app, has launched Gozem Money, a mobile money platform developed in partnership with NSIA Bank Togo, a branch of the banking division of NSIA Group. The service aims to expand access to affordable financial services for everyday users in Togo. “We are proud to offer a solution that combines technology, simplicity, and social impact,” said Jean Sylvestre Nango, Managing Director of Gozem Money Togo. “ Gozem Money reflects our ambition to transform the sector and actively contribute to sustainable financial inclusion.” Gozem’s choice of launching in Togo is strategic. The total value of Togo’s mobile money transactions in Q1 2024 saw a 3% surge to $1.54 billion compared to the previous quarter. The country has a mobile money penetration rate of 39% among its 8 million residents, with over 57% of these individuals actively making digital payments. “With our expertise and nationwide presence, we are driving the country’s digital transformation and supporting the emergence of a more inclusive economy,” Max-Ange Didier Djecketh, Managing Director of NSIA Bank Togo, added. Gozem Money will enable users to top up their wallets, make transfers across operators, and make purchases on compatible platforms, as the solution is fully interoperable with all mobile money operators in Togo. The platform claims its withdrawal fees are five times lower than the standard market rates. Gozem is entering into a sector dominated by mobile money services backed by the country’s telecom operators. TMoney, owned by Yas (formerly Togocom), holds about 60% of the mobile money market, while Moov Africa’s Flooz Wallet holds the remaining 40%. Gozem Money’s entry could spark price competition; yet, winning the scale will depend on Gozem’s agent-network density. Gozem is betting that its below-average pricing scheme will provide an affordable alternative for users. The launch comes almost two years after the startup acquired Moneex, a Beninese startup specializing in electronic payments, for an undisclosed amount. Gozem plans to expand the service to other countries where it already operates, including Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon. Gozem’s mobile app is a culmination of transport, e-commerce, and financial services for consumers, driver-partners, and businesses. Launched in November 2018, the startup claims to have completed over 20 million rides across 16 cities. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Meet and learn from Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Get your tickets now: moonshot.techcabal.com
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Vertiv expands footprint in Africa with multi-year Airtel Nxtra data centre deal
Vertiv, a global critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions provider, has signed a multi-year partnership with Nxtra by Airtel Africa to support the telecom operator’s ambitious plan to build one of the largest data centre networks across the continent. The collaboration begins in Nigeria, marking the first phase of Nxtra’s long-term expansion to provide high-capacity, energy-efficient digital infrastructure across Africa. Under the agreement, Vertiv will supply advanced thermal management systems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units with batteries, and comprehensive commissioning and maintenance services. The first project, a 42-megawatt (MW) facility in Nigeria, will be delivered in four phases and is expected to be fully operational by 2028. Vertiv’s Nigerian service team will oversee installation and provide five years of ongoing support, ensuring reliable operations and minimal downtime for the facility. Nxtra’s CEO, Yash Issur, said the company’s investment in large-scale, high-quality data centres is crucial to enabling Africa’s digital transformation. “It was important to partner with a vendor that combines global expertise with a strong local presence,” Issur said. “Vertiv’s track record in Africa, along with its experience supporting Airtel projects in India, gives us confidence in its ability to deliver reliable, scalable infrastructure across our markets.” Karsten Winther, president of Vertiv for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), noted that Airtel and Vertiv have collaborated for nearly three decades. “This next chapter demonstrates the power of combining local African support with international innovation,” he said. The deal positions Vertiv as a key partner in Nxtra’s multi-country rollout plan, which will extend to markets such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where Airtel Africa operates. Vertiv’s managing director for Africa, Wojtek Piorko, described the partnership as “an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s digital backbone,” highlighting the continent’s rapidly growing, data-hungry population as a major driver of demand. Nxtra’s expansion comes as Africa experiences a surge in data consumption driven by cloud adoption, fintech growth, and emerging AI workloads. In Nigeria, data usage hit a record high in 2025, with monthly internet traffic reaching 1.1 million terabytes (1,100,000 TB) by July. This surge—driven by cloud services, video streaming, and enterprise digital operations, has spurred major investments in the data centre sector, pushing total national capacity to about 136.7 megawatts. Despite challenges such as rising energy costs and fluctuating internet subscriptions, the market continues to grow rapidly as demand for digital infrastructure intensifies. The planned facilities, including a massive upcoming site in Nairobi expected to surpass the Nigerian project in scale, are designed to meet global standards for sustainability, security, and performance. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Meet and learn from Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Get your tickets now: moonshot.techcabal.com
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M-Pesa charges 2025 in Kenya: A simple breakdown
If you live in Kenya, chances are that you use M-Pesa every day, or you are thinking of starting to consider the possibilities of taking advantage of the e-payment app to send money, pay bills, buy airtime, or receive payments. But how much do you really pay for these services in 2025? Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible so you can save more and spend smartly. Sending money on M-Pesa (2025 rates): Sending money is the most used M-Pesa transaction— good thing some transfers are still free, especially for small amounts. Here is how it works: Ksh 1-49: Free Ksh 50-100: Free Ksh 101-500: Ksh 7 Ksh 501-50,00: Ksh 13-108 50,001-250,000: Ksh 108 The charges are the same you’re sending to another M-Pesa user, Pochi La Biashara, or a Business Till (Buy Goods) number. This means paying a local business or sending money to a friend costs the same. Saving tip: Transferring smaller amounts or using “send to bank” – instead of withdrawing from an agent and depositing in a bank- can help save money in the long run. Withdrawing money— agent and ATM fees: To withdraw cash, M-Pesa agents are a good go-to option. However, ATM withdrawals are also an option. Charges for both agents and ATM withdrawals vary according to the amount. M-Pesa withdrawal agent’s fee breakdown: Ksh 101-2500: Ksh 29 Ksh 2,501-3,500: Ksh 52 Ksh 3,501-10,000: Ksh 69-115 Ksh 10,001-35,000: Ksh 167-197 Ksh 35,001-250,000: Ksh 278-309 M-Pesa ATM withdrawal tariff: Ksh 200-2500: Ksh 35 Ksh 2,501-5,000: Ksh 69 Ksh 5,001-10,000: Ksh 115 Ksh 10,001-35,000: Ksh 203 While convenient, ATM withdrawals cost slightly more in some cases, especially for amounts between Ksh 2,500 and Ksh 35,000. Saving tip: Withdraw in larger sums when possible. Multiple withdrawals will result in higher cumulative fees. Other M-Pesa services and what they cost: M-Pesa keeps most of its basic services free, which is welcome news to everyday users. Here is a quick summary: Deposits: Free Registration: Free Checking balance: Free Buying airtime: Free Changing pins: Free This means the only times you’re charged for fees are when you’re sending or withdrawing. Saving tip. Everything here is free; we can all skip this part. M-Pesa limits you should know (2025 update) With Safaricom’s 2025 update, here are the official transaction and account limits: The maximum account balance is Ksh 500,000 The maximum daily transaction value is Ksh 500,000 The maximum amount per transaction is KSh 250,000 Minimum amount to withdraw at an agent outlet is Ksh 50 5 tips to save on M-Pesa charges: If you’re tired of those small fees eating into your money, you should try these tricks: Instead of splitting payments and paying multiple fees, send larger sums at once. Use Paybill or Buy Goods for business payments. Some merchants absorb fees. Avoid unnecessary withdrawals. Use the M-Pesa mobile app or USSD 234# for self-service— it’s free to check balance or reverse errors. Move money from M-Pesa to bank accounts; it’s often cheaper than cashing out through agent outlets. M-Pesa in 2025 M-Pesa continues to hold a considerable market share in Kenya’s digital payment space, making banking easier for millions across cities, towns, and rural areas every single day. Safaricom, the parent company, has worked to make the platform transparent, secure, and user-friendly by introducing clear tariffs and higher transaction limits that support Kenya’s growing economy.
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Bitcoin price crashes below $120k as Trump raises tariff charged to China by 100%
The global crypto market faced a major price dip, plummeting below the critical $120k support level over 24 hours after United States President Donald Trump threatened to increase tariffs on Chinese imports by 100% starting November 1. In a post on Truth social media, Trump accused Beijing of being hostile, attempting to hold the world ‘captive’, and sending letters to countries all over the world on plans to impose Export Controls on every element of production. Bitcoin crashes below $120k amid panic selling: Before Trump’s comment, BTC had charted a new all-time high some days ago, and was trading at $121,300 before plummeting below $120k, setting a new low at $109k on Binance. Ethereum dipped below $3,500, and Solana dumped below $150. Bitcoin’s drop represented a loss of over $10k in less than an hour. BTC dipped under $114k before the decline got worse, wiping over $250B from total crypto market capitalisation, making it one of the biggest single-day declines of 2025. As of press time, BTC sells at $112,296 with a 7.91% decline in value, while ETH sells at $3,816 with a 12.52% decline in value. $5 Billion in crypto liquidation in 24 hours: The ripple effect of the POTUS announcement affected the crypto market, which witnessed over $7.5 billion in positions liquidated within an hour. As per data from Coinglass on Saturday, October 1, BTC leads with $5.39B in liquidation, followed by ETH at $4.45B, with Solana liquidation hitting $2.02B and XRP liquidation sitting at $710.35m in 24 hours. In the past 24 hours,1,673,146 traders were liquidated, and the total liquidations come in at $19.38B. The largest liquidation happened on Hyperliquid -ETH-USDT value $203.36m. Institutional buyers see opportunity amid volatility. Despite the chaos, institutional demand for Bitcoin appeared resilient. Glassnode noted that ‘$BTC ETF inflows have continued despite the recent pullback, showing that institutional demand remains steady even as derivatives traders get chopped. This suggests structural buying is still underpinning the market, helping to absorb volatility and stabilise price action.’ Key takeaways: Bitcoin dropped below $120k, hitting as low as $109k on some exchanges Over $1B positions liquidated in less than 24 hours Ethereum, Solana, and other major altcoins suffered steep declines Institutional inflows into Bitcoin ETFs suggest confidence in long-term recovery Trump’s tariff threat reignited trade war fears, upsetting global risk assets.
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Raenest enters US market with new stablecoin and stock investing products
On Thursday, Raenest, a Nigeria-based cross-border remittance company that offers multicurrency accounts for freelancers and businesses, unveiled four new products at its annual community event, Raenest Exchange. The new suite, which includes stock investing, stablecoin conversion, and faster payouts, marks the company’s entry into the US market. “With this new launch, we have completed the ‘money loop,’ Victor Alade, the company’s CEO, told TechCabal. “Raenest has two core parts. We are connecting both money movement and saving and investing, enabling users to earn, move, and invest money seamlessly in one ecosystem.” The loudest roar at the event came when Raenest demoed its new product that allows customers to buy shares in global companies from their Naira or USD accounts. The second loudest came from Raenest Fasstrack, which links directly to Upwork accounts and shortens payout time for gig workers from days to within an hour. Raenest also introduced a stablecoin product that automatically converts crypto to fiat, but is limited to USDC and USDT. While investors will welcome the company’s expansion into the US, which now allows users to send money to American accounts, the announcement landed with a more subdued reaction from the audience. For a fintech like Raenest, which serves freelancers and remote workers, hosting a conference for its customers is not just altruistic, as it creates an organic stage for product marketing and community building. By inviting popular creators and their online communities eager to meet them offline, Raenest gets to market its products to a new audience. It also connects freelancers working in isolation, creating a network effect. “We wanted to create a space where our customers could not only learn more about our products but also connect, share knowledge, and grow together,” Alade said. “We see ourselves as more than just a payments company; we want to be partners in their growth. When our customers earn more, we grow too.” Over 1,500 people registered to attend, and at least five told TechCabal that they came either because an influencer was speaking or were invited by a Raenest customer. For Raenest, both dynamics are the perfect growth loop. “Being a purely online company, we felt the need to connect with people physically and show the human side of the brand,” Alade said. Princess Eze, a jeweller who imports from China, downloaded the Raenest app at the event and told TechCabal that she’s considering switching to Raenest from PayPal and Zelle if the app offers better exchange rates and a better experience. “It’s now a yearly event; we allocated a budget for it and even set up a dedicated community team to plan alongside our content team,” Alade said. “It’s now part of our offline engagement strategy.” The conference format also gives Raenest direct user feedback, allowing the company to collect insights into freelancers’ pain points and product preferences. Piggyvest saw similar benefits from its “OpenHouse” forums, where users could share feedback and question the founders in real time. For Raenest, that dialogue helped shape its product roadmap and made customers feel seen and heard. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Meet and learn from Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Get your tickets now: moonshot.techcabal.com
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Digital Nomads: With no German, God’sfavour Ikwuka couldn’t land a mining job; he became a data engineer
It was a chilly winter morning in Freiberg, as God’sfavour Ikwuka sat by the window of his studio apartment, staring at the skyline he still didn’t know the German word for. He had come to Freiberg, Germany, to study mining and remediation, hoping he’d land a role in the sector. Mining is an in-demand non-tech field in Germany. Although the country now produces only about 1% of the world’s coal, it has shifted tack toward minerals and resources that support its automotive-heavy economy, particularly those needed for electric vehicles (EVs), like lithium. This transition has kept mining studies relevant, with universities like TU Bergakademie Freiberg and Clausthal University of Technology attracting students from around the world. Many courses are taught in English, though speaking German remains essential for finding mining work, since most companies and projects operate in the local language. It was February 2019—five months after Ikwuka had arrived in Freiberg for his studies—and he had yet to earn a single euro. He had come to Germany on a study visa soon after finishing college in Nigeria, making a contrarian bet on himself. An engineer, Ikwuka had a clear plan to build a career in one of three industries: oil and gas, banking, or telecoms. He was already pursuing the second path when the chance to study in Germany came. “A lot of my friends worked in telecoms and were doing alright,” said Ikwuka. “I believed I could make it in the Nigerian banking sector. I was already working at Ecobank as a graduate trainee before I left. But I had a relative in Germany who was on my neck; she kept telling me the opportunities were here [Germany] and I had to move. She gave me all the push I needed, and all I had to do was pay application fees to schools and sponsor my flight ticket.” Ikwuka applied to three German schools for his master’s. He got into TU Bergakademie Freiberg in 2018. 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 Welcome to Germany Getting to Germany was easier than he imagined. Public universities across the country charge no tuition, and all he needed to show was proof that he could take care of himself while studying. There are three ways to show that proof. If an immigrant is sponsoring their studies, they must put money in a bank account, enough to cover their living and semester contributions. The second route is via scholarship. If an immigrant comes to study in Germany on a scholarship, the university takes care of all their expenses. The third route, which Ikwuka took, was sponsored by someone else. His relative, who lived in Stuttgart, Germany, at the time, filed the verpflichtungserklärung on his behalf—a declaration of financial commitment required for immigrants, usually €947 per month multiplied by the duration of their visa stay. With that, his visa application was approved, and soon after, he boarded a flight bound for Freiberg. In those days, getting a visa appointment at the German embassy in Lagos was quick. Within weeks, he had submitted his documents and secured approval. The system has since changed, and students can now wait up to 18 months for a visa date, a sign of how demand for study routes into Germany has surged in recent years. When Ikwuka arrived, life in Freiberg was slower and quieter than he expected. The
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7 African startups transforming health records, human resource, and home care
Startups On Our Radar spotlights African startups solving African challenges with innovation. In our previous edition, we featured seven game-changing startups pioneering health, artificial intelligence, commerce, and mobility. Expect the next dispatch on October 17, 2025. This week, we explore seven African startups in the healthcare, human resources, and e-commerce sectors and why they should be on your watchlist. Let’s dive into it: Labtracka wants to make ordering lab tests as easy as ordering food online (Healthtech, Nigeria) Labtracka is an online test booking platform that provides an infrastructure for diagnostics and connects patients to medical labs. It operates a B2C business model, where customers can order a test and choose for their samples to either be collected at their home or at a designated lab. For home sample collection, this platform sends its phlebotomist to a user’s address, who collects and transports the sample to the lab. Test results are uploaded to its platform where users can access them once available. Labtracka doubles as a lab management system (LMS) that gives labs tools to handle operations, manage data, gain insights into their operations, and attract new customers. Labtracka allows users to search for and access information about labs closest to them, including opening hours, tests offered, and cost. The starup has partnered with up to 10 laboratories in Rivers State and has up to 700 labs in its pipeline. It generates revenue through commissions from ordered tests. Why we’re watching: Labtracker differentiates itself from similar telemedicine platforms, like EzzyCare and Synlab, because of its lab information management offerings. It believes it is providing labs with tools they need to grow and scale. It is also developing “Labtracka Campaigns,” which will let governments or NGOs run region-wide testing drives, helping underserved communities access diagnostics. Dana AI wants to be the business brain behind Africa’s social commerce boom (AI, Kenya) In Africa, some small businesses conduct sales on WhatsApp and Instagram. But managing customer messages, follow-ups, and sales manually often takes time. Dana AI, developed by Kenya’s Hartford Tech, is building a system that brings order to that chaos. It’s an AI business growth partner that automates communication, marketing, and customer management for Africa’s small and growing enterprises. Currently in beta, Dana AI runs as a web platform that integrates directly with social and business tools like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, HubSpot, and Salesforce. Once connected, it can chat with customers, process orders, track conversations across platforms, and update business databases automatically. It also analyses sentiment and identifies churn risks, giving business owners insights they’d otherwise miss. Users can train Dana by uploading FAQs, past conversations, or website content, and the system replies in the brand’s voice. The platform supports 17 languages, from English and French to Yoruba, Swahili, and Hausa, and comes with an autonomy toggle that lets owners decide when the AI should act independently or escalate to a human agent. Why we’re watching: Dana AI is building an automation layer specific for Africa’s informal and social-first economy. By fusing multilingual support, cross-platform intelligence, and deep local integrations like M-Pesa, it’s positioning itself as the missing link between AI innovation and Africa’s everyday commerce. 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 Helicode wants to build Africa’s operating system for global tech talent (HRTech, Nigeria) Helicode is a platform designed to find world-class talent in Africa and connect them with global opportunities.
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As petrol prices fall, South Africa’s online retailers prepare to cash in
The oil price in rands has hit its lowest point in four years, and that could be a game changer for South Africa’s e-commerce industry, if the rand holds its ground and global oil markets stay calm. The price of Brent crude oil has dropped to around $64 a barrel, while the rand has strengthened to about R17.20 to the US dollar. At the same time, these shifts have pushed the cost of oil (in rands) to its lowest level since 2021. If this trend continues through October, petrol prices could fall in November, potentially the biggest cut in years. “The price relief is welcome. But its broader economic impact depends on how long the trend lasts and whether complementary interventions are in place,” Economist Phelisa Nkomo told TechCabal. According to the Central Energy Fund data, South African motorists could see fuel prices drop across the board next month. Petrol 93 is expected to decrease by 47 cents per litre, while Petrol 95 may fall by 45 cents. Diesel users will also benefit, with 0.05% sulphur diesel dropping by 11 cents per litre and 0.005% sulphur diesel decreasing by 10 cents. Fuel costs are cited as the biggest operational expenses for e-commerce platforms. Last-mile delivery alone accounts for up to 53% of total delivery costs. Every parcel, from Takealot’s warehouse to a customer’s door in Gqeberha, moves through a web of trucks, vans, and scooters that run on petrol or diesel. A drop of 40 to 50 cents per litre may seem small, but at scale it adds up. For a mid-sized e-commerce company making one million deliveries per month, even a 10% decrease in fuel costs could save roughly R500,000 (nearly $29 000) monthly, or R6 million (about $348 000) annually. Those savings could be reinvested in technology, marketing, or lower delivery fees to attract more customers. Dr Mike Kwet, a technology researcher and social theorist, said the link between fuel prices and e-commerce performance is clear. “Lower petrol prices generally benefit e-commerce service providers, as they make the cost of transporting products to customers cheaper,” he explained. “Whether or not that cost saving will be passed on to the consumer, or simply appropriated by the e-commerce retailer, is a question that would have to be determined with hard evidence.” South Africa’s booming e-commerce market The timing of the expected fuel price cut comes just before Black Friday and the festive season, when online traffic spikes. South Africa’s e-commerce sector is rapidly expanding and is significantly outpacing traditional retail growth, with the total online retail turnover expected to surpass R130 billion ($7.5 billion) in 2025, up from about R96 billion ($5.5 billion) in 2024. The forecasted increase in online sales for 2025 is 38%, more than ten times the growth rate of physical retail in the country for the same period. The number of South Africans regularly shopping online has reached approximately 10.4 million, a figure cited in leading industry reports for the sector’s growing penetration. Social commerce, which refers to purchases made via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, is estimated to be worth roughly R25 billion ($1.45 billion) this year. demonstrating the rising influence of social media on consumer behaviour and digital transactions. The sector now accounts for roughly 10% of total retail sales. As petrol prices ease, this growth could accelerate, especially for players heavily reliant on road freight and last-mile delivery. Delivery startups and logistics platforms For courier and delivery firms, lower petrol and diesel prices mean thinner operating costs and more flexible pricing. Players could offer lower delivery fees or expand to underserved areas where high transport costs once made deliveries unviable. Fast-delivery platforms, like Checkers Sixty60, Pick n Pay asap!, and Uber Eats, could also gain breathing room to maintain low delivery fees despite rising wage and packaging costs. In March 2024, South Africa’s minimum wage got its biggest boost since it was first introduced. Workers earning below the minimum saw a 19% pay increase, while many other low-wage earners benefited from a 27% rise. At the same time, the cost of flexible packaging, widely used in the market, went up by nearly 5% in 2024 due to rising demand and power outages affecting production costs. For startups building logistics tech such as Parcelninja, WumDrop, or Droppa, cheaper fuel enhances the economics of expanding networks, piloting micro-fulfilment hubs, and testing EV delivery vehicles without the immediate pressure of escalating fuel spend. What consumers might feel “South Africa’s dualist economy makes it difficult for millions of citizens to capture these positive gains due to being on the margins of the economy,” Nkomo noted.“Fuel prices impact the cost of basic foods like bread, milk, potatoes, and spinach because producers must move these goods from farms to markets.” While cheaper fuel could also improve consumer sentiment, the impact of the fuel price drop must be met with other concomitant economic measures because households are already choking from high debt servicing costs. “This relief, in a sense, is like taking from Paul to pay Peter,” she said. Nkomo noted that positive sentiments from one economic variable have minimal impact on consumers in the short term. The relief is experienced only if these price reductions last over a long period of time. Data from BankservAfrica, Africa’s automated clearing house, shows that transport inflation has been one of the largest drivers of cost-of-living pressures since 2022. Any relief could redirect a portion of spending toward discretionary goods like electronics, fashion, and homeware, all dominant categories online. If e-commerce players pass on even part of their savings through lower delivery fees or price promotions, it could spark a small but notable uptick in online purchasing frequency. The e-commerce and logistics ecosystem thrives on predictability, and that is the one thing the fuel market rarely offers. A sudden rand wobble or geopolitical oil shock could reverse the good news quickly. Still, if the rand stays below R17.20 and global oil remains stable, South Africa’s delivery economy could enter its most
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Keep what you pay for: The South African MVNOs offering non-expiring data
For years, South African mobile users have voiced frustration over paying for data that disappears before they can use it, a policy established by the country’s largest network providers. In 2019, the Competition Commission conducted a market inquiry into the country’s mobile data services and revealed that South Africa’s major mobile operators are among the most profitable globally, yet they cling to data expiry policies. Parliament slammed these practices as “exploitative and unconstitutional,” arguing that consumers should not lose paid-for data based on expiring timelines. The operators, MTN, Cell C, and Vodacom, continue to defend the expiry as a tool for managing network capacity and pricing models. The growing backlash has fueled demand for alternatives that give consumers more control over how and when they use their data. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) have stepped into the gap, powered by the same major networks, and are gaining traction. The MVNO market has experienced explosive growth, with approximately 4.8 million active subscribers at the end of 2024, projected to reach 12 million by 2029 at an 18% annual growth rate. South Africa has a diverse MVNO landscape, where different players target specific market segments with tailored offerings. Some focus on integrating mobile services with financial products, while others build loyalty through retail rewards or lifestyle perks. While these MVNOs provide data that does not expire, there is a trade-off of slow speed. These platforms are deprioritised during peak hours, with speeds slower than traditional networks. But many users still value the cost savings and data longevity enough to remain with their chosen MVNO. Here is a list of MVNOs that offer non-expiring data. Capitec Connect Since its launch in 2022, Capitec Connect has grown with 1.6 million active users. Capitec Connect uses the Cell C network and offers data bundles that start from R4.50 for 100MB. “Capitec Connect has cheaper data and airtime, but the connection frustrations are becoming unbearable,” said Asher Ndlovu, a remote graphic designer. “ I have been with Capitec Connect for almost a year, but in most cases, the network is poor, even to receive calls.” Standard Bank Connect Standard Bank Connect, originally launched in 2018 as Standard Bank Mobile. It was rebranded in 2024 to reflect its expanded offerings and new MVNO partnership with MTN. The service blends banking and mobile connectivity in a way that rewards customer engagement, converting bank fees into airtime and offering discounts on tech accessories through partners like Dress Your Tech. Select data bundles, such as the 500MB and 1GB options, come with the added benefits that do not expire. Users can choose between two main packages: Connected Circles, which combines voice and data, and Connected Gigs, which focuses on data-only plans. “MTN daily data is very affordable, but at times I do not use all of it,” said Keneilwe Mokoena, an informal trader from Johannesburg. “Now with Standard Bank Connect, it lasts until I decide to use it. Even if it buffers, I still can use it later.” FNB Connect FNB Connect is First National Bank’s mobile offering, operating on MTN’s network with nearly 1 million active users. It’s designed to complement FNB’s digital banking ecosystem, giving users the convenience of managing mobile services alongside their finances. While it offers competitive pricMark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Meet and learn from Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Get your tickets now: moonshot.techcabal.com ing and integration with the FNB app, user experiences are mixed. Some customers report strong reception early on, only to face dropped calls and poor connectivity later. “I moved from Cell C to FNB Connect a month ago and had great cellphone reception for the first 2 weeks. Thereafter, the reception became so poor that I couldn’t make calls,” said Charles, a communications consultant who only gave his first name to speak freely. Spar Mobile Spar Mobile, launched in 2025 via a partnership with megsApp, another MVNO. It uses MTN’s network and offers non-expiring data with in-store rewards. Its starter pack includes 300MB of data and R10 airtime, and every qualifying Spar purchase earns more permanent data. megsApp is built around the promise that all data and airtime never expire, with bundles ranging from single-day use to long-term plans. Users can accumulate unused data indefinitely. “Since Spar Mobile uses the MTN network, I thought it would be the same in terms of speed, but it is a bit slow. The only difference is that I save a lot on data bundles. When it is slow, I just wait for a friend or wait, at least I am not losing money,” said Ayanda Zondi, a school transport driver. Pick n Pay Mobile Pick n Pay Mobile was launched in 2020 and uses the MTN network. The platform allows shoppers to buy airtime and data while doing their groceries and rewards them with extra data when they shop at Pick n Pay. In 2025, the company launched a major app update, enhanced eSIM activation, and focused its offering around flexible recharges, prepaid bundles, and exclusive grocery-linked mobile data rewards that further boost the appeal of non-expiring data plans. Trace Mobile Trace Mobile was launched in South Africa in 2015 and gained over 1.4 million subscribers within its first 18 months. Initially introduced as a Cell C-branded reseller model, Trace Mobile evolved into a fully-fledged MVNO targeting South Africa’s youth market (ages 16–35). It is a standout for offering free music streaming, live TV channels, and lifestyle rewards, which helped it scale rapidly in its early phase. “It’s perfect for streaming without stressing about data running out,” says Lisa Mthembu, a high school learner. “I can listen to music anytime, and it does not cost much, but during the peak hours, the network is slow.” Crave Connect Crave Connect, launched in 2025, operates on the MTN network via megsApp. It offers a mix of non-expiring data, digital wallet services, and loyalty rewards, including 1GB
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A solar powered hospital-on-wheels takes urgent care into Zimbabwe’s hinterlands
In Zimbabwe, over 60% of the population live in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited by distance, cost, and infrastructure deficit. People walk 15 to 20 kilometers to reach the nearest clinic, often delaying care until it’s too late. Chiedza Mushawedu, co-founder and executive director of ZimbosAbantu Healthcare on Wheels, witnessed these challenges while working for a private hospital in 2016. “We were seeing preventable deaths from treatable conditions, mothers giving birth at home without skilled assistance, and people living with undiagnosed chronic illnesses simply because care was out of reach,” Chiedza explains. In 2021, Chiedza founded ZimbosAbantu to improve healthcare access in these communities. By repurposing vans into solar-powered, tech-enabled mobile clinics, the startup brings healthcare directly to those who need it most. Chiedza says her team has cut walking distances from an average of 15 kilometers to just three, making early diagnosis and treatment possible right where people live. Chiedza Mushawedu, co-founder and executive director of ZimbosAbantu Healthcare on WheelsImage Source: Bayer Foundation Care on wheels ZimbosAbantu currently operates ten mobile clinics, each strategically deployed to reach communities with the greatest need. According to Chiedza, each clinic is a fully equipped unit built to operate in off-grid areas. The clinics are powered by solar panels with battery backups, fitted with refrigeration for vaccines and medicines, and include a compact diagnostic lab called HealthCube, a portable device that performs over a dozen essential tests including blood glucose, hemoglobin, and malaria. Chiedza explained that getting a clinic operational requires a combination of resources, infrastructure, and people. Each unit costs about US$120,000 to set up, she said. The units provide primary healthcare, maternal and child services, dental and eye care, immunizations, HIV testing, and NCD screenings for hypertension and diabetes. “We prioritised services that address the most common community health needs while remaining cost-effective and portable,” Chiedza said. For more complex cases, patients are referred to partner hospitals under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The patient experience Patients first engage with community health mobilisers who serve as ambassadors, receiving basic health education and on-spot blood pressure checks. Once they arrive at the clinic, they’re registered digitally. “We build a digital health record for every patient, something many are experiencing for the first time,” Chiedza says. The data helps track chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, enabling continuity of care even when the clinic moves to another location. Next, the patient moves to triage, where vitals are checked. From there, they’re directed to the consultation area, where a nurse or doctor conducts an assessment and offers a diagnosis. If medication is required, they receive it immediately from the solar-powered pharmacy fridge or dispensary, and if necessary, a follow-up visit is scheduled during the next mobile clinic visit. The vans are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring ramps for people with disabilities, private consultation spaces and staff trained on gender sensitivity. On an average day, each van serves between 18 and 25 patients, maintaining quality while ensuring reach. “Our goal is to bring healthcare within one kilometer of every household in the communities we serve,” Chiedza notes. Beyond patient numbers, ZimbosAbantu measures its impact through a robust data-driven system that tracks 18 core health metrics daily, weekly, monthly, or annually. These indicators span the full HIV and NCD cascade, from preventive health and screening to chronic care and palliative support. “We don’t just count patients; we track outcomes,” Chiedza explains. “Our data allows us to understand trends in maternal health, vaccination coverage, chronic disease management, and behavior change around sexual and reproductive health.” 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
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