Sabi doubles down on TRACE for transparent mining of Africa’s mineral, agricultural wealth
Initially known for its multi-category approach, including a focus on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), Norskenn-22-backed startup, Sabi, has sharpened its focus on commodities, especially mineral and agricultural commodities. Launched in 2021 by Ademola Adesina and Anu Adedoyin Adasolum, Sabi has developed a robust digital infrastructure and market intelligence that improves global market access for Africa’s informal sector. Its digital infrastructure now consists of a product called Market through which it will continue to manage FMCG businesses, and Technology Rails for African Commodities Exchange (TRACE), through which it manages mineral and agricultural commodities businesses. The startup will no longer operate in sectors outside these three. Sabi began its market segmentation in November 2023 with emphasis on its TRACE product as demand grew. Adedoyin Adasolum, Sabi’s CEO, said on a call that this focus reflects TRACE’s potential to help the startup meet its long-term objectives. Sabi’s decision to double down on its TRACE platform underscores the growing global scrutiny of ethical sourcing, aiming to address the persistent issues of unreliable supply chain and limited visibility in Africa’s resource-rich regions. Sabi aims to standardise small- and medium-scale mining operations to ensure commodities meet international standards. Transparency is key Similar to challenges with market access for FMCGs, Sabi’s foray into commodities, particularly minerals, stems from supply chain unreliability, limited visibility, and access. “But the difference here is that we’re orienting this for export, and commodities do work very differently,” Adedoyin Adasolum said. The commodities and mining industry in Nigeria and many parts of Africa is populated by small and medium, often informal, mining operations which, to be matched with large, global supply chains, demand commodities be supplied in more industrial quantities, meet higher degrees of quality control as well as stricter policy requirements, among several others. Sabi’s TRACE aims to simplify this process—not only for mineral commodities but for agriculture as well. “So, suppliers can list their inventory,” Adedoyin Adasolum said. “They can list their quality tests; they can plug into more quality tests; they can ask for samplers to come to site; they can access finance, and then, extremely importantly, we can trace the source of the supply.” Mineral commodities so far processed via the TRACE platform include lithium, tin, copper, monazite, and beryllium sourced from several African countries including Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. These minerals, and agricultural commodities, reach global off-takers who supply to variously sized companies in several countries from the US, UK, and Netherlands to Singapore and other parts of Asia. These range from battery manufacturers to chocolate-producing companies—Louis Adun, Business Manager, Africa at COAF, a big offtaker for American multinational, Cargill, is one of TRACE’s clients. Adedoyin Adasolum argues that outside of precious metals and gemstones–which Sabi doesn’t deal in—African mining has not featured significantly in the global supply chain despite holding 30% of the world’s minerals reserves. “Basically, what we’re doing is helping these mines professionalise, learn to meet standards and then plugging them into these off-take opportunities,” she said. For many of the global companies it serves, Sabi’s TRACE offers much needed transparency throughout the supply chain, a factor that has become even more critical as the methods and politics of Africa’s mineral extraction comes under scrutiny globally and companies are put to test about their sustainable sourcing philosophies. If you followed the news cycle in late 2024, for instance, you may have learned of a lawsuit filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo against Apple Inc.’s French and Belgian subsidiaries. The DRC government, through its lawyers, accused the tech giant of sourcing what they referred to as “blood minerals”, “pillaged from the DRC and laundered through international supply chains,” to manufacture their devices. In response, the tech giant rejected the allegations and later, suspended sourcing gold, tin, tantalum, and tungsten from the DRC, telling the BBC that the company was “concerned it was no longer possible for independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms to perform the due diligence required to meet our high standards.” With its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance mechanisms, TRACE helps local suppliers understand and meet global standards requirements as they apply to different countries and buyers. This involves two key aspects: tracing the commodity’s origin, ensuring it meets ethical standards, and verifying that the commodity adheres to the quality specifications of the buyer. To achieve this, TRACE incorporates a system called Flare, which acts like a “passport” for each commodity, both mineral and agricultural. Integrated with blockchain technology, Flare tracks ESG data for every commodity, ensuring compliance at every stage of the supply chain and providing a transparent, traceable, and auditable record from sourcing to off-take. Standards-wise, each commodity is optimised to meet product-specific requirements like suitable sizes, moisture content, or processing levels for agricultural commodities. The verification process is multi-layered and adapts to the specific mineral, location, and quantity. While the initial step involves suppliers listing their information and existing quality reports, physical verification is a crucial element. Adedoyin Adasolum says Sabi’s network of samplers, testing labs, verification agencies, and ESG/traceability consultants visit sites to verify data and sourcing practices. The verification levels within the system depend on several factors including the quantity of supply, as well as the familiarity of the source location. “For instance, if you are supplying from a particular location and it’s a location we’re familiar with and it’s already been verified, then we wouldn’t need to send someone else out to verify all those pieces,” she said. Beyond the technological infrastructure, Sabi’s internal ESG framework, built on principles of shared value and prosperity, social impact through market access, and corporate stewardship lends to its long-term objective of sustainable and responsible commodity sourcing from the African continent. Since its piloting, Sabi’s TRACE has facilitated approximately 50,000 tons of mineral exports. A more sustainable way According to Adedoyin Adasolum, the company is focused on creating standard and sustainable supply chains in a world increasingly powered by technology. By working with its network of small and medium-sized operations and providing them with the necessary technology tools
Read MoreDigital Nomads: How David Ukauwa built a six-figure remote career in Design
David Ukauwa, a UK-based senior product designer at event hosting company Grip Events, likes to try his hand at different things: experimenting with design styles, illustration, photography, videography, and high-speed cars. Back in Nigeria, he was part of an exclusive car club in Lagos that lived for the thrill of the road. They hosted a fashion rave called Revs and Runway, which combined the grandeur of fashion exhibitions with the edgy, rebellious display of stunt drivers who loved to impress a crowd with their showmanship. “I could have a problem with my car, and I’m stuck on the Third Mainland bridge,” said Ukauwa, “And I’ll make a phone call. Before you know it, three bikers are driving toward me, and asking, ‘What do you need?’ Almost everybody is a mechanic, and they’re bringing parts for me to fix my car.” But in London, where he now lives, he has never found that same drive to take on the steering wheel. “Taxing in the UK is really weird,” he said. “I live in the central part of London. If you’re driving in a petrol or diesel car, you pay taxes for emissions. These are part of the zonal taxes you pay in central London and other zones 2 and 3 because the city officials want to keep these places uncongested.” Between congestion charges and emissions fees that stack up to £27.5 ($36) a day, driving in London feels less like a convenience and more like an expensive habit. That might explain why electric vehicles (EVs) have been flying off dealership lots—381,970 units sold in 2024 alone—shrinking the market for petrol and diesel cars. But that EV boom could hit the brakes on April 1, when the UK will start taxing electric and zero-emission vehicles, too. Not that it bothers Ukauwa much. He’s not a fan of EVs and works from home, even though his company’s office is just a few town-skips away. His odds of survival are pretty high. Throw in another revelation that he’ll be leaving London for Manchester soon, I thought the city had already done a fine job of pushing him out. From Lagos to London In 2022, Ukauwa left Nigeria for the UK through the Global Talent Visa opportunity offered by Tech Nation. London wasn’t his first choice when he wittingly chose a life outside Nigeria, but for now, that’s where he’s nested. “A part of me wished I didn’t get the visa,” said Ukauwa. “I gave in to peer pressure because all my friends were leaving Nigeria on the Global Talent Visa, and I didn’t want to be left out.” Ukauwa’s journey goes back to his campus days at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he studied Computer Science, though he’d always wanted to be an artist. His choice of study was a rebellious move against his father, who wanted him to become a petroleum engineer. Now, he keeps his artist dreams alive by making slapdash illustration pieces every four months. Shortly after getting into college in 2015, Ukauwa got his first design job at Hotels.ng. He describes this role as a springboard that took him where he truly wanted to go. “Hotels.ng was like an incubator experience for me,” said Ukauwa. “It didn’t feel like work. I shared a fence with the office, but I was often late. All my boss wanted was to get the work done, and I could do whatever I wanted.” After leaving the company in 2019, Ukauwa says he worked remotely with US companies from his Lagos bedroom apartment until the Global Talent Visa breakthrough came. Nomad life, nomad struggles The nomad life is the high-flyer life, Ukauwa told me. He’d just returned from his last trip to Malaysia in February, which he said changed him; it made him more courteous, and he started introducing ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ into his mannerisms. Yet, there’s a gnawing homesickness to living alone abroad. It’s similar to the classic analogy of the sun and its shadow—you cannot have one without the other. When Ukauwa came to London, he struggled to fit in because it was harder to self-identify with anything. “You feel at ease when you’re home,” he says. However, he has found a community of 20 friends—most of whom he met for the first time in the UK—and now splits his time between London and Manchester, where he visits them. As a small band of friends, they do everything together, from travel, hangouts, and experimenting with work trends to sharing craft tricks in photography, as well as other interests. A past trip to and from Morocco cost £50 ($65) which is around ₦100,000—cheaper than a flight from Lagos to Abuja. However, expenses rise with accommodation and food, he explains. On average, Ukauwa says he spends £1,000 ($1,300) traveling within Europe or to Africa. “It’s not as expensive as people think once you’re out of Nigeria,” he said. “My biggest blocker to get access to this travel life was living in Nigeria,” he added. “It was hard to get visas and cheap flights. But that isn’t the case anymore. It’s a lot easier now.” Although Ukauwa travels five times a year, his trips are mostly spontaneous, with a little planning in between when he travels with friends. The most difficult thing about travelling while working, according to him—and frankly an honest submission—is finding the zeal to work while away “chilling.” “I could be at a beach in Barcelona, and I still have to work. That’s the real struggle. Timezones are never a problem for me because, thankfully, I work asynchronously and I’m flexible in the way I work,” he said. To cope with his struggle, he now travels light. When selecting an Airbnb in a new city, he ensures it has a dedicated workspace with a desk and chair that allows him to comfortably sit at his computer. Planning also helps. He sets aside dedicated time for both work and play, making sure not to mix the two. There are jobs in
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TechCabal Daily – Lipa Later, see ya later?
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية TGIF! MTN and Lynk just made the first direct-to-satellite phone call in South Africa. Here’s the Explain Like I’m 5 version of why this matters: Normally, phones need cell towers to work. But this call used a satellite instead—no special phone needed. That means in the future, even the most remote places could have network coverage. Quick Fire with Aderayo Adesokan Lipa Later enters administration Kenyan court orders Marketforce to pay $16,000 in wrongful termination lawsuit Funding Tracker World Wide Web 3 Job Openings Features Quick Fire with Aderayo Adesokan Image: Aderayo Adesokan Aderayo Adesokan shapes how Moniepoint is seen and understood, leading its brand and communications across markets. She manages external messaging, campaign production, global experiential activations, and corporate brand perception, ensuring consistency in how the company presents itself. With experience spanning banking, finance, FMCG, BNPL, insure-tech and entertainment, she focuses on narratives that reflect business priorities and connect with key audiences. She works closely with senior leadership to align communication with strategy, ensuring Moniepoint’s presence remains clear and trusted as it serves over 10 million businesses and individuals in its ecosystem. If you were explaining your work to a 5-year-old, how would you describe what you do? I’d say I’m like Blossom from the Powerpuff Girls – the one who keeps things organised and makes sure everyone’s doing what needs to be done. It’s a bit like being a headgirl for a school, making sure everything’s in order, representing the school in the best way, and ensuring the students are updated with the latest news. And being organised, making sure everyone is on the same page, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. And of course, I try to keep it relatable and impactful. How did you transition from working on digital strategies to leading communications for Moniepoint, one of Africa’s fastest-growing brands? I spent a lot of time in creative advertising, working with transformative technologies like augmented and virtual reality, helping big brands communicate in innovative ways. But I found myself wanting to focus more deeply, rather than hopping between industries. I realised my strength was in strategic thinking, ideation, and project management. After researching the tech space, I saw a great fit for my skills in roles like digital communications. When a role at Moniepoint opened up, I knew it was the right opportunity. Fast forward, here I am, leading brand and communications for one of Africa’s rapidly growing financial brands, and I don’t regret the decision for a second. What does it take to build a brand presence that not only stands out but also resonates globally in such a competitive tech landscape? It takes grit, intentionality and clarity. When I joined Moniepoint, we had almost no digital presence, so I had to build it from the ground up. The key was creating storytelling that resonated locally while also being globally recognised. Had to hack showing trust, impact, and connecting with real people. From the start, we knew we were shaping something bigger than just a payment system or financial solutions. It was purposefully creating value that felt genuine and belonged in people’s lives. It’s not always easy, and it takes persistence, but with the right direction and consistency, people will notice. You’ve worked on strategic communications that attracted investor interest in startups. What’s your approach to crafting messaging that inspires trust? It’s two words for me, impact and relatability. Investors want to see the value in what you’re doing, but also want to feel a connection to the brand and its journey. Crafting a message that shows how your product or service can make a difference and speak to real needs is super crucial. Of course numbers are important, but at the heart of it, investors want to know that the brand aligns with their values and has a clear, positive impact. There is a lot of critical thinking that goes into weaving even a sentence or a report to align with specific messages to a certain audience. Storytelling is central to your work. How do you balance the need for compelling narratives with driving measurable business results? Everything we do has to be measurable (Let’s not do things for vibes or because it’s cool). I’m fortunate to work with amazing colleagues like Tosin and Didi at Moniepoint, who have helped me refine the art of data-driven decision-making. We don’t create content just for the sake of it – I may sound like a broken record to people cause this is my mantra. Each story has a purpose. Each piece of communication, be it digital, a campaign, hard paper, or whatever, has to have a purpose or something you want people to take out that falls within the context of the business direction at the time cause we yield the perception. I always ask, and it’s embedded in my subconscious: Why are we telling this story? How does it connect with the brand and the audience? Does the data support it? In the end, it’s not just great storytelling; it’s important to align that storytelling with the company’s broader goals and making sure we can measure its impact. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about shaping a company’s public perception, and how has it shaped your career? “Thank you very much for that question” *breaths in* … my biggest lesson- is it takes time to knock a narrative into people’s heads – I know that sounds a bit rough. So many theories tell you the what and the hows, but not how important it is to be a brand that people see themselves in. Experiences are great but ensuring your audience can relate to the brand’s journey. This has shaped my approach to communications, teaching me to be patient and deliberate. The longer you nurture a narrative, the more people will connect with it. It’s not always instant, but with consistency, people begin to see themselves in your brand story. What advice would you give
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16 venture capital firms in Africa actively funding startups in 2025
A Venture Capital firm provides funding, strategic guidance, and other resources to startups with high growth potential, ranging from early-stage to later-stage companies. Unlike taking a loan, VC investments do not require repayment if the startup fails. Instead, VC firms take an equity stake in the company, meaning their returns depend on the startup’s success, incentivising VC firms to create the success of their portfolio startups. VC firms typically raise capital from high-net-worth individuals, larger funds, and institutions like development finance institutions, using these funds to build a diverse portfolio of startups. Due to the potential for high returns, venture capital is a highly competitive funding source, with investors actively seeking out innovative businesses poised for rapid growth. Here are some of the active VC firms actively investing in African startups. 16 venture capital firms actively funding African startups in 2025 1. 54 Collective (Founders Factory Africa) Summary of 2025 Investment Activities: Despite the planned shutdown of its venture studio operations by April 30, 2025, following the conclusion of its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, 54 Collective’s $40 million venture capital fund, UAF1, remains active and committed to investing in African startups. Website checks confirm recent investment activity in late 2024 and early 2025, including a partnership announcement with Carbin Africa in 2024. Notably, 54 Collective was recognised as Africa’s most active pre-seed investor for deals exceeding $100,000 in 2024, underscoring their continued significance in the early-stage funding landscape. Primary Investment Focus: 54 Collective adopts a sector-agnostic approach, allowing them to invest in a diverse range of startups across various industries. Their primary focus is on pre-seed and seed-stage companies operating across Africa. This broad mandate enables them to identify and support promising ventures at their earliest stages, regardless of their sector. 2. Accion Venture Lab Summary of 2025 Investment Activities: Accion Venture Lab expanded its investment portfolio by investing in SUKHIBA, an AI-powered conversational commerce platform in Africa. The firm also co-invests with firms like Baobab Network, highlighting their collaborative role within the ecosystem. Primary Investment Focus: Accion Venture Lab’s primary investment focus is on financial inclusion, targeting innovative startups that address the financial needs of underserved populations globally, with a significant emphasis on Africa. They typically invest in companies at the early and seed stages. 3. Ajim Capital Summary of Investment Activities: Ajim Capital has actively deployed capital across 22 companies since its inception in 2022. This activity level positions them as a significant early-stage investor in the African tech landscape. While specific names of the 22 companies invested in during early 2025 were not detailed in the report by Weetracker, the sheer number of investments underscores their active role in funding African startups across various sectors. Primary Investment Focus: Initially adopting an agnostic approach, Ajim Capital increasingly focuses on sectors such as B2B SaaS, HealthTech, PropTech, and Developer Tools, alongside their continued interest in the broader technology space. They typically invest in companies ranging from Early to Growth stages, with a geographical focus on Africa, particularly Kenya and Nigeria. 4. Aruwa Capital Management Summary of 2025 Investment Activities: Aruwa Capital Management is a female-founded and led growth equity impact investment company based in Lagos, Nigeria. They hosted a strategy retreat to refine their focus for the year and were featured in the PEVCA Nigeria 2024 Year-End Report. The firm also actively participated in the Demo Day of the Transitioning to Tech for Women Programme, underscoring its commitment to gender-lens investing. Additionally, they conducted strategy sessions with new and existing portfolio companies, indicating a hands-on approach to supporting their investments. Primary Investment Focus: While their initial focus was relatively agnostic, they strongly emphasise gender-lens investing, supporting rapidly growing companies that provide essential goods and services to the female economy or are founded or co-founded by women. They invest across the early-stage, seed-stage, seed-to-growth, and Series A stages, primarily targeting Nigeria and the broader West African region. Read More: Aruwa Capital, a female-led equity fund, has closed its first institutional fund, surpassing its $20 million target. 5. Capria Ventures Summary of 2025 Investment Activities: In March 2025, Capria Ventures announced its intention to invest between $1 and $3 million each in two more African Series A startups. This clear statement signals their active interest and availability of capital for growth-stage ventures in the African market. Primary Investment Focus: Capria Ventures is an impact-driven venture capital firm focusing on key sectors such as fintech, agtech, HR tech/job tech, edtech, health tech, and B2B SaaS. Their primary investment stage is Series A, targeting companies in emerging markets, specifically Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. This strategic focus allows them to support companies that have already demonstrated product-market fit and are ready to scale. 6. Catalyst Fund Summary of 2025 Investment Activities: While specific investment news for 2025 is not prominent, the Catalyst Fund has built a significant portfolio of 81 companies across 19 markets since its inception in 2015, strongly emphasising ventures in Africa. Primary Investment Focus: The Catalyst Fund specialises in supporting early-stage startups in the agritech, cleantech, healthtech, and insurtech sectors, with a broader focus on technology solutions that promote climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. They typically provide pre-seed and seed-stage funding to emerging market companies with a significant African concentration. 7. DOB Equity Summary of 2025 Investment Activities: DOB Equity commenced 2025 with a strategic investment in Spouts International, a Ugandan company specialising in ceramic water filters. This investment, made in January 2025, marks the first under DOB Equity’s revised investment strategy, emphasising sustainable solutions and impact-driven ventures within the East African region. Primary Investment Focus: DOB Equity’s investment focus centres on the agritech, edtech, and fintech sectors, mainly focusing on companies operating in East Africa. They typically provide funding to businesses in the early to growth stages. This regional and sector-specific approach allows them to build deep knowledge and provide tailored support to their portfolio companies. You Might Also Like: DOB Equity shakeup as co-CEOs step down in leadership overhaul. 8. Flourish Ventures Summary of 2025 Investment
Read MoreStarlink price in Africa: full breakdown by country (March 2025)
Starlink has made significant strides in its expansion across Africa. As of early 2025, the satellite internet service is confirmed to be operational in many countries, demonstrating its commitment to the African market. The first African nation to embrace Starlink was Nigeria in January 2023. Since then, the service has rapidly expanded its reach to include: Benin (November 2023) Botswana (August 2024) Burundi (operational following license approval in March 2025) Cape Verde (December 2024) Eswatini (December 2023) Ghana (August 2024) Kenya (July 2023) Madagascar (June 2024) Malawi (July 2023) Mozambique (June 2023) Niger (March 2025) Rwanda (February 2023) Sierra Leone (June 2024) South Sudan (August 2024) Zambia (October 2023) Zimbabwe (September 2024). This rapid deployment across diverse African nations underscores Starlink’s aggressive strategy to tap into the continent’s growing demand for high-speed internet. Looking ahead to 2025, Starlink has indicated plans for further expansion. Namibia is one country where a launch is anticipated later in the year. However, the path to operation is not always straightforward. In Lesotho, for instance, while Starlink has gone live in several neighbouring Southern African countries like Eswatini, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, there are no confirmations regarding a launch date. Similarly, South Africa presents a unique case. Despite being the birthplace of Starlink’s founder, Elon Musk, and a significant economy on the continent, Starlink faces substantial regulatory hurdles related to local ownership requirements. South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies mandate that foreign-owned telecommunications licensees allocate at least 30% equity to historically disadvantaged groups. This requirement has been a point of contention, with Starlink yet to meet these conditions for operation in the country. Starlink price: country-by-country breakdown in Africa (2025) The cost of Starlink services in Africa varies across different countries, reflecting many factors. Below is a detailed breakdown of the pricing information available for each operational country in 2025. Benin: The hardware cost for Starlink in Benin is reported to be approximately $650 – $700, which translates to around 400,000 FCFA to 415,000 CFA. The monthly subscription fee ranges from $47 – $50, or 30,000 FCFA to $47.12. Additionally, there is a shipping and handling fee of approximately $24 (15,000 FCFA). These figures suggest that the initial investment for Starlink in Benin is relatively substantial, while the monthly cost aligns with a premium internet service. Botswana: In Botswana, the hardware cost is reported to be between $359 and $363. Paratus Africa, an authorised reseller, lists the standard kit at P5,000 and the Mini kit at P400. Monthly subscription fees vary depending on the plan. Reports indicate a range of $28 – $52. Paratus offers Residential Lite at P400 per month and Residential at P688 per month. For businesses, Paratus provides Priority Service plans ranging from BWP 1,230 (for 40GB) to BWP 8,950 (for 6TB), all on a 36-month contract. Mobile Priority Service plans for businesses start at BWP 15,745 for 50GB, also under a 36-month contract. These tiered offerings indicate a strategy to cater to individual and business needs with varying data requirements. Burundi: While specific pricing details directly from Starlink for Burundi are somewhat limited, one source indicates that residents will pay $299 for standard hardware or $599 for the mini version. Monthly service costs range from $50 for 50 GB to $165 for unlimited data. Another source lists the hardware starlink price at KSh 70,000, approximately $437, based on current exchange rates. This suggests a hardware cost of $300 to $600, with monthly subscriptions starting at $50. Cape Verde: Starlink officially launched in Cape Verde in December 2024. The hardware cost is reported as CVE 39,000, approximately $373, with the Mini dish available for CVE 20,000, or $191. Subscription plans include a Residential Plan at CVE 5,000 per month ($48), offering standard connectivity, and a Residential Lite Plan at CVE 3,500 per month ($34), providing a more affordable option with deprioritised unlimited data. The availability of standard and lite options caters to different user needs and budgets. Eswatini: In Eswatini, the residential service costs R950 per month, with an additional R120 per month for a “regulatory fee”. The residential-grade dish kit costs R12,000, with shipping and handling costing an extra R450. For business users, the high-end hardware costs R54,625 (plus R1,000 for shipping and handling), and priority connectivity pricing starts at R2,185 per month for 1TB of priority traffic. Converting these to USD at an approximate exchange rate of $1 = 18 ZAR (South African Rand), the residential monthly cost is around $53 + $7 regulatory fee, the hardware is approximately $667, and business plans start at around $121 per month. Ghana: Starlink’s official operations in Ghana began by the end of August 2024. The residential service is priced at GH₵770 per month, with a hardware cost of GH₵5,390. Another source indicates a monthly fee of GH₵500 for Residential Lite. Converting to USD at an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 14.5 GH₵, the standard residential monthly cost is around $53, the hardware is approximately $372, and the Residential Lite monthly cost is about $34. These prices position Starlink as a premium internet option in the Ghanaian market. Kenya: Starlink offers its residential service in Kenya for Ksh4,000 per month for Residential Lite and Ksh6,500 per month for the standard Residential plan, with a hardware cost of Ksh49,900. Using an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 128 Ksh, the Residential Lite monthly cost is about $31, the standard Residential monthly cost is around $51, and the hardware cost is approximately $390. These prices appear to be more competitive compared to some other African markets. Read more: Starlink suspends new subscriptions in Nairobi due to network overload Madagascar: Pricing information for Madagascar indicates a monthly fee of around $28 – $50 and a hardware cost of $250 – $378. One Reddit user mentioned a Mini option at $30/month and a kit cost of $200. These figures suggest a relatively affordable entry point for Starlink in Madagascar compared to other African nations. Malawi: Starlink’s residential service in Malawi starts from MK94,000
Read MoreJiji bets on Bangladesh’s growing e-commerce market in first Asian expansion
African e-commerce platform Jiji, is making its first foray outside the continent. The company will launch in Bangladesh, drawn to its growing middle class and increased mobile connectivity. The move signals the company’s ambition to tap into high-growth emerging markets beyond Africa. Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector is projected to reach $13 billion by 2027, according to Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI). Jiji, which currently operates in seven African countries—Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Senegal—sees Bangladesh as a natural next step. With 131 million internet users and a growing appetite for digital shopping, the South Asian nation offers the company a chance to grow its current 12 million monthly active users. “With a solid financial foundation and a scalable business model, we have grown into a profitable leader in Africa’s e-commerce space,” a Jiji spokesperson said in an email to TechCabal. “Our success in Africa has shown us how to navigate fast-growing markets, and we believe Bangladesh has the same potential for Jiji to thrive, helping to grow the e-commerce sector.” Bangladesh is an emerging player in the Asia-Pacific e-commerce market thanks to government policies targeted at driving e-commerce growth. One of such policies is the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act of 2006 which provides the legal framework for online transactions and addresses cybersecurity concerns. The government also formulated national ICT policies to guide the development of the digital economy, including e-commerce. These initiatives, coupled with a rising middle class, have created fertile ground for e-commerce expansion. In 2024, 79% of Bangladeshi consumers shopped online, and 47% expressed comfort making payments on digital platforms, according to a PCMI survey. Jiji’s entry into Bangladesh will put it in direct competition with established players such as Daraz, Bikroy, and Ajkerdeal, which have strong brand recognition and consumer trust. To replicate its African success, Jiji will need to differentiate itself through localized offerings and strategic partnerships. Founded in 2014, Jiji initially broke into Nigeria’s competitive e-commerce market by offering free listings for first-time users and partnering with phone manufacturers to preload its app on affordable smartphones. The company also struck a 2016 deal with Airtel to provide data-free access to its platform. It raised $21 million in 2019 and acquired OLX Africa, taking over its operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania. This move helped Jiji reach 300 million people across five countries. In 2021, Jiji acquired Cars45, a platform that buys, sells, and trades used cars in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. The following year, the company acquired Tonaton, its main competitor in Ghana. Jiji’s playbook worked in Africa. The company hopes to replicate the success in Asia.
Read MoreMarketforce ordered to pay $16,000 in wrongful termination case
A Kenyan court has ordered Marketforce Technologies, once a rising star in Africa’s B2B e-commerce sector, to pay KES 2.1 million ($16,000) to a former employee for wrongful termination. The ruling comes nearly a year after the Y Combinator-backed startup shut down RejaReja, its flagship B2B marketplace, leaving its future uncertain. Its co-founder, Tesh Mbaabu, has since moved on to launch a social commerce platform, Chpter. Tom Maina Chege, a former product manager who worked at Marketforce from January 2022 to August 2023, filed the case in October 2023. Chege, whose monthly gross salary was KES 200,000 ($1,550), was laid off in July 2023, with his termination taking effect in August. He argued that the redundancy was unlawful, as “the notice period of 30 days did not lapse before the redundancy took effect”, and Marketforce failed to notify the Labour Office, a requirement under Section 40 of the Employment Act, 2007. Chege sought KES 1,560,870 ($12,000) in compensation for unpaid leave, notice pay, severance pay, salary arrears, and general damages, according to court documents seen by TechCabal. After Marketforce failed to defend the suit, Judge C.N. Baari ruled that the redundancy was procedurally and substantively unfair. The court awarded Chege KES 1,316,547 ($10,000) in terminal dues and KES 800,000 ($6,000) in compensation and legal costs. “[Marketforce] did not attempt to comply with the seven steps set out in Section 40(1) of the Employment Act, 2007,” the ruling stated. Staff exits and pay cuts The judgment sheds light on Marketforce’s internal troubles, which three former employees say began with mass staff exits in late 2022 and 2023. The company lost key employees, which affected operations and strained relationships with major distributors. “Marketforce had a credit line with major manufacturers, which enabled them to get stock and pay later,” a former employee who asked not to be named told TechCabal. “This was ended when we started having issues, and employees who were the glue holding the deal left.” At the same time, Marketforce faced severe cash flow problems, resulting in salary delays and pay cuts of up to 50% for non-tech employees. Despite raising over $40 million from investors such as Reflect Ventures, Greenhouse Capital, and Century Oak Capital, the company’s abrupt exit from the B2B e-commerce space in 2024 left its current status unclear. While Marketforce’s fate hangs in the balance, co-founder Tesh Mbaabu has shifted his focus to Chpter, a platform helping businesses sell via social media. In September 2024, Chpter closed a $1.2 million pre-seed round led by Pani, an Africa-focused investment firm co-founded by former Cellulant CEO Ken Njoroge. The company is also part of the Safaricom Spark and Norrsken Accelerators. Whether Marketforce can revive itself and stage a comeback remains to be seen.
Read MorePalmPay rolls out Verve debit cards as Nigerian fintechs shift to local providers
PalmPay, the Nigerian fintech with over 35 million users, has launched its first debit card in partnership with Verve, marking a major step in its evolution from a mobile wallet to a full-service digital financial platform. The move comes amid a broader shift by Nigerian fintechs toward local card schemes, as rising costs and declining international spending make global providers like Visa and Mastercard less attractive. The debit card launch comes three weeks after Palmpay’s partnership with the national domestic card scheme, AfriGo, to distribute five million contactless payment cards across Nigeria. Now, it is integrating Verve-powered debit cards directly into its digital wallet. The company says it will distribute the cards through its network of over one million agents nationwide. With its expansive reach, PalmPay expects to onboard millions of cardholders by the end of the year. Palmpay debit cards come in two tiers: a standard version available to all users and a premium version linked to a new membership program. To upgrade to premium status, users must maintain a monthly balance of at least ₦20,000 and transact a minimum of ₦500,000 per month. Premium members will earn up to 36% annual savings interest—compared to 20% for regular users—and receive higher cashback rewards and merchant discounts. Why now? For years, Palmpay has focused on building scale, user trust, and backend infrastructure, according to Sofia Zab, its chief marketing officer. The company waited until it could deliver card services integrated into the PalmPay wallet, Zab said. “There are third-party APIs that let you spin up prepaid cards quickly, but we took a more deliberate route,” she said. “We formed a direct partnership with Verve so we could design a product that truly fits the needs of Nigerian consumers.” Palmpay’s debit card partnership continues the wave of Nigerian fintechs partnering with local card schemes due to rising costs for international card providers and reduced customer spending. Opay and Moniepoint have both issued about 17 million Verve cards post-pandemic, ditching international partners like Visa and Mastercard. Carbon, the Nigerian digital bank known for its loans-led approach to banking, recently partnered with Verve to resume issuing debit cards nine months after pausing card operations. The debit card launch comes at a time when much of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem is leaning towards bank transfers. HabariPay, the fintech subsidiary of one of Nigeria’s biggest banks, is betting its future on increased transfers. Paystack also recently launched Zap by Paystack, its first consumer app, on that promise of increased transfer volumes. Despite the surge in bank transfers, PalmPay believes cards still serve a crucial segment of Nigerian consumers. “Not every user is a young, digital-first Lagosian. Some live in towns with limited phone access or want the flexibility to shop online,” Zab noted. “If we want to serve every Nigerian, we need to build for every Nigerian, and that includes access points such as our app and also our agents, USSD, and now cards.” The bigger play PalmPay’s ambitions extend beyond payments. The company has quietly rolled out a growing suite of banking services, including savings, credit (through a licensed partner), and an insurance product launched in partnership with AXA Mansard and Leadway. PalmPay claims that over one million users have already adopted its insurance offerings. “We are much more than a digital wallet or POS company,” Zab said. “We’re building a full financial ecosystem—one that works for every Nigerian, no matter where they are on their financial journey.” The fintech also plans to expand its nationwide presence by opening more offices and experience centers to support its growing customer base. PalmPay’s bet on cards suggests that, in the race to redefine banking in Africa’s most populous economy, fintechs are realizing that old-school banking tools still have their place.
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TechCabal Daily – Pay up or pack up
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Happy pre-TGIF! Have you tried ChatGPT’s new AI Image feature? On Tuesday, ChatGPT’s parent company announced the launch of GPT-4o native image generation, which allows users to upload and modify images. We tried generating a couple of anime-type (Studio Ghibli) images, and we were impressed with the results. In other news, our subject for this week’s My Life in Tech column wants you to work like you own the company. Find out why here. Tunisia to suspend Bolt for alleged tax evasion Russian auto-maker AvtoVAZ enters Nigeria MTN and Airtel team up to cut costs, boost coverage Jumia and Jiji say Temu’s advertising show-off can’t touch them World Wide Web 3 Opportunities Ride-hailing Tunisia to suspend Bolt for alleged tax evasion Image Source: Wunmi Eunice for TechCabal Bolt is in hot water in Tunisia. The ride-hailing giant is facing allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and operating without proper licenses. Tunisia’s transport ministry says it has seized 12 million dinars ($3.8 million) from accounts linked to several platforms, including Bolt, claiming the funds were illegally transferred abroad. But this isn’t just about alleged wrongdoing—it’s also about control. Tunisia is getting ready to launch its own state-backed ride-hailing app to regulate fares and keep revenues local. The new platform will reportedly limit ride prices to 1.5x the traditional taxi fare, offer digital payments and real-time tracking, and work exclusively with officially registered taxis. Bolt, for its part, says the accusations are “completely unfounded” and that the government’s actions are procedurally flawed. “All local authority actions have been taken without the involvement of an investigating judge,” the company told TechCabal, adding that it hasn’t been given a chance to defend itself. The transport ministry claims its actions are part of a broader effort to “reform the transport sector” and protect the local market from foreign apps that transfer profits abroad. Bolt, however, warned that pushing out international players sets a dangerous precedent for market competition. Meanwhile, other platforms like Yassir, Heetch, and local operator Amigo remain active in Tunisia. Uber and Careem never entered the market. For now, Bolt says it’s still operating as usual. But with the state gunning for its own slice of the ride-hailing pie, the road ahead may be anything but smooth. Freelancers & remote workers, we want to hear from you! Fincra is exploring the challenges Nigerian freelancers and remote workers face with international payments. Share your experience and help contribute to building better payment solutions. Take the survey now! Mobility Russian auto-maker AvtoVAZ enters Nigeria A Lada Vesta SW Sedan/Image Source: avtoVAZ For a change of scene, you could soon be seeing less of the Toyota cars that dominate Nigerian roads. Russian giant auto-maker AvtoVAZ has expanded to Nigeria, flush with the bright plan to establish a local assembly plant—which many foreign players in the auto market fail to do. This could endear AvtoVAZ to the government as an assembly plant directly points to paying manufacturing incentives and company taxes; the government loves its taxes. AvtoVAZ is coming in with three heuristics: first, it will prioritise assembling its small car brand, Lada, knowing that Nigerians typically buy second-hand cars due to their low-price points, compared to luxury local car-makers like Innoson and Nord Motors. The price for Lada cars being sold in Europe—such as the Lada Vesta 4×4 Sedan—start at CHF13,200 (₦23 million or $14,920). This is a mid-range price (and a little steep) for Nigerians despite the current price inflation tightening the auto market. But there is an opportunity for AvtoVAZ to enter the market with a lower price point for its popular sedan brand, but it is unclear if it will. Second, it is following a trend. Its Lada vehicles will come fitted with compressed natural gas (CNG) engines. This could entice gig drivers who have been retro-fitting their cars with CNG engines as a response to the high fuel costs. AvtoVAZ also thinks that CNG vehicles are the future of the Nigerian auto market. Third, it will establish a local assembly plant, which is the icing on the cake. Across Africa, several countries (like Egypt) have been creating policies to entice more foreign players to invest in the local auto manufacturing economy, rather than just dumping their cars in the market through distribution units. AvtoVAZ will be the first-ever Russian auto brand to operate in Nigeria, and if its plans actually take off, it could carve out some market share by investing locally and adding some spice to the local manufacturing market. Plus, its logo already looks like Toyota’s with that familiar oval shape—so if nothing else, at least Nigerians won’t have to miss Toyota’s logo too much. Introducing Paystack’s new consumer app — Zap! Zap by Paystack is a mobile app for instant, secure payments via bank transfers. Download Zap on Android and iOS → Telecoms MTN and Airtel team up to cut costs, boost coverage Image source: Google MTN Group and Airtel Africa have decided to put competition aside—at least when it comes to their towers—by signing a network-sharing agreement in Nigeria and Uganda. Faced with skyrocketing costs and a naira that just won’t cooperate, the two telecom giants are taking a “why build two when we can share one?” approach. The plan: pool resources, cut costs, and bring better mobile coverage to areas that need it most. Nigeria, their biggest battlefield, has been a tough nut to crack lately. With the naira playing a game of “how low can you go?” network expansion has gotten ridiculously expensive. Yet, MTN still managed to snag 51% of the market with 87.5 million subscribers, while Airtel is holding steady at 57.6 million. Ralph Mupita, MTN’s CEO, says the partnership will help meet Africa’s growing digital appetite—because let’s be real, nobody likes a buffering screen. Adding a little regulatory spice to the mix, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) gave telecom operators a three-month deadline to boost infrastructure after approving price hikes. With only
Read MoreLipa Later enters administration after failed fresh fundraising efforts
Lipa Later, a Kenyan buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) fintech, has been placed under administration effective March 24, 2025, after months of financial struggles and failed fundraising efforts. Joy Vipinchandra Bhatt from Moore JVB Consulting LLP has been appointed administrator, according to a gazette notice seen by TechCabal. This latest development caps a turbulent year for Lipa Later, which has struggled to secure fresh funding since its last capital injection—a $3.4 million debt raise in September 2023—leaving it unable to pay employees and suppliers. Entering into administration means the company’s directors have lost control of its assets and operations, with decision-making authority shifting to the appointed administrator. Creditors have until April 23 to submit claims as the company’s future hangs in the balance. “We are currently engaging all key stakeholders of the company to elicit their cooperation in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the company,” Bhatt said. At least five employees told TechCabal they had not received salaries for several months as of December 2024. Lipa Later also owed several suppliers, including London-based consultancy Africa Foresight Group (AFG), which sued the company in 2024 over an unpaid $13,516 consultancy fee, according to court documents seen by TechCabal. The dispute with AFG, which was contracted in April 2022 to prepare a market report, escalated after Lipa Later withheld payment, claiming the work was substandard. In a December 2024 ruling, Kenya’s High Court dismissed Lipa Later’s defense, stating the company had admitted to the debt in internal correspondence. “It is therefore clear to me that the amount demanded in the statutory demand is, in fact, not disputed, and the debtor (Lipa Later) is estopped from claiming so having admitted to the debt,” Justice Mong’are said in the ruling. The court also ruled that Lipa Later failed to meet the legal threshold of showing a genuine and substantial dispute over the debt. From investor darling to financial distress Lipa Later had previously strong investor backing, raising $12 million in seed funding in January 2022 from Cauris, Lateral Frontiers, and others, alongside undisclosed debt from the same investors. Earlier rounds saw seed investments from Orbit Startups in 2021 and Founders Factory Africa in 2019. Despite early investor confidence, the company failed to raise more funding in 2024. One top executive, who wished not to be named for discussing confidential information, claimed the company was close to securing a deal in Q4 2024, but it never materialised. The company’s financial position came under scrutiny in December 2023 when it acquired struggling e-commerce platform Sky.Garden for KES 250 million ($1.9 million). The deal raised concerns about Lipa Later’s financial health, as it was already grappling with mounting obligations at the time. Lipa Later’s fate now rests on whether its administrator can restructure its operations or find a buyer willing to take a chance on its BNPL model.
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