7 African startups powering sales, sports, support, and settlements
Startups On Our Radar spotlights African startups solving African challenges with innovation. In our previous edition, we featured seven game-changing startups pioneering sustainability, artificial intelligence, health, and marketing. Expect the next dispatch on November 14, 2025. This week, we explore seven Nigerian startups in the sales management, sports, event management, and creative economy sectors and why they should be on your watchlist. Let’s dive into it: Laddar wants to be the all-in-one infrastructure for managing sales in Africa (SaaS, Nigeria) Laddar was created in 2022 to address the challenge of managing sales and sales agents in Africa, regardless of the size or industry of the business. The platform has an interface for managers and another for agents. With these interfaces, businesses can manage sales teams, track performance, collect customer data, and process transactions, both online and offline. Businesses can also create and run campaigns, which could be sales-related for physical or digital products or data-related for tasks such as account opening or retail audits. Each campaign can include product inventory, shipping requirements, agent groups, supervisor oversight, incentives that can be paid in cash, airtime, or data, attendance rules, and reporting dashboards. The platform has built-in Know Your Customer (KYC) validation for Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and selfie verification that is geo-tagged with the agent’s live location. The platform integrates directly with an organisation’s internal systems through APIs (Application Programming Interface). For sales agents, Laddar allows them to sell products in person or remotely through unique shareable links, QR codes or referral networks. Laddar’s embedded finance feature supports cash payments, which are debited from the agent’s wallet to settle the business, removing the risk of fraud. The platform also works offline in low-connectivity environments. Laddar’s revenue comes from a license-based model where companies pay for the number of agent seats they require. Additional revenue streams include recruitment fees for sourcing sales agents and charges for services, including SMS, email messaging, airtime, and data rewards. Why we’re watching: Laddar is positioning itself as a sales infrastructure. Its ability to handle onboarding, verification, payments, inventory, training, and performance analytics in one system, both online and offline, provides solutions to the realities of African field sales, where offline capability and trust-based selling remain critical. The agent wallet debit model for cash collection reduces fraud exposure. Laddar is building the operational backbone for organisations seeking to scale distributed sales teams across Africa. The company says it has registered over 25,000 sales agents who work for nearly 100 businesses using the platform. Sectors represented so far include banking, insurance, entertainment, FMCG, and e-commerce. Laddar plans to scale its agent network to 100,000 across Africa. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events TC Scoop Subscribe Teeketing wants to power event management with its API-first infrastructure (Events, Nigeria) Founded by Madukaife Linus in May 2025, Teeketing is an API-first event management platform that allows event organisers and corporate organisations to plan, manage, host, and analyse insights from an event within a single system. The platform was created to solve a problem that many organisers face, juggling multiple tools for payments, reminders, feedback collection, and post-event certificates. On Teeketing, organisers can list events publicly or privately. They can schedule automated reminders, send event updates, including information like venue or time changes, to registered guests. They can issue certificates of attendance to event attendees, and also collect feedback on the event from attendees and non-attendees for reasons why they didn’t show up after getting a ticket, which can be converted to performance insights that show star ratings. Event pages can feature both flyers and promotional videos to attract attendees. Teeketing has a multifaceted revenue generation model. It charges a commission of up to 10% on paid ticket sales. For events that are free to attend, organisers discuss listing terms directly with the team. Additional revenue avenues include premium consulting services for large corporate or government events, paid advertising to promote events on the platform, and paid issuance of certificates of attendance. The startup also intends to implement a tokenisation system where organisers buy tokens to use the platform’s features. Why we’re watching: Teeketing’s primary differentiator is its “API-first” strategy. Unlike competitors like Tix Africa, this strategy allows organisers to embed ticket registration directly on their own websites, thereby keeping web traffic and audience engagement within their ecosystem rather than redirecting to external platforms. The platform is also setting up a marketplace feature that allows users to find and book verified event vendors, like photographers, caterers, or event decorators. These artisans will be rated based on past performance. The platform is also considering a buy now, pay later option for attendees to take loans for tickets. Teeketing has issued more than 20,000 tickets and claims to have processed over ₦1.4 million ($9,732) in ticket sales. Martha AI says customer support can be African and empathetic (AI, Nigeria) Moore Dagogo Hart, also the founder of Zap, founded Martha AI as a support agent designed to help companies automate their customer support departments. The idea originated from Hart’s own challenges at Zap, where a surge in users overwhelmed the human support team, especially at night. After searching for automation tools in early 2024, Hart found that existing solutions felt neither African nor truly automated. For it to work, businesses integrate Martha AI, which is currently in private testing, into their existing customer touchpoints, like their websites or apps, through APIs or plug-and-play widgets. The system is built on top of GPT-5 but features
Read MoreWhat the National Fintech Regulatory Commission Bill means for innovation
Like many in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, I’ve been following the discussions around the proposed National Fintech Regulatory Commission Bill with great interest. The idea of a unified body overseeing all fintech activity in Nigeria is ambitious and could be transformative. Yet, as with any major policy change, the outcome will depend on careful design and implementation and on how well it builds on the systems that already work today. Nigeria already has strong regulatory institutions in place. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has played a central role in nurturing fintech growth while overseeing critical areas like payments, open banking, and foreign exchange, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has contributed through oversight of crowdfunding, digital assets, and other emerging fintech activities. Given this strong foundation, my view is that the proposed National Fintech Regulatory Commission could be highly beneficial if designed as a single, harmonised authority consolidating existing oversight functions. A unified structure, similar to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, could simplify licencing, improve coordination, and enhance transparency. However, if the commission simply adds another layer on top of these existing bodies without clear integration, it risks creating complexity and slowing market entry. In that case, reform efforts might be better focused on empowering the current institutions, clarifying their mandates, and strengthening collaboration, while ensuring fintechs can navigate compliance efficiently. This brings us to why compliance is so central to this discussion. When well-designed, it supports growth while protecting consumers, enhancing transparency, and building confidence among global partners and investors who value predictability and stability in emerging markets. The challenge lies in striking a balance: overly burdensome compliance risks slowing innovation, while adaptive regulation that evolves alongside technology can support growth and maintain Nigeria’s status as a leading fintech hub in Africa. One of the biggest opportunities a unified commission could unlock lies beyond Nigeria’s borders. Interoperability remains a major challenge across Africa, both between banks and between fintech platforms. Only around 16–20% of trade on the continent is intra-African, and cross-border payments remain expensive and slow. By enabling “regulatory passporting,” where a fintech licenced in Nigeria can operate seamlessly across other African markets under mutual recognition agreements, the country could facilitate trade, enhance liquidity, and establish itself as a regional fintech leader. Such a model could create a framework for cross-border collaboration that strengthens both local and regional financial systems. Finally, the success of any new regulatory framework depends on inclusive stakeholder engagement. Fintech founders, payment operators, investors, and other key participants must be involved early in the process through roundtables, workshops, and consultations. These conversations ensure that new regulations reflect operational realities, support both local and foreign investment, and identify potential challenges before legislation is enacted. Collaborative engagement will also foster trust between the government and the industry, ultimately resulting in a framework that strengthens oversight, promotes compliance, protects consumers, and encourages sustainable innovation. The path ahead for Nigeria’s fintech sector is promising, but it requires careful navigation. Done right, a unified regulator can streamline oversight, enhance compliance, and unlock new opportunities for innovation, trade, and investment, ensuring that Nigeria continues to lead the way as Africa’s fintech powerhouse. ________ Dr. Austin is a leader in the field of payment and FinTech services, boasting over a decade of industry experience. Currently serving as the Country Director for Verto in Nigeria, Austin is instrumental in driving strategic growth and ensuring operational excellence for the company.
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Top data plans in Nigeria you should try this November
Table of contents Daily data plans Weekly data plans Monthly data plans Unlimited data plans Data prices in Nigeria rose in 2025 after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved new tariff adjustments. Telecom operators had long pushed for the change, citing rising costs of power, equipment, repairs, and foreign exchange. Since then, many networks have reduced the mobile data volume in their bundles, making it more important than ever to choose plans that last, load fast, and stay stable. This guide breaks down the best daily, weekly, monthly, and unlimited data plans in Nigeria right now. Daily data plans Daily data plans are helpful when your monthly bundle finishes early or when you only need data for a short period. The primary consideration is the amount of data you receive for the amount you pay. Some daily plans may seem affordable at first, but the data usage is often depleted almost immediately. Airtel currently has one of the best daily options with its Binge Plan. The ₦400 Binge package provides 1.5GB of data for 24 hours, making it ideal for those who need to stream or download content quickly. The cost per GB is fair, and Airtel often performs well for video and social media use. “I use the Airtel Binge plan when I need to watch lectures online quickly. It saves me when my monthly data finishes,” says Ada, a nursing student at Unilag. Glo has lower entry prices, but the data is small compared to what heavy users need. For example, the ₦100 daily plan provides 125MB, which is sufficient only for browsing and messaging. It does not support streaming for most people. If you are in a major city, Smile can be stable. You can get 1GB for around ₦450, and the speed is usually steady for work and video calls in areas where Smile coverage is strong. Daily plans work best when you only need to top up quickly. If you use mobile data heavily every day, a weekly or monthly bundle will give you better value. Best daily data plans Weekly data plans Weekly data plans are a good option if you need steady internet for school, work, or social use, but you do not want to commit to a full monthly plan. With a seven-day validity, they usually offer better value than daily bundles. One of the most affordable weekly data plans in Nigeria right now is from 9mobile. The 7GB weekly plan for ₦1,500 offers substantial value if you live in an area with stable 9mobile coverage. It works well for social media and light streaming, although coverage strength varies by location. “In my area, the 9mobile weekly plan is the best price I can get. As long as I stay around home, it works fine,” says Oyin, a tailoring apprentice in Ibadan. If you prefer something more reliable, Airtel’s 7GB weekly plan for ₦2,000 is a better fit. It costs a bit more, but Airtel performs well in many cities. The connection is steady, and the data lasts longer when the network speed is consistent. Chima, a remote support agent in Abuja, puts it simply: “I pay the extra for Airtel because I cannot afford network issues during work calls.” Glo also offers weekly plans, but the data value is lower in most cases. These plans can work well if you live in an area with strong Glo coverage, although they do not offer the same balance of price and performance as 9mobile or Airtel. Weekly plans are helpful when you want to manage your spending while staying connected through schooling, short work cycles, or travel. Best weekly data plans Monthly data plans Monthly data plans typically offer the best value for money. Most people use this bundler for work, streaming, browsing, and calls over apps. The key is balancing price, speed, and the stability of the network in your area. Glo offers some of the cheapest monthly plans. For example, the 30GB plan for ₦5,000 looks attractive if you want a large amount of data at a low price. The challenge is speed. Many users report that downloads and streaming can be slow in areas with high traffic. Glo works best if your location has strong Glo coverage and you use the data for simple browsing or background downloads. “Glo is affordable, but I only enjoy it when I am at home. Once I move across town, the speed changes,” says Fisayo, a pharmacy student in Akure. MTN costs more, but the network is usually more stable. A popular option is the 45GB plan for ₦9,000. It gives consistent speeds for video calls, work, and streaming. If your job depends on internet uptime, MTN tends to be the safer choice. You pay more, but you avoid frustration. “I use MTN for work because I cannot risk call drops during support sessions,” said Kemi, a customer care rep. “ The stability is worth the extra cost.” Structured monthly plans are becoming common. These are plans that spread your data across the month, so you do not finish everything at once. Airtel’s Everyday ON plan does this by giving a fixed amount of mobile data each day. This is useful if you want a predictable routine and want to avoid running out halfway through the month. For heavy users who frequently move around, Smile offers large bundles with consistent speeds in areas where Smile is available. If you rely on mobile data instead of home Wi-Fi, this can be a strong option. When choosing a monthly plan, think about your location first, then your budget. A cheaper plan is only valid if the network is steady where you live and work. Best monthly data plans Unlimited data plans Unlimited mobile data plans matter when you need steady internet without worrying about running out. The key thing to understand is that not all unlimited plans are actually unlimited. Some providers allow heavy usage, but slow your speed after you pass a certain amount.
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How Accrue is building a human network for stablecoin payments across Africa
Clinton Mbah, co-founder and CEO of Accrue, recalls when the problem became impossible to ignore. In 2022, a friend in Ghana tried to send money to her aunt in Nigeria. She spent the entire day moving between banks in Accra, filling out forms, waiting in queues, and trying every transfer option available. Yet, the transaction wouldn’t go through. This experience is a snapshot of Africa’s fragmented cross-border payment problem. As the Accrue team explains, the challenge is that every country has a different way of paying. “In Ghana, mobile money is king; in Nigeria, it’s bank transfers. In South Africa, it’s banks and card payments. All of these disparate payment methods mean that there’s no single, unified way to pay across Africa, and that is effectively what Accrue intends to solve,” said Mbah. Accrue co-founders: Clinton Mbah, Adesuwa Omoruyi, and Zino Asamaige The accidental pivot Accrue did not begin as a payments company. When the co-founders Zino Asamaige, Adesuwa Omoruyi, and Mbah started building in 2022, the focus was on helping beginners invest in crypto and stocks without getting overwhelmed. The trio left Helicarrier, the Nigerian crypto infrastructure platform that housed BuyCoins, to solve this unaddressed problem of payments fragmentation. Their first product was a dollar-cost averaging investment tool designed to help beginners invest. The first version of Accrue’s app allowed users to buy crypto with as little as $5 daily, easing the pressure on retail investors who struggled to time the market. While they were promoting their investment tool, a small in-app feature quietly began to take off: a stablecoin on- and off-ramp, that allowed users to convert cash to stablecoins and back. This product grew from accounting for just 4% of Accrue’s revenue to around 60% in seven months. Mbah’s friend, who was often stranded relying on Ghanaian banks, deposited her Ghanaian cedis with an Accrue agent, received stablecoins, and then sent the payment through another agent in Nigeria. It worked. That was the moment the team realised that the real problem was moving value across African borders instantly in a reliable manner. In late 2022, the startup pivoted to focus on the agent network feature to help people make payments across borders. “In Ghana, mobile money is king; in Nigeria, it’s bank transfers. In South Africa, it’s banks and card payments.” — Clinton Mbah, co-founder and CEO, Accrue “Like M-PESA on stablecoin rails” The solution that emerged from their pivot is Cashramp, Accrue’s flagship product today. CashRamp is a stablecoin agent network spread across 11 African countries. It works much like traditional mobile money (MoMo): in Ghana, users walk up to these stablecoin agents, who serve as physical touchpoints for digital currencies, hand over their stablecoins, and receive cash in their wallets. When that money needs to cross a border, say between Ghana and Nigeria, a Ghanaian user sends money to an agent in local currency and receives the stablecoin equivalent at the prevailing market rate. Another agent in the recipient’s country (Nigeria) converts it to naira and deposits it into their bank account. The user never sees the complexity of cryptocurrency. “What we did was train these agents and give them the ability to convert cash to stablecoins. Once people have stablecoins, they have borderless money,” said Mbah. Cashramp’s rise coincides with the growing recognition of stablecoins as a faster and more cost-effective alternative to existing cross-border money transfer systems. Recently, Flutterwave, a Nigerian traditional fintech company, partnered with Polygon Labs, a blockchain software company, to pilot stablecoin settlement for its clients. The head-first dive into stablecoins by financial players is a signal that they expect stablecoins to play a core role in how merchants move money across Africa. At the same time, Visa and Western Union have begun testing stablecoin processing in cross-border corridors outside the continent. Accrue is building the human-powered ramps that connect this new global system to everyday Africans through local agents. Navigating the broken landscape The first challenge the team faced in building Cashramp was understanding. When the team began, stablecoins were not widely recognised outside crypto circles. And even after stablecoins became more visible, the harder work was convincing people that they could be useful in everyday transactions as a way to preserve value and move money across borders without friction. And then there’s the gargantuan challenge of regulation. Until recently, the relationship between African governments and cryptocurrencies remained notoriously tense. Omoruyi described the difficulty of trying to convince governments that they are not trying to devalue their currencies. In expanding across African markets, the team quickly learned that Africa is not one market. Asamaige emphasised that every market is different and learnings from one country are not always transferable. He noted that coming from Nigeria, a country spoiled for choice with fintechs, and moving into underserved markets in Francophone West Africa was a learning experience, as they discovered a huge demand for financial technology that Nigerians might take for granted. Despite these challenges, Accrue said the pivot from a crypto investment app to an agent-led stablecoin platform is paying off. In February, the startup raised $1.58 million in seed funding, which has ignited their expansion push from seven to eleven markets. The funding also supports the company’s push into Francophone West Africa. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events TC Scoop Subscribe The human-powered differentiator This human-centred approach is what sets Accrue apart from traditional remittance players. “We have built a model that people are familiar with. With traditional stablecoin on/off ramps, it’s
Read MoreHow Gambia’s Farm Fresh is evolving into a tech-enabled food distribution platform
When Modou Njie launched Farm Fresh in 2014, online shopping was a novel concept in The Gambia. Internet penetration was low, digital payments were nascent and most people preferred to buy food in open markets. Njie, who had worked in technology and consulting for years, decided to take a risk on something new. A decade later, Farm Fresh has grown from a simple grocery website into what Njie calls a “tech-enabled food distribution platform.” The company now uses AI for analytics, integrates with mobile and card payment systems, and is building cold-chain storage that will extend the shelf life of its produce. The platform attracts between 3,000 and 5,000 daily visitors, according to Njie, with the majority coming from Gambians living overseas. This positions Farm Fresh within The Gambia’s growing e-commerce market which is projected to reach around US$72.44 million in 2025. From a $5,000 boost to a thousand-farmer network A year after launch, Farm Fresh got a $5,000 boost from the 2015 Tony Elumelu Foundation, which helped it strengthen operations and branding. At the time, Njie handled orders manually, stored accounting records on paper, and used his personal car for deliveries. “It wasn’t easy,” he said. “But I had a passion for innovation and wanted to start something new.” Over time, Farm Fresh’s impact grew. Njie said Farm Fresh introduced thousands of Gambians to online shopping and inspired a wave of small Information Technology (IT) firms to explore e-commerce. “The Tony Elumelu Foundation funding played a huge role here because it helped us carry out branding and a lot of marketing which created the awareness for something like shopping online,” he said. Farm Fresh also tapped into a powerful cultural dynamic: food remittances. “Many Gambians abroad were sending money to their families every month,” Njie explained. “We said, why not send food instead? Just spend a small portion of your remittance to feed your family directly.” That simple idea now sustains the company. Sixty to seventy percent of Farm Fresh’s online orders come from the diaspora, especially in Europe and North America. The company also ships dried products like cereals, honey, and herbal teas internationally, though fresh produce remains a challenge due to spoilage. Customers often rely on informal courier services, travellers who bring packages for a fee, to avoid expensive shipping through companies like DHL. “Gambians are always travelling and some of these people have turned moving things from the Gambia to other parts of the world a business. People always patronise them due to their low cost,” he explained. From a handful of smallholder farmers, Farm Fresh now works with between 1,000 and 1,500 producers during peak season. The platform features over 80 locally made products, from vegetables and dairy to cereals, and herbal teas. “Strawberries are one of our bestsellers,” Njie said proudly. “They’re grown locally and the demand is always high from January to May.” The company operates on a 10% to 15% markup model, buying at wholesale prices from farmers and adding costs for packaging, branding, and logistics. Farm Fresh is also preparing to start its own farming operations on newly acquired land, with plans to grow its own vegetables and strawberries by early next year. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events TC Scoop Subscribe Technology as a game-changer When Farm Fresh launched, the platform was a basic website listing prices and products. Payments were handled in cash. But today, the platform is fully automated, with integrations through TablePay, a Gambian fintech that processes global payments via Visa and MasterCard, and Wave, one of West Africa’s fastest-growing mobile money firms. The startup also uses AI-driven hybrid live-chat systems that combine bots with human agents for customer support and reporting. “Our reporting process is now fast and data-driven,” Njie said. “We’ve come a long way from doing everything manually.” Farm Fresh’s shift into automation has allowed it to expand without significantly increasing its headcount, critical in a country where reliable staffing remains a challenge. “You can’t copy and paste passion,” Njie said, referring to the struggle of finding committed employees who share the company’s vision. Njie’s pivot reflects a broader trend in The Gambia, where digitalisation has accelerated in the last five years. Internet penetration now stands at roughly 1.28 million users, about 45.9% of the population, while mobile subscriptions exceed the population, creating a foundation for digital commerce. Solving the logistics problem In The Gambia, logistics has long been a major bottleneck for e-commerce. Njie remembers making deliveries himself in the early days. As demand grew, Farm Fresh acquired its own delivery bikes to handle the workload. But maintaining the bikes proved expensive, and the company eventually shifted to partnering with third-party delivery services. “Over the past five years, there’s been an upsurge of delivery companies,” he said. “Many now offer tracking codes and hourly delivery. Prices are more competitive, and that is a win for everyone.” Still, Farm Fresh’s biggest breakthrough is underway. Through the World Bank’s Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project, the company was selected as part of 62 businesses after a rigorous training process. The project is now funding the installation of Farm Fresh’s first cold-storage facility and processing machines for oils and related products. “It’s a game-changer,” Njie said. “Once our cold room is ready, we can buy in bulk, extend shelf life, and control prices better. We won’t need to rush to farms for every order.” Before this, Farm Fresh operated on a just-in-time model, sourcing produce from farms only when
Read MoreMy Life in Tech: The developer DJ evangelical about fundamentals
David Olubaji’s tech career began in a cybercafé where he sold internet tickets after school. Today, he’s a senior software engineer who’s worked on some of the biggest apps in the world. But most people know him as Blak Dave, the DJ and music producer. What connects both lives? An obsession with getting every single detail right. A typical weekend might swing from playing at Sunday Service, a Sunday midnight rave, to a 9.00 a.m. standup call with his US-based engineering team. “My friends always ask me like, ‘Are you sure you rest? Are you sure you are good?’” He says, laughing. “I don’t even feel it because it’s like a regular life for me.” But there’s nothing regular about how Olubaji approaches his work, whether he’s writing code or producing music. His secret? An almost painful attention to detail that he learned the hard way. The cybercafe kid Olubaji’s tech journey started in 2009 in Surulere, Lagos. He was a secondary school student living in a compound that housed a cybercafé. At first, the owner chased him and the other kids away. Then one day, he asked Olubaji to help sell internet tickets. “I used to just like, you know, play around with the computer back then,” Olubaji remembers. “It was just, like, Facebook.” But because he was always on the computer, he became incredibly fast at typing. The cybercafe owner started giving him typing jobs, and he began earning “small small money.” When Olubaji finished secondary school the following year, he missed his JAMB registration because he was too caught up with the cybercafé. “I missed that year,” he says. “So I was just there for one whole year doing nothing.” His father noticed. One day, while riding public transport, his dad saw a flyer for NIIT (National Institute of Information Technology) offering web design classes using Dreamweaver and Adobe Flash. There was a scholarship exam. If Olubaji could pass it, he’d get a huge discount. “The catch was obviously it was a very expensive course,” he explains. Even with the scholarship discount, the money was still a lot to pay. But his father borrowed the money anyway. “This was a luxury to us at the time, you know,” Olubaji says. “It had no potential. It didn’t just make any sense to spend that much money on it at that time.” But his father was convinced. And Olubaji loved it. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events TC Scoop Subscribe The 40k website that changed everything After his NIIT classes, Olubaji continued practicing at the cybercafé and eventually got a part-time job building WordPress sites while studying Computer Science at Yabatech. He was earning ₦40,000 per month. Then one day, he created an Instagram ad: “Build websites for 40k.” “I was really good with designs at that time,” he says. “So I would just create random designs myself, put on IG, and do adverts.” One client saw his ads. She wanted a website. Olubaji agreed to meet. But when he arrived at the office, it wasn’t the woman who met him; it was her husband. The man pulled out a drawing board and started sketching an elaborate website. Olubaji tried to explain: “Excuse me, sir, this is what I discussed with Madam. I have the way I build these things ready to go, you know, and 40k.” The man said no. He wanted something complex. “I like challenges, doing hard things,” Olubaji recalls. “I like the way the guy was arranging it. It looked interesting. It was just too much work for that 40k.” But Olubaji did it anyway. When he returned for the review session, the man asked: “How did you do this?” “I was like, ‘Ah, this is what I do,’” Olubaji remembers. Then came the question that would change his life: “Where do you work?” When Olubaji mentioned his part-time job, the man said, “Why don’t you come work for me?” David hesitated. He already had a job paying 40k. But when the man asked how much he was earning, David lied. “I said 75k.” “The guy was like, ‘I’ll pay you 75k. On top of that, I’ll give you lunch and breakfast.’” David accepted immediately. The man’s name was Udoka Uzoka, and his company was Intellia. “That’s when I started seeing that there’s actual money in tech,” David says. “I was earning 75k, and someone there was earning 1 million per month.” Meeting Mr. Perfect At Intellia, Olubaji met Richard Ekwonye, a front-end engineer who would become his mentor. Ekwonye’s standards were brutal. If Olubaji’s code was off by even a single pixel, he would catch it. “He was very strict, and I feel blessed that the guy trained me because I became like that. I became obsessed with perfection.” This wasn’t just about aesthetics. Ekwonye taught him that as a front-end engineer, “obsessed with perfection” meant “your work would just be clean and perfect.” “I learned how to write front-end code the right way under that guy,” Olubaji says. Ekwonye is now at Stripe, and Olubaji calls him “one of the best front-end engineers in Nigeria.” At Intellia, they didn’t use shortcuts. “We didn’t use libraries, you know. We built everything ourselves – animations, everything from scratch,” Olubaji explains. “I had a component folder that I just started transferring to new projects because buttons, inputs, I had written down with their styling.” This approach might sound slow, but it had the opposite effect. “I learned the
Read MoreMukuru users to get instant loans after JUMO partnership
Mukuru, one of Africa’s largest digital financial services platforms, has partnered with AI-powered banking platform JUMO to launch Fast Loan, a mobile-first credit product for South African users, particularly immigrants who face barriers to accessing credit. According to Stats SA, South Africa is home to around 2.4 million immigrants, representing 3.9% of the population in 2022, up from 2.1% in 1996. Many of these individuals remain excluded from formal credit systems due to documentation and visa challenges. Through WhatsApp, Mukuru users can now apply for loans ranging from R100 ($6) to R8,000 ($460) with funds instantly disbursed to their Mukuru Card. Borrowers have 30 days to repay, and can use the funds for purchases at POS terminals, online stores, or Mukuru’s value-added services. Cash withdrawals are also available at ATMs and more than 11,000 partner retailers including Spar, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Shoprite. “Fast Loan is built on years of deep engagement with South Africa’s informal economy,” said Andy Jury, Group CEO of Mukuru. “It reflects our understanding of how customers earn, transact, and manage financial pressure. Partnering with JUMO allows us to scale responsibly, combining trust, technology, and insight to deliver meaningful financial solutions where they’re needed most.” The loan includes an 11.5% initiation fee, charged once when the loan is issued. For example, borrowing R1,000 would incur a R115 fee. Interest is applied only after the repayment period ends, 5% for first-time borrowers and 3% for repeat customers. Borrowers who settle their loans early pay no interest at all. With over 100 million transactions processed, 320,000 pay-in and payout points, and 150 information centres across South Africa, Mukuru’s scale positions it to bring formal financial access to those operating in the informal economy. The partnership uses JUMO’s AI-driven “banking-as-a-service” infrastructure, which powers next-generation credit products across Africa. JUMO’s technology enables responsible lending decisions using real-time behavioral data and has earned a 92.2% Cerise + SPTF Customer Protection Certification score, one of the highest in the industry. Andrew Watkins-Ball, founder and CEO of JUMO, noted that “we are proud to support Mukuru’s mission. Their products are trusted by millions, and our role is to provide the infrastructure that helps them deliver even greater value to their customers.” Beyond immediate access to credit, Fast Loan will help users build formal credit histories as all loans are reported to credit bureaus. The insights gathered from repayment behavior and financial activity will inform future enhancements, such as longer loan terms, higher limits, and flexible repayment options, marking another step toward inclusive financial empowerment in South Africa.
Read MoreMTN’s fintech has made ₦131.62 billion so far this year, thanks to airtime lending
MTN Nigeria’s fintech arm made ₦131.62 billion ($91.64 million) in the first nine months of 2025, but mostly on the back of airtime lending (Xtratime). The why is understandable. MTN has a subscriber base of 89.64 million, and many depend on borrowed airtime for connectivity. Core fintech revenue (excluding Xtratime) stood at ₦6.8 billion ($4.73 million), a 142.86% jump from ₦2.8 billion ($1.95 million) in the previous year, driven by an increase in interest income and usage of advanced services, a slide presentation during MTN’s investors call on October 31, 2025, revealed. The telco knows it can’t rely on airtime lending forever, especially as the country’s two mobile money giants, OPay and PalmPay, continue to dominate mobile payments. To compete, MTN is betting on advanced services, value-chain digitisation, and high-value customers to shift from quick wins to long-term fintech growth. “We still see substantial opportunities for growth and diversification,” Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, said on the call. “With disciplined execution, we are accelerating advanced services, expanding our ecosystem, and deepening customer engagement. MTN’s MoMo Wallet Challenge Out of 89.64 million subscribers, only 2.9 million (about 3.2%) actively use MoMo wallets. 3.2% Active Wallets Simulate wallet penetration: Active MoMo Wallets: 2.9M Other Subscribers: 86.74M Source: MTN Nigeria Q3 2025 Financial Statements The race to catch up Mobile money is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing financial services segments. In Q1 2025, transactions reached ₦20.71 trillion ($14.42 billion), according to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). This sector is dominated by OPay, which reported 10 million daily active users and 100 million daily transactions in 2024, and PalmPay, which processes 15 million daily. Despite their larger subscriber bases, telco-backed payment service banks—the Central Bank of Nigeria’s mobile money solution for telcos—MTN’s MoMo, Airtel’s SmartCash, 9mobile’s 9PSB, Globacom’s Money Master, and Hope PSB from Unified Payments have struggled to scale. On Airtel Africa’s fiscal Q1 2026 earnings call in July 2025, CEO Sunil Taldar attributed this to the maturity of Nigeria’s fintech sector, saying the market is well-developed “compared to many other markets.” Shifting models To adapt to this, telcos are changing their fintech operating models. Airtel is leaning on its agent networks and new digital capabilities, betting that its customer base will help it capture a share of Nigeria’s mobile money market. MTN is focusing on what it terms ‘advanced services’ and high-value customers, while expanding its physical presence. Its active agent network grew by 73.6% and merchant network by 42.6% between December 2024 and September 2025, part of what it calls a “deliberate focus on optimising distribution quality and building a more sustainable fintech ecosystem for long-term growth.” Active MoMo wallets are up 1.6% to 2.9 million, and customer deposits jumped 146.43% year-on-year to ₦6.9 billion ($4.80 million). Inside MTN’s fintech playbook According to Phrase Lubega, CEO of MoMo PSB, MTN is digitising value chains and solving real-world payment challenges. “We see continuous usage of customers coming to make payments through those value chains, and that has helped drive the momentum that we expect,” he said on MTN’s investors call. On the agent side, the company is leveraging already existing networks rather than chasing new numbers. On the distribution side, the company is leveraging existing agent networks to drive growth. “This has enabled us to actually drive some level of growth without necessarily going so aggressively on distribution acquisition,” he explained. The company is banking on advanced services to drive higher-value and repeat transactions. “As we onboard or deliver additional advanced services, more high-value customers actually come in to engage and interact with those services, thereby driving the additional momentum and increasing the flow that we are seeing,” Lubega added. The company believes that its strategy calibration is beginning to pay off. “Our fintech strategy is focused on unlocking significant long-term value and advancing financial inclusion, and on the quality of our wallets and customers that we acquire,” Karl Toriola said on the call. “We are focused on building a scalable, sustainable fintech platform that delivers attractive returns and supports our broader growth ambitions.” Long road ahead When the CBN introduced Payment Service Banks (PSBs) licences in 2018, it expected telcos to replicate M-Pesa’s success in Kenya. But that hasn’t happened. Airtel Nigeria’s mobile money business processed only $1.5 billion between April and September 2025, just 1.7% of Airtel Africa’s $88.8 billion in total mobile money transactions. Revenue from Nigeria contributed a mere $4 million, or 0.64%, of Airtel Africa’s $623 million fintech earnings, despite the country’s size. Yet, Airtel’s Taldar believes PSBs will eventually get their day in the sun. “Nigeria is taking its time, but given the strength of this market, the size of the opportunity in this market, it is only a matter of time,” he said on the company’s earnings call in July 2025. GSMA, the global industry body for telcos, shares that view, arguing in this report that telcos’ scale, technology, and capital base will eventually help them catch up. Note: exchange rate used: ₦1,436.34/$
Read MoreNYSC Batch C 2025: Registration Opens November 4 — Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially confirmed that registration for Batch C Stream 1 will open tomorrow, November 4, 2025, marking the start of the final mobilisation for the year. This update affects thousands of graduates, both from Nigerian and foreign institutions, who are expected to begin their online registration through the NYSC portal. Sticking to customary procedures, the commission will be following a digital verification process and documentation checks. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know before the NYSC 2025 batch C1 registration. Save the article; the tips will come in handy for other NYSC registrations. NYSC 2025 registration requirements: complete list of documents for all categories NYSC classifies Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) into three categories: Home-trained students (Nigerian students) Foreign-trained students Married women For each of the categories, the commission requires a different set of documents. Documents required for home-trained Nigerian students These are PCMs who attended Nigerian tertiary institutions. If you fall into this category, these are the things you’ll need: Passport photograph NIN slip Other requirements such as D.O.B, primary school, etc, are hand-filled. NYSC registration documents for foreign-trained graduates The category is for PCMs who attended tertiary institutions outside the country. If you fall into this category, these are the documents you will need: International passport Original certificate (not statement of result) Original O-level result Passport photograph Evaluation letter (if you’re yet to be evaluated) Resident permit to study in the country NIN number NYSC registration documents for married women For Nigerian women married to either a Nigerian man or a foreigner, you will need to provide the following documents: Marriage certificate Newspaper change of name Utility bill Husband’s domicile letter NIN number O-level result Essential tips for NYSC batch C1 online registration 2025 Before taking the journey to an NYSC-accredited cafe, study the tips below. Errors during registration might lead to disqualification, penalties, or a strenuous correction procedure. Register via the official NYSC portal. To find accredited NYSC registration cafes around you, click here. Do not thumbprint by proxy (no one should thumbprint on your behalf). Married female PCMs who want marital concessions must upload marital documents online during registration. PCMs with health challenges or disabilities should upload supporting documents during online registration. Date of birth, graduation date, and course of study will be on your certificate or exemption letter. They can’t be corrected after camp registration. PCMs serving in the armed forces should upload valid service documents during online documentation. Important NYSC batch C1 links: Senate list, JAMB matriculation & graduation list To confirm if you’re cleared to register for NYSC, use the links below. If your name doesn’t appear on one of the three lists, contact your school for rectification. Jamb matriculation list NYSC senate list Graduation list Latest NYSC 2025 batch C1 mobilisation updates and registration timeline The NYSC has announced key updates for Batch C Stream I 2025 ahead of registration. To stay informed about the latest mobilisation process, deadlines, and important dates, review the key points below. The Senate portal is now live for Batch C, with institutions like OAU already completing their uploads. Prospective Corps Members should log in regularly to confirm their names. Online registration will start on the 4th of November. The official deadline for the Senate list upload is the 9th of November. PCMs who didn’t receive their call-up number or letter in the previous batch will be included in Batch C. Keep checking the NYSC portal for updates. If you did your registration with the last batch, make all data corrections now. If you want to register but defer your call-up till next year, it is allowed without penalties. Essential items to pack for the orientation camp Before heading to the NYSC camp, here are the things you would need: Documents: Call-up letter (5 copies), green slip, school ID card, statement of result (3+ photocopies), medical fitness report, passport photographs (8 copies), and professional license for PCMs who study medical courses. Stationery: Writing pen, jotter, permanent marker (optional). Clothing: Plain white round neck, plain white short knickers, carnival/cultural wears (optional). Other needs: Toiletries, bed sheets and blankets, beverages, body cream, mosquito net, waist pouch, power bank, your medication (if any), food flasks, etc. What you should not bring to the orientation camp These are the list of things you are not allowed to take to the NYSC camp: Mattress. Car, tricycle, bicycle, and similar items. Sophisticated items such as a laptop, a gas cooker, a stove, etc. All electrical appliances. Metallic cutlery. Weapons of any kind Do you know NYSC allowance is tax-free? Many prospective corps members wonder if their monthly NYSC allowance is taxable. The Nigeria Tax Act 2025 does not specifically name NYSC corps members or their allowances as a category. NYSC allowances have traditionally been tax-free. Under the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), only individuals earning above ₦800,000 annually after statutory relief are taxed. Since the NYSC allowance totals ₦924,000 annually and reliefs apply, it still falls below the taxable threshold. Conclusion Prospective Corps Members can now proceed with their registration, ensure all documents are complete, and comply with NYSC rules and regulations. For official updates and further enquiries, visit the official NYSC website.
Read MoreTechCabal’s Frank Eleanya, 14 others make Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship
Fifteen Nigerian journalists, including TechCabal’s Frank Eleanya, have been selected for the 2025/2026 Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Journalism Fellowship, an initiative designed to strengthen public understanding of digital governance and innovation across Africa. The 15 fellows, drawn from 14 media outlets across print, broadcast, and online platforms, were chosen after a rigorous selection process that reviewed nearly 200 applications and shortlisted 45 candidates. The final cohort features a balanced mix of eight males and seven females, reflecting gender inclusion in media capacity development. Organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with Co-Develop, the fellowship aims to promote media-driven awareness, accountability, and participation in the evolution of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs). Through hands-on training, editorial mentorship, and access to a continental information hub, participants will gain the tools to produce high-quality journalism on digital identity, payments, data exchange, and interoperability systems shaping Africa’s digital future. Each fellow will receive a monthly stipend of $250 for the first three months, while their newsrooms will be supported with $1,000 under a DPI/DPG Newsroom Partnership Agreement. Fellows who excel will be eligible for investigative reporting grants and international travel opportunities to global DPI convenings. Running from October 31, 2025, to April 30, 2026, the six-month fellowship will require participants to publish at least six original stories exploring inclusive and accountable digital infrastructure. Graduates will be awarded Certificates of Honour recognising their role in advancing transparency and governance in Africa’s digital transformation. According to MFWA’s Executive Director, Sulemana Braimah, the fellowship is a “strategic investment in fostering informed and independent media narratives” around DPI and DPG developments.
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