Kenya wants crypto taxes fast, but offers few answers in return
Kenya’s tax authority collected KES 10 billion ($77 million) in taxes from crypto traders in the financial year ending June 2024. On the surface, that figure suggests that digital assets, long outside formal systems, are finally being pulled into the state’s revenue net. But scratch beneath that number, and a more complex story emerges, one that speaks to regulatory uncertainty, technical blind spots, and the looming risks of designing a tax regime for an industry still in its early stages. At a closed-door media roundtable hosted by Binance and attended by TechCabal, legal and policy voices across the crypto ecosystem unpacked the future of digital finance in Africa. And if one thing was clear, it’s that Kenya’s current approach risks stalling a sector that could be more than just a source of tax revenue. In November 2024, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) ex-chairman, Anthony Mwaura, announced the KES 10 billion ($77 million) figure during 2024’s Taxpayers’ Day. Mwaura also hinted at bigger ambitions: a joint technical committee with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), potential new frameworks, and a target to collect as much as KES 60 billion ($464 million) annually from the crypto sector. That kind of projection only makes sense if the government expects the ecosystem to grow and believes it can tax that growth effectively. Yet, the tools for encouraging crypto firms to set up bases in Kenya and tax their users are still blunt. One of them is the 1.5% digital asset tax proposed under the Finance Act 2023. Industry players at the roundtable said the structure of that tax risks doing more harm than good. For instance, the law doesn’t define taxable events clearly, as it treats speculative tokens and stablecoins the same. It doesn’t account for wallet-to-wallet transfers, and creates collection and remittance burdens that even large exchanges will struggle to comply with, let alone local startups. And it tries to squeeze tax out of an asset class whose value swings daily, sometimes hourly. 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But what, how, and when? The crux of the conversation wasn’t about whether crypto should be taxed. Almost everyone at the Binance roundtable agreed that taxation is inevitable. The tension lies in the design, where in some cases, platforms are now tasked with collecting, converting, and remitting this tax, in five working days. For global exchanges serving Kenyan users, that’s a hard sell. Larry Cooke, Binance’s Legal Counsel for Africa, argued that blanket taxes applied to every movement or transaction of digital assets are deeply impractical. “If you take that responsibility and put it on the corporation, you kill the corporation,” Cooke said. Allan Kakai, legal chief at Steakhouse Financial and director at the Virtual Assets Chamber of Commerce, expanded on the point, outlining three pillars—the asset, the event, and the taxpayer—that continue to confuse crypto users. “Taxable asset, taxable event, and who is the taxpayer—that’s what’s creating confusion,” Kakai said. Without clear distinctions, exchanges will either overreport and overcharge, or retreat entirely from jurisdictions where they can’t comply without bleeding money. What does compliance look like? Kenyan regulators have issued compliance directives to crypto platforms, including demands for detailed disclosures, audit trails, and proof of tax remittance. But no operational licences have been granted to date. One Binance rep at the roundtable said they had responded to every inquiry, filed tax
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Rwanda hits 38% internet penetration, but cost still keeps millions offline
Rwanda now has 38% of its population online as of mid-2025, matching Africa’s average internet penetration rate, according to new data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The figure, up from 34% in 2024, is a symbolic benchmark for a country aiming for universal internet access by 2030. With 5.5 million active internet users out of an estimated population of 14.4 million, Rwanda is betting on digital inclusion. The country’s Vision 2050 agenda and, more recently, the ICT Sector Strategic Plan (2024–2029) envisage a future where citizens, businesses, and government systems are fully integrated into a digital economy. But the road ahead remains steep. Despite solid infrastructure growth and a surge in mobile access, millions are still locked out, not because the network is missing, but because they simply cannot afford to connect. In June 2025, MTN Rwanda launched 5G services, adding another layer to the country’s expanding digital infrastructure. The ultra-fast, low-latency network is expected to power everything from smart city projects to improved healthcare delivery. Rwanda now has 1,760 connectivity towers covering 96% of inhabited areas, with 840 more planned by 2028. Yet infrastructure alone has not been enough to close the gap. “Our internet penetration infrastructure has grown to 62%,” said Esther Kunda, Director General of Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in an interview with New Times Rwanda on June 9. “But infrastructure alone isn’t inclusion. Access and affordability, especially in rural communities, remain our primary challenges.” Her point is underscored by stark usage disparities. In urban areas, internet usage stands at 57%, but in rural areas, it drops to just 19%, according to the Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7). Conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, the survey tracks key development indicators such as poverty levels, access to public services, and digital adoption across the country. Only 20% of Rwandans currently use mobile internet, and just 34% of households own a smartphone. In 2025, the typical smartphone in Rwanda costs $160, a price that remains out of reach for many, particularly in rural communities. Though data prices are amongst the lowest on the continent, $0.81 per GB on MTN and $0.41 on Airtel, for low-income households, even that is steep. For the poorest of Rwandans, buying a basic smartphone and 1GB of data can consume up to 60% of their monthly income. “People in Rwanda still find it difficult to buy essential items, and you’re talking about data?” said Magnus Mazimpaka, a Kigali-based investigative journalist. “Essential household items are more important than smartphones or data. People would rather use money to feed themselves than buy a phone.” Recent tax policy shifts could deepen the challenge. A GSMA report warns that increasing excise duties from 10% to 12.5%, alongside the reintroduction of an 18% VAT on imported handsets, will likely raise device costs, hurting rural and low-income users the most. Still, efforts to bridge the gap are ongoing. The government’s Connect Rwanda initiative, launched in partnership with MTN, is expanding access to smartphones through donations and flexible payment plans. Meanwhile, over 2,000 digital ambassadors are working across Rwanda’s 30 districts to teach citizens how to navigate digital tools, with 855 more expected to be deployed by early 2025. These efforts are paying off. Digital literacy has risen sharply, now at 75%—far above the previous 60% target set for 2024. That means more Rwandans are ready and willing to use digital tools, if they can afford the devices and data to do so. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Join Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Early bird tickets now 20% off—don’t snooze! moonshot.techcabal.com.
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Uber no longer wants old cars; Kenya’s new tax rules will make adoption expensive for drivers
When Uber Kenya announced plans to lower the maximum age of vehicles allowed on its platform—capping Uber ChapChap cars at 10 years and Uber Comfort cars at eight—it seemed like a routine update. In a market where customer experience is a differentiator, ensuring newer, more reliable vehicles makes commercial sense. But timing, as it turns out, is everything. Starting July 1, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will begin taxing imported vehicles using a revised valuation formula that has stunned importers and motorists. The tax on popular ride-hailing models like the Suzuki Swift, Mazda Demio, and Toyota Vitz is set to more than double. For instance, a 1.2-litre petrol-powered Swift manufactured in 2018 will attract a total tax of $4,825 (KES 623,503), up from $1,962 (KES 253,574)—a nearly 146% jump, pushing retail prices above $15,479 (KES 2 million). In theory, KRA’s move to increase taxes on imported used cars and Uber’s push to upgrade its fleet should be aligned. Both aim to improve road safety, reduce emissions, and offer better experiences to passengers. In practice, they may be about to break the country’s ride-hailing business. “Where your vehicle will operate on the platform for the first time on Uber Comfort, only vehicles that are 8 years old or newer will be eligible to join the Uber platform,” a notice sent to Uber drivers reads. “Please note that this means: From Jan 2025 only 2017 and newer vehicles will be eligible to join. From Jan 2026 only 2018 and newer vehicles will be eligible to join.” Nairobi’s ride-hailing apps are flooded with ageing, second-hand cars—most imported from Japan and already near the end of their useful lives by the time they arrive. Uber’s case for modernising the fleet is strong. 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The policy is part of a global push to standardise ride quality and safety benchmarks across its markets. Nairobi, where Uber launched in 2015, remains one of the app’s most active cities in Africa. But Uber’s decision comes when the government has made upgrading expensive for most drivers. Car imports already carry six different levies—from import duty to excise to the controversial Railway Development Levy. The new valuation formula means that even the smallest, most fuel-efficient models—favoured by gig drivers—will now face tax bills that wipe out their affordability. For drivers, the economics are brutal. Earnings from ride-hailing have mainly remained stagnant, even as fuel prices rise to historic highs of $1.36 (KES 176) per litre and spare parts become more expensive. Few drivers have access to financing from banks, and most rely on savings, informal loans, or second-hand purchases. “Uber is asking us to spend $15,479 (KES 2 million) to buy a car that will be making $15.48 (KES 2,000) per day. There’s no way you can stay in business with such earnings, no way,” says George Kiambi, an Uber driver in Nairobi. Ride-hailing drivers, like most informal workers, have no access to formal credit. They operate in a legal and financial grey zone, treated as independent contractors for tax purposes, but with no protections, incentives, or targeted support. Other countries have tried to bridge that gap. In Egypt, Uber has partnered with local banks to offer vehicle financing. In South Africa, ride-hailing drivers can access credit through selected lenders. In India, government
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – MultiChoice, max exodus
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Happy Democracy Day. Have you tried out Open AI’s new reasoning model—03 pro—yet? Right after Apple’s flashy WWDC AI announcements, OpenAI casually dropped a brand-new model that, unlike your average chatbot, actually thinks through stuff. Step by step. It’s especially good with tricky tasks—math, physics, code, writing help, education, even businessy things. If o1-pro was the brainy intern, o3-pro is the PhD-level consultant replacing it. When you use it, let me know what you think. Let’s get into today’s dispatch. – Faith MultiChoice loses 1.2 million subscribers as pressure mounts MTN Uganda to spin off MoMo as standalone fintech South Africa’s PIC would have made $34.2 million from keeping its Telkom shares Special Envoy launches EV-only courier company in South Africa World Wide Web 3 Events Companies MultiChoice loses 1.2 million subscribers as pressure mounts Image Source: MultiChoice MultiChoice, South African pay-TV giant, has reported a tough year with a loss of 1.2 million traditional TV subscribers. Its customer base has dropped to 14.5 million. That is an 8% decline over twelve months. Revenue also fell 9% to R50.8 billion ($2.9 million). The company posted a headline loss of R800 million ($45 million) after earning a R1.3 billion ($73.3 million) profit the year before. The pay-TV giant will not pay a dividend this year. Multichoice biggest hits came from currency troubles. Weak African currencies, especially the Naira and Cedi, wiped R5.2 billion ($293.1 million) from the group’s revenue in the reported year. Over the past two years, the company has lost R10.2 billion ($575 million) to currency devaluations across its markets. Despite the losses, digital services showed strong growth. Showmax saw a 44% jump in subscribers. DStv Internet and DStv Stream also performed well. Cost savings reached R3.7 billion ($209 million) nearly double the previous year, helping the company stabilise its position. Zoom out: Traditional pay-TV is under pressure. Many viewers are cutting back or switching to cheaper online services. MultiChoice is focusing more on streaming and cutting costs to keep the business afloat. The company is also in the process of being sold to Canal+, which has made a cash offer of R125 ($7.05) per share. The numbers show a company facing hard choices. MultiChoice is losing ground in its old pay-TV business while trying to grow the new one (its streaming business) fast enough to keep up. Join Fincra for an Exclusive Networking Mixer at iFX Expo, Cyprus. Fincra is co-hosting “AI-Powered Fintech and Blockchain” at iFX Expo, Cyprus, with Quidax. Join the brightest minds in fintech and blockchain for insightful panels & networking. Limited spots – RSVP here. Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe Fintech MTN Uganda to spin off MoMo as standalone fintech Image Source: SDG Investor Platform MTN Uganda will spin off its mobile money service, MTN MoMo, into a standalone fintech company. Translation: MTN MoMo is moving out of the family compound to build its own complex. It’s not a small shift. MTN Mobile Money Uganda will be transferred to a new entity owned by the group’s fintech division, MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V., and a trust acting on behalf of the minority shareholders of MTN. This is still subject to regulatory approval and shareholders’ votes on July 2. However, MTN Uganda will still be listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange. Why are they
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MultiChoice loses 1.2 million subscribers as South Africans cancel DStv amid cost pressures
MultiChoice Group has reported its financial results for the year ending 31 March 2025, revealing a loss of 1.2 million subscribers, with half of these losses coming from South Africa, an 8% decline compared to the previous year. The group now has 14.5 million active subscribers, with customer losses evenly split between South Africa and the rest of Africa. MultiChoice noted that “the negative trend was evident across all three market segments.” In South Africa, particularly MultiChoice attributed this decline to “the ongoing cost-of-living crisis which has meant that households are struggling to make ends meet and many had no choice but to give up their DStv subscription for the time being.” Despite these challenges, MultiChoice saw strong growth in its streaming services. DStv Stream subscribers increased by 38%, with revenues rising 48%. Extra Stream users grew by 25%, and revenues for this add-on service nearly tripled in its first full year. The company also expanded its DStv Internet service, leading to a 45% increase in subscribers and an 85% jump in revenue. While MultiChoice raised prices by an average of 5.7% to counter inflation, subscription revenues still declined by 3% year-on-year. However, decoder sales rose by 17%, driven by price adjustments to manage subsidy costs. Overall, South African segment revenues fell by 1% on an organic basis. MultiChoice reported a 44% year-on-year increase in active paying Showmax subscribers given the price adjustments in March 2025, which MultiChoice justified as necessary due to rising operational costs, including inflation, higher content licensing fees (especially for sports), and technology upgrades. Amid these shifts, MultiChoice is in the process of selling its business to Groupe Canal+, with the French broadcaster offering R125 per share to acquire the company. Despite subscriber losses, MultiChoice returned to profitability, reporting a net profit of R1.8 billion (over $100 million) for the year. This turnaround was largely due to cost-saving measures and the sale of its insurance business to Sanlam, which contributed significantly to its financial recovery. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Join Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Early bird tickets now 20% off—don’t snooze! moonshot.techcabal.com.
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New USSD billing model gives Nigerians more control over charges
Nigeria’s Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank (CBN) have approved a new End User Billing (EUB) model for USSD services. The decision means USSD charges will be deducted directly from the airtime balance, ending years of financial disputes between telecom operators and commercial banks. For Nigeria’s telecom and digital finance ecosystem, it is a long-awaited resolution to a conflict that has disrupted services and stalled industry progress for nearly half a decade. “The EUB model is an important change in how customers are charged for transactions. It is being introduced to improve consumer quality of experience and to put customers in better control of their spending,” the NCC noted in a statement. Previously, many Nigerians using USSD codes for banking activities, such as checking account balances, transferring funds, or buying airtime, were charged without notice through deductions from their bank accounts. In contrast, when the same USSD channel was used for telecom services, the cost was deducted from users’ airtime with immediate confirmation. This split billing model not only confused consumers but created a rift between Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and banks. Telcos bore the infrastructure and operational costs of USSD delivery, while banks collected and often delayed payments, leading to billions of naira in unsettled debts and strained relations. The EUB model simplifies this system. Under the new approach, all USSD session costs—including those for banking—will be deducted directly from the customer’s airtime balance, just like a regular voice call or SMS. Users will now see, control, and approve charges upfront, promoting transparency and financial awareness. What this means for users For consumers, the biggest win is billing clarity and control. Users will now receive real-time confirmation of charges and can opt in or opt out of using USSD banking services altogether. This protects consumers from unauthorized deductions and aligns USSD billing with other mobile services, removing the mystery and mistrust that previously plagued the system. Importantly, the cost of a USSD session remains capped at ₦6.98 for 120 seconds—cheaper than the old model, which charged ₦1.63 every 20 seconds, totaling nearly ₦10 for the same duration. This reduction offers better value for users while minimising pressure to rush through transactions. Perhaps the most transformative aspect of EUB is its resolution of the long-standing financial dispute between telcos and banks. For years, telecom operators complained that banks were slow to remit funds for USSD services, creating a bottleneck that led to service interruptions and strained public trust. At one point, unpaid debts reached billions of naira, prompting threats of USSD service suspension by major telcos. With EUB, that friction is gone. MNOs now receive payment directly at the point of service. This real-time revenue model eliminates payment delays, reduces administrative overhead, and allows telcos to plan more confidently for infrastructure investments. It also restores a level of financial autonomy for telecom providers, enabling them to innovate and expand service offerings without banking bottlenecks. Regulatory oversight and consumer protection To ensure a smooth rollout of the End User Billing (EUB) model, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have put in place a series of strict regulatory safeguards designed to protect consumers and promote transparency. One of the key provisions is the prohibition of double billing. Under the new model, banks are not allowed to charge users for USSD sessions—only Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are authorised to apply charges. This rule eliminates confusion over who is billing the user and prevents overlapping charges. Another important measure is the requirement for end-of-session notifications. Telcos must send users immediate alerts after each USSD session, clearly stating the cost incurred. This step ensures that subscribers are fully aware of what they are being charged and can verify it in real time, just as they would with voice or SMS services. The regulators have also mandated clear and consistent communication. Both banks and telcos are expected to inform customers in advance about service availability, fee structures, and any planned downtimes that may affect USSD access. Customers who experience double billing or other service-related issues can reach out to the CBN and NCC via complaint channels: CBN at +234-70-0225-5226 or via email at contactcbn@cbn.gov.ng, while the NCC can be contacted through its toll-free line at 622 or via email at ncc@ncc.gov.ng. Banks are currently working with MNOs and Value-Added Service (VAS) providers to complete technical integration, end-to-end testing, and formal agreements. Customers will be notified by their banks once the EUB model goes live for their accounts. Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Join Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Early bird tickets now 20% off—don’t snooze! moonshot.techcabal.com.
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For 27-year-old CTO, Godswill Adie, loyalty to one company can yield lifelong rewards
One Friday night in 2016, Godswill Adie, a second-year computer science student at the University of Calabar, slipped off-campus to attend a friend’s girlfriend’s birthday party. The night was a blur of laughter and celebration. The next morning, another friend’s call jolted Adie awake with an unexpected opportunity: an internship interview at Nugi Technologies. With only ₦100 for the ₦150 bus trip, the two walked half the distance and then boarded a bus midway to the office. Adie, still in his party clothes, arrived to find the office buzzing with young people on their laptops, coding, surprised by the hive of activity for a Saturday. He interviewed with the chief technology officer, presenting a rudimentary chat app inspired by Facebook and an incomplete logistics platform as proof of his skills. The CTO was impressed and offered Adie an unpaid internship on the spot. He started work immediately. Today, at 27, Adie is not only Nugi’s CTO but also a shareholder, steering a company that has evolved from creating white-label software for educational clients to serving government agencies and launching subsidiaries including Nugi Farms, O2 Constructions, and TerraGrid, under the Nugdi Group. In an industry where developers switch jobs every two years for better pay or quicker career growth, Adie’s seven-year tenure is rare, especially for a high-performing talent who has climbed from intern to C-suite. He acknowledges this anomaly but recalls a pivotal moment early in his career that has anchored his seven-year journey: “Whatever I want to achieve in this world, I can do it right in this company.” Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe Following his curiosity Adie’s ambition began modestly, rooted in curiosity. As a child, he dismantled radios and fans to unravel their mechanics, earning scoldings from his parents but fueling a lifelong inquisitiveness. In secondary school, he launched a football news blog on Blogger and grew fascinated by how text fields transformed into web pages. This sparked his self-taught journey into HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP—web development languages. By graduation, he had built his first webpage, a basic replica of his blog. “It was probably terrible by today’s standards,” he says with a smile, “but it was a great start.” In 2015, Adie enrolled at the University of Calabar to study computer science, but during a chaotic hostel move his laptop fell, its screen detaching from the keyboard, rendering it useless. For a month, he was frustrated, fearing he’d lose his coding skills. Like any software engineer with no money to buy a computer, he began writing code by hand in an exercise book, testing it in the university’s computer lab or a friend’s PC when possible. “My cousin thought I was crazy,” he told me during a virtual call, chuckling. “The book was filled with code that made no sense to him. Sometimes, I didn’t even know what I was writing. I’d copy snippets from online tutorials to run later.” Eventually, his three older brothers, who had taken on caregiving roles after their father died in 2009, pooled their money to buy him a better laptop. Adie keeps it in his office at Nugi today, a relic of their belief in him. Purchased by his three older brothers in 2009 as a replacement for a broken laptop, this computer remains in Adie’s office today as a reminder of his family’s faith in him. Image
Read MoreWith USAID gone, what’s next for Africa’s healthcare and healthtech industry?
Africa’s healthcare ecosystem is at an inflection point. Over the past decade, healthtech has risen from a nascent concept to a lifeline for millions, powering telemedicine in villages, digitising supply chains for lifesaving drugs, and enabling data-driven public health strategies. But today, the abrupt suspension of USAID-funded programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programs threatens to destabilise this fragile progress. What is at stake, and how can we pivot? The silent backbone: USAID’s role in Africa’s health ecosystem USAID wasn’t just a funder; it was a catalyst. Its investments exceeded dollars—they built bridges between governments, NGOs, and innovators like Remedial Health Solutions. Consider Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Program: USAID’s technical and logistical support substantially helped slash malaria mortality rates in a decade. Maisha Meds, a leading healthtech startup in Africa, received $5.25 million in scale-up Stage 3 funding from USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) to expand their mobile software platform and provide affordable malaria care across Africa. In Kenya, Rwanda, and Mozambique, USAID-backed platforms like OpenMRS revolutionised HIV/AIDS tracking. USAID-funded programs reduced patient “loss to follow-up” in PEPFAR programs, which was as high as 22.4% in Ethiopia. USAID’s exit isn’t just a budget line item; it’s a seismic shock to systems that relied on its expertise to optimise last-mile delivery, train frontline workers, and scale digital tools. For healthtech startups, this could mean fewer opportunities to collaborate with public health programs to integrate their solutions into national healthcare strategies. It also means a loss of credibility and trust, as USAID’s endorsement often served as a stamp of approval for innovative solutions seeking to gain traction in the market. In the wake of USAID’s exit, the sector must reimagine its playbook, and here are my four imperatives for the sector’s survival: 1. Governments must lead with policy, not platitudes: African leaders must stop treating healthcare as a charity cause. It’s an economic imperative. Nigeria allocates just 5.18% of its national budget to health, less than half the Abuja Declaration’s 15% pledge. We need aggressive domestic investment in digital infrastructure (e.g., Kenya’s digital health tax levies). These policies streamline regulations for health tech approvals, enabling faster innovation and reducing reliance on foreign aid. By building resilient, locally-led systems, they improve healthcare access, empower startups, and ensure long-term sustainability across Africa. 2. Leveraging local and regional partnerships: The private sector, including health tech startups, must explore partnerships with local and regional organisations to sustain and scale their solutions. For example, Ghana’s mPharma is acquiring distressed pharmacies to stabilise drug access. Localised action beats grand gestures. 3. Diversify capital: VCs and impact investors must step into USAID’s shoes. Tools like development impact bonds or revenue-based financing (e.g., PharmAccess’s Medical Credit Fund) can de-risk investments in electronic health records (EHRs) or telemedicine. Crowdfunding platforms like AfriGadget are already proving this model works. 4. Advocate relentlessly, silence is complicity: The African Union must pressure global institutions to recommit—but with African-led frameworks. Why should the EU or the Gates Foundation replicate USAID’s playbook? Let’s demand co-creation, not consultation theater. Yes, USAID’s withdrawal is a blow. But it’s also a reckoning. For too long, we’ve outsourced our healthcare sovereignty. This moment demands audacity: Kenyan startups like Afya Rekod and Zuri Health are repurposing AI for drug demand forecasting, and South Africa’s Ndlovu Clinic runs entirely on solar-powered EHRs. As a builder in this space, I’m doubling down on two truths: Resilience is Africa’s competitive advantage. We’ve leapfrogged legacy systems before—mobile money is proof. Community trust is our moat. Tech is nothing without the nurses, pharmacists, and patients who wield it. The road ahead is uncharted, but the destination is nonnegotiable: a healthcare system that serves Africans, by Africans. Let’s build it. ______ Damilola Adelekan is a Product Manager with 5+ years of experience in wellness, SaaS, and dot-coms. As Lead Product Manager at Remedial Health Solutions, she combines strategic thinking and user-centricity to deliver impactful solutions. Passionate about mentorship, she’s helped 50+ individuals transition into tech, driving growth in Africa’s tech ecosystem through collaboration and continuous learning.
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Left behind: The millions of Nigerians whose use of technology is an afterthought
Nigeria has an estimated 35 million persons with disabilities (PWDs), roughly 15% of the population according to the National Commission for Persons With Disability (NCPWD). This represents a market larger than many African countries’ entire populations, yet their digital needs remain invisible to the tech sector. Professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and civil servants with disabilities are systematically excluded from platforms that ought to improve their lives. Whether government portals or private platforms, complaints abound about inaccessible designs, screen-reader incompatibility, and services that ignore users with visual, auditory, cognitive, or mobility impairments. “If we want to talk about digital accessibility in Nigeria, we would need more than a 24-hour podcast to scratch the surface,” said Saheed Okerayi, a blind tech enthusiast. According to him, most platforms have bits of accessibility for persons with disabilities whilst others completely neglect it, with fundamental issues like unlabelled buttons and missing alt text (alternative text) remaining widespread. Root causes In his assessment of Nigeria’s accessibility landscape, Olufemi Bayode, a digital accessibility expert who has spent years navigating Nigeria’s digital exclusion crisis, gave a stark remark: “If I’m to rate accessibility, be it digitally or otherwise, if I’m not too strict, I would give it 4%.” Bayode said that the exclusion is comprehensive and systematic, affecting every major platform category. The root cause, according to him, is simple: “When it comes to accessibility in this country, nobody cares. Be it individual developers or governments, people are just not concerned.” Bayode breaks down the most pervasive violations into several categories: Missing alt text and unlabelled buttons: “So many images and unlabelled buttons exist on websites and apps. There’s one fintech app where you don’t know what’s there when entering your password. Your screen reader can’t recognise if it’s an image or button.” Inadequate markups and semantics: “Developers don’t follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) promoting basic markups that make web content readable for screen readers, such as heading styles, paragraph tags, navigation tags.” Absence of keyboard navigation: “Nigerian websites don’t provide keyboard shortcuts like LinkedIn or Facebook. You have to keep scrolling to find message links or buttons.” Improper form labelling: “Many developers use placeholders instead of accessible labelling. Screen readers don’t read these aloud, so users don’t know what input is required.” Lack of user-defined experience: Unlike global websites offering text size or colour contrast adjustments, “I’ve never seen that on a Nigerian website,” Bayode said. These technical shortcomings create nightmares for users across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canton and Enderbury Islands Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos [Keeling] Islands Colombia Comoros Congo – Brazzaville Congo – Kinshasa Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d’Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Dronning Maud Land East Germany Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories French Southern and Antarctic Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Johnston Island Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Metropolitan France Mexico Micronesia Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Neutral Zone New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Vietnam Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands Trust Territory Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Panama Canal Zone Papua New Guinea Paraguay People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé and Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Minor Outlying Islands U.S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Unknown or Invalid Region Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wake Island Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands ?> Gender Male Female Others TC Daily Events TC Scoop <!– Next Wave –> <!– Entering Tech –> Subscribe Big and small; public and private From private to public-owned establishments, telecommunications companies to banks, e-commerce platforms to media houses, the systematic exclusion of persons with disabilities spans every major platform category and companies of different sizes. This exclusion represents a massive missed business opportunity. Globally, the disability market represents over $13 trillion in annual disposable income, yet Nigerian businesses potentially miss out on this market simply because tech developers and designers do not build with PWDs in mind. “If a website doesn’t build with persons with disabilities in mind, they’re losing customers double the size of some countries. Imagine collecting ₦1,000 from each PWD; we’re talking billions,” Bayode said. In the financial sector, for instance, accessibility is fragmented and inconsistent across platforms and devices. Users report vastly different experiences even with the same institution. And challenges span both large traditional banks and
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Roam’s Nairobi factory shows what’s hard about building electric bikes in Africa
About 10 kilometres from Nairobi’s central business district, inside the city’s industrial zone along Mombasa Road, Roam Park sits behind a modest gate. The 10,000-square-metre facility is the site of Roam’s unfolding electric motorcycle assembly facility. Around 20 to 30 Kenyan technicians and engineers are spread across different stations inside the facility, including warehousing, fabrication, welding, electronics, and testing. One locked room houses the battery diagnostics lab, and visitors aren’t allowed in. “That tech is internal,” says Habib Lukaya, Roam’s regional sales manager. The floor runs quietly but steadily, with whole bikes taking shape as the pieces move from station to station, built mostly by hand. Roam Electric’s new Nairobi facility. Image Source: TechCabal The plant is 36% complete, but assembles 12 to 15 electric bikes daily. Once fully up, it could produce up to 50,000 bikes a year, a serious claim by Lukaya. The Nairobi-based startup, known for its two-wheelers, is shifting from importing fully built units to putting together bikes locally, including some component integration. At the centre of that push are the Roam Air and its newer version, the Roam Air V2. “We’ve tried to improve what riders care about most, including speed and battery life, and load,” said Lukaya as he introduced the new electric motorcycles to some members of the press. Roam Air V2 now comes with two batteries, charges fully in 45 minutes, and can carry up to 240 kilograms. It has a range of 100 to 120 kilometres and a lighter frame. Each battery weighs about 20 kilos, lasts up to five years, and supports 800 to 1,200 full charge cycles. Riders own their batteries, which include trackers to monitor performance. While rivals like Ampersand and ARC Ride rely on battery swapping, Roam is sticking with a charging model. “We want riders to have full ownership of the battery,” said Lukaya. Roam uses open architecture, which allows other battery models to be charged at its facilities. The company is building out its charging network in Kenya and has partnered with Total Energies and supermarket retailer Quickmart to set up charging stations. Riders can use an app to find charging spots. Image Source: TechCabal How the Roam plant works The facility has distinct sections for warehousing, assembly, body work, fabrication, engineering, after-sales support, and a battery lab. Lukaya said bikes are built from components supplied by different international partners, as no single supplier provides more than one part. Roam imports batteries and motors from China. It takes about 30 minutes to assemble one bike on the main line. Once quality checks are completed, the bikes are ready for dispatch to customers. The facility also has a battery testing zone, and while visitors weren’t allowed to enter, Lukaya noted that this area is reserved for performance and charging tests, including Roam’s proprietary fast-charging technology, which remains confidential. Roam also runs a battery buyback programme, collecting used or degraded batteries at the end of their useful life. Typically, these batteries fall below 80% state-of-health, meaning they no longer hold charge as expected. The company says the battery recycling effort will scale at the end of 2025, once enough units have been in the field for at least three years. Image Source: TechCabal A look at the numbers The Roam Air costs $2,290 (about KES 297,000). With dual batteries, the cost rises slightly, up to around $2,500 depending on the version. Battery units account for 40 to 60% of the total bike cost. “The price is still the same for Roam Air V2 is the same as V1, with most parts still imported from China and India, but we are looking to localise more parts as time passes to ensure the price becomes affordable for the boda boda rider. Also, the next battery generation we are working on will be a bit cheaper,” a Roam representative told TechCabal. Charging one battery to full costs about KES 150 ($1). Most riders top up with KES 80 ($0.6) worth of power per day. Given that the average rider covers about 150 kilometres daily and earns KES 4,000–5,000, charging costs are a small but steady expense. Roam doesn’t offer direct credit sales, but partners with four major asset-financing firms: Watu Credit, M-KOPA, 4G Capital, and Mogo. For riders unable to pay upfront, each firm offers slightly different terms for financing the double-battery version of the Roam Air. Financing agreements can run for 12, 18, or 24 months. Customers also have the option to purchase a single-battery bike or just the battery alone, depending on what they can afford or already own. But even the most affordable options are still out of reach for many riders. A KES 25,000–35,000 ($194-232) deposit and daily fees north of KES 1,000 ($8) can be too much for those who already operate on thin margins. It’s not entirely clear how Roam expects this to scale among its core market of boda boda riders, most of whom live hand-to-mouth. 4G Capital is the most affordable financing option, while M-KOPA is the most expensive over the full term. The difference between the two extremes can be as much as KES 138,000 (around $1,060). Roam doesn’t control its financing partners’ pricing models, but it relies heavily on these partnerships to move units in a price-sensitive market. Where things stand Roam is trying to walk a thin line by building local capacity without fully domesticating its supply chain. The plant is still dependent on foreign components, especially for high-cost parts like batteries and motors. But local fabrication and bodywork are growing, and the engineering team is based on-site. Roam says that as the plant scales, the cost of production per unit should drop. But that depends on volume and whether local suppliers can enter the chain. Roam expects to complete the Nairobi facility by the end of 2025. When fully operational, the plant will produce tens of thousands of electric bikes yearly, most for the local market. The Roam Air V2 rollout will continue in stages, targeting riders
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