No Nigerian YouTuber can replicate MrBeast’s success. Here’s why
With 400 million subscribers, American YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, is the highest-paid in the world. His YouTube channel, built on viral stunts and hair-raising challenge videos, has turned millions of views into a billion dollar media empire. But this story isn’t about MrBeast. It’s about why that level of success is far more complicated and nearly impossible for a Nigerian YouTuber. Show me the Naira: How much do Nigerian YouTubers make? In 2020, travel and lifestyle YouTuber Tayo Aina, according to a Fast Company article, admitted to making around $132 for a video that garnered over 1,100,000 views on his channel. That’s not a typo. Aina’s $132 payout was “significantly less than a creator with a predominantly Western audience would have received for the same performance metrics,” the article noted, pointing to the platform’s preference for Western audiences over those from Africa. YouTube creators with a Western audience would likely earn 10x Aina’s amount (you would see this later in the article, as Aina explains) for similar performance metrics. The reason? Ad rates on YouTube are not created equal, and Nigerian creators are on the short end of the stick. Even with these disparities, Nigeria still boasts a few high-performing YouTube channels leading the country’s local earnings chart. In August 2024, Pastor Jerry Eze’s YouTube channel, was listed as Nigeria’s top-earning (earning ₦7 billion or $4.7 million from 2014 to 2024) YouTube channel, according to data sourced from Playboard (a YouTube analytics website) and reported by both Punch and Premium Times. By March 2025, Pulse reported that Eze was racking up ₦7 million daily, keeping him at the top of Nigeria’s YouTube earnings chart. The figures make it easy to assume that more views mean more money for Nigerian YouTubers, but YouTube math does not work this way. Views pay, not subscribers The way YouTube pays is through CPM (cost per mille, or, simply put, cost per thousand views). “YouTube does not pay for subscribers or comments, only for views,” Nigerian YouTuber Omokha Sandra clarified in a 2024 YouTube video. But not all CPMs are equal. Nigerian views don’t pay as much as Western ones. The reason is largely economic: advertisers in the US, UK, or Australia pay more to target viewers, which boosts the CPMs for YouTube creators in those markets. A recent 2025 article on the top 10 countries with the highest YouTube CPMs listed the US, Australia, and Norway at the top. Nigeria did not make the list. Aina once put it bluntly: In Nigeria, CPM can be as low as $1 per 1,000 views while in the US, it can hit $10 for the same number of views. This means, as I wrote earlier, that a Nigerian creator needs ten times more views than a US creator to earn the same amount of money. Of course, “Nigerian” here is semantics: a Nigerian living in Nigeria with a predominantly Nigerian audience. A Nigerian in, say, Canada with a western audience would not worry about low earnings. Numbers aren’t everything According to Statista, Nigeria had 5.3 million YouTube users in 2021, and that number is projected to hit 12 million by the end of 2025. Yet, as of July 2024, Nigeria’s population stood at around 229.5 million people. There’s still a long way to go in terms of internet penetration and content monetisation, but you can not ignore the fact that the low earnings on Nigerian YouTube channels are not a number-of-views problem. A 2025 Business Day article reports that YouTube’s watch time in Nigeria has grown by over 50% in the last year, and that over 1,800,000 Nigerians now watch YouTube via connected Televisions. This surge in viewership reflects a broader trend in the continent’s booming creator economy. The African Creator Economy valued at $5.10 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $29.84 billion by 2032. In Nigeria alone, the sector is worth over ₦50 billion ($33 million). This further proves that the audience exists and is still expanding. This expansion might account for the fact that in 2024 alone, the number of Nigerian YouTube channels earning between ₦10 million and ₦100 million ($6,700 to $66,000) doubled. Now that you have the numbers, let us get into the mechanics of how Nigerian YouTubers earn and compete with the other 113.9 million YouTube channels that exist worldwide. How does a Nigerian YouTuber make money? YouTube monetisation works the same in Nigeria as elsewhere, at least in theory. To earn from the YouTube Partner Program which allows creators to monetise their content, you need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in a 12 month period (or 10 million YouTube Shorts views in the past 90 days). From there, YouTubers (whether or not they are part of the partner program) get paid through the AdSense program , which allows creators to earn revenue from ads displayed on their videos. This program is straightforward: Link your channel to an AdSense account, and begin earning a share of ad revenue generated by each content. Beyond ad revenue, a Nigerian YouTuber has access to other monetisation streams such as channel memberships (though this requires 30,000 subscribers in Nigeria, vs. lower thresholds elsewhere), Super Chats (allows viewers to pay to pin a comment on live streams. This accounts for the bulk of Eze’s earnings), and YouTube Premium revenue (creators earn a share of the revenue from YouTube Premium subscribers who watch their videos.). Earnings also come from affiliate marketing and brand sponsorships or deals, both of which allow creators to earn directly from brands. These YouTube earning options do not come without their challenges. More often than not, payment infrastructure in Nigeria makes it difficult to receive earnings in dollars, access fan donations, or set up merchandise stores. In contrast, western creators enjoy seamless payouts, direct integration with banks, and a broader pool of sponsors with deeper pockets. Beyond YouTube: The hustle is diversified Because AdSense earnings alone aren’t enough, Nigerian YouTubers diversify. Some build content for the
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Why Nigeria’s 5G adoption is stuck below 3% three years after launch
When 5G launched in Nigeria in September 2022, it came with bold promises: ultrafast speeds, low latency, and a leap toward smart city innovation. But nearly three years on, the momentum has slowed. As of April 2025, only 2.81% of mobile subscribers—fewer than 4 million people—are using 5G, falling far short of expectations. The rollout has been bogged down by high infrastructure costs, low device adoption, and weak consumer demand, casting doubt over the technology’s near-term impact in Africa’s largest telecom market. A major roadblock is Nigeria’s challenging economic climate. Inflation, currency devaluation, and soaring energy prices have sharply increased operating costs for telecom operators. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), industry-wide expenses surged by 50.92% in 2023 alone—from ₦2.09 trillion in 2022 to ₦3.16 trillion—driven by pricier diesel, rising security costs, and expensive imported equipment. The naira’s depreciation by over 220% between 2021 and 2024 has only deepened the financial strain. This sluggish progress in 5G deployment is holding back Nigeria’s digital ambitions at a time when fast, stable internet is critical for sectors like fintech, e-learning, and remote work. With millions still relying on overburdened 4G and unreliable 3G networks, many users, especially in underserved areas, are turning to high-cost alternatives like Starlink. While expensive, Starlink offers consistent, high-speed access, highlighting growing dissatisfaction with local networks and putting added pressure on operators to deliver on 5G’s promise. “It is probably an indication that consumers haven’t outstripped the capacity of 4G base stations,” said Ladi Okuneye, CEO of UniCloud Africa, a cloud infrastructure provider. “Migrating to new technology is expensive, especially when the existing network still serves user needs. Operators are likely trying to recover 4G investments before diving deeper into 5G.” Telecom giants like MTN have borne the brunt of this cost pressure. In 2024, MTN Nigeria’s operating expenses jumped 76.6% year-on-year to ₦1.52 trillion. Across the sector, costs have risen by more than 300% in just two years, with energy remaining the biggest burden. Most telecom infrastructure runs on diesel-powered generators due to poor grid reliability. And with most network equipment priced in dollars, while revenue is earned in naira, telecom operators face a widening financial mismatch—one that continues to stall the 5G rollout. A tale of three operators: MTN, Airtel, and Mafab Of the three operators licensed to launch 5G services, only MTN and Airtel have achieved tangible milestones. MTN launched its commercial 5G services in September 2022, quickly expanding across major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Maiduguri. Its rollout was backed by strategic investment and partnerships, notably with Ericsson, which provided network infrastructure and technical support. As of early 2025, MTN has over 2100 active 5G sites across 13 cities. During MTN Nigeria’s Q1 2025 report release, Karl Toriola, the company’s CEO, explained that expansion was stalled. “Our 4G network coverage expanded to 82.7% of the population (up 0.2pp), while 5G coverage remained stable at 12.7%, as we prioritised enhancing capacity over broadening coverage during the period,” Toriola said. MTN also proritised the rollout of its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) or MTN home broadband service, which also taps its 5G fixed wireless access. 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a way to deliver high-speed internet to homes and businesses using 5G wireless technology instead of traditional fixed-line infrastructure like fiber optics or copper cables. Airtel Nigeria, which secured its 5G license in January 2023, launched services in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and Rivers states, deploying more than 200 5G sites. The company has pledged to double its capital expenditure in 2025 to accelerate its rollout, particularly in rural and underserved areas. In contrast, Mafab Communications has failed to deploy a single operational 5G site despite being awarded a license alongside MTN in 2021. The company has struggled with several setbacks, including delays in obtaining a Unified Access Service License (UASL), a lack of telecom infrastructure, and difficulties securing investment due to Nigeria’s ongoing foreign exchange challenges. Although Mafab held a public launch event in January 2023, it has repeatedly missed deadlines and has yet to fulfill its commitment to roll out 102 5G sites in Abuja and Kano. So far, only MTN Nigeria has met the NCC launch requirement, which mandates that licensees begin commercial operations within the first year. According to NCC guidelines, 5G deployment in Nigeria follows a 10-year phased rollout strategy. In the first two years, operators are expected to launch services in at least one state in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This must be followed by expansion into six additional states between the third and fifth years. From the sixth to the tenth year, operators are required to achieve nationwide coverage. While commercial rollouts have begun in key cities and state capitals, further expansion will depend on infrastructure availability, market demand, and broader economic conditions. Why 5G is stalling The importance of 5G extends far beyond faster mobile downloads. In theory, it could support next-gen solutions like telemedicine, autonomous transport, smart agriculture, and remote learning. For a country like Nigeria, home to over 200 million people, a growing tech ecosystem, and chronic infrastructure deficits, 5G promises both economic transformation and digital inclusion. But that promise is colliding with the harsh reality of Nigeria’s telecom environment. High operating costs are the most immediate challenge. The importation of 5G equipment is costly and vulnerable to currency fluctuations, while network deployment requires dense fiber optic backhaul, expensive tower upgrades, and massive power consumption. At a time when energy costs are soaring and the naira remains volatile, telecom operators are grappling with unsustainable capital expenditure. Spectrum challenges add to the bottleneck. Although the NCC has auctioned frequencies in the 3.5GHz band, many of the optimal bands for 5G remain tied up in legacy services like TV and satellite broadcasting. Fragmented assignments and high spectrum fees have delayed expansion, while regulatory processes remain slow and inconsistent. Then there’s the consumer angle. The average Nigerian subscriber is still transitioning from 3G to 4G, and 5G-compatible devices are largely unaffordable for most. With entry-level
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After service suspension, Starlink faces high-stakes push for South Africa licence
Starlink has decided to play by the rules and cut off its service for South African users who accessed its broadband through international roaming plans. The move follows a clampdown by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), which has intensified its enforcement against unauthorised use, ordering distributors like ICASAsePush to halt operations and warning users that accessing the service without a licence is illegal. For over two years, some South Africans have relied on Starlink’s Roam Unlimited and Global Roaming packages as a workaround to the absence of official local support. Over the past weekend, however, users received notifications that their connections had been terminated because South Africa is not an approved territory for Starlink. The company instructed affected customers to either cancel their service or use it in a country where Starlink is officially licenced. Despite the move to halt its services, to formally enter the South African market, Starlink still needs to engage proactively with ICASA to secure a local licence and comply with whatever empowerment framework is adopted. However, recent regulatory changes hint that the situation could shift. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi mandated ICASA to investigate the issuance of new individual electronic communications network services (I-ECNS) licences, potentially ending a 15-year licensing freeze that has stalled market entry for new players like Starlink. ICASA has six months to complete its review, assessing whether new licenses could enhance competition, expand connectivity, and balance regulatory concerns. When the investigation is completed, Starlink stands to benefit from getting a license even though the timelines are uncertain, and delays beyond six months are possible. ICASA did not respond to a request for comments. The Black empowerment regulation, which has long been a barrier to Starlink’s entry into South Africa, now shows promise for reform. A draft policy directive issued by Malatsi in May suggests that foreign companies like Starlink could meet empowerment requirements through equity equivalent investment programs instead of direct ownership. Some experts argue that the timing of the policy release is particularly controversial due to broader political dynamics between the U.S. and South Africa. “The entry of Starlink to be direct is very controversial since the SA/USA dilemma, it seemed to be undermining the ICT working protocol when looking at it at a birdview politics,” said Noah Fakude, power systems and energy analyst at City of Tshwane. Noma-Gcina Mtshontshi, the director of Mtshontshi Attorneys Inc., noted that the Black empowerment law allows multinational companies to fulfill their empowerment obligations through Equity Equivalent contributions rather than direct shareholding. These contributions can take the form of investments in public programs approved by the government, such as skills development and infrastructure projects. She agrees with Malatsi that this framework has long existed as an alternative to traditional ownership and has been successfully used by companies like IBM, Amazon, and Microsoft, meaning foreign firms like SpaceX can gain equity points by investing in initiatives that benefit black South Africans instead of selling shares. Fakude noted that “the international ICT companies in South Africa are compliant, and more especially with ICASA. If a company like Starlink is not even recognised by our trusted structures, then I would take that as undermining the Sovereignty.” However, while the Equity Equivalent approach would work for Starlink, Mtshontsi noted that South Africa’s telecommunications law still “requires any applicant for an electronic communications license to have a minimum of 30% ownership from a historically disadvantaged group. That is, even if Starlink complies via equity equivalent on the Black empowerment Act side, they would still be required to comply in terms of the Telecommunications Act.” “Allowing Starlink to bypass the processes coming through the back door and then later endorse it will set a very bad precedent,” said Fakude. For Starlink, the path to its entry in South Africa hangs on how ICASA and policymakers finalise regulations. While there is a ray of hope for Starlink’s entry, the suspension of its services is a blow to users who depended on its reliable, high-speed internet, especially in areas where the network is unreliable. “Starlink is the kind of technology that will accelerate inclusion in poor communities where LTE and 4G/5G internet infrastructure is lacking,” Fakude said. “However, every technology must take into cognisance the sociopolitical aspect of every country, not to seem undermining the sovereignty of a country.” 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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Kenya to scrap tax breaks on startup employee stock options in 2025 Finance Bill
Kenya is proposing to scrap tax breaks on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) for early-stage startups, a move that risks gutting one of the few incentives left to attract talent in a sector struggling to raise capital and make payroll. Under the Finance Bill 2025 proposal, the government wants to remove a provision allowing employees at eligible startups to defer taxes on stock received in place of salary. If passed, the change would force workers to pay income tax within 30 days of receiving shares, regardless of whether those shares can be sold. For early-stage startups, where liquidity is rare and valuations are often speculative, the change amounts to taxing promise, not profit. “Where an employee is offered company shares in lieu of cash emoluments by an eligible startup, the taxation of the benefit from the shares allocated to that person by virtue of employment shall be deferred and taxed within thirty days,” reads part of the proposal. Taxing stock options on conversion, rather than at sale or liquidity event, may also deter skilled workers from joining risky early-stage ventures, opting for more stable jobs in traditional sectors. That could slow the flow of talent into the tech ecosystem at a time when Kenya is looking to deepen its digital economy and become a regional innovation hub. In theory, employees taxed on their stock awards could benefit later through dividends or capital gains, though most startup shares are unlisted and highly illiquid. The current tax rule, passed under the Finance Act 2023, allowed workers to defer tax until five years after receiving shares or when they left the company or sold their stake. The new proposal would unwind that deferral, potentially saddling employees with tax bills they cannot afford. The proposal raises additional complications for founders. Currently, dividends from such shares are subject to a 5% withholding tax, and if the shares are not traded on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), employees may also face capital gains tax when selling. An additional tax burden on this compensation tool could force many startups to phase out ESOPs. In 2024, the Treasury proposed a similar tax in the Finance Bill 2024, which was dropped following nationwide protests over rising taxes. Its reappearance suggests a push by Kenya to widen the tax net amid falling revenue and growing pressure to manage public debt. 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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Same deals, $102 million less cash: Africa’s logistics and transport funding in Q1 2025
Thirteen logistics and mobility startups raised funding in the first quarter of 2025. This matched the number of deals inked in Q1 2024, but the total amount plummeted to $44.9 million. Funding this year saw a 69% decrease from the $146 million raised in the same quarter last year. Despite the decline in funding, the number of deals reflects continued investor appetite for vehicle financing platforms. The largest deal was in the mobility-fintech subsector in both years. In the same quarter last year, the highest deal—$100 million—came from Moove, a mobility-fintech startup that offers vehicle financing for drivers using ride-sharing platforms such as Uber. In Q1 2025, the headline funding came from Gozem, a ride-hailing platform that has expanded into vehicle financing. Gozem secured a $30 million Series B round, split evenly between equity and debt. The round was backed by SAS Shipping Agencies Services, Asia Africa Investment and Consulting, and Al Mada Ventures, a Moroccan fund spun off from the royal family-owned Al Mada Holding Group, one of Africa’s largest private investment firms. Deals in Q1 2025 were a mix of grants, venture rounds, and growth-stage investments. Here is a closer look at what’s driving the sector, who’s writing the cheques, and where the road leads next. The big picture According to The Big Deal, total African startup funding in Q1 2025 was $460 million, representing a five per cent decline from $486 million raised in Q1 2024. The $44.9 million raised by mobility and logistics startups so far in 2025 accounted for just under ten per cent of Africa’s total startup funding in the first quarter. This starkly contrasts with Q1 2024, when logistics claimed thirty-one per cent of the $460 million raised, largely due to Moove’s significant round. Historically, the sector’s deal volume has fluctuated: In 2020, twelve deals brought in $91 million. In 2021, eighteen deals brought in $6 million. In 2022, a record thirty deals brought in $225 million. In 2023, sixteen deals raised $25 million. In 2024, thirteen deals brought in $146 million. In this year’s first quarter, 13 deals brought in $44.9 million. The steady deal count but lower funding in 2025 suggests investors are spreading smaller bets, focusing on efficiency over blockbuster rounds. Notable deals The highest deal, as previously mentioned, was Gozem’s $30 million Series B. Taager, an Egyptian platform enabling online merchants with end-to-end logistics solutions, followed, raising $6.8 million in a pre-Series B round. Taager is capitalising on Egypt’s e-commerce boom by enabling small businesses to navigate complex supply chains. In Kenya, Leta, a three-year-old AI-powered logistics startup founded by Nick Joshi, secured $5 million in a seed round from Speedinvest, Google VC, and Equator VC. Leta’s platform optimises delivery routes, tracks shipments in real time, streamlines payments, and provides shipping insights, positioning it as a leader in logistics technology. Ghana’s Kofa, a startup focused on sustainable energy and electric vehicles, secured $4.3 million in debt from the UK-AID agency. Rounding out the quarter, Kenya’s Mobius Motors, a vehicle manufacturer, was acquired by Middle East-based Silver Box for an undisclosed amount. The last reported exit in the sector was the acquisition of Go!TwentySix, a Nigerian valet service by DriveMe, a marketplace connecting businesses and individuals with professionally trained and vetted drivers. Regional overview Geographically, West Africa led the pack, with Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria collectively raising $30.3 million across three deals, driven by Gozem’s large round. East Africa, centred entirely in Kenya, saw four deals worth $5.3 million, including Leta’s seed round and Mobius Motors’ acquisition. North Africa, spanning Tunisia and Egypt, accounted for three deals totalling $7.2 million, with one being the acquisition of HatalaTee, an Egyptian online platform for buying and selling cars, by Dubizzle (value undisclosed). Southern Africa, with two deals in South Africa, raised $400,000, while Central Africa’s two deals in Cameroon also totalled $400,000. Funding stages Only one seed round—Leta’s $5 million—was disclosed. Growth and late-stage deals dominated, with Taager’s pre-Series B and Gozem’s Series B (equity portion) highlighting a focus on scaling startups. Debt financing played a significant role, with $19.5 million across two deals: Gozem’s $15 million and Kofa’s $4.3 million. Five venture rounds raised $800,000, and three grants, worth $400,000, went to startups in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa from backers such as Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, a German DFI, Alibaba Foundation, Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa), and Shell Foundation. 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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Moniepoint’s big payout
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية Good morning! What’s the best way to get rich quickly? Depending on how rich you want to get, my colleagues Muktar and Opeyemi have answers for you in today’s dispatch. If you’re interested in moving your newfound wealth across borders, Ngozi highlighted—in her My Life in Tech series—an individual who has developed the infrastructure to make that possible. Let’s get into it! Moniepoint’s unicorn round made employees billions of naira Tanzania blocks X (again) for pornographic content Netflix raises subscription prices How much do PoS agents in Nigeria make in a month? World Wide Web 3 Events Fintech Moniepoint’s unicorn round made employees billions of naira Zikoko Meme What’s the fastest way to get rich (without ending up in handcuffs)? Try joining a startup early. Sure, you never really know which startup will succeed or fail. Just ask Ronald Wayne, the guy who sold his 10% stake in Apple for $800 back in 1976. Today, his stake would be worth a mind-boggling $350 billion. Ouch. But here’s the real lesson: When Moniepoint closed its $110 million round, two employees cashed in big. One pocketed $850,000 (₦1.3 billion) by selling two-thirds of their shares. Another walked away with a tidy $20,000. These weren’t one-off flukes—Moniepoint has made employee share sales (aka “secondaries”) a core part of its playbook, letting senior folks cash out during major fundraises (the last one was in 2022). Know more: Only employees with three years in the trenches could sell, and there were strict limits on how much they could offload. Shares vest over four years, with 25% unlocking each year. Why does this matter? As IPOs and big buyouts remain rare in Africa, secondaries are becoming the go-to way for startups like Moniepoint and Arnergy (which did a similar deal in April) to reward and retain top talent. Bottom line: Equity is no longer just a promise; it’s starting to pay out in real, life-changing ways. Sometimes, betting early really does pay off. Join Fincra for an Exclusive Side Event at Money20/20 Europe Fincra is co-hosting “Stablecoins & The Future of Payments” at Money20/20 Europe with Utila, Rail, Wirex & more. Join fintech leaders for insightful panels & networking. Limited spots – RSVP here. Social Media Tanzania blocks X (again) for pornographic content Image Source: Zikoko Memes Tanzania’s government has once again blocked access to X (formerly Twitter), blaming the platform for hosting porn and “violating national culture.” But if you think this is just about racy content, think again. Here’s the backstory: The official Tanzanian police X account was hacked two weeks ago, posting explicit material and a fake announcement of the president’s death. The government quickly restricted access to X. Rights groups aren’t buying the “protecting morals” narrative. The Legal and Human Rights Centre called out the move as part of a “troubling pattern of digital repression” ahead of October’s elections. It’s not the first time either. X was blocked before the 2020 elections. Tanzania isn’t alone here. Across Africa, social media shutdowns are becoming the go-to playbook for governments facing unrest or bad press—see recent blackouts in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Senegal. Zoom out: While the government says it’s all about upholding values, critics argue it’s a smokescreen for silencing dissent and tightening control as election season heats up. However, the government says Tanzania is a stable democracy, and the poll will be free and fair. Tired of declined payments? Avoid the side-eyes at the cash till with Paga’s physical prepaid card. Designed to give you control, security, and ease. Fund and spend with confidence. Get yours today!. Streaming Netflix raises subscription prices Zikoko Meme Netflix has hiked its subscription prices in Nigeria—again. Effective from July 4, 2025, the premium plan, will now cost ₦8,500 ($5.37) up from ₦7,000 ($4.43). The standard plan will cost ₦6,500 ($4.11) up from ₦5,000 ($3.16). Netflix basic plan will now cost ₦4000 ($2.53) up from ₦3,500 ($2.21). Its mobile plan, which was the most affordable will now ₦2,500 ($1.58) up from ₦2,200 ($1.39). This increase marks Netflix’s third price hike in two years. In 2024 alone, Netflix increased its subscription fee twice in three months, first in April and then second one in July, where its premium package received a 40% increase. Netflix says these price increases are part of its global strategy to fund platform improvements and expand its content offerings. As expected, social media hasn’t been quiet. Some users have threatened to ditch the app entirely, saying they’ll turn to pirated sites instead. Others are planning to change to cheaper platforms like Showmax, whose the most expensive subscription plan is ₦5,400. The general sentiment? People are not happy about the hike and wonder if the content is still worth the cost. Netflix isn’t alone. MultiChoice Nigeria has also made multiple price increments in the past year, citing inflation and operational costs. Even Showmax, its streaming counterpart, revised prices in May 2025. So, what can this mean? It seems Netflix is confident in the Nigerian market’s willingness to pay. But for users, it may be another story, leading to downgrades, shared accounts, or cancellations. What happens when Netflix’s ambition outruns its audience’s pockets? How Paystack protects your business from cyber fraud Discover how Paystack uses Static Application Security Testing to identify and prevent security threats before they become issues. Learn more → Economy How much do PoS agents in Nigeria make in a month? In many street corners across Nigeria, plastic chairs, battered umbrellas, and wooden stalls have become the unofficial signage of a PoS stand. Beyond cash withdrawals and transfers, PoS agents have quietly become the face of banking for millions of Nigerians. The proliferation of PoS stalls represents Nigeria’s shifting financial landscape, characterised by the growth of digital payments and unstable banking systems. From the cash crunch of early 2023 to chronic ATM failures, PoS agents swooped in and reshaped how Nigerians access financial services such as deposits, bill payments, transfers, and withdrawals. In
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How to format a laptop: A guide to resetting, reinstalling, and wiping data safely
Formatting your laptop means clearing everything off it to start fresh, similar to cleaning out a cluttered room so you can set it up from scratch. When you format, you remove all files, apps, and settings to reinstall the operating system, giving your device a clean slate. However, formatting can mean different things. Sometimes it’s just a reset that keeps your files safe. Other times, it’s a full wipe that erases everything, making data recovery impossible even with specialised tools. Why you might want to format your laptop There are several good reasons to format your laptop, and it’s not just about making it faster. 1. Boosting speed and performance Over time, your laptop can get cluttered with leftover files, unused apps, and background processes that slow it down. Formatting wipes all that clean and brings back the speed and smooth experience you had when it was new. 2. Fixing software issues If you’re experiencing frequent crashes, glitches, or unusual errors, a complete reset or reinstall can help resolve the issue. It clears out any hidden bugs and gives your system a fresh, stable setup. 3. Removing stubborn malware Some viruses and malware can hide deep in your system, even when antivirus software says everything’s fine. A complete wipe and reinstall is often the best way to remove them entirely and get your laptop secure again. 4. Protecting your data Thinking of selling or giving away your laptop? A simple delete isn’t enough. Files can still be recovered if they’re not properly wiped. A full format with secure data erasure ensures that your personal information, such as passwords, emails, or work documents, is permanently deleted. 5. Upgrading or changing your operating system Switching to a different OS (like moving from Windows to Linux) or upgrading to a newer version? A clean install is the safest way to ensure your new system runs properly without any lingering issues from the old one. Top 10 Android phones released in 2025 Essential preparations before you format your laptop Formatting your laptop isn’t just about wiping it clean; it also means getting everything ready to avoid headaches later. Skipping the prep work can lead to lost files, licence issues, and hours of extra setup after the reset. A. Back up everything that matters Before formatting, ensure that all your important data is safely backed up. Once you wipe your laptop, there’s no going back. You’ll lose everything: photos, work files, apps, settings, even drivers. Here’s how to cover your bases: 1. Save your files Start with the obvious: your documents, photos, videos, music, and anything in folders like Downloads or Desktop. These are easy to miss but usually contain essential files. Copy them to an external hard drive or upload them to cloud storage, such as Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, or Dropbox. 2. Don’t forget your browser and app data If you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, export your bookmarks and saved passwords, and back up app-specific data, like game saves, templates, or anything you’ve customised. 3. Back up your drivers (yes, it matters) Some drivers may reinstall automatically after the reset, but not all of them. Especially if you have a gaming laptop, older hardware, or special accessories. Backing up your current drivers saves time and avoids annoying glitches later. On Windows, you can use built-in tools like: DISM pnputil Export-WindowsDriver in PowerShell These let you export all your current drivers into a folder for safekeeping. 4. Sign out and save your software licences If you’ve bought any software, like Microsoft Office, Adobe tools, or antivirus programs, sign out before formatting. Some licences are only compatible with one device at a time. Also, keep a record of your product keys. Most Windows 10/11 licences are stored in the system, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check. 5. How to back up: your options A mix of local and cloud backups is the safest approach. Here’s what to consider: Windows: Use File History or Backup and Restore for automatic file backups. Mac: Set up Time Machine with an external drive. Linux: Use tools like Déjà Dup to back up your home folder and settings. Pro Tip: Don’t just copy documents; think about your entire setup, including browser bookmarks, app settings, drivers, and licence keys. The more you back up now, the easier it’ll be after the format. 6. Pre-format backup checklist B. Make a bootable USB for a clean install To fully reinstall your OS, you’ll need a bootable USB drive (or disc). This helps your laptop load the operating system from scratch, rather than performing a basic reset. 1. For Windows (10 & 11) Easiest Way: Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool Download from the Microsoft site Plug in an 8 GB+ USB Let the tool handle the rest. It’ll download the OS and create the installer for you. Advanced Option: Use Command Prompt (Diskpart)If you’re comfortable with commands, you can manually prep a USB using Diskpart and xcopy. This gives you more control, but be careful, mistakes here can wipe the wrong drive. 2. For macOS (Sequoia, Sonoma, etc.) Use Terminal Download the full macOS installer from the App Store Plug in a 16–32GB USB drive Use createinstallmedia in Terminal to turn it into a bootable installer Tip: Use Disk Utility first to format the USB properly Prefer a visual tool?Apps like Disk Drill offer a more straightforward, graphical way to do this, which is great if you’re not into Terminal commands. 3. For Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.) Download the correct ISO file from your distro’s website Use Etcher, Rufus, or UNetbootin to flash it to your USB Make sure to: Pick the correct partition scheme (MBR/GPT) Select the right USB (double-check!) Disable Fast Startup in Windows if switching OS 4. Don’t forget BIOS/UEFI settings Even with your bootable USB ready, your laptop might not boot from it right away. You may need to: Disable Secure Boot Change the boot order Turn off Fast Startup These settings are typically located in your BIOS
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In what future can Africans transact without borders? The one Oreoluwa Adeyemo is building
Picture a ten-year-old boy, perched at a wooden desk, pencil in hand, carefully tallying figures from his father’s accounting books, a faint smile on his face. He imagines himself one day becoming an accountant like his dad or teaching finance at a prestigious university like Harvard. Fast forward to 2025, and that boy, now a man, is a tech founder instead. He sits across from me on a virtual call, saying matter-of-factly that his goal is to enable settlement of $6 billion in cross-border payments across Africa through his payment platform. He’s Oreoluwa Adeyemo, co-founder of Starks Associates, a four-year-old fintech startup that has enabled the settlement of cross-border payments worth nearly $3 billion spanning 18+ jurisdictions and 20+ currency pairs. He claims he has serviced over 50 clients, including heavyweights like unicorn fintech, Flutterwave, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and IHS, a global communications infrastructure provider. “Our goal is to double the amount in one year,” he tells me. “We’re hoping to consummate over $6 billion in 2025.” I stare at him quietly, wondering when I last heard anyone use the word “consummate” in place of “process”. I don’t ask about his word choice here, instead, I ask how a kid raised on ledgers becomes a tech entrepreneur tackling one of Africa’s thorniest challenges. With over 40 currencies governed by a tangle of financial regulations, cross-border payments in Africa is a tough nut to crack. Most are done via third-party currencies like the dollar or euro, jacking up costs. In 2023, to send $500 from Tanzania, you had to pay a staggering average transfer fee of $168. 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 Oreoluwa’s story is winding. “My dad was a ‘catch them young’ kind of guy,” he chuckles, recalling those early days when his dad taught him the basics of business accounting in a bid to set him on the same path. “Luckily for him, I also enjoyed it,” he says. But despite his passion, math, beyond basic arithmetic, wasn’t his strong suit. He says it was one of his friends who became his math tutor between 2010-2011. “She was giving me assignments, questions, tests,” he says. Day after day, he tackled problems during his self-study. The effort paid off. He soon got into the University of Ibadan (UI) to study economics—Adeyemo boasts that the school had one of the best curricula on the subject in West Africa at the time. However, it was outside the classroom that he gained the education that changed the course of his life. “I just wanted to get a first class, pursue a master’s, a PhD, and write [canonical] papers on econometrics and game theory,” he says. An introvert, he craved a quiet career away from the public eye. Entrepreneurship wasn’t on his radar until his second year, when a lightbulb moment changed everything. Someone offered him ₦4,000 to ghostwrite past questions and answers (coveted study aids for exam prep). He was excited because that was a lot of money for a young kid at the time, especially since it involved doing what he had always done, studying. But after a mentor pointed out the value of his intellectual property, he encouraged him to work on the book himself and earn more money. With funding from his dad, Adeyemo printed his book, adding an introduction to game theory. He convinced photocopy
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Moniepoint’s unicorn round made employees billions of naira
When Moniepoint raised $110 million in October 2024 to become a unicorn, not only its early investors made money from selling shares to new investors. At least two senior employees also sold part of their shares in the round, making $20,000 and $850,000 (₦1.3 billion), respectively, according to documents seen by TechCabal. These employee share sales were the second of their kind for the decade-old company, as senior employees previously sold shares to investors during the company’s last fundraise in 2022. Over time, secondaries have become an integral part of senior employee benefits as Moniepoint continues to attract and retain senior executives from other financial institutions. “Equity is both a way to acquire staff and a means of staff retention,” Emmanuel Faith, an HR specialist, told TechCabal. Earlier this year, at Moniepoint town hall meetings, the employee share sale was announced, and qualified employees were notified with criteria, documents, and instructions via mail. The company also educated employees on how to sell shares via Carta, a marketplace for startup equity, according to one of the employees. Moniepoint declined to comment. Employee share sales remain rare in Africa’s tech ecosystem. However, as the continent’s largest startups remain private for longer periods and traditional exit paths, such as IPOs or acquisitions, remain scarce, secondary sales have emerged as a preferred way to reward long-term commitment and high-performing employees. Arnergy, a Nigerian solar energy startup, allowed employees to sell their shares to new investors in April. “This was something we only saw in movies like Silicon Valley and The Social Network,” said one of the Moniepoint employees who asked not to be named for privacy reasons. “I didn’t expect it at first. Paystack did it, but that was later. We weren’t familiar with it locally. Over time, we learnt more and became hopeful.” When companies raise money from new investors, they can allow employees to sell their shares instead of issuing new shares. The size of the investors’ commitment typically determines how much is set aside for these employee secondaries. In Moniepoint’s case, the company decided that some money from new investors would be allocated to buying shares from employees, who were then given the option to decide how much they wanted to sell. Due to the large demand for cash, Moniepoint only allowed employees who had spent three years at the company to sell shares in this round and set a limit on how many shares employees could sell. The employee who made $850,000 only sold a third of their shares. Employee shares become fully vested after four years, with 25% vesting annually. These shares were not sold at Moniepoint’s unicorn valuation because later-stage investors typically buy shares from earlier investors and employees at a discounted price due to a supply and demand imbalance, as the sellers often have limited options for liquidity. But that did not dampen the morale of the two employees, who have been with Moniepoint for ten and seven years. They both requested anonymity for privacy reasons. “It came at a great time. I had personal financial plans, and this cash gave me a boost,” one of the employees said. In May, when TechCabal reported on Arnergy’s employee share sales, a recurring theme among staff was the deep sense of ownership that equity created. That same theme echoed in conversations with Moniepoint employees, who described their equity not just as compensation but as a stake in the company’s journey and success. “At the beginner stage, companies issue equity because they know that they cannot afford to pay the market value of the talents they are bringing on board,” Faith said.”There is nothing that says ‘we believe in you and we want you to believe in us’ more than giving equity,” Faith said. While employee equity has long been overlooked in Nigeria’s tech industry, the growing trend of companies like Moniepoint and Arnergy rewarding staff with share ownership is raising hopes that equity compensation will gradually become a standard practice. 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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Botlhale AI bets big on South Africa’s multilingual call centres
When you call a customer care service line, you’re likely to hear from a representative that “this call is recorded for quality purposes.” The promise of that message, ensuring quality, is what South Africa’s Botlhale AI is betting on, particularly for conversations that happen in African languages. Founded in 2019, Botlhale AI provides businesses with conversational AI tools and multilingual call center analytics. Their core offering is a suite of natural language processing (NLP) tools—including speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and language understanding models—that help call centres to transcribe, analyse, and extract insights from customer interactions. South Africa has 12 official languages, yet most call centre technologies and quality assurance systems have historically prioritised English. For millions of South Africans, English is not the language in which they feel most comfortable expressing themselves, especially when dealing with complex issues like insurance claims or service complaints. While calls are routinely recorded for “quality purposes,” Thapelo Nthite, cofounder of Botlhale AI, told TechCabal that up to 70% of call centre conversations happen in languages other than English, but most automated quality assurance tools can only process English calls. This means that for the majority of interactions where customers switch between isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, Setswana, or other local languages, companies rely on manual review, if any review happens at all. “That creates serious risk as critical information can be missed, compliance failures can go undetected, and vulnerable customers may not get the support they need,” Nthite said. “For example, in financial services, a missed medical disclosure in isiXhosa during an insurance sales call could result in a denied claim later, potentially exposing companies to regulator fines and brand damage.” 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 Business model Botlhale operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Clients, typically enterprise call centres, either pay per license (number of agents using the system) or based on consumption (e.g., minutes of audio processed). “It’s a recurring SaaS fee, as some clients want to monitor a percentage of their total volume—say 20% of 500,000 minutes—and we price accordingly,” Nthite said. According to Nthite, over 85% of consumers in Africa want to interact with brands in their native languages. You will often hear five languages on a single call, Nthite said. Additionally, audio is often low-quality and conversations tend to be fast-paced. Yet, many call centres still automate only English language calls. “If you are serving the South African market, about 70% of calls are not in English. That is a huge blind spot,” he says. Currently Botlhale AI translates 11 South African languages and others like Setswana and Sesotho spoken in its neighbouring countries making it easy to enter those markets. Some of Botlhale AI’s clients in South Africa already operate across African markets like Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria which represent major markets ripe for expansion, especially as mobile penetration deepens and financial services grow. Botlhale AI’s expansion strategy is to follow them into these territories. “Our customers are leading us. If they say they are launching in Ghana, we build support for Ghanaian languages,” Nthite said. Big bets Botlhale AI’s big bet is that African languages will soon be supported at a very high level of quality by language technologies. Over the next five years, Nthite highlighted that AI adoption in Africa will see significant growth especially across key language processing tasks like translation, transcription, text-to-speech, and language understanding. Access to high-quality tools will become
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