Tech Tides Africa

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#45 This startup is cutting Lagos power bills by 70%

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100

The race to build the ultimate financial "super-app" for the diaspora just got real. Following its acquisition of credit specialist Pillar last year, LemFi has received FCA approval to fully acquire UK-based investment platform Wealth8. By integrating cross-border wealth management alongside high-frequency remittances and savings, LemFi is moving to capture a massive market segment and address ethnic wealth inequalities head-on—allowing users to invest in portfolios for as low as £8. We dive into the brilliant unit economics of capturing migrant users at the border and gradually graduating them into high-margin wealth products.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

DRC Stablecoin Trial: Onafriq is moving cross-border settlements for M-Pesa, Airtel, and Orange wallets onto USDC rails via the US platform Conduit, setting up a live, high-stakes test for digital-dollar payments in a highly dollarized economy.
The Generator War: South African startup bPOWERd expands to Lagos in partnership with Mobil stations, offering an alternative to loud, costly fossil-fuel generators with solar battery rentals that can slash small-appliance power costs from ₦10,000 to ₦3,000 a day.
AI-Powered Harvests: Tunisia’s agritech startup RoboCare secures a six-figure investment from 216 Capital to scale its precision farming models across the Middle East and Africa, targeting regional staples like olive trees and cereals.
The Compliance Lock: Raenest’s CEO speaks out following an internet uproar over a $9,700 account restriction, admitting to frustrating support delays but reinforcing that strict compliance reviews are the non-negotiable reality of global fintech operations today.

#44 Inside the startup achieving growth with $0 paid marketing

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0100

In this special episode of Tech Tides Africa, Karen and Kelvin are joined by Linnet Kitonga, the co-founder and CMO of G-Rani Mobility, a Kenyan carpooling platform that is turning one of the continent’s oldest informal commuting habits into structured, reliable digital infrastructure.

We dive deep into why importing a Silicon Valley playbook fails in the African transport ecosystem, the hidden financial drain of ride-hailing subsidies, and how building for existing cultural behaviours is the key to mastering unit economics. Linnet also drops massive insights on navigating regulatory grey areas by building the playbook with regulators, and why investors are completely missing the boat by focusing solely on electric vehicles (EVs) while ignoring the crucial "coordination layer" that actually moves people.

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

The Illusion of Disruption: You don’t change behaviour in Africa by telling people they're doing it wrong; you change it by taking an existing, trusted informal behaviour (like neighbourhood carpooling) and building infrastructure that removes unspoken friction points—like the awkwardness of fuel costs.
The Coordination Gap vs EV Hype: Millions of dollars are pouring into electric motorbikes and clean-engine technologies. However, thousands of EVs on the road won’t solve traffic congestion or empty seats. The real, underfunded opportunity is the coordination layer that connects existing abundance to the people who need it.
Writing the Regulatory Playbook: Instead of waiting for boardroom-bound policymakers to pull the rug out from under them, G-Rani’s strategy is to proactively bring regulators to the table early, using real-world data to shape the framework for an entirely new mobility category.
Redefining African Unit Economics: Giani boasts positive month-on-month growth with zero paid acquisition. Why? Because true sustainability means delivering real value from day one, without burning investor cash on temporary promo codes and subsidised rides.
A Lesson for Female Founders: Navigating a male-dominated mobility space means dealing with a credibility double standard. Linnet shares a powerful reminder that women make it in this space not by shrinking, but by being so undeniably good that their work speaks louder than anyone’s assumptions.

#43 Why Nigeria is forcing banks and fintechs to choose a side

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0100

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dropped a regulatory hammer that will reshape the back-end infrastructure of Nigeria's fintech sector. Under a newly issued circular, all deposit money banks, fintechs, and microfinance institutions have until January 1, 2027, to localise their data storage, meaning all payment transaction data generated within Nigeria must live on local servers.

But that’s not all—the CBN is also enforcing strict market concentration caps. No single entity is allowed to control more than 25% of the consumer payments market while simultaneously controlling more than 15% of merchant acquiring (and vice versa). This is a direct shot at market monopolisation, effectively forcing giants to choose a lane. We dive into the massive compliance costs, the technical risks of migrating live data rails, and what this means for the global cloud hyperscalers currently hosting Africa’s biggest platforms.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

The Chimoney Resurrection: Four weeks ago, Chimoney announced a textbook, clean shutdown. Today, they are being acquired by CapitalSage Holdings. We look at how doing a shutdown "the right way"—and holding onto a hard-to-get Canadian Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence—made them the perfect acquisition target.
Kenya’s Hardware Tax Threat: New fiscal proposals in Kenya could dismantle local assembly plants for M-KOPA and Sun King. We discuss how taxing components could reverse smartphone penetration and clean-energy progress.
E-Commerce Without the Wallets: A new Visa study in Egypt reveals a fascinating cultural paradox: consumers are heavily adopting AI tools to personalise their shopping and find deals, but a strict wall of distrust remains when it comes to letting AI handle automated payments.

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#42 Paystack absorbs Brass as Flutterwave locks down its talent

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0100

The era of hyper-independent, overlapping fintech apps is giving way to a massive wave of consolidation. Two years after a high-profile, Paystack-led consortium stepped in to save the digital business banking platform Brass from a severe liquidity crisis, the brand is officially being retired. Brass announced that its entire operations and customer base will be completely folded into Paystack Microfinance Bank before July 31, 2026. This transition marks the end of an era for a startup darling and highlights a broader macro trend: established payments giants are aggressively swallowing up niche players to build comprehensive, fully licensed banking ecosystems. We unpack what this means for SME banking and consumer trust in digital-first financial services.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Flutterwave’s Quarter-Staff Promotion: Marking its 10th anniversary, Flutterwave promoted over 100 employees globally. Along with the titles, the fintech giant introduced global cost-of-living adjustments, tax support for Nigerian staff, and economic relief packages to stave off poaching from global tech firms.
Interswitch Enters the Core Banking Race: The payment infrastructure giant has partnered with global banking software provider Temenos. The deal allows Interswitch to offer cloud-hosted and on-premise core banking, wealth management, and financial crime systems to banks in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Localised Voice AI Gets a Boost: AethexAI emerged from stealth with a $3 million pre-seed round led by 4DX Ventures. Instead of relying on Western LLMs that struggle with local dialects, latency, and accents, the startup built its own localised voice models (Kora 1) to automate call centres, debt collection, and KYC checks across Africa and the Middle East.

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#41 Kenya wants a $21 million spy machine

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0100

The intersection of state power and digital spaces takes centre stage this week. Kenya’s State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications is seeking parliamentary approval for a KSh 2.7 billion ($21 million) budget to build an AI-driven social media monitoring framework.

While the state argues this is a necessary defence against misinformation and "malinformation," privacy advocates point out that using machine learning to parse public sentiment and track narratives online looks a lot like automated mass surveillance. We dive into the political fallout of this proposal, drawing parallels to the digital organisation that fueled the 2024 Finance Bill protests.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Kenya is proposing a 15% levy on foreign VC capital gains during startup exits. We discuss whether this will protect local wealth or simply cause foreign investors to route their capital elsewhere.
In Nigeria, Airtel and Globacom have immediately resumed their lucrative airtime and data lending services after a court blocked the FCCPC’s strict consumer lending regulations.
Following its infamous ChatGPT hallucination scandal, South Africa’s Department of Communications has officially delayed its Draft National AI Policy to 2027 to rebuild the framework from scratch.
Kenya's Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has teamed up with Google to launch a "Magical Kenya" AI trip planner powered by Gemini, moving destination marketing from intuition to real-time data.
South Africa’s Mia Healthcare has closed a $920,000 funding round, proving that specialised, tech-enabled health clinics are highly attractive to regional investors. • We look at Bloomberg’s newly released feature highlighting 25 African startups to watch, assessing who is actually positioned to scale in this tight macro environment.

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#40 How to break a monopoly in 14 days

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Paystack just rolled out a total redesign of its merchant dashboard, built from the ground up as an AI-native command centre. Instead of digging through endless nested analytics links, over 300,000 businesses can now ask plain-language questions like "Why is revenue down this week?" to instantly generate custom data tables and charts. We discuss whether this practical, integrated approach is exactly how AI crosses over from tech novelty to a daily workflow tool.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

The 14-Day Monopoly Break: We take a retrospective look at 2019 and analyse how Flutterwave and Moniepoint moved with unprecedented speed to dismantle a deeply entrenched card monopoly in Nigeria in just two weeks.
Tether’s Diaspora Bet: Stablecoin giant Tether is investing heavily in cross-border fintech LemFi, aiming to power up stablecoin-driven remittances and slash the high friction of sending money home across the diaspora.
AI in the Skies: Kenya Airways enters the AI era by deploying Jupiter 5.0, a machine-learning pricing engine designed to analyse millions of real-time data points and dynamically adjust airfares to maximise seat occupancy.

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#39 The post-mortem of a fintech & Africa’s fastest-growing companies

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 +0100

East Africa's most ambitious tech infrastructure project—a massive $1 billion digital partnership—has hit a major roadblock. Microsoft is reportedly locked in a high-stakes payment dispute with the Kenyan government, threatening to delay a flagship data centre deployment intended to anchor the region's cloud ecosystem. We unpack the details behind this standoff and discuss what it means for Kenya’s reputation as the continent's primary "Silicon Savannah."

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Homegrown powerhouses OmniRetail, M-KOPA, Sabi, and TymeBank have officially topped the charts, making the Financial Times' prestigious list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
In a venture ecosystem parched for liquidity, Egyptian logistics startup Bosta hands its investors a massive win, delivering a clean cash exit with a striking 75% Internal Rate of Return (IRR) after just two years.
South Africa’s GoTyme Bank makes a bold play for talent retention and workplace culture by granting equity shares to every one of its 2,000 employees.
E-commerce giant Jumia is cutting another 200 jobs—roughly 10% of its workforce—as part of an aggressive, AI-driven strategy to slash overhead costs and finally achieve profitability by the end of the year.
Techstars-backed fintech Chimoney closes its doors after four years. We analyse the founder's candid lessons on distribution struggles versus real-world user feedback, highlighting the brutal compliance and licensing costs of cross-border financial infrastructure.

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#38 South Africa’s AI policy fiasco and the race for satellite internet

Thu, 07 May 2026 11:49:06 +0100

The South African government’s attempt to lead the continent in AI regulation has hit an embarrassing snag. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies had to pull its 86-page Draft National AI Policy after eagle-eyed researchers found it was riddled with "AI hallucinations." From fake academic studies to non-existent bibliographies, the very tool the government sought to regulate ended up undermining the policy meant to govern it. We discuss the fallout and what this means for the credibility of digital policy-making in the region.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Swoop’s Bold Gamble: The Lagos food delivery market is notoriously difficult, but Swoop is trying a 100% rider-income model to win loyalty. We look at the fragile unit economics of a "no-cut" delivery platform.
Starlink Crackdown in CAR: The Central African Republic has suspended the use of "roaming" Starlink kits purchased abroad, citing national security and regulatory traceability.
Nokia Targets Cairo: Nokia has officially selected Egypt as its regional hub for Middle East and Africa operations, leveraging the country's growing pool of technical talent.
Amazon vs. Starlink: Project Kuiper (rebranded as Amazon LEO) is applying for a Tier 2 license in Kenya, signaling a major expansion of satellite internet competition in East Africa.
Ethiopia’s Green Surge: Addis Ababa-based Dodai has raised $13 million to scale its electric motorbike and battery-swapping network, capitalizing on Ethiopia's aggressive ban on internal combustion engine imports.

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#37 Netflix under fire, Binance frozen, and the $75M "Ghost" investment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Ghana is positioning itself as a continental hub for aerospace innovation. Terra Industries has announced plans to build Africa’s largest drone factory, a facility aimed at scaling domestic production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This isn't just about manufacturing; it’s about reducing the continent's reliance on imported tech and creating a localised supply chain for industries ranging from precision farming to medical deliveries. We discuss what this means for high-tech manufacturing jobs in West Africa.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Absa Kenya is set to spend $23.2 million a year on digital transformation to stave off competition from agile fintechs.
Kenya’s DCI takes a hard line on crypto, requesting the freezing of multiple Binance accounts amid regulatory pressure.
South African authorities are planning to investigate giants like Netflix and WhatsApp, likely examining how these global platforms affect local broadcasting and telecommunications.
Mozambique’s parliament has unanimously approved a new Cyber Security Law, a critical step in modernising the nation’s legal framework against digital threats.
Flutterwave officially denies reports of a massive Nigerian government investment, leaving the tech ecosystem wondering where the rumour started and why.

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#36 The compliance goldmine— Navigating data breaches, layoffs, and smart schools

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0100

The African tech ecosystem is currently facing a cybersecurity stress test. From Standard Bank in South Africa exposing customer card details to coordinated hits on Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Remita, the last few weeks have been a wake-up call for digital infrastructure. We dive into why these breaches are happening simultaneously and what it means for consumer trust in digital banking and government platforms.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

The Sama Exit: Over 1,000 Kenyan workers are facing layoffs as Sama pivots away from its former role as a Meta contractor, signalling a shift in the global AI supply chain.
Enugu’s Smart School Gamble: 260 smart schools are being built to revolutionise learning in Nigeria, but we discuss whether the infrastructure can be maintained and replicated effectively.
Compliance is the New AI: A provocative new look at the African market suggests that the next billion-dollar industry isn't just "building" tech—it's the compliance and regulatory tech required to keep it legal.
MTN Nigeria Hits Pause: The telecom giant has suspended its popular airtime and data lending services, leaving millions of users looking for alternative ways to stay connected.

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#35 Connectivity to Crypto: Africa’s Digital Rules are Changing

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:14:14 +0100

African startups kicked off 2026 with a strong $705 million raised in the first quarter. However, the "how" is just as important as the "how much." Debt financing has emerged as the dominant force, suggesting a shift in how founders scale and how investors perceive risk in the current economic climate. We break down what this "debt-first" trend means for the ecosystem’s long-term sustainability.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

New regulations require stablecoin issuers to back their tokens with reserves held strictly within Kenyan banks to ensure financial stability.
The Conecta project is expanding, with 37 firms joining the mission to bridge the digital divide via satellite internet. in Angola.
Africa’s first disability-tech fund launches, aiming to empower entrepreneurs building solutions for the millions of Africans living with disabilities.
Internet usage has climbed to 71% in Kenya, pushing the country’s infrastructure to the limit and sparking urgent conversations about capacity upgrades.

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#34 Ghana turns its National ID into a Digital Wallet

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:40:02 +0100

Flutterwave has officially crossed a massive $40 billion in lifetime payments and secured a Nigerian banking licence, marking its evolution from a payment processor to a financial powerhouse. This milestone raises critical questions about the future of traditional banks as Africa’s most valuable startup gains the power to hold deposits and offer direct banking services.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses face privacy probe in Kenya
Flutterwave and Paystack join the CBN’s new initiative to tighten anti-money laundering (AML) compliance.
Ghana turns National ID into a payment card
South Africa’s SARS plans to provide every taxpayer with a digital identity to streamline tax collection.

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#33 Binance pushes for a quiet deal with Nigeria to bury its $2 billion tax evasion case

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0100

Is Binance trying to settle its legal battle with the Nigerian government behind closed doors? In this episode, we break down Binance’s push for an out-of-court settlement and what it could mean for Nigeria’s crypto landscape, regulation, and investor confidence.

#32 Selar vs Mainstack: The rivalry over Africa’s $30Billion creator market

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Is competition in Africa’s creator economy getting out of hand? In this episode, we discuss the growing tension between Selar and Mainstack, where a simple banner ad spiralled into a public clash—raising bigger questions about rivalry, ethics, and the future of Africa's booming $30B creator market.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Kenya moves to criminalise unapproved “high-risk” AI deployment
MTN moves to take full control of IHS Towers in a $2.2 billion deal.
Nigerian fintechs are doubling down on building full-stack financial services.
Showmax shutdown sparks concern, with Parliament stepping in over potential job losses.

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#31 Nigeria’s CBN is using AI to fight money laundering

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Is Nigeria’s financial system ready for AI-powered regulation? In this episode, we break down Nigeria’s CBN move to embed AI into anti-money laundering rules—a bold step that could reshape how financial crimes are detected and prevented across the country. But with innovation comes concern: how will this impact businesses, fintechs, and everyday users?

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Kenya and Rwanda move toward a single fintech license for expansion
MultiChoice shuts down Showmax after 11 years.
Zap Africa cuts 44% of its workforce for “AI-driven restructuring.”
UK and South Africa launch an AI-driven observatory programme to automate telescope operations.

#30 Africans are being lured into foreign wars via fake online remote gigs

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Is the internet quietly turning Africa into a recruitment ground for foreign wars? The internet promised African talents a gateway to global wealth, but a disturbing new trend shows it also facilitates recruitment for foreign combat. We discuss how digital platforms are being used to draft Africans into international wars as mercenaries under the guise of legitimate employment

Plus, we discuss why the partnership between Unilever and Google is dangerous for startups. As global giants tighten their grip through powerful alliances, it also creates a dangerous environment for smaller startups trying to compete. Will this consolidation of AI and data power make it nearly impossible for emerging brands to be discovered by consumers in the future?

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Alerzo Begins Asset Sale Amid ₦4.38bn Moniepoint Debt
Pesalink & PAPSS Unlock Cross-Border Payments in Kenya
Spiro Raises $50M to Expand Electric Motorcycle Network

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#29 Is the African B2C dream over? Inside Eden Life’s shift to B2B

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Eden Life is pausing its consumer-facing operations to focus entirely on corporate clients. This move serves as a wake-up call for the African tech ecosystem, proving that even the most popular startups must adapt quickly to survive economic pressures. Are these signs of a maturing market or a continent in crisis?

Plus, Gabon’s sudden decision to suspend social media access has sparked a massive debate over the thin line between national security and digital censorship. The government claims the move is necessary to maintain stability, but the impact on the country's digital economy remains a major concern.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

NDPC launches investigation into Temu over alleged data privacy violations
Risevest secures its SEC license, ending a long period of regulatory uncertainty for the investment platform.
Terra reaches a $100 million valuation after extending its funding to $34 million.

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#28 Safaricom launches stocks trading app "Ziidi Trader" for M-PESA users

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Safaricom is no longer just a digital wallet; it’s becoming a wealth engine. This week, we discuss the launch of Ziidi Trader, a move that allows millions of Kenyans to trade stocks directly via M-PESA. Is this the ultimate democratization of wealth, or a systemic risk waiting to happen?

Plus... the robot cop has arrived. Ethiopia just unveiled Africa’s first unmanned smart police station to digitize law enforcement. From AI-powered reporting to automated governance, we explore whether this is the future of public safety or a new frontier for digital surveillance.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Chowdeck's price transparency suit could set a precedent for Nigeria’s food delivery industry
Jumia ends Algeria operations in latest profitability drive
Sun King Expands Beyond Solar into Smartphones, Cooling, and Clean Cooking
Skoot Technology Launches Smart Electric Tuk-Tuk In Kenya

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#27 From Green Promise to Administration: What Happened to Koko Networks?

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Is the dream of socially-driven tech in Africa under threat? In this episode, we discuss PwC’s takeover of Koko Networks after the Kenyan government’s refusal to sign a critical carbon credit "Letter of Authorization," sent the $300M startup into a tailspin. Is this a regulatory failure, or a necessary evolution for African CleanTech?

We also cover the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) new AI-driven validation system. The taxman is no longer just waiting for your filing—they are now cross-referencing iTax data with your bank and mobile money records to catch "side-hustle" income hiding behind "nil" returns.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

CinetPay customers owed over $1 million months after alleged cyberattack
Google pushes to localise AI for African languages with speech database
Namibia calls for increased 4G device adoption amid infrastructure expansion

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#26 PayPal returns to Nigeria after 20 years: Opportunity or Exploitation?

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Is PayPal’s return to Nigeria a little too late? In this episode, we discuss PayPal’s return to Nigeria after two decades, a comeback that has been met with more scepticism than celebration due to PayPal’s sour history with many Nigerians, especially freelancers and digital entrepreneurs.

Plus, Kenya’s central bank is sounding the alarm that the nation’s financial stability now rests on a single mobile money platform, M-Pesa. What risks does this level of dependence create, and how prepared is the system for disruption?

Other interesting stories in this episode:

- Paystack buys a microfinance bank to move beyond payments.

- Flutterwave acquires Mono in a rumoured $40M deal.

- Nigerian mobility startup MAX secures $24M after achieving profitability

- Andela acquires Woven to scale AI-fluent engineering

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#25 Google invests $37M into Africa’s Agriculture and lost languages

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0100

We discuss Google’s $37M AI investment across Africa, aimed at transforming farms and preserving forgotten African languages through cutting-edge machine learning. Is this the foundation of a truly inclusive AI revolution on the continent or just another big tech experiment?

We also talked about Nigeria’s FIRS move to mandate banks and fintechs to share transaction data for VAT monitoring. Is this the beginning of tighter regulation in the country’s fast-growing digital economy? And how are stakeholders reacting?

Also in this episode:

- Ghana moves to license crypto exchanges starting September 2025

- BasiGo launches Kenya’s first electric matatu pilot for intercity travel

- Uganda offers tax breaks to local electric motorcycle manufacturers in green push

- ArthurAI to power AI learning hubs across Africa

- Kava enters Africa’s streaming market with a Nollywood-first platform

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Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/

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#24 Meta may face contempt charges in South Africa over WhatsApp scandal

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss the intensifying legal drama between Meta and South African regulators, as the tech giant could face contempt charges over the WhatsApp privacy scandal. Is this a defining moment for digital rights and accountability on the continent?

They also spotlight a major milestone for African innovation, as Moniepoint, PiggyVest, M-KOPA, and Interswitch are recognized among CNBC’s top 300 global fintechs. What does this say about the future of Africa’s fintech scene on the world stage?

Also in this episode:

- South African PE fund to acquire 35% stake in Kenya’s Mawingu Networks

- Kenyan BNPL startup Wabeh halts operations due to rising defaults and cash crunch.

- LemFi wants into Egypt’s $20 billion remittance

- Rally Cap partially exits South Africa's Stitch

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#23 Kenya recorded 2.54 billion cyber threats in Q1 2025

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss Kenya’s alarming surge in cyber threat incidents, which spiked to 2.54 billion cases in Q1 2025, raising serious concerns about digital infrastructure and cybersecurity preparedness across the region. Is East Africa prepared for this scale of digital risk, or are we heading toward a full-blown cybersecurity crisis?

They also highlight a new report by BrighterMonday, which reveals a critical AI and digital skills gap across key African markets. As AI adoption accelerates, are we doing enough to build the human capital necessary to power the continent’s tech revolution?

Also in this episode:

- Temu launches a new warehouse in South Africa

- Kenyan logistics startup Leta expands to Ghana following its $5M seed round

- Egypt completes two subsea cable landings, boosting internet capacity with 126 Tbps infrastructure

- Eskom explores Bitcoin mining as a potential revenue model amid South Africa’s ongoing energy transition

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Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/

Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/

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Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#22 Ethiopia allows foreign banks for the first time in 50 years

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, we discuss Ethiopia’s historic decision to allow foreign banks into its financial sector for the first time in 50 years, a move set to reshape banking access and investment in the country.

We also cover Africa’s latest fintech milestone, the launch of a pan-African payment card aimed at easing cross-border transactions and fueling continental trade. Could this finally be the solution to Africa’s fragmented payments landscape?

Also in this episode:

- MTN Nigeria completes first phase of $235M data centre, entering the African cloud race

- Nigeria to link citizens’ borrowing history to NIN in new data policy push

- Rwanda leverages AI dataset to expand healthcare access

- AfricInvest exits $6B AFG Holding after doubling banking assets

- Stanbic Kenya launches $100M startup fund in rare VC-style move by a legacy bank

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa
Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#21 This founder is building the credit OS of Africa using AI

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen are joined by Olufemi Olanipekun, the co-founder and CEO of Veend, a Lagos-based fintech startup transforming how Africans access credit.

Olufemi walks us through his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building a tech startup in Nigeria, and the inspiration behind launching Veend. He introduces Vida, Veend’s proprietary AI-powered credit decision engine, and explains how it’s helping lenders make smarter, fairer, and faster credit decisions even in informal and underserved markets.

From navigating Nigeria’s tough regulatory landscape to using AI to boost Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) adoption, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fintech in Africa, AI in financial services, and the future of financial inclusion.

Meet our Guest:

Olufemi Olanipekun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iolufemi/

Learn more about Veend: https://www.veendhq.com

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/
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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#20 Tesla extends its services to Africa

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss Tesla’s bold move into North Africa with the opening of its Casablanca office, marking the company’s entry into the region’s electric vehicle and clean energy market. Is this just another EV launch, or the beginning of a clean energy race across the continent?

They also cover the controversy surrounding fintech giant M-KOPA, as a court petition reveals allegations of racial discrimination in its internal shareholding structure. What does this mean for African-led tech startups backed by foreign capital? And how is the tech community responding?

Also in this episode:

M-KOPA faces discrimination claims in court over internal shareholding structure
Nigeria and China sign satellite connectivity deal for direct-to-device access
Moove targets unicorn status with a planned $300 million funding round
Visa & Yellow Card team up to enable stablecoin payments for African businesses
U.S. Startup wave enters Cameroon via partnership with CBC Bank
South African AI energy Startup secures R32 million in fresh funding

* The correct designation of Bosun Tijani is the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (00:24:49)

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa
Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#19 Safaricom's $500M AI strategy, Moniepoint in legal trouble and African Startups raise $1B

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa Podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss Safaricom’s $500 million AI strategy and what it means for the future of AI investment in East Africa. This ambitious move positions Safaricom as a key player in Africa’s artificial intelligence landscape.

They also cover the Moniepoint legal controversy, where a former executive is suing the fintech unicorn and how the new U.S.-Nigeria trade deal could open the door to increased foreign investment in Nigerian startups, accelerating growth for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

Also in this episode:

Africa to launch an Indigenous Credit Rating Agency

Safaricom unveils $500M AI strategy

Safaricom swipes left on Genghis

Silverbacks partially exits from OmniRetail with a 5x return

Ex-Moniepoint executive drags fintech unicorn to court

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Twitter/X: @stgr_africa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa

Afreximbank launches AfCFTA training to help African businesses expand through intra-African trade.

Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/

Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/

Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa

Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa

Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#18 Moniepoint’s unicorn round made its employees billionaires

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss Moniepoint’s historic unicorn funding round, which not only cements its place among Africa’s top fintech giants but also made billions of naira for its employees — a rare wealth-sharing moment in Africa’s startup ecosystem.

They also discuss Kenya’s Equity Group’s mass layoff of 1,200 employees following a $15.4 million internal fraud probe — a shake-up that could have ripple effects across the region’s banking sector.

Also in this episode:

Access Bank completes its acquisition of NBK, strengthening its position in East Africa.

Kenya plans to relocate health data from the US in response to Trump-era USAID cuts.

Nigeria’s Medsaf shuts down, highlighting ongoing struggles in Africa’s healthtech space.

Sierra Leone goes green with 5G, positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable telecom innovation.

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa
Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#17 US tax bill threatens diaspora remittances, Jumia loses largest investor & Starlink in SA?

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss the implications of Trump’s new US tax bill on African migrants, making it more expensive for them to send money home. They explore how this potential shift in remittance costs could affect millions of families and economies across the continent.

They also discuss how South Africa’s new ICT policy may pave the way for Starlink’s entry, marking a strategic move to boost satellite internet accessibility in South Africa.

Also in this episode:

Jumia’s largest investor dumps shares, raising questions about the company’s future
Kenya’s Equity Group makes a strategic move into the health insurance sector
Cameroon bets on AI as a cornerstone of its digital transformation agenda

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa
Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#16 Lagos tops tech rankings, Tanzania bans X & China backs Nigerian EVs

Thu, 29 May 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss Lagos’ rise as the world’s fastest-growing tech city in 2025, highlighting how Nigeria’s commercial capital is cementing its place as Africa’s innovation powerhouse.

They also cover Tanzania’s decision to block X (formerly Twitter), citing national security concerns following the hacking of a police account.

Also in this episode:

China to set up EV charging stations in Nigeria
Carrot Credit raises $4.2M to expand crypto- and stock-backed loans
Valu secures Egyptian exchange listing after $27M boost
Mimosa & MTN team up to expand wireless access across Africa
Uganda launches Internet-for-all pilot

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa
Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#15 ARCON vs. Meta, Stripe's snubs big four, and Zambia's AI revolution

Thu, 22 May 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss the growing tensions between Nigeria’s advertising regulator, ARCON and digital platforms in a bid to control digital advertising in Nigeria.

They also cover why Stripe’s recent stablecoin rollout deliberately bypassed Africa’s Big Four economies.

Also in this episode:

Nigeria and Somalia sign a new cross-border data protection agreement
Africa’s fastest-growing fintech companies in 2025 feature seven from Nigeria
Zambia plans to embed AI training in its tertiary education curriculum
Jumia expands its delivery service footprint in Nigeria
Safaricom eyes satellite partnerships as Starlink’s presence grows
2025 UTME controversy: Did over 70% of candidates truly fail, or is there more to the story?

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa
Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

#14 Startup funding is on the rise, Airtel and SpaceX join forces

Thu, 15 May 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss the resurgence of funding in African startups in the month of April, with South Africa and Egypt leading the charge.

They also cover how Airtel Africa’s partnership with SpaceX is set to bring Starlink internet to rural communities, marking a pivotal shift in digital connectivity across the continent.

Also in this episode:

Jumia predicts profitability in 2027 amid strong Q1 consumer growth.

PalmPay to enter 4 new African markets after 1.35B transactions in Q1.

Bayobab unveils East Africa Corridor to boost connectivity.

Kenya Power to build 45 EV stations across six counties to accelerate e-mobility.

----more----

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/

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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo

Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/

Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/

Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa

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#13 Paystack's ₦250M fine, Nigeria-UK cybersecurity pact & Mastercard’s crypto move

Thu, 08 May 2025 10:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss how the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has fined Paystack ₦250 million in a major move to tighten oversight of fintech operations and enforce regulatory compliance in Nigeria's digital finance sector.

They also discuss how a Nigerian tribunal upheld a $220 million fine against Meta (Facebook’s parent company) for violating consumer data protection laws, marking a significant step toward stronger digital rights enforcement in Africa.

Also in this episode;

Nigeria to launch open banking system in August 2025 after four years of delays.

Mastercard introduces stablecoin payment support from digital wallets to checkout.

Nigeria and the UK sign a partnership to fight cross-border cybercrime.

📢 Connect with Us!

Twitter/X: @stgr_africa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/

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