Tech Tides Africa

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
 
🤝 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

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
 
📢 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

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
 
📢 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

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
📢 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

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/
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 

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/
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 

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
 

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
📢 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 

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 
 

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