Author: Staff Writer

Ride-Hailing drivers in Lagos, operating under the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), are gearing up for a city-wide 24-hour strike on May 1, 2025. The planned action, coinciding with International Workers’ Day, is a bold protest against what they call “anti-labour practices” by leading ride-hailing platforms, including…

In a bid to make pay-TV more flexible and accessible, MultiChoice Uganda has unveiled new weekly subscription plans under a campaign dubbed ‘Ka Weekie.’ The initiative is aimed at giving customers more affordable and short-term viewing options, especially for those who may not be able to commit to full monthly…

Telecommunications subscribers in Nigeria may soon notice a change in how they’re charged for using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). Rather than being billed by banks, customers will begin to see direct deductions from their airtime balance when they use USSD services for mobile banking and other transactions. This follows…

After nearly two decades of backing early-stage founders, Techstars is updating its standard deal — and it’s a big one. Beginning with its Fall 2025 cohort, the accelerator will offer startups $220,000 in funding, a notable increase from the previous $120,000. Here’s how the new deal works: For example, if…

Starting a business in Nigeria offers immense opportunities, given its dynamic economy and entrepreneurial spirit. However, navigating the local business landscape requires a clear understanding of registration processes, funding avenues, and market entry strategies. This guide addresses frequently asked questions to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in establishing a successful venture in…

The electric vehicle (EV) industry has rapidly transformed over the past decade, with two companies emerging as the primary titans of the sector: BYD and Tesla. While Tesla helped shape the global EV narrative with its high-performance, tech-driven cars, China’s BYD has steadily scaled its presence by offering a broad…

Google has started accepting applications for the 2025 edition of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Program. This year, the spotlight is on startups integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their core offering. Since its launch in 2018, the program has supported over 140 startups from 17 African countries, helping them…

Balwin Properties, one of South Africa’s leading residential developers, is set to build over 16,000 affordable homes near Johannesburg with the backing of a ZAR 1 billion (approximately $58 million) investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The funding, issued as a local currency loan, will support the construction of…

TikTok has unveiled a new feature called Footnotes, designed to offer users the ability to add explanatory context to videos on the platform. The initiative, which is launching first in the United States before expanding globally, marks a notable shift toward user-driven transparency and aims to foster a more informed…

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing key segments of the online advertising market, dealing a major development in the government’s ongoing push to rein in Big Tech’s dominance over digital infrastructure. In a decision handed down by Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S.…

Moniepoint Inc., one of Nigeria’s top fintech companies, has officially launched MonieWorld, a new digital platform aimed at simplifying remittances and financial services for the African diaspora in the UK. Moniepoint had earlier hinted on the launch some days ago. The service is operated through Moniepoint GB, the company’s UK-based…

Visa has deepened its commitment to Africa’s fintech ecosystem with new investments in two emerging digital payment startups — Konnect from Tunisia and PayTic from Morocco — following their successful completion of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program. Both companies participated in a rigorous 12-week program designed to help early-stage…

For thousands of Nigerians, CBEX once seemed like a golden opportunity — a gateway to wealth in a struggling economy. Today, it’s a painful reminder of how quickly those promises can vanish. Behind the facade of technology and artificial intelligence, CBEX was a textbook Ponzi scheme that exploited hope, trust,…

Realme, one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brands, has officially unveiled the much-anticipated realme 14 Pro series, setting a new standard for mid-range smartphones. The new series includes the realme 14 Pro and realme 14 Pro+, each loaded with powerful hardware, innovative camera technology, and premium design — all at…

Space just got a lot more inclusive — and a little more inspiring. On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin launched its first-ever all-women space tourism flight, and it was nothing short of groundbreaking. The six-woman crew aboard the New Shepard rocket included familiar faces, accomplished professionals, and trailblazers from across…

Access Bank PLC, the banking arm of Nigeria’s Access Holdings PLC, has received final regulatory approvals to acquire 100% ownership of National Bank of Kenya (NBK). The move marks another strategic milestone in Access Bank’s aggressive pan-African expansion, further solidifying its footprint in East Africa’s dynamic banking sector. The acquisition…

Nigerian solar energy startup Arnergy has raised $18 million in Series B funding to accelerate its mission of providing affordable, clean, and reliable energy solutions in a country grappling with an increasingly unreliable grid and skyrocketing fuel prices. The new funding — comprising a $15 million Series B extension and…

Solape Akinpelu, the founder of Nigerian fintech platform HerVest, has emerged as the first-place winner of the 2025 Aurora Tech Award, a global competition that celebrates and supports the most promising female tech entrepreneurs from emerging markets. The prestigious event, held in Cairo, Egypt from April 11–13, brought together top…

Nigeria’s drive to empower its startup ecosystem and solve pressing social issues has received a major boost, thanks to a new $30.9 million partnership with Japan. The two countries recently signed a landmark agreement to fund the development of innovation hubs and provide long-term support for social impact-driven enterprises. The…

Somalia has officially welcomed Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service into the country, marking a major milestone for the nation’s digital infrastructure. The long-awaited move was announced on Sunday after the Somali government granted Starlink an operational license following more than two years of dialogue. “Starlink now in Somalia!” Musk…