Elon Musk’s Starlink has once again disrupted the Kenyan internet market with the introduction of its more affordable “Starlink Mini” plan. Launched in September 2024, this new offering drastically reduces the barrier to entry for satellite internet, with hardware kits now priced at a significantly lower KSh 27,000. This move…
Author: Smart Megwai
Smart Megwai
Smart is a technology journalist covering innovation, digital culture, and the business of emerging tech. His reporting for Innovation Village explores how technology shapes everyday life in Africa and beyond.
Nigerian investment startup Rise has further solidified its presence in the African fintech landscape with the successful acquisition of Kenya’s stock trading platform, Hisa. This strategic move marks Rise’s second acquisition in less than a year, following its takeover of another digital trading platform, Chaka, in September 2023. The deal…
Chipper Cash, a leading cross-border payments platform, has secured a broker-dealer license from the Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This significant milestone grants Chipper Cash direct access to Ghana’s financial markets, allowing the company to offer a wider range of services to its customers. Dion Jon Taylor Samson, the…
The Australian government has unveiled plans to introduce age restrictions for social media use, sparking a heated debate among policymakers, experts, and the public. The proposed measure aims to protect young people’s mental and physical health by setting a minimum age limit for accessing social media platforms. The government has…
Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile network operator, has announced a scheduled maintenance outage for its M-Pesa services. The outage is set to take place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 11:00 PM to Wednesday, September 11, 3:30 AM. During the maintenance period, all M-Pesa services, including sending and receiving money, airtime…
Apple has announced that it will be adjusting the prices of in-app purchases on the App Store in three select markets, including Senegal. The price changes will take effect on September 16, 2024. While Apple has not specified whether the price adjustments will be upward or downward, the introduction of…
The agricultural landscape in Kenya is undergoing a technological revolution as drone technology continues to gain traction. In a recent development, Hover Mode, a leading provider of innovative drone services across Kenya and broader Africa, has launched the DJI Agra T50 drone, offering farmers in the region a new tool…
The Federal Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals nationwide, a significant boost to the healthcare sector. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, during a visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna State, Channels TV…
Pick n Pay, one of South Africa’s leading retail chains, has announced plans to close or rebrand around 100 stores as part of a broader restructuring strategy. The decision comes amidst a period of stagnant growth and declining profitability for the retailer. In a recent trading statement covering the 21…
The Kenyan telecommunications landscape continues to heat up as Elon Musk’s Starlink expands its services and poses a significant challenge to incumbent providers like Safaricom. Starlink’s recent announcement that mobile phone users will soon be able to access its satellite internet directly, without the need for hardware kits, has intensified…
Elon Musk’s Starlink shakes up the internet service provider (ISP) market once again, this time with plans to equip its satellites with advanced technology that allows mobile phones to connect directly to satellite internet. This ambitious move bypasses the need for traditional hardware routers and could significantly disrupt the existing…
After months of negotiations and setbacks, Wasoko and MaxAB, two leading African e-commerce platforms, have successfully completed their long-awaited merger. The deal, which was announced in December 2023, is being hailed as the largest tech merger on the African continent. The merger, initially planned as a “merger of equals,” faced…
Konga, a leading online marketplace in Nigeria, has announced a strategic partnership with Starlink to provide satellite internet services to underserved areas across the country. This collaboration aims to bridge the digital divide by offering reliable, high-speed internet connectivity to individuals and businesses in regions with limited or no terrestrial…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to commence the rollout of a 90,000-kilometer fibre optic cable network across the country in February 2025. This ambitious project aims to significantly expand Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure, increasing its backbone network from 35,000 kilometers to 125,000 kilometers. The Minister of Communications, Innovation,…
Vodacom and Huawei have joined forces to launch the DigiTruck, a mobile classroom designed to bring digital education to remote communities in Tanzania. The innovative project is part of the broader DigiTruck initiative, which aims to bridge the digital divide and provide access to technology and education in underserved areas.…
A recent survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has revealed that South Africa is among the world’s top users of ChatGPT and other AI technologies. This significant finding underscores the country’s growing embrace of artificial intelligence and its potential to drive innovation and economic growth. The BCG Global…
Bolt Kenya, mirroring a recent decision by its main competitor Uber, has announced a 10% fare increase. This move comes in response to growing concerns from drivers demanding better compensation and working conditions. The fare hike, which is effective immediately, is intended to address the rising cost of living and…
iColo, a leading data center and interconnection platform provider in Africa, has taken a significant step towards its sustainability goals by commissioning over 650 kilowatts (kW) of new solar installations at its two data centers in Nairobi and Mombasa. This expansion of renewable energy capacity underscores iColo’s commitment to contributing…
The Kenyan betting industry is experiencing a period of upheaval as 10 betting firms have exited the market since the beginning of 2024. This significant decline in the number of licensed operators is a stark indication of the challenges facing the sector, which has been under increased scrutiny in recent…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to adopt Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), marking a significant step towards digital modernisation. This transition is expected to revolutionise how internet users and their devices are identified, numbered, and tracked within the country. The announcement was made at the IPv6 Driven…