Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Instagram is set to enhance its messaging system with a significant update that introduces a variety of new features aimed at improving user experience and strengthening its position against competitors in the direct messaging space, such as Apple iMessage and various third-party applications. One of the standout features of this…

Showmax, a leading pan-African streaming service, has officially launched a Kiswahili user interface specifically for its Tanzanian audience, marking a significant advancement in its goal to establish itself as Africa’s premier streaming platform. This initiative builds upon Showmax’s history of pioneering features that cater to the unique needs of African…

Google has made the strategic decision to remove its AI assistant, Gemini, from the main Google app for iOS devices. This shift aims to encourage users to download the standalone Gemini app, enabling Google to compete more effectively with other popular consumer-facing AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.…

Apple has officially unveiled the much-anticipated refresh of its iPhone SE series on Tuesday, introducing the fourth-generation model after a three-year hiatus since the last significant update to this budget-friendly smartphone line. In a notable shift, Apple has dropped the SE branding, opting instead for the new name, iPhone 16e,…

Vendease, a food procurement startup backed by Y Combinator and operating across six cities in Nigeria, has announced its second round of layoffs in just five months as part of a strategic restructuring initiative aimed at achieving profitability and extending its financial runway. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that…

Ibrahim Ibitade, the former CEO of Leatherback, has officially launched a new venture called Prune Payments, a company focused on facilitating cross-border payments. This development comes just months after Ibitade stepped down from his role at Leatherback, where he had played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success.…

Niantic, the innovative company renowned for its groundbreaking augmented reality game Pokémon Go, is reportedly considering the sale of its game development division. The company is said to be in discussions with Scopely, a mobile game developer that is part of the Saudi Arabia-based Savvy Games Group, regarding a potential…

On Tuesday, Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI, announced the launch of her new AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab. The company is backed by a talented team of approximately 30 leading researchers and engineers, many of whom hail from prominent competitors such as OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral.…

Applications are now open for the sixth edition of the OceanHub Africa accelerator, a comprehensive 12-month program dedicated to supporting up to 24 of Africa’s most promising for-profit startups that are focused on the preservation and restoration of ocean health. This initiative will be conducted over two distinct intakes, scheduled…

On Tuesday, Meta made a significant announcement regarding its commitment to generative AI by unveiling plans for its inaugural developer conference, aptly named LlamaCon. This event is set to take place on April 29 and is named after Meta’s Llama family of generative AI models. The conference aims to provide…

Meta has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct the world’s largest submarine telecommunications cable, a project that aims to enhance connectivity between South Africa and the global network. This monumental cable, named Project Waterworth, will stretch over 50,000 kilometers (31,000 mile)—surpassing the circumference of the Earth—and will link five continents…

Nigeria is in the process of amending its regulations to permit the taxation of cryptocurrency trading and digitized transactions as part of its strategy to enhance national revenue. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is currently developing new rules aimed at ensuring that all eligible transactions conducted on regulated exchanges…

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) anticipates that its website and other IT systems will be fully restored within the next week, nearly a month after falling victim to a ransomware attack. The SAWS website, which is a vital resource for the general public seeking weather updates, as well as…

VezoPay, a South African company known for its innovative smart rings designed for tap-and-go payments, has welcomed a new investor: Jonathan Smit, the founder of PayFast. This partnership is expected to bolster VezoPay’s growth in the payments sector. Founded by entrepreneurs Jake Pinkus and Lawrence Baker, VezoPay recently introduced a…

Just hours after Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, unveiled the latest version of its AI model, Grok 3, the social media platform X has implemented a substantial price increase for its top-tier Premium+ subscription plan. This plan, which grants users access to the newest AI model, has seen its…

The annual technology conference, VivaTech, based in Paris, has officially opened applications for the fourth edition of its AfricaTech Awards. These awards are designed to recognize and support startups that are making significant strides in creating a positive impact in key sectors such as green technology, e-health, and e-commerce/fintech. The…

Negotiations regarding the licensing of SpaceX’s Starlink service in South Africa have encountered significant obstacles, stemming not only from business considerations but also from political tensions. A recent report by Bloomberg highlights that discussions are currently stalled due to strained relations between South Africa and the United States, particularly during…

Old Mutual has officially announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Iain Williamson, will be stepping down from his position at the end of August 2025, as he embarks on early retirement. This decision marks the conclusion of a remarkable 32-year tenure with the company, during which Williamson has spent the…

Nigerian entrepreneur Dozy Mmobuosi is set to launch an innovative AI platform aimed at enhancing farming practices across Africa. This initiative comes in the wake of significant challenges faced by Mmobuosi and his previous ventures, particularly following a report by activist short-seller Hindenburg Research in 2023, which revealed substantial irregularities…

Airtel Nigeria, the second-largest telecommunications operator in the country, has announced a significant increase in the prices of its internet and voice plans, raising them by 50%. This decision comes just one week after a similar price hike was implemented by MTN Nigeria. Under the new pricing structure, Airtel’s most…