This Ex-Google, Ex-Anka Founder Is Building Shopify but for Social Sellers in Francophone Africa
Yelen, a Côte d’Ivoire‑based startup founded by ex‑Google executive Ibrahima Sylla, launched in June 2025 as an all‑in‑one platform for African social sellers. The service lets merchants create storefronts, accept card and mobile‑money payments, and manage orders from WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook across 20 countries. Within a year it amassed 5,000 active stores in ten francophone markets, generating $5,000 in monthly recurring revenue and processing about $50,000 in transactions. Yelen’s hybrid pricing combines a free plan with 10% commission, a $60‑per‑quarter growth plan with 5% commission, and a $220‑per‑year business plan with zero commission, plus sourcing fees.
30% of Nigerians Earn Below ₦100,000; Majority Unsure Income Covers Monthly Costs — PiggyVest Report
A PiggyVest survey shows 30% of Nigerians earned less than ₦100,000 (about $217) per month in 2025, the largest income segment, while 28% reported no income, up from 20% in 2023. Although the share earning over ₦1 million ($2,174) rose to...
Nigeria’s Power Problem Is Gutting Co-Working Margins
Co‑working operators in Lagos are being forced to relocate because soaring electricity costs, driven by the new service‑based tariff, are eroding margins. In Band A zones, a ₦200,000‑₦400,000 (≈$435‑$870) monthly bill can be cut to about ₦250,000 (≈$543) by moving to...
MTN Phases Out Ayoba After 7 Years as It Prepares for a Unified Digital Platform
MTN Group announced the phased retirement of its Ayoba super‑app, giving users a 30‑day window to download and retrieve data before the app disappears from stores after March 20, 2026. Launched in 2019, Ayoba once reached tens of millions of users but...
Creators in Malawi to Start Earning Online in April
Malawi’s Communications Regulatory Authority is launching a creator‑monetisation initiative with Meta and TikTok, beginning with workshops in Lilongwe this April. The program aims to give Malawian content creators access to the same revenue tools available on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok...
How a Nigerian Developer Built an AI Tool Used by A16z Engineers
Nigerian developer Sampson Ovuoba launched Windframe in July 2021 as a visual UI builder that lets developers design interfaces and generate production‑ready code. After a modest start, the tool integrated generative AI in 2023, turning text prompts into responsive layouts....
ClippaPay Launches Africa’s First Creator-Powered Content Creation, Clipping Distribution & UGC Affiliate Platform
ClippaPay has launched Africa’s first creator‑powered platform that links brands with influencers through three distinct earning models: UGC creation, video clipping, and performance‑based affiliate marketing. The service lets brands post campaigns, receive creator bids, and pay on approval, while clippers...
Ghana Card Now Central to Fighting MoMo Fraud
Ghana announced a new policy that will block any Ghana Card linked to multiple mobile‑money (MoMo) fraud cases, effectively cutting offenders off from telecom services and public digital platforms. The move follows a surge in fraud, with the Bank of...
Inside Daniel Anomfueme’s Mission to Build Africa’s First Truly Decentralised Science Tech Ecosystem
Daniel Anomfueme, a technical project manager and community builder, has founded DeSci Africa, the continent’s first decentralised science community, after helping VitaDAO secure $4.1 million and launch its governance platform. His work bridges blockchain governance and open‑science, aiming to remove paywalls...
APEX Network and AltSchool Africa Launch One of Nigeria’s Largest Crypto Literacy Scholarship —1,000 Fully Funded Spots Available
APEX Network and AltSchool Africa have launched a joint scholarship offering 1,000 fully funded spots in AltSchool's Crypto Course for Nigerians. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s high crypto adoption rates and the lack of structured financial...
Can Africa Build Its Own Global Social Media Platform?
Africa dominates social media consumption but owns few platforms. The piece argues the continent can build a global network by leveraging fintech expertise, a youthful mobile‑first audience, and its rich storytelling heritage. Emerging ventures such as Blogshop showcase an integrated...
Utiva Selected Into Techstars as It Expands From Talent Training to AI-Powered Global Workforce Infrastructure
Utiva, an AI‑driven workforce platform, has been admitted to the Techstars accelerator, signaling its shift from pure talent training to providing end‑to‑end global hiring infrastructure. The company has already upskilled more than 200,000 professionals in 39 emerging‑market countries and partnered...
POS Agents Made Cash Accessible. Now It’s Time to Rethink Them
POS agents have been vital for financial inclusion in Nigeria, providing cash access and basic banking services to the informal sector. However, rising fees and anti‑agent sentiment are eroding trust, as withdrawals through agents can now cost more than ATM...
What Nigeria Can Learn From Ghana and South Africa as It Drafts Its AI Strategy
Nigeria is preparing its first national AI strategy as the African Union rolls out a continent‑wide AI framework. The article examines Ghana’s early but uneven implementation and South Africa’s integration of AI oversight into existing regulators. Both cases highlight gaps...
Nomba Launches Global Payout API, to Help Nigerian Operators Cut FX Sourcing and Capital Lockups in Cross-Border Payments
Nomba has launched a Global Payout API that lets Nigerian cross‑border payment operators collect funds in naira or stablecoins and disburse them instantly to the UK, Europe, Canada and the DRC. The single integration removes the need for manual foreign‑exchange...
Akọ AI Ltd Launches in the United Kingdom to Bring AI-Powered Decision Intelligence to Manufacturing SMEs
Akọ AI Ltd, a newly incorporated UK AI firm, has launched a decision‑intelligence platform aimed at small and medium‑sized manufacturing firms. The platform applies industrial‑engineering analysis to determine whether automation is the right solution before recommending any technology. Targeting manufacturers...
TECNO CAMON 50 Unites Technology, Fashion and Productivity in One Next-Generation Device
TECNO unveiled its CAMON 50 series at MWC 2026, positioning the lineup as the centerpiece of an AI‑powered ecosystem that spans smartphones, AIoT devices, and productivity tools. The devices combine fashion‑forward design, 5G connectivity, and a new LightMaster imaging engine that uses...
After Unbundling, Nigerian Fintechs Are Building Full-Stack Financial Services
Nigerian fintechs that began by unbundling single services are now rebundling into full‑stack platforms offering payments, savings, credit and business tools. Companies such as Moniepoint, Kuda, FairMoney and Paystack have expanded product suites after securing licences and capital. The shift...
African Agtech Funding Drops to $170M in 2025 as Debt Overtakes Equity for First Time
The 2025 State of Agtech Investment in Africa report reveals total sector funding fell to $170 million, a near‑20 % year‑on‑year decline, while equity’s share dropped below half for the first time. Debt, grants and blended‑finance structures now dominate capital deployment, reflecting...
Workcentral Nigeria Receives “Workspace Solutions Company of the Year 2026” Recognition in West Africa
Workcentral Nigeria has been named “Workspace Solutions Company of the Year 2026 – West Africa,” recognizing its rapid growth in flexible office services. The firm offers virtual offices, private suites, coworking areas, and meeting rooms that let startups and SMEs...
Terra’s Drones Will Now Come with Weapons as It Begins Building Combat Ready Systems for the Nigerian Military
Terra Industries, a Nigerian‑focused defence startup, is now fitting its UAVs with machine guns and rocket launchers, turning surveillance platforms into combat‑ready systems for the Nigerian military. The classified project will be operated remotely by military personnel rather than Terra’s...
Africa’s Blockchain Leaders Convene in Lagos for ABDS 2026
The Africa Blockchain, DeFi & Web3 Summit (ABDS 2026) gathers leading blockchain founders, Web3 innovators, investors, and policymakers at Lagos Oriental Hotel. The three‑day event serves as a strategic marketplace for capital, partnerships, and visibility within Africa’s fast‑growing digital‑asset ecosystem. Sponsorship...
Sidebrief, Diligence Africa and Impact Hub Launch ‘Signal’ a Quarterly Event Series Bridging Founders, Investors and Regulators in Africa’s Startup...
Sidebrief, a regulatory‑tech platform, has launched Signal, a quarterly event series co‑hosted with Diligence Africa and Impact Hub Lagos. The inaugural edition will take place on March 27, 2026, at Impact Hub Lagos and features 20 speakers across five moderated...
Nigeria to Provide up to ₦1 Billion ($735,000) in Funding for 100 Startups Through iDICE Startup Bridge
Nigeria’s government launched the iDICE Startup Bridge, a programme to fund and mentor early‑stage tech and creative startups. The 12‑week Founders Lab will award up to ₦10 million grants to the top 100 applicants, representing a total of ₦1 billion in funding....
Government to Set Taxi Fares for Bolt, Uber in Kenya
Kenya’s government plans to introduce a national taxi pricing model that will mandate standardized fares for ride‑hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt. The policy seeks to curb aggressive price wars and provide drivers with more predictable earnings while potentially...
OATS Africa Becomes Cloudways First Official Agency Partner in Nigeria
OATS Africa has become Cloudways' first official agency partner in Nigeria, marking a key milestone for the Lagos‑based digital agency. Founded in 2019 as a freelance operation, the firm grew by building over 100 Shopify stores and launching products such...
Bluechip Data & AI Summit Returns for the 3rd Edition on June 10 2026.
Bluechip Technologies announced the third edition of its Data & AI Summit, scheduled for June 10, 2026. The event builds on the previous edition, which attracted over 4,000 participants and featured nine specialized workshops. The 2026 summit expands the agenda...
Meet the Female Operators Helping Africa’s Startup Ecosystem Scale
The article spotlights a cohort of female operators who form the operational core of Africa’s venture‑capital ecosystem. These women lead accelerators, government‑backed programs, angel networks and venture studios, linking founders to capital, policy and talent. Profiles include Ireayomide Oladunjoye at...
Nigeria’s Remote Tech Workers Spend up to ₦390,000 a Month on Power. It’s Still Not Enough to Work
Nigeria’s remote tech workers are forced to spend up to ₦390,000 a month on petrol to run generators amid chronic power outages. Fuel costs have jumped 35% in weeks, with daily generator expenses reaching ₦10‑13k, while 84% of urban households...
The Retention Problem Hiding in Plain Sight for African Startups
African startups are shifting focus from raw user acquisition to retention, especially among women in West Africa. Research of 500 women across eight countries shows rising digital adoption driven by income‑seeking activities, yet sustained engagement remains fragile. High data costs,...
OPay Clarifies Reports on Alleged Office Closure by the Nigeria Revenue Service
OPay refutes online claims that its Lagos and Abuja offices were sealed by the Nigeria Revenue Service over alleged tax violations. The company confirms all locations remain open and fully operational. It explains the rumor originated from an NRS industry‑wide...
Showmax to Be Replaced by Canal+ App
Canal+ will retire Showmax, migrating South African subscribers to its own OTT app after Showmax accumulated roughly R8.7 billion in losses, including R4.9 billion in 2025. The transition will fold Showmax titles into the Canal+ platform and DStv Stream, aiming to retain customers...
ZendBusiness Powers Faster Cross-Border Payments for Africa’s Global Trade
ZendWallet has launched Zend Business, a platform that merges international payments and internal operations for African companies. At its core is ZendFX, a stablecoin‑based engine that moves funds in USDT and USDC across more than 140 countries, supporting transactions from...
IHatch Cohort 5 Is Looking for 37 Innovation Hubs to Power Nigeria’s Next Wave of Startups
iHatch Cohort 5 has opened applications for 37 state‑level Innovation Hub Managers across Nigeria, targeting one hub per state and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme, run by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation under NITDA in partnership with JICA, seeks...
Infinix NOTE 60 Pro Debuts with Snapdragon Power,6500mAh Battery and Interactive LED Design
Infinix has launched the NOTE 60 Pro in Nigeria, its first device powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 5G processor, delivering over 1.1 million AnTuTu points. The phone introduces an Active Matrix rear LED display that shows calls, notifications and mini‑games without unlocking. It packs...
Nigeria Considers Age Restrictions for Children on Social Media
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, launched a public consultation on child online safety, proposing possible age limits and stronger verification for social‑media accounts. The consultation, open to parents, educators, youth and digital professionals, will gather...
Tayo Aina, Tomike Adeoye, and Dammy Twitch to Lead “ECHO” Accelerator Free Registration Closes 22nd
Woof Studios Africa has launched the ECHO accelerator, branding it as the “Harvard of the Creator Economy.” The program features a high‑profile faculty that includes Tayo Aina, Tomike Adeoye, Dammy Twitch, Ruth Kadiri and other African digital leaders. It aims to transform creators into...
Divest Expands Into Remittances with Money Xchange, Unifying Crypto Conversion and Cross-Border Transfers in a Single App
Divest, the Nigerian fintech known for crypto‑to‑cash conversion, has introduced Money Xchange, a cross‑border remittance service embedded within its existing app. The product currently supports transfers from Nigeria to Kenya, Ghana and South Africa with upfront rate locking and no...
Jollof Boss Launches WhatsApp-Paystack Pilot Testing Chat Commerce for African SMEs
Adlore Business Enterprise launched a live pilot of Jollof Boss, a conversational commerce platform that merges the WhatsApp Cloud API with Paystack payments to let Nigerian SMEs browse products, place orders and pay within chat. The test processed ten real orders,...
Kenya Reviews Airtel–Starlink Satellite-to-Phone Deal
Kenya’s Communications Authority has opened a review of Airtel’s partnership with SpaceX to launch Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell, assessing potential interference with 3G, 4G and 5G networks. The regulator’s decision could set precedent for satellite‑to‑phone services across Africa, where the technology promises...
CVSense Launches AI Recruitment Platform to Help Companies Reduce Costly Hiring Mistakes
CVSense, a UK‑registered AI recruitment platform founded by Nigerian entrepreneurs, launched to address the massive CV overload and costly mis‑hires plaguing firms in Nigeria and beyond. The service replaces crude keyword‑based ATS filters with contextual AI that reads, scores, and...
How AI Could Disrupt Nigeria’s 2027 Election
A deep‑fake audio clip of senior Nigerian politicians surfaced before the 2023 election, later exposed as synthetic but already damaging public discourse. AI adoption in Nigeria is soaring, with 88% of adults interacting with chatbots and widespread internet and smartphone...
This Nigerian Diaspora Founder Is Using AI to Predict Healthcare Risks in the US
Nigerian‑born entrepreneur Tolu Fagbola, together with his US‑based brother, launched Vimedra to apply voice‑AI and predictive analytics to US healthcare. Their patent‑pending algorithm fuses social determinants with clinical data, creating risk profiles that flag patients likely to generate costly emergency...
Nosh Launches eSIM to Power Global Connectivity & Borderless Digital Payments
Nosh has introduced an eSIM feature that lets users buy, activate, and manage digital SIM plans directly within its app, expanding the fintech’s services beyond digital asset trading and bill payments. The eSIM offering includes data‑only and full voice‑text‑data plans...
NativeID Debuts Free Digital Identity Page to Protect Nigerian Businesses From Impersonation and Scammers
NativeID has launched a free digital identity platform aimed at Nigerian small and medium enterprises. The service consolidates scattered contact details from Instagram, WhatsApp, Google Business and other channels into a single, verified page. It offers a shareable link, QR‑code...
After Raising $5.5 Million for Hyperbridge, Polytope Labs Wants to Build for Nigerian Fintechs Too
Polytope Labs, fresh from a $5.5 million raise, is building an on‑chain stablecoin infrastructure to streamline foreign‑exchange settlement for Nigerian fintechs. The product sits atop its Intent Gateway, part of the Hyperbridge protocol, which has already processed roughly $500 million in cross‑chain...
Gamifying the Classroom: How Lena Is Turning Nigeria’s Curriculum Into Immersive Games
Nigerian startup Lena transforms curriculum into immersive games, using AI to monitor progress and provide real‑time explanations. The platform works offline, addressing connectivity gaps, and offers a tiered subscription for schools (₦20,000 per student per term) and parents (₦7,000 per...
Salario Launches Free Payroll Solution to Help Nigerian SMEs Improve Tax Compliance
Salario, a Nigerian payroll‑technology startup, has introduced a free payroll solution aimed at small and medium‑sized enterprises. The platform automates salary calculations, statutory deductions, and compliance reporting, addressing the widespread reliance on manual spreadsheets. By aligning with Nigeria’s tightening PAYE,...
This Founder Is Taking a Nigerian Retail Solution to Canada and the US
Nigerian entrepreneur Samuel Oyedemi is launching SKAAP, a scan‑and‑go platform targeting small and medium retailers in Canada and the United States. After a modest pilot in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatchewan that enrolled about 200 users, the startup plans a U.S....
The Evolution of Payment and the Flavour of the Decade
The article traces payment evolution and argues that account‑based payments have become Nigeria’s “flavour of the decade.” It shows how each historic method—from barter to paper money—addressed frictions, but cards introduced new complexities that were overcome by direct bank‑to‑bank transfers....