Technology news around the ecosystem!

From Lagos to Nairobi

We give you summaries of happenings around tech, from developer stand-ups to the boardrooms.

  • Why Waiving RoW Fees Isn’t Enough to Spark Fibre Boom in Nigeria

    Twelve Nigerian states—including Zamfara, Katsina, Anambra, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Ekiti, Imo, Plateau, and Niger—have zeroed out Right‑of‑Way (RoW) fees to lure telecom investment. Yet despite this incentive, fibre rollout remains concentrated in Lagos, Edo, FCT, and Ogun—states that still charge fees but boast stronger demand, clearer policies, and denser urban markets. Industry leaders…

  • Safaricom Bolsters Rural 5G to Rival Starlink

    Safaricom has quietly ramped up its 5G rollout into underserved parts of Kenya, deploying new sites and slashing the price of plug‑and‑play 5G routers from KES 25,000 to just KES 3,000. Bundled with flexible M‑PESA payment plans and data packages (starting at KES 4,000 for 50 Mbps), the move targets fibre‑dark zones and price‑sensitive customers who’ve been lured by…

  • South Africa’s Zimi Secures $320K to Pilot Turning EVs Into Power Stations

    South African startup Zimi has secured $320,000 (R6 million) in grant funding from EEP Africa to test its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, a system that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to send power back to homes, businesses, or the grid during outages. With load shedding still a major issue in South Africa, Zimi’s innovation could turn idle…

  • Kenya to Lift 9-Year Ban on New Commercial Bank Licenses in July 2025

    In a move set to reshape its financial sector, Kenya’s Central Bank (CBK) will lift its nine-year freeze on licensing new commercial banks by July 1, 2025. The moratorium, first imposed in 2015, allowed regulators to strengthen governance, risk management, and the country’s regulatory framework. Now, with stricter capital requirements, including a Ksh.10 billion minimum…

  • Flutterwave Launches Virtual Coaching Program to Nurture Africa’s Tech Talent

    Flutterwave has introduced the Flutterwave Accelerate Workshop, a virtual coaching initiative designed to equip African youths with hands-on skills for success in the tech world. The two-day program targets students, graduates, and early-career professionals, covering key areas like Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Design, Marketing, and Product Management. Industry experts, including former Flutterwave leaders and seasoned professionals,…

  • Nigeria Showcases AI and Cybersecurity Ambitions at GITEX Africa

    At GITEX Africa in Morocco, Nigeria spotlighted its commitment to shaping the future with artificial intelligence and stronger cybersecurity frameworks. NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized the need for AI-driven leadership and collaboration between humans and machines to accelerate national growth. The government also sealed a new cybersecurity training partnership with SecDojo, while pushing forward…