TechStream

Technology news around the ecosystem!

From Lagos to Nairobi

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

  • Trump’s New Tariff Policy: What It Means for African Economies

    Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia will face the lowest tariffs (10%) under U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly announced trade policy, while other African nations like Lesotho (50%) and South Africa (30%) will see much higher rates. The policy, aimed at boosting U.S. manufacturing and tax revenues, is set to take effect on April 5. The move…

  • Togolese Developer Martino Yovo Breaks Language Barriers in Tech

    Martino Yovo, a Togolese developer and product engineer at Esri, is on a mission to make tech education more accessible to Francophone Africa. Having struggled with language barriers while learning to code, he founded Togo Developers (TDEV)—a thriving community with 3,000+ members across 14 countries. Through TDEV, Yovo and his team provide expert-led courses in…

  • Safaricom Launches Second Phase of Spark Accelerator for Kenyan Startups

    Safaricom, in collaboration with M-PESA Africa and Sumitomo Corporation, has opened applications for the second phase of the Spark Accelerator. This initiative aims to support early-stage startups in Kenya by providing mentorship, market access, and funding opportunities. Participants will benefit from product and technology support, AWS Activate credits worth up to $25,000, business development assistance,…

  • Zambian AI Startup Caantin Aims to Revolutionize Business Communications

    Caantin, a Zambian AI communications startup, is using AI-powered voice agents to help businesses cut the cost of phone calls while improving efficiency. By replacing traditional call centers with AI bots capable of handling conversations at scale, Caantin allows companies to engage customers in multiple African languages, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Swahili. CEO Njavwa…

  • 2024 Startup Graveyard Report: Governance Gaps Fuel High Failure Rates in African Startups

    A new report has shed light on the alarming failure rates of African startups, with 58% collapsing due to financial struggles, 27% due to operational inefficiencies, and 17% due to regulatory challenges. The 2024 Startup Graveyard Report highlights poor governance as a recurring factor behind these failures, emphasizing the need for structured leadership and compliance…

  • Lipa Later’s Downfall Highlights Risks in Africa’s BNPL Tech Sector

    Kenyan buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) fintech Lipa Later has been placed under administration, marking a dramatic collapse just months after securing $10 million in funding. On March 24, 2025, administrator Joy Vipinchandra Bhatt of Moore JVB Consulting took control of the company’s business and assets, officially placing it under Kenya’s Insolvency Act. Founded in 2018, Lipa Later…