From Lagos to Nairobi

A recent report shows young Nigerians are spending up to three times more on mobile data than they did a year ago, forcing many to cut back on food, family support, and leisure just to stay online. Students, tech workers, and young professionals alike are feeling the squeeze as rising tariffs and inflation eat into…

Just weeks after launching its first consumer product, Zap, Paystack is locked in a legal dispute with Zap Africa, a crypto startup, over trademark rights. Zap Africa claims Paystack’s use of “Zap” is causing confusion and harming its business, while both companies hold competing trademarks in Nigeria. The clash highlights complex gaps in Nigeria’s trademark…

Niger State has officially waived Right-of-Way (RoW) fees for fibre optic infrastructure, becoming the 12th Nigerian state to adopt the policy, aiming to expand internet coverage and attract telecom investments. Under the new rule, operators are required to pay a one-time application fee of ₦500,000 ($311.80), which encompasses both new deployments and any future network…

KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District) and Huawei have launched Saudi Arabia’s first Smart WiFi-7 network, marking a major step for Riyadh’s smart city ambitions. The next-generation network will provide faster and more reliable connectivity for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. This enhanced infrastructure will enable seamless smart services, allowing for personalized experiences tailored to individual…

Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort. The three-month hybrid program is aimed at supporting Seed to Series A tech startups across Africa that are using artificial intelligence to address systemic challenges on the continent. Selected startups will receive equity-free support, up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, mentorship…

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…