Tech Tides Africa

#32 Selar vs Mainstack: The rivalry over Africa’s $30Billion creator market

Is competition in Africa’s creator economy getting out of hand? In this episode, we discuss the growing tension between Selar and Mainstack, where a simple banner ad spiralled into a public clash—raising bigger questions about rivalry, ethics, and the future of Africa's booming $30B creator market.
Other interesting stories in this episode:
Kenya moves to criminalise unapproved “high-risk” AI deployment
MTN moves to take full control of IHS Towers in a $2.2 billion deal.
Nigerian fintechs are doubling down on building full-stack financial services.
Showmax shutdown sparks concern, with Parliament stepping in over potential job losses.
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#31 Nigeria’s CBN is using AI to fight money laundering

Is Nigeria’s financial system ready for AI-powered regulation? In this episode, we break down Nigeria’s CBN move to embed AI into anti-money laundering rules—a bold step that could reshape how financial crimes are detected and prevented across the country. But with innovation comes concern: how will this impact businesses, fintechs, and everyday users?
Other interesting stories in this episode:
Kenya and Rwanda move toward a single fintech license for expansion
MultiChoice shuts down Showmax after 11 years.
Zap Africa cuts 44% of its workforce for “AI-driven restructuring.”
UK and South Africa launch an AI-driven observatory programme to automate telescope operations.

#30 Africans are being lured into foreign wars via fake online remote gigs

Is the internet quietly turning Africa into a recruitment ground for foreign wars? The internet promised African talents a gateway to global wealth, but a disturbing new trend shows it also facilitates recruitment for foreign combat. We discuss how digital platforms are being used to draft Africans into international wars as mercenaries under the guise of legitimate employment
Plus, we discuss why the partnership between Unilever and Google is dangerous for startups. As global giants tighten their grip through powerful alliances, it also creates a dangerous environment for smaller startups trying to compete. Will this consolidation of AI and data power make it nearly impossible for emerging brands to be discovered by consumers in the future?
Other interesting stories in this episode:
Alerzo Begins Asset Sale Amid ₦4.38bn Moniepoint Debt
Pesalink & PAPSS Unlock Cross-Border Payments in Kenya
Spiro Raises $50M to Expand Electric Motorcycle Network
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#29 Is the African B2C dream over? Inside Eden Life’s shift to B2B

Eden Life is pausing its consumer-facing operations to focus entirely on corporate clients. This move serves as a wake-up call for the African tech ecosystem, proving that even the most popular startups must adapt quickly to survive economic pressures. Are these signs of a maturing market or a continent in crisis?
Plus, Gabon’s sudden decision to suspend social media access has sparked a massive debate over the thin line between national security and digital censorship. The government claims the move is necessary to maintain stability, but the impact on the country's digital economy remains a major concern.
Other interesting stories in this episode:
NDPC launches investigation into Temu over alleged data privacy violations
Risevest secures its SEC license, ending a long period of regulatory uncertainty for the investment platform.
Terra reaches a $100 million valuation after extending its funding to $34 million.
 
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#28 Safaricom launches stocks trading app "Ziidi Trader" for M-PESA users

Safaricom is no longer just a digital wallet; it’s becoming a wealth engine. This week, we discuss the launch of Ziidi Trader, a move that allows millions of Kenyans to trade stocks directly via M-PESA. Is this the ultimate democratization of wealth, or a systemic risk waiting to happen?
Plus... the robot cop has arrived. Ethiopia just unveiled Africa’s first unmanned smart police station to digitize law enforcement. From AI-powered reporting to automated governance, we explore whether this is the future of public safety or a new frontier for digital surveillance.
Other interesting stories in this episode:
Chowdeck's price transparency suit could set a precedent for Nigeria’s food delivery industry
Jumia ends Algeria operations in latest profitability drive
Sun King Expands Beyond Solar into Smartphones, Cooling, and Clean Cooking
Skoot Technology Launches Smart Electric Tuk-Tuk In Kenya
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#27 From Green Promise to Administration: What Happened to Koko Networks?

Is the dream of socially-driven tech in Africa under threat? In this episode, we discuss PwC’s takeover of Koko Networks after the Kenyan government’s refusal to sign a critical carbon credit "Letter of Authorization," sent the $300M startup into a tailspin. Is this a regulatory failure, or a necessary evolution for African CleanTech?
We also cover the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) new AI-driven validation system. The taxman is no longer just waiting for your filing—they are now cross-referencing iTax data with your bank and mobile money records to catch "side-hustle" income hiding behind "nil" returns.
Other interesting stories in this episode:
CinetPay customers owed over $1 million months after alleged cyberattack
Google pushes to localise AI for African languages with speech database
Namibia calls for increased 4G device adoption amid infrastructure expansion
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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
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#26 PayPal returns to Nigeria after 20 years: Opportunity or Exploitation?

Is PayPal’s return to Nigeria a little too late? In this episode, we discuss PayPal’s return to Nigeria after two decades, a comeback that has been met with more scepticism than celebration due to PayPal’s sour history with many Nigerians, especially freelancers and digital entrepreneurs. 
Plus, Kenya’s central bank is sounding the alarm that the nation’s financial stability now rests on a single mobile money platform, M-Pesa. What risks does this level of dependence create, and how prepared is the system for disruption?
Other interesting stories in this episode:
- Paystack buys a microfinance bank to move beyond payments.
- Flutterwave acquires Mono in a rumoured $40M deal.
- Nigerian mobility startup MAX secures $24M after achieving profitability
- Andela acquires Woven to scale AI-fluent engineering
 
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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
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#25 Google invests $37M into Africa’s Agriculture and lost languages

We discuss Google’s $37M AI investment across Africa, aimed at transforming farms and preserving forgotten African languages through cutting-edge machine learning. Is this the foundation of a truly inclusive AI revolution on the continent or just another big tech experiment?
We also talked about Nigeria’s FIRS move to mandate banks and fintechs to share transaction data for VAT monitoring. Is this the beginning of tighter regulation in the country’s fast-growing digital economy? And how are stakeholders reacting?
Also in this episode:
- Ghana moves to license crypto exchanges starting September 2025
- BasiGo launches Kenya’s first electric matatu pilot for intercity travel
- Uganda offers tax breaks to local electric motorcycle manufacturers in green push
- ArthurAI to power AI learning hubs across Africa
- Kava enters Africa’s streaming market with a Nollywood-first platform
 
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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
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#24 Meta may face contempt charges in South Africa over WhatsApp scandal

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss the intensifying legal drama between Meta and South African regulators, as the tech giant could face contempt charges over the WhatsApp privacy scandal. Is this a defining moment for digital rights and accountability on the continent?
They also spotlight a major milestone for African innovation, as Moniepoint, PiggyVest, M-KOPA, and Interswitch are recognized among CNBC’s top 300 global fintechs. What does this say about the future of Africa’s fintech scene on the world stage?
Also in this episode:
- South African PE fund to acquire 35% stake in Kenya’s Mawingu Networks
- Kenyan BNPL startup Wabeh halts operations due to rising defaults and cash crunch.
- LemFi wants into Egypt’s $20 billion remittance
- Rally Cap partially exits South Africa's Stitch
 
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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
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#23 Kenya recorded 2.54 billion cyber threats in Q1 2025

In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, Kelvin and Karen discuss Kenya’s alarming surge in cyber threat incidents, which spiked to 2.54 billion cases in Q1 2025, raising serious concerns about digital infrastructure and cybersecurity preparedness across the region. Is East Africa prepared for this scale of digital risk, or are we heading toward a full-blown cybersecurity crisis?
They also highlight a new report by BrighterMonday, which reveals a critical AI and digital skills gap across key African markets. As AI adoption accelerates, are we doing enough to build the human capital necessary to power the continent’s tech revolution?
Also in this episode:
- Temu launches a new warehouse in South Africa
- Kenyan logistics startup Leta expands to Ghana following its $5M seed round
- Egypt completes two subsea cable landings, boosting internet capacity with 126 Tbps infrastructure
- Eskom explores Bitcoin mining as a potential revenue model amid South Africa’s ongoing energy transition
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Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo
Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/
Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/
Visit our website: https://startupgraveyard.africa
Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa
Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com