Tech Tides Africa

Startup Graveyard Africa
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The Tech Tides Africa Podcast brings you the week’s most important stories on startups, technology, and innovation in Africa. Listen in every Thursday by 10 AM (WAT). You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Substack, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

  1. #29 Is the African B2C dream over? Inside Eden Life’s shift to B2B

    4D AGO

    #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.   🤝 Connect with us! Twitter/X: https://x.com/techtidesafrica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-tides-africa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techtidesafrica/ Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa Signup to our Newsletter:  https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

    24 min
  2. #28 Safaricom launches stocks trading app "Ziidi Trader" for M-PESA users

    FEB 19

    #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 🤝 Connect with us! Twitter/X: https://x.com/techtidesafrica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-tides-africa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techtidesafrica/ Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa Signup to our Newsletter: https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

    31 min
  3. #27 From Green Promise to Administration: What Happened to Koko Networks?

    FEB 12

    #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 🤝 Connect with Us! Twitter/X: https://x.com/techtidesafrica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-tides-africa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techtidesafrica/ Support our work: https://selar.com/showlove/stgr-africa Kelvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvingobo Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-maina-84154937/ Joyce (Producer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycejohnaliche/ Signup to our Newsletter:  https://startupgraveyardafrica.substack.com

    26 min
  4. #26 PayPal returns to Nigeria after 20 years: Opportunity or Exploitation?

    FEB 5

    #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   🤝 Connect with Us! Twitter/X: @stgr_africa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa 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

    25 min
  5. #25 Google invests $37M into Africa’s Agriculture and lost languages

    07/31/2025

    #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   📢 Connect with Us! Twitter/X: @stgr_africa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa 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

    31 min
  6. #24 Meta may face contempt charges in South Africa over WhatsApp scandal

    07/24/2025

    #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   📢 Connect with Us! Twitter/X: @stgr_africa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa 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

    27 min
  7. #23 Kenya recorded 2.54 billion cyber threats in Q1 2025

    07/17/2025

    #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 📢 Connect with Us! Twitter/X: @stgr_africa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa 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

    33 min
  8. #22 Ethiopia allows foreign banks for the first time in 50 years

    07/10/2025

    #22 Ethiopia allows foreign banks for the first time in 50 years

    In this episode of the Tech Tides Africa podcast, we discuss Ethiopia’s historic decision to allow foreign banks into its financial sector for the first time in 50 years, a move set to reshape banking access and investment in the country. We also cover Africa’s latest fintech milestone, the launch of a pan-African payment card aimed at easing cross-border transactions and fueling continental trade. Could this finally be the solution to Africa’s fragmented payments landscape? Also in this episode: - MTN Nigeria completes first phase of $235M data centre, entering the African cloud race - Nigeria to link citizens’ borrowing history to NIN in new data policy push - Rwanda leverages AI dataset to expand healthcare access - AfricInvest exits $6B AFG Holding after doubling banking assets - Stanbic Kenya launches $100M startup fund in rare VC-style move by a legacy bank 📢 Connect with Us! Twitter/X: @stgr_africa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stgrafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stgr_africa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupgraveyard.africa 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

    37 min
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About

The Tech Tides Africa Podcast brings you the week’s most important stories on startups, technology, and innovation in Africa. Listen in every Thursday by 10 AM (WAT). You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Substack, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    Startup Graveyard Africa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tech Tides Africa