Tech Tides Africa

The South African government’s attempt to lead the continent in AI regulation has hit an embarrassing snag. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies had to pull its 86-page Draft National AI Policy after eagle-eyed researchers found it was riddled with "AI hallucinations." From fake academic studies to non-existent bibliographies, the very tool the government sought to regulate ended up undermining the policy meant to govern it. We discuss the fallout and what this means for the credibility of digital policy-making in the region.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Swoop’s Bold Gamble: The Lagos food delivery market is notoriously difficult, but Swoop is trying a 100% rider-income model to win loyalty. We look at the fragile unit economics of a "no-cut" delivery platform.

Starlink Crackdown in CAR: The Central African Republic has suspended the use of "roaming" Starlink kits purchased abroad, citing national security and regulatory traceability.

Nokia Targets Cairo: Nokia has officially selected Egypt as its regional hub for Middle East and Africa operations, leveraging the country's growing pool of technical talent.

Amazon vs. Starlink: Project Kuiper (rebranded as Amazon LEO) is applying for a Tier 2 license in Kenya, signaling a major expansion of satellite internet competition in East Africa.

Ethiopia’s Green Surge: Addis Ababa-based Dodai has raised $13 million to scale its electric motorbike and battery-swapping network, capitalizing on Ethiopia's aggressive ban on internal combustion engine imports.

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Ghana is positioning itself as a continental hub for aerospace innovation. Terra Industries has announced plans to build Africa’s largest drone factory, a facility aimed at scaling domestic production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This isn't just about manufacturing; it’s about reducing the continent's reliance on imported tech and creating a localised supply chain for industries ranging from precision farming to medical deliveries. We discuss what this means for high-tech manufacturing jobs in West Africa.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Absa Kenya is set to spend $23.2 million a year on digital transformation to stave off competition from agile fintechs.

Kenya’s DCI takes a hard line on crypto, requesting the freezing of multiple Binance accounts amid regulatory pressure.

South African authorities are planning to investigate giants like Netflix and WhatsApp, likely examining how these global platforms affect local broadcasting and telecommunications.

Mozambique’s parliament has unanimously approved a new Cyber Security Law, a critical step in modernising the nation’s legal framework against digital threats.

Flutterwave officially denies reports of a massive Nigerian government investment, leaving the tech ecosystem wondering where the rumour started and why.

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The African tech ecosystem is currently facing a cybersecurity stress test. From Standard Bank in South Africa exposing customer card details to coordinated hits on Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Remita, the last few weeks have been a wake-up call for digital infrastructure. We dive into why these breaches are happening simultaneously and what it means for consumer trust in digital banking and government platforms.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

The Sama Exit: Over 1,000 Kenyan workers are facing layoffs as Sama pivots away from its former role as a Meta contractor, signalling a shift in the global AI supply chain.

Enugu’s Smart School Gamble: 260 smart schools are being built to revolutionise learning in Nigeria, but we discuss whether the infrastructure can be maintained and replicated effectively.

Compliance is the New AI: A provocative new look at the African market suggests that the next billion-dollar industry isn't just "building" tech—it's the compliance and regulatory tech required to keep it legal.

MTN Nigeria Hits Pause: The telecom giant has suspended its popular airtime and data lending services, leaving millions of users looking for alternative ways to stay connected.

 

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African startups kicked off 2026 with a strong $705 million raised in the first quarter. However, the "how" is just as important as the "how much." Debt financing has emerged as the dominant force, suggesting a shift in how founders scale and how investors perceive risk in the current economic climate. We break down what this "debt-first" trend means for the ecosystem’s long-term sustainability.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

New regulations require stablecoin issuers to back their tokens with reserves held strictly within Kenyan banks to ensure financial stability.

The Conecta project is expanding, with 37 firms joining the mission to bridge the digital divide via satellite internet. in Angola.

Africa’s first disability-tech fund launches, aiming to empower entrepreneurs building solutions for the millions of Africans living with disabilities.

Internet usage has climbed to 71% in Kenya, pushing the country’s infrastructure to the limit and sparking urgent conversations about capacity upgrades.

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Flutterwave has officially crossed a massive $40 billion in lifetime payments and secured a Nigerian banking licence, marking its evolution from a payment processor to a financial powerhouse. This milestone raises critical questions about the future of traditional banks as Africa’s most valuable startup gains the power to hold deposits and offer direct banking services.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses face privacy probe in Kenya

Flutterwave and Paystack join the CBN’s new initiative to tighten anti-money laundering (AML) compliance.

Ghana turns National ID into a payment card

South Africa’s SARS plans to provide every taxpayer with a digital identity to streamline tax collection.

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