Author: Insider Editor

Public relations (PR) has always been about telling impactful stories and shaping how people perceive and connect with brands or individuals. In Africa’s tech ecosystem, PR has evolved from simply managing reputations to amplifying the voices of tech innovators. As a PR professional, I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand, as it’s reshaped the way we communicate. To stay relevant, PR must continue to evolve, helping innovators reach their audiences and build meaningful connections. Looking back at how PR operated in Africa before the tech boom, the approach was vastly different from what we see today. PR was traditionally focused on media…

The Nigerian government is considering a tariff increase in the telecom sector, but there’s no need to worry — it won’t be the full 100% hike that telecom operators initially proposed. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, shared that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is working on strategies to find a balance. He made this announcement during a meeting with telecom operators, emphasizing that while a price increase is being discussed, it won’t be as steep as initially suggested. The push for a hike comes amid rising operational costs, inflation, and the devaluation of the…

Eight Africa-focused venture capital firms have revealed the startups they’re closely watching in 2025. These startups were chosen for their impressive growth potential, capacity to disrupt markets, and strong prospects of achieving (or having already achieved) product-market fit. Here are the 10 startups that captured our attention: 1. Apollo Founded in 2016 by Eli Pollak, Benjamin Njenga, and Earl St Sauver, Apollo supports modern farming in Kenya and the Gambia. Leveraging agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology, Apollo provides farmers with access to credit, quality farm inputs, and personalized advice. These tools help farmers adopt advanced farming methods…

Ethiopia has officially launched its stock exchange, marking a historic milestone as the 30th bourse on the African continent. This development comes after four years of planning and discussions, positioning the Ethiopian Stock Exchange (ESX) as a pivotal platform for the country’s financial ecosystem. While the launch signals progress, it also highlights challenges. The ESX opened with a single listing, Wegagen Bank, a tier-2 bank with assets of 65.7 million birr ($521,000). Expectations of broader participation, including prominent entities like Ethio Telecom—which had reportedly planned to sell 100 million shares worth 30 billion birr ($238 million)—were unmet, leaving questions about…

With a record-breaking 2,018 applications from 116 countries, Nigeria takes the lead on the Aurora Tech Awards 2025 Longlist, featuring an impressive 21 female founders and reinforcing its status as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Brazil and the United States follow closely, with Egypt trailing just behind. Other key contributors include Colombia, Kenya, the United Kingdom, India, and Kazakhstan, showcasing the award’s truly global reach. This year’s Aurora Tech Award not only highlights the exceptional talent from Nigeria but also emphasizes the country’s increasing influence in the tech and startup ecosystem, inspiring female founders both within Africa and globally.…

In 2024, sub-Saharan African countries collectively lost $1.5 billion due to Internet shutdowns, representing 19% of the global total of $7.69 billion in losses caused by such disruptions. The year saw a total of 28 Internet shutdowns across 28 countries worldwide, with 13 of these occurring in Africa. Affected countries included Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Algeria, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Mozambique, Chad, Mauritius, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and Equatorial Guinea. Sudan bore the brunt of these losses, with an estimated $1.12 billion in economic damage caused by prolonged Internet shutdowns. These disruptions lasted for more than 12,707 hours, or over 529 days,…

The Communications Authority of Kenya’s proposal to increase satellite ISP licensing fees by over 800% aims to regulate the growing market and promote fairness. However, the move risks limiting competition and innovation, particularly for small and medium-sized ISPs that play a vital role in expanding Internet access to remote areas. Higher fees could price these providers out of the market, potentially leaving underserved communities with fewer options and widening the digital divide. On the positive side, the proposal introduces progressive measures, such as allowing satellite ISPs to engage in terrestrial cable operations, telemetry, and space research. These provisions could attract…

Gokada, one of Nigeria’s most prominent last-mile delivery companies, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 18, 2024, according to regulatory filings in Delaware. Chapter 11 allows businesses to reorganize their debts, repay creditors over time, and avoid asset liquidation, offering a chance to stabilize operations. The filing followed failed attempts to secure new funding, including a 2023 campaign on GetEquity that sought to raise $750,000 at a $10 million valuation. Despite raising $5.3 million in a Series A round in 2019, Gokada faced significant financial challenges, reporting total liabilities of $5.2 million—$1.8 million owed to its 20 largest…

Mumsbooth, a non-governmental organization, has proudly trained over 200 girls in diverse technology and digital skills through its ProjectSTART empowerment program. Designed to introduce young girls to the tech ecosystem, the initiative empowers them with vital skills to build promising careers in the industry. The Girls in Tech program, themed Building Future Innovators, offered training both in-person and virtually across Nigeria. In collaboration with Seamfix and GGTV, the program reached girls aged 10 to 19, providing them with comprehensive education in digital and technological skills. Participants received training in mobile device repair, graphic design with Canva, data analysis, digital content…

Startups play a crucial role in driving Africa’s digital transformation, experts have emphasized. “Africa’s digital economy is not just an opportunity; it is a necessity for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. Startups are the engine of this growth,” stated Dr. Amara Yusuf, a digital economy specialist. The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy aims to create a unified digital market for over 1.4 billion people by integrating infrastructure and policies across the continent. This initiative offers startups a fertile ground to innovate and scale solutions regionally and globally. However, challenges such as limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory hurdles…