Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Friday, August 1, 2025
Top Story: At 21, Ghana’s Frederick Abila Is Building the AI Infrastructure Africa’s Been Waiting For
What were you doing at 21? For many of us, it was skipping lectures, flirting with uncertainty, or scrolling through dreams we weren’t yet sure how to reach. But for Frederick Abila, 21 isn’t just an age, it’s the moment to transform Africa’s future through technology.
In Tarkwa, a mineral-rich town in Ghana’s Western Region, Abila, a second-year computer science and engineering student at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), is already shaping Ghana’s digital landscape from his dorm room.
He’s the founder of over half a dozen AI-powered platforms – including BuzzChat, ScamAlert, Legalyze, Lema, MiniForge, Study Graph, and Smarketly. Abila is tackling everything from fraud detection and legal education to campaign automation and mental health.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Inside MTN’s Hidden Network Keeping Users Connected Along Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge. Read now.
- Premier League’s Digital Deadline: 5 Tech Tools Behind Football Transfer Decisions. Read now.
- Nigeria Immigration Service Digitises CERPAC Applications, Ends Use of Paper Forms. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Artificial Intelligence in Play: Microsoft Surges Past Milestone With $4 Trillion Valuation, Plans 9,000 Job Cuts
Microsoft has joined Nvidia as the second company to surpass a $4 trillion market valuation, cementing its place at the top of the global tech hierarchy.
The achievement, fueled by booming demand in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), comes as the company confirmed plans to lay off 9,000 employees, 4% of its workforce, in its largest staff reduction since 2023.
The valuation milestone was reached Thursday after Microsoft’s shares climbed as much as 8% in early trading before settling 4.5% higher.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Kenya’s Sukhiba Rebrands to Flowcart in AI-Powered WhatsApp Commerce Push: Why It Matters. Yakub Abdulrasheed brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Monday, July 28, 2025
Top Story: FG Launches N10 Million Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund for Nigerian Academic and Non-Academic Staffs
The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund, a new loan programme that offers up to ₦10 million to both academic and non-academic personnel in public tertiary institutions.
The initiative was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement released on Sunday by Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to Alausa, the programme is designed to address the longstanding socio-economic challenges facing workers in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- NIMC Distances Itself from Identity Data Fraud, Sale of NINs, BVNs to Fintech Firms Involving 12,000 Nigerians. Read now.
- Cybercriminals Now Use Google Forms to Scam Crypto Users in New Phishing Scheme, Report Says. Read now.
- ChatGPT Faces Scrutiny After Admitting Chats Aren’t Protected and Could Be Used as Legal Evidence. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Indian Deeptech Startup Kluisz.ai Raises $9.6m to Build AI-Powered Private Cloud for Enterprises
Indian deeptech startup Kluisz.ai has secured $9.6 million in seed funding to develop a generative AI-driven private cloud platform aimed at transforming enterprise cloud operations.
The funding round was led by RTP Global with participation from Unicorn India Ventures, Blume Founders Fund, Climber Capital, and several angel investors.
Founded by Abhinav Sinha, Vamshidhar Reddy, and Abhijeet Singh, the Bengaluru-based firm plans to expand its engineering team and begin early deployments across India and the Middle East.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Kenya’s Sukhiba Rebrands to Flowcart in AI-Powered WhatsApp Commerce Push: Why It Matters. Yakub Abdulrasheed brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Top Story: Beware of “Influencers” with Fake Followers, Experts Warn Over Surge in Inorganic Trend
Nigerian experts have raised concerns over the surge in fraudulent influencer marketing, where fake followers and artificially inflated engagement are misleading brands into wasting millions on ineffective campaigns.
The warning comes amid a surge in inauthentic digital activity across platforms like X, and Instagram, where large fake followers are increasingly being used to mask low or artificial engagement.
A growing number of business owners are now speaking out about spending heavily on influencer promotions that yield zero results, fuelling concerns about the integrity of the influencer marketing ecosystem.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Africa Money & DeFi Summit to Return to Accra Amid Rising Crypto Adoption. What Is Special. Read now.
- Bisoye Coker-Odusote: The Technocrat and Identity Builder Driving Nigeria’s Digital ID Revolution now.
- How Nigeria’s Aliyu Mohammad of Sarkinmota is Redefining Digital Content Marketing for Automobiles. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Nigeria’s Thrivyx Joins FasterCapital’s LaunchUp Programme to Tackle Cybersecurity Gaps in Emerging Markets
Nigeria’s API-first SaaS startup Thrivyx has joined the LaunchUp programme by global venture builder FasterCapital, aiming to scale its secure, cloud-native SCADA platform across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Founded in 2021, Thrivyx delivers integrated cybersecurity, productivity, and file-sharing solutions tailored for critical infrastructure and industrial systems, including energy, utilities, and smart cities. Its unified platform enables real-time monitoring, remote access, AI-powered anomaly detection, and digital twin visualisation, even for legacy field equipment.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
African Startup Studio 54 Collective Shuts Down Amid Legal Dispute with Mastercard Foundation. Yakub Abdulrasheed brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Top Story: Nigeria’s Digital ID Drive Gains Momentum as NIN Registration Reaches 122 Million
Nigeria’s digital ID system accelerates as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that over 122 million Nigerians have registered for the National Identification Number (NIN) as of July 2025.
The figure, according to the NIMC, marks a leap from the 72.7 million recorded in 2022, which is a 49 percent increase in just three years.
This was disclosed by NIMC’s Director General and CEO, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, during a session with digital media publishers in Lagos.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Ahmadu Bello University Clinches €5 Million EU Grant for AI Microscopy in Tropical Disease Diagnosis. Read now.
- Nigeria’s NucleusIS Rebrands as RIGO to Digitize Africa’s Healthcare Ecosystem. Read now.
- Nigeria-Egypt Trade Relations Deepen as Both Nations Aim for D-8 $500bn Target by 2030. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Nigeria’s Thrivyx Joins FasterCapital’s LaunchUp Programme to Tackle Cybersecurity Gaps in Emerging Markets
Nigeria’s API-first SaaS startup Thrivyx has joined the LaunchUp programme by global venture builder FasterCapital, aiming to scale its secure, cloud-native SCADA platform across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Founded in 2021, Thrivyx delivers integrated cybersecurity, productivity, and file-sharing solutions tailored for critical infrastructure and industrial systems, including energy, utilities, and smart cities. Its unified platform enables real-time monitoring, remote access, AI-powered anomaly detection, and digital twin visualisation, even for legacy field equipment.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Nigerian AI Voice Tech, Intron, Puts African Accents at the Center of Global Innovation. Rasheed Hamzat brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
___
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Monday, July 21, 2025
Top Story: “Beyond Tech, We’re Building Infrastructure”: Lumi CEO Wale Adeniji on Powering Africa’s Retail Backbone
“I’ve always had the entrepreneurial bug, from high school through university. But the real trigger for Lumi Business came from my time at KraftHeinz and FundThrough.
“That experience made it clear to me: the most successful companies are those that are truly data-driven. I saw a huge opportunity to bring that kind of infrastructure and tooling to African businesses.”
In this conversation with Techparley’s Quadri Adejumo, Lumi CEO Wale Adeniji, shares the thesis behind Lumi’s ecosystem-critical approach, infrastructure blind spots most startups ignore, and why building for African small businesses requires a different kind of ambition.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Nigeria’s Telecom Operators Raise Alarm Over Vandalism and Rising Digital Infrastructure Attacks. Read now.
- Tributes Pour In for Late Nigerian Tech Forerunner Abiola Olaniran. Read now.
- How NOA’s Lanre Issa-Onilu is Adapting Digital Technology to Amplify Government Activities, Policies, and Milestones. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Inside Ethiopia’s Startup Law After Years of Delay — But Will It Deliver as Nigeria’s Startup Act?
Ethiopia’s startup law has been approved. After nearly five years of delays, the Council of Ministers officially ratified the Startup Business Proclamation on Sunday, 13 July 2025, a law that entrepreneurs say could be a game-changer for the country.
But while the proclamation brings overdue regulatory clarity, implementation hurdles remain. Can this new law unlock real opportunities for Ethiopia’s founders, or is it another promise that’ll fade away?
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Nigerian AI Voice Tech, Intron, Puts African Accents at the Center of Global Innovation. Rasheed Hamzat brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Friday, July 18, 2025
Top Story: Deputy Mayor of London Admits Poor Standing, Vows to Fix UK Regulatory Frictions to Boost Nigeria–UK Trade Ties
Efforts to streamline the Nigeria-UK trade ties are gaining renewed urgency, as London authorities commit to addressing regulatory hurdles impeding Nigerian companies.
During a recent visit to Lagos, Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business, acknowledged mounting concerns from Nigerian startups and SMEs struggling to navigate the UK’s complex financial systems.
His remarks, delivered during a business engagement session with local entrepreneurs, signal a possible shift in the UK’s approach to emerging market partnerships.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Nigeria’s Telecom Operators Raise Alarm Over Vandalism and Rising Digital Infrastructure Attacks. Read now.
- OpenAI Unveils Agent Mode for ChatGPT, To Help Users Carry Out Tasks Like Human. Read now.
- NELFUND to Launch Centralised Job Portal to Support Nigerian Student Loan Beneficiaries. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Kenyan logistics tech startup Leta expands to Ghana after $5m funding boost
From Nairobi, Kenya, a logistics technology startup, Leta has launched operations in Ghana, marking its seventh active market in sub-Saharan Africa, as it accelerates its mission to revolutionize goods transportation across the continent.
The expansion comes after a $5 million seed funding round in March 2025, led by European venture firm Speedinvest, with backing from Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Nairobi-based Equator VC.
Leta’s entry into Ghana kicks off with Simbisa Brands Limited, one of Africa’s largest fast food operators with over 600 outlets in 11 countries, onboard as its first local customer in Accra.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Meet Seyi Ebenezer: Payaza’s CEO Rewriting the African Fintech Playbook. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Top Story: TikTok Removes Over 3.6 Million Nigerian Videos, Bans 42K LIVE Rooms for Community Guidelines Violations
TikTok has revealed it removed more than 3.6 million videos uploaded by Nigerian users between January and March 2025 for violating its community guidelines.
The disclosure comes as part of the company’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which was circulated across media on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
According to the report, TikTok achieved a detection rate of 98.4% in Nigeria, meaning the vast majority of content was removed before users reported it. Additionally, 92.1% of the flagged videos were taken down within 24 hours of detection.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Nigeria Immigration Goes Digital With Launch of CERPAC Portal for Expatriates. Read now.
- Meta Says It Has Fixed AI Privacy Bug That Exposed Users’ Private Prompts and Responses. Read now.
- SIM Services Yet to Resume Despite NIMC’s Full Restoration Claims, Say Telcos. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Nigeria’s fintech startup Prospa is transforming banking for over 150,000 small businesses
Nigerian fintech startup Prospa is revolutionising access to financial services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by offering a fully integrated digital platform tailored specifically to their needs.
With an estimated 39.6 million MSMEs in Nigeria, most of which rely on cash, spreadsheets, or informal channels like WhatsApp to manage their finances, Prospa aims to close the gap in formal financial inclusion and offer a pathway to sustainable growth and credit access.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Dettol Soap Parent Company, Reckitt, Awards N48m to Startups Solving Health and Hygiene Challenge. Rasheed Hamzat brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Monday, July 14, 2025
Top Story: Top 10 Nigerian Professionals At the Forefront of Global AI Industry
Nigerian AI startups are accelerating, scaling, and boldly claiming space in global innovation circles. From finance and healthcare to language preservation and logistics, a new generation of startups is proving that Africa can compete in the global AI industry.
These startups are building infrastructure, enabling access, and creating locally grounded, globally relevant solutions. Here, Techparley spotlight 10 Nigerian AI professionals breaking boundaries, leading the drive of artificial intelligence startups, and redefining what’s possible for the continent and beyond.
Read more about this here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Inside Egypt’s Clean-Tech Push: Opportunities Rise Amid Systemic Hurdles. Read now.
- Morocco’s 5G Plan Gains Momentum Ahead of 2025 AFCON. Read now.
- CBN Launches Knowledge Acceleration Programme to Tackle Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Policy Gaps. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Top 10 Nigerian Professionals At the Forefront of Global AI Industry
From Flutterwave in Lagos to RiceAfrika in Kebbi, and NEICCOB in conflict-scarred Borno, a groundbreaking analysis showcases how innovation hubs are becoming the true landmarks of Africa’s largest economy.
For decades, Nigeria’s 36 states have been defined by their political seats and natural resources. Yet a quiet revolution is underway: homegrown startups are redrawing the nation’s identity, tackling unemployment, food insecurity, and financial exclusion.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Coding Confidence: How Grace Ihejiamaizu is Championing Nigerian Girls into Tech Leadership. Rasheed Hamzat brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Friday, July 11, 2025
Top Story: Top 11 Recruitment/Talent Managers Every African Techie Should Follow Closely
In Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, talent is everywhere, but visibility is not. Whether you’re a backend engineer, or data scientist, landing top roles often comes down to access, and the right talent managers can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
These professionals don’t just fill vacancies; they shape hiring pipelines, scout talent, and influence which candidates make it to the final round. If you’re serious about levelling up your career, they are the voices to follow.
Here, Techparley provides 11 talent managers actively building the next wave of Nigeria’s tech workforce, and why they’re worth following today.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- AI Industry Competition: Grok 4 Challenges GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude in AI’s Showdown. Read now.
- NCC Imposes ₦10 Million Licence Fee for International Bulk SMS – What You Should Know. Read now.
- MEST Launches Fully-Funded AI Startup Programme to Empower Africa’s Next Generation of Tech Founders. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Sulaiman Adewale’s Xara Is Turning WhatsApp Into a Bank
When Sulaiman Adewale’s Xara launched, it wasn’t to disrupt the fintech space or chase venture capital. It was to solve a simple, deeply personal problem: helping Nigerians complete a basic bank transfer without stress.
That moment would evolve into Xara, a multimodal, AI-powered banking assistant that runs entirely inside WhatsApp.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Xara Launches AI WhatsApp Banking Services to Simplify Money Transfers in Nigeria. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
———
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Thursday, July 10, 2025
Top Story: Nigeria Slams U.S. Over New Visa Restrictions, Calls for Reconsideration
The Federal Government of Nigeria has criticised the United States over its decision to issue new visa restrictions for Nigerian citizens, describing the move as “disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers”.
This was issued in a statement, dated Wednesday, July 9 2025, by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Why Comms specialists are heroes and deserve to be celebrated —Ridwan Adelaja. Read now.
- NCC Imposes ₦10 Million Licence Fee for International Bulk SMS – What You Should Know. Read now.
- Nigeria’s Bamboo Expands to South Africa, Bringing Global Investing to Local Users: Why It Matters. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
South Africa’s Stitch Acquires Efficacy Payments, ExiPay to Boost Card Processing Capabilities. Why It Matters
South African payments infrastructure startup Stitch has acquired local card clearing firm Efficacy Payments, marking its second major acquisition in under a year.
The deal positions Stitch as a Designated Clearing System Participant (DCSP), enabling it to process card payments directly for merchants, both online and in-person, without relying on third-party intermediaries.
Yakub Abdulrasheed brings you all the details. Read here.
Stitch: South Africa’s Quiet Fintech Powerhouse Building Africa’s Digital Payment Backbone. Yakub Abdulrasheed brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Top Story: In Africa, Nigeria Ends Dual Passport Regime Leveraging Technology: What It Means
Nigeria has officially ended its dual passport regime, unifying all passport issuances under the Enhanced Passport system.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the commissioning of a new Passport Front Office at the Ministry of Interior secretariat, Garki, Abuja.
According to the minister, the new office, built at no cost to the federal government, was delivered through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership with Iris Smart Technologies Limited.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Beyond Apps and Code: How a Nigerian Architect is Reinventing Affordable Housing with Homegrown Machines. Read now.
- Singapore’s Legacy Planning Startup Teleskop to Shut Down After Government Rolled out ‘More accessible’ Alternative. Read now.
- Nigeria’s Bamboo Expands to South Africa, Bringing Global Investing to Local Users: Why It Matters. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Nigerian Crypto Startup, Roqqu, Acquires Kenya’s Flitaa to Expand Into East Africa
Nigerian crypto startup, Roqqu, has acquired Flitaa, a Kenya and Nigeria-based crypto exchange. Although the deal value was not disclosed, reports estimate it falls between $85,000 and $350,000.
The acquisition, which Roqqu claims has received regulatory approval, positions the startup for expanding its African footprint beyond Nigeria, and builds a case for crypto consolidation across the continent.
“We’re not just building to expand to Europe,” Ayo Shonibare, Roqqu’s chief marketing officer, said. “We also want to expand into our home base [Africa], so it only makes sense that in our quest for this expansion, we also expand into our own home territory.”
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Meet Roqqu: The Nigerian Fintech Startup Building a Crypto Exchange Infrastructure for Millions in Africa. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Top Story: Jack Dorsey Unveils Novel Bitchat Messaging App Built to Work Without Internet or SIM Cards. How it works
Currently in beta on Apple’s TestFlight, Bitchat leverages Bluetooth mesh networking to facilitate encrypted, peer-to-peer communication.
According to Dorsey on his X account on Monday, July 7, 2025, Bitchat ensures communication can persist even when users are temporarily offline or disconnected from the internet.
“My weekend project to learn about bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models, and a few other things,” Dorsey wrote.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Elon Musk’s New America Party: Why Grok Users and Nigerians Can’t Look Away. Read now.
- TikTok Allegedly Developing Separate U.S App “M2” Amid Potential Sale. Read now.
- Nigeria’s First Domestic Card Scheme, AfriGO Is Changing the Way Nigerians Pay — Here’s What You Need to Know. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
“I Don’t Use Banks Anymore”: Surge of Fintech Apps pushes Gen-Z, Millennials to Dump Commercial Bank
“My parents would send money through someone travelling or through banks with terrible exchange rates. It was always risky.”
But through Chipper Cash, John now receives transfers from his family in Nigeria, which Chipper converts into British pounds and deposits directly into his account.
“I paid my rent and tuition using the app this year. I don’t carry cash anymore,” he says. “Everything is on my phone—bills, payments, savings.”
John’s story is not unusual. Many others are using fintech platforms to escape outdated systems. For them, these apps are not a luxury, they are essential.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Kenya’s BuuPass Secures Strategic Investment from Yango Ventures: Why It Matters. Yakub Abdulrasheed brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Monday, July 7, 2025
Top Story: Oyo’s High Chief, Rasidi Ladoja, Tops Search Engine Query as People Search for Next Olubadan
On Monday, July 7, 2025, the name Rasidi Ladoja shot to the top of Nigeria’s search engine trends, becoming one of the most Googled personalities of the day. The trigger? The reported passing of Oba Olakulehin, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
As Nigerians turned online to ask, “Who is the next Olubadan?”, digital platforms responded with a flurry of articles, posts, and headlines naming Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and former Oyo State Governor, as the most likely successor. But why is this royal transition making tech headlines? And how has an 80-year-old traditional chief become a viral subject in a digital-first age?
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- UAE Biotech Startup, BioSapien Extends Pre-Series A Round Beyond $8M With New Backing. Read now.
- Teaching Tech in Yoruba: How Muhydeen Alabi Is Breaking Barriers in Digital Education. Read now.
- Nigeria’s Ogun State Partners Cybervilla to Empower Local Youth in Electronics Engineering. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Ecobank is Backing Nigeria’s Startup Future With ₦20m InnovateX Prize Pool, Apply Now
The launch of the NGN–UGX transfers creates a dedicated financial corridor between two key African economies, according to financial experts. Until now, individuals and businesses moving money between Nigeria and Uganda relied on expensive intermediaries, dollar conversions, or informal cash carriers.
By offering real-time, Naira-to-Shilling transactions, Monirates founded by Nnenna Nkata, wants to bridge a critical gap in the continent’s fragmented payment landscape, especially for migrants, students, SMEs, and cross-border traders.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Nnenna Nkata: The Nigerian Amazon Bridging Africa’s Financial Services Gap With “Monirates”. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Friday, July 4, 2025
Top Story: Ogun State, Bosun Tijani Foundation Launch Gen AI Fellowship to Train Nigeria’s Young Developers. Apply Now
The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the Bosun Tijani Foundation, has unveiled a six-month Gen AI Fellowship Programme for young Nigerian developers.Startup funding.
The Gen AI Fellowship, was announced by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, on his X page, on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Rail Tech, Not Just Rails: NRC Taps Polytechnics to Train Nigeria’s Next Transport Engineers. Read now.
- 9mobile, MTN to Launch National Roaming Deal Across Nigeria Before End of July. Read now.
- How Nigeria Plans to Tackle MSME Financial Challenges With Its New National Credit Guarantee Board. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Ecobank is Backing Nigeria’s Startup Future With ₦20m InnovateX Prize Pool, Apply Now
Ecobank Nigeria has unveiled InnovateX, a nationwide competition designed to empower young Nigerians aged 16 to 25 across creative and STEM fields.
Partnering with Heave Ventures, the bank aims to help emerging talents transform ideas into sustainable businesses while contributing to Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
Rasheed Hamzat brings you all the details. Read here.
“Empathy Over Judgment, They Deserve Recognition,” Investor Perspective Emerges Amid Okra’s Sudden Shutdown. Yakub Abdulrasheed brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Thursday, July 3, 2025
Top Story: Okra CEO Fara Ashiru Joins British Startup as Company Shut down
Fara Ashiru Jituboh shared that the company chose to shut down in May.
“The company made the decision to wind down operations in May. It was an incredible journey; we built impactful technology, worked with some of the biggest brands across the continent, and helped pioneer open banking in Africa. I’m proud to have worked alongside some of the smartest and most talented people, and I’m deeply grateful for the community, customers, investors, and team who supported us over the past five years.”
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Ooni of Ife Champions Digital Inclusion for Girls Through She-Levate Tech Bootcamp. Read now.
- Lumi, Yoco, Bumpa and 7 Other Retail-Tech Platforms Empowering African SMEs. Read now.
- Unsung Heroes: How Data Centres Are Powering a New Era for Cloud, AI, and Startups. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Global First: Lumi Business Launches Offline Mode, To Help Nigerian SMEs Without Internet
Lumi Business, a Lagos-based provider of payment, inventory, and accounting management software has launched Offline Mode, an upgrade to its point-of-sale (POS) software that allows merchants to process transactions without internet connectivity.
With Offline Mode, merchants can now sell products, access pricing, issue receipts and track inventory even when disconnected. Once connectivity is restored, all data syncs to your online database, ensuring no loss, or duplication.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Inside Lumi Business: The Startup Helping Nigerian Merchants Sell—With or Without Internet. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Top Story: Nigeria’s Government Unveils $40 Million “Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project” to Digitise 10 Universities
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a $40 million initiative, named the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project, to transform digital innovation, and smart learning across selected universities nationwide.
Unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, the project is being piloted in 10 federal universities and aligns with the broader Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- MTN’s $235M Data Centre Investment: Could This Be Nigeria’s Miracle for Startup Growth? Read now.
- iPhone vs. Samsung: Which phone is best for a techie? Read now.
- Siri Pro Max: Here is what is coming to iPhone with new OpenAI and Anthropic touch. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Global First: How Africa’s GMind AI is Shaping the Future of Learning with AI-powered Voice Tutor
“The only AI for education globally with these features. Proudly built in Africa for the world,” Success Ojo told Techparley.
Headquartered in Houston, United States, and built by Gotocourse for every educator, learner, and institution ready to embrace the future of AI-powered education.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Confide in AI, not Lawyers: Case Radar Uses AI to Democratize Legal Access in Nigeria. Yakub brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
———
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Top Story: Nigeria’s CAC Launches AI-Powered Business Registration Portal, Promises 30-Minute Certificate Delivery
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a pilot artificial intelligence (AI)-powered company registration portal designed to simplify the registration process and cut down approval times.
The announcement was made via the Commission’s official Facebook page on Monday, June 30, 2025, and was formally unveiled during the CAC Stakeholders Forum held in Port Harcourt.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- #SMARTGOV: How Anambra is adapting AI to Fight Corruption and Streamline Governance. Why it matters. Read now.
- Meet Claudius: New AI-powered electronic storekeeper that may render shop attendants jobless. Read now.
- Complete Guide: How to Choose What You See on Social Media Feeds. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
African Industrial Forum: How Smart Solutions Can Empower Local Startups to Unlock $450 billion
Africa is laying fresh groundwork to transform itself from a consumer market into a global manufacturing hub, as the African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII) announces the first-ever African Industrial Forum (AIF), scheduled for July 10, 2025.
Billed as a virtual summit, the event will bring together policymakers, industry giants, academics, and youth leaders under the theme: “Africa’s Future: Shaping Global Industries Through Smart Manufacturing, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence.”
Rasheed Hamzat brings you all the details. Read here.
Who is Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua? And, Why Should Startup Founders Pay Attention? Rasheed Hamzat brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Monday, June 30, 2025
Top Story: OpenAI Welcomes Crossing Minds Team, Signaling Big Bet on AI Personalization
In a move underscoring the growing importance of AI-powered personalization, OpenAI has absorbed the team behind Crossing Minds, a startup known for building privacy-focused recommendation systems for e-commerce and digital platforms.
The announcement, confirmed on Crossing Minds’ website and by updates to LinkedIn profiles of key executives, marks yet another strategic expansion for OpenAI beyond large language models and into practical AI tools designed to enhance online user experiences.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- The Future of Great Content Isn’t Human Vs. AI. It’s Human + AI, Used Mindfully. Read now.
- What is NCC’s Regulatory Impact Assessment, and why is it important for national growth? Read now.
- Complete Guide: How to Choose What You See on Social Media Feeds. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Nigeria’s Travel-Tech Startup Esosa Joins Lisk’s 2025 African Blockchain Incubation Hub. Why it Matters
The platform uses artificial intelligence to deliver personalised travel itineraries, combining local insight, smart recommendations, and a seamless booking experience for everything from accommodation to leisure activities.
Founded by Hassan Kolawole and Ebenezer Olabinjo, Esosa is a travel-tech startup designed to revolutionise how both local and foreign tourists experience Nigeria.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Chowdeck Acquires Mira in Move to Dominate Africa’s Foodtech Industry. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
———
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Friday, June 27, 2025
Top Story: How Paga’s New Software “Doroki” is Simplifying Operations for SMEs
Paga, a leading African financial technology company, has just launched a new solution: Doroki. The cloud-based business management software is designed to digitise and centralise daily operations for small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which are still operating in silos or on paper.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Nigerian Biosafety Agency to Regulate GMOs Using AI, Blockchain, and QR Codes. Read now.
- Starlink Resumes Nairobi Sign-Ups After 7-Month Pause, Reigniting Kenya’s Internet Market. Read now.
- Lagos State Launches HaemoCentral Blood Inventory System to Revolutionise Transfusion Services. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Abdulateef Hussein Is Building Nigeria’s Most Ambitious Inclusive Finance Empire With BAS Group
As the founder and CEO of BAS Group, a financial startup, Hussein is spearheading a new model of inclusive finance, one that combines capital market sophistication with digital accessibility, SME credibility, and grassroots relevance. In a sector crowded with promises, what makes Hussein different is not just his ambition, but how methodically he’s executing it.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
BAS Group Acquires Zuvy Technologies in Move to Bridge Nigeria’s SME Credit Gap. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
——
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Thursday, June 26, 2025
Top Story: How Nigeria’s Nuhu Ribadu is Reinventing the Wheel of National Security through Technology and Reforms
Boko Haram insurgency, banditry in the North-West, secessionist agitation in the South-East, and oil theft in the Niger Delta had once pushed Nigeria’s internal stability to the edge. But in less than two years into Nuhu Ribadu’s tenure as National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the story is shifting as news headlines have grown less dire with thousands of militants now laying down their arms.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Starlink Resumes Nairobi Sign-Ups After 7-Month Pause, Reigniting Kenya’s Internet Market. Read now.
- Why Meta and Apple Are Interested in Buying Perplexity AI. Read now.
- Lagos State Launches HaemoCentral Blood Inventory System to Revolutionise Transfusion Services. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Nigeria’s Cardtonic is Quietly Powering Africa’s Next Tech Generation
Founded to help Nigerians convert international gift cards into naira, Cardtonic has now evolved into a multi-product platform that touches critical pain points for the country’s digital workforce: cross-border payments, gadget accessibility, and career support. In doing so, the brand is winning not only market share—but also trust and relevance.
Rasheed Hamzat brings you all the details. Read here.
BAS Group Acquires Zuvy Technologies in Move to Bridge Nigeria’s SME Credit Gap. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
____
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Top Story: U.S. House Bans WhatsApp on Staff Devices Over Security Risks
Instead, staff have been directed to communicate via alternatives such as Signal, iMessage, FaceTime, and Microsoft Teams—platforms deemed more secure by the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, issued a sharp rebuttal.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Starlink Resumes Nairobi Sign-Ups After 7-Month Pause, Reigniting Kenya’s Internet Market. Read now.
- Why Meta and Apple Are Interested in Buying Perplexity AI. Read now.
- Lagos State Launches HaemoCentral Blood Inventory System to Revolutionise Transfusion Services. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Nigeria’s Cardtonic is Quietly Powering Africa’s Next Tech Generation
Founded to help Nigerians convert international gift cards into naira, Cardtonic has now evolved into a multi-product platform that touches critical pain points for the country’s digital workforce: cross-border payments, gadget accessibility, and career support. In doing so, the brand is winning not only market share—but also trust and relevance.
Rasheed Hamzat brings you all the details. Read here.
Chowdeck Acquires Mira in Move to Dominate Africa’s Foodtech Industry. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Top Story: Elon Musk’s Tesla Launches Driverless Robotaxis in Austin
Tesla has launched its self-driving robotaxis, marking the first time its vehicles have carried paying passengers without human drivers behind the wheel. The trial launch, confirmed by CEO Elon Musk on his social media platform X, kicked off on Sunday, June 21, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Amazon Expects to Cut Corporate Jobs as AI Takes Over Repetitive Work. Read now.
- Why Meta and Apple Are Interested in Buying Perplexity AI. Read now.
- 10 Jobs AI Won’t Replace: Number 6 is Undisputable. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
How Femi Aluko is Transforming Africa’s Food Delivery Revolution with Chowdeck
Spending time in Dubai opened my eyes. During that trip, I got the idea to create reliable food delivery. The frustration with the delivery system in Nigeria started long before, but it was significantly worse when I caught Covid,” Femi Aluko said.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details. Read here.
Chowdeck Acquires Mira in Move to Dominate Africa’s Foodtech Industry. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
___
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Thursday, June 19, 2025
Top Story: Abuja Startup Hub: How Nigeria is partnering Japan to Launch the $51.2 Million Project
The agreement was signed with a consortium comprising Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd, Intem Consulting Inc, and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd, all firms engaged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project’s financier.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Top UK Telco, Lebara, Launches in Nigeria with 0724 Number Series to Rival MTN, Airtel, Glo. Read now.
- ChatGPT, Notion, And 8 Other Top AI Tools for Freelancers and Digital Specialists. Read now.
- What is the National Payment Stack by NIBSS; Everything you need to know. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Startups in Orbit: How NIGCOMSAT’s Accelerator Phase II Is Launching Nigeria’s Next Tech Stars
The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd has officially ignited the engines on its second phase of the Accelerator Programme—a strategic leap to merge Nigeria’s satellite capabilities with grassroots innovation. For local startups, this is more than just an accelerator—it’s a direct entry point into the global space-tech conversation.
Rasheed Hamzat brings you all the details. Read here.
Winich, RoboCare, AgriPredict: 10 Top Agritech Startups Redefining Africa’s Agricultural Landscape. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
—
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Top Story: Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen: The NIGCOMSAT CEO Powering Nigeria’s Satellite-Startup Synergy
Anyone conversant with the inner workings of the government will know this isn’t just an upgrade to a national agency but a visionary shift —driven by an executive who’s seen innovation from boardrooms in Meta, Ericsson, and MTN, and now brings that global lens to Nigeria’s orbiting assets.
Read more about this, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- How Nigeria Can Dominate African Tech Headlines. Read here.
- Uganda’s Tech Ambitions: How UIS 2025 Signals a Bold Bid for Regional Dominance. Read now.
Startup Spotlight:
Meet Riches Attai, the Visionary Leader Driving Africa’s Agricultural Revolution Through Winich Farms
Riches Attai, founder and CEO of Winich Farms, is not just building a startup, he’s engineering a movement to transform Africa’s agricultural supply chain through simple but strong technology. Attai is forging a new path.
Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details on his career, and his startup operations in one post. Read now.
Startups in Orbit: How NIGCOMSAT’s Accelerator Phase II Is Launching Nigeria’s Next Tech Stars. Rasheed Hamzat writes on this, read here.
Winich, RoboCare, AgriPredict: 10 Top Agritech Startups Redefining Africa’s Agricultural Landscape. Quadri Adejumo brings us the details, here.
Quote: “Technology is best when it brings people together.” – Matt Mullenweg.
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Quadri
—
Tech This Evening | An After-Work Tech Industry Newsletter —Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Top Story: Nigeria’s Bosun Tijani Elected Vice Chair of ITU Council 2025
Dr. Tijani will work closely with the Council Chair, Ms. Cristiana Flutur, and fellow Council members to advance the ITU’s mission and promote digital development globally.
Read more about what is ahead for him in the new role, here.
Tech News Roundup:
- Reddit Unveils AI-driven ad tools. Read all the details here.
- Nigeria Partners Meta to Launch Liama Impact Accelerator to Back AI Startups. Read now
- ChatGPT Launches Free AI Image Creation on WhatsApp. Read now
Startup Spotlight:
Meet Leatherback: The Fintech Start-Up Redefining Cross-Border Money Transfer
Since its inception, the company has grown tremendously with impressive milestones. Today, Leatherback operates out of three continents and is regulated in five countries. Quadri Adejumo brings you all the details on its operations and technology in one post. Read now
Government: Lagos Assembly Summons Ride-Hailing Companies over Workers’ Rights, Sector Regulation. Motolani Abdulgafar brings us the details, here
Quote: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” – Alan Kay
Thank you for joining me yet again this evening. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow.
Best, Ridwan
