Bonjour,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- SpaceX pulls the plug on Starlink in SA
- 90% profit margins in just one year
- TikTok cash coming to Kenya?
SpaceX pulls the plug on Starlink in SA
While Starlink is set to launch in Ghana by August 2024 and in Zimbabwe on September 1, folks in South Africa are finding themselves cut off from SpaceX’s satellite Internet.
This is because SpaceX has warned — for the second time — that anyone using Starlink outside the country where the kit was registered for more than two months would be disconnected as of August 21, 2024.
The compay clarified that its 'Mobile — Regional' plans are meant for temporary travel, not for long-term use in another country. Starlink advised these users to either change their account’s country or return to where the kit was originally registered
Here’s the tricky part: Starlink hasn’t officially launched in South Africa yet, so the only way to access it there is through a roaming subscription. But technically, that’s unlawful since it doesn’t have the necessary licences or a local partner to offer its services in South Africa.
South Africa was actually supposed to be the first country in Southern Africa where Starlink would launch. However, Starlink has been mum about why South Africa’s launch date was pushed from 2023 to “Unknown.”
But the general consensus is that it’s tied to uncertainties around black ownership requirements in the country.
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Icasa, South Africa’s telecom regulator, previously required national network companies to be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups. In March 2021, they changed the requirement to 30% black-owned but later suspended the rule indefinitely.
90% profit margins in just one year
Abdulazeez Ogunjobi, the serial entrepreneur behind startups like Simbibot and Fixit45, is back with a new venture—Scandium.
This software testing startup, just a year old, is already boasting an impressive 90% profit margin. It’s making waves in Africa by offering a streamlined approach to a crucial process in tech.
What sets Scandium apart? Ogunjobi’s knack for spotting opportunities shines through. He and his co-founder sparked interest even before their official launch by sharing their idea on LinkedIn, catching the eye of a bank’s CTO.
This early traction highlights how essential software testing is—think of the $5.4 billion hit from CloudStrike’s IT outage that could’ve been avoided with thorough testing.
Scandium’s edge lies in its simplicity. While big international players like hikeQA are tough competitors, Scandium's straightforward approach to software testing makes it accessible and effective.
If you’re curious about how this startup is shaking things up in the tech world, dive into Bolu’s story and see why they're one to watch here.
TikTok cash coming to Kenya?
Three weeks after Meta rolled out monetisation tools for content creators in Kenya, the government is in talks with TikTok to bring monetisation options to local content creators.
Mary Kerema, the Secretary of ICT, e-Government, and Digital Economy, emphasised that this move is part of Kenya's efforts to create more job opportunities for its youth, especially through digital platforms. The goal is to help young Kenyans earn a living online while staying engaged and productive.
Kerema revealed this during the launch of TikTok’s first Safety Advisory Council for sub-Saharan Africa in Nairobi. She praised TikTok for not just setting community guidelines but also actively engaging stakeholders to ensure fair and well-understood content rules.
Despite some buzz about TikTok introducing monetisation in Kenya by June 2024, a TikTok spokesperson clarified that there’s no guaranteed timeline for when direct monetisation will be available in Africa.
For now, creators in Kenya can still make money through options like live gifting, video gifts, and brand partnerships.
While Kenyan TikTok creators might have to wait a bit longer for direct monetisation, the government is pushing hard to make it happen sooner rather than later.
Talks with TikTok are set to begin next week, and everyone’s hoping for a quick resolution to benefit the country’s young creators.
In case you missed them
- Bolt Kenya increases fares by 10% amidst driver concerns, following Uber’s lead
- “Getting a second job really stretched me, but it was worth it.”
What I'm watching
- The Big Problem with Religious Arguments
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Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
