Γεια σας,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you:
- MTN shoots for the stars with LEO satellite partnership
- WhatsApp launches voice message transcripts
- Roam expands solar-powered hubs in Nairobi
MTN shoots for the stars with LEO satellite partnership
MTN is looking to team up with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers to expand its network to Africa’s rural and remote areas.
It’s a big move, especially since these regions often struggle with poor or non-existent broadband and fibre connectivity.
LEO satellites, orbiting closer to Earth than traditional satellites, offer faster speeds and lower latency. For remote communities, this could mean reliable internet without the usual high costs associated with terrestrial infrastructure.
For MTN, it’s part of their broader strategy to connect underserved areas and boost their presence across the continent.
The company is already testing the waters with pilot projects in some of its major service bases. At the same time, South Africa’s Independent Communication Authority is prepping licences and regulations for LEO satellite operators to ensure fairness and compliance, especially for local players.
This LEO push comes hot on the heels of MTN’s recent 5.5G trials, the first in Africa. After a tough financial period — Nigeria, one of its biggest markets, saw declining revenues — MTN seems to be doubling down on innovation to turn things around.
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If successful, this satellite play could position MTN as a leader in bridging Africa’s digital divide while boosting its bottom line.
WhatsApp launches voice message transcripts
WhatsApp just rolled out a cool new feature: voice message transcripts! Now, instead of having to listen to every voice note, you can read a text version of it — super handy when you’re in a noisy spot or just don’t feel like pressing play.
To turn it on, head to Settings > Chats and switch on "Voice message transcripts."
Once that’s done, you can long-press any voice note and hit “transcribe” to see the magic. It doesn’t work automatically for all messages (so no sneaky transcript history), and it’s all processed directly on your device, keeping it private.
For now, the feature is rolling out globally in select languages. iOS users on iOS 16+ get popular ones like English, Spanish, and French, while iOS 17+ expands to Danish, Hebrew, and more.
Android users, don’t worry — you’ve got English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian, with more languages coming soon.
It’s similar to what Apple did with iOS 17, showing that WhatsApp isn’t sleeping on its competitors. Definitely a win for multitaskers and text-over-audio lovers!
Roam expands solar-powered hubs in Nairobi
Roam, a Kenyan electric mobility company, is taking steps to make clean transport more mainstream. With a boost from ENERGICA, a European Union-funded initiative, they’re setting up 10 new solar-powered Roam Hubs in Nairobi.
These hubs will offer battery swaps, charging, and after-sales support for electric motorcycles, but let’s dive into whether this will really shake up urban transport.
The buzz: The hubs are pretty ambitious, handling up to 500 battery swaps or charges daily. Solar-powered charging slashes costs by up to KSh 15 per kWh compared to the grid, which could ease the financial burden for riders battling high fuel costs. And since the hubs work with different EV brands, it’s clear Roam is thinking ahead about compatibility.
The hiccups: Sure, it sounds great, but are 10 hubs enough to make a real dent in Nairobi’s fossil fuel dependence? The reality is, electric motorcycles aren’t cheap, and while the battery swaps are affordable, buying the bike in the first place is still a big financial leap for many Kenyans.
Then there’s the question of location. If these hubs don’t reach lower-income or remote areas, they risk serving only a select group, leaving those who need the solution the most out in the cold. Plus, Nairobi’s sprawl and solar reliability issues could make operations tricky.
Why It matters: Gobally, this fits into efforts to fight climate change and clean up urban air. If Roam pulls this off, it could set the standard for similar projects across Africa. But to truly make a difference, the company will need to tackle these barriers head-on. Only then will it make electric mobility a viable option for everyday Kenyans.
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Have a fun weekend!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
