Vodacom and Orange to launch solar-powered base stations in DRC

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January 15, 2025
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5 min read
NCC criminalise telecom vandalism

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Namaste,

Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here's what I've got for you today:

  • Vodacom and Orange to launch solar-powered base stations 
  • Techstars moves to Bostwana two months agfter leaving Lagos
  • LemFi raises $53M after expanding into Europe

Vodacom and Orange to launch solar-powered base stations in DRC

NCC criminalise telecom vandalism

Vodacom and Orange are teaming up to bring mobile services to some of the most remote areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a joint announcement, the telecom giants revealed plans to roll out solar-powered base stations to improve connectivity in the DRC, a country that's twice the size of South Africa and covered mostly by tropical rainforest.

Here’s the deal: the project will focus on rural areas where mobile service is almost non-existent. The goal is to provide telecom and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people living in these underserved regions. To make this happen, Vodacom and Orange plan to build 2,000 solar-powered base stations over the next six years, using 2G and 4G tech.

The first thousand sites are already approved, with construction expected to kick off in 2025. If all goes well, another thousand stations could follow. But of course, everything depends on getting the green light from regulators and competition authorities.

The companies also shared that they’ll both use the infrastructure as “anchor tenants” for at least 20 years. Plus, they’re opening the door for other mobile operators to share the towers, making it easier to expand coverage for even more people.

Right now, mobile Internet penetration in the DRC is just 32.3% — a huge gap that this partnership aims to bridge. If all goes as planned, this could be a major step towards closing the digital divide in one of Africa’s most underserved countries.

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Techstars moves to Bostwana two months agfter leaving Lagos

Techstars
image source: TechCrunch

Techstars has just launched an accelerator programme in Botswana, marking a big step towards supporting startups in Southern Africa. This new programme will provide local entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding, and access to Techstars’ global network, giving them the tools to scale their businesses and make a real impact.

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Bringing Techstars to Botswana is part of the company’s mission to tap into regions with huge potential but limited resources. While Africa’s economies are growing fast, startups often struggle with funding and access to international networks. Botswana, with its stable government and focus on tech-led diversification, is a perfect place for Techstars to make a difference.

This isn’t Techstars’ first stop in Africa. Back in 2022, they launched the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator in Nigeria, targeting fintech and proptech startups. It kicked off with 12 startups from Nigeria and Kenya and saw some success, but the programme was discontinued in November 2024. Now, they’re shifting their focus to Botswana, aiming to create a thriving hub for innovation in the region.

This move could reshape the startup scene in Southern Africa. Beyond mentorship and funding, Techstars hopes to boost cross-border collaboration and attract investor interest, making Botswana a regional innovation hub. Plus, it ties in perfectly with Botswana’s push to diversify its economy beyond diamond mining by focusing on technology and innovation.

For entrepreneurs, this is a golden opportunity to grow their ventures with world-class resources and guidance. And for the region, it’s a chance to build a more connected startup ecosystem where businesses can share knowledge and thrive together.

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In short, Techstars’ launch in Botswana is a big deal — not just for the country but for the entire continent. By empowering startups and fostering innovation, they’re helping shape a new era of entrepreneurial success in Africa.


LemFi raises $53M after expanding into Europe

Lemfi founders, Ridwan Olalere and Rian Cochran
Lemfi founders, Ridwan Olalere and Rian Cochran

Just a few days after LemFi revealed its expansion into Europe, the Nigerian fintech specialising in cross-border remittances has shared more exciting news. 

What's the news? The company just raised a huge $53 million in funding, led by Highland Europe, with support from existing investors like Left Lane Capital, Palm Drive Capital, and Y Combinator, along with new investors like Endeavor Catalyst.

Started in 2020 by Ridwan Olalere and Rian Cochran, LemFi lets users send, receive, and hold money in multiple currencies with competitive exchange rates, no transaction fees, and super-fast transfers. Basically, it’s fixing the headache of expensive and slow money transfers.

Last year, LemFi raised $33 million to expand into markets like China, India, and Pakistan. Now, with this fresh $53 million, they’re targeting big European markets like the UK and Germany, where there’s a large African immigrant population. They’ve already cleared the regulatory hurdles, so they’re ready to roll.

Co-founder Olalere says the goal is simple: make cross-border money transfers seamless and affordable for Africans abroad. “This funding lets us reach even more communities and redefine how money moves across borders,” he said.

By focusing on underserved immigrant communities, LemFi is tackling a real need for accessible and affordable financial services. With this new funding, they plan to scale operations, improve their tech, and grow their user base.

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.

She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.
She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.
She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.

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