Liberia’s Internet disrupted by cable damage

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Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

Liberia’s Internet disrupted by cable damage
Inside Fusion’s plan to build an African super app
MTN Group to launch a streaming platform

Liberia’s Internet disrupted by cable damage

Liberia’s Internet has been acting up lately, and now we know why. Turns out, the country’s main Internet source, the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable, got damaged during some construction work at PHP Park. That cable is basically what keeps most of Liberia online, so you can imagine the panic when the signal started acting funny.

Last week, the boss of the Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL), Henry Benson, said the damage actually happened back when George Weah was still president. Apparently, despite several warnings from CCL and telecom operators, a massive pile of rocks was dumped right over the cable’s landing spot. That’s now led to the cable getting buried and causing all these Internet disruptions.

Things got so serious that the folks managing the ACE cable warned Liberia could be heading for a full-blown internet blackout. Thankfully, the new government under President Joseph Boakai (JNB) isn’t taking chances. They’ve jumped into action to fix the mess by rerouting the damaged cable.

Benson reportedly took some journalists on a guided visit to the site and praised the current administration for moving fast to prevent a national crisis. A repair ship is on its way and should arrive by April 23 to start the heavy-duty work. During that time, Liberians can expect more unstable Internet for a few days.

But the government says they’re doing everything possible to keep people connected. The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) is giving service providers the green light to use backup routes so that the Internet won’t go completely off while the repair is going on.

Even though options like Starlink are now available in Liberia, fixing the ACE cable is still top priority. It’s the main Internet source for most people, and this whole situation shows just how fragile that kind of infrastructure can be. Let’s hope the repair goes smoothly and the country comes out more connected than ever.

Inside Fusion’s plan to build an African super app

In March 2024, after three years, ByteDance pulled the plug on LetsChat, its messaging app for Africa. The app never gained traction, and ByteDance shifted focus to more profitable ventures. With that, LetsChat joined the list of social media flops on the continent, alongside 2go, LagChat, and Mxit.

But not everyone is discouraged. OrevaOghene Ben-Orupete, Virality and Growth Manager at Fusion, believes the platform has what it takes to break the cycle. Unlike traditional social media apps that focus on individuals, Fusion is all about building communities, bringing like-minded people together in one space.

The idea for Fusion came from Café One, a Sterling Bank initiative that serves as a physical hub for communities. The problem? Once people left, there wasn’t a good way to keep them engaged. WhatsApp and Telegram didn’t quite fit the bill, so Fusion was created to fill that gap. Now, it has grown beyond Café One, hosting all kinds of interest-based communities.

Fusion started with funding from Sterling Bank, but it’s now standing on its own and looking for fresh investment. And it’s not just a social media platform, it has bigger ambitions to become a super app, like WeChat, blending social networking with fintech services.

It’s already making progress. Fusion has introduced a wallet that lets users save money, pay bills, and even invest, thanks to a partnership with Nigerian fintech Bamboo. Sterling Bank provides the financial infrastructure, helping Fusion merge social and financial services seamlessly.

And there’s more in the pipeline. A marketplace for products and services is coming soon, event ticketing is already live, and brand partnerships will bring exclusive perks to users. Could Fusion be the first African social platform to truly make it big? Time will tell. For more details, check out Chimgozirim’s latest story.

MTN Group to launch a streaming platform

MTN Group is entering the streaming game. The telecom giant just partnered with UK-based video software company Synamedia to roll out a streaming platform for mobile and broadband users across Africa. The goal? To make digital content more accessible and more in tune with what African audiences actually want to watch.

Selorm Adadevoh, MTN’s Group Chief Commercial Officer, says this is a big chance to switch up how Africans watch video. Think better quality, more relevant content, and way easier access, according to them. With Synamedia bringing its tech game, MTN wants to deliver a more exciting entertainment experience while pushing for digital inclusion. Still trying to figure out what the latter means in this context.

This move means MTN is now entering the streaming ring with the big players like Netflix, Showmax, and Prime Video. But they’re bringing something different to the table.

The platform will be powered by Synamedia’s cloud-based tools, offering both live TV and on-demand videos. They’re also giving users multiple ways to enjoy content through subscriptions, ads, or totally free streaming with targeted ads thrown in.

A big focus will be on local content. MTN plans to tailor shows and programming to fit each country’s culture, language, and viewing habits. So no more one-size-fits-all stuff, viewers will get content that actually feels familiar and relevant.

According to Synamedia’s CEO, Paul Segre, this partnership is a game-changer. With MTN’s reach and their tech, they’re aiming to roll out something fresh and scalable that not only entertains but also brings in new revenue.

If Showmax’s growth is anything to go by, MTN’s platform could take off fast. By November 2024, Showmax had grown its African subscriber base to 2.1 million, up from just over a million earlier that year, thanks to affordable pricing and localised content.

MTN, with its massive mobile network of over 290 million users across the continent, could easily pull in 1 to 3 million subscribers in its first year. Especially if it keeps prices low — say between ₦500 (😂😂) and ₦1,000 — and bundles streaming with its data plans.

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