Uber, Bolt plan to go on strike on May 1, 2025

Kuzu zangpo la,

Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

Uber, Bolt plan to go on strike on May 1, 2025
Countdown to 2030: Africa’s startups mean business
Ghana partners Zipline to keep medicines flowing to clinics

Uber, Bolt plan to go on strike on May 1, 2025

App-based transport drivers in Lagos are planning a 24-hour strike on May 1, 2025, to protest poor working conditions. Organised by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), the protest will see drivers on platforms like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive refusing to work in a show of frustration timed to coincide with International Workers’ Day.

The drivers say they’ve had enough of low wages, sudden app deactivations, safety issues, and unfair policies. One major complaint is the high commission fees charged by the companies, leaving drivers with very little after each ride. They’re also pushing back against features like facial recognition and weak passenger verification, which they believe put them at risk.

AUATON spokesperson Steven Iwindoye said drivers have tried engaging the companies in dialogue, but nothing has changed. “We’ve tried talking. Now, we’re using economic pressure to be heard,” he said. He added that the May Day action won’t be business as usual; the union is hoping to mobilise at least 5,000 drivers to join the strike.

Past protests have seen drivers walk off apps when fare cuts made it harder for them to survive. Earlier this year, Bolt slashed its fares by 50%, prompting backlash. Though the company later reversed the decision, drivers say it was just another example of the platform’s valuing growth over the people doing the work.

inDrive wasn’t spared either. Drivers claim the platform’s low pricing strategy is hurting their incomes. “The only thing inDrive offers is cheap rides,” one driver said, adding that the company’s model is unsustainable for those behind the wheel.

For many drivers, this strike is about more than just money; it’s about dignity. “Some of us can’t even fix our cars when they break down,” one driver said. With no signs of change from the companies, AUATON hopes this protest will finally force a conversation about fairness, safety, and respect for Nigeria’s app-based transport workers.

Countdown to 2030: African startups mean business

Back in university, I heard about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and SDG 5, Gender Equality, immediately caught my attention. It wasn’t just a passing interest; I threw myself into it.

For context, in May 2019, I took on a 90-day writing challenge to create awareness about gender equality and gender-based violence. That same month, I kicked off another 30-day project where I visited a secondary school near my campus and told the students about 30 incredible women making waves in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, in 2015, when world leaders gathered at the UN and agreed on 17 ambitious goals to make the world better by 2030, there was so much hope. But fast-forward to today, five years to the 2030 deadline, and things aren’t looking so great.

According to the latest SDG report, only 17% of the goals are actually on track. Nearly half are crawling along with minimal or moderate progress, and more than a third have either stalled or even gone backwards. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when you think about how urgent these goals are.

Despite the gloomy stats, there’s one area that’s showing promise: technology. Across the globe, and especially in Africa, tech is playing a massive role in pushing the SDGs forward. Whether it’s fighting climate change, improving access to education, reducing poverty, or creating sustainable cities, tech is in the middle of it all. The numbers might be discouraging, but innovation is quietly doing the heavy lifting.

You only need to look at African startups to see this shift. Agritechs are tackling hunger with smarter food systems. Edtechs are breaking down barriers to education, reaching even the most remote communities. Healthtechs are changing the game by bringing high-quality medical care to rural areas. And across the board, startups are building solutions that support decent jobs, innovation, and economic growth.

The best part? Many of these companies are doing more than just business. They’re intentionally weaving social impact into what they do, whether it’s supporting gender equality, reducing poverty, or building sustainable infrastructure. It’s not just about pr0fits; it’s about purpose too.

So, while the world may be behind on meeting the SDGs, African tech is proving that all hope is not lost. If anything, these companies show us that we don’t need to wait around for someone else to fix things. We’re already doing the work; one solution at a time. Want to see how? Dive into Sarah’s latest story on Techpoint.

Ghana partners Zipline to keep medicines flowing to clinics

Ghana isn’t letting supply chain issues stop it from getting medical supplies to people who need them. With disruptions hitting USAID-funded health programmes, the government has teamed up with Zipline, a drone delivery company, to keep medicines and other essentials flowing to clinics across the country.

Thanks to this partnership, medical supplies like malaria test kits, pain and cough meds, and nutrition supplements are still being delivered, especially to health centres in the Northeast, Northern, and Eastern regions. There are even talks to expand the coverage soon so more areas can benefit.

Health workers are already seeing the impact. Comfort Addai Fofie, a midwife at Jadema Health Centre, said Zipline’s deliveries have been a lifesaver. Their timely drop-offs are helping clinics stay on top of patient care despite the supply chain chaos.

What’s cool is that this partnership doesn’t come with extra costs for the government. Zipline is charging a flat monthly rate for unlimited deliveries, which means clinics won’t have to wait around for critical supplies while budgets get sorted.

Zipline, which kicked off in Rwanda in 2016, has grown rapidly across Africa. In Nigeria, it’s helped deliver vaccines and emergency meds, and it’s also active in Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. Everywhere it goes, the mission is the same: get vital health products to hard-to-reach places.

Per Daniel Kwaku Merki, who heads Zipline Ghana, this move shows how serious Ghana is about building a strong, self-sufficient health system. Over the past two months, Zipline has boosted its delivery capacity by up to 50%, making sure even remote areas don’t get left behind.

What I’m watching

Your Brain: Perception Deception | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS
She studied extreme psychopaths. Here’s what it taught her about human nature | Abigail Marsh

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