Hérete,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Airtel to roll out Starlink in underserved Africa
- Delivery robots in Nigerian estates
- SA prisoners can study with laptops, but no Internet
Airtel to roll out Starlink in underserved Africa
Airtel Africa is partnering with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s satellite Internet across the continent. The goal? Boost connectivity in remote areas where regular mobile networks can’t reach. With licences already secured in 9 of Airtel’s 14 operating countries, the duo is gearing up to deliver faster, more reliable Internet to hard-to-reach communities.
This partnership means Airtel subscribers in underserved regions, including rural schools, health centres, and small businesses, could soon enjoy better Internet access. It also signals that mobile operators are done seeing satellite players as rivals. Instead, they’re now looking to collaborate for the greater good of expanding coverage and bridging the digital divide. Cool, isn’t it?
The companies plan to use Starlink’s satellite backhaul tech to support mobile coverage in tricky terrains. That’s great news for users who’ve been stuck with poor service or none at all. But it also raises questions: if this tech has been around, why wait this long to partner up?
For Airtel, it’s a smart move. SpaceX gets access to its vast ground infrastructure, while Airtel strengthens its play in the connectivity game, especially in countries where Starlink was already winning over frustrated internet users. It could also slow the subscriber drift to Starlink, especially in Nigeria.
That said, aff0rdability could be the elephant in the room. Starlink’s services are notoriously expensive. Unless Airtel can find a way to subsidise costs or bundle access in a way that makes sense for low-inc0me users, many Africans might still be left out of this Internet revolution.
Still, it’s a strong signal: satellite and mobile operators are no longer enemies. Instead, they’re joining forces, and Airtel just scored a major first-mover advantage. MTN, on the other hand, is still running trials. Let’s see how long it takes before these partnerships move from boardroom handshakes to real-world impact.
This startup is launching delivery robots in Nigerian estates
Ever seen a robot cruising through your estate, dodging potholes and delivering packages? Sounds like sci-fi, right? Well, two Nigerian friends, Sultan Sunmola and Olusanya Ifedayo, are trying to make that our new normal with their startup, Robo Niche Technologies.
After graduating from UNILAG in 2019 with Mechanical Engineering degrees, the duo headed to the US for grad school. While abroad, they were struck by how easy it was to get around thanks to seamless transport systems and even tried self-driving cars. It made them wonder: why can’t Nigeria have something like this?
That question sparked the idea behind Robo Niche Technologies, a company building autonomous delivery robots for gated communities like university campuses and residential estates. Sure, it sounds like something out of a Black Mirror episode, but these guys believe the future of transport should be accessible to everyone, Africans included.
Building the robot wasn’t a walk in the park. In fact, Sunmola called it “a very painful journey.” They had to start small, literally, with a mini robot that could simply move from point A to B and dodge obstacles. Over time, they upgraded to a full-on delivery robot, basically a smart cuboid on wheels, now being tested in Unity Estate, Lekki.
The Robo Niche team isn’t just about engineering smarts. They’ve brought on Vanessa Obi, a law grad from Queen Mary University, to help shape the business side. Because building a robot is one thing, turning it into a sustainable, money-making venture in Nigeria? That’s the real challenge.
So, will this robot revolution take off? For all the deets, including how they plan to make money, read Bolu’s latest on Techpoint Africa.
Laptops allowed in SA prisons, but no browsing
South Africa’s highest court has ruled that prisoners who are registered students can now keep personal computers in their cells but with one big condition: no Internet access. The ruling from the Constitutional Court says inmates studying towards a qualification shouldn’t be blocked from using a laptop for their education.
The judgment comes after years of back and forth in the courts, sparked by inmate Mbalenhle Sydney Ntuli, who’s serving a 20-year sentence for robbery. Ntuli said he was struggling to complete his data processing course because he didn’t have access to a computer in his cell, where he spends most of his time.
In a unanimous ruling, the court said banning laptops in cells violates prisoners’ constitutional right to further education. Judge Steven Majiedt instructed the Department of Correctional Services to change its outdated policy, written in 2007, and make room for study-focused tech use behind bars.
But it’s not a fre.e-for-all. The ruling applies only to inmates registered with recognised institutions who can prove they need a PC for their studies. The computers will also be subject to regular checks, and any prisoner who breaks the rules could lose their laptop privileges.
Internet access, however, is still off the table. No modems, no browsing, and no online classes from bed. The court made it clear that this is about supporting education, not creating a backdoor to unrestricted tech use in prison.
The Department of Corrections has been given 12 months to rewrite its policy and must also cover the legal costs of the court challenge across all three levels: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, and now the Constitutional Court.
In case you missed it
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What I’m watching
- Business Expert: They’re Lying About Work-Life Balance! (here’s my business blueprint)
- Where Did Patriarchy Come From?
Opportunities
- Want to exhibit or attend the Lagos Startup Expo in June? Visit this website here.
- OmniRetail is hiring an Account Manager. Apply here
- Airtel is looking for a Business Solutions Manager. Apply here.
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Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
