ආයුබෝවන්,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Safaricom brings back Internet by the hour in Kenya
- Cashing out crypto without the scams
- Tribunal clears Cell C’s contract buyback
Safaricom brings back Internet by the hour
Ever felt like your data bundles disappear faster than roasted maize on Kenya’s Thika Road traffic? Safaricom thinks it has a fix. The telco has rolled out B-Live, a new Internet product that charges by the clock instead of by megabytes.
Here’s how it works: pay KSh 20 for one hour or KSh 150 for six hours, and you can stream, scroll, download, or game without worrying about gigabytes. Your only limit is time.
For heavy Internet users — think Netflix binge-watchers, gamers, or people downloading entire seasons overnight — this could be a game-changer. What used to swallow up hundreds of shillings in bundles can now be capped at a flat rate.
But it’s not all rosy. Casual users who just check WhatsApp or skim emails might pay more, since the clock keeps ticking even when you’re idle. Plus, Safaricom has already locked down loopholes: no hotspotting allowed, and a “fair usage policy” means your speeds could be throttled if you go too wild.
So far, no rival telco has a similar offer. Airtel, Telkom, and Faiba still sell Internet the old way — by data volume — though they’re often cheaper per GB. What Safaricom has that they don’t is coverage: its 4G reaches 96% of Kenya, and that matters when every wasted minute is money gone.
In a way, this feels like the dial-up Internet era coming back, where you paid for time online, not the size of your downloads. Only this time, the speeds are modern, and Safaricom is betting B-Live will win over Kenya’s data-hungry generation.
Cashing out crypto without the scams
In 2020, Apex Network started out like many other fintechs, offering basic digital and financial services. But very quickly, the team noticed something interesting: while crypto was blowing up in Nigeria, cashing out safely was still a nightmare.
So, in 2021, they decided to fix it. Apex introduced a crypto-to-cash and gift card exchange system that gave early adopters a safer alternative to risky peer-to-peer trades. What began as a simple solution for enthusiasts soon turned into a full-blown operation.
Fast forward five years, and Apex Network is no longer just “that crypto exchange.” It’s now a pan-African fintech, serving over 200,000 customers across six countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, and even the Central African Republic.
The team’s motivation was clear from day one. Back when Bitcoin first became popular in Nigeria around 2015, after the infamous MMM scheme, people were already experimenting with P2P trading. By 2020, Nigeria had become one of the world’s biggest crypto markets. But scams, delays, and failed payments made it all too risky.
Apex stepped in as a trusted middleman. No more gambling on strangers. With Apex, users could swap Bitcoin, Solana, or other cryptocurrencies for local cash quickly and securely. Add perks like gift card exchanges, cross-border reach, and a growing reputation for trust, and you’ll see why Apex has managed to thrive in such a tough market.
Want to dig deeper into how Apex is shaping Africa’s fintech scene and why 200,000 people already trust them? Catch all the details in Delight’s latest for Techpoint Africa.
Tribunal clears Cell C’s contract buyback
Cell C just got a major boost in its long road back to stability. The Competition Tribunal has approved a key deal that clears the way for South Africa’s fourth-biggest mobile operator to take greater control of its contract business and possibly gear up for a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
The green light allows Cell C to buy back its contract customer base from Comm Equipment Company (CEC), which is currently owned by its biggest shareholder, Blue Label Telecoms. CEC has long been responsible for managing Cell C’s post-paid customers, handling everything from sales and marketing to contract renewals and handset distribution.
This move came just days after South Africa’s Competition Commission gave the nod to Cell C’s takeover of Comm Equipment Company (CEC).
With this deal, Cell C finally takes back full control of a piece of its business that has been outsourced for years. For a company that’s been through near-collapse, restructurings, and debt mountains, this move is as much about survival as it is about setting up for growth.
Blue Label, which holds almost half of Cell C through its unit The Prepaid Company, is also trying to bump up its stake to 53.5%. On top of that, the group has hinted that it may list Cell C on the JSE as part of a sweeping shake-up to unlock shareholder value. That talk alone has sent Blue Label’s shares rocketing, up 183% since January.
The restructuring plan is massive: it includes converting billions in debt into equity, transferring airtime assets back to Cell C, and reorganising special purpose vehicles that hold shares in the operator. The end goal? Clean up Cell C’s messy balance sheet and give the company a fresh start in the eyes of the market.
If the pieces fall into place — and if market conditions play along — South Africa could soon see Cell C on the JSE, trying to prove it has what it takes to compete with MTN, Vodacom, and Telkom. For a company that’s spent more time in survival mode than growth mode, this could be its shot at redemption.
In case you missed it
- Japan’s new $20 million fund to boost fintech, mobility and sustainability in Africa
What I’m watching
- Capitalism vs. Socialism: A Soho Forum Debate
- Alain de Botton: Work and Emotional Intelligence
Opportunities
- Businessfront, the parent company of Techpoint Africa, is looking for a Managing Editor (FMCG). Apply here.
- Africa’s venture scene takes the spotlight at the Lagos Venture Finance Summit on September 5th, 2025. Hosted by Vencapital, the Summit gathers top LPs, GPs, policymakers and ecosystem leaders for high-level conversations, networking and dealmaking. A must-attend for those shaping Africa’s next wave of venture capital. Register here.
- Paystack is hiring for several roles in Nigeria and South Africa. Apply here.
- Paga is recruiting for several positions. Apply here.
- Want to attend an evening of connection, conversation, and insight on how data is shaping East Africa’s creative economy? Join Communiqué on Thursday, August 21, at 6pm, at Alliance Française, Nairobi, featuring Brian Kimanzi, Mars Maasai (HEVA Fund), Ezy Onyango (PAIPEC-CCI), Wangui Njoroge and more. Register here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several positions. Apply here.
- Businessfront, the parent company of Techpoint Africa, is looking for a Researcher and Scriptwriter Intern for Businessfront TV. Apply here.
- Are you building a startup can feel isolating, but with Equity Merchants CommunityConnect, you can network with fellow founders, experts, and investors, gaining valuable insights and exclusive resources to help you grow your business. Click here to join.
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Have a fun weekend!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
