שלום,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Kenya reviews Airtel–Starlink satellite-to-phone deal
- Canal+ takeover brings sweeping changes to MultiChoice
- SA pushes Post Office into digital services
Kenya reviews Airtel–Starlink satellite-to-phone deal
The Communications Authority of Kenya has launched a review of Airtel’s proposed partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell, a technology that allows satellites to connect directly to ordinary mobile phones.
The regulator says the review will assess whether the satellite signals could interfere with existing mobile networks. Specifically, it wants to determine if transmissions from low-earth-orbit satellites can coexist with terrestrial mobile infrastructure without disrupting 3G, 4G, and 5G services already operating on licensed spectrum.
Why this matters is that satellite-to-phone connectivity is being pitched as a way to close Africa’s long-standing coverage gaps. Through the partnership, Airtel plans to extend mobile connectivity to remote and underserved areas where building traditional cell towers is expensive or impractical. But regulators want to ensure that expanding coverage from space doesn’t come at the cost of weakening existing networks on the ground.
The deal itself is part of a wider rollout across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets. In the early phase, the service is expected to support Internet-based messaging apps such as WhatsApp, with voice calls and SMS via satellite planned for around 2028 using next-generation satellites with greater capacity.
The technology is already gaining traction across the continent. Last week, MTN Zambia said it had completed Africa’s first field test of the system, successfully transmitting a data session and a fintech transaction using its spectrum and Starlink’s satellite network. As more telecom operators explore the technology, Kenya’s review could help shape how satellite-to-phone connectivity is regulated across Africa.
Canal+ takeover brings sweeping changes to MultiChoice
a homegrown streaming rival to Netflix. Over the years, the platform grew into one of Africa’s most recognised streaming services and even reportedly surpassed Netflix in Nigeria. But now, MultiChoice says Showmax will be phased out as part of a broader restructuring following its acquisition by French media giant Canal+.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
Stop struggling to find your tech career path
Discover in-demand tech skills and build a standout portfolio in this FREE 5-day email course
The move is tied to an aggressive cost-cutting plan across the combined company. Canal+ is aiming to slash roughly $479 million in expenses by 2030 as the business grapples with declining subscribers, currency pressures across African markets, and intensifying competition from global streaming platforms. For MultiChoice, the goal is simple: restore profitability after a difficult financial period.
The company’s latest numbers show the strain. MultiChoice lost about 1.2 million subscribers in its most recent financial year, bringing its total base to roughly 14.5 million users across DStv and GOtv. Revenue also fell by 9% to about 50.8 billion rand, and the company reported a headline loss of roughly 800 million rand, reversing earlier profits despite raising subscription prices in some markets.
At the same time, the media industry itself is changing fast. Streaming competition has intensified, piracy remains a challenge, and audiences are increasingly consuming content online. To keep viewers, traditional pay-TV operators now have to invest heavily in technology and original programming, a costly strategy at a time when consumer spending is weakening in several African economies.
But beyond the corporate strategy, the decision raises a bigger question for Africa’s creative industry: what happens when one of the continent’s largest buyers of local film and TV content starts spending less? MultiChoice already reduced its local content production to about 5,340 hours in 2025, down from 6,502 hours the year before, and is reportedly asking suppliers for a 20% discount on invoices. Find out more about what this could mean for Africa’s entertainment ecosystem in Bolu’s latest for Techpoint Africa.
South Africa pushes Post Office into digital services
The South African government is planning a major rethink of the struggling South African Post Office, with a new strategy that could push the state-owned entity into e-commerce, fintech, and digital government services. Communications minister Solly Malatsi said the plan forms part of amendments to the country’s postal legislation and will shape the Post Office’s long-term corporate strategy.
What this means is that the Post Office is no longer expected to survive on traditional mail alone. Instead, the government wants it to generate new revenue streams through logistics partnerships, online commerce fulfilment, financial services, and digital platforms. The move comes as the organisation continues efforts to stabilise operations after years of financial trouble and business rescue.
The shift also reflects a broader attempt to modernise postal services in the digital age. Government officials say a public-private partnership model is being explored, with private sector players potentially helping to run logistics, payments infrastructure, and digital service platforms. An earlier request for information issued in late 2025 reportedly drew more than 100 proposals from potential partners.
Why this matters is simple: the Post Office still plays a critical role in rural and underserved communities. About 260 of its 657 branches serve as universal service points, providing access to basic postal and financial services where private alternatives are scarce. Ensuring those communities remain connected remains a key concern for policymakers.
At the same time, the industry itself is changing. The government is reviewing the Post Office’s long-standing monopoly over certain postal services, including small parcel deliveries, while the communications regulator recently approved new postage prices that will take effect in April 2026. Taken together, the reforms could reshape how the Post Office operates and whether it can remain relevant in South Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
In case you missed it
- How AI could disrupt Nigeria’s 2027 election
What I’m watching
- The Crazy Truth Of What Happened To Mr Bigg’s
- 7 DEADLY Signs of Autoimmune Diseases
Opportunities
- Gates Foundation Africa is recruiting Senior Communications Officer at Abuja, Nigeria. Apply by March 25, 2026 here.
- Paga is hiring a Sales Manager. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring senior sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is looking for sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is recruiting Senior Key Account Managers. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring Account Managers. Apply here.
- As one of Techpoint Africa’s most engaged readers, you have a direct hand in shaping what we publish next. Take our quick, 3-minute survey to tell us the stories and features you value most. Your responses are anonymous, and your feedback will help guide our editorial focus in the months ahead. Fill the survey here.
- Interswitch is hiring a Strategic Partnerships Executive. Apply here.
- CANAL+ Group is looking for a CDI – Finance & Administrative Director GVA. Apply here.
- Tix Africa is hiring a finance operations specialist (Lagos, Nigeria). Apply here.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several marketing and finance roles. Apply here.
- Credit Direct is expanding and hiring across Product, Tech, Risk, Strategy & HR. Apply here.
- Spot & Tango is looking to hire a Customer Experience Specialist (Remote). Apply here.
- Infuse is looking to hire a Senior Product Manager (Contract, Remote). Apply here.
- LemFi is looking to hire a Customer Support Associate (Lagos, Hybrid). Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for over 100 roles. Apply here.
- 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.
- To pitch your startup or product to a live audience, check out this link.
- Have any fresh products you’d like us to start selling? Check out this link here.
- Follow Techpoint Africa’s WhatsApp channel to stay on top of the latest trends and news in the African tech space here.
Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
