Privet,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Yango expands beyond ride-hailing in Cameroon
- The telecom story Nigerians forgot
- Flutterwave lands banking licence in Nigeria
Yango expands beyond ride-hailing in Cameroon
Yango is doubling down on Cameroon. The ride-hailing and super app platform is expanding its footprint in the country, deepening operations beyond its initial base in Douala and Yaoundé as it pushes into more cities and services.
The company has already rolled out services to Bafoussam, marking its move into a third major city as part of a broader expansion strategy. The push builds on its earlier licence approvals and partnerships with local transport operators, which have helped it scale quickly since launching in the country in 2021.
But this isn’t just about geography. Yango is steadily evolving into a multi-service platform, layering ride-hailing with delivery, logistics, and even financial tools for drivers. Across Africa, the company has been investing in features like in-app lending and driver support systems, positioning itself as more than just a mobility app.
Cameroon is a key market in that play. The platform already works with dozens of local transport companies, supports thousands of jobs, and serves a growing user base, making it one of its stronger hubs in Central Africa.
The strategy is clear: go deeper, not just wider. As competition heats up in Africa’s ride-hailing space, Yango is betting that expanding services, strengthening local partnerships, and embedding itself into everyday mobility and financial ecosystems will help it stay ahead.
The telecom story Nigerians forgot
Before SIM cards became a status symbol and names like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom took over Nigeria’s telecoms scene, a quieter revolution was already underway. Long before Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) arrived in 2001, a handful of operators were giving Nigerians something rare at the time: access to reliable phone connections.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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Back then, getting a line from NITEL could take years, if it came at all. The system was plagued by poor infrastructure, congestion, and limited coverage. Then came the shift. The Nigerian Communications Commission opened the door to private players in the late 1990s, introducing Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology. Companies like Multi-links, Starcomms, and Visafone stepped in, and for the first time, Nigerians had options.
CDMA wasn’t just different, many argue it was better. It delivered clearer calls and faster data speeds in its early days, with players like Starcomms even rolling out high-speed broadband before it became mainstream. Visafone, backed by Jim Ovia, quickly scaled, hitting millions of subscribers and proving there was real demand for mobile connectivity beyond NITEL’s reach.
But even at its peak, the cracks were already showing. Unlike GSM operators, CDMA players were restricted by regional licences, meaning they couldn’t scale nationwide. That limitation capped their growth and revenue, making it harder to compete as GSM expanded aggressively. What looked like a promising alternative slowly faded into the background. To understand how that licensing trap sealed CDMA’s fate, read more in Sarah’s latest for Techpoint Africa.
Flutterwave lands banking licence in Nigeria
Flutterwave is making a bigger play in Nigeria’s financial system. The fintech unicorn has secured a microfinance bank licence, a move that brings it closer to operating like a full-fledged financial institution and puts it in more direct competition with digital banks and traditional players.
This isn’t happening in isolation. In January, talk of the town was that Paystack, another Nigerian fintech, entered the microfinance banking foray through its acquisition of Ladder Microfinance Bank. What both moves signal is a shift: fintechs that once relied on banks to power their services are now starting to become banks themselves, or at least something very close to it.
For Flutterwave, the licence opens up new territory. It’s no longer just about processing payments for businesses. The company can now start to play deeper in financial services. Think deposits, lending, and more embedded financial tools built directly into its platform. In simple terms, it’s moving from being the rails that move money to also helping store and grow it.
What this really points to is vertical integration. Flutterwave has spent years building infrastructure across Africa, connecting banks, merchants, and fintechs. Now, it can own more of that stack, from the transaction layer to the financial services underneath. That means more control, tighter margins, and potentially better products.
It also raises the stakes in an already competitive space. Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem is crowded, with digital banks and payment startups all fighting for users. But with this licence, Flutterwave doesn’t have to lean as heavily on partner banks anymore. It can operate more independently and offer more seamless, end-to-end services.
African fintechs are no longer content with doing just one thing well. They’re evolving into full-stack financial platforms. Paystack and Flutterwave entering the microfinance banking space is a clear sign of that shift, one where the line between fintech and bank keeps getting thinner.
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Opportunities
- Qore is hiring for several roles, including Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Lead Product Manager, Full Stack Software Engineer (.NET framework & React), and Software Engineer (.NET framework), in Nigeria and Ethiopia. Apply here.
- Rayda is recruiting People & Culture Manager, Legal & Compliance Officer, and Technical Product Manager. Apply here.
- Source Bank is looking for a Product Analyst. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several roles in Nigeria, the UK, and the US. Apply here.
- LemFi is looking for a Head of Financial Crime Operations in the UK. Apply here.
- Cognition is hiring a Developer Community Manager. Apply here.
- Chess dot com is looking to hire a Product Designer. Apply here.
- Bujeti is currently expanding operations and hiring across several roles. Apply here.
- Prenetics is hiring a remote Email Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- InterviewReady is looking for a Software Developer, a Product Associate, and a Marketing Associate. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is recruiting for several roles. Apply here.
- Briter is hiring a Commercial Director, a Senior Research Associate, and an Insights and Market Intelligence Associate. Apply here.
- Opay is currently recruiting for these roles: Partnership Manager (Fintech Experience), Junior Accountant, Junior Product Manager (Research), and IT Manager.
- Oyster is looking to hire a Risk Analyst. Apply here.
- Circle is looking to hire a Lead Product Designer (Remote). Apply here.
- SafetyWing (YC W18) is hiring a Product Manager Intern (fully remote). Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Performance Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- VOYA (visa travel tech startup) is hiring an Operations and Admin Director (fully remote). Apply here.
- MTN MoMo TechSpark Graduate Programme is open. Apply here.
- MAX is looking for interns. Apply here.
- McKinsey is hiring for several roles, including Junior and Senior roles. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Business Development Partner. Apply here.
- Zenith Bank is recruiting a Junior Software Tester Quality Control. Apply here.
- UNICEF Abuja is looking for a National Consultant (Immunization Programme Monitoring and Evaluation). Apply here.
- Standard Chartered Bank is hiring an Executive Research Partner. Apply here.
- e-Tranzact is looking to hire a product marketing officer. Apply here.
- Bumpa is hiring for several roles, including Bumpa Expert Lead (Account Management) – Customer Success; Product Designer; and Mid-level Motion/Graphic Designer, Mid-level Full-stack Engineer (Commerce), and Senior Fullstack Engineer (Commerce). Apply here.
- ABDS 2026 will take place April 29–30, 2026, in Lagos, gathering founders, investors, developers, and policymakers shaping Africa’s blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. The summit focuses on industry insights, partnerships, and investment opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets. Secure your pass or sponsorship 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.
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Have a good Easter!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
