Hujambo,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- DStv and GOtv prices are going up again in Nigeria
- South Africa wants Google & Meta to pay for news content
- Central bank executives tell fintechs the hard truth
DStv and GOtv prices are going up again in Nigeria
If you thought DStv and GOtv subscriptions were already expensive, brace yourself; MultiChoice Nigeria is increasing prices again. From March 1, 2025, customers will pay more for their favourite TV packages.
Here’s the new breakdown: DStv Compact is jumping from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, Compact Plus will now cost ₦30,000, and Premium subscribers will cough up ₦44,500. GOtv users aren’t spared either. GOtv Jinja is moving up to ₦3,900, GOtv Plus to ₦5,800, GOtv Max to ₦8,500, Supa to ₦11,400, and Supa Plus will now set you back ₦16,800.
According to MultiChoice, this price hike is all about keeping up with rising operational costs. They’re blaming inflation, currency depreciation, and increased business expenses — pretty much the usual reasons, if you ask me. They also claim the extra cash will help them continue delivering top-notch local and international content using the best technology.
This marks yet another price hike in less than a year. Back in May 2024, subscribers also saw an increase, and the company lost 243,000 customers in just six months. Clearly, many Nigerians are cutting back on pay-TV subscriptions as prices keep climbing.
Meanwhile, some customers are asking: Why not introduce pay-as-you-watch? Instead of paying full price for channels they barely have time to watch, many believe a pay-per-view model would be a fairer deal. But for now, MultiChoice seems set on full package pricing, no matter how many subscribers it loses.
So, what do you think? Is it time to ditch DStv and GOtv for streaming platforms? Or will you stick with satellite TV despite the rising costs?
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South Africa wants Google, Meta to pay for news content
South Africa’s Competition Commission is coming for big tech, and this time, they’re asking companies like Google, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter) to start paying local news publishers for using their content.
If this plan goes through, Google alone could pay South African media houses between R300 million ($16.3 million) and R500 million ($27 million) yearly for at least three to five years. That’s a huge deal for struggling media companies that have seen their ad revenue dry up thanks to these platforms dominating digital advertising.
Why is this happening? Local publishers are bleeding cash because ads that used to go to them now go straight to Google and Meta. Meanwhile, these platforms use news content to drive engagement without compensating the people or platforms who created it. To make things worse, Meta and X have been reducing the visibility of news content, cutting off a major traffic source for media sites.
To fix this, the Commission is also asking YouTube to up its game by increasing revenue sharing with media houses (including the SABC) to 70% and actively helping them sell ads more effectively.
Well, it’s not just social media platforms under scrutiny; AI companies are also in the hot seat. The Commission is pushing for South African publishers to negotiate collectively over how AI firms use their content for training models (yes, that includes tools like ChatGPT). This is part of a bigger global conversation on whether AI companies should pay for the content they scrape.
But will Google and Meta pay? That’s the big question. Other countries, like Australia and Canada, have tried similar moves but they ran into resistance. Some tech companies responded by blocking news content altogether, leading to ugly stand-offs. If the same happens in South Africa, the government may need to step in with stronger laws to make sure these companies comply.
However, if South Africa pulls this off, it could set a precedent for other African countries to demand their fair share from big tech. The media industry badly needs financial support, and this move could help sustain quality journalism in the country. But whether Google, Meta, and X will play nice or push back remains to be seen.
Cross-border payment is bigger than fintechs
Imagine you’re in Nigeria and want to send money to a friend in Ghana. You expect it to be quick like sending a WhatsApp message, right? Well, it is not. Cross-border payments in Africa are still a headache, despite the fact that tech to fix it already exists.
Central bank executives have made one thing clear: The issue isn’t technology, it’s; FX fluctuations, political reluctance, and the ever-elusive dream of a single African currency.
The good news? Solutions like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and real-time payment networks show Africa can get this right. Ghana and Singapore have already cracked instant cross-border transactions. So why can’t Africa do the same? It’s complicated—but Bolu break it all down with the help of central bank executives in his latest article. Read it here.
In case you missed them
- Nigeria moves to curb fibre cuts disrupting telecoms services
- All bank accounts and mobile wallets within Africa should be interoperable — Experts
- Be part of Africa’s largest startup event – Lagos Startup Expo 2025
What I'm watching
- Neuroscientist Answers Emotion Questions | Tech Support | WIRED
- SEX for Grades: Are Students at Fault?
Opportunities
- Vesti is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Payroll specialist for Africa and Europe. Apply here.
- Lendsqr is looking for interns. Apply here.
- YC is offering summer grants this year to support undergraduate computer science and engineering students. Apply here.
- Lagos Business School has several openings. Apply here.
- IHS Towers is looking to fill different positions across Africa. Apply here.
- Kuda is hiring a content editor. Apply here.
- Selar is giving out 5 million naira in tuition support to 50 final-year Nigerian students through the Selar Tuition Fund. Apply here.
- Bamboo is looking for a Senior treasury and settlement associate. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Taptap Send is hiring a regional director. Apply here.
- MTN is hiring for several positions. Apply here.
- PalmPay is looking for an asset officer. Apply here.
- FairMoney is looking for Business Operations Manager. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring for several roles, including CRO, Treasury Manager, and Doroki Growth Manger. Apply here.
- AltSchool Africa is hiring several instructors. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Celebrate the New Year with delightful stories like Smart Couples. Call 421 on your Airtel line now — you won't be charged! Alternatively, call 07080601391 at your network's regular rate. Learn more 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.
