Annyeonghaseyo,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you:
- Twiga hits pause in Nairobi to reset operations
- CANAL+ makes Netflix even more African
- Airtime deduction sparks USSD showdown
Twiga hits pause in Nairobi to reset operations
Twiga Foods is hitting pause on its Nairobi operations, but just for a bit. The agritech company, known for linking Kenyan farmers directly with retailers, says the break is part of the final phase of a major business shake-up, per TechCabal. They’re not closing shop, just shifting gears.
Founded in 2014, Twiga has become a household name in Kenya’s eCommerce and food distribution scene. By cutting out middlemen and using tech to connect the farm to the shop, the startup has helped reduce food waste and made fresh produce more accessible and affordable.
So, what’s the plan during this downtime? Twiga says it’ll be setting up a new distribution centre in a location that makes more strategic sense for their growing ambitions. If all goes well, they’ll be back to full swing by August.
This move follows several rounds of internal restructuring, including layoffs. The latest reorganisation will affect some roles, mostly in the supply chain department. Twiga insists everything’s being handled respectfully and by the book, in line with Kenyan labour laws.
The company says this reset is about future-proofing. They’re doubling down on tech, digital tools, and data to improve services and stay ahead in a changing market. It’s less about scaling down and more about scaling smart.
For now, Twiga is working closely with customers, suppliers, and partners to make sure things stay smooth. The goal? A leaner, sharper operation that’s ready to serve Kenya’s retail space for the long haul.
CANAL+ makes Netflix even more African
CANAL+ and Netflix have officially joined forces in a content partnership aimed at delivering more African and international programming to audiences across the continent. The move comes as both companies look to deepen their footprint in Africa’s fast-growing streaming market.
Kunle Afolayan and Mo Abudu are among the local creators whose original content has already made waves globally, and this new alliance could offer even greater reach for such homegrown stories. For viewers, it means more diverse content that blends global appeal with African authenticity.
CANAL+ has been steadily expanding in Africa, purchasing a stake in Senegal’s Marodi TV and pushing forward with its bid to acquire MultiChoice. This partnership with Netflix is its latest play to consolidate presence in the region and offer broader access to premium content.
With Africa’s youthful population, rising Internet usage, and growing demand for on-demand entertainment, the continent has become a hotspot for streaming services. The CANAL+-Netflix deal is a smart move to tap into that momentum while offering consumers more choice.
But the landscape is heating up. MTN is preparing to enter the streaming race with its own platform, signalling that the market is far from settled. As more players enter, the competition will likely drive innovation, pricing battles, and stronger local content investment.
For now, the CANAL+ and Netflix partnership is a major step toward reshaping Africa’s media future. It reflects not only a hunger for entertainment, but also Africa’s rising role as a creator, not just a consumer, of stories that resonate far beyond its borders.
Airtime deduction sparks USSD showdown
Nigeria’s telecom operators say they’re not to blame for banks suddenly shifting USSD charges to customers’ airtime, per PUNCH. Several banks, including UBA, FCMB, and Fidelity, recently started telling customers that, from June 3, USSD fees would no longer come out of bank accounts but straight from airtime balances. That stirred confusion, but telcos are now pushing back.
Telecoms under the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) insist there’s been no directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to make this change. They say the real issue is that most banks haven’t met the agreed conditions to officially move to this billing model.
According to ALTON Chair Gbenga Adebayo, it’s not even the NCC’s job to regulate banks; that’s the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) turf. Adebayo added that telcos are technically ready for end-user billing, but many banks still owe back payments and haven’t set up the systems needed to avoid billing errors or compensate customers.
A circular from both the CBN and NCC in late 2024 had set clear steps: banks must pay 60% of their USSD debts by January 2025, settle the rest by July, and keep up with 85% of new bills through December. Only banks that meet these milestones can switch to airtime billing. So far, most haven’t.
Despite this, some banks went ahead and informed customers anyway. UBA and FCMB said users would now be charged ₦6.98 per 120 seconds per USSD session, directly from airtime. That’s not sitting well with many Nigerians online, especially those who worry they’ll be locked out of their acc0unts if they don’t have airtime.
Telcos are warning that this premature switch could lead to double deductions — from airtime and bank acc0unts — and customer frustration if banks and telcos don’t get on the same page. Until then, ALTON advises caution and wants banks to stick to the agreed roadmap before flipping the billing switch.
In case you missed it
- Amazon CTO Werner Vogels announces plans for development centers in Africa during Lagos visit
What I’m watching
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Have a productive week!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
