Shalom,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Ads are coming to WhatsApp finally
- LemFi steps into credit space with UK buyout
- inDrive to face Lagos Assembly over driver petitions
Ads are coming to WhatsApp finally
Big moves are coming to your chats and feeds. After over a decade of ad-free messaging, Meta is officially rolling out ads to WhatsApp. Yes, that WhatsApp. The company confirmed that businesses will now be able to run ads in the app’s “Updates” tab, not inside your private chats, but right next to the Status updates you swipe through like you do on Stories.
These ads will be interactive, too. See one you like? Tap, message, and get talking. Meta says it’s keeping the ads tucked neatly away in the Updates section to avoid messing with your personal convos, which, by the way, still stay end-to-end encrypted.
But that’s not all. Meta’s also gearing up to monetise WhatsApp Channels, that one-way broadcast feature they launched in 2023. You’ll start seeing search ads when you browse for new Channels. Admins can now pay to boost visibility and eventually charge monthly fees for exclusive content. Meta won’t take a cut at first, but it plans to start collecting 10% later on. Nothing personal. Just business.
All of this is part of Zuck’s big plan to turn WhatsApp into Meta’s next money machine. He’s been calling messaging the “next pillar” of Meta’s business. With over 3 billion monthly users, it’s clear why he’s leaning hard into this strategy. After all, why let those DMs go ad-free forever?
Meanwhile, Instagram is quietly testing its change: reposts in the main feed. Not Stories, the Feed. So yes, your timeline might soon be sprinkled with content you’ve already seen, now with official credit. If you’re tired of third-party repost apps or using workarounds, this might feel like a relief. But for others, it’s just one more feature in an already noisy app.
The repost move puts Instagram in line with Threads, TikTok, and of course, the OG: Twitter (sorry, X), which first gave us the retweet. No timeline for a full rollout yet, but if you see reposts popping up on your feed soon, now you know what’s going on.
LemFi steps into credit space with UK buyout
Nigerian-founded fintech LemFi is expanding its global footprint with the acquisition of Pillar, a UK-based credit card startup. The deal gives LemFi access to Pillar’s lending licences and infrastructure, opening the door to a broader suite of services beyond cross-border money transfers.
LemFi, which helps African migrants send and manage money abroad, will now offer debit cards, multi-currency wallets, and in-app credit, a valuable move for users who often lack formal credit histories in countries like the UK. Pillar’s team, including its founders, will join LemFi as the company looks to scale further.
The acquisition also signals a strategic shift: African fintechs are no longer content with just local dominance; they want global licensing power. By acquiring an FCA-regulated company like Pillar, LemFi strengthens its regulatory base in the UK and Europe, gaining more freedom to operate and innovate.
Founded in 2020, LemFi has grown quickly, now serving over 2 million users and processing more than $1 billion monthly. The startup raised $33 million in Series A funding in 2023, and closed a $53 million Series B round earlier in 2025, capital that has fuelled its international ambitions.
The competition in this space is heating up. Rivals like Grey, PalmPay, NALA, Kuda, and Eversend are also scaling remittance and neobanking solutions across markets in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Many are experimenting with flat fees, digital wallets, and FX solutions tailored to freelancers, digital nomads, and migrants.
With regulation tightening and the race for users intensifying, differentiation now hinges on who owns the rails, not just who sends the money. LemFi’s bet on Pillar is a signal that the next phase of African fintech isn’t just about moving funds, it’s about building banks for the global African diaspora.
inDrive to face Lagos Assembly over driver petitions
inDrive has confirmed it’ll show up at a public hearing by the Lagos State House of Assembly, after being summoned alongside other ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt, per Technext. The hearing, slated for Tuesday, June 16, is in response to a petition by AUATON, the union representing app-based drivers in Lagos, and is set to address major concerns around safety, driver classification, and commissions.
The union is pushing for drivers to be recognised as proper employees, not just contractors. They’re also demanding better safety protocols, like verifying both drivers and passengers, following a rise in violent incidents during rides. One of the hot-button issues? Commission structures. Drivers argue the companies are taking more than the 25% they claim.
inDrive said it’s reportedly ready to engage in “constructive dialogue.” But observers will be watching closely. Why? Because inDrive has been at the centre of many of the ride-hailing controversies in Lagos from assault allegations to sketchy fare dynamics that leave both drivers and riders frustrated.
One attack that caught major attention involved a female passenger, Pascaline, who said she was robbed and stabbed after booking a ride via inDrive. The company later denied the ride was booked on its platform. But it’s not the only incident. Another female rider said she was beaten after refusing to pay the full fare because the driver wouldn’t turn on the AC.
These stories, along with reports of fights over offline trips and underpriced fares, have painted a messy picture. Per reports, drivers say inDrive’s pricing model, which lets riders set their own fares, has led to desperation among drivers who are forced to accept unfair offers just to stay in the game. Some even staged a boycott in April, demanding better conditions.
Despite all the drama, inDrive remains one of the biggest players in Lagos’ ride-hailing scene. But at this public hearing, they’ll need to explain how their model works, and more importantly, whether it’s fair or even safe. All eyes will be on how they respond to AUATON’s demands.
In case you missed it
- Tesla has launched its first African office in Casablanca
What I’m watching and reading
- Godfather of AI: I Tried to Warn Them, But We’ve Already Lost Control! Geoffrey Hinton
- Answering the Question: “Do Babies Go to Heaven?”
Opportunities
- Want to exhibit or attend the Lagos Startup Expo this Wednesday and Thursday? Visit this website 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.
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Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
