Dobriy den,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Somalia’s first Stock Exchange goes live
- Cape Town approves 1,100 new ride-hailing licences
- DStv Premium gets VIP help line
Somalia’s first Stock Exchange goes live
For the first time in its modern history, Somalia now has a stock exchange. On June 19, 2025, the country officially launched the National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES) in Mogadishu, a major move as the Horn of Africa nation continues to rebuild its economy after decades of conflict and instability.
The NSES will begin trading in early 2026 with a focus on stocks and sukuk (Islamic bonds). It’s been backed by the Somali Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, with a mission to help local businesses raise capital, offer new investment channels to citizens and the diaspora, and finally pull Somalia into East Africa’s growing capital markets.
The exchange is privately run but will work hand-in-hand with the government to build a strong legal and regulatory framework. That’s key, especially for a market where trust in financial systems is still a work in progress. “This is more than just a market. It’s a chance to connect Somali businesses to global capital,” said Yasin Ibar, the new CEO and former director of the Somali Bankers Association.
In its first phase, NSES will prioritise companies in key sectors — telecoms, banking, real estate, and energy — and also support government-issued sukuk to fund infrastructure and development. The central bank has also promised full technical support to ensure international best practices are followed.
To boost participation, the NSES is launching financial literacy campaigns both locally and across the Somali diaspora in the UK, US, Norway, Turkey, and Kenya, many of whom have long wanted safer, more transparent ways to invest back home.
As the newest member of the East African Stock Exchanges Association, Somalia is looking to link up with regional exchanges in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. It’s a bold step forward and a reminder that even fragile states can build capital markets if the political will and investor interest align.
Cape Town approves 1,100 new ride-hailing licences
Cape Town’s ride-hailing and metered taxi drivers just got a major lifeline in South Africa. After months of waiting and frustration, the Western Cape Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) is opening up 1,100 new operating licences. This move follows a fresh review of supply and demand across the metro, and the Western Cape E-hailing Association is cautiously optimistic about what it could mean for drivers.
If you’ve been following the saga, you’ll know this is a big turnaround. Back in March, the PRE flat-out said they wouldn’t issue more licences, citing a full quota and an overflow of 14,000 applications. But with only 5,494 licences currently active, it became clear the city needed more rides on the road to meet commuter needs.
Omar Parker, general secretary of the Western Cape E-hailing Association, says the group is happy to see progress but remains on alert. “We do welcome the announcement, but we still have concerns,” he said, particularly about shady consultants now charging desperate drivers high fees just to help them apply.
Drivers with expired permits can start reapplying from June 19 to June 30, and fresh applications open July 1. The province says it can handle around 3,300 new applications in total, and approvals will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Sounds fair, but let’s hope the system doesn’t crash on Day 1.
Some frustration still lingers, especially since many cars were being impounded while PRE kept collecting application fees but refused to issue new licences. Parker previously flagged this as a cash grab: “They say they’ve reached their ceiling, yet permits are still being sold, and cars are still being impounded.”
Looking ahead, the real clarity might only come once the new National Land Transport Amendment Act regulations are finalised. The law, signed by President Ramaphosa in June 2024, finally recognises ride-hailing drivers as official transport operators. But until those regulations are fully enacted, things might stay a bit fuzzy. Still, for now, it’s game on for 1,100 new drivers in Cape Town.
DStv Premium gets VIP help line
MultiChoice South Africa plans to roll out a new “priority support” service for its Premium DStv subscribers. Think VIP treatment beyond just more shows. CEO Byron du Plessis says they’ve spent the last six months deep-diving into customer data, visiting branches, and talking to viewers to better understand what makes them genuinely happy.
Instead of the usual “satisfied” customer, DStv Premium users will now enjoy a more proactive, anticipatory experience. This means no more waiting in long queues. You’ll get a dedicated support line, agents trained for 12–16 weeks, and even alerts ahead of time if your subscription’s about to lapse or your star rugby match is about to air.
Du Plessis also noted that small tweaks can make a big difference. For example, some DStv users didn’t know how to use on-demand features, so MultiChoice is installing free Wi-Fi in its service centres so agents can demo the apps while customers wait.
On top of that, DStv Premium subscribers will automatically be bumped to top-tier in the Rewards programme, meaning exclusive perks like early bird Springbok match tickets, CEO golf shootouts, or set visits, all weekly, all “money can’t bu.y” moments.
But this comes at a critical time: MultiChoice lost about 1.2 million subscribers in the year to March 2025 — 600,000 in South Africa and another 600,000 across the rest of Africa — bringing the total to 14.5 million active users. With streaming services and economic pressures siphoning off customers, these new support perks could be a smart move.
With Showmax streaming subscribers up 44%, a growing DStv Internet user base, and strategic partnerships in the pipeline, MultiChoice is clearly on the offensive. The big question: will premium perks and better customer experience help win back viewers, or is it too little, too late?
In case you missed it
- The 1% country: Uganda’s contrarian tech play
- Hello Tractor is the Uber for Africa’s smallholder farmers
What I’m watching and reading
- Stop Telling Single People to Get Married | Peter McGraw | TED
- If Your Parents Are 50+, You Need to Watch This…
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Have a productive week!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
