Grüß Got,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Meta could face contempt charges in SA over WhatsApp scandal
- Finnova is turning WhatsApp into a bank for Nigerians
- Canal+ acquisition of MultiChoice finally hits Tribunal
Meta could face contempt charges in SA over WhatsApp scandal
Meta is in hot water in South Africa. The Digital Law Company has filed a contempt of court application against the tech giant for failing to provide user data tied to explicit content involving South African school children, allegedly shared on WhatsApp, per MyBroadband. If Meta doesn’t comply soon, the law firm wants a judge to jail Thabo Makenete, Meta’s public policy head for Southern Africa.
It all began earlier this month when The Digital Law Company got an urgent court order demanding that Meta take down offending content and share identifying details like names, emails, and phone numbers of those running the disturbing channels. While Meta did shut down some WhatsApp and Instagram accounts, new ones quickly popped up. And per the law firm, Meta hasn’t handed over the crucial user data needed to pursue legal action.
Emma Sadleir, the lawyer leading the charge, said her firm was tipped off about this network of accounts on July 11. What they found was horrifying — over a thousand explicit posts across 30 different accounts in just a few days. Many of the accounts had similar names and operated in the same way, making it look like a coordinated effort to humiliate minors, not extort them.
Despite a court order, the law firm says Meta hasn’t blocked the main culprit(s) from creating new accounts. Meta, in its defence, says it removed the accounts it could find and reported them to US-based authorities. It also said it’s been working with law enforcement and responding to legal requests but the law firm says that’s not enough.
To make matters messier, Meta’s legal reps in South Africa claimed that the Digital Law Company had directed their demand at the wrong people. But Sadleir insists the letter was correctly addressed to Meta officials, not Facebook South Africa, which she acknowledges doesn’t control WhatsApp or Instagram. “It’s a distraction,” the firm said.
The contempt hearing is now set for Friday, July 18. If the court sides with The Digital Law Company and Meta still doesn’t comply by 2 p.m. SAST on Saturday, July 19, the firm wants the court to issue an arrest warrant for Makenete. Meta could avoid that scenario entirely by simply turning over the requested user data. But as of now, it’s a legal standoff, and the clock’s ticking.
Finnova is turning WhatsApp into a bank for Nigerians
It all started during the 2020 lockdown. Everyone was stuck at home, glued to their phones, and for most Nigerians, that meant being on WhatsApp. Julius Oyekanmi noticed something interesting. While people used WhatsApp to stay connected with friends, family, and even customers, they couldn’t do basic things like send or receive money without jumping to another app. That’s when the idea for Finnova hit him: why not bring banking directly to where people already are?
Fast forward to now, and that idea is a real product used by thousands. Finnova is a digital bank that lives on WhatsApp. Through a simple chatbot, anyone can send and receive money, purchase airtime, pay bills, and even run transactions using voice notes. Yes, it’s just like sending a voice message to a friend.
What’s clever is that users don’t need a traditional bank account to use Finnova. Once you sign up, you get an express wallet account linked to your BVN, and with it, a functional account number. That wallet is powered by a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-licensed provider, which means users can send and receive funds just like they would with a regular bank but without all the paperwork and stress.
For those who still prefer using their existing bank cards, Finnova has that covered too. You don’t have to create a wallet if you don’t want to. You can still pay bills or buy airtime using third-party bank cards. But if you go the full wallet route, you get perks like discounts and zero convenience fees from some billers. It’s financial inclusion with benefits.
With 51 million active WhatsApp users in Nigeria, making it the 10th largest WhatsApp user base globally, Finnova is betting big on familiarity. “People already know WhatsApp. They don’t have to download another app, remember a new password, or learn anything new,” Julius Oyekanmi, founder of the startup, says. It’s that simplicity that makes the product so sticky, especially for people who’ve been left behind by traditional banks.
Want to know what else the startup is cooking up, including key partnerships, regulations, traction, and growth plans? Read Sarah’s latest.
Canal+ acquisition of MultiChoice finally hits Tribunal
If you’ve been following the MultiChoice-Canal+ drama, you’ll know this takeover has been brewing for a while. Now, we’re finally heading into the next big moment. South Africa’s Competition Tribunal will hold public hearings today and tomorrow, July 17 and 18, 2025, to decide whether French media giant Canal+ can go ahead with its acquisition of MultiChoice, the owner of DStv, Showmax, SuperSport, and more.
Canal+ has been gradually buying up MultiChoice shares since 2020, hitting the 35% ownership threshold in early 2024, the point where a mandatory offer had to be made. After some regulatory wrangling, Canal+ offered R125 per share, putting MultiChoice’s valuation at a whopping R55 billion. So far, the French firm has snapped up over 45% of shares and is ready to splash more than R30 billion in cash to seal the deal.
But ownership isn’t the only thing at stake. The takeover still needs to pass several regulatory hurdles. Icasa, South Africa’s communications regulator, is reviewing whether to allow Canal+ to take control of signal distributor Orbicom’s broadcast licences and spectrum. They’re looking at competition, consumer interests, and whether the deal fairly includes Historically Disadvantaged Persons. Canal+ says HDPs hold a 40% stake in their group.
To stay within local broadcast rules, Canal+ and MultiChoice have proposed a clever workaround. MultiChoice’s South African broadcast licences will be separated into a new company called LicenceCo, which will only allow Canal+ 20% voting rights. MultiChoice Group will hold 49% economic interest in LicenceCo, while continuing to own 75% of MultiChoice South Africa.
Phuthuma Nathi, the community investment vehicle that owns 25% of MultiChoice South Africa, will also retain its stake. LicenceCo, meanwhile, will work with MultiChoice Group through commercial agreements to keep content, tech, and customer support running smoothly behind the scenes.
If this deal goes through, it’ll be one of the biggest media shakeups in Africa. But for now, all eyes are on the hearings this week. If you care about who controls what you watch, this is one to watch closely.
In case you missed it
- This bootstrapped startup has paid out ₦500m to Nigerian creators in two years
What I’m watching
- Why Thinking About Death Helps You Live a Better Life | Alua Arthur | TED
- “I Was Born With An Extra Chromosome” | Listen Up | ABC Science
Opportunities
- M-KOPA is recruiting a Senior Backend Engineer. Apply here.
- Mastercard Foundation is hiring a Lead, Associate Engagement and Services. Apply here.
- Jumia is hiring a Chinese-speaking key account manager. Apply here.
- AltSchool Africa is looking for a Program Associate. Apply here.
- MTN Nigeria is looking for a Manager (Public Sector, Southwest region). Apply 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 superb Thursday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
