Hallo,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Ghana vs DStv: Price cut or shut down
- One bad trip sparked Shride’s rebirth
- Starlink goes live across Somalia
Ghana vs DStv: Price cut or shut down
Ghana has given MultiChoice a deadline: reduce DStv subscription fees by 30% by August 7 or risk losing your broadcasting licence. That’s according to a report by state-owned Daily Graphic, which says the government wants pricing to reflect Ghana’s strengthening cedi and match what’s charged in similar markets.
The call came from Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, who described the company’s recent 15% price hike in April as unjustifiable, especially given that the cedi has appreciated by over 40% against the dollar this year. In his view, it’s time consumers felt that gain.
The government says it’s simply asking for fairer pricing. For example, DStv Premium in Ghana reportedly costs about $83, while in Nigeria, subscribers pay around $29 for the same content. “We are asking for parity,” the minister said. MultiChoice, however, disagrees.
The company argues that slashing prices by 30% isn’t feasible. In a statement, it said, “It is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the minister.” MultiChoice cited tough macroeconomic conditions and competition pressures, saying it tries to keep prices as low as possible without compromising service quality.
Ghana’s stance comes just months after Nigeria took its swipe at MultiChoice. In May 2025, Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) challenged a price hike by MultiChoice Nigeria. However, the court later ruled in favour of the company, and prices remained unchanged.
With the August 7 deadline looming, all eyes are now on how this showdown will end. A licence suspension would mean a blackout for thousands of viewers, and the ripple effect across the region could be huge.
One bad trip sparked Shride’s rebirth
Getting from A to B in Nigerian cities isn’t just transport; it’s a test of patience. Whether it’s haggling with bike riders or waiting endlessly for a tricycle in the sun, moving around can feel like a full-day job, even if the actual trip takes 10 minutes.
In a city like Ibadan, where motorbikes and keke are lifelines, the daily transport hustle is all too real. That’s exactly what PeaceMark Hammed, founder of Shride, ran into in 2024 when one of his team members wasted over an hour just trying to get a ride. That moment lit a fire.
Shride had existed quietly behind the scenes since 2016, mostly handling business deliveries for names like Jumia, FairMoney, and even the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). But that frustrating day made Hammed realise: if his team couldn’t move easily, what about the average person? Something had to change.
So Shride hit reset. In August 2024, the company relaunched as a full-blown consumer platform. Not just logistics anymore, but now ride-hailing, food delivery, and dispatch, all in one app. No more calling random riders or hoping for the best. Just book, ride, done.
And it’s catching on. In just 10 months, Shride has completed over 5,000 trips and paid drivers more than ₦10 million. Since relaunch, they’ve pulled in over ₦15 million in revenue, proving there’s serious demand for smart, stress-free transport in cities like Ibadan.
Want to know what else they’re cooking up? Read Delight’s latest on Techpoint Africa.
Starlink goes live across Somalia
Somalia just got a major Internet upgrade, thanks to Starlink. Elon Musk’s SpaceX has officially rolled out its satellite Internet service across the country. From Mogadishu to Hargeisa, rural towns to coastal villages, Starlink is now available.
This rollout follows a 10-year licence granted in April by Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA). Four months later, the satellite dishes are live. Somalia’s Tech Minister, Mohamed Adam Moalim Ali, called it a step toward affordable, reliable connectivity for all Somalis. And for a country where only 30% of people are online, that’s no small deal.
Years of conflict and underinvestment have left huge parts of Somalia without functional Internet infrastructure. Many communities are completely cut off. But Starlink’s satellites don’t rely on cables or towers. They beam Internet from low Earth orbit — just 550 km above ground — offering speeds up to 220 Mbps with far less lag than older satellite tech.
Somali officials have been in talks with Starlink since 2023, and this launch wraps up months of back-and-forth. For everyday people, it means more than just faster downloads. Think remote learning, telemedicine, agritech, and eCommerce. Internet access could be the key to Somalia’s next big leap.
To get started, Somalis can order a Starlink dish for around $349 (~Sh620,000) and pay a monthly fee of $120 (~Sh213,000). All you need is a clear view of the sky and the ambition to plug into the digital world. It’s a major moment for a country that’s ready to move forward.
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Opportunities
- Want to attend an evening of connection, conversation, and insight on how data is shaping East Africa’s creative economy? Join Communiqué on Thursday, August 21 at 6pm at Alliance Française, Nairobi, featuring Brian Kimanzi, Mars Maasai (HEVA Fund), Ezy Onyango (PAIPEC-CCI), Wangui Njoroge and more. Register here.
- Pitch Friday is happening next tomorrow, Friday, August 8, 2025. To attend, register here.
- MTN Nigeria is hiring an Analyst, Data Proposition teens marketing. Apply here.
- Glovo is looking to fill several roles. Apply here.
- Airtel Africa is recruiting a Data Engineer. Apply here.
- Meta is looking for a Privacy Policy Manager, sub-Saharan Africa. Apply here.
- BIC is hiring a Manager, Direct Procurement for Middle East & Africa. Apply here.
- Businessfront, the parent company of Techpoint Africa, is looking for a Researcher and Scriptwriter Intern for Businessfront TV. Apply here.
- TetradPay is looking for a Content and Communications Specialist. Apply here.
- TetradPay is looking for a Marketing and Growth lead. Apply here.
- TetradPay is looking for a Creative and Design Executive. 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 wonderful Wednesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
