Hola,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- SA regulates Uber, Bolt under new transport law
- The case for inclusive design in Nigeria
- Yango rolls out motors in Côte d’Ivoire
SA regulates Uber, Bolt under new transport law
South Africa has finally done it. After years of back-and-forth, consultations, and revisions, the government has amended the National Land Transport Act to formally bring e-hailing services like Uber and Bolt under the law, per MyBroadband. The changes, gazetted on Friday, September 12, 2025, officially recognise ride-hailing as a legal form of public transport.
So, what does this mean? For starters, Uber and Bolt can no longer be branded as “illegal” by metered taxis and minibus associations. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Drivers will now have to apply for operating licences just like traditional taxi operators. They’ll also face extra requirements, from branding their cars to installing panic buttons for passenger safety.
The panic button rule is one of the big talking points. The government says it will help detect crime and ensure rapid response if something goes wrong during a trip. On top of that, commuters are being reminded to double-check that car and driver details match what’s shown in the app before getting in.
It’s not just the drivers who face new rules. E-hailing companies themselves must register properly with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and SARS. And here’s the kicker: app developers could face fines of up to R100,000 or even jail time if their platforms let unlicensed drivers operate.
Licences will also come with geographic limits. A Gauteng-based Uber driver, for example, can drop a passenger in Limpopo but can’t legally pick up a new one there. It’s meant to regulate competition and bring some order, but it could make things awkward for drivers who often work across provincial lines.
Still, the question remains: will this calm tensions between ride-hailing platforms and traditional taxis? Trust has been eroding in recent years, thanks to poor-quality cars, safety concerns, and lacklustre customer service. If Uber and Bolt want to win riders back, they’ll need to step up on quality, not just compliance.
The case for inclusive design in Nigeria
For most people, good design means pretty colours, sleek fonts, and polished interfaces. But for Olufemi Ayandokun, Senior Product Designer at XchangeBox, design isn’t just about looking good, it has to work for people, especially those often left out of tech.
His turning point came while working on a product for Nigeria’s informal market. The experience opened his eyes to a gap: many digital products serve only the tech-savvy, leaving out millions of everyday users like traders, POS agents, and farmers.
Ayandokun didn’t start out in design. He studied Civil Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, because his parents wanted it. But somewhere between classes, he picked up an interest in graphics, which grew into a passion. After a master’s in Marketing Communications, he shifted fully into product design, landing his first big role at Moni in 2021.
At Moni, he helped build a digital version of “ajo,” the informal savings system popular across Nigeria. To make it work, his team spent time with real customers, listening to their struggles and watching how they used their phones. The result was a product designed for grassroots users, not just those fluent in tech.
He recalls one big challenge: many people shared devices. That meant rethinking sign-ins, security, and usability in ways that made sense for groups using the same phone. Transfers and withdrawals also had to be dead simple — just one click to move money.
Now at XchangeBox, Ayandokun is still chasing the same goal: digital inclusivity. He believes Nigeria needs a design standard that ensures no one is left behind. For more on his journey, check out Delight’s latest in the After Hours series.
Yango rolls out motors in Côte d’Ivoire
Yango Group, the Dubai-based tech company behind the ride-hailing service Yango, is revving into new territory with the launch of Yango Motors in Côte d’Ivoire, per Condia. The move signals the company’s first big step into Africa’s automotive scene, starting with affordable cars designed for local needs.
“Yango Motors is about more than vehicles; it’s about making mobility easier, more accessible, and more sustainable for everyone in Côte d’Ivoire,” said Kadotien Alassane Soro, Yango’s Country Head.
Côte d’Ivoire is the first market to welcome Yango Motors, with the official launch happening at the Abidjan Auto Show 2025. The event will also feature Gracemobility, an EV distributor and leasing company, which is rolling out electric cars and special offers.
The timing couldn’t be better. Côte d’Ivoire’s car market has been growing fast, driven by strong economic performance and policies that favour new car sales over the import of used ones. In 2024 alone, the country registered over 24,600 new vehicles, with household purchasing power on the rise.
Yango Motors is betting on that momentum. As the official distributor of Chinese brands Bestune and Kaiyi, it plans to bring in affordable, reliable vehicles, backed by financing options through local banks and leasing firms. Customers will also get after-sales support and access to spare parts, tackling one of the biggest pain points in the market.
For Yango, this is bigger than just cars. The launch marks its ambition to expand beyond digital services into broader, tech-driven solutions that boost mobility, empower businesses, and give more Africans access to affordable transport.
In case you missed it
- Why African blockchain founders should stop leading with Web3 when pitching to local investors
What I’m watching
- The Tragedy of Ruined Childhood
- What Your Love Life Can Teach You About Work Relationships with Esther Perel | A Bit of Optimism
Opportunities
- Businessfront, the parent company of Techpoint Africa, is hiring a Sales Associate. Apply here.
- Businessfront, the parent company of Techpoint Africa, is looking for a Managing Editor (FMCG). Apply here.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Paystack is recruiting a performance marketing specialist in Nigeria. Apply here.
- Kuda is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Kuda Technologies is hiring a Legal Counsel. Apply here.
- FairMoney is looking for a Head of Business Banking Product. Apply here.
- Moove is recruiting a Customer Success Executive. Apply here.
- Ecobank Nigeria is hiring a Chief Information security officer. Apply here.
- The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies at the University of Lagos is looking for a Junior Research Fellow. Apply here.
- MTN Nigeria is hiring an Operational Risk Specialist. Apply here.
- Co-Creation HUB (CcHUB) Nigeria is looking for a Head of Communications. Apply here.
- Group Vivendi Africa is hiring an IT Manager. Apply here.
- Sun King is hiring across different states in Nigeria. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring for several roles in Nigeria and South Africa. Apply here.
- Paga is recruiting for several positions. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several positions. Apply here.
- Are you 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.
- Help us make Techpoint better for you! Your feedback shapes what comes next (your responses may potentially save my job. A bit dramatic, but still). It will only take 30 seconds to tell us what works and what doesn’t. Fill it here.
- To pitch your startup or product to a live audience, check out this link.
- Have any fresh products you’d like us to start selling? Check out this link here.
- Follow Techpoint Africa’s WhatsApp channel to stay on top of the latest trends and news in the African tech space here.
Have a productive week!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
