Akkam,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Kenya moves to phase out low-end phones
- Selling in DMs? Yelen wants to help
- X freezes changes to creator earnings
Kenya moves to phase out low-end phones
Kenya is quietly forcing a reset on the kinds of phones people can buy. And for many low-income users, it could mean saying goodbye to some of the cheapest devices on the market.
Here’s the news: Kenya is moving to phase out low-end phones that don’t support USB Type-C charging. Regulators say all new devices entering the market must comply with the newer charging standard, effectively pushing out older, cheaper feature phones that still rely on outdated ports.
What this means is a shift in the entry point to mobile access. Type-C is faster, more efficient, and increasingly the global standard, but many budget phones — especially the ones popular in informal markets — don’t support it. As a result, the lowest-cost devices could gradually disappear or become harder to find.
Why it matters is access. In markets like Kenya, where affordability drives adoption, even small increases in device cost can lock people out of connectivity. While the policy aims to standardise technology and reduce electronic waste, it could also make it harder for first-time users to get online.
Zoom out, and this mirrors a broader global push toward standardisation, similar to what the EU has done with charging ports. For Kenya, it’s a step toward aligning with global tech standards, but it also raises a familiar question: how do you modernise infrastructure without leaving people behind?
Selling in DMs? Yelen wants to help
In Africa, a lot of businesses don’t start with websites; they start with a DM. From WhatsApp chats to Instagram messages, selling is often a back-and-forth conversation, with orders, payments, and customer follow-ups all happening manually. It works, but it’s messy, and that’s exactly the gap Yelen is trying to fix.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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Founded in 2025 by Ibrahima Sylla and Christian Okoth, the Côte d’Ivoire-based startup is building an all-in-one platform for social sellers. Think storefronts, payments, and customer management — all in one place. In less than a year, Yelen has already onboarded thousands of users across multiple African markets, riding on the back of how people already sell online.
The idea didn’t come out of thin air. After leaving Google, Sylla spent months experimenting with different products before landing here. The turning point came from conversations with sellers themselves, who kept pointing to the same problem: managing orders and collecting payments across multiple platforms was chaotic. What started as a solution for one client quickly spread through referrals, a strong sign they had found product-market fit.
Here’s how it works: sellers create a storefront, list products, and share a link with customers. Buyers can browse, place orders, and pay via card or mobile money. Behind the scenes, Yelen handles the flow, from holding payments in a wallet to releasing funds after orders are fulfilled. It also pulls in activity from platforms like Instagram, helping sellers manage everything from one dashboard instead of juggling multiple apps.
Yelen is betting on a bigger shift, one where commerce in Africa is built around conversations, not just websites. The long-term plan goes beyond payments into logistics and sourcing, turning the platform into a full business operating system for sellers. Curious how it all comes together? Find out how the company makes money and scales in Delight’s latest for Techpoint Africa.
X freezes changes to creator earnings
After backlash from creators, X is suspending planned changes to its creator revenue-sharing programme, a move that had sparked concern about how much users actually earn on the platform.
X had been testing updates to how it pays creators, including tweaks that could reduce earnings for some accounts. But after complaints from users who rely on the platform for income, Musk said the company would hold off on rolling out those changes. The reversal highlights just how sensitive creator monetisation has become, especially as more people depend on these payouts.
What this means is uncertainty for creators. X’s revenue-sharing model, which pays users based on engagement (particularly replies and ads), has become a key income stream for some. Any changes to that formula can directly affect earnings, making it harder for creators to predict how much they’ll make month to month.
More creators across countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are turning to platforms like X as alternative income sources. In economies where traditional jobs can be unstable or underpaying, creator monetisation offers a new path. So when platforms change the rules — or even hint at it — it directly affects livelihoods.
How we got here goes back to Musk’s broader overhaul of X since acquiring the platform. He introduced creator payouts tied to subscriptions and ad revenue, aiming to attract and retain users. But the system has been evolving, and not always transparently, leading to confusion and pushback from creators who feel the rules keep shifting. For now, the pause gives X time to rethink, but it also reinforces a bigger lesson: when your income depends on a platform, you’re also at the mercy of its decisions.
In case you missed it
- 30% of Nigerians earn below ₦100,000; majority unsure income covers monthly costs — PiggyVest report
What I’m watching
- Why India is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women | DW Documentary
- Faith Under Fire – BBC Africa Eye Documentary
Opportunities
- Flutterwave is recruiting for several roles. Apply here.
- Briter is hiring a Commercial Director, a Senior Research Associate, and an Insights and Market Intelligence Associate. Apply here.
- Opay is currently recruiting for these roles: Partnership Manager (Fintech Experience), Junior Accountant, Junior Product Manager (Research), and IT Manager.
- Oyster is looking to hire a Risk Analyst. Apply here.
- Circle is looking to hire a Lead Product Designer (Remote). Apply here.
- SafetyWing (YC W18) is hiring a Product Manager Intern (fully remote). Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Performance Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- VOYA (visa travel tech startup) is hiring an Operations and Admin Director (fully remote). Apply here.
- MTN MoMo TechSpark Graduate Programme is open. Apply here.
- MAX is looking for interns. Apply here.
- McKinsey is hiring for several roles, including Junior and Senior roles. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Business Development Partner. Apply here.
- Zenith Bank is recruiting a Junior Software Tester Quality Control. Apply here.
- UNICEF Abuja is looking for a National Consultant (Immunization Programme Monitoring and Evaluation). Apply here.
- Standard Chartered Bank is hiring an Executive Research Partner. Apply here.
- e-Tranzact is looking to hire a product marketing officer. Apply here.
- Bumpa is hiring for several roles, including Bumpa Expert Lead (Account Management) – Customer Success; Product Designer; and Mid-level Motion/Graphic Designer, Mid-level Full-stack Engineer (Commerce), and Senior Fullstack Engineer (Commerce). Apply here.
- Tech Unite Africa returns on March 26, 2026, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, bringing founders, investors, and industry leaders together for panels, exhibitions, and networking. Selected startups will compete in Startup World Cup Nigeria for a chance to reach the global finals and compete for a $1 million investment prize. Register or explore sponsorship opportunities here.
- ABDS 2026 will take place April 29–30, 2026, in Lagos, gathering founders, investors, developers, and policymakers shaping Africa’s blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. The summit focuses on industry insights, partnerships, and investment opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets. Secure your pass or sponsorship here.
- Scrum Day Nigeria 2026 takes place on March 24 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, bringing together product leaders, Scrum Masters, engineers, and executives passionate about building better products. The one-day conference features practical keynotes, hands-on workshops, coaching clinics, and real-world case studies focused on product leadership, agile ways of working, and modern engineering practices. If your organisation is considering accelerating delivery whilst improving business outcomes at the same time, this is the room to be in. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring a Sales Manager. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring senior sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is looking for sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is recruiting Senior Key Account Managers. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring Account Managers. Apply here.
- As one of Techpoint Africa’s most engaged readers, you have a direct hand in shaping what we publish next. Take our quick, 3-minute survey to tell us the stories and features you value most. Your responses are anonymous, and your feedback will help guide our editorial focus in the months ahead. Fill the survey here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for over 100 roles. 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.
- To pitch your startup or product to a live audience, check out this link.
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Have a superb Thursday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
