African Tech Roundup Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Game Over For Startup Seed Funds? + The Week's Biggest News Jun 21, 2015

Show notes

Nigeria's "company that builds companies", Spark, announced last week its plans to drop some startups it invested in. This announcement comes just a week after 88mph's notice that it will be "taking a break" from investing in African startups. While it is not uncommon for investment funds to pause on-boarding when funds available for employment are temporarily exhausted, it seems odd that 88mph would go out of its way to alert the public to something that would occur in the normal course of business. Similarly, given how startup failure is not uncommon - with some investment funds said to be aiming to achieve a success rate of approximately one in ten, why would Spark ceremoniously trot these "dead businesses" out in this manner? In this week's discussion, iAfrikan Executive Editor, Tefo Mohapi and I ask whether the current approach to tech venture capitalism in Africa is flawed. Perhaps investors are beginning to realise that successfully investing in African startups is in fact a science that involves a lot more than throwing money at promising prospects. Here's to hoping the investment notices by 88mph and Spark are not precursory tremors to a major shaking in Africa's tech investment scene. Be sure to stay up to date with all the week's biggest news from across the continent: -- Find out what major global deadline both Uganda and South Africa have missed, -- Discover how a landmark court ruling has seen South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth lose $20 million, -- Get details on how an ambitious cable car project in Kenya which promises to alleviate Nairobi's traffic congestion, and -- Learn more about a 3D-printed prosthetic hand which promises to put South Africa on the map in terms of medical innovation. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Everyone's Not So Favourite Driver + The Week's Biggest News Jun 14, 2015

Show notes

Uber's Roman-style campaign to achieve utter and complete worldwide domination has encountered a teeny tiny setback in Kenya. Much to the surprise of many, the company is yet to enjoy the runaway success it has become accustomed to. In last week's episode of the African Tech Round-up we reported on Uber's plans to run a limited experiment to allow its Kenyan customers to pay for trips using cash and M-Pesa. This followed claims made by the company that the slow adoption of their service in Kenya was due to the fact that many Kenyans are unbanked and do not possess credit and debit cards. In this week's show, Andile Masuku and guest co-host Vouchercloud South Africa Managing Director Lyndon Munetsi discuss the challenges that Uber might be facing in rolling out its hugely successful business model in Kenya-- especially given the company's well-documented zero-quibbles approach to taking on new territories. In the meantime, it remains to be seen whether their latest attempts to woo Kenyan users will prove to be effective. Also, be sure to stay up to date with all the week's biggest news from across the African continent: -- Find out why African seed fund and accelerator 88mph is taking a break from investing in African startups, -- Get details on how tech education innovators Andela and WeThinkCode_ are poised to disrupt tech talent development on the continent, -- Learn why Ad Dynamo is giving up its reputable contextual ad network business to concentrate on servicing Twitter, -- Get the low-low on the launch of a new Kenyan laptop brand called Taifa, and -- Discover which major African capital city is set to get free movies and calls via WiFi. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Is This The Worst Internet Censorship Law Ever? + The Week's Biggest News Jun 07, 2015

Show notes

The internet is undoubtedly the untamed "wild west" of the modern technological age. To counteract the malicious threats that lie in wait for innocent users of the web (on and offline), South Africa's Film and Publication Board (FPB) has recently taken it upon itself to "regulate content" through a set of draft regulations-- while claiming that children are at the top of their protection priority list In this week’s discussion we debate the potential unconstitutionality of this new regulatory framework. Given the undeniable risks internet users are exposed to (especially minors), we ask if it is possible to regulate content posted on the web, and if so, to do so in a manner that does not compromise the right to free speech and personal expression? In terms of the FPB's public mandate, was publishing this draft a crafty attempt by them to quietly sneak politically expedient censorship laws past the public, or was it an ill-considered attempt on their part to ensure a safer internet for all (if that's even a thing). Be sure to catch some interesting listeners' comments we received in reaction to last week's hotly debated discussion topic: Mark vs. Marek - Whose Hotel Booking Platform Reigns Supreme? We also have all the week's biggest news from across Africa: -- Hear all about Facebook Lite, which has launched in Africa and other developing global markets, -- Find out why a Ugandan judge has declared mobile money operations illegal, -- Get to grips with some sobering internet growth numbers put out by Internet Society, -- Learn what leading science and and mathematics initiative has landed a $25 million boost from the MasterCard Foundation, and -- Discover why Uber Kenya is experimenting with accepting cash and M-Pesa payments from its customers. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark Vs. Marek + The Week's Biggest News May 31, 2015

Show notes

Nigeria's tech scene was abuzz last week following Mark Essien's hotel booking platform Hotel.ng securing international investment co-led by Omidyar Network and the EchoVC Pan-Africa Fund. However, for undisclosed reasons the parties involved have chosen not to make public the fine points of the deal. This week we debate whether it does Africa's tech ecosystem any good for important transactions like these to happen behind closed doors, and for details to remain secret. While we're at it, we poke a little fun at Jovago Co-founder and CEO, Marek Zmysłowski and Mark Essien’s on-going public tiff over who's hotel booking platform reigns supreme. Also, we share two expert comments we received in response to last week's discussion topic: Bitcoin and the Blockchain: Worth Embracing? on the future of bitcoin and the possible future applications of the blockchain technology. As usual, we also have all the biggest tech, digital and innovation news from across Africa: -- Discover how Nigeria's fuel and electricity shortages are affecting big tech, -- Hear how Nkosana Makate aka the Please Call Me Guy's billion dollar case against Vodacom is going, and -- Find out how a Nigerian computer science Masters student at the University of Cape Town is using tech to save endangered African languages. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Bitcoin and the Blockchain: Worth Embracing? + The Week's Biggest News May 24, 2015

Show notes

There are three prevailing views on bitcoin and the blockchain: 1) that it's a scam, 2) it's one of the most fascinating technological developments of the decade, and 3) it's just another tech fad that's not worth trying to grasp, nevermind fussing over. View number three is probably held by the vast majority of people on the continent. This week, Tefo Mohapi and I (Andile Masuku) will try and establish whether the hype around bitcoin and the various useful applications of the blockchain (which Africa has so far tentatively embraced) is justified. Despite Wall Street's gradual warming to bitcoin, and companies like Kenya's BitPesa building clever service offerings on the back of the bitcoin blockchain, it remains to be seen whether bitcoin will go on to be widely accepted worldwide as a trusted measure of value, and whether the blockchain will be used to platform future technological innovation. We've decided to make featuring listeners' comments a permanent part of the show, and so this week we share comments made in response to last week's debate: "Open Source vs. Proprietary Software: What is Best For Africa?" As always, you can also expect all the week’s most important tech, digital and innovation news: -- Discover why there's an outcry over South Africa's recently-announced aerial drone laws, -- Get details on Automattic's acquisition of WooThemes, -- Learn more about the MTN South Africa workers' strike that saw 2,000 people down tools, and -- Find out which African country Kenya's BitPesa is expanding into. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Open Source vs. Proprietary Software + The Week's Biggest News May 17, 2015

Show notes

As long as "Microsoft" remains synonymous with "Proprietary Software" the jury will be out on whether proprietary software is superior to open source software (OSS). For many ardent proponents of OSS, this debate is mostly about rooting for the 'little guy', but in this week's discussion, your hosts Tefo Mohapi and Andile Masuku, will start a conversation about the pros and cons of both regimes, and highlight some issues that they think should headline this debate. Then they will leave it up to you to decide which of the two might be best for Africa to embrace, considering how important it is for the continent to create innovative solutions to its own problems, and develop marketable technologies that compete favourably against the very best in the world. Also, for the first time since the launch of this podcast, we're excited to feature comments we've received from our listeners following the passionate conversations sparked by our previous podcast around the the question, "Are Tech and Innovation Hubs in Africa Effective?" And as always, you can expect all the week’s leading tech, digital and innovation news: --Discover what Nokia has in its stable that's causing a feeding frenzy among the likes of Audi, Mercedes Benz, Uber and Facebook, --Take a peek under the hood of one of Africa's biggest tech deals this year: Telkom’s acquisition of Business Connection, -- Observe the dynamics of Ghana's decrease in mobile data use, --Get details on the "hacktivism" attack on South African firm Sekunjalo Investment Holdings' news archives, and --Learn how a pharmacy in Harare, Zimbabwe is cleverly harnessing Whatsapp to facilitate online payments. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Are Tech Hubs in Africa Effective? + The Week's Biggest News May 10, 2015

Show notes

Tech and innovation hubs are all the rage in Africa at the moment. With reportedly as many as 150 in existence from Cape to Cairo, these organisations are undoubtedly "da flava" in donor funding terms. However, it seems that the question of whether or not these hubs are actually effective at achieving what they set out to do is rarely asked. In his article "Startup Incubators in Africa and why they don’t work" Hotels.ng founder, Mark Essien, asserts that tech and innovation hubs have precious little to show for all the fuss that's made about their usefulness. In this week's discussion we try to determine if these hubs are truly a means of cultivating Africa's up-and-coming tech talent, and an efficient way to support the launch of the continent's next generation profitable (or at least, sustainable) game-changing startups. As usual, we also give you a run-down of the week's tech, digital and innovation highlights: --A quick update on Burundi's internet shut-down, --A brief summary of the latest insights gleaned by the Report Xenophobia initiative, --Details on how iRoko Founder Jason Njoku is offering NGN 1 million to Nigeria's best developers, --News regarding a DDoS attack on MTN's Data Center, which affected ISPs like Afrihost, --The low-low on how to get your hands on Elon Musk's latest innovation, Tesla's new Powerwall, and --A rather detailed report on South Africa's plans to drop it's ICT Charter in October 2015 in favour of generic BEE codes. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

What Is A Startup? + The Week's Biggest News May 03, 2015

Show notes

The word "startup" is often used loosely in the world of tech, and frequently worn as a badge of honour by individuals and organisations who aspire to the glamour commonly associated with modern-day entrepreneurship. In this week’s African Tech Round-up Podcast, Tefo Mohapi and I attempt to pin down a definition for the term and determine what business ventures qualify to be classified as startups. Our discussion is inspired by an article by David Adamo Jr-- a Nigerian Computer Science PhD student at the University of North Texas, entitled "What is a startup?" You can also expect a concise run-down of the week's tech, digital and innovation highlights: --News regarding an alleged internet shut-down by the Burundian government to quell political protests, --A word on the Malawian government's bullish move to further digital payment payment services, --The low-low on the assisted acquisition of Nigeria's Jobberman and Kenya's BrighterMonday by One Africa Media, --A glance at recent research into mobile handset habits of Nigerian blue collar workers, --The latest on how US rapper and business mogul Jay Z's struggling music streaming service-- Tidal, is desperately attempting to gain traction by courting Nigerian musical talent, and --Details on which famous African city is featured in the international blockbuster film, Avengers: Age of Ultron. Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Does Diversity Matter? + The Week's Biggest News Apr 27, 2015

Show notes

On the second episode of the African Tech Round-up we get an update on progress being made by iAfrikan and Ushahidi’s Report Xenophobia Initiative (ReportXenophobia.co.za), find out which African country Facebook’s Internet.org app will be rolling out into next, reveal details regarding the latest tech firm seeking delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, prepare to bid farewell to South Africa’s largest e-commerce brand, examine whether or not the vinyl record is making a bold comeback and poke fun at an initiative that will allow South Africa’s business elite experience homelessness for one night. Be sure to listen right through to the end of this week’s show to hear us debate the role of diversity in Africa’s tech industry-- and business in general. We’ll pose the question-- does nurturing diversity enhance productivity and contribute to increased profitability? Music Credits: All Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Introducing The Report Xenophobia Initiative + The Week's Biggest News Apr 20, 2015

Show notes

In the very first episode of the African Tech Round-up Podcast, hosts Tefo Mohapi and Andile Masuku share a little bit about themselves before diving straight into the Africa's most noteworthy digital, tech and innovation highlights from the past week. Most importantly, Tefo and Andile discuss a promising tech-driven initiative called reportxenophobia.co.za launched by iAfrikan-- in association with Ushahidi, that aims to nip the recent occurrence of xenophobic violence on the African continent in the bud (with special emphasis on South Africa). Music Credits: “Protofunk”, "Rolling at 5" and "On the Ground", by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

African Tech Roundup Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

African Tech Roundup Podcast

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6