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In 2025, Africa’s technology sector experienced a measured yet meaningful rebound, with investment inflows hitting an impressive $3 billion. This period was also notable for unprecedented consolidation activities, as companies like LemFi and Stitch acquired smaller firms to strengthen their technological frameworks, while Chowdeck revolutionized the logistics landscape. The focus shifted from mere fundraising announcements to tangible product development and infrastructure building. This evolution was underscored by influential figures such as Strive Masiyiwa entering the AI infrastructure arena, strategic exits by venture capitalists including Silverback Holdings, and the public listings of fintech innovators Optasia and Cash Plus.
However, this maturation phase came with significant challenges, particularly around corporate governance, which dominated industry discourse. The year’s defining events included a governance crisis at Stripe-owned Paystack, culminating in a ₦250 million ($190,000) penalty imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Meanwhile, French media conglomerate Canal+ faced regulatory hurdles following its landmark acquisition of Multichoice. In Kenya, startups grappled with intensified scrutiny from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which aggressively targeted cryptocurrency operations to address tax revenue shortfalls.
Below, TechCabal highlights the most impactful stories of 2025, curated by our editorial team.
Benue’s Telecom Deficiencies Amplify Security Risks by Frank Eleanya
Benue State’s ongoing security challenges were worsened by a significant “digital blackout” caused by damaged fiber optic cables and unattended telecom towers. TechCabal’s investigation revealed that during the violent June 2025 attacks in Yelwata, the communication blackout critically hindered residents’ ability to seek assistance or coordinate emergency responses, exacerbating the crisis in an already volatile region.
Motunrayo Sanyaolu: UNILAG’s Trailblazing Engineering Innovator by Ngozi Chukwu
At just 21, Motunrayo Sanyaolu, an electrical engineering student at the University of Lagos, has gained recognition for her inventive approach to solving practical problems through hardware innovation. TechCabal chronicled her inspiring journey from a childhood fascination with robotics to securing a patent for an affordable, off-grid heating blanket designed to prevent hypothermia in premature infants at under-resourced clinics.
AltSchool Africa’s Journey: Navigating the Complexities of EdTech by Adonijah Ndege
Founded in 2021, Nigerian edtech startup AltSchool Africa aimed to equip Africans with sought-after technology skills. However, recent operational challenges have exposed vulnerabilities within the continent’s edtech ecosystem. This article delves into AltSchool’s struggles and the broader lessons for Africa’s digital education sector.
Port Harcourt’s Graceland International: A STEM Powerhouse by Fancy Goodman
Graceland International School in Port Harcourt has earned a reputation as a rigorous incubator for STEM talent, recently celebrating a student who achieved a perfect 1600 on the SAT. TechCabal explored how the school’s demanding curriculum, which introduces university-level concepts as early as Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS2), cultivates students capable of competing on a global scale.
How Nigerian Fintech’s Product Design Entraps Users in Debt by Muktar Oladunmade and Kosisochukwu Ugwuede
Digital lending platforms in Nigeria initially promised to close the credit gap by providing instant, unsecured loans. However, a joint investigation by the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism and TechCabal uncovered how these apps employ manipulative design techniques-known as “dark patterns”-to ensnare users in cycles of predatory debt without their explicit consent.
M-KOPA Faces Allegations of Racial Inequity in Employee Shareholding by Adonijah Ndege
A prominent African fintech, M-KOPA, is embroiled in a lawsuit from a former manager accusing the company of maintaining a “two-tier” equity system that favors expatriate employees over local staff. TechCabal’s report details claims that foreign investors’ shares are shielded from dilution, while African employees’ ownership stakes are diminished.
Exploring AI as a Cognitive Partner: A Personal Reflection by Fu’ad Lawal
Since ChatGPT’s debut, generative AI has transitioned from a novelty to an essential “extended mind” for many professionals. In this reflective essay, Fu’ad Lawal shares how large language models serve as collaborators in creativity, pattern recognition, and shifting perspectives within the digital economy.
CBEX Collapse: Nigerian Investors Face Massive Losses by Emmanuel Nwosu
The downfall of CBEX, an AI-driven trading platform, left thousands of Nigerian investors facing losses estimated in the millions of dollars. TechCabal’s investigation uncovered how the scheme utilized complex “smurfing” tactics to transfer funds across multiple blockchains and intermediary wallets, evading regulatory blacklists while masquerading as a legitimate financial service.
UBA’s Braille Account Forms: A Financial Inclusion Promise Unfulfilled by John Adoyi
United Bank for Africa (UBA) made headlines in 2023 by introducing Nigeria’s first braille account opening forms, a milestone for inclusive banking. Yet, two years on, TechCabal’s report reveals that many visually impaired customers remain unaware of this service, continuing to face systemic barriers at bank branches nationwide.
Paystack Suspends CTO Ezra Olubi Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations by Ganiu Oloruntade
Paystack, a leading fintech acquired by Stripe, has long been celebrated for its culture of transparency and workplace excellence. However, TechCabal exclusively reported the suspension of co-founder and CTO Ezra Olubi following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate, alongside the resurfacing of inappropriate tweets from over a decade ago.
JAMB’s 380,000 UTME Scores Scrambled by Server Glitch by Frank Eleanya
A critical software update failure led to the scrambling of 380,000 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores, triggering one of the most severe crises in the history of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). TechCabal’s technical audit found that a new scoring algorithm was deployed only in northern regions, failing to update servers in Lagos that serve the South-East, causing a mismatch between exam questions and answers.
Flour Mills’ Strategic Investment in OmniRetail’s $20 Million Funding Round by Ngozi Chukwu
In May 2025, Flour Mills of Nigeria, a 64-year-old food industry leader, ventured into the tech space by investing in OmniRetail’s $20 million funding round. This B2B e-commerce platform digitizes informal retail supply chains, enabling Flour Mills to access real-time “last-mile” consumption data and optimize distribution to thousands of small-scale retailers.
Meta Ordered to Reveal Operators Behind South African Revenge Porn Channels by Sakhile Dube and Tulani Ngwenya
Following a landmark July 2025 ruling by the Gauteng High Court, Meta agreed to disclose the identities of individuals managing WhatsApp and Instagram channels involved in “shaderooms” and revenge porn targeting South African teenagers. TechCabal’s report highlights how these anonymous digital platforms have been exploited to inflict emotional harm and fuel cyberbullying among youth.
Preparing Nigeria’s 2027 Elections Amid the Threat of AI Deepfakes by Ifeoluwa Aigbiniode and Fancy Goodman
As Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections, the emergence of hyper-realistic AI-generated deepfakes presents a significant challenge to the integrity of the democratic process. This article examines the potential impact of synthetic media on voter perception and election security.
The Legacy of Teejay: A Tribute to a Visionary Coder by Ngozi Chukwu
Adetunji “Teejay” Opayele, co-founder and CTO of Bumpa, dedicated his life to empowering Africa’s informal retailers by simplifying e-commerce through a single mobile application. TechCabal’s tribute reflects on Teejay’s passion for problem-solving and adventure, and mourns his untimely death caused by a reckless driver and systemic healthcare failures in Nigeria.
