Innovation Village Weekly Roundup: Issue 38/25

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Innovation Village
September 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Many great inventions start as mistakes. In 1968, 3M scientist Spencer Silver set out to develop a super-strong glue. He accidentally created a weak, "low-tack" adhesive instead. This failed experiment produced a reusable glue perfect for temporary notes, directly leading to the creation of the iconic Post-It Note.

This pattern of small beginnings leading to huge outcomes is everywhere. Spotify was a side project in a Stockholm apartment. Even Africa’s biggest tech moments today often start small, a stubborn founder, a late-night pivot, or a “what if we tried…” conversation.

So maybe your own weekend experiment: dusting off that half-read book, trying a new recipe, or just unplugging for a while, could be the seed for something bigger. That’s the spirit behind this roundup: small sparks that could shape tomorrow.

🌍The Movers — Who set the agenda this week?

1) MTN and T2mobile Finalise Spectrum and Roaming Deal 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a three-year spectrum leasing agreement between MTN and T2mobile. Under the deal, MTN will lease 20 MHz of spectrum from T2mobile (formerly 9Mobile). The agreement also includes a national roaming service, which allows T2mobile subscribers to connect to MTN’s network in areas where T2mobile's coverage is weak. This move directly supports MTN’s “Ambition 2025” growth strategy, while for T2mobile, it provides a critical boost to its ongoing recovery efforts.

2) Leadership Changes at Wasoko Following Merger

Daniel Yu, who co-founded Wasoko and led the company for 11 years, is stepping down from his role as CEO. Belal El-Megharbel, formerly of MaxAB, will now lead the company. This change signals a deeper integration between the two companies following their recent merger. The move is expected to intensify discussions about market consolidation in Africa’s e-commerce sector and the resulting shifts in B2B distribution power.

3) OpenAI Addresses "ShadowLeak" Vulnerability in ChatGPT

OpenAI has fixed a serious security flaw, named “ShadowLeak,” that briefly created a vulnerability for hackers to steal Gmail data through ChatGPT. Although OpenAI has patched the flaw, the incident renews the debate on whether users can trust advanced AI tools with access to sensitive personal and corporate accounts.

💰 Recent Funding Highlights

  • DONE.ma (Morocco) raised a $2.1M seed round to build the country’s first super app. Local investors fully funded the round, representing a significant vote of confidence in Morocco’s homegrown startup scene.

  • Kredete (Pan-African) closed a $22M Series A round to improve remittance services and credit access for African immigrants. The company plans to use the funds for expansion into more than 40 markets. The deal proves that fintech continues to attract strong venture capital investment.

  • Rulebase (YC-backed) secured $2.1M in seed funding to automate back-office tasks for financial services companies. This investment highlights a strategic focus on foundational infrastructure over market hype. 

💰 Social Media Trends

🌱Opportunities

  • Telecom Collaboration Opens Doors

    With MTN leasing spectrum from T2mobile (ex-9Mobile), we’re looking at fresh opportunities in roaming partnerships, infrastructure sharing, and broadband expansion. For startups in tower services, green energy for telcos, and rural coverage solutions, this is the right moment to pitch your ideas; telcos are in partnership mode.

  • Funding Watch: North & West Africa

    DONE.ma just raised $2.1M to build Morocco’s first super app, proving that even local-only investors are backing ambitious plays. Kredete’s $22M Series A in remittances/credit shows West African fintech is still hot. If you’re building in consumer finance, payments, or super-apps, investors are clearly listening.

  • Healthtech Leadership Transition

    mPharma’s new CEO, Kwesi Arhin, will likely look to deepen partnerships and refresh strategy. That’s a cue for startups working on medicine supply chains, logistics, or data-driven healthcare: partnership opportunities may open up during this leadership reset.

  • AI Standards on the Horizon

    Google’s launch of the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), alongside Coinbase, Mastercard, and PayPal, isn’t just big for the US. It signals a future where African fintechs will need to align with agent-based AI payment standards. Founders working on wallets, cross-border transfers, or compliance tech should be paying attention.

Bottom Line

This week demonstrated how seemingly small developments can trigger significant industry changes. For example, a spectrum lease agreement might appear to be a simple administrative process, but it could fundamentally alter Nigeria's telecommunications industry. Similarly, a $2.1 million seed investment in Morocco might appear small, but it is funding the creation of the nation's first super app. Even a new Guinness World Record set in Lagos was not just a public spectacle; it served as a brilliant case study in social media marketing.

Progress in Africa's tech sector is typically driven by subtle shifts, not major product launches. Real innovation often comes from strategic changes in direction, clever solutions to problems, and even accidental discoveries that prove unexpectedly successful. We focus on these developments each week because they are the true indicators of future trends, rather than the immediate hype.

So, as you head into your weekend, it’s worth remembering that experiments don't need to be perfect to be impactful. Often, the most modest initiatives lay the groundwork for significant future innovations.

See you next Saturday. 😉

Jessica Adiele