Back in the 1960s and 70s, activists and engineers connected teletypewriters (TTYs) to phone lines so people who couldn’t hear could send typed messages. It was a simple fix, but it opened the door to something bigger: the text messaging we all use today.

The lesson is simple: real progress usually starts with solving one practical problem. Not with a big launch. Not with fancy presentations. A tool that makes life easier, a faster process, or even a small system upgrade can become the foundation everyone else relies on.

This week’s news makes more sense when you see it that way:

• The electronic clearance system at Apapa is about removing a roadblock that slows down trade.

• Samsung’s AI-powered tablets in Nigeria are meeting a demand that’s already there.

• Canal+ buying MultiChoice is really about controlling the screen where entertainment and business connect.

Big outcomes often begin as small fixes. Remove enough friction, and change becomes unavoidable.

🌍The Movers — Who set the agenda this week?

• Samsung ships AI-first Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra & Tab A11 to Nigeria — Launching premium devices locally shows Nigeria is no longer an afterthought; it’s part of the first wave of global rollouts.

• Nigeria Customs launches e-Clearance at Apapa — A digital system to ease cargo processing. If it works at scale, it could reshape trade costs and timelines.

• Canal+ finalises takeover of MultiChoice — Control of pay-TV and streaming in Africa shifts. Expect new strategies around subscriptions and local content.

• Mastercard partners with Smile ID — They aim to expand digital ID verification across Africa. Reliable identity is the backbone of payments and online trust.

• Julius Berger exits agro-processing — The company is dropping farming ventures to refocus on construction. A clear case of sticking to core strengths.

💰 Recent Funding Highlights

• Acumen H2R — Raised $246.5M (plus $20M from BII) to fight energy poverty. This is patient capital aimed at the toughest markets.

• Triodos Investment Management — Put €30M into Hivos-Triodos Fonds, backing climate and inclusion projects.

• Hinckley E-Waste Recycling (Nigeria) — Secured $1.5M from All On. Shows e-waste recycling is moving beyond grants into real investment.

• MazaoHub (Tanzania) — Raised $2M to link small farmers with finance and markets. Proves the “tech + human support” model works.

• Zanifu (Kenya) — Backed by Yango Ventures to expand SME lending. Reinforces investor belief in B2B fintech solutions.

Theme: Investors are putting money into companies solving tough, structural problems — energy, waste, agriculture, and finance — not just chasing easy consumer apps.

📡 Signals

• Two Years’ Salary for a Phone — The iPhone 17 Pro costs as much as two years of wages in parts of West Africa. It highlights income inequality and the high price of status consumption.

• Pharmacokinetic Modelling Software — Behind the scenes, this software helps doctors predict how drugs move in the body. It’s making treatments safer and more precise.

• Meta vs. Reality on Teen Safety — Meta says its teen accounts protect kids. An independent study says they don’t. The gap shows why trust in Big Tech keeps eroding.

• Spotify to Label AI Music — New rules will tag songs made with AI. The bigger fight is about authenticity: what counts as “real” music in the future.

• OpenAI Study on ChatGPT — 70% of usage has nothing to do with work. People are using AI more for fun and curiosity than for productivity.

🌱Opportunities to watch (and act on)

• Telcos & CSR — Airtel is offering scholarships and setting up hubs. For edtech and training startups, these programs are both potential contracts and brand partnerships.

• Energy & Recycling — With major funds flowing into mini-grids, pay-as-you-go power, and e-waste recycling, founders in these spaces should be pitching investors now.

• Logistics & Customs Tech — If Nigeria’s new e-clearance system works, there’s room for startups that digitise ports, track cargo, and simplify customs paperwork.

• Identity & Payments — The Mastercard + Smile ID deal creates space for fintechs to build safer onboarding, verified wallets, credit checks, and compliance tools.

⚡One Actionable Experiment (do this weekend)

1. Pick one small friction
   Examples: a signup field, a confusing checkout page, a verification screen, or slow weekend support replies.

2. Make one specific change
   Examples: remove an optional field, replace long instructions with a single line helper, combine two clicks into one, enable “guest checkout,” or add an auto-fill hint.

3. Measure one clear metric

   • Metric name: Step drop-off rate.

   • How to calculate: (users who reached the step but left) ÷ (users who reached the step) × 100.

   • Baseline: record the current drop-off for 48 hours or use last week’s average.

4. Run the test

   • Timebox it: run the change over the weekend (about 48–72 hours) or until you see ~200 users hit that step — whichever comes first.

5. Decide if it worked
   Success = one or both of these:

   • Drop-off falls by a clear amount (example targets: an absolute drop of ≥10 percentage points or a relative improvement of ≥20%).

   • At least one user sends direct positive feedback (e.g., “Thanks, that was easier!”).

See you next Saturday. 😉

Jessica C. Adiele