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📱Kenya Isn’t Collecting Your DNA for SIM Cards

📱Kenya Isn’t Collecting Your DNA for SIM Cards

Plus: 🌐Safaricom and Starlink Strike a Deal

Innovation Village
November 20, 2025

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Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Sometimes, the biggest rivalries don’t end with a dramatic clash—they end with a handshake. That’s exactly what we’re seeing play out now, reminding us that even the fiercest competitors can find common ground when the timing and stakes are right. It’s a little nudge to remember that relationships—whether in business, tech, or life—are rarely static. They shift, they evolve, and sometimes, reconciliation brings opportunities you didn’t even see coming.

As you dive into today’s edition, think about the power of collaboration, even after years of contention. It’s a reminder that progress often comes not just from fighting harder, but from finding ways to work smarter together.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

📶Kenya Isn’t Collecting Your DNA for SIM Cards
💵Paystack + Xero: Making Getting Paid in SA a Breeze
🤖Microsoft & NVIDIA Go Big on Anthropic Amid AI Gold Rush
🌐From Rivals to Allies: Safaricom and Starlink Strike a Deal
🏦Pep Bank and OM Bank Take Aim at Capitec
📶TAFIKAAAA! Airtel’s 5G Launch is a Game-Changer for Malawi

📶 TELECOMS

Kenya Isn’t Collecting Your DNA for SIM Cards

A wild rumour went viral in Kenya in November 2025: the government allegedly wanted DNA, blood, and fingerprints to register SIM cards. Panic spread fast online, fueled by a broad legal definition of “biometric data” in new telecom regulations.

The truth is that the Communications Authority of Kenya clarified that no such collection is happening. The new rules simply tighten SIM registration: no more registering for someone else, stricter rules for minors, and stronger links to official IDs.

In short: your SIM stays yours, and your DNA stays private. The “panic” was really just a case of misreading the fine print........…..…continue reading

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💵PAYMENTS

Paystack + Xero: Making Getting Paid in SA a Breeze

Paystack and Xero have teamed up to make life easier for South African SMEs. The new integration lets businesses send invoices with a “Pay Now” button, accept payments instantly via card, bank transfer, or Apple Pay, and automatically sync transactions with Xero for fast reconciliation.

For small business owners juggling cash flow and admin, this means less time chasing payments and more time growing their business. Plus, the integration brings local payment methods, strong fraud protection, and seamless accounting—all at a discount for new users.

Bottom line: invoicing, payment, and bookkeeping are now practically one click away......…..…continue reading

🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Microsoft & NVIDIA Go Big on Anthropic Amid AI Gold Rush

Microsoft and NVIDIA are doubling down on AI, pumping a combined $15 billion into Anthropic. Microsoft is putting in $10 billion, NVIDIA $5 billion, while Anthropic plans to buy $30 billion in Azure cloud capacity and scale its AI infrastructure with up to one gigawatt of computing power.

The deal also means Anthropic’s Claude models will integrate with Microsoft’s enterprise tools and NVIDIA’s GPUs, boosting performance and accessibility. This move comes in the midst of a flurry of massive AI deals, raising questions about whether the sector is riding a real boom—or heading for a bubble...........…..…continue reading

🌐INTERNET

From Rivals to Allies: Safaricom and Starlink Strike a Deal

After years of clashing, Kenya’s telecom giant Safaricom has finally partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink. What started as fierce competition—Starlink’s satellite internet undercutting Safaricom in rural areas—has now turned into collaboration.

Under the deal, Safaricom will sell Starlink services and use its satellites to boost connectivity in remote regions, bringing 4G and 5G to areas too costly to reach with fibre. For Safaricom, it stops customer loss and opens new revenue streams. For Starlink, it gains a wider customer base. And for Kenyans, better internet access without the rivalry headaches.........…..…continue reading

Postdoctoral Fellowship for African Students (2026‑2027) — Funding opportunity for postdoctoral researchers from Africa.
NRF (South Africa) Honours Scholarships — Postgraduate scholarship for Honours students in South Africa.
AGNES Intra‑Africa Mobility Grant 2025 — Grant for young researchers from sub-Saharan Africa to support mobility (research visits, collaboration).
Salzburg Global Program Internship 2026— Opportunities to broaden your knowledge across their pillars(Peace and Justice, Education, Culture, Health and Finance).
Ilorin Innovation Hub Accelerator program 2025 — A programme created to support high-potential African startups building hardware, software and infrastructure that will shape the continent’s digital and industrial future.

🏦BANKING

Pep Bank and OM Bank Take Aim at Capitec

South Africa’s mass-market banking scene is about to get a shake-up. Pep Bank, backed by retail giant Pepkor, and OM Bank, Old Mutual’s digital-first banking arm, are stepping in to challenge Capitec’s dominance.

Pep Bank plans to leverage Pepkor’s 6,000-store footprint, zero-fee accounts, and customer data to quickly attract low- and middle-income clients. Meanwhile, OM Bank is combining banking and insurance, onboarding thousands daily, and using Old Mutual’s massive existing client base and loan book to gain traction.

With around one-sixth of South Africans still unbanked, these two new entrants are targeting a huge opportunity. Capitec, long the king of affordable, simple banking, now faces serious competition from players armed with retail muscle, tech-savvy apps, and integrated financial services. The battle for South Africa’s mass-market wallets is just heating up.......…continue reading

📶TELECOMS

TAFIKAAAA! Airtel’s 5G Launch is a Game-Changer for Malawi

Malawi’s 5G race just got real. While TNM bragged about being first back in July, Airtel Malawi just went big—launching 5G across 10 districts with 56 live sites and calling it “Real 5G.” Their message? Being first is flashy, but reaching more people matters more.

Beyond speed, Airtel is pushing VoLTE, which keeps calls on 4G for crystal-clear audio and seamless multitasking—arguably more useful for daily users than raw 5G speeds. Behind the scenes, Airtel has tackled currency shortages, unreliable power, and even rural coverage gaps by partnering with Starlink.

The big question now: cost. High 5G and smartphone prices could limit access, but the launch is a clear win for infrastructure and ambition. Airtel has arrived—now it’s up to affordability to make sure everyone can join the party........…continue reading