🩺 Mediterrania Invests $59M in Dislog Medical

Today’s Menu ☕️

💻 Airtel Africa Partners with Xtelify to Deploy AI-Powered Platforms Across 14 Markets
📺 Ghana Orders 30% DStv Price Cut or License Suspension
📱Spotify to Raise Premium Prices Globally in September
🩺 Mediterrania invests $59M in Dislog Dispositifs Médicaux to accelerate healthcare innovation
💸 Ethiopia’s Central Bank bans four U.S.-based money transfer companies over illegal operations

If you haven't subscribed, join over 7,000 people curious about Innovation, New Products, New Technologies in Africa.

💻 TECHNOLOGY

Airtel Africa Partners with Xtelify to Deploy AI-Powered Platforms Across 14 Markets

Airtel Africa has signed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership with Xtelify, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, to deploy AI-powered software platforms across its 14 African markets. The collaboration aims to simplify telecom operations, enhance efficiency, and deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences.

Xtelify will implement three core solutions: Data Engine, providing AI-driven market insights for micro-targeted strategies; Work, empowering Airtel Africa’s 150,000-strong field team with real-time productivity tools and spam/fraud protection; and IQ, enabling secure, omnichannel customer engagement to improve service quality.

By integrating AI into its operations, Airtel Africa expects to strengthen network security, streamline service delivery, and boost customer satisfaction while positioning itself for sustainable growth in Africa’s evolving digital ecosystem.

According to Jacques Barkhuizen, Group CIO at Airtel Africa, the partnership represents a transformative step in enriching the lives of millions and reinforces the company’s commitment to driving digital innovation and telecom leadership across the continent.......…continue reading

📺 MEDIA

Ghana Orders 30% DStv Price Cut or License Suspension

Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has ordered MultiChoice, parent of DStv, to cut subscription fees by 30% or risk losing its broadcasting license, sparking a major debate on pay-TV regulation in Africa. Many Ghanaians welcome the move, citing rising living costs and frustration over DStv’s high prices—currently GH₵375 for a premium package—amid a minimum wage of GH₵14.88 per day. MultiChoice defends its pricing, pointing to foreign currency costs for content rights, satellite operations, and staff, but critics argue its uniform pricing model ignores local economic disparities.

The directive highlights broader tensions between consumer protection and market stability. Forced price cuts could unsettle investors and discourage innovation, while long-term solutions may lie in fostering competition, promoting local content, and adopting flexible, pay-as-you-watch models. Ghana’s bold stance could inspire similar regulatory interventions across Africa, signaling a shift toward stricter oversight of digital and media services. The outcome will test how to balance fair access for consumers with sustainable business practices......…continue reading

📱 DIGITAL MEDIA

Spotify to Raise Premium Prices Globally in September

Spotify will raise the monthly cost of its Premium Individual plan from €10.99 to €11.99 in most markets outside the U.S. starting September 2025, impacting users in Europe, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. While the €1 increase seems small, with 239 million Premium subscribers—half in affected regions—it could generate over €100 million in additional annual revenue.

This marks Spotify’s third price hike in three years, reflecting the challenge of turning user growth into profit. The company posted an €86 million net loss in Q2 2025 despite higher revenue. Leadership says the increase will fund innovations like AI-powered DJs, podcast playlists, smart shuffle, and regional music features.

However, the hike may be felt most in developing markets like Nigeria, where rising costs and currency volatility could push prices above ₦1,500. As competitors like Apple Music and YouTube Music also raise prices, Spotify’s survival depends on convincing users that its premium experience is still worth paying for in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape........…continue reading

🩺 HEALTHCARE

Mediterrania invests $59M in Dislog Dispositifs Médicaux to accelerate healthcare innovation

Mediterrania Capital Partners (MCP), in partnership with CDG Invest Growth, has invested MAD 540 million (USD 59 million) in Dislog Dispositifs Médicaux (DDM), the healthcare arm of Morocco’s Dislog Group. The funding aims to transform DDM into a comprehensive, one-stop medical device provider, covering design, manufacturing, distribution, and technical services. This strategic move aligns with Morocco’s growing demand for high-quality, locally available healthcare solutions.

Led by Moncef Belkhayat, Dislog Group is a major FMCG player managing over 100 brands across food, health, and hygiene. With MCP’s investment, DDM is poised to expand its offerings, adopt advanced technologies, and pursue strategic acquisitions to strengthen its role as a regional leader in medical devices.

MCP’s leadership highlighted the investment’s impact-driven focus, aiming to boost healthcare access while generating strong returns. This follows MCP’s successful exit from Dislog Group after driving 89% revenue growth to €332 million, showcasing its ability to create transformative value in African growth sectors.........…continue reading

 💸 MONEY TRANSFER

Ethiopia’s Central Bank bans four U.S.-based money transfer companies over illegal operations

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has banned four U.S.-based remittance firms—Shgey Money Transfer, Adulis Money Transfer, Ramada Pay (Kaah), and TAAJ Money Transfer—for operating without licenses and facilitating unauthorized cross-border transactions. These companies, popular among the Ethiopian diaspora in Maryland, Virginia, and Minnesota, are accused of suspicious activities, including money laundering. TAAJ previously pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, having moved over $66 million without proper reporting.

The NBE warned that funds sent through unlicensed channels risk seizure or non-delivery and urged users to rely on its 88 listed licensed providers. The move sparked mixed reactions: supporters see it as vital for financial security, while critics argue that wide gaps between the official exchange rate (134 birr/USD) and black market rates (170+ birr/USD) drive informal transfers. Analysts suggest broader enforcement in the Gulf, Europe, and South Africa, alongside incentives for legal remittances, to shift users toward secure, regulated digital platforms.....…continue reading

 OTHER STORIES

• EAAIF secures $100M facility from Export Finance Australia...…continue reading

• Suplyd Raises $2 Million in Pre-Series A Funding..…..continue reading

• Multichoice advances major restructuring amid Canal+ takeover bid…….continue reading

Do you know you can join and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel?