💰Moniepoint Acquires Orda

Plus: 🤖Elon Musk Unveils ‘Terafab’ AI Chip

Innovation Village
March 24, 2026

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Good Morning Valued Subscribers 👋

Africa’s tech and business landscape continues to evolve at speed, with major moves across fintech, mobility, AI, and regulation shaping what comes next. In Nigeria, Moniepoint is doubling down on its ecosystem play with the acquisition of Orda and the launch of Moniebook, signalling a deeper push into merchant solutions. Meanwhile, ride-hailing drivers in Benin are gearing up for a 7-day strike, highlighting growing tensions around platform economics.

Globally, Elon Musk has unveiled the ‘Terafab’ AI chip, pointing to the next frontier in computing power, while fintech startup Happy Pay has secured $5 million to expand its interest-free BNPL model. On the regulatory front, Kenya is taking a strong stance on consumer protection by restricting telcos from recycling numbers without consent, and Ghana is rolling out a more secure, user-friendly SIM registration system.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💰Moniepoint Acquires Orda, Launches Moniebook
🚘 Ride-Hailing Drivers in Benin Plan 7-Day Strike Over Low Fares
🤖 Elon Musk Unveils ‘Terafab’ AI Chip
💵 Happy Pay Raises $5M to Scale Interest-Free BNPL Model
📶 Kenya Bars Telcos from Recycling Numbers Without Consent
📱Ghana Unveils Secure, User-Friendly SIM Registration

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💰ACQUISITIONS

Moniepoint Acquires Orda, Launches Moniebook

Moniepoint has acquired Orda and rebranded it as Moniebook for Restaurants, integrating it into its broader business management suite.

The move allows restaurants to manage orders, inventory, and payments within a single platform, eliminating manual reconciliation and improving operational efficiency. By embedding payments directly into daily workflows, Moniepoint aims to reduce transaction leakages and streamline restaurant operations.

The acquisition also strengthens Moniepoint’s position in Nigeria’s growing food service market and supports its broader strategy of evolving from a payments provider into a full-stack business operating system for African enterprises......….continue reading

🚘RIDE-HAILING SERVICE

Ride-Hailing Drivers in Benin Plan 7-Day Strike Over Low Fares

E-hailing drivers in Benin City, operating on Uber, Bolt, and inDrive, will embark on a seven-day strike from March 26 to April 1, 2026, following a directive from the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). The action stems from growing frustration over declining earnings, as rising fuel prices—now averaging around ₦1,200 per litre—alongside increased vehicle maintenance and living costs, continue to erode drivers’ income.

According to the union, multiple attempts to engage ride-hailing platforms on fare adjustments have failed, leaving drivers with little control over pricing and unsustainable working conditions. The strike is intended to pressure these companies into meaningful negotiations and to recognize drivers as key stakeholders in the ecosystem.........….continue reading

🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Elon Musk Unveils ‘Terafab’ AI Chip

Elon Musk has introduced Terafab, an ambitious plan to build large-scale semiconductor manufacturing facilities dedicated to producing high-performance AI chips for both Tesla, Inc. and SpaceX. The initiative reflects a strategic shift toward vertical integration, allowing Musk’s companies to reduce reliance on third-party chipmakers and gain greater control over production and innovation.

For Tesla, Inc., custom AI chips could significantly enhance its Full Self-Driving systems and robotics programs, improving performance beyond what off-the-shelf solutions offer. Meanwhile, SpaceX could leverage the chips to strengthen satellite operations like Starlink and support future space-based computing ambitions.

The move comes amid global semiconductor shortages and rising competition for advanced chips, pushing more companies to secure their own supply chains.......….continue reading

💵FUNDING

Happy Pay Raises $5M to Scale Interest-Free BNPL Model

Happy Pay, a South African fintech startup, has secured $5 million in seed funding led by Partech to expand its interest-free Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform. Unlike traditional BNPL models, Happy Pay shifts the cost of installment payments entirely to merchants, allowing consumers to access flexible payments without interest or fees.

The startup’s model positions payment flexibility as a marketing expense for retailers, helping them attract high-intent shoppers, boost conversions, and increase basket sizes. This creates a dual-value system where consumers benefit from cost-free credit while merchants gain measurable sales growth.

Despite challenges in the global BNPL sector, including tighter regulations and investor scrutiny, Happy Pay’s merchant-funded approach has stood out for its sustainability and affordability......….continue reading

📶TELECOMS

Kenya Bars Telcos from Recycling Numbers Without Consent

The High Court of Kenya has ruled that telecom operators must notify users and obtain consent before recycling inactive mobile numbers, recognizing phone numbers as a core part of an individual’s digital identity protected under privacy laws.

The decision follows a 2024 petition challenging the practice of reassigning numbers without user awareness, which the court said risks exposing sensitive personal data. SIM recycling, while common for managing limited number resources, has raised concerns about identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized access to private communications when new users inherit old numbers.

Under the ruling, telcos must exhaust all efforts to contact previous owners before reassigning numbers and implement safeguards to prevent any transfer of personal data......….continue reading