📺MultiChoice Freezes DStv Prices

Plus:⛽Eterna Rolls Out Self-Service Fuel Terminals

Innovation Village
February 23, 2026

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Happy New Week Valued Subscribers👋

MultiChoice has announced a freeze on DStv subscription prices, offering temporary relief to customers amid mounting economic pressure and rising living costs. The decision comes at a time when households across key African markets are grappling with inflation, currency volatility, and tightening disposable income — factors that have increasingly influenced spending on entertainment and pay-TV services.

The move signals a strategic balancing act for MultiChoice as it seeks to retain subscribers in a highly competitive and price-sensitive market. With streaming platforms and alternative digital content providers expanding aggressively, the price freeze may serve both as a customer retention strategy and a response to broader economic realities shaping consumer behaviour.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

📺 MultiChoice Freezes DStv Prices
💵 Bluebulb to Launch Orbita
📰 Adeyemi Ajao Named to ForbesBLK 50 Money Masters
⛽ Eterna Rolls Out Self-Service Fuel Terminals
💵 Zambia’s Lupiya Raises $11.25M Series A Extension
🤝 Capitec Deal Adds 550,000 New Customers to Dis-Chem

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📺MEDIA

MultiChoice Freezes DStv Prices

MultiChoice will not implement its usual April DStv price increase for the first time in years, as new CEO David Mignot focuses on reversing steep subscriber losses under new owner Groupe Canal+. The decision comes after the company lost 2.8 million subscribers over two years, including 1.2 million in the year ending March 2025, with revenue falling from R56 billion to R52 billion and trading profit dropping 49%.

Mignot said the priority is rebuilding the subscriber base rather than raising prices, arguing that the issue lies in commercial strategy, not content quality............….continue reading

💵CROSS-BORDER PAYMENTS

Bluebulb to Launch Orbita

Bluebulb has announced plans to launch Orbita, a self-service treasury platform designed to streamline cross-border payments for African businesses. The platform aims to address the high costs, fragmentation, and operational inefficiencies that currently define cross-border transactions across the continent, where fees often exceed global benchmarks.

Orbita will provide a unified dashboard enabling companies to fund digital wallets, convert currencies, settle international payments, track transactions, and monitor liquidity in real time. By consolidating multiple payment processes into one system, the platform seeks to eliminate the need for businesses to manage several separate providers across different markets.............….continue reading

📰NEWS

Adeyemi Ajao Named to ForbesBLK 50 Money Masters

Nigerian-born venture capitalist Adeyemi “Ade” Ajao, co-founder and managing partner of Base10 Partners, has been named to the 2026 ForbesBLK 50: Money Masters list, recognizing leading Black investors in private equity, credit, and venture capital.

Ajao oversees approximately $1.8 billion in assets under management and co-founded Base10 in 2017, building it into the first Black-led VC firm to surpass $1 billion in AUM. The firm has backed major tech companies including Nubank, Figma, and Instacart.

His career began with the co-founding of Spanish social network Tuenti, which was acquired for $100 million, followed by another startup exit to Workday.........….continue reading

⛽PETROL

Eterna Rolls Out Self-Service Fuel Terminals

Eterna Plc has partnered with Fuelmetrics Limited to introduce self-service fuel terminals across its retail network, advancing its digital transformation strategy. The new system allows motorists to authorize, dispense, and pay for fuel directly using bank cards or digital vouchers, reducing queues and improving payment transparency.

The rollout aims to enhance efficiency, minimize cash-related discrepancies, and deliver a faster, more secure customer experience. For corporate clients, the platform offers real-time fuel monitoring, automated reporting, and improved fleet expense control.

The initiative positions Eterna at the forefront of digital innovation in Nigeria’s downstream sector, laying the groundwork for a more automated, transparent, and data-driven fuel retail ecosystem..........….continue reading

💵 FUNDING

Zambia’s Lupiya Raises $11.25M Series A Extension

Zambian neobank Lupiya has extended its Series A funding round to $11.25 million, up from the initial $8.25 million raised in 2023. The round was led by Alitheia IDF Fund, with participation from INOKS Capital SA, KfW DEG, and support from Mastercard.

Founded in 2016, Lupiya focuses on closing Zambia’s financial inclusion gap through digital loans, payments via Lupiya Pay, and embedded finance partnerships targeting unbanked and underbanked communities............….continue reading

🤝PARTNERSHIPS

Capitec Deal Adds 550,000 New Customers to Dis-Chem

Dis-Chem reported 10.1% revenue growth for the 24 weeks ending 16 February 2026, driven largely by its revamped Better Rewards loyalty programme and a strategic partnership with Capitec. Since launching in October 2025, the programme has attracted 550,000 new customers and delivered R410 million in savings within 17 weeks.

The Capitec Boost incentive — offering cardholders an extra 5% discount — has significantly increased shopper engagement, contributing to a 0.8 percentage point market share gain. Retail revenue rose 9.5%, pharmacy revenue climbed 13.7%, and participating loyalty brands recorded nearly 20% revenue growth..........….continue reading