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📱NCC Bans Ex-Regulators from Telecom Jobs for 5 Years

📱NCC Bans Ex-Regulators from Telecom Jobs for 5 Years

🪙 $40B Crypto Collapse: Do Kwon Guilty

Innovation Village
August 13, 2025

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Today’s Menu ☕️

🗼Airtel Africa and Vodacom forge strategic infrastructure-sharing agreement across key markets
🪙 $40B Crypto Collapse: Terraform Labs Founder Do Kwon Pleads Guilty
💰 HoneyCoin secures $4.9M in seed funding led by Flourish Ventures for cross-border fintech growth
📱Nigeria’s NCC Bans Ex-Regulators from Joining Telecom Firms for Up to 5 Years
💵 Creation Capital invests $4.2m into Quest Capital Solutions to boost SME transport financing

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🗼 INFRASTRUCTURE

Airtel Africa and Vodacom forge strategic infrastructure-sharing agreement across key markets

Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have agreed to share fibre and tower infrastructure in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, pending regulatory approval. The deal aims to accelerate 4G and 5G rollout, improve service quality, and lower operational costs, particularly in rural and underserved regions. By leveraging each other’s assets, both companies can expand coverage faster and more cost-effectively, bridging Africa’s digital divide.

Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said the initiative supports their goal to connect 260 million customers by 2030, while Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar emphasized extending digital and financial inclusion to remote communities. A key focus is expanding fibre networks, critical for high-speed internet and low-latency applications such as video streaming, cloud services, and digital payments.

This collaboration mirrors recent industry moves, including MTN and Airtel’s infrastructure-sharing deals in Uganda and Nigeria. If approved, the partnership could become a model for cross-operator cooperation, driving both commercial growth and social impact across Africa’s telecom sector..……continue reading

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🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY

$40B Crypto Collapse: Terraform Labs Founder Do Kwon Pleads Guilty

Do Kwon

Do Kwon, 33, co-founder of Terraform Labs and creator of the collapsed cryptocurrencies TerraUSD and Luna, has pleaded guilty in New York to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud. The $40 billion crash of these tokens in 2022 is considered one of the largest fraud cases in crypto history.

Prosecutors said Kwon misled investors by claiming an algorithm restored TerraUSD’s $1 peg in 2021, when in fact a trading firm secretly bought millions of dollars’ worth to stabilize the price. This deception fueled investment and drove Luna’s market value to $50 billion before the collapse. Kwon, extradited from Montenegro in 2023, faces up to 25 years in prison but could receive no more than 12 years under his plea deal.

He has agreed to pay an $80 million civil fine and accept a crypto ban as part of a $4.55 billion SEC settlement. Kwon also faces charges in South Korea, with possible transfer after serving part of his U.S. sentence.........…continue reading

💰 FUNDING

HoneyCoin secures $4.9M in seed funding led by Flourish Ventures for cross-border fintech growth

HoneyCoin team

HoneyCoin, a Nairobi-based fintech startup using stablecoin-powered payment rails, has secured $4.9 million in seed funding to expand into Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The round was led by Flourish Ventures, with participation from TLcom Capital, Stellar Development Foundation, Lava, Musha Ventures, 4DX Ventures, Antler, and Visa Ventures. Founded in 2020, HoneyCoin addresses inefficiencies in Africa’s $329 billion cross-border payments market, offering near-instant settlements at low cost by connecting directly to banks, mobile money platforms, and global networks.

The company processes $150 million monthly for 350 enterprise clients and 326,000 consumers, with revenues mainly from B2B settlement services. Operating in 15 African countries, the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets, it plans expansions to Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, Francophone Africa, and beyond. HoneyCoin’s infrastructure features a stablecoin-powered AI Matching Engine and partnerships with banks, regulators, and mobile operators. Upcoming Q3 2025 launches include a Visa-backed debit card, cross-border liquidity solutions with Interswitch, a BaaS platform, and POS software. The startup holds multiple licenses across Canada, Europe, the U.S., and Africa.......…continue reading

📱 TELECOMS

Nigeria’s NCC Bans Ex-Regulators from Joining Telecom Firms for Up to 5 Years

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a mandatory cooling-off period under its Corporate Governance Guidelines 2025, restricting former top officials from joining telecom operators immediately after leaving office. Commissioners, executive vice-chairpersons, and the chief executive officer face a five-year restriction, while departmental directors face a three-year limit.

The rule aims to prevent conflicts of interest, uphold impartial regulatory decisions, and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s fast-growing telecom sector. It forms part of the NCC’s wider governance reforms, which include enforcing the Accounting Separation Framework for clearer financial reporting, promoting infrastructure sharing to cut costs and improve services, and curbing unauthorized tariff hikes to safeguard consumers.

With billions in investment flowing into Nigeria’s telecom industry, the NCC seeks predictable, transparent oversight to maintain investor confidence. No exemptions or transitional provisions will apply, underscoring the regulator’s firm stance. If effectively enforced, the policy could serve as a governance model for other Nigerian regulatory bodies.......…continue reading

💵 FUNDING

Creation Capital invests $4,2M into Quest Capital Solutions to boost SME transport financing

Creation Capital, a South African private credit asset manager, has provided R75 million (about $4.2 million) in debt financing to Quest Capital Solutions, a rent-to-own truck and trailer financing specialist serving SMEs in the transport sector. Founded in 2012, Quest Capital offers an integrated solution combining financing, asset management, maintenance, and insurance, enabling SMEs to acquire critical transport assets without large upfront costs or multiple service providers.

Creation Capital’s Chief Investment Officer, Freddy Magoro, noted that traditional capital markets often overlook SMEs, contributing to a financing shortfall of R350 billion, despite SMEs making up 91% of South Africa’s formal businesses. He praised Quest’s bundled service model as a differentiator that reduces operational burdens and supports efficient scaling.

Quest CEO Charl Lehmann said the funding will drive expansion into new markets and broaden its client base. The investment supports Quest’s mission to provide scalable transport solutions, which are vital for economic growth and job creation in South Africa........…continue reading