🚘Uber and Bolt Drivers Begin 3-Day Strike in Lagos

Good Morning Valued Subscribers 👋

Today’s developments across Africa’s digital economy and global tech landscape highlight shifting power dynamics between platforms, regulators, and users. In Nigeria, ride-hailing tensions have escalated as Uber and Bolt drivers begin a three-day strike in Lagos, raising fresh questions about pricing, platform policies, and driver welfare. Meanwhile, MTN MoMo’s milestone of $500 billion in processed transactions underscores the rapid growth and scale of mobile money across the continent.

Globally, Apple continues to push the boundaries of premium consumer tech with the launch of its AirPods Max 2, featuring improved noise cancellation and AI-powered capabilities. In e-commerce, South Africa is considering stricter regulations that may require fast-growing platforms like Temu and Shein to establish local offices, signaling a shift toward greater accountability. At the same time, YouTube’s move to 30-second unskippable ads reflects evolving monetization strategies in the attention economy.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

🚘 Uber and Bolt Drivers Begin 3-Day Strike in Lagos
📶 MTN MoMo Processes $500B in Transactions
🎧 Apple Unveils AirPods Max 2 with Enhanced ANC, H2 Chip, and AI-Powered Features
🛒 South Africa May Require Temu and Shein to Open Local Offices
📲 YouTube’s 30-Second Unskippable Ads Signal a Shift

🚘 RIDE-HAILING SERVICES

Uber and Bolt Drivers Begin 3-Day Strike in Lagos

Drivers operating on ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and inDrive have begun a three-day warning strike across Lagos and parts of Ogun State, protesting low fares and high commission charges. Organized by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, the strike highlights growing frustration among drivers who say rising fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and inflation have drastically reduced their earnings while platform commissions remain between 20% and 25%.

The union is demanding a fair-fare review, improved safety measures including better rider verification systems, and functional emergency response features within the apps.........….continue reading

📶TELECOMS

MTN MoMo Processes $500B in Transactions

MTN Group’s mobile money platform MTN MoMo processed $500.3 billion in transactions in 2025, reflecting strong growth in the company’s fintech operations across Africa. Transaction value rose sharply from $321.3 billion in 2024, while volumes increased to 23.3 billion, indicating both higher usage and larger transaction sizes as customers increasingly rely on the platform for broader financial activities beyond basic transfers.

Lending emerged as the fastest-growing segment, with $3.5 billion in loans facilitated through services such as MoMo Advance and marketplace lending partnerships. Advanced financial services—including lending, insurance, investments, and digital payments—now account for a growing share of MoMo’s revenue, signaling the platform’s evolution into a broader digital financial services ecosystem.........….continue reading

🎧 GADGETS

Apple Unveils AirPods Max 2 with Enhanced ANC, H2 Chip, and AI-Powered Features

Apple has unveiled the AirPods Max 2, introducing major upgrades in noise cancellation, sound quality, and intelligent features powered by the H2 chip. The new headphones deliver up to 1.5x better Active Noise Cancellation, blocking out more environmental noise for a more immersive experience. Audio quality is also enhanced with a new amplifier and support for 24-bit lossless audio, appealing to both everyday users and professionals.

AirPods Max 2 bring several smart features, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation, alongside tools like camera remote and studio-quality recording for creators. Apple is also emphasizing sustainability, using recycled materials across the device and packaging.

Priced at $549, the headphones will be available to order from March 25, positioning them as a premium offering in the high-end audio market.......….continue reading

🛒 E-COMMERCE

South Africa May Require Temu and Shein to Open Local Offices

South Africa is proposing new regulations that would require international e-commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein, and Amazon to establish local offices or representatives in the country. The proposal, led by the National Consumer Commission and the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, aims to strengthen consumer protection and improve regulatory oversight of cross-border online shopping.

The reforms come as South Africa’s e-commerce market continues to expand rapidly, bringing a rise in consumer complaints about delayed deliveries, misleading product listings, faulty goods, and difficulties obtaining refunds from foreign sellers. By requiring a local presence, regulators hope to make it easier to enforce consumer protection laws, ensure compliance with safety standards, and improve tax accountability......….continue reading

 📲 SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube’s 30-Second Unskippable Ads Signal a Shift

An opinion piece argues that YouTube’s rollout of 30-second unskippable ads on connected TV apps marks a shift away from the platform’s user-controlled viewing experience. The change replaces the familiar two 15-second ads with a single longer commercial, reflecting a strategy by parent company Alphabet Inc. to align YouTube’s advertising model more closely with traditional television.

The move is driven by the rapid growth of large-screen viewing, where advertisers prefer longer ad slots that allow for storytelling and deeper brand engagement. However, critics argue that longer unskippable ads undermine the sense of control that originally made online video appealing compared to traditional broadcast TV............….continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Meta Platforms Considers Layoffs Affecting Up to 20% of Workforce…….continue reading

• Amazon Expands Shop Direct and Introduces AI Agents to Shop the Entire Web……continue reading

• Vodacom and MTN Report Growing eSIM Adoption in South Africa…continue reading

• Amethis acquires minority stake in Egypt’s Tiba for Starch & Glucose…continue reading

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