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The Rising Stars: 7 Unicorns Shaking the African Continent

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The African continent has been experiencing a surge in the number of startups that are making waves across various industries. These startups, popularly referred to as unicorns, are companies that have achieved a valuation of over $1 billion. In this article, we will be taking a look at seven of these unicorns that are shaking up the African continent and disrupting traditional business models.

Flutterwave:

Founder(s): Iyinoluwa Aboyeji and Olugbenga Agboola

Contributions: Flutterwave, a Nigerian fintech startup, has revolutionized digital payments in Africa. Founded in 2016, Flutterwave provides a seamless platform that enables businesses and individuals to send and receive money across Africa and internationally. The founders’ visionary approach has helped drive financial inclusion by creating accessible payment solutions, boosting e-commerce, and fostering economic growth in the African market. Their innovative efforts have made Flutterwave one of Africa’s most prominent unicorns, valued at over $1 billion.

Maser:

Founder(s): Prateek Suri

Contributions: Prateek Suri’s vision is critical in its attaining unicorn status. His vision for Maser is to democratize access to quality and affordable consumer electronics across the world. Known for his strategic acumen and innovative thinking, Suri has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible. His relentless pursuit of excellence has cemented Maser’s position as a trailblazer in the industry, disrupting traditional norms and setting new benchmarks for success. Maser Group emerges to be 7th unicorn for making 1 Billion USD Revenue under Suri’s Leadership.

Jumia:

Founder(s): Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara

Contributions: Jumia, often referred to as the “Amazon of Africa,” was founded in 2012 and has since become one of the continent’s most successful e-commerce platforms. Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication have transformed the retail landscape in Africa, providing a convenient and reliable online marketplace for customers across the continent. Jumia’s remarkable growth has not only empowered local businesses but also accelerated the adoption of e-commerce, facilitating economic opportunities and job creation.

Andela:

Founder(s): Jeremy Johnson, Christina Sass, Ian Carnevale, and Brice Nkengsa

Contributions: Andela, established in 2014, has emerged as a trailblazing company in the African tech scene. Its founders recognized the immense talent pool in Africa and built a platform that connects African software developers with global companies seeking remote engineering teams. By providing world-class training and mentorship, Andela has played a pivotal role in nurturing a thriving tech ecosystem in Africa. The founders’ commitment to fostering local talent has not only created thousands of high-quality jobs but also elevated Africa’s reputation as a hub for software development.

Paystack:

Founder(s): Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi

Contributions: Paystack, founded in 2015, has reimagined online payments in Africa, empowering businesses of all sizes to accept payments seamlessly. Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi’s groundbreaking initiative has revolutionized the fintech sector, facilitating secure transactions and driving digital entrepreneurship. By addressing the challenges associated with payments in Africa, Paystack has catalyzed economic growth and enabled numerous startups to flourish, propelling the continent’s digital transformation.

Interswitch:

Founder(s): Mitchell Elegbe

Contributions: Mitchell Elegbe founded Interswitch in 2002, envisioning a future where digital payments would redefine Africa’s economic landscape. Interswitch has become a key player in the financial technology space, offering a range of payment solutions and infrastructure that have modernized banking and commerce in Africa. Elegbe’s visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of innovation have played a vital role in expanding financial inclusion and driving economic development across the continent.

Cellulant:

Founder(s): Ken Njoroge and Bolaji Akinboro

Contributions: Ken Njoroge and Bolaji Akinboro co-founded Cellulant in 2004, recognizing the potential of mobile technology to transform Africa’s agricultural and financial sectors. Cellulant’s innovative mobile payments platform has revolutionized how farmers, businesses, and consumers interact, driving financial inclusion and fostering growth. Njoroge and Akinboro’s commitment to leveraging technology for social impact has earned Cellulant recognition as one of Africa’s leading fintech unicorns.

Conclusion:

The rise of these seven African unicorns exemplifies the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship sweeping across the African subcontinent. Through their visionary leadership and transformative solutions, the founders have not only built successful companies but also catalyzed economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement. These unicorns have demonstrated the potential and power of African innovation on a global stage, reshaping perceptions and establishing Africa as a vibrant market ripe with opportunities. As these remarkable success stories continue to unfold, Africa’s future looks brighter than ever, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs and paving the way for prosperity and progress.


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E-Business

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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E-Business

Galaxy Backbone Celebrates the Federal Government’s Paperless Civil Service Milestone

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Galaxy Backbone (GBB) aligns with and celebrates the successful announcement by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the achievement of a Paperless Civil Service, a significant milestone in Nigeria’s public sector reform and digital transformation agenda.

The milestone was formally highlighted at a press briefing led by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who commended Galaxy Backbone for its sustained support and contribution throughout the implementation of the programme.

GBB has played a critical role in enabling this transition by providing secure, scalable, and shared digital infrastructure that supports the digitisation of government processes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Through the 1Government Cloud, MDAs have been empowered to migrate from paper-based workflows to digital platforms, improving efficiency, collaboration, data security, and service delivery across the Federal Civil Service.

In addition, GovMail, GBB’s secure government email platform, has strengthened official communication, enhanced records management, and reinforced cybersecurity standards—key pillars in sustaining a paperless operating environment.

Galaxy Backbone acknowledges the collective efforts of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of ICT, consultants, partners, and dedicated public servants whose commitment and collaboration ensured the smooth delivery of this initiative.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, was represented at the press briefing by Akintayo Bamisaye, Acting Group Head, Research, Digital Innovation and Skills Department (RDIS).

GBB describes the achievement as a strong close to 2025 and reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Federal Government in building a modern, efficient, and digitally enabled public service.


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