Caleb started out in post-conflict reconstruction. Driven by purpose, & a desire to help rebuild countries across Africa. But, over time, he realized that many of those initiatives had a limited impact. That realization forced a pivot:. 🎥: @theFCshow_

But it was @OPay_NG and @moniepointng leading the charge. Turns out, timing might be the most underrated co-founder of all. Read more to see how timing quietly shapes some of Africa’s biggest startup stories:

In 2009, Paga launched with a plan to bring banking to every street corner using POS agents. But Nigeria wasn’t ready. The cashless policy hadn’t kicked in, and trust in banks was still high. Fast forward to 2023, and a cash crunch hits. POS became the norm overnight. (3/4).

Four years later, YouTube launched and changed everything. Same idea, just better timing. Because in tech, being too early often feels the same as being wrong. And it’s not just a Silicon Valley thing — Africa’s seen this too. (2/4).

Ever heard of ShareYourWorld?. It launched in 1997, the same idea as @YouTube. But the internet was too slow, smartphones were not yet a thing, and no one was watching videos online at the time. By 2001, they shut down. (1/4)

RT @ItanaAfrica: 👋🏾 Hey team! We're partnering with @techsafarihq to discuss what it takes to build a thriving startup ecosystem in Africa.….

RT @lovegreg: I look forward to @techsafarihq unique insights into Africa tech weekly. Great to see them thriving!.

We’re talking about everything from capital and community to talent and policy. This is an open, honest conversation you won't want to miss. Details:. 📅 Date: August 21, 2025.⏰ Time: 11 AM WAT.🔗 Register:

What's the one thing that separates good startups from great ones? . Solid infrastructure. Join us for a live webinar with Itana where we’ll go beyond the hype to discuss what it really takes to build a thriving startup ecosystem in Africa.

From zero to $49K/month in just 18 months. Tech Safari began as a simple newsletter. Today, it’s a thriving media company reaching over 100,000 people weekly. Watch Caleb break down the growth of Tech Safari in Pt. 1.

RT @econ_tech_vance: @techsafarihq Airtime as currency—true grassroots decentralization. Years before crypto hype, people were solving real….

RT @tando_me: @techsafarihq LOVED this newsletter!! This is precisely why we see bitcoin being used first as a Medium of Exchange in Africa….

In some parts of Africa, churches collect tithes in airtime. In others, you can use it to pay for betting, bills, education, and even Apple Music. Why? Because it mirrors how people here actually pay: in small, flexible amounts. Read more:

Africa had its own digital currency before Bitcoin ever made headlines. It’s not built on blockchain, nor is it volatile. And it doesn’t need a bank. It’s airtime📱. Turns out, that little scratch card credit we’ve used for years does more than power calls. (1/2)

These self-taught ethical hackers help protect their neighbors. They fix (digital) problems with smart ideas born from tough conditions—even coding in the dark when the power goes out. Read more:

If internet is expensive, then most people can’t afford to stay online. Here, misinformation and fraud are part of daily life. Add government surveillance, and the digital risks get worse. But this chaos has given birth to Kinshasa's own "Digital Avengers": Les Cybervigiles.

In the DRC, only 30% of the population is online. Yet cyberattacks and scams spread just as fast as gossip. Why?. Internet access costs nearly a dollar for 1GB in a country where most people live on less than $2.15 a day.

Catch the rest of the headlines here:

This Week in African Tech 🌍 . Your essential weekly round-up of the biggest news and insights from across the ecosystem.

RT @josemaria__k: Un Silicon Kinshasa, c’est le rêve de voir l’énergie et la créativité des jeunes congolais•e•s se transformer en un petit….