Author: Elan
Bitcoin—and most other digital assets—promise cheap, fast cross-border payments. But there’s a catch: you need a smartphone and internet access to use them. In much of Africa, where millions of people still use feature phones, that design shuts them out. Kgothatso Ngako, a South African software engineer and former Amazon Web Services (AWS) developer, founded Machankura in 2022 to solve this design flaw. The startup allows people to send and receive Bitcoin using the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology, the same short-code system Africans use to check airtime, transfer mobile money, or query their account balance in traditional banking.…
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” It is a clever line, often quoted in boardrooms and strategy retreats. But he was also a man who, almost certainly, never had to travel the continent with a Nigerian passport. We speak the dialect of a “borderless” digital economy, yet we move across our own continent like unwelcome guests. The paradox is stark: Nigeria is projected to be the world’s third most populous nation by 2050, wielding a cultural soft power that dictates global charts. We are Africa’s largest nominal GDP engine and its venture funding magnet. Yet, we live inside aviation islands,…
Linux is famously customizable, and when you hear its perks discussed, you’ll usually see mentions of “flexibility” and “personalization” in the conversation. Despite those strengths, I’ve gotten tired of customizing my Linux PCs. Customization wasted time and left me frustrated Ending the “just right” obsession Linux is unbelievably flexible, and if you’re so inclined, you can tweak *everything* about it. Want the dock 10 pixels wider? You can do that. Dislike how something blurs when it is out of focus? You can fix that too. Regardless of which distro and desktop environment you pick, you’re always going to have something…
Situated within the stunning Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cradle of Humankind, the Bothongo WonderCave invites visitors to descend into one of South Africa’s most breathtaking underground wonders. This vast, single-chamber cave offers an unforgettable experience with no crawling required – just awe-inspiring natural beauty. As a both a beautiful and educational hidden gem, here are five things you probably didn’t know about the Bothongo WonderCave: A Geological Masterpiece Millions of Years in the Making The Bothongo WonderCave’s story begins in ancient seas, where layers of limestone were deposited over time.…
Africa’s engagement with Artificial Intelligence (AI) should go beyond technological adoption to include reshaping global narratives around inclusion, innovation, and equity. The continent must take the opportunities presented by AI to leapfrog its development challenges and reimagine key sectors such as education, healthcare, governance, industry, and food security. This was the thrust of the presentation of Vice Chancellor University of Lagos(UNILAG) at the opening ceremony of the university’s fifth International Week, with the theme: “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa.” She said: “Artificial Intelligence is not the future; it is the present. For Africa, AI represents something…
The applause inside Nairobi’s Sarit Centre last week was not just for the five enterprises crowned at the 13th Sankalp Africa Summit. It was the sound of a maturing ecosystem. When three of the five top honours at a pan-African summit are scooped up by local founders, it signals a shift. Kenya is no longer just hosting the conversation on African innovation; it is dictating the terms.Yet, beyond the polished pitches and the celebratory press releases of February 25th, a more complex narrative is unfolding. The victories of Rio Fish, M-Taka, and Malaica represent a fascinating intersection: the maturation of…
The boomerang effect of Trump’s tariffs – African Business The boomerang effect of Trump’s tariffs – African Business
In brief A small but growing online subculture treats AI chatbots as romantic partners or companions. Some users report grief when AI systems change or disappear after updates or shutdowns. Researchers say anthropomorphism and constant conversational feedback help explain why people form attachments to AI. Artificial intelligence chatbots are becoming companions, confidants, and in some cases romantic partners for a growing number of users.As AI systems grow more conversational and responsive, some people say the relationships feel real enough that losing the AI can trigger grief similar to a breakup or death.A former family therapist, Anina Lampret, says she understands…
When a government orders an internet shutdown, what goes cold is more than the ability to send a few texts or connect to the rest of the world. The ultimate measuring stick is the financial setback inflicted on the people and the overall economy. Beyond the access to information and the debate over human rights lies the resources left unutilised, resulting from an economy forced to a partial or complete standstill. While issues relating to rights to public information are legit concerns during internet disruptions, there’s a lasting impact on economic activity which affects the digital economy, mobile money operations,…
UX design is entering a new phase, with designers shifting from makers of outputs to directors of intent. AI can now generate wireframes, prototypes, and even design systems in minutes, but UX has never been only about creating interfaces. It’s about navigating ambiguity, advocating for humans in systems optimised for efficiency, and solving their problems through thoughtful design.I’ve been working in User Experience design for more than twenty years. Long enough to have seen the many job titles, from when stakeholders asked us to “just make it pretty” to when wireframes were delivered as annotated PDFs. I’ve seen many tools…