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- Africa’s Tech Ecosystem Digest | Issue #9 | June 4, 2025
Africa’s Tech Ecosystem Digest | Issue #9 | June 4, 2025
This Week: Starlink’s South Africa Push Stirs Controversy, Heroshe Logistics Closes Doors to Customers and New Funding & Events to Watch.
Thalo Group
June 04, 2025
Hi Thalo Fam, 👋
Welcome back to Thalo, your insider’s guide to Africa’s tech scene. New here? You’re in for a treat!
Last week, we broke down Kwik’s parent company bankruptcy & NCC’s telecom crackdown. This week, we’re dishing on South Africa’s Starlink-friendly policy shift, Heroshe Logistics Shutdown, and the latest funding and events..
In Today’s Edition
• South Africa’s Starlink-Friendly Policy Sparks Debate
• Heroshe Logistics Shutdown
• Fresh Funding Rounds & Accelerator Programs
• Can’t-Miss Events with Networking Buzz
🚨 Starlink or Sidelining? SA’s ICT Shake-Up Sparks Debate
New ICT Minister Solly Malatsi is making waves by scrapping strict Black ownership requirements in the sector. Why? To open the door for global players like Starlink to operate more easily in the country.
Some are calling it a connectivity revolution; imagine faster, cheaper internet in rural areas. But others? They're not buying it. Critics argue it could sideline local empowerment efforts, a cornerstone of South Africa’s economic transformation.
👀 Meanwhile, behind closed doors, things are getting spicy. There are whispers of tense meetings between telecom giants and the government. The word on X (formerly Twitter) is that some local players are not happy about Starlink possibly entering the market.
What do you think?
📡 Is this the boost South Africa’s internet ecosystem needs?
🤔 Or is it a step back for local equity and empowerment?
📦 Heroshe’s Shipping Woes: From Trusted Logistics to Customer Nightmares
Heroshe, once a go-to logistics startup connecting Nigerian shoppers with goods from the US, UK, and China, is now facing potential shutdown after months of delayed deliveries, lack of communication, and operational missteps.
🚨 What went wrong?
Abrupt move from Texas to Delaware.
Fired experienced staff, hired undertrained ones.
Packages stuck, some for 8+ months!
Angry customers, damaged businesses, zero comms.
Can Heroshe recover or is this the end?
Heroshe, the darling of logistics, is on the verge of shutdown / pivot…
— Bayomi (@SemudaraAbayomi)
9:48 AM • May 30, 2025
💰 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
 | Afeximbank Flagship Accelerator Program A groundbreaking initiative designed to empower African entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to drive intra-African trade. Prize pool: up to $250,000 Deadline: Nil |
 | Llama Impact Accelerator This is a regional initiative supporting startups across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal that are building scalable, AI-driven solutions to address critical challenges. Prize pool: Equity-free funding of up to $25,000 Deadline: 27 June 2025 |
 | Startup Abuja Hackathon An online hackathon and business growth experience for startups, SMEs, tech innovators, and entrepreneurs across Nigeria. Prize pool: Over ₦100 million worth of prizes Deadline: July 20, 2025 |
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
 | 4th Annual TMT Business Series 2025 The TMT Business Series is the annual flagship event of Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA), convening leading voices across Nigeria’s technology, media and telecommunications sectors. |
 | Digital PayExpo The Digital Pay Expo Pan-African Conference is a premier annual event that brings together key stakeholders in the digital payments and financial services ecosystem across Africa. |
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That's a wrap for this issue! We're just getting started, and we've got tons of exciting stuff planned. See you next week!
Cheers,
The Thalo Team