Author: Wesley Diphoko

01.20.25

TikTok ban is a WakeUp call for All

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

The Tik Tok ban and shutdown marked a historical event on the internet since the Wikileaks ban. The popular social media platform was banned due to unverified claims that it was collecting US citizens data for the Chinese government. Although the platform is now back, the ban demonstrates the fragility of building digital platforms as commercial entities.

The platform was no small player in the digital ecosystem. At the time of being banned it boasted 170 million users in the US and billions around the world and yet on the 19th January it disappeared without a trace (in the US). It was an economic enabler for content creators. Young people relied on the platform to access information. The value of this platform is not debatable. How was it possible for it to be removed in the US?

A legal instrument was used, whichever entity was hosting the platform removed it on its servers and more importantly it was removed from the App store (Apple owned) and Play store (Google/Alphabet owned).

The manner in which this platform was temporarily removed indicates how any other app could be deactivated.

Although Tik Tok has been reinstated under conditions, its removal should serve as a lesson. As part of creating a platform, it’s not enough to create only digital presence. Creators of digital platforms ought to consider other forms of existence that go beyond the app stores. The existence of digital platforms has to be done in parallel with the physical existence. The existence of a digital business in tangible form is a moat that can never be touched. A digital entity that develops a physical community can exist beyond the destruction of its digital presence. This is even more important in the age of AI. Businesses are now trying to find their form of existence in the AI realm. Many forget that AI presence if not built by the business creates a dependency situation. Most businesses that are moving towards AI are building their businesses on top of AI foundations that are built by others.

In the same way that the apps economy is dependent on the two app stores, AI is also dominated by major handful of tech giants. As leaders reflect on how they will build they need to understand that building digital only businesses is equivalent to building on shaky grounds.

The Tik Tok ban will change how digital platforms are perceived. In the past they were highly valued and considered safe bets. What has just happened to TikTok may have shaken the strong belief in the strength of digital platforms. This situation does also call for an independence of the app ecosystem. The fact that major entities, Apple and Google, dominate app stores creates vulnerability for others. App stores should be independent of national and commercial interests. An effort towards creating a global app store that is free from any government interference ought to be the next logical step by global leaders.

For now it’s TikTok tomorrow it will be another platform built outside of the US. Although splinternet (fragmentation of the internet) is not ideal, l such developments create a world that embraces divisions in the digital sphere. A global digital infrastructure is needed if we are to build unshakable digital platforms that are not vulnerable to political winds.

Wikileaks suffered and TikTok became another victim. Who will else will suffer from powerful entities of the world?

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12.23.24

African Fintech needs more dialogue between regulators and fintech innovators

BY Wesley Diphoko 3 MINUTE READ

The African continent looks set to realize around $230 billion in financial sector revenue by 2025, despite various political and economic challenges, according to a McKinsey report on Africa’s evolving fintech industry.

The report further reveals the only factor that could prevent the continent from realizing this goal is its ability to reach the continent’s 1.4 billion-strong population, providing them with the services they so desperately need to establish and run businesses at home and across the region.

One barrier to achieving this growth is fragmented regulation. The fintech regulatory landscape in Africa is a fascinating paradox. While it grapples with fragmentation and occasionally lags the rapid pace of innovation, it uniquely positions itself ahead of many global regions while still ambitiously striving for international standards.

COST OF REGULATORY COMPLIANCE IN AFRICA

Regulatory compliance comes at a cost to fintechs and businesses in Africa. The financial burden is emphasized by a 2021 World Bank report, which states that this cost for businesses in Africa can be as high as 5-10% of revenue. Additionally, the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 report highlights that sub-Saharan Africa scores the lowest globally due to complex regulatory environments. These factors not only discourage foreign direct investment (FDI) but also stifle economic growth.

The upshot is that fintech companies need to employ ingenious and, of course, legal ways of navigating the complex requirements and licensing procedures in each of the 54 African countries. This process inevitably drives up the operation costs for the fintech companies and creates barriers for expansion especially for smaller startups with limited funds.

This is not unique to Africa and we have seen how this dynamic has played out the world over. According to the Financial Times, in 2023 crypto and fintech companies were fined more for lax controls than the entire traditional financial system. These companies paid $5.8 billion in fines last year for shortcomings in customer checks and anti-money laundering controls, as well as for failing to uphold sanctions and other financial crime issues.

Certainly there is no disputing the need for stringent regulation, but more can be done in implementing them effectively. Across Africa, there is a need for simple, harmonized regulation which achieves two critical tasks: industry oversight and the encouragement of reasonable risk-taking and innovation.

COLLABORATE FOR GROWTH AND GREATNESS

When regulation is standardized across African economies, the sky’s the limit! This is precisely what the fintech community, driving economies and livelihoods in Africa, is advocating for. There have been notable successes when regulators and fintech communities and associations collaborate.

FintechNGR, the body of fintech players in Nigeria, partnered with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to develop a Fintech Adoption Roadmap Policy for the Insurance Sector. The body also achieved this in 2019 when it collaborated with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria’s stock market regulator, to develop The Fintech Adoption Roadmap Policy in the Capital Market.

Similarly there has been some progress when regulators collaborate; the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is making strides in facilitating seamless cross-border transactions by reducing the need for foreign currencies in intra-African trade, thereby fostering greater financial integration across the continent.

Africa’s fintech market is among the most promising sectors, in the most exciting geography in the world. Clearly, with all its innovation, Africa deserves a market that balances innovation with protection, clear laws that define boundaries, and adaptable regulatory frameworks, a market where innovation thrives within a framework that ensures market stability, and financial inclusion.

For more

Olugbenga Agboola is founder and CEO of Flutterwave.

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12.06.24

EDITORIAL: Inside the Most Creative People issue of FastCompany (SA)

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

Through the course of this past year, as South Africa celebrated 30 years of democracy, observers have reflected on the country’s achievements and weighed in on its unsolved problems. But while a lot was written and said about the well-known political leaders who have helped shape the nation’s path over the past three decades, not much was heard about the creatives who influenced this important period in our country’s history.

Among them is Nathan Reddy, the founder of award-winning advertising agency Grid Worldwide. In this issue of Fast Company, where he features as our cover star, we examine the creative role Reddy has played in shaping several of South Africa’s most iconic brands. Spending time with him has left me thinking deeply about the role creativity could play in addressing the more complex problems facing our society.

We also look at other creative people and the organisations they have established. Overall, what struck me is that creativity and its application has allowed them to build something out of little or nothing. In this regard, think Dubai and Singapore, where the application of intense creative thinking has built world-beating economic hubs.

When people apply creativity — in a country, business, or organisation — productivity and economic development usually follows. Which prompts the question: If this is what creativity can do, what is stopping nations, businesses and organisations appointing “leaders of creativity” at the top of their hierarchies? If you need proof of this concept, look at the organisations on our list of Best Workplaces for innovators.

What stands out is the way they foster creativity and encourage big ideas at every level of their organisations.

In line with this thinking and as part of our plans for 2025, we plan to run a series of creativity workshops. We are of the view that infusing creativity into an organisation is an essential part of creating products not imagined before. The 2025 Most Creative People will feature the outcomes of these creativity workshops. I am eager to see the results and the products that will emerge from these sessions.

As you reflect on your achievements over this past year and make your plans for 2025, we hope the plans and ideas you find in this issue will form part of your arsenal when it comes to tackling challenges and winning your business battles.

All the best in your future endeavours…

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11.19.24

Checkers Sixty 60: How to balance the side effects of innovation?

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

There’s something beautiful about the Checkers Sixty 60 as a service. At the same time there’s something very ugly about what makes the service possible. The ability to get groceries from the comfort of your home is a life saver for some. Imagine the delivery benefits for someone with mobility challenges due to a sickness . Imagine an elderly person who can be assisted to get her shopping with ease. The Checkers Sixty 60 service is not just for convenience. It is also an income generator for the brave and those with entrepreneurial mindset. What cannot be denied however is that the service comes at a great cost to human lives. There’s a high risk attached to a quick delivery on a motorbike in South Africa. While risk cannot be detached to anything in life that has to be weighed against a return.A very ugly part seems to be related to the income generated by someone who places so much risk on his life to earn a living. It has been suggested that the income of many drivers of delivery motorbikes is not equivalent to the service and the risks attached to it.

Checkers Sixty 60 was supposed to be an innovation. Current reports however suggest it’s a double edged sword. As it enables convenience it is also a risky and unthankful way of generating income. Creators of the service and those who are profiting from it ought to reflect about the impact on human lives. They need to avoid the thinking that was adopted by the founder of Uber who was prepared to do whatever it takes to make a profit. Innovation is great when it truly makes a difference in peoples lives. Regulators ought to think deeply about designing laws that will save lives in the delivery sector. The fact that some have been avoiding the delivery sector due associated risks should serve as inspiration to create better working conditions.

What has been done to address the risks faced by delivery motorbike drivers?

Users of these services ought to also raise their concerns about labour practices in the delivery sector. Failure to raise a concern also renders them complicit in the abuse by businesses that enjoy profits from this sector. As society adopts technology for everyday life, it will deliver great benefits that will make life better. Businesses that design such services should be celebrated and rewarded. At the same time, technology adoption will also deliver bad life experiences for some. Society is not obliged to accept everything that seems good whilst destroying lives. Laws can be designed to reduce harm. Society enjoys the benefits that come with extra income from AirBnB, at the same time it has been accepted that it negatively impacts the affordability of property for locals. Uber has enabled many to access mobility services almost anywhere. In South Africa the service has also heightened the risk for drivers. Is it not time we start to slow down the speed of innovation to understand and address negative externalities before they harm society?

The faster we innovate the more harm we see in society. At some point the innovation process needs to value humans above beautiful and convenient things. We need responsible innovation if all of us are to reap its benefits. Currently, some are enjoying innovation while it’s destroying lives.

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11.05.24

The rising power of Big Tech leaders in Politics

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

If the influence of technology leaders was ever in doubt it is now clearly visible. When Elon Musk made a decision to buy Twitter it was not clear how the billionaire would use the social media platform. People who understood technology knew that he would turn it around and build something more than just a social media platform. We now know that it has been used as a very powerful tool leading up to the US elections. Post elections it will become a tool that will be used in favour of the former President whether he wins or not. If Trump becomes a US President, Elon Musk will probably become one of the most influential people in history. His companies that include SpaceX, Tesla, Boring Company and Neuralink will probably have unfettered access to US government power. This will probably be achieved under a new government department that may be formed under the Trump Presidency, the Department of Government Efficiency. Trump promised once that he would setup such a government entity and enable Musk to lead it. “I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government,” Trump told an audience that included Trump’s former treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, and financiers Scott Bessent and John Paulson.

Jeff Bezos is another technology leader whose influence has been visible during the 2024 elections. It is reported that he stopped the Washington Post (a publication he owns) from endorsing any candidate which is a practice that was a norm for the US newspaper. It is also reported that the Washington Post editorial team had already decided to endorse Kamala Harris. During the same period leaders from companies owned by Bezos were meeting with the Presidential candidate, Donald Trump.

The world has seen enough to get the understanding that technology leaders rule the world. Their influence has gone beyond just the machines and algorithms. The very fabric of society is now in the hands of technology leaders. As everything becomes technology powered and driven the people who create such technology maintain the power. It’s clear that the power of technology leaders has gone beyond national boundaries. The question that should be upper most amongst those who care about the future of society ought to be about the shape of governance measures of not just elected leaders but also technology leaders who back them. Further consideration has to be given to creators of systems that are used across nations. Leaders of such platforms and systems have immense influence that can turn nations around. Accountability for leaders of global platforms is not global but remains a national process.

If there’s any lesson from the Elon Musk involvement in US domestic issues it is that leaders of technology leaders are not neutral as we always assumed. This episode has taught us that technology leaders are extremely powerful and possibly, more than we’ve imagined. The transparency in this regard is important as it informs decision makers fully about who they dealing with when they buy technology products for national objectives. Such power however has to be accompanied by balanced form of accountability. The bigger question is, who will hold big tech leaders accountable?

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10.14.24

These Tesla Robots are coming to shape our future

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

Technology leaders often talk about creating the future however few of them do.

Elon Musk has demonstrated the meaning of creating the future when he showcased a Tesla line of products that includes Optimus (humanoid robot), Robotaxi and the Robovan. Some technology analysts and investors have expressed disappointment for the lack of technical details about the latest products from Tesla. What many have actually missed is the fact that Musk presented an integrated blueprint of the future. I say integrated in the sense that Tesla is not the first tech company to create a robovan or even a humanoid robot. Amazon has developed the Zoox which is a form of a robovan and Xiaomi has developed CyberOne, a humanoid robot. Tesla however developed all these products categories under one roof, an integrated product portfolio of robots. What Elon Musk unveiled at the We,Robot event is what can be described as the robotic future. It was a blueprint of what the next 10 to 20 years could feel and look like.

Elon Musk envisages a future where transportation will be robotic. He unveiled two products that may take us there, the Robotaxi (CyberCab) and the Robovan. Both of them have no steering wheel. The Robovan looks like a train diesel engine from the art deco era, and is designed to carry up to 20 passengers.

They will operate more like an Uber and AirBnB services. You can enjoy transportation services without the need to own a car. As a user you can request a ride that will come without a driver. During the presentation Elon Musk indicated that he believes that these vehicles could change how cities are designed as there will be a need for less vehicle parking.Musk said that he wants to reshape urban spaces, transforming parking lots into parks. On paper, it’s a lovely vision of a future defined by sleek, autonomous vehicles and urban renewal that will start in 2026, when the first vehicles will arrive to get hailed by customers that will get magically driven everywhere, he claimed. As for humanoid robots, Tesla has Optimus a product they believe will become a human companion and do some repititive and tedious work.

During the We.Robot presentation the Optimus robot was showcased offering drinks to guests, assisting with carrying groceries and watering plants.

Elon Musk may have not delivered a product that investors need for quick returns. He unveiled products that may shape the future of transportation and the way we work. When Tesla cybercab and robavan becomes available they will reshape the meaning of owning a vehicle. Owners of robotic vehicles could use them for personal reasons and business. Robots may become our replicas that carry out our work in our absence. It is my view that what Elon Musk delivered is less about a product but more about more about an economic system. He may single handedly initiated a process that may change the way we work and how we move around.

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10.08.24

The Tik Tok answer to the Safety online question

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

The African continent has often been treated with little respect by leading technology companies. Even law makers who invite tech leaders to address their concerns are ignored. Once, the South African Parliament invited one of the leading social media companies to get a better understanding of their activity in the country. This invitation was not even acknowledged. It is therefore surprising when a tech company makes an effort to treat the continent with respect. Some tech companies however are beginning to change this behaviour. One of them is Tik Tok, a leading social media company.

In August 2024, TikTok took major steps at the TikTok’s Safety Summit held in Nairobi,Kenya to boost safety on its platform across Sub-Saharan Africa with the launch of its inaugural Safety Advisory Council and the expansion of its #SaferTogether community education campaign.Tik Tok has been sued by regulators in Europe. In the US, Tik Tok CEO appeared in the US Congress to account for some of the accusations.

In response to major concerns raised about the platform, since 2020 TikTok has established nine regional Safety Advisory Councils alongside the U.S. Content Advisory Council, each composed of experts in areas such as youth safety, free expression, and hate speech. These councils play a vital role in shaping TikTok’s policies, product features, and safety processes, ensuring the platform remains responsive to evolving challenges.

The newly launched Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council will further this effort by bringing together local experts who will collaborate with TikTok to develop forward-looking policies and address regional safety concerns. Their input will assist TikTok to manage current issues and anticipate future challenges, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to user safety and fostering a positive online environment. One member of the council is South Africa, Prof Guy Berger. He spent the past decade as a senior director at UNESCO leading its work in Communications and Information policy. The 15 years prior to that was spent in heading up the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa, where he is recognised as a professor emeritus.

Other members include Dennis Coffie, Content creator (Ghana), Peter Cunliffe-Jones, University of Westminster Visiting Research Fellow (UK), Aisha Dabo, Co-Founder and coordinator of AfricTivistes (Senegal), Lillian Kariuki, Founder and Executive Director of Watoto Watch Network (Kenya), Dr Akinola Olojo, Expert on preventing and countering violent extremism (Nigeria), Prof Medhane Tadesse, Policy academic on peace and security issues (Ethiopia) and Berhan Taye, Independent Researcher (Ethiopia)

This iteration of the #SaferTogether campaign is designed to engage the community actively in promoting a basic understanding of the platform’s community guidelines and safety features. This initiative will include workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships with key stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of following TikTok’s community standards. The campaign aims to foster a collaborative effort to ensure a secure environment for creative expression.

This an impressive step by a global social media platform considering some are becoming too involved in political matters. There’s an urgent need for global social media platforms to embrace local value systems. This has been missing in Africa. If social media are to add more value more should be done to align with local concerns around online safety and other critical matters.

FastCompany

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10.02.24

Samsung Fold 6 review: Foldables are getting ready for mainstream

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

The nature of mobile phones is evolving. We are now moving from devices that have been around since the first smartphone. The foldables are slowly changing the game. In the beginning it was not clear they would take off. The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is full proof that foldables are ready to go mainstream. After using one for a couple of weeks I’ve noticed changes that are an indicator that we are headed to a period when probably all brands may have some form of bendable screen.

Previous Samsung foldables were fine but had issues. The Fold 6 has improved on some of those issues. The new Samsung foldable has closed the gap that appeared when the device is in fold mode. The device is now compact and feels complete. One would expect the device to be heavier however it’s lighter than the previous version. I understand that Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the lightest and slimmest foldable ever made by Samsung. It’s slim size enables to carry it around all the time with ease. As a result I could use it as my camera due to an amazing quality of its pictures.

There was just one thing that I thought could present a challenge in the long run. Folding seemed to still create a crease in the middle. This is just one part of the device that may need attention in the future version of the device. Overall, I just like the flexibility that comes with a device that becomes a tablet when I need a bigger screen for reading and sometimes even writing.

Note taking became a bit easier for me with this device. It’s AI features enabled me to use it as a note taking device through audio recording that I could convert into text. Even though AI enabled audio note taking I still enjoyed using the stylus for note taking. It was just an inconvenience that I had to buy a cover to get a stylus. In future I hope the stylus will come with the device.

If you are still on the fence about foldables, I think we are at a point this category of devices is ready to become an everyday device.

My experience with a foldable has taught me that large-format foldable phones—those that unfurl into something like a small tablet—are great for watching videos, reading, and playing games. They also excel at productivity by letting you view two regular-sized apps at the same time, and they’re easier to type on with your thumbs.

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09.27.24

Yoco Next 24: The Future of Modernised Small Businesses mapped out

BY Wesley Diphoko 2 MINUTE READ

Nine years ago Yoco started a business revolution in South Africa with just a payments device that empowered small businesses. On the 26th September 2024, the leading financial technology company introduced groundbreaking payment technology tools that are designed to modernise South African small businesses.

In the past, Yoco products were standalone solutions. The Yoco payments device required software from a different company to provide a digital solution. Now with the introduction of the Yoco Counter, Table by Yoco and the new Yoco App the products are enabling an integrated solution. The Yoco App is the glue that brings everything together.

Through it the businesses can access critical data that enables better business decision making. The Yoco Counter is one of the most impressive products to come out of the Yoco Next 24 event which painted a picture of the future of small businesses. The Counter product is a beautifully designed tablet-like device which comes with a fitted stand.

This product will transform business counters and enable data driven decision making for small businesses. The product is said to retail for R4999 and it comes with a payments device. For now there’s a waiting list for interested customers.

In addition to the new device a dedicated software has been launched specifically for restaurants, the Table by Yoco. It’s a solution designed to be customised for the needs of each restaurant to enable the full digital solution from ordering, payments and recording sales. All of these solutions are key in collecting small business data that may in future enable AI solutions. The Yoco story continues to evolve and it’s getting better.

This time around Yoco seems to be building towards something more bigger. Current solutions will require the technology company to work closely with customers as they customise technology solutions for each business. If Yoco continues on this trajectory, in the future it may become an African technology giant of the same size as current global software giants.

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09.17.24

Apple is getting ready to lead the Hearing Revolution with AirPods

BY Wesley Diphoko 3 MINUTE READ

In the very near future, it will be possible to buy hearing aids over the counter to improve your ability to hear. This has been made possible partly by a US Food and Drug Administration authority ruling about two years ago. It inspired companies like Apple to develop a consumer product that will be amongst the first to enable consumers to access hearing aids in retail stores. Apple announced last week that its future AirPods will enable users to improve their hearing. It’s a major innovation by Apple which will once again make a difference for many who are struggling with their hearing. According to the World Health Organisation, over 5% of the world’s population – or 430 million people – require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss (including 34 million children). It is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people – or 1 in every 10 people – will have disabling hearing loss. Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear. Nearly 80% of people with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, among those older than 60 years, over 25% are affected by disabling hearing loss.

Ever since Apple focused on health and technology the company has been focusing on specific challenges and developing products around those challenges. One of them is hearing loss, as a result, he San Francisco based tech giant introduced what it called, the world’s first end-to-end hearing health experience, delivering active Hearing Protection, a scientifically validated Hearing Test, and a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.

The company emphasised its commitment on the hearing challenge by pointing out that “Hearing health is an essential part of our overall well being, yet it can often be overlooked — in fact, according to the Apple Hearing Study, a staggering 75 percent of people diagnosed with hearing loss go untreated,” said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health.

Apple AirPods

This feature on Apple Airpods is designed for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Using the personalised hearing profile from the Hearing Test, this new feature seamlessly transforms AirPods Pro into a clinical-grade hearing aid. After setup, the feature enables personalised dynamic adjustments so users have the sounds around them boosted in real time. This helps users better engage in conversation and keeps them connected to the people and environment around them. With the incredible audio quality of AirPods Pro, the user’s personalised hearing profile is automatically applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across their devices without needing to adjust any settings. This first-of-its-kind software-based Hearing Aid feature brings users the ability to fine-tune their experience at any time, making access to hearing assistance easier than ever.

Apple’s Hearing Aid feature, coming in iOS 18, starts with a hearing test on your paired iPhone or iPad. The test begins by ensuring your earbuds have a good seal. After that, it activates active noise cancellation (ANC) and asks you to tap the screen when you hear tones in the left and right ears.

Once you finish, your results will live in the iOS Health app, where you can see how your results change (or not) over time. You can download your results and give them to an audiologist anytime. (If the test determines you have severe hearing loss, it will recommend you seek a professional assessment since the AirPods feature is only approved for those with mild to moderate impairment.)

Of all the product launch announcements last week by Apple, this one will probably be the most impactful. Considering the costs, complexity and effectiveness that comes with current hearing aids one cannot wait to observe the Apple factor on hearing devices. We’ve seen Apple changing what it means to use a mobile phone and smart watches. Now Apple is getting ready to change hearing aids. Medical aid companies will have to adapt to this new product which may just become runway success and a new health tech product.

Wesley Diphoko – Editor-In-Chief

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