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That’s why there was an uproar when the name of the Nigerian co-founder of Andela was missing from a press release for its Mark Zuckerberg-led funding round back in June. The absence of Iyinoluwa ‘E’ Aboyeji’s name plus the fact the business was called a ‘New York-based’ startup was too much for some Nigerian bloggers who vented on social media. Andela, which is best known for training coders in Lagos, is also incorporated in New York.
As it turns out, Aboyeji was already working on his next startup, Flutterwave, a payments company, which he revealed last week. But the intense furor over the perceived slight just eight weeks ago and the genuine delight and congratulatory support for his next company are two sides of the same coin.
Every community needs its heroes. These are the folks out-front pushing the boundaries, challenging expectations and building credibility so others, possibly even more-talented, can come through next. The details of a company’s origins and its founders are important. But they’re especially important when you’ve been one of the faces of a new generation of business leadership.
These discussions aren’t unique to Nigeria’s tech community. Kenya’s is also seeing some of the same tensions play out around the roles of local founders and international investors.
Here’s the thing, it’s still very early in the evolution of the African tech startup space. There will be many heroes, and there will be some villains. Sometimes they’ll be even the same person. There’s still plenty to play for. Keep innovating, don’t stop building.
Yinka Adegoke, Quartz Africa editor
Five stories from this week
Working together in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s two largest ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara, took to the streets together in a rare show of unity to demand land reform, full political participation and an end to human rights abuses. It marks a tipping point for Ethiopia’s Tigray-dominated government since it came to power in 1991.
Kenya’s doping problem won’t go away. Despite narrowly missing out on being banned from the Olympics due to its weak doping laws, Kenya still ended up in doping controversies in Rio and two coaches have been sent home. One posed as an athlete to do a drug test and the other solicited bribes to warn athletes ahead of drugs tests.
What Silicon Valley can learn from this Ugandan village. Bulambuli district in eastern Uganda released a series of tongue-in- cheek videos directed at prominent technology and business leaders. But beyond the parodies, Abdi Latif Dahir points out the videos highlight basic, day-to- day challenges facing communities across the continent.
Buhari has disappointed young Nigerians. The economy is shrinking, unemployment is rising and the naira is spiraling so many young Nigerians, who supported president Buhari’s campaign for change last year, already feel let down. The disillusionment with the president will lead to youth voter apathy at the next election warns Yomi Kazeem.
A cards game for jaded NGO workers in Africa. JadedAid—a Cards Against Humanity-inspired game for the thousands of aid workers and volunteers around the world—includes cards like “coming to terms with the fact that your intervention is the problem,” “avoiding missionaries,” and “an educated angry African,” writes Lily Kuo.
Chart of the Week
Africa’s mobile operators need to innovate. After years of hyper growth, local network operators profit margins are shrinking even as revenue expansion slows, writes Tom Jackson. Operators realize they need to innovate and diversify their businesses in order to sustain revenue growth.
Other things we liked
Asia’s scramble for Africa on the high seas. China, India and Japan’s scramble for Africa has moved to the high seas, writes The Economist (paywall). The three Asian giants are stretching their naval muscles by patrolling the coasts of Africa, developing radar stations and listening posts, and contributing to the multinational forces policing the seas of the Gulf of Aden.
Historic Somali win in Minnesota. With her historic win in state primaries in Minnesota this week, Ilhan Omar is set to become the first Somali-American legislator in US history. Maya Rao notes in the Star Tribune, Ilhan raised more money than her contestants, and ran a thorough grassroots campaign that knocked on tens of thousands of doors.
Reinventing African media. Longtime CNN anchor, Zain Verjee writes about her reinvention as a media entrepreneur with a laser focus on Africa. The Kenyan-born Verjee’s new startup, Akoma, wants to tell more of Africa’s much uncovered stories through its proprietary blogging and video platform.
Keep an eye on
Zambia’s election results trickle in (Aug. 14-15). There may be a confirmed presidential winner by the time you’re reading this.
John Kerry to visit Kenya (Aug. 21-22). US secretary of state John Kerry will visit Kenya to discuss regional and international issues. The situation in both South Sudan and Somalia are expected to be discussed, alongside issues on electoral reforms, drug trafficking and corruption in Kenya.
New public protector for South Africa. Thulisile Madonsela will step down after seven years as South Africa’s top public watchdog. During her tenure, Madonsela took on president Jacob Zuma, for unduly benefitting from taxpayers’ money. Fourteen candidates are vying to fill her shoes, whose secrets, political affiliations, criminal records and personal past were all laid to bare during interviews by parliament last week.
Our best wishes for a productive week ahead. Please send any news, comments, Uganda parody videos and NGO board games to africa@qz.com. You can follow us on twitter at @qzafrica for updates throughout the day.