👨🏿‍🚀TechCabal Daily – Taiwan Lifts Blockade, Opening Doors for South Africa!

Rapid Fire with Solomon Kershima

Solomon Kershima is a Digital Innovation Strategist, Mandela Washington Fellow (2025), and founder of Skyhub Nigeria-a community-driven digital hub that has empowered over 10,000 youths, supported 1,500+ enterprises, and nurtured 12 startups through programs in coding, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.

He also leads as Group Head of Startup Support, Innovative Solutions, and Digital Skills at Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), spearheading e-governance and digital transformation across the state.

• How would you describe your role to a child?

I teach people how to use technology like computers and smartphones to learn, create businesses, and solve problems-much like showing someone how to build amazing things with building blocks.

• What motivated you to establish Skyhub Nigeria?

I wanted to ensure that young Nigerians, especially in places like Benue, have equal access to digital skills and opportunities as those in major cities or abroad. Skyhub began as a vision to prove that world-class tech talent can emerge from anywhere, even smaller towns.

• How did your early work influence your approach to tech education?

In 2019, I helped train over 2,000 youths across 20 northern states in just three months. This experience highlighted the importance of scalable, community-based learning and reinforced my belief that technology is about empowering people to build meaningful solutions.

• If you could instantly improve one aspect of Africa’s tech ecosystem, what would it be?

Access. Many talented young Africans lack devices, reliable internet, or mentorship. If I had a magic wand, I’d make digital tools and education available to every eager youth across the continent.

• What’s the toughest part about creating tech solutions tailored for local communities?

The challenge lies in adapting global technologies to fit local realities-considering infrastructure, culture, and affordability. Designing for Africa means crafting simple, empathetic solutions that truly resonate.

• Can you share a memorable success story from Skyhub?

One startup began with a curious young person who didn’t even own a laptop. Through Skyhub’s training and mentorship, they developed a digital platform now serving hundreds of users. It’s proof that talent is everywhere-it just needs the right support.

• How do you juggle your government role with running a grassroots innovation hub?

Both roles complement each other. At BDIC, I focus on statewide digital infrastructure, while Skyhub keeps me connected to grassroots innovation. This dual approach ensures progress from both top-down and bottom-up perspectives.

• What’s a hobby you enjoy but aren’t an expert in?

Music. I’m not a professional musician, but I love exploring different sounds and occasionally experimenting with beats. It’s a great way to unwind and spark creativity.

Unexpected development: Taiwan has reversed its recent decision to restrict chip exports to South Africa.

Just two days prior, Taiwan imposed new export controls requiring pre-approval for most chip shipments to South Africa. This move was reportedly linked to diplomatic negotiations concerning South Africa’s embassy relocation.

Following discussions between Taiwan’s Economic and Foreign Ministries, the export restrictions have been suspended, reflecting Taiwan’s reluctance to weaponize its vital semiconductor industry amid political disputes.

Financial implications: South Africa imports approximately $30 million worth of chips annually from Taiwan, with the suspended items accounting for $4 million in 2024. While a small fraction of Taiwan’s global exports, the initial ban sent ripples through markets and drew attention from China and international observers.

The bigger picture: This reversal illustrates Taiwan’s delicate balancing act-maintaining economic ties while signaling its readiness to leverage its tech industry if necessary.

Brace yourselves: Kenya’s startup scene is witnessing a wave of layoffs.

Ilara Health, a prominent healthtech startup, is the latest to announce job cuts. Known for enhancing primary healthcare delivery, the company is restructuring and has begun a 30-day consultation period with affected employees, as mandated by Kenyan law.

What triggered this? Ilara cites challenging market conditions and funding delays. This is particularly painful given that just nine months ago, it secured a $1 million loan from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Shortly after the loan approval, a US executive order paused most foreign aid funding, impacting agencies like USAID and DFC, which affected disbursements to startups like Ilara.

Kenya’s startup ecosystem has seen multiple layoffs recently. Earlier this year, mobility startup eBee cut about 50 jobs. Mediamax has undergone six rounds of layoffs in four years, and Flutterwave reduced its workforce by half in Kenya and South Africa in July. The economic climate is tough for startups.

Ilara plans to focus on its core services that generate revenue, aiming to survive in a less forgiving market.

The Bank of Ghana (BOG) has introduced stringent regulations for digital lenders, mandating a $162,000 licensing fee, establishment of physical offices, and 30% local ownership by November 1. Non-compliance will result in shutdowns.

Key requirements: Lenders must submit detailed business plans, implement risk management, anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, and data protection systems before issuing loans. The BOG has also outlawed aggressive collection tactics such as harassing borrowers or exposing defaulters on social media.

Why it matters: The algorithm-driven lending model popular among fintechs like Izwe and PeaMoney faces new hurdles. These firms now need local investors, physical presence, and substantial capital reserves to continue operations.

Implications: Smaller players unable to meet these standards may exit the market, while licensed lenders could gain credibility and foster partnerships with traditional banks, advancing the sector’s maturity.

Broader context: Across Africa, regulators are cracking down on predatory digital lending. Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) recently enacted similar rules, imposing fines up to ₦100 million ($67,000) and director bans for unfair practices.

Moonshot Tickets Flash Sale: 25% Off

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• Entertainment Week Africa (EWA), formerly Entertainment Week Lagos, returns November 18-23, 2025. As a pan-African platform for the $58.4 billion creative economy, EWA has attracted over 53,000 attendees across film, music, fashion, and tech. This year introduces a dedicated film and music content market where artists, labels, directors, and publishers can pitch, license, and sell directly to buyers and investors, supported by workshops preparing them for meetings. The event also features a 50-company job fair, an expanded deal room accelerator with a ₦25 million seed fund, and more film premieres under the theme “Close the Gap.” Learn more here.
• The 10th FATE Business Conference will be held on September 26 in Lagos, themed “AI-Powered Business: Innovate. Automate. Accelerate.” Keynotes include Kofo Akinkugbe (SecureID) and Adedeji Olowe (Lendsqr), with panels featuring policymakers and business leaders such as Olatunbosun Alake (Lagos State Government), Prof. Peter Adewale Obadare (Digital Encode), and Bode Abifarin (Strata). Expect actionable insights on AI’s impact across industries. Register here.



• Growth Padi announces Growth Africa Summit 2025 (GAS 2.0) with the theme “Redefining the Growth Playbook.” Building on the success of 2024’s inaugural summit, this event challenges outdated business strategies and introduces innovative, resilient growth models tailored for African enterprises. Register by November 1.

• Explore AI: Nigeria’s Federal Government releases an AI model for local languages-when will it be available?
• DStv and GOtv lose 3.4 million subscribers in Kenya amid Pay-TV decline
• Why being second can be better than first in business – Adia Sowho

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