2024 was an amazing year for us at Condia, we wrote insightful articles about the African tech ecosystem. Despite this, we saw a few stories in other publications that we wish we had written. Here’s a list of our favourite tech stories from other publications.
Can a church exist exclusively on the internet? by Vincent Owino, Rest of World
Religion is less often associated with tech but this story reminds us that tech is interwoven into every aspect of our lives. It shows a trend that became more prevalent during the 2020 pandemic and has now caught on a life of its own.
“The preachers say these online ministries have brought religion and fellowship to people who might not have otherwise found them. But the field is unregulated and less standardized than in-person churches.”
Owino takes us on a journey to explore whether virtual churches are helping to reinvigorate religion’s role in society or derail it.
New owners, new hope? Inside 9mobile’s struggle to stay relevant by Frank Eleanya, TechCabal
9mobile’s story dates back to 2008 when Etisalat entered the Nigerian market, appearing to be a formidable competitor to a market that already had the likes of MTN, Glo and Zain (now Airtel).
In this article, Eleanya looks into how many years of operations challenges, boardroom disputes and a default on its $1.2 billion set the once-promising telco back.
Now the ailing telco is going through its biggest struggle, even though the new owners say it’s going through a transformation phase to reposition the business for Growth.
How Google perfected the web [Paywall] by Mia Sato, The Verge
Ever wondered why most websites look alike? This article with a sarcastic title tries to answer that for the average web user.
The author transforms a well-crafted, distinctive blog with unique characters into a theoretically high-ranking website by subjecting it to a rigorous Google search rank improvement process. This often results in the blog acquiring generic SEO-optimised text and headings, ultimately making it indistinguishable from countless other websites online.
“Bit by bit, the internet has been remade in Google’s image. And it’s humans — not machines — who have to deal with the consequences,” Sato says.
8 Google Employees Invented Modern AI. Here’s the Inside Story by Steven Levy, Wired
Even as multiple companies continue in the arms race to dominate the AI space, it’s easy to forget how this era started.
“They met by chance, got hooked on an idea, and wrote the “Transformers” paper—the most consequential tech breakthrough in recent history,” Levy says.
This article takes us on the journey of how eight Google researchers met and co-authored “Attention Is All You Need,” a scientific paper written in the spring of 2017 that birthed life into the AI space by giving the technology unfathomable capabilities.
A Paystack Friendship by Fu’ad Lawal, Vistanium
In his piece, Lawal provides the most comprehensive account [so far] of Paystack’s early days, highlighting its distinctive company culture, especially its emphasis on cultivating strong friendships among employees.
Paystack has revolutionised online payments in Nigeria and other African countries by providing a reliable and efficient payment processing solution. Founded in 2015 by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi, Paystack was acquired by Stripe, an Irish-American financial services company, for $200 million in 2020
Nigerian entrepreneur Tony Elumelu: ‘America was colonised too and look at where they are’ by Aanu Adeoye, Financial Times
Tony Elumelu, one of Africa’s richest men, is a prominent figure in the Nigerian and African business world, known for his entrepreneurial endeavours and philanthropic activities. The 61-year-old businessman who rarely does interviews shared his views on Africapitalism, the legacy of imperialism and why he’s getting into the oil business.
‘Venmo Is For Vices’: Paying For Sex, Drugs And Gambling On The Down-low [Paywall] by Will Yakowicz, Forbes
For many sex workers, gamblers and drug peddlers being removed from a payment platform can be financially devastating. However, Venmo, a popular mobile payment app in the US, offers a lifeline to many who use it for vices.
