The Africa B2B Tech Report
Issue No. 92. Africa-Middle East B2B tech news & insights for 26 June 2025.
The Africa B2B Tech Report is a regular curation of news and insights on the development of B2B technology in Africa and the Middle East. We cover the ecosystem of partners, builders, and developers that make emerging tech work for African businesses.
The Report is written by Charles Laughlin, Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief for BigFive Digital. Charles is an independent business journalist, podcaster, and conference producer.
TikTok Rolls Out #LevelUpAfrica to Upskill 3,000 African Creators
In early June, we shared coverage calling out TikTok for excluding Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from its rollout of its TikTok for Artists analytics program. The rollout was widely viewed as an important advancement for creators to track content performance.
Now it seems TikTok hasn’t forgotten SSA after all. At a recent event in Johannesburg, the short video platform (owned by Byte Dance) announced #LevelUpAfrica, an eight-month program designed to “upskill” 3,000 SSA creators.
So what exactly does the program offer African creators? Here is how TikTok describes it.
“The #LevelUpAfrica programme will provide tailored training and strategic mentorship through a series of monthly virtual masterclasses, Q&A panels, and in-person events. Delivered by Special Effects Media South Africa, and fully funded by TikTok, the curriculum will feature a range of key topics including: content strategy, brand partnerships, monetisation, creator search insights, understanding the TikTok algorithm and more. Seasoned TikTok creators and platform staff will also join in as guest speakers and mentors.”
#LevelUpAfrica is not presented as a “make good” for the analytics oversight of Sub-Saharan Africa. Nor would we expect it to be. It does, however, come across as an effort to show the region some love.
Read this quote from Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for SSA, and make your own judgement.
"When South Africa called for the industry to open up for new creative talent to thrive, TikTok became the platform that did just that. The next generation of entertainers and entrepreneurs are here, and they're on TikTok. We recognise the responsibility that comes with that and today's announcement is proof that we are not just opening doors - we are building pathways for creatives to thrive, ensuring they have access to the professional tools, community connections and revenue opportunities they need to turn their passion into their profession.”
While it is difficult to find a precise number of SSA creators on TikTok, there is no shortage of stats supporting TikTok’s decision to invest in the region.
According to this chart, which we found via Intelpoint, there are 189.3 million African TikTok users. This accounts for about 12% of TikTok’s worldwide user base. TikTok is the No. 2 social media platform in Africa, after Facebook.
We wonder how long before TikTok is No. 1 in Africa?
SME Fintech in Spotlight as BAS Buys Majority of Zuvy
Zuvy Technologies, a Nigerian Startup that offers invoice financing for African SMEs, has sold a majority of its shares to BAS Group, a Nigerian SME-focused financial services firm.
According to media reports, specific terms were not disclosed. However, the deal reportedly gives BAS as more than 50% stake in Zuvy as well a full operational control. The deal also buys out all of Zuvy’s existing institutional investors.
Zuvy represents an important alternative resource for SMEs in Africa, allowing them to access funds from verified invoices at a discount. Zuvy was founded in 2021 by Angel Onuoha and Ahmad Shehu.
In July 2023 the company emerged from stealth mode and announced it had raised $4.5 million in debt and equity from TLG Capital, a London-based private investment firm that invests in African SMEs.
So why has BAS acquired a controlling interest in Zuvy?
According to TechCabal, the deal provides BAS with more weapons to address Nigeria’s massive SME credit gap, estimated at $236 billion.
Please enjoy this curation of content relevant to the continent’s B2B tech ecosystem for 22nd May 2025.
South Africa Launching 2 Platforms Designed to Boost E-Commerce
Flutterwave Earns Cameroon Payments Service Provider License
Nigeria’s PaidHR Raises $1.8M Seed Round
South African AI Energy Startup Open Access Energy Raises $1.8M
WhatsApp-based Social Commerce Platform chpter Adds 11 Markets
Online Retailer Bash Takes on Temu, Takealot, et al in SA
Nigerian B2B Commerce Startup Sabi Pivots To Agriculture & Minerals
SA Clean Energy Startup Wetility Raises $27.8 Million
Africa’s Payments Market to Hit $1.5 Trillion by 2030
South African AI Energy Startup Open Access Energy Raises $1.8M
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Each issue of The Report features a chart or graphic that was shared with us, or that we found online, that we believe is relevant to the continent’s B2B tech ecosystem.
MSMEs Lean in on Digital Marketing
At the recent BigFive Summit in Cape Town, Africa 118 and GeoPoll shared the latest findings from their annual MSME Pulse report documenting how African micro-enterprises are feeling about their economic circumstances, as well as their near-term outlook for investing in technology, market, and other assets to help them grow.
The following slide is from GeoPoll’s Ricardo Lopes’ presentation at the Summit. It shares the telling finding that when it comes to digital marketing, African MSMEs continue to lean in. In fact, 75% of the SMEs responding to the MSME Pulse survey say they plan to invest more in digital over the coming year.
Do you want to watch the full MSME Pulse presentation on YouTube? Here it is.
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