Sveiki,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- CBN forces PoS agents to pick one provider
- A Lagos boy’s path to global AI work
- South Africa unveils AI strategy
CBN forces PoS agents to pick one provider
Nigeria’s agent banking space just got a shake-up. The Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced new rules that force PoS agents to choose just one provider, and that single decision could now define their entire business. Platforms like OPay are already positioned to benefit as agents begin to consolidate.
What changed is simple but significant. Before now, most PoS agents ran multiple terminals from different providers to avoid downtime and maximise earnings. Under the new policy, that’s no longer allowed. Agents must now operate with one financial institution, use dedicated accounts, comply with transaction limits, and work only from registered locations with approved devices.
What this means is that the game has shifted from flexibility to reliability. Agents can no longer “switch” when one network fails, so the provider they pick must be fast, stable, and trusted. This is where players like OPay gain an edge: speed, uptime, and existing customer trust now directly translate to daily income for agents.
Why it matters is because PoS agents are the backbone of everyday banking in Nigeria. Millions rely on them for withdrawals, transfers, and payments. The new rules aim to reduce fraud, improve transparency, and make transactions more consistent. But there’s a flip side: fewer choices for agents could mean less competition and potential pressure on smaller fintechs trying to survive.
The context here is years of rapid growth and rising concerns. Nigeria’s PoS ecosystem expanded quickly to fill gaps left by traditional banks, but that growth came with issues, failed transactions, fraud risks, and inconsistent service. The new policy is the regulator’s attempt to clean that up, even if it means forcing a major reset across the industry.
A Lagos boy’s path to global AI work
What started as sneaking into cyber cafés in Ketu, Lagos, with spare school money has now turned into a full-blown career in machine learning. For Gift Ojeabulu, the tech journey wasn’t exactly planned. He once wanted to become a doctor and spent time rapping, dancing, DJing, and even acting before eventually finding his way into data science and MLOps. Today, he works with global teams and co-founded Data Community Africa, helping others across the continent get into AI.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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His earliest memories of tech are simple but telling: clicking around computers in cafés, playing games like Winning 11, FIFA, and Mortal Kombat, and just figuring things out as he went. At the time, it didn’t feel like a foundation for a tech career, but looking back, it was. Between gaming, tinkering with equipment while DJing, and watching sci-fi films like The Matrix, his curiosity for how things worked kept growing quietly in the background.
The turning point came much later and somewhat unexpectedly. After missing out on Medicine, moving through Medical Biochemistry, and eventually landing in Computer Science, he had to start from scratch. He taught himself through online courses, experimented with web and Android development, and built his first app, only to lose everything when his laptop crashed. That setback could have ended things, but instead, it pushed him further. An AI bootcamp in 2018 opened a new path, and by 2019, he was already winning competitions and gaining recognition.
Since then, things have moved quickly. From his first role applying machine learning to sports analytics to working in MLOps and landing global opportunities, Gift has steadily built a career at the intersection of data and real-world impact. Now, he’s working on AI systems across continents while also building communities back home. If you want the full story, find out more in Delight’s latest on After Hours.
South Africa unveils AI strategy
South Africa is moving closer to regulating artificial intelligence, with the government publishing a draft national AI policy that could pave the way for new laws by 2027. The plan, driven by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, lays out how the country wants to regulate, grow, and future-proof its AI ecosystem, while balancing innovation with oversight.
At its core, this isn’t just about rules. It’s about positioning South Africa as a serious player in the global AI race. The government is proposing a multi-regulator approach, meaning AI won’t be governed by a single body but integrated into existing regulators to protect things like data privacy and public safety. It also introduces a phased rollout, starting with groundwork already done in 2025/26 and aiming for full implementation by the 2027/28 financial year.
The policy revolves around six strategic pillars, starting with talent and capacity development, essentially training a future AI workforce by embedding AI into school curricula and upskilling educators. Then there’s AI for inclusive growth and job creation, which focuses on funding research, startups, and innovation to make sure AI actually boosts the economy rather than replaces it.
Next comes safety and security, aimed at protecting citizens from risks like deepfakes, misinformation, and cyber threats, alongside ethical and inclusive AI, which pushes for fairness, transparency, and accountability in how AI systems operate. The fifth pillar focuses on cultural preservation and global integration, ensuring AI reflects South African values while staying competitive internationally, and finally, human-centred deployment, which ensures humans remain in control of AI decision-making processes.
Why does all this matter? Because AI is already reshaping economies, and without clear rules, it can deepen inequality, threaten privacy, and even undermine democracy. South Africa is trying to get ahead of that curve by baking ethics, sustainability, and long-term societal impact into its AI strategy, something the policy calls “intergenerational equity.”
This move puts South Africa in line with a broader global trend where governments are scrambling to regulate AI while still encouraging innovation. The balancing act is tricky: too much regulation could stifle growth, but too little could expose citizens and institutions to serious risks. For South Africa, the success of this policy will likely depend on how well it turns these ambitious pillars into real-world action over the next few years.
In case you missed it
What I’m watching
Opportunities
- Qore is hiring for several roles, including Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Lead Product Manager, Full Stack Software Engineer (.NET framework & React), and Software Engineer (.NET framework), in Nigeria and Ethiopia. Apply here.
- Rayda is recruiting People & Culture Manager, Legal & Compliance Officer, and Technical Product Manager. Apply here.
- Source Bank is looking for a Product Analyst. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several roles in Nigeria, the UK, and the US. Apply here.
- LemFi is looking for a Head of Financial Crime Operations in the UK. Apply here.
- Cognition is hiring a Developer Community Manager. Apply here.
- Chess dot com is looking to hire a Product Designer. Apply here.
- Bujeti is currently expanding operations and hiring across several roles. Apply here.
- Prenetics is hiring a remote Email Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- InterviewReady is looking for a Software Developer, a Product Associate, and a Marketing Associate. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is recruiting for several roles. Apply here.
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- Opay is currently recruiting for these roles: Partnership Manager (Fintech Experience), Junior Accountant, Junior Product Manager (Research), and IT Manager.
- Oyster is looking to hire a Risk Analyst. Apply here.
- Circle is looking to hire a Lead Product Designer (Remote). Apply here.
- SafetyWing (YC W18) is hiring a Product Manager Intern (fully remote). Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Performance Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- VOYA (visa travel tech startup) is hiring an Operations and Admin Director (fully remote). Apply here.
- MTN MoMo TechSpark Graduate Programme is open. Apply here.
- MAX is looking for interns. Apply here.
- McKinsey is hiring for several roles, including Junior and Senior roles. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Business Development Partner. Apply here.
- Zenith Bank is recruiting a Junior Software Tester Quality Control. Apply here.
- UNICEF Abuja is looking for a National Consultant (Immunization Programme Monitoring and Evaluation). Apply here.
- Standard Chartered Bank is hiring an Executive Research Partner. Apply here.
- e-Tranzact is looking to hire a product marketing officer. Apply here.
- Bumpa is hiring for several roles, including Bumpa Expert Lead (Account Management) – Customer Success; Product Designer; and Mid-level Motion/Graphic Designer, Mid-level Full-stack Engineer (Commerce), and Senior Fullstack Engineer (Commerce). Apply here.
- ABDS 2026 will take place April 29–30, 2026, in Lagos, gathering founders, investors, developers, and policymakers shaping Africa’s blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. The summit focuses on industry insights, partnerships, and investment opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets. Secure your pass or sponsorship here.
- Paga is hiring a Sales Manager. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring senior sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is looking for sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is recruiting Senior Key Account Managers. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring Account Managers. Apply here.
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- Moniepoint is hiring for over 100 roles. Apply here.
- Building a startup can feel isolating, but with Equity Merchants CommunityConnect? You can network with fellow founders, experts, and investors, gaining valuable insights and exclusive resources to help you grow your business. Click here to join.
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Have a productive week!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
