👨🏿‍🚀 Daily – Add GPS trackers, stay in CTRL |

On Monday, Prosus, a global consumer internet group and the technology investment arm of Naspers, one of South Africa’s largest companies by market value, announced that it will acquire Netherlands-based Just Eat Takeaway in a $4.3 billion all-cash deal, subject to regulatory approval. Just Eat Takeaway’s CEO, Jitse Groen, is expected to remain in place. The move adds to Prosus’ growing portfolio in the global food delivery sector.

The offer values Just Eat’s shares at €20.30 ($23.35) each, a 22% premium over its highest share price in the past three months. However, this is still far below its pandemic-era peak, when shares traded at over €100 ($104.72).

Just Eat Takeaway was formed through the merger of former competitors Just Eat and Takeaway.com. In 2019, Prosus made a £5 billion ($6.3 billion) bid for Just Eat during its financial struggles, but Takeaway.com secured the deal as Just Eat chose to merge with a regional rival. Now, Prosus is acquiring the merged entity at a price significantly lower than its 2019 offer.

Just Eat Takeaway, now valued at £3.26 billion ($4.1 billion), has seen its market cap decline steadily. In 2020, it was one of the three largest food delivery companies globally, reaching £12.83 billion ($16.2 billion) in value. Like elsewhere, lockdowns drove demand for food delivery services across Africa and other regions during the global pandemic, benefiting established players like Just Eat Takeaway and fueling the rise of food delivery startups.

Operating in 18 countries, including Europe and North America, Just Eat Takeaway saw its market cap peak at €14.2 billion ($18 billion) in 2021, continuing the momentum from the previous year. However, business has since slowed post-pandemic. In 2024, it reported a net loss of €1.6 billion ($1.7 billion) as customers shifted back to in-person dining and became more price-sensitive amid economic uncertainty. The entry of new, funded competitors offering lower delivery fees intensified competition in Europe’s food delivery market, making it increasingly difficult for entrenched businesses like Just Eat Takeaway to survive.

It criss-crosses with Africa’s growing food delivery sector, raising questions about potential expansion opportunities in emerging markets and the risks. Yet, for Prosus, the acquisition presents an opportunity to expand into new markets or strengthen its presence in existing ones—if it’s the former, the challenge will lie in balancing short-term costs with long-term gains.

Sendstack, the Norrsken-backed startup that used to do last-mile logistics before realising that there are less stressful ways to make money, has a new plan: sell GPS trackers. The company has also set a goal to hit $1 million in revenue by the end of 2025, which would be 4x what it made from its now-shelved last-mile delivery platform, DLVR. 

Now, Sendstack wants to sell 10,000 GPS trackers by July. Each tracker costs ₦100,000 ($70)—a nice round number and a Trojan horse for the real play: getting customers hooked on Sendstack’s fleet management software, CTRL.

This is a pivot—the company’s second pivot in five months. Once upon a time, Sendstack was a last-mile logistics startup, which seemed like a good idea until it wasn’t. Because last-mile logistics is hard and low-margin. So, in October 2024, Sendstack pivoted to fleet management, which seemed like a better idea, except that manufacturers, distributors, cargo owners who did high freight volume were not exactly falling over themselves to buy fleet management software. Five months later, CEO Emeka Mba-Kalu who said it was going for a pure software play is saying, “Fine, give them hardware.” 

The trackers—compact, 2G-enabled, kind of like AirTags but for trucks—integrate with CTRL and third-party systems via API, opening up multiple upsell opportunities. The company is hoping that the cold hardware in the hands of these cargo owners, would have the same effect on his platform as POS and cards which have driven trust and adoption of their platforms. 

If Sendstack pulls this off, it could change the way fleet operators in Nigeria manage logistics. But if it doesn’t work—if Nigerian businesses don’t actually want fancy GPS trackers, or if Sendstack burns through its capital (the company has only raised $350,000) before reaching scale— no one can say Mba-Kalu who is on his second startup and second pivot, didn’t put his best foot forward.

South Africa’s Competition Commission has called on Google to pay between R300 million ($16.3 million) and R500 million ($27.2 million) annually to support local news media. This demand follows a 16-month inquiry that found tech giants like Google, Meta (Facebook), and X (formerly Twitter) are undermining the sustainability of local journalism by limiting referral traffic and prioritising foreign content.

If these companies fail to cooperate, a 5–10% levy could be imposed to help fund the struggling media sector.

This move reflects the commission’s drive to ensure fair competition. Google News, for example, aggregates news from local media houses, while its new AI-based search generative experience (SGE) collects information directly from local reports, and shows to users based on their queries. According to South African media, ITWeb, about 18% of South Africans rely on these mediums to stay informed. The main concern is that this approach might discourage users from visiting local platforms’ websites, as they can access information at a glance. This could negatively impact local media, which relies on direct engagement for sustainability.

Moreover, South Africa’s relatively tech-savvy young audience often turns to social media for news. However, these platforms are prone to biased opinions and lack the contextual depth provided by local media houses. These social media platforms rely on news content to drive user engagement but contribute little to the ecosystems that produce it. By prioritising their own services or foreign media, they weaken local newsrooms. The commission wants to ensure users have access to accurate, well-rounded reporting from trusted local sources, thereby safeguarding democratic discourse and promoting informed public debate.

Meanwhile, Kenya is tackling the issue from a different angle. A proposed bill would require tech companies to establish physical offices within the country, ensuring greater accountability and compliance with local regulations. This move could also encourage job creation and promote stronger partnerships with local businesses.

Both countries are addressing the same fundamental issue: global tech giants profit from African markets without giving back. Whether through financial compensation or physical presence, South Africa and Kenya are signaling that it’s time for Big Tech to support the local ecosystems they rely on.

The larger question now is whether these efforts will hold global companies accountable or if tech giants will find ways to sidestep their responsibilities—once again leaving local media to fend for itself.

Millions of Nigerians could soon face major mobile network disruptions as telecom towers in Lagos and Ogun States struggle with a critical diesel shortage. The shortage stems from a dispute between the Lagos State government and fuel truckers, represented by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). In protest against alleged harassment by state officials, fuel truckers have halted diesel deliveries, cutting off the main power source for telecom infrastructure in Nigeria’s economic hub.

With Lagos handling over 60% of Nigeria’s national data traffic, the impact is already being felt. Mobile users are experiencing slower internet speeds, dropped calls, and unreliable network service. Telecom companies like American Tower Corporation (ATC) and IHS Towers are running out of options to keep their towers operational. If fuel deliveries don’t resume soon, experts warn of a potential network blackout that could disrupt banking, e-commerce, and essential communication services.

The conflict started after Lagos officials allegedly deflated truck tires and arrested drivers over parking violations. In response, truckers suspended diesel deliveries and are now demanding vehicle repairs, the release of arrested drivers, and better working conditions.

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called for urgent government intervention. ATCON President Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere has warned that many telecom sites are running critically low on fuel and urged state governors to step in immediately to prevent a full-scale telecom shutdown.