Tech News Roundup: Andela’s New CEO, Bolt’s Prank War Escalation, and Starlink’s Bold Move Against MTN in Nigeria

Andela Welcomes New CEO Carrol Chang

Andela has appointed Carrol Chang as its new CEO, effective September 17, 2024. Chang, who previously held the role of Global Head of Driver and Courier Operations at Uber, will succeed Jeremy Johnson, Andela’s co-founder. Chang’s appointment marks a strategic move for Andela as it continues to evolve from an African tech talent training hub into a global talent marketplace. With her extensive experience in scaling Uber’s driver network across 70 countries and managing operations worth $130 billion, Chang is set to lead Andela into a new era of growth and innovation. Johnson will remain on Andela’s board to guide the company through this transition. Andela’s mission to connect talent with global opportunities continues to gain momentum, now under Chang’s visionary leadership​

Naija vs. SA: The Bolt Prank War Intensifies

A prank war between Nigerian and South African users of the ride-hailing app Bolt has taken a chaotic turn, leading to mass ride cancellations and retaliatory actions. In response, Bolt has begun blocking the accounts of users participating in these pranks, which have disrupted services across both countries. The prank war started as a series of harmless jokes but quickly escalated, prompting Bolt to tighten its monitoring and restrict cross-country ride requests to curb further incidents. This incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many criticizing Bolt for its delayed response to the disruptions​

Starlink vs. MTN: The Battle for Nigeria’s Internet Market

Starlink is making significant strides in challenging MTN’s dominance in Nigeria by setting up ground stations to improve its satellite internet services. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance data transmission, reduce latency, and offer Nigerians a viable alternative to traditional telecom services. Partnering with global data center provider Equinix, Starlink aims to leverage its cutting-edge technology to gain a foothold in Nigeria’s lucrative telecom market. As competition heats up, Nigerian consumers could benefit from more choices and potentially lower prices in internet services