Naftary Thitu

Airtel Africa has announced a partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 African markets, reaching a customer base of 174 million subscribers. The agreement will allow Airtel users with compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites in areas where mobile network coverage does not exist. Unlike traditional satellite internet, Direct-to-Cell works without satellite dishes or special hardware.

Across Kenya’s industrial, logistics, and service sectors, a quiet transformation is taking place, powered not just by machines but by data, sensors, and smart connectivity. From refrigerated trucks delivering fresh produce to Nairobi supermarkets to utility companies monitoring water and energy in real time, the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing how businesses operate, manage assets, and make informed decisions. What was once futuristic is now a strategic necessity.

For years, WhatsApp stood apart as a simple, ad-free messaging app in a world dominated by sponsored content. That distinction is now fading. Meta has started introducing ads in WhatsApp’s Status and Channels, marking the platform’s most significant monetization shift yet and raising fresh questions about what the future of WhatsApp will look like. The ads are appearing in status updates and channels, both of which live inside the app’s Updates tab, while personal chats and calls remain untouched.