Brands/Products
Meet Moya Messenger – WhatsApp’s Data-Free Rival in South Africa
Moya Messenger is the world’s first data-free mobile messaging app that is rapidly becoming a rival to WhatsApp in South Africa.
Developed by biNu, an Australian company that launched its services in South Africa in 2014, Moya Messenger was released in South Africa in July and instantly attracted lots of users, enabling them to communicate without excessive data costs.
South Africa has 18 million active social media users, almost half of whom spend most of their time on WhatsApp. WhatsApp has almost taken Mxit, Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and WeChat out of the picture in South Africa, as it is the most convenient and affordable mobile messaging app in the country.
However, despite WhatsApp’s dominance in South Africa, Moya Messenger is becoming a real rival to the app, since it provides a similar messaging experience but allows users to send unlimited text messages at no data cost, even when they have no airtime or data balance on their mobile devices.
Moya Messenger definitely looks promising in South Africa, with the cell phone market in the country currently being the 4th fastest growing in the world, raising at a rate of 50% per year, not to mention that the country’s IT industry is booming at a breakneck pace. South African IT market is the largest IT market in Africa by value.
According to The Information Technology Industry in South Africa 2017 report, the South African IT sector grew at 4% of GDP for 2017.
These statistics only prove that South Africa is a fertile ground for any startup that’s willing to look beyond. We’ve already seen many VPN services making strides to establish their servers in the country. This is not too surprising as VPN technology is primarily used to improve online security and privacy; and as we’ve seen over the years, the developing IT industries need security solutions, as at this stage the whole infrastructure could still be very susceptible to virtual security threats.
With an impressive overall growth, it’s only a question of time when we’ll see other big tech player making moves in South Africa.
Moya Messenger Functionalities
The South African challenger to WhatsApp offers data-free unlimited texting and data-free group chat, high security with automatic end-to-end encryption and automatic contact discovery for quickly connecting with Moya Messenger users.
However, there are a few drawbacks to the app. Message attachments are not data-free, which is where WhatsApp definitely wins, at least for now. Moya users can send attachments like photos, videos, and documents, but they will be preemptively warned that data costs will be incurred, so they can either allow that or switch to WiFi.
Also, for the users to actually use the app, they need to switch mobile data on. Furthermore, to send data-free text messages, the users must use specific mobile networks that are compatible with Moya Messenger. This means that they can only communicate through the app with the users in South Africa who use those mobile networks, as Moya Messenger is not available outside the country.
Moya Messenger has a reverse billing agreement with four South African major mobile network operators – MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telcom – which means that biNu will pay those mobile network operators for all the mobile messaging data costs.
Another drawback to Moya Messenger is that the app is currently available only for Android devices, so 20% of iPhone users in South Africa are not yet able to use the app.
Will Moya Messenger Beat WhatsApp in South Africa?
Moya Messenger exhibits significant benefits, primarily because users can communicate with one another at zero data costs, not to mention that they don’t need to load airtime or purchase data bundles to send text messages. As such, Moya presents a threat to WhatsApp, but it’s still not so clear whether or not it has what it takes to become the dominant messaging app in the country.
Nevertheless, over 10000 users have already installed the app, and the number keeps rising with each coming day. Since data tariff is very high in South Africa, it’s not a stretch to say that the app will become quite popular in the country. It has enormous potential, and more and more people realize it.
Moya Messenger is rapidly gaining a strong foothold in the South African market, but we are yet to see what the future will bring for the app. Stay tuned.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
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