Photo by Rubaitul Azad on Unsplash
你好,
Victoria from here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you:
- Google launches new features across Gmail, Docs, Search
- Why African startups must tackle wicked problems
- US bill eyes immigrant transfers
Google launches new features across Gmail, Docs, Search
Google just dropped a bunch of new AI features across Gmail, Docs, Search, and more at I/O 2025, and it’s clear the company is going all-in on Gemini. In Gmail, you’ll soon get smart replies that sound like you. These aren’t just generic one-liners anymore; Gemini will now pull from your previous emails and Google Drive to suggest replies that fit your tone and include useful context. Whether you write formally or prefer a more casual vibe, it adjusts automatically.
Also new in Gmail: inbox spring cleaning, powered by Gemini. You’ll be able to give it commands like “delete all unread emails from last year,” and it’ll just… do it. Google’s also making it easier to set up meetings with people outside your company. The AI can now spot when you’re trying to book something and offer your available times, cutting down on the back-and-forth.
Over in Google Docs, Gemini is getting smarter about what it references when helping you write. You can now link specific slides, reports, or data files, and Gemini will only use those sources for suggestions. It’s a big step toward more focused, accurate assistance, especially helpful for reports, business plans, or any high-stakes writing.
Google Vids, the company’s AI-powered video tool, is getting a nice upgrade too. You’ll soon be able to turn your Google Slides into fully produced videos, complete with Gemini-generated voiceovers, animations, and scripts. It’s a video editor for people who hate editing video.
The Gemini AI chatbot is getting even more capable with Gemini Live. It now supports camera and screen sharing, so you can walk around a new city, point your phone at a building, and ask questions about it in real time. Soon, Gemini Live will tie into Google Maps, Calendar, and Tasks, so it can help you get directions, book events, or make to-do lists without leaving the chat.
On the Search front, Google is rolling out AI Mode, a new tab that puts a chatbot front and centre in your search experience. You can ask follow-up questions, dig deeper into topics, and even let the AI click around the web for you. Google’s moving beyond blue links and turning Search into more of a smart assistant. Between this and new features like Deep Search and Project Mariner, Google’s betting big that we’ll soon expect our search engine to just do things for us, not just point us in the right direction.
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Why African startups must tackle wicked problems
Startups in Africa have made a lot of noise in recent years, but how much impact have they made? Despite billions in funding, core problems like transport chaos, healthcare gaps, and education challenges still remain stubbornly unsolved. Kristin Wilson, Managing Partner at Innovate Africa Fund, says it’s time for startups to stop chasing shiny ideas and start tackling the continent’s real, tough problems.
Launched in 2024, Innovate Africa Fund isn’t your typical angel fund. It’s on a mission to back founders solving what Wilson calls “wicked problems,” the kind of deep, messy challenges that affect millions and don’t have easy fixes. Think Lagos traffic. “Everyone agrees it’s a problem,” she says. “But solving it? That’s a different story.”
For Wilson, many startups tend to play it safe, building around the edges instead of diving into the heart of the problem. But solving big problems, she argues, is where the real innovation lies. “We often see founders avoiding the pain points,” she says. “But using tech to tackle wicked problems is the innovation.” And by tech, she doesn’t just mean apps; hardware, infrastructure, and broader systems count too.
Of course, tackling infrastructure-level challenges isn’t easy. But Wilson pushes back against the idea that startups are being asked to do too much. In fact, she says they often get a lot of grace. “We treat tech founders like rockstars,” she says. “They get funding without revenue, and we still call them entrepreneurs. So if anything, they’ve got room to fail and try again.”
One major blind spot? Founders, not knowing the terrain. Wilson emphasises the importance of domain expertise. If you don’t understand the industry you’re building in, chances are you’re solving a surface-level issue, not the actual root cause. Real change, she says, comes from knowing the problem inside out.
So, what does it take to build startups that make a lasting impact in Africa? How do you know you’re solving the right problem, not just a symptom? Find answers in Chimgozirim’s latest conversation with Kristin Wilson.
US bill eyes immigrant transfers
A new US bill is stirring waves that could crash right into Africa’s booming remittance fintech space. Republican lawmakers have proposed a 5% tax on money transfers sent by non-citizens, and it’s already raising alarm bells for startups that rely heavily on cross-border cash flows.
The bill would force money transfer operators to check a sender’s immigration status and slap a 5% surcharge unless they’re US citizens. It’s being sold as a national security and trade policy move, but critics say it unfairly targets immigrants, including millions of Africans in the US who regularly send money home.
With over $90 billion in remittance inflows to Africa last year, this sector is massive. For many families across the continent, it’s the only safety net. Fintechs like LemFi, NALA, Kuda, and Moniepoint have made sending money home faster, cheaper, and a lot more convenient, but a new tax could throw a wrench in the system.
The US is a key remittance source for Africa, with $13 billion sent to the continent annually. Nigeria alone got $5.7 billion from the US in 2021. If the tax bill passes, transaction volumes could shrink, hurting both senders and the startups building better ways to move money.
LemFi recently raised $53M, and NALA scored $40M last year, a clear signal of confidence in the remittance model. But if the tax kicks in, investor excitement could cool, and fintechs might be forced to rethink their growth plans or pricing models.
So far, African governments are keeping quiet, but they might not stay silent for long. Meanwhile, Mexico has already fired back, with its US ambassador calling the tax unfair. If the bill gains steam, African fintechs may soon face a major regulatory headache just when things were looking up.
In case you missed it
- South Africa considers BEE workaround to clear Starlink’s path to launch
What I’m watching
- What Happened to the Debts of Conquered Countries?
- The global organ trafficking network | DW Documentary
Opportunities
- Techpoint Africa is excited to be a media partner for World Product Day Lagos today, May 21, 2025. Join us for workshops, hackathons, and fireside chats focused on bold African innovation. Apply here.
- Want to exhibit or attend the Lagos Startup Expo in June? Visit this website here.
- MTN is recruiting for several roles. Apply here.
- IHS Towers is looking for professionals to fill several roles. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several positions. Apply here.
- Kuda is recruiting for several roles. Apply here.
- Stanbic IBTC is looking for a Business Segment: Insurance & Asset Management. 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.
- Help us make Techpoint better for you! Your feedback shapes what comes next (your responses may potentially save my job. A bit dramatic, but still). It will only take 30 seconds to tell us what works and what doesn’t. Fill it here.
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Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
