Maroc Telecom to launch 5G in Morocco

Image source: L’economiste

Utụtụ ọma,

Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

Maroc Telecom to launch 5G in Morocco
Zap Africa might not have a leg to stand on against Paystack
Western Cape closes the door on new e-hailing licences

Maroc Telecom and Inwi are teaming up to fast-track Morocco’s fibre optic and 5G rollout. They’ve signed a partnership deal to boost connectivity across the country, setting up two joint ventures — FiberCo and TowerCo — to handle the heavy lifting.

FiberCo’s job is to expand fibre networks, aiming for 1 million connections in two years and 3 million in five. Meanwhile, TowerCo will build 2,000 new towers in three years and 6,000 in ten to support the growing 5G network. That’s a serious upgrade in Morocco’s digital infrastructure.

The first phase of the project is set to cost AED4.4 billion over three years, pending regulatory approval. If greenlit, this will be a game-changer for internet access and mobile services across the country.

According to Jassem Alzaabi, Chairman at e&, this deal is a big step toward stabilising the telecom market and making Morocco an even more attractive investment destination. He also praised the government’s efforts in creating a fair and competitive environment for telecom growth.

e&’s Group CEO, Hatem Dowidar, echoed that sentiment, saying this agreement marks a new phase for Morocco’s digital future. He’s confident that better infrastructure will help with everything from e-government services to business innovation, ultimately boosting Morocco’s regional competitiveness.

Maroc Telecom and Inwi say they’re fully on board, with their top execs approving the deal. It’s all part of Morocco’s broader digital transformation plans, which aim to deliver faster, more reliable Internet services to everyone.

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Zap Africa might not have a leg to stand on against Paystack

Remember the whole Paystack vs. Zap Africa drama? Well, things just got messier. While neither side has proven they actually own the trademark to “Zap,” new info suggests there might have been a mistake in Zap Africa’s trademark registration.

In Nigeria, naming a company and owning a trademark are two different things. Registering a business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) makes sure no two businesses operate under the same or confusingly similar names. But here’s the catch: it doesn’t mean you own that name exclusively. To truly protect a brand name, slogan, or logo, businesses need to trademark them through the Trademarks Registry.

A trademark is a legal shield that helps businesses claim their brand as their own. The process isn’t instant. You have to check if the name is already taken, file an application, get it approved, and then publish it before securing trademark rights. If someone else uses your trademarked name, you can take legal action, but only if you have a valid claim.

So, can Zap Africa sue? That depends on whether their trademark is solid. If they registered in the wrong category, things could get tricky. But even without a trademark, they might still have a case under something called “passing off.” Want the full gist? Bolu breaks it down in his latest.

Western Cape closes the door on new e-hailing licences

e-hailing services — Source: businessday.ng/

The Western Cape has officially hit its limit for new operating licences for ride-hailing and metered taxi services, approving the maximum quota of 3,354 licences. That means over 14,000 drivers who applied are out of luck and can’t legally operate in the South African province.

Many frustrated drivers say they’ve done everything by the book but still can’t get their licences. Meanwhile, enforcement officers are impounding vehicles left and right, leaving drivers unable to work. The Western Cape Mobility Department insists it approved licences on a first-come, first-served basis, and that’s it, no more will be issued.

But here’s the catch: the Western Cape E-hailing Association says the government is still accepting applications. Per General Secretary Omar Parker, the city is making money off these applications but refusing to issue permits while continuing to seize vehicles.

It’s not just a Western Cape issue, either. E-hailing drivers in Gauteng have also been struggling with licence backlogs for months. In January 2025, Uber and Bolt drivers in the province even threatened to protest over the unfair impoundments, saying they’re being punished for a problem caused by the transport department’s slow processing.

The backlog in Gauteng is huge; about 21,000 applications are pending, but only 9,000 have been processed. Drivers say they’re willing to comply, but the system is failing them. Instead of fixing the problem, authorities are cracking down even harder.

E-hailing operators have been dealing with licence drama ever since ride-hailing was officially classified as public transport in June 2024. While the government says these new rules will modernise the system, drivers argue that it’s done the opposite — creating more red tape, delays, and impoundments that threaten their livelihoods.

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Have a lovely Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.

Maroc Telecom to launch 5G in Morocco