COMESA opens inquiry into MaxAB-Wasoko merger

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WellaHealth is embedding healthcare into everyday apps
COMESA opens inquiry into MaxAB-Wasoko merger
An update on South Africa vs Starlink

COMESA opens inquiry into MaxAB-Wasoko merger

Belal El-Megharbel, CEO MaxAB and Daniel Yu, CEO Wasoko

Commission, the regional watchdog overseeing competition across Eastern and Southern Africa, has opened a formal inquiry to assess whether the merger may substantially prevent or lessen competition in the region.

As part of the process, the Commission has invited submissions from competitors, suppliers, and customers. Interested parties have until October 24, 2025, to file written representations.

Wasoko and MaxAB, founded in Kenya and Egypt, respectively, began merger discussions in December 2023. The deal was finalised in August 2024, creating one of the continent’s largest B2B eCommerce players through an all-stock transaction.

But a lot has happened since the ink dried. Shortly after the merger closed, MaxAB co-founder Mohamed Ben Halim exited the company.

In early 2025, the newly combined entity acquired Fatura, an Egyptian B2B marketplace, expanding its footprint to 16 cities across Egypt. Most recently, Wasoko founder and co-CEO Daniel Yu also stepped down to pursue personal projects.

WellaHealth’s new tool embeds healthcare access into everyday apps

WellaHealth is rolling out a new way to bring healthcare right inside the apps users are familiar with. The Nigerian healthtech startup has launched ZOI-embed, a plug-and-play tool that lets platforms like PalmPay and MTN offer healthcare services directly to their users.

The integration allows users to book doctor consultations, access pharmacies, run lab tests, and subscribe to micro-insurance plans without leaving the host app. It’s designed for fintechs, eCommerce, mobility platforms, and more, offering a flexible way to embed healthcare into everyday digital experiences.

Brands can white-label the service, set their own pricing, and earn a cut of the plan fees. The plans range from basic malaria coverage to full diagnostics and consultations, and payments are handled through cards, wallets, transfers, or subscriptions.

So far, ZOI-embed has been adopted by players like PalmPay, MTN, and Airtel. However, the move also introduces new dependencies, such as relying on partners to reach end users and sharing revenues to drive adoption.

To learn more about how WellaHealth is transforming healthcare access across Africa, read Delight’s article for more details.

South Africa nears decision on policy that could open doors for Starlink

South Africa’s communications minister, Solly Malatsi, says he’s just weeks away from finalising a new policy direction that could reshape how foreign ICT companies comply with BBBEE rules, potentially clearing the way for services like Starlink to operate locally.

In an interview with TechCentral, Malatsi said the upcoming directive could allow international firms to use equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) rather than selling a 30% stake to meet empowerment requirements under the Electronic Communications Act.

Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has long said that the equity rule is the key barrier to launching its satellite internet service in South Africa. Musk has publicly criticised the country’s BEE laws, even saying his race is the reason Starlink hasn’t been licensed.

Malatsi, who published a draft EEIP policy in May for public comment, said over 19,000 submissions were received. He insists the process is being handled with due diligence, despite backlash from some in government.

ANC MP Khusela Diko, who chairs parliament’s communications committee, has accused Malatsi of tailoring the policy to benefit Starlink, an allegation he denies.