👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Kenya’s piracy hunt

In South Africa, consumers are tightening their belts as petrol prices rise and disposable income declines. According to a report by Old Mutual, a digital bank, 29% of working South Africans have downgraded their TV streaming services, 27% are purchasing cheaper supermarket brands, and 24% are switching to more affordable cellphone or data plans. Notably, many households make these three adjustments concurrently.

This downward trend in consumer spending contrasts with the aggressive strategy employed by MultiChoice, the DStv operator owned by Canal+. Despite the pressure from tightening wallets, MultiChoice is capitalizing on the situation by reducing the cost of equipment and lowering the threshold for new subscribers. As a result, subscriber acquisition in MultiChoice countries surged by 40% in the first half of 2026, marking the best acquisition month in South Africa in a decade.

Meanwhile, Woolworths, the prominent retail chain, is grappling with similar challenges as shoppers seek promotions and essential items at lower prices. The company has cautioned that its earnings per share (EPS) could drop by up to 10% for 2026. This scenario highlights a broader economic shift in South Africa, where consumer behavior remains remarkably stable despite fluctuating market conditions.