Ride-hailing giant Bolt is facing suspension in Tunisia amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and operating without proper licenses. The Tunisian transport ministry has seized 12 million dinars ($3.8 million) from accounts linked to several ride-hailing platforms, including Bolt, claiming that the funds were illegally transferred abroad.

However, Bolt has denied the accusations, calling them "completely unfounded" and stating that the government's actions are procedurally flawed. The company claims that it has not been given a chance to defend itself and that the accusations are part of a broader effort to regulate the ride-hailing sector and protect the local market.

The Tunisian government is preparing to launch its own state-backed ride-hailing app, which will reportedly limit ride prices to 1.5 times the traditional taxi fare, offer digital payments and real-time tracking, and work exclusively with officially registered taxis. This move is seen as an attempt to regulate the sector and keep revenues local, rather than allowing foreign companies to transfer profits abroad.

Bolt is not the only ride-hailing platform operating in Tunisia, with other players like Yassir, Heetch, and local operator Amigo still active in the market. However, Bolt's suspension could set a precedent for other international players in the sector, and the company has warned that pushing out foreign companies could harm market competition.

In other news, Russian auto-maker AvtoVAZ has entered the Nigerian market, planning to establish a local assembly plant and prioritize the assembly of its small car brand, Lada. This move could endear AvtoVAZ to the government, as a local assembly plant would mean paying manufacturing incentives and company taxes.

Meanwhile, MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed a network-sharing agreement in Nigeria and Uganda, aiming to cut costs and boost coverage in areas that need it most. The partnership could set a trend across Africa, as telecom operators face increasing costs and regulatory pressures.

In the e-commerce sector, Jumia and Jiji have expressed confidence that they can withstand the marketing blitz of new entrant Temu, which has flooded Nigerian social media with flashy deals and free gift offers. While Temu's deep pockets and aggressive marketing strategy have raised concerns, Jumia and Jiji believe that their local edge and focus on specific segments will keep them ahead.

Finally, the World Wide Web3 report shows that Bitcoin's value has increased by 0.13% in the past day, while Ether has decreased by 1.21%. The report also highlights opportunities for African Web3 startups, including the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub and the Lagos Innovates workspace vouchers.