Nigerian crypto startup Zap Africa cut 44% of its workforce (from 18 to 10 employees) in February 20...
The AMW Read
The article provides an incremental update on how fintech startups in emerging markets are utilizing AI automation to navigate cyclical capital downturns.
Nigerian crypto startup Zap Africa cut 44% of its workforce (from 18 to 10 employees) in February 2026, replacing human support staff with Martha AI, an automation platform from Cognito Systems—ironically founded by Zap Africa's own CTO Moore Dagogo Hart. This restructuring reflects a dual crisis: crypto markets have shed $2 trillion since October 2025, forcing capital preservation, while AI automation is enabling leaner operations across fintech. With over 30,000 tech jobs lost globally in early 2026—including Block's 50% workforce reduction and WiseTech's 2,000 cuts—Zap Africa exemplifies how startups in emerging markets are navigating both cyclical downturns and the accelerating AI efficiency shift. The real test will be whether automation can sustain service quality while preserving the human relationships critical to crypto adoption in Africa.
