- AUTO24.africa, a groundbreaking marketplace for pre-owned vehicles, has today declared its growth into four additional African markets: Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. This development follows an exceptionally prosperous inaugural year in Ivory Coast, setting the platform on a path to…
- First revealed in March 2023, Copilot is now set to launch, marking a significant advancement in user experience for Microsoft users. Microsoft officially introduced Copilot, an AI assistant set to replace Cortana, at its Surface and AI event on Thursday. But its identity is not just in its name;…
- Global audio platform Spotify has introduced an AI-powered voice translation feature for podcasts. This innovative tool seamlessly translates episodes into different languages while retaining the podcaster’s distinctive voice. It represents a pioneering initiative that allows creators to easily…
- OpenAI, the company behind viral AI chatbot ChatGPT, is introducing new voice and image features to enable more natural conversations. Users can now have voice-based dialogues with ChatGPT, making interactions more intuitive. The voice capability is powered by a text-to-speech model that generates…
- Meta has announced that Threads, its photo and video messaging app, will allow users to delete accounts starting in December. Previously, deleting Threads meant losing your connected Instagram account too. Launched in 2019, Threads gained quick adoption, surpassing 100 million signups within 5 days…
- Africa-focused fintech Klasha has acquired a financial services license from regulators in Sierra Leone. This allows Klasha to operate in the country under the central bank’s Regulatory Sandbox Program for innovative startups. The license underscores Klasha’s commitment to developing cutting-edge…
- With a population surpassing 200 million and over 12 million registered vehicles in Nigeria, the demand for efficient vehicle maintenance and repair services is high. Fixit45, a pioneering Nigerian startup in the automotive aftermarket sector, is addressing this need. Established in 2021, Fixit45…
- Located in Hargeisa, Fikrcamp was inaugurated in Somaliland, focusing on the Somali-speaking populace. Despite garnering a modest $40,000, it has made its presence felt in Ethiopia, extending digital skills education to Amharic-speaking learners. The trend of coding boot camps is on an upward…
- WhatsApp is introducing a major new feature called “Flows” on its Business platform. Flows will enable customers to seamlessly complete activities like booking appointments and purchasing tickets without leaving the app. Head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart announced Flows as part of broader improvements…
- It seemed like a distant memory when a week went by without an African crypto startup announcing a significant achievement. These achievements ranged from funding rounds and market expansion to introducing new products. Yet, for those closely monitoring the budding ecosystem in the past year or so…
- Insurtech Turaco has acquired MicroEnsure Ghana, a pioneering microinsurer, from MIC Global. This expands Turaco’s footprint to 4 African countries, growing its active policies by 25%. MicroEnsure Ghana will rebrand as Turaco Ghana, retaining its team and leadership. Turaco aims to increase…
- The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has signed an agreement with South Korea’s Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) to promote climate-resilient and low-carbon technologies across Africa. The collaboration aims to support climate change adaptation and mitigation as…
- The African fintech space continues expanding with entrants like GoFree, a neobank launched in April 2023 that aspires to become Africa’s version of China’s WeChat super app. GoFree seeks to differentiate itself in the crowded financial services field by going beyond basic offerings like transfers…
- Morocco is striving to become a major global player in the electric vehicle (EV) battery production industry. The country’s latest move comes through a newly announced partnership between Moroccan investment fund Al Mada and Chinese battery component manufacturer CNGR Advanced Material Co. The two…
- Johannesburg-based startup FinanceGPT is using artificial intelligence to make financial analysis and reporting more accessible, with plans to offer services in African languages. Founded in 2020, FinanceGPT leverages proprietary AI models and tools like GPT-4 to generate financial ratios,…
- Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) has surged in Kenya, with Google searches up 400% over five years. Many Kenyans are seeking to understand this emerging technology, asking questions like “What is AI?” and “How does it work?” have spiked. The proliferation of new generative AI models has…
- Financial services company Watu Credit has announced a new partnership with battery swap startup ARC Ride, aimed at accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Kenya. Together, the companies plan to manufacture 1,000 EVs and establish over 300 battery swap stations in Nairobi by the end of 2024…
- Telecom giant MTN is expanding its Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities in South Africa through a new partnership while addressing electronic waste in Benin. MTN South Africa recently announced an agreement with Eseye, a global IoT services provider. This will enhance MTN’s infrastructure by…
- A new report reveals social media’s expanding role across Africa, with Facebook still the dominant platform despite TikTok’s rising popularity. The study by GeoPoll found over 384 million active social media users now exist on the continent. Facebook leads with 170 million users, comprising 44% of…
- Kenya has achieved a major tech milestone with the rollout of its first smartphones assembled locally within the country. Techweez can confirm the made-in-Kenya phones are now in pilot production ahead of an October market launch. Earlier this year, President Ruto announced a public-private…
- The Egyptian government is considering selling an additional 10-15% stake in Telecom Egypt after offloading 9.5% in May 2023 worth $121.6 million. The previous sale on the Egyptian Stock Exchange involved 162.2 million shares at 23.11 Egyptian pounds each, reducing the state’s ownership to 70%. An…
- Pan-African technology company Liquid Intelligent Technologies has launched two new terrestrial fibre links across Africa – connecting Kenya with Ethiopia and linking Zambia to Malawi. The over 1,000-kilometer Kenya-Ethiopia route provides Ethiopian businesses cloud access in Kenya, enabling…
- In today’s digital age, Nigerian dating and matchmaking app Trueflutter aims to help singles find compatible partners who share their values and aspirations for love. With over 2 million successful matches and 27 weddings facilitated last year alone, Trueflutter has impacted a society where…
- Blockchain software leader Consensys has announced the public launch of MetaMask Snaps, a new feature allowing unprecedented customisation of the popular MetaMask cryptocurrency wallet. Snaps are add-on tools and features developed by third-party creators that MetaMask users can install directly in…
- With TikTok Shop’s recent U.S. launch, the popular short-form video app is making a big move into e-commerce. This has significant implications not just in the U.S. but also in emerging markets like Nigeria, where online shopping is booming. TikTok Shop allows direct in-app purchasing from brands…
- The Kenyan government is poised to introduce a new national digital ID system called the Maisha Card. These unique personal identifiers (UPIs) will replace traditional physical identity cards in a major digital transition. The government has budgeted 1 billion Kenyan shillings for the Maisha Card…
- Bluesky, a new invite-only social media platform, has achieved 1 million users, an impressive feat given its exclusive membership model. Unlike mainstream social sites, Bluesky requires an invite code to join. This creates an air of exclusivity that has fueled intense demand – invite codes have…
- A recent hackathon in Lagos demonstrated the power of technology and collaboration to address challenges facing Nigeria’s tourism sector. Organised by the Bedouin Group, the second Tourism Hackathon Nigeria convened young innovators aged 18-30 to develop solutions for industry issues. The hackathon…
- WhoGoHost, a Nigerian company that provides web hosting and other digital services has acquired SendChamp, a startup offering cloud-based business communications solutions. The acquisition aims to expand WhoGoHost’s offerings to better serve African entrepreneurs and companies looking to establish…
- After honing its offering out of the spotlight for a year, Nigerian startup OneLiquidity has emerged from stealth mode to provide infrastructure for Africa’s booming fintech industry. The company aims to handle critical backend work like technology, liquidity management and licensing so emerging…
- During the recent G20 Summit in India, Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s head of communications, innovation, and the digital economy, engaged with Indian digital public service transformation experts. He revealed intentions to collaborate with India to gain insights from their digital service experiences and…
- At the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Melbourne, Startup Genome unveiled “The Scaleup Report.” Spearheaded by JF Gauthier, Startup Genome’s Founder and CEO, this report delves into the nuances that differentiate successful scaling startups from the rest. It offers invaluable insights for…
- After a rigorous round of semi-final business pitches and evaluations conducted on September 1 and 2 at Norrsken House in Kigali, Rwanda, the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy-sponsored Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, now celebrating its fifth year, has revealed the top…
- In today’s digital age, the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) is undeniable, especially with the recent launches of platforms like ChatGPT and Google Bard. But what is AI? AI is a subset of computer science that endeavors to design machines capable of emulating human intelligence. This…
- In the rapidly digitizing world, Sehatech, an emerging health insurance startup from Egypt, has successfully clinched funding of $850,000. This financial boost comes courtesy of A15 and Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of the Beltone Holding Company. Sehatech’s primary objective is to harness…
- The digital transformation sweeping across the globe has significantly impacted Africa’s e-commerce landscape. The continent has witnessed a jump in e-commerce adoption, rising from 13% in 2017 to 35% in 2023. This shift has resulted in revenue growth from $138 billion to a staggering $435 billion…
- On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Mauritania took a significant step forward by unveiling its much-anticipated Startup Act. This move was announced during a Council of Ministers meeting and signifies a commitment by President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El innovation as the cornerstone for digital…
- Mecho Autotech, an automotive startup from Nigeria specializing in high-quality spare parts, vehicle servicing, and repairs, has successfully garnered $2.4 million in its recent pre-Series A funding round. This round saw Global Brain Corporation, Ventures Platform, and Uncovered Fund contributions…
- Nollywood is rapidly gaining international attention, and the financial backing from tech magnates is propelling it towards global prominence. Recently, Editi Effiòng, a renowned Nollywood filmmaker, unveiled the executive producers for his latest movie, “The Black Book.” The list boasts names of…
- Kotani Pay, a Nairobi-based crypto payments startup, has secured a $2 million pre-seed funding round. The investment round saw participation from DCG/Luno, Flori Ventures, and P1 Ventures, with P1 Ventures leading the 9 rounds. Founded in 2020 by Brian Kimotho, Daniel Kimotho, Felix Macharia,…
- Emata, a startup from Uganda that provides cost-effective loans to farmers, has successfully secured seed funding of $2.4 million. This funding will be channeled towards broadening its agricultural loan services throughout East Africa. The seed funding comprises $1.6 million in debt and $800,000 in…
- Germany has unveiled a novel platform to digitally gather and handle waste in Lagos, marking a transformative approach to the city’s waste challenges. In response to the escalating issues of urban growth and waste handling in Lagos, Germany has launched the innovative Circulary digital platform.…
- In a bid to champion eco-friendly transportation in Nigeria, Qore, supported by Sterling Bank, is on a mission to transform gas-powered vehicles into electric ones. The transportation sector in Nigeria is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Qore, a renewable energy mobility firm backed…
- Editi Effiòng has been a prominent figure in Nigeria’s digital landscape for years. His digital agency, Anakle, known for its data-driven marketing solutions, has been at the forefront of the digital marketing realm. Recently, he’s been recognized as a digital pioneer, especially with the rise of…
- Securing nutritious and prompt meals is a hurdle in the dynamic corporate scene, especially in areas like Nigeria with its infamous traffic jams. The luxury of receiving a freshly made meal without departing the office becomes invaluable for professionals immersed in continuous appointments. Here’s…
- Jonathan Elcock (CEO at rather.chat) with his Co-Founder Matthew Kloos (CFO at rather.chat) In South Africa, traditional marketing channels are witnessing an all-time low in terms of their consumer reach. Call center contact rates have dropped by 20-30% in the past year, a figure that is…
- Despite a waning interest from venture capitalists in startups at the growth stage, LipaLater, a Kenyan Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) entity with five years under its belt, is embarking on a crowdfunding campaign to raise $1.2 million. However, it’s not just about the funds. LipaLater, in collaboration…
- Despite a waning interest from venture capitalists in startups at the growth stage, LipaLater, a Kenyan Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) entity with five years under its belt, is embarking on a crowdfunding campaign to raise $1.2 million. However, it’s not just about the funds. LipaLater, in collaboration…
- Wetility, a South African startup specializing in solar energy solutions for both residential and commercial sectors, has successfully secured funding of R903 million (approximately $48 million) through a combination of debt and equity. This solar energy innovator from South Africa, Wetility, has…
- Since its inception in 2021, AltSchool Africa has provided close to 3 million hours of tech-focused training in software development, data analytics, and product creation following a successful $1 million pre-seed funding round in 2022. Recognizing the rise of unconventional careers like music…
