- Twitter, now known as X, has launched three new branded features – Custom Likes, Hashmoji, and Hashfetti – to revolutionise brand-consumer engagement on its platform. These innovative tools allow advertisers to connect with audiences in more personalised, memorable ways beyond the standard “like”…
- Susu is a Beninese startup helping Africans in the diaspora make informed financial healthcare commitments for their loved ones on the continent. The company provides a combination of healthcare packages and insurance that Africans can finance abroad. Accessing health insurance in Africa can be…
- M-Pesa, Safaricom’s leading mobile money platform, is set to roll out standing orders – a first for mobile financial services globally. The feature will allow M-Pesa users to schedule recurring transfers and payments, like rent, subscriptions, or loan repayments. It brings automated convenience…
- The MTN Foundation has launched the second edition of its MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge, pledging R1 million ($53,600) to empower female digital entrepreneurs in South Africa. The challenge aims to help women grow their tech businesses and make their mark in the male-dominated ICT…
- Ahead of Starlink’s anticipated launch in Zimbabwe, the country’s authorities have alerted users and distributors that they might violate the law if they operate without the necessary licenses. Zimbabwe’s overseeing body for communications, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of…
- On Friday, the Kenyan administration disclosed its strategy to introduce electric motorbikes nationwide. President William Ruto, in collaboration with the African startup Spiro, made this announcement just a few days before the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, set to take place in Nairobi, the…
- X, which was once Twitter, has successfully acquired money-transmitting licenses in seven states within the US.This license permits the platform to operate as a money service business (MSB), enabling it to handle international transactions.This move might be a step in Elon Musk’s vision of…
- This week, Kenya is on the stage for a paramount climate event, aiming to present Africa as a potential epicenter for sustainable energy. This conference is the precursor to several significant global gatherings leading to essential UN deliberations. As global endeavors to curtail carbon emissions…
- Mercedes-Benz is set to revolutionize how drivers interact with their cars by integrating cutting-edge chatbot technology into their vehicles. In a groundbreaking move, the automaker will allow drivers to engage directly from behind the wheel with ChatGPT, the advanced chatbot developed by OpenAI.…
- PointsBud is on the verge of revolutionizing the food ordering experience by unveiling an AI-driven system that enables users to purchase food in minutes, eliminating human intervention. While sitting down for a casual product demonstration at our Lagos office, ‘Deji Atoyebi, the brain behind…
- Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, renowned for its innovative solutions and connectivity, has reached another significant landmark. On 11 May 2023, the company officially secured the rights to offer mobile money services in Ethiopia. This notable accomplishment comes just seven months after…
- Vodacom and Eskom have entered into a Virtual Wheeling pact to mitigate the ongoing energy challenges in South Africa. This strategic move aligns with Vodacom’s commitment to derive electricity entirely from renewable sources by 2025. With this agreement in place, Vodacom is set to embark on its…
- LEAP Fund has identified three e-mobility projects in Africa and another four in Latin America for investment. These handpicked projects are set to benefit from a combined funding of U.S. $1.05 million. The fund’s core mission is to extend support to entities based in developing economies. These…
- VC4A is pleased to introduce the 12 African startups that will be part of the 2023 VC4A Venture Showcase Africa. This yearly premier event gathers the continent’s most promising startups, offering them a platform to present their innovations to investors and industry professionals to secure Seed or…
- India is looking to broaden its UPI reach into Africa. India is leading a worldwide initiative to bolster developing countries by expanding its footprint in the payment technology sector. Aiming to enhance financial accessibility and stimulate economic progress, India is actively engaging with…
- week after unveiling the preliminary version of its web platform, Instagram’s Threads is initiating the deployment of another eagerly anticipated feature: search. This new search capability reflects the simplicity of the web version and, at this stage, only permits users to look up other Threads…
- MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications entity, has secured N125 billion (equivalent to $156.25) by issuing its series 6 and 7 commercial paper notes. This strategic action is aimed at diversifying the company’s financing channels. The formal declaration of this move was conveyed by MTN Nigeria’s…
- Asaak, a Ugandan fintech, is joining the ranks of a select few African tech companies, like Nigeria’s Paga, making inroads into Latin America. Established in 2016, Asaak initially provided motorcycle and smartphone loans to Ugandans directly and in collaboration with partners such as SafeBoda. Now…
- In response to rising fuel prices, Uber has introduced electric motorbikes in Kenya, initially available only in Nairobi. Uber has unveiled an electric motorbike named “One Electric” for the Kenyan market. This introduction is pivotal as the global automotive sector is shifting towards electric…
- Image credit Getty images OpenAI’s ChatGPT has profoundly impacted the worldwide AI landscape, prompting a global competition to create comparable AI technologies. Amidst this ongoing race, Chinese technology leader Baidu has made a daring move by introducing its own chatbot, Ernie Bot. This…
- Seven Nigerian startups are set to compete against 193 other startups for the coveted 100K equity-free prize in the Startup Battlefield competition. These Nigerian startups have earned their place in this year’s TechCrunch Startup Battlefield pitch competition, highlighting the finest 200 early-…
- Francophone governments are individually pushing to boost their respective startup ecosystems, but there lacks a coordinated effort among the countries in the region. From Abidjan, the commercial capital of Cote d’Ivoire, where I am residing with fellow participants of the Cyber Africa Forum,…
- It’s no secret that innovation can unlock potential for corporations. A Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report states that 83% of African executives now view innovation as a top-three priority, compared to 79% of companies worldwide. This represents a 21% increase from the previous year, when only 62…
- Retail Capital, a division of TymeBank, is revolutionising the landscape for South African entrepreneurs with ChatSME, a groundbreaking Large Language Model (LLM). This innovative AI model is designed to provide easy access to valuable knowledge and resources, catering to the vibrant SME (small and…
- Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, is inviting top AI researchers of Nigerian descent to help develop a National AI Strategy. Tijani said: “A National AI Strategy for Nigeria to responsibly steer the AI revolution towards achieving national goals…
- The Competition Authority of Kenya has approved Moniepoint Inc.’s acquisition of Kopo Kopo, a Kenyan fintech company offering payments and credit services to small businesses. Moniepoint, which runs a large payments platform in Nigeria, said it is “delighted to have reached the milestone of…
- South Africa is taking steps to curb harmful content online by introducing new draft regulations. The Film and Publication Board (FPB) hopes to curb harmful content on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp with these proposed industry codes and guidelines. “We’ve seen too many cases of child…
- Aspiring digital creators in Nigeria recently gained hands-on social media education and community-building opportunities through Meta’s first-ever in-person Creator Lab Live event. The Lagos workshop gathered over 40 emerging creators to learn from experts on building their brands and maximising…
- Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and an expanding young population brimming with talent and potential. However, the region’s startup and innovation ecosystem significantly trails its global counterparts according to the Startup Genome’s recent report,…
- Ride-sharing platforms have grown significantly across Africa over the past decade. Companies like Uber, InDrive and Bolt have transformed taxi services and created many new jobs. Last week, InDrive expanded into Lesotho. For six months, the company will remove service fees so drivers retain all…
- The Somali government recently announced a ban on several popular social media and communication platforms, including TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet. According to Communications Minister Jama Hassan Khalif, the decision was made due to concerns over the spread of inappropriate content, blackmail,…
- Malawi and Zambia have signed an agreement aimed at improving Internet connectivity and reducing data prices between the two developing African nations. At last week’s signing ceremony in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital city, Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu said the new “Diplomatic Data Corridor”…
- In the ever-evolving landscape of African business, one event stands poised to redefine the narrative: The Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards (ASEB). Born from the strategic minds at Setup A Startup, ASEB isn’t just an event—it’s a movement, a testament to the indomitable spirit of…
- Despite facing a significant load-shedding crisis, South Africa continues progressing towards green energy solutions. A team from Stellenbosch University (SU), a government-owned institution, is examining the viability of introducing the nation’s inaugural electric taxis. These taxis can…
- The Nigerian federal government has secured around $500m to launch a domestic funding program to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation’s digital sector. This development was announced by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, during a dinner hosted in…
- The Nigerian federal government has secured around $500m to launch a domestic funding program to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation’s digital sector. This development was announced by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, during a dinner hosted in…
- Tunisian startup, SeekMake, recently secured an investment of 500,000 euros (USD 539,000). This funding was obtained through a three-part deal after a year of negotiations Lafayette Group, a leading European private equity firm with shares in numerous European manufacturing enterprises, is the…
- Egypt’s rich history in cotton production, a legacy it has safeguarded over the years, is again at the forefront of its economic advancements. According to recent data, Egypt cemented its position in the global market with cotton export contracts with 23 nations, a venture valued at $140 million in…
- Kenyan fintech startup Zanifu has secured $11.2 million in a pre-Series A round comprising debt and equity. Beyond Capital Ventures and Variant Investments spearheaded the investment, with contributions from Launch Africa, Founders Factory Africa, AAIC Investment, Google Black Founders Fund, and…
- Kenyan fintech startup Zanifu has secured $11.2 million in a pre-Series A round comprising debt and equity. Beyond Capital Ventures and Variant Investments spearheaded the investment, with contributions from Launch Africa, Founders Factory Africa, AAIC Investment, Google Black Founders Fund, and…
- South Africa is advancing its efforts to manufacture mRNA vaccines in Cape Town. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from the World Health Organization was present for the inauguration at the technology hub established by Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines. According to a WHO statement, Afrigen has…
- Machine learning and AI are ushering in novel opportunities. However, as a recent study suggests, these benefits mainly cater to speakers of predominant languages like English and French, such as in products like ChatGPT. There’s a push to guarantee that those who speak Shona, Hausa, Xhosa,…
- Google has introduced the “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First” program, which aims to assist African startups seeking to address local challenges through artificial intelligence. This initiative acknowledges the significant impact of AI on a global scale, revolutionizing various industries…
- Approximately 160 million individuals who were originally born in Africa have chosen to reside outside the continent. Education and employment have acted as pivotal factors in their departure. Nonetheless, a shared aspect among them is the necessity to remit funds to their friends or family back…
- As reported by Bloomberg on Thursday, Mastercard, the global payment giant, will conclude its crypto card collaboration with the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, by next month. The four-year partnership, which provided services to Binance users in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and…
- MoMo Payment Service Bank (PSB) has teamed up with Saana Capital, a cross-border company holding a license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to facilitate bill payment services and frictionless inbound and outbound transfers across Africa. Inbound services encompass receiving funds, including…
- Making significant strides towards enhancing financial inclusion and diversifying services, Nigerian fintech firm Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt) is stepping into consumer banking, aiming to rival OPay and PalmPay. Established in 2019, Moniepoint has swiftly emerged as a leader in Nigeria’s financial…
- After a year filled with multiple media disputes, Flutterwave, the most valuable startup in Africa, is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), as reported by Bloomberg, quoting the company’s CEO. Even with challenges like accusations of fraud, potential security issues, and a challenging…
- After a year filled with multiple media disputes, Flutterwave, the most valuable startup in Africa, is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), as reported by Bloomberg, quoting the company’s CEO. Even with challenges like accusations of fraud, potential security issues, and a challenging…
- Threads, the standalone text-based application by Meta, may not have debuted with revolutionary features last month, but its distinct advantage lies in its seamless integration with Instagram. This differentiates it from comparable applications like Twitter (now 𝕏), Truth Social, and Mastodon.…
