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Elon Musk Eyes Liberia for Starlink Expansion

Diana Mutheu
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Elon Musk Eyes Liberia for Starlink Expansion

In a move poised to revolutionize Liberia’s technological landscape, the government of Liberia is considering the introduction of Starlink satellite Internet service, developed by SpaceX.

This follows a recent virtual discussion between President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of SpaceX.

During their conversation, both leaders underscored the transformative potential of advanced technology, particularly in enhancing access to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic development in rural areas of Liberia.

Recognizing the potential impact, President Boakai extended an invitation for Musk and his team to visit Liberia, signifying a commitment to ongoing dialogue and potential collaboration.

Concurrently, Liberia is undergoing significant reforms in its telecommunications sector.

“New regulations are being introduced to support fintech companies, aiming to foster innovation and competition in a market historically dominated by a few major players. These reforms are designed to level the playing field, enabling smaller startups to enter and thrive in the mobile and Internet services arena,” reports indicates.

The regulatory shift is expected to empower Liberian entrepreneurs, particularly those developing mobile financial solutions, by providing fair access to essential telecom resources. This marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s tech evolution, coinciding with Musk’s interest in expanding Starlink across Africa.

Together, these developments promise a dynamic transformation in Liberia’s tech and telecom landscape, paving the way for broader connectivity and innovative services. The potential introduction of Starlink, alongside progressive regulatory changes, heralds a new era of technological advancement and economic opportunity for Liberia.

As of mid-2024, Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has actively been expanding its presence across Africa. The service is already live in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Benin, and Eswatini. Starlink aims to further extend its reach to additional countries by the end of 2024. Upcoming launches are planned for Gambia, Lesotho, Senegal, Tanzania, Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe, among others.

This expansion aligns with Starlink’s goal to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved regions, particularly in rural areas where traditional broadband services are lacking​.

Building effective Startups: The Role of Culture

Cynthia Moses
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Building effective Startups: The Role of Culture

The culture of an organization, the way that things are done, will develop whether there’s intention or not. By defining what it should be, you can influence the behavior. If you don’t define it, it’ll develop organically and you might not like the results. 

Josh Sephton, Via LinkedIn.

Culture is “the way we do things around here.” When you join a new team, you will quickly be humbled. Everybody knows everybody, everyone has a circle – or not. They know the bosses’ good and bad times -read, when to ask for favors and when not to. There’s clearly a formula on how business runs, and everybody knows it, except you. The newbie. Always saying hi to those that prefer quiet mornings, inviting to lunch the project manager that eats sandwiches at his desk, or running every step of your project by your supervisor who really prefers to just oversee and give feedback. Or, the opposite- when you meet the micromanager. Most times, teams have held on to their beliefs, rituals and behaviors for far too long, and will immediately sideline anyone who dares question “the way of doing things.”

All these things, added together, really define how teams work. And, ultimately, decide whether a team will build something great, or will jeopardize the productivity of an organization. In this article, we’ll explore the profound impact of startup culture on team dynamics and why getting it right can be the difference between success and failure.

So what then, is Culture, and Why is it so Important?

Culture isn’t just about Ping-Pong tables, free snacks and beer Fridays; it’s the underlying DNA that shapes how a team works together, innovates, and ultimately thrives. A strong culture provides a shared sense of purpose and identity, aligns team members around common goals, and fosters trust, collaboration, and resilience.

With the right culture within an organization, team members feel aligned, valued and empowered to put their best foot forward. This ultimately manifests into productivity, as there is a common and shared sense of purpose. No one is sidelined, there is no deadweight on the team, or walking on eggshells when it’s time to put a point across. And, it’s not just about productivity.

When you think of startups, the thought of challenges and tough days surely must cross your mind. The beauty of a strong and positive culture is that it carries a startup –and really any organization, through the dark days. When the product launch is a flop, or the expected funding didn’t pan out. Delayed salaries and the dreaded PR disasters that are a daily dose for most startups. A trusting, aligned, resilient and optimistic team- all *aspects* cultivated by a positive organizational culture will more often than not be willing and able to endure the tough times without backing out, cutting corners or sabotaging the organization.

Conversely, a toxic or dysfunctional culture can erode morale, hinder productivity, and drive talented team members away, ultimately spelling doom for the startup.

Cultivating a Positive Startup Culture:

Building a positive startup culture requires intentional effort and a commitment from leadership to prioritize values, behaviors, and norms that support the company’s mission and vision. Elements that define a positive culture are many. Today we discuss 3 key elements of a positive startup culture, and how Core values are the foundation on which a culture is built.

1. Aligning with the core values of your organization.

Core values are the foundation on which a culture is built. By definition, core values are “ideals you believe that determine your behavior and decisions.” They do not change with every turn or dynamics of the economy, society or organizational disruption. The point of values and mission in an organization is to define a pathway and create a guide for the team to follow in the process of executing the set goals.

When hiring, it is important to look out for people who align with your core values. If, for instance, your core value as a startup is boldness, it is crucial to be on the lookout for hires that share this core value. This means people who are not afraid of leaping on new ideas, even without full knowledge. People who don’t wait for conditions to align to act. People that are ready to try, fail and then try again.

When your core value is perseverance, team members that don’t back out when the going gets tough, that stay objective as opposed to emotional or panicked in less than favorable circumstances, are your best bet. As a startup, it is crucial to realize that a hire can have the right skills and be the best on the job, but when their core values are misaligned with yours, any attempt to “be on the same page” or “share a culture” will be futile.

Every organization explicitly outlines their mission, vision and values on their websites and walls, but it is just that- words. They do not integrate their values into their daily operations- hiring, crisis management, milestone conversations.

Deciding what values will help you achieve your goals, then integrating them in your day to day running will set a good foundation for a positive culture, even for people that join in later on, or through the dynamics that are bound to happen.

2. Empowerment and Ownership.

An empowered team isn’t just an asset; they’re the heart and soul of a productive workforce. When individuals feel empowered to take ownership of their work, supported to innovate, and encouraged to voice their ideas, they not only thrive personally, they also become catalysts for positive change and contribute to a vibrant and collaborative environment where creativity, productivity and success becomes a collective journey. And that is exactly what the goal of a positive culture should be – To be on a collective journey.

Autonomy is one of the guaranteed ways to empower a team. The degree to which a team or individual has freedom to make their own decisions and take actions independently, without excessive external control or micromanagement is consistent with the level of responsibility and ownership they have towards their work. Autonomy can manifest in various forms, such as setting their own schedules, choosing how to approach tasks, making decisions about resource allocation, and having input into strategic planning and goal-setting –as long as the goal is met.  When individuals have a sense of control over their work and are trusted to make decisions, they tend to feel more invested in their jobs and more motivated to perform at their best.

Empowering employees, however, goes beyond simply granting them autonomy; it is about unleashing their full potential to drive innovation, creativity, and productivity.

Implementing your team’s good ideas and giving them credit for it, ensuring employee satisfaction and engagement in brainstorming sessions, promoting and supporting their personal growth and development can create a culture where individuals thrive and contribute to the collective success of the company.

3. Diversity and Inclusion.

If you are a startup founder, I hate to break it to you, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords that corporates use to sound fancy. They are fundamental principles that drive innovation, creativity, and ultimately, the success of the company. When you talk of a positive organizational culture, diversity and inclusion must be among your to-do.

Diversity by definition is “the presence of a variety of different demographic and cultural characteristics within a group.” Most startup founders will be tempted to include their sister, a cousin, someone that looks like them, or with similar characters in the team. When it’s one or two, that might be okay. But at the very beginning stages of a startup, pulling all or most of your team members from your closest circle is as close to sabotage as you can get. Not only are boundaries shaky and blurred, but whenever a new team member from outside your circle or different from the team joins, they immediately are the outsider.

Diversity includes both visible differences, such as physical appearance, as well as invisible differences, such as cognitive styles, personality traits, and life experiences.

Embracing diversity means recognizing and valuing the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to the table. It involves creating an environment where people feel respected, included, and empowered to be their authentic selves, regardless of their differences.

 Inclusion on the other hand, means appreciating and empowering all team members to achieve the set goals, regardless of their differences in identity and background. This means actively having inclusive practices like training and education, implementation of ideas from different team members and equity in terms of pay.

Basically, diversity and inclusion are about creating environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and valued, and where their unique perspectives and contributions are recognized and celebrated.

5 African Women Founders: Trailblazers in a Woman’s World

Cynthia Moses
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5 African Women Founders: Trailblazers in a Woman’s World

In the pulsating heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where innovation meets opportunity, Africa stands at the forefront of technological advancement. And in the midst of all the exciting changes happening, although not talked about as much, women have fast risen to the call of technology and become bold trailblazers who have broken through barriers, challenged norms, and transformed the tech scene in Africa.

From coding geniuses to visionary entrepreneurs, these pioneers have not only harnessed the power of technology to change lives but have also become beacons of inspiration and hope for generations of women and young girls to come.

In this article, we honor the stories of 5 remarkable African women whose indomitable spirit, ingenuity, and vision have not only transformed the tech industry but have also left an indelible mark on the very essence of African innovation.

Naadiya Moosajee

Founder of Women in Engineering (WomEng), an organization dedicated to nurturing the talents of girls and women in engineering and technology, Moosajee is best known for her commitment to gender parity, spearheading a transformative movement to bridge the gender gap.

 In 2014, Forbes recognized her as one of Africa’s Top 20 Young Power Women in Africa, while the Government of China honored her at the BRICS Summit for her outstanding contributions to STEM education for African girls. Passionate about fostering STEM education and gender equality, Moosajee is committed to shaping prosperous and equitable societies in emerging economies.

Alongside Hema Vallabh, she co-founded WomHub, further expanding their impact on the industry.

According to Moosajee, “Engineers design our world and our society, and if we don’t have women at the design table, we exclude 50% of the population.”  

Betelhem Dessie

“As a young woman, coding made me feel independent and free, and that’s something I want to give other people.”

At the age of 7, Dessie fell in love with computers. And by the tender age of 20, this visionary Ethiopian technologist had six software programs patented in her name, and was involved in the development of the world-famous Sophia the robot. Dessie founded iCog-Anyone Can Code at the age of 24, an Ethiopian-based social enterprise that offers kids and youth an opportunity at a future through coding.

Through iCog, the futures of over 30,000 youths have been positively impacted, making them more employable and skilled for entrepreneurship.

Maya Horgan Famodu

Maya believes that if you want to support women, you put them in positions to do it themselves. And she lives by her words, having founded Ingressive capital and Ingressive for Good, one a venture capital that supports early-stage African tech startups, and the other a nonprofit providing micro-scholarships, technical skills training and talent placement to African tech talents in need, respectively.

Being the youngest Black woman to launch a tech fund, Maya Horgan has been honored by Forbes before in their “Under 30 Technology” list, in 2018.

Mary Mwangi

Mary Mwangi knows too well that being a pioneer, and especially in the tech space, is no bed of roses.

Founder and CEO of Data Integrated, this Kenyan powerhouse is a pioneer in the fintech logistics space in Africa, with her company leveraging on tech to offer financial solutions to African SMEs, with a greater focus on Kenya’s public transport system.

Being a pioneer, the challenges are there, she admits, but insists that “You can do it. You have to get up.” 

Charity Wanjiku

Charity Wanjiku describes herself as a shining star and a work-in-progress all at the same time. And a shining star she is indeed, having made patented solar panels and powered the most rural parts of Kenya before solar tiles were a thing. Recognized by both Forbes and the World Economic Forum as a top woman in tech globally, Charity is the founder Strauss Energy Ltd, an off-grid solar energy startup based in Nairobi, Kenya. She lights up the lives of Kenyans in rural areas – Literally.

The uniqueness of Strauss’ solar systems lies in their special meters that can feed unused electricity back to the national grid, generating income for households. 

She is passionate about breaking STEM barriers for women and girls, as in her words, “It’s important that girls are at the forefront of this digital age, because nobody will hire you if you do not have tech skills.”  

Strategic Survival: Unveiling the Path for African Startups Amidst Funding Challenges in 2024

Cynthia Moses
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Strategic Survival: Unveiling the Path for African Startups Amidst Funding Challenges in 2024

African startup funding has seen a significant fall from the highs of 2021 and 2022, with investments in the startup scene in Africa dropping by around 27% in 2023

Disrupt Africa’s African Tech Startups Funding Report.

Would you start a startup if there was no funding for it? African startup funding has seen a significant fall from the highs of 2021 and 2022, with investments in the startup scene in Africa in terms of funding dropping by around 27% in 2023, according to Disrupt Africa’s African Tech Startups Funding Report. The number of investors during this time, according to the same report fell by half.

Does this inform the direction that startups might take in the future, or is it an indicator that starting a startup might not be a worthy cause in 2024? In the recent live podcast hosted by Founders Factory Africa on the good and bad of funding, experts in the startup ecosystem in Nairobi came together to discuss the importance of choosing the right capital in 2024, and how to navigate the tight belt fastened by investors.

In the panel for the live podcast episode were Rology CFO Jason Musyoka; Bruce Nsereko-Lule, co-founder and general partner at Seedstars; and June Odongo, founder and CEO of Senga Technologies.

One thing from the conversation was clear; in the fight for a win, and with the current lack of sufficient funding, startup founders might feel the need to scramble for every funding opportunity that presents itself, in the process hurting their business and perhaps themselves. Therefore despite these funding challenges, the panelists unanimously agreed that it’s still critical for startups to be reasonable and careful in choosing the investors they approach for funding.

So, what are these critical play points to be addressed in the race for funding, and how to understand good and bad funding?

Shifting investor expectations

In the best way to approach investors in these tight times, the panelists highlighted that times have changed in the ecosystem, and investors are now prioritizing fundamentals and sustainability over pure potential, advising that founders should be aware of investors’ shifting priorities and adapt their fundraising strategies accordingly. This requires founders to have a clear roadmap with achievable milestones (pilot, funding rounds) and contingency plans.

“As investors, we’re looking for a plan but you also need to model in variation,” says Nsero- Luke. “Aim to go with the plan but let’s model it if we need to spend a little bit more, for example.”

Additionally, investors are emphasizing due diligence and seeking ventures with strong fundamentals and realistic growth plans, moving away from solely chasing high-growth potential. That makes it important that they do everything they can to impress in the due diligence process.

“From an investor perspective, it’s important that you do your due diligence very well whilst you’re investing in a company so that, when you’re putting in the money, you don’t get unexpected surprises,” he adds.

Choosing the right investor

Even within this shifting environment, the panelists agree that it’s still important for startup founders to be discerning in the investors they approach for funding. More particularly, they say, founders must consider whether choosing local investors makes more sense than international ones. While international investors might have deeper pockets, local investors often have a greater contextual understanding of local environments and may therefore be better positioned to guide founders to success.

“The beauty about local investors is that we understand context,” says Musyoka. “And not just context but we also have networks. There are doors that the senior-level executives and CEOs that they introduce you to can open for you or businesses that they can enable for you that they can enable for that you wouldn’t be able to open for yourself.”

Another strategic considerations when choosing which investors to approach is your business goals. Founders should define their business goals (lifestyle vs. scaling) and align their investment strategy accordingly, potentially utilizing local angel investors and then seeking international capital for further growth.

Even with these considerations in mind, it’s still important that founders pay attention to the investment offers in front of them. “If you’ve got two competing term sheets in front of you, always go for the one that offers the least dilution,” says Musyoka, who has a unique perspective as an investor turned operator. “It gives you flexibility and allows you to operate in your known business framework.”  That may mean accepting a smaller investment but, Musyoka believes that this isn’t always a bad thing.

“A small amount is not necessarily bad for you,” he says. “You just have to recalibrate and work with what you have.”

According to Odongo, getting to the right investor also means knowing when to pause, when to move and when to stop, as Senga has had to do a couple of times over the past few years.

“At one point, we were going to raise money when we had validated our idea and it was growing well. Then we got a lot of competition that was emulating some of what we were doing and they were raising tones of money, so I decided not to raise because it was clear to me that things were not going to turn out well. So we retreated and pivoted to a new niche.”

Planning for an exit (or not)

In the long run, more and more startups taking this approach may also change how we think about exits on the continent.

“Exit opportunities exist in Africa,” says Nsereko-Lule. “We have local exchanges, we have big corporations, etc. The effective exit opportunities exist here, but the types of companies that local players want to buy are very different to the ones internationals want to buy.”

“As we contextualize venture capital to the local market, it will help,” he adds. “Then we can build businesses where founders have the necessary skill sets and build businesses capable of achieving exits on the continent.”

In conclusion, depending on how a founder goes about it, funding can be one of two; a blessing or a bad thing for a startup.  Even with the funding drought that the African startup system is facing, it is important for a startup to be wisely selective with choosing the right investor, lest they risk losing their soul and business in the fight.

South Africa’s Skynamo Acquired by UK’s Klipboard to Expand Global Sales Operations Platform

James Musoba
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South Africa’s Skynamo Acquired by UK’s Klipboard to Expand Global Sales Operations Platform

 

Skynamo, a South African mobile-first sales operations platform for manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, has been acquired by Klipboard, a global provider of vertically focused business management software, the companies said on Monday.

The acquisition aims to strengthen Skynamo’s ability to support nearly 1,000 businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while continuing to manage more than $70 million in monthly order value and millions of customer interactions.

Founded in 2012 as Honeybee, Skynamo initially offered a field sales application but has evolved into a unified sales operations platform that integrates field sales, customer ordering, product and pricing data, financial visibility, and sales analytics in a single cloud-based environment.

Sam Clarke, Skynamo’s Chief Executive Officer, said the acquisition marked “an exciting next chapter” and would allow the company to leverage Klipboard’s global reach and complementary software solutions.

For customers, the deal is expected to provide continued platform innovation, greater integration with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and business management systems, and access to a broader ecosystem of solutions for distributors and wholesalers.

Ian Bendelow, Chief Executive Officer of Klipboard, said the acquisition strengthened Klipboard’s presence in Sub-Saharan Africa and aligned with its strategy to invest in innovative solutions for global customers.

Klipboard serves more than 55,000 enterprise and small-to-medium business customers across 74 countries. Skynamo currently facilitates nearly 1,000 clients and over $70 million in monthly order value through its cloud-based platform.

 

Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation Shortlists 16 Innovators to Pitch for the £85,000 Africa Prize

James Musoba
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Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation Shortlists 16 Innovators to Pitch for the £85,000 Africa Prize

The Royal Academy of Engineering has shortlisted 16 innovators for the 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, an eight-month programme of training, mentoring and networking opportunities ahead of the final in October.

Shortlisted innovators will receive expert business, technical, and sector-specific engineering mentoring, alongside access to the Academy’s extensive network of engineers and business leaders across the UK and Africa.

The programme’s panel of judges will then select four finalists who will pitch to win the 2026 Africa Prize at a live final event in Johannesburg in October.

The winner of the Africa Prize will receive £50,000, while the three runners up will each be awarded £10,000. The audience will then select the winner of this year’s ‘One-to-Watch’ award for the most impactful pitch, worth £5,000.

All shortlisted candidates will join the Africa Prize alumni community of more than 160 innovators, gaining access to exclusive opportunities for funding, development, and ongoing support. Since 2014, the alumni have introduced nearly 700 products and services to the market in more than 40 countries across five continents, and developed solutions linked to each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals on a local level.

Shortlisted innovations and entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia have each been selected for their solutions to critical environmental, educational and health challenges in their communities:

Applications for the next Africa Prize shortlist will open in mid-July and close in mid-September 2026.

Oikocredit & GCPF Provide $10 Million to Sawa Energy to Expand Solar Projects in East Africa

Ronald Bwire
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Oikocredit & GCPF Provide $10 Million to Sawa Energy to Expand Solar Projects in East Africa

 

Oikocredit, a Netherlands-based social impact investor, and the Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) have jointly provided a $10 million debt facility to Sawa Energy, a leading commercial and industrial solar developer in East Africa.

The financing will support the deployment of 35 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity across 250 commercial and industrial projects in the region over the next three years, the companies said in a statement on Thursday.

Sawa Energy designs, finances, installs, owns, and operates solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems under long-term service contracts, typically ranging from 10 to 25 years. The company’s energy-as-a-service model allows businesses to access reliable and affordable electricity without upfront capital investment, while reducing reliance on costly diesel generators.

Henna Savolainen, senior investment officer at Oikocredit, said the partnership “delivers tangible benefits to businesses and communities and advances energy security and climate goals in line with our strategy.”

Samuel Kaufman, CEO and co-founder of Sawa Energy, added that the facility would enable the company to “accelerate the deployment of clean energy infrastructure that helps companies reduce energy costs, improve operational reliability, and lower their environmental footprint.”

Sawa Energy has so far installed more than 65 solar projects across Rwanda and Uganda, serving sectors including manufacturing, agro-processing, hospitality, education, and commercial real estate. The company is actively expanding into additional East and Southern African markets.

Oikocredit, which has more than 45,000 investors globally, focuses on impact investing in financial inclusion, renewable energy, agriculture, and community resilience. GCPF is a climate finance fund that provides financing solutions for renewable energy projects worldwide.

Flutterwave Secures Nigerian Banking License, Deepens Control Over Payments Ecosystem

Sam Wakoba
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Flutterwave Secures Nigerian Banking License, Deepens Control Over Payments Ecosystem

Flutterwave has obtained a Nigerian banking license, allowing the fintech firm to hold customer deposits directly and reduce reliance on partner banks, as it seeks to improve payment efficiency in one of Africa’s largest digital economies.

The license enables Flutterwave to connect more directly to Nigeria’s clearing and settlement systems, shifting away from the traditional “sponsorship” model where fintechs depend on commercial banks to process transactions and share fees.

Chief Executive Olugbenga Agboola said the move would help the company accelerate settlements and expand its financial services offering. “By operating directly within the financial system, we can streamline money movement, accelerate settlement for merchants, and build products that support long-term growth,” he said.

Flutterwave, which has processed more than $40 billion in payments and over 1 billion transactions to date, will now be able to offer accounts, transfers and treasury services across its platform. The company said more than 1 million users of its remittance product SendApp and over 2 million businesses on its platform stand to benefit from enhanced financial tools.

Nigeria handles trillions of naira in digital payments annually, making it a key market for fintech expansion. By internalising parts of its value chain, Flutterwave aims to capture a larger share of transaction revenues while improving speed and reliability.

The company said it plans to roll out additional services including merchant lending, working capital financing and savings products powered by transaction data, alongside exploring stablecoin-based settlement to boost cross-border efficiency.

The milestone follows Flutterwave’s recent acquisition of fintech infrastructure firm Mono and comes as the company marks a decade in operation in 2026.

Flutterwave operates in 34 African countries and counts global and regional clients such as Uber, Air Peace and PiggyVest.

Kenya Approves Sale of 15% Safaricom Stake to Vodacom in $1.6 Billion Deal

Ronald Bwire
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Kenya Approves Sale of 15% Safaricom Stake to Vodacom in $1.6 Billion Deal

Kenya’s parliament has approved the sale of a 15% government stake in Safaricom to South Africa’s Vodacom in a deal valued at about 240 billion shillings ($1.6 billion), one of the country’s largest privatisation moves in recent years.

The National Assembly on Tuesday backed a joint report by the Finance and National Planning Committee and the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee, paving the way for the National Treasury to execute the transaction from April, subject to regulatory approvals.

The government expects to raise around 200 billion shillings ($1.33 billion) from the equity sale, alongside 40.2 billion shillings ($268 million) in upfront payments structured as advance dividends. The proceeds are earmarked for the National Infrastructure Fund to finance transport, energy and digital infrastructure projects.

Safaricom, East Africa’s most profitable company, has a market capitalisation of roughly 800 billion–900 billion shillings ($5.3 billion–$6.0 billion), implying the 15% stake sale aligns broadly with prevailing market valuations, according to the parliamentary committee.

The Kenyan government currently holds about a 35% stake in Safaricom. A 15% divestment would reduce its shareholding to roughly 20%, while Vodacom — already the largest shareholder with a stake of about 35% — would increase its ownership and strengthen control of the telecoms operator.

The deal structure includes conditions aimed at protecting public interest, including commitments to preserve jobs, maintain Safaricom’s existing operating model and ensure compliance with Kenya’s data protection and cybersecurity laws.

Lawmakers also directed that 100% of the proceeds be ring-fenced for infrastructure spending, with oversight mechanisms to track utilisation of the funds.

The approval came despite objections linked to an ongoing court case challenging the transaction. Suba South MP Caroli Omondi questioned the legality of proceeding while the matter is under judicial review.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula ruled that parliament could proceed, stating it is not a party to the case. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the concerns had already been addressed during earlier debate.

Safaricom, which serves more than 40 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia and generates annual revenues exceeding 300 billion shillings ($2.0 billion), has defended the transaction in court. The company warned that halting the deal could unsettle capital markets and dent investor confidence.

If completed, the transaction would rank among Kenya’s largest capital market deals in over a decade and significantly deepen Vodacom’s strategic position in East Africa’s telecoms sector.

Kulipa Raises $6.2 Million to Expand Stablecoin Card Issuing Infrastructure Globally

James Musoba
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Kulipa Raises $6.2 Million to Expand Stablecoin Card Issuing Infrastructure Globally

Paris-based fintech Kulipa said on Thursday it has raised $6.2 million in a seed funding round co-led by Flourish Ventures and crypto-focused investment firm 1kx, as it looks to scale infrastructure that enables real-world spending of stablecoins.

White Star Capital and Fabric Ventures also participated in the round, bringing Kulipa’s total funding to $9.2 million.

Kulipa provides card issuing infrastructure that allows fintech platforms, digital banks and crypto wallets to offer payment cards funded directly from stablecoin balances. The company aims to bridge the gap between blockchain-based settlement and traditional payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Stablecoins process more than $300 billion in daily transactions, but their use in everyday payments remains limited due to fragmented infrastructure and regulatory hurdles. Kulipa’s platform is designed to address this by enabling compliant, capital-efficient card issuance without relying heavily on prefunded accounts.

“Card issuance is the bridge between onchain balances and real-world payments,” Kulipa founder and CEO Axel Cateland said, adding that the company is focused on helping regulated fintechs scale globally.

The startup operates a “local-first” regulatory model, with issuing coverage across the European Union, Argentina and Nigeria, and plans to expand into the United States through BIN sponsorship.

Since launching in February 2025, Kulipa said it has issued more than 120,000 cards and signed 20 customers, including African payments firm Flutterwave, crypto wallet Solflare and fintech platforms nSave and Ready. The company also reported 70% month-on-month growth in transaction volumes.

Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga Agboola said the partnership allows the company to extend stablecoin functionality into globally accepted payments in a compliant way.

Investors say the company is positioning itself as key infrastructure for broader adoption of digital assets.

“Stablecoins are reshaping how money moves globally, but for mainstream adoption, people need to spend them as easily as fiat,” said 1kx founding partner Christopher Heymann.

Kulipa plans to use the funding to expand its regulated issuing capabilities across Europe, Latin America and Africa, as demand grows for stablecoin-based financial products.

Cascador Opens Applications for 2026 ScaleUp Program, to Deploy up to $5M Annually

James Musoba
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Cascador Opens Applications for 2026 ScaleUp Program, to Deploy up to $5M Annually

Nigeria-based accelerator Cascador has opened applications for its 2026 ScaleUp Program, with plans to invest between $2 million and $5 million annually in African startups through its Cascador Catalytic Fund.

The accelerator will select 12 growth-stage companies for a 12-week hybrid program, combining two weeks of in-person sessions — including a kickoff and pitch week — with 10 weeks of virtual training for founders and their leadership teams.

Participants will also compete in a live pitch day, with up to $50,000 in prize funding available.

Applications close on June 15, with the program scheduled to begin on Aug. 15.

Cascador said the application process includes a short preliminary submission followed by a more detailed application for shortlisted candidates, with early applicants receiving benefits such as interviews and early-stage selection opportunities.

“Entrepreneurs are the engines of change,” Chief Executive Officer Trish Thomas said. “This program is designed to empower impactful ventures on the cusp of scale for social good.”

Since its launch in 2019, Cascador has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million, the company said. In 2025, its alumni created more than 67,000 jobs and served over 1.7 million customers.

Co-founder David DeLucia said the program aims to support entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of scaling businesses across Africa through mentorship, advisory services and access to capital.

Past participants include startups such as Sycamore, ORÍKÌ, Koolboks, Lenco and OneHealth.

Applications are currently open, with additional information sessions scheduled for April 29 in Abuja and May 5 in Lagos.

Digital Nomad Health and Wellness Strategies

Ronald Bwire
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Digital Nomad Health and Wellness Strategies

Working from anywhere sounds like a dream, right up until your spine stages a protest, your sleep pattern falls apart somewhere over a time zone, and you realize your last “real meal” was an airport sandwich two days ago.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: digital nomad wellness tips aren’t lifestyle accessories. They’re the actual load-bearing structure underneath your productivity, your focus, and honestly, your happiness.

This guide covers the ground that matters, nutrition that travels, movement routines that require zero equipment, sleep recovery strategies, mental health rituals, and emergency preparedness that doesn’t require a spreadsheet degree. Real systems. Portable ones.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness economy hit a record $6.8 trillion in 2024  which means the tools exist. You just need to know which ones are worth your bag space.

Let’s start at the foundation: what you eat.

Smart Nutrition: Health Strategies for Digital Nomads on the Move

You don’t need a full kitchen. You don’t need a Whole Foods on every block. The health strategies for digital nomads that actually hold up are flexible, simple, and built for imperfect conditions.

Finding clean, nourishing food in an unfamiliar city is genuinely easier when you’re not scrambling for Wi-Fi. That’s where reliable connectivity becomes a practical health tool, not just a work one. For instance, an austria esim from a provider you trust gives you consistent 4G/5G access so you can pull up healthy café options, scout local markets, and find filtered water without leaning on sketchy public networks.

Local Markets and Backup Meals

Local markets are underutilized by most nomads. Fresh produce is typically cheaper and far better quality than anything sold near a tourist strip. A reusable produce bag and a small collapsible cooler cost almost nothing and pay off fast.

And hotel kettles? Criminally underrated. Oatmeal, instant miso, herbal teas, these aren’t glamorous, but they’re available at 11pm when you’re in a new city and every restaurant closed an hour ago.

Hydration Isn’t Negotiable

A filtered water bottle is one of the highest-return investments in your entire kit. Dehydration degrades your focus faster than you’d think, and the effect is subtle enough that you might blame your work before you blame your water intake. Alternate herbal teas between coffee rounds. It sounds minor. It genuinely isn’t.

Fitness Routines for Remote Workers That Travel Easily

Most people assume staying fit on the road requires a gym. It doesn’t. The best fitness routines for remote workers are the ones you can execute with what fits in a backpack.

Movement That Packs Flat

Resistance bands weigh almost nothing and unlock hundreds of exercise variations. A compact yoga mat adds maybe 600 grams. Combine that with whatever the city offers, a hiking trail, a bike rental, a neighborhood run at dawn, and you’ve built a complete, zero-contract movement practice.

Joining a local running club or yoga class is also one of the fastest ways to meet people worth knowing. That’s a wellness bonus most guides forget to mention.

Day Passes and Class Apps

Most gyms globally offer short-term passes with no strings attached. Apps like Mindbody or ClassPass let you book fitness classes in cities before you land. Do the research before you arrive. Scrambling after doesn’t work nearly as well.

Sleep Optimization and Jet-Lag Recovery

Without sleep, every other strategy in this guide starts degrading fast. Your body repairs itself at night, and that process doesn’t negotiate with time zones.

Your Portable Sleep Kit

Eye mask, foam earplugs, white noise app. That’s your baseline. Blackout curtains matter more than most travelers realize, push for accommodation that has them.

And build a pre-sleep ritual you can repeat anywhere: same stretches, same music, same sequence. It signals your brain to wind down regardless of what city you’re in.

Resetting Your Internal Clock

Get bright natural light within an hour of waking up. The Timeshifter app is genuinely useful for multi-timezone travel, worth downloading before your next long-haul flight. Keep sleep and wake times consistent, even on transit days when every instinct says otherwise.

Mental Health and Well-Being for Digital Nomads

Mental health for digital nomads deserves the same planning energy you put into accommodation and flights.

About one-in-six Americans report feeling lonely or isolated all or most of the time, and that baseline climbs when you’re changing cities every few weeks with no fixed social anchors.

Mindfulness Without the Retreat Budget

Five minutes of morning breathwork, that’s it. It genuinely shifts how a day unfolds. Apps like Insight Timer offer offline sessions for low-connectivity environments.

Journaling doesn’t need to be elaborate: three sentences before bed builds more emotional clarity than most people expect.

Building Social Infrastructure

Set a weekly social minimum: at least two meaningful interactions beyond transactional exchanges.

Coworking spaces, language exchanges, micro-volunteering, all count. And don’t underestimate scheduled calls with people back home. That connection carries more weight than nomads usually admit out loud.

Ergonomic Health for Nomadic Workspaces

A laptop balanced on a hostel pillow isn’t charming. It’s a cumulative posture injury waiting to surface. Your workspace directly shapes your physical output and your cognitive endurance.

The Core Gear Trio

Lightweight laptop stand. Compact folding keyboard. Noise-canceling headphones. These three items transform almost any surface, café table, co-working desk, hotel room, into a genuinely functional workspace. Skip the stand and you’ll feel it in your neck by week three.

Screen and Digital Hygiene

The 20-20-20 rule is simple and it works: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blue-light filtering settings after dark help more than you’d think.

Declutter your digital files regularly, cognitive clutter is real, and it translates directly to mental fatigue.

Sustainable Routines That Travel With You

Geography changes constantly. Routines create psychological stability when everything else is in motion. Wellness travel advice for nomads that skips routine is solving the wrong problem.

Anchors and Home Bases

Morning stretch, weekly schedule review, photo journal, low-effort, high-stability anchors. Choosing a home base city you return to every few months also dramatically reduces burnout. You’re not abandoning the nomad lifestyle, you’re protecting it.

Intentional, Sustainable Living

Refillable bottles. Minimalist packing. Supporting local wellness providers instead of international chains. These habits aren’t just ethical, they reinforce the kind of intentional lifestyle that makes nomadic life sustainable over years, not just months.

Tech Tools and Preparedness for Digital Nomad Health

The number of digital nomads in traditional jobs increased by 10% in 2025, reaching 11.2 million (https://stg.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/digital-nomads/). Wellness strategies at that scale need to be professional-grade.

Insurance and Telehealth

Nomad-friendly insurance, SafetyWing, WorldNomads, Cigna Global, is non-negotiable. Test your telehealth provider before you actually need it.

Know the nearest hospital in every city you stay longer than a week. These aren’t dramatic preparations. They’re basic professional hygiene.

Health Tracking

Tools like Oura, Whoop, or even Apple Health help you catch burnout trends before they become full crises. Mood-tracking apps do the same for mental health. And all of it, telehealth calls, navigation, app syncing, depends on one thing: reliable connectivity wherever you land.

Questions Nomads Actually Ask About Health on the Road

What are essential quick health hacks for new digital nomads?

Sleep consistency, filtered water bottle, resistance bands, offline meditation app. Those four habits prevent the majority of common nomad health problems.

How do you stay fit without gym access?

Bodyweight circuits, resistance bands, local movement. Consistency beats equipment every time.

How can digital nomads manage stress and loneliness?

Weekly social minimums, recurring video calls, coworking communities, and a consistent morning routine. Loneliness responds to structure far better than spontaneity alone.

Can an eSIM improve nomad health routines?

Absolutely. Reliable connectivity supports telehealth appointments, healthy food discovery, emergency navigation, and staying connected to support networks, all of which affect physical and mental health outcomes directly.

What travel insurance covers remote worker wellness needs?

SafetyWing, WorldNomads, and Cigna Global offer nomad-appropriate plans. Compare coverage regions carefully before you commit.

Healthy Anywhere

Sustaining the nomad lifestyle long-term isn’t about grinding harder than everyone else. It’s about building systems that hold up whether you’re in Vienna, Bali, or Buenos Aires.

Smart nutrition, portable fitness habits, sleep optimization, mental health rituals, and professional-grade tech preparedness, together these create a framework that travels as well as you do. The nomads who last aren’t the most disciplined.

They’re the ones who figured out early that their health isn’t separate from their career. It is their career’s foundation. Treat it accordingly, and the rest becomes manageable.

 

 

Honda Spins Out PathAhead to Launch Desert-sand Road Material Plant in Kenya

James Musoba
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Honda Spins Out PathAhead to Launch Desert-sand Road Material Plant in Kenya

Honda Motor Co. has launched a new startup, PathAhead Co., Ltd., to commercialise a novel road construction material made from desert sand, with plans to build a production plant in Kenya by 2028.

The venture, created under Honda’s IGNITION new business programme, has developed “Rising Sand,” an artificial aggregate designed to improve the durability and consistency of road-building materials.

PathAhead said it will begin demonstration testing in Kenya in 2027, before expanding trials to Tanzania and South Africa over a three-year period to assess performance under varying climate and traffic conditions.

The company aims to use the results to support large-scale production, starting with a Kenyan plant, followed by facilities in Tanzania and South Africa.

Africa’s road infrastructure gap remains a constraint on economic growth, with only about 20% of roads paved, according to PathAhead estimates. Existing roads also face rapid deterioration, driving up logistics costs.

Rising Sand is produced by granulating fine desert sand into larger, more uniform particles using a proprietary process. The material is expected to last more than 20 years in road applications, compared with roughly 10 years for conventional aggregates, potentially reducing lifecycle costs by about 60%, the company said.

By relying on locally available desert sand and additives, PathAhead expects to offer the material at costs comparable to traditional aggregates, while addressing concerns over the depletion of natural resources such as river sand and crushed stone.

Chief Executive Masayuki Iga said the company aims to tackle infrastructure challenges by improving road durability, adding that stronger transport networks could enhance access to services and economic opportunities.

Honda said it will continue to support the startup through its IGNITION programme, which backs new business ventures developed by employees and external partners.

Kenya Power Foundation Invests $11,600 in the 2026 Kenya Science and Engineering Fair

James Musoba
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Kenya Power Foundation Invests $11,600 in the 2026 Kenya Science and Engineering Fair

Kenya Power Foundation has committed 1.5 million Kenyan shillings ($11,600) to support the 2026 Kenya Science and Engineering Fair (KSEF), as part of efforts to promote science and technology education and nurture future innovators.

The week-long event, set to run from March 29 to April 5 in Garissa, will bring together more than 2,000 students competing across 24 categories under the theme “Sustainable Development for National Development.”

The utility’s charitable arm said the funding, channeled through its education and skills development programme, will be used to reward top participants with cash prizes, trophies and certificates, as well as support educational excursions.

“Kenya Power Foundation is coming in because one of our thematic areas is education and we are big on STEM,” said Kevin Sang, managing trustee of the foundation. He added that the investment aims to help build a pipeline of talent for the energy sector, which is critical to economic growth.

The fair, now in its 62nd edition, will feature both junior and senior school students, reflecting ongoing reforms in Kenya’s education system.

Margaret Njaggah, national chairperson of KSEF, said preparations for the event were complete and called for increased private sector support to strengthen science and innovation initiatives.

Kenya Power Foundation said the sponsorship aligns with its broader goal of supporting communities and advancing sustainable development, noting it has already backed more than 300 students and funded infrastructure improvements in over 60 schools nationwide.

African Development Bank Invests $8.1 Million in Breega Africa Seed Fund

Ronald Bwire
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African Development Bank Invests $8.1 Million in Breega Africa Seed Fund

The African Development Bank Group has approved an investment of about $8.1 million in the Breega Africa Seed I Fund to support early-stage technology startups across the continent.

The investment comprises $5.4 million in equity from the bank and a further $2.7 million junior tranche financed on behalf of the European Commission under the Boost Africa Initiative, which backs entrepreneurship in Africa.

The fund will target startups in sectors including fintech, insurtech, agritech, healthtech, logistics, education technology and climate technology, with a focus on expanding access to essential services such as healthcare, finance and education in underserved communities.

It will invest primarily in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Francophone Africa, key hubs for innovation and venture activity on the continent.

The African Development Bank said the investment aligns with its priorities of mobilising private capital, supporting job creation particularly for women and youth and strengthening climate resilience and sustainable value chains.

Breega, which manages around €700 million in assets, invests from pre-seed to Series A stages and provides operational support to portfolio companies. The firm, founded in 2015, has offices in Paris, London and Lagos and has backed more than 110 companies.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) also today announced an equity investment of up to $15 million in the Alterra Africa fund.

WeRide, Uber Launch Fully Driverless Robotaxis in Dubai

James Musoba
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WeRide, Uber Launch Fully Driverless Robotaxis in Dubai

 

Chinese autonomous driving firm WeRide and ride-hailing giant Uber have launched fully driverless Robotaxi operations in Dubai, allowing passengers to book rides via the Uber app without a human operator on board.

The service initially covers the Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim districts, popular coastal tourist areas, under the oversight of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The move supports the emirate’s goal of having 25% of trips handled by autonomous vehicles by 2030.

The rollout follows a supervised trial that began in December 2025 and a driverless vehicle permit issued in February 2026. Local mobility operator Tawasul will manage WeRide’s fleet in Dubai, with plans to expand to commercial, industrial, and suburban areas including Dubai Silicon Oasis, Jabal Ali Industrial, Nad Al Sheba, and Al Hamriya Port.

“WeRide is committed to long-term operations in Dubai and will continue expanding our local fleet,” said Dr. Tony Han, WeRide founder and CEO. “This milestone reflects the combined strength of our technology, partners, and regulatory confidence.”

Sarfraz Maredia, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility, said the launch marked a key step toward a “hybrid world” of human-driven and autonomous vehicles operating side by side.

Uber disclosed in filings this week that it owns about 5.82% of WeRide’s Class A shares, reflecting confidence in the company’s technological leadership and global commercialization strategy.

WeRide became the first UAE company to receive a national license for all types of self-driving vehicles in 2023. The firm aims to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh by 2026 and currently operates more than 200 in the Middle East.

WeRide is publicly traded and has autonomous driving permits in eight markets, including China, UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the United States.

LOOP Unveils Easter Discounts, Targets Shoppers with Galaxy S26 Financing

Brand Voice
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LOOP Unveils Easter Discounts, Targets Shoppers with Galaxy S26 Financing

 

LOOP, the fintech subsidiary of NCBA Group, has launched a range of Easter promotions, including a buy-now-pay-later offer for Samsung’s Galaxy S26, as it seeks to expand its lifestyle and digital commerce ecosystem.

Through its LOOP Discover platform, customers can access curated discounts across travel, dining, retail and entertainment, the company said on Tuesday.

As part of the campaign, customers can purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 via LOOP FLEX, the firm’s instalment-based financing product, and receive either a Galaxy Watch 8 or Galaxy Buds 4 through participating dealers such as Ropem Telcom.

LOOP said the seasonal offers are aimed at enabling customers to “celebrate, travel, dine and shop with greater ease and value” during the Easter period.

Other promotions include discounts at restaurants and retailers such as Uncle Nene’s, Escape Room, Generation Techzone, Talanta Sports and Mandevu, alongside electronics deals through Hotpoint when payments are made using the LOOP app, card or FLEX.

The platform is also offering discounted access to events through MOOKH, including Muze Open Air on the Beach, Too Early For Birds: Wangari Maathai edition, Family BBQ Festival 2.0 and Gondwana KE.

The company said the initiative reflects its broader strategy to position LOOP as a digital lifestyle platform that integrates payments, credit and everyday consumer experiences building digital financial services spanning payments, lending, savings and embedded finance solutions across Africa.

 

Sophos Study Finds 95% of Organizations Have No Trust in Their Cybersecurity Vendors

Brand Voice
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Sophos Study Finds 95% of Organizations Have No Trust in Their Cybersecurity Vendors
Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today released findings from a global, vendor-agnostic study (based on responses from 5,000 organizations across 17 countries), examining one of cybersecurity’s most urgent and overlooked necessities: trust.
The Cybersecurity Trust Reality 2026 report is one of the most comprehensive studies of trust in cybersecurity and the impact on operational risk and board-level decision making. It reveals a critical challenge facing CISOs: Trust in cybersecurity vendors is fragile, difficult to measure, and increasingly shaping risk posture at both operational and board levels.
At a time of relentless cyber threats, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and accelerating AI adoption, trust has become a defining factor in cybersecurity decision-making. Yet new research reveals that nearly all organizations report lacking full confidence in their cybersecurity vendors, and many struggle to assess vendor trustworthiness in the first place.
The independent study found that:
  1.  95% of respondents said they do not have full trust in their cybersecurity vendors
  2.  79% struggle to assess the trustworthiness of new cybersecurity partners, and over six in ten (62%) even find it challenging for their existing vendors
  3.  More than half (51%) report increased anxiety about the likelihood of a significant cyber incident as a direct result of lack of trust
These findings underscore a critical reality: cybersecurity effectiveness cannot be measured by technological performance alone, but also by the confidence that organizations have in the partners defending their business. For CISOs, trust gaps create operational friction, slower decision-making, and higher vendor turnover.  Trusted cybersecurity partners reduce risk and build more resilient organizations.
“Trust is not an abstract concept in cybersecurity, it’s a measurable risk factor,” said Ross McKerchar, CISO at Sophos. “When organizations can’t independently verify a vendor’s security maturity, transparency, and incident handling practices, that uncertainty flows directly into boardrooms and security strategies.”
The survey identifies verifiable security artifacts, including independent assessments, certifications, and demonstrated operational maturity, as the single greatest driver of vendor trust. CISOs prioritize transparency during incidents and consistent technical performance, while boards and senior leadership place greater weight on independent validation, certifications, and analyst performance.
The common thread is clear. Organizations want transparency backed by evidence, not blanket assurances.
“With regulatory pressure increasing globally, organizations must be able to demonstrate due diligence in vendor selection especially where AI is involved,” said Phil Harris, Research Director, Governance, Risk and Compliance Solutions at IDC. “Trust is shifting from a marketing message to a defensible compliance requirement.”As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in cybersecurity tools, services, and workflows, organizations are not only evaluating whether security solutions are effective, but whether AI is deployed responsibly, transparently, and with appropriate governance. Trust is no longer optional. It is foundational.

“CISOs are being asked to prove trust, not assume it,” added McKerchar. “Cybersecurity providers must do the same. Respondents to the survey cited a lack of accessible, sufficiently detailed information as the primary barrier to making confident trust assessments. Trust must be earned continuously through transparency, accountability, and independent validation.”
These findings elevate trust from a brand attribute to a strategic imperative.
At Sophos, building and maintaining that trust is foundational. Through the company’s Trust Center, Sophos aims to help security leaders make faster, more defensible decisions in an increasingly hostile threat landscape.
Read the full research report here.

MTN Joins $45 Million Funding Round for AI Telecoms Startup ODC

James Musoba
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MTN Joins $45 Million Funding Round for AI Telecoms Startup ODC

MTN Group has joined a $45 million Series A funding round for U.S.-based AI radio access network (AI-RAN) firm ORAN Development Company (ODC), as the telecoms operator seeks to embed artificial intelligence into its network infrastructure.

The round includes participation from Nvidia, Nokia, Cisco, AT&T, Booz Allen Hamilton and Telecom Italia, reflecting growing industry interest in integrating AI capabilities into telecom networks.

AI-RAN technology shifts data processing from centralised data centres to the edge of the network, enabling workloads to be handled closer to users via cell towers. The approach is designed to reduce latency, lower bandwidth costs and support real-time applications.

ODC’s platform, built on Nvidia’s AI Aerial software stack, allows telecom operators to convert base stations into edge computing hubs capable of running AI models locally.

MTN, which operates in more than 15 African markets, said the investment aligns with its “Ambition 2030” strategy to expand digital infrastructure and develop new services beyond traditional connectivity.

Telecom networks are becoming more complex as the industry transitions toward 5G and future 6G systems, increasing the need for automated optimisation. AI-driven RAN systems can manage network performance, predict congestion and dynamically allocate resources.

MTN is also exploring the development of AI-enabled data centres in key markets including Nigeria and South Africa, as part of a broader push to combine centralised and edge computing capabilities.

The company said direct investment in ODC would allow it to help shape AI-RAN solutions for African operating environments, where power supply constraints and infrastructure variability remain key challenges.

Industry peers are making similar moves, with operators globally seeking to reposition themselves as providers of digital infrastructure and computing platforms rather than connectivity alone.

Analysts say AI-RAN could open new revenue streams for telecom companies by enabling them to offer edge computing services to enterprises, while also improving network efficiency and reducing operating costs.

However, adoption may be slowed by high initial investment requirements, integration challenges with legacy systems and a shortage of specialised skills.

The global edge computing market is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years, driven by rising demand for low-latency data processing and AI-powered applications.

African Development Bank Commits Up to $15 Million to Alterra Fund to Back High-Growth African Firms

James Musoba
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African Development Bank Commits Up to $15 Million to Alterra Fund to Back High-Growth African Firms

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved an equity investment of up to $15 million in the Alterra Africa Accelerator Fund (AAA Fund), a private equity vehicle focused on scaling high-growth businesses across the continent.

The investment is expected to help mobilise additional institutional capital while strengthening the fund’s ability to provide long-term financing to mid-sized African companies with strong expansion potential. The AfDB said the move will support businesses driving innovation, regional expansion and job creation.

The AAA Fund targets high-growth enterprises across multiple sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, logistics, financial services and healthcare. It also incorporates gender and social inclusion commitments, with a focus on increasing women’s representation in leadership and expanding procurement from women-led businesses.

The bank said the investment aligns with its strategic priorities, including improving access to capital, supporting demographic growth and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure and value addition across key industries.

Alterra is an independent private equity platform formed from the spin-out of the Carlyle Africa team and bolstered by professionals from Emerging Capital Partners. Its management team brings over two decades of private equity experience in Africa, with a cumulative track record of more than $2.2 billion invested across the continent.

The fund aims to partner with high-potential African companies, supporting their growth through operational improvements, technology adoption and regional expansion, while embedding environmental, social and governance standards throughout the investment lifecycle.

Novastar Ventures Closes $147 Million Africa-focused Impact Fund

Ronald Bwire
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Novastar Ventures Closes $147 Million Africa-focused Impact Fund

Novastar Ventures has closed a $147 million fund to invest in African startups addressing climate and social challenges, the venture capital firm said on Tuesday, highlighting growing global appetite for impact-driven investments on the continent.

The Africa People and Planet Fund III is about 40% larger than the $105 million Novastar raised for its second Africa fund in 2020, and will target companies from pre-Series A to Series B stages that have demonstrated early product–market fit and are ready to scale.

The fund will deploy initial investments of between $1 million and $8 million under a broader pan-African mandate, expanding beyond the firm’s traditional East and West Africa focus.

Backers include returning development finance institutions such as British International Investment, Norfund, Swedfund, Proparco and Spain’s COFIDES.

A cohort of Japanese institutional investors also participated, including SBI Holdings, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), signalling growing Asian interest in Africa’s startup ecosystem.

Novastar said it is building a “Japan–Africa bridge” to deepen partnerships and offer co-investment opportunities with Japanese institutions seeking both strategic alignment and commercial returns.

The fund has already invested in six startups, including food delivery platforms Chowdeck and Breadfast, e-mobility firms ARC Ride and Greenwheels, and agritech and renewable energy company Sistema.bio.

Novastar’s previous fund backed at least 11 companies across sectors including healthcare, education, housing, transportation, fintech and energy.

Co-founder Andrew Carruthers said the new fund builds on more than a decade of investing in mission-driven businesses, with a focus on delivering financial returns alongside measurable social and environmental impact.

The close underscores rising investor confidence in Africa’s venture capital market, particularly in sectors aligned with climate resilience and inclusive economic growth.

Safaricom’s Decode 4.0 Aims to Shape Kenya’s Next Phase of Digital Growth

Ronald Bwire
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0
Safaricom’s Decode 4.0 Aims to Shape Kenya’s Next Phase of Digital Growth

Kenya’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional technology hub took centre stage on Tuesday as Safaricom opened its three-day engineering summit, Decode 4.0, in Nairobi.

The summit, convened in partnership with Microsoft, Google, Dell Technologies and Huawei, brings together developers, innovators and global technology leaders to help shape the country’s next phase of digital growth.

Held under the theme “Made for Kenya,” the event highlights the country’s growing reputation for mobile-first innovation and inclusive digital ecosystems, while creating a platform for collaboration among key players driving that transformation.

More than 100,000 participants are expected to take part both physically and virtually, underscoring the scale and influence of Kenya’s expanding technology ecosystem and the rising demand for accessible digital solutions.

“The Kenyan people are known for their ingenuity, grit and hustle — constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting,” Safaricom Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa said at the opening. “Decode gives that energy a place to come alive. By bringing developers, creators and problem-solvers together, we are creating solutions that can scale across Africa and beyond.”

The summit features hands-on builder labs, code labs and mentorship programmes aimed at equipping participants with practical skills to develop and scale solutions addressing real-world challenges.

Sessions are focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, fintech and creative technology, which are increasingly seen as key drivers of Kenya’s next phase of economic transformation.

Safaricom said it will extend the impact of the summit beyond the three-day event through year-round initiatives, including regional “Decode Cafés,” ongoing code labs and mentorship programmes targeting developers and educators across the country.

Participants will also earn certificates and digital badges as part of efforts to build a stronger digital talent pipeline.

Decode is Safaricom’s flagship technology forum, aimed at accelerating innovation through partnerships and talent development.

OpenAI Raises $122 Billion at $852 Billion Valuation to Power Next Phase of AI Growth

James Musoba
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OpenAI Raises $122 Billion at $852 Billion Valuation to Power Next Phase of AI Growth

OpenAI has secured $122 billion in fresh funding at a post-money valuation of $852 billion, marking one of the largest capital raises in the history of the technology sector as it accelerates efforts to scale artificial intelligence globally.

The funding round was backed by a consortium of major global investors, including Amazon, NVIDIA, SoftBank, and Microsoft, alongside institutional players such as BlackRock, Sequoia Capital, and Fidelity. SoftBank co-led the round with venture firm Andreessen Horowitz.

The company said the capital will be used to expand its computing infrastructure, advance research, and scale its consumer and enterprise products amid surging global demand for AI systems.

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, reported rapid growth across both usage and revenue. The platform now has more than 900 million weekly active users and over 50 million paying subscribers. Revenue has climbed to approximately $2 billion per month, with enterprise customers accounting for more than 40% of total income.

The company said its latest model, GPT-5.4, is driving increased adoption across enterprise workflows, while its Codex coding agent now serves more than 2 million weekly users. API usage has also surged, processing over 15 billion tokens per minute.

OpenAI highlighted compute capacity as a central pillar of its strategy, noting that access to large-scale infrastructure enables more advanced models while lowering the cost of delivering AI services. The company has expanded partnerships across cloud providers including Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud, while continuing to rely heavily on NVIDIA GPUs.

The firm is also diversifying its hardware base, working with AMD, Cerebras, and developing its own chip in collaboration with Broadcom.

In addition, OpenAI expanded its revolving credit facility to $4.7 billion, supported by major global banks including JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and HSBC, although the facility remains undrawn.

The company said it is building a unified “AI superapp” that integrates ChatGPT, browsing, coding, and agent-based tools into a single platform, aiming to simplify how users interact with AI across personal and professional tasks.

OpenAI said its rapid growth places it ahead of early trajectories seen in major internet and mobile companies, adding that AI adoption is increasingly driving productivity gains and reshaping business operations globally.

The company also opened part of the funding round to individual investors through bank channels, raising over $3 billion, and announced plans to be included in exchange-traded funds managed by ARK Invest.

“Moments like this do not come often,” the company said, describing the investment wave as foundational to building the infrastructure layer for the AI-driven economy.

Samsung Unveils KES 68,300 Galaxy A57 5G & KES 49,000 Galaxy A37 5G with AI Features

Ronald Bwire
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0
Samsung Unveils KES 68,300 Galaxy A57 5G & KES 49,000 Galaxy A37 5G with AI Features

Samsung Electronics on Tuesday launched its latest mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G, as it pushes to expand artificial intelligence features and premium capabilities to a broader base of users at more affordable price points.

The new Galaxy A series devices introduce enhanced “Awesome Intelligence,” Samsung’s suite of AI-powered tools, alongside upgrades in camera performance, processing power and durability. The move underscores the company’s strategy to democratize AI across its smartphone lineup beyond flagship devices.

“The new Galaxy A series reflects our continued commitment to AI democratization by bringing the latest innovations to more Galaxy users,” said Evelyn Munene, Head of Product and Marketing, Mobile eXperience (MX) Division at Samsung Electronics East Africa.

The devices run on Samsung’s One UI 8.5 and include features such as voice transcription within the Voice Recorder app, AI-powered content selection, and improved photo editing tools like Object Eraser. The Galaxy A57 5G also introduces “Best Face” for optimized group photos and Auto Trim for video editing.

Both models feature a triple-camera system anchored by a 50-megapixel main sensor, with improved low-light photography capabilities branded as Nightography. Samsung said the A57 5G offers enhanced image processing and faster shutter speeds for clearer shots in challenging conditions.

The company is also integrating deeper AI functionality through its upgraded Bixby assistant and Google’s Gemini, enabling more natural voice commands and cross-app task execution.

In terms of performance, the Galaxy A57 5G comes with upgraded CPU, GPU and neural processing capabilities, alongside a 5,000mAh battery that Samsung says can last up to two days. The device also supports fast charging and improved heat management for sustained usage.

Both phones are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance and feature Super AMOLED displays with slimmer bezels for improved viewing experiences.

Samsung is offering up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades, along with six years of security updates, positioning the devices as long-term options in the competitive mid-range segment.

In Kenya, the Galaxy A57 5G is priced at KES 68,300 for the 8GB/256GB variant and KES 60,900 for the 8GB/128GB model. The Galaxy A37 5G will retail at KES 60,200 for the 8GB/256GB version and KES 49,000 for the 6GB/128GB option. The devices are available through Samsung Experience Stores and authorized dealers nationwide.

Samsung did not disclose sales targets but said the new lineup is aimed at strengthening its presence in emerging markets, where demand for feature-rich yet affordable smartphones continues to grow.

Uber to Invest $260 Million in South Africa to Expand Electric Mobility & Food Delivery Services

Ronald Bwire
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0
Uber to Invest $260 Million in South Africa to Expand Electric Mobility & Food Delivery Services

Uber Technologies plans to invest 5 billion rand ($260 million) in South Africa over the next three years, the ride-hailing company said on Tuesday, as it seeks to expand electric mobility and food delivery services despite tightening regulations in one of its largest African markets.

The investment, announced at the South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg, will support the rollout of electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and growth in Uber Eats, including expansion into township economies.

Uber said the figure includes a combination of new investment and previously committed capital expenditure.

The announcement comes as the company faces regulatory uncertainty after missing a March 11 deadline to secure an operating licence under amendments to South Africa’s National Land Transport Act.

The updated rules require e-hailing platforms to obtain licences, while drivers must hold individual permits and meet stricter vehicle standards. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to 100,000 rand or imprisonment.

Rival Bolt has already secured the necessary approvals.

“We continue to see long-term opportunity in South Africa,” said Deepesh Thomas, Uber’s general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that the company is engaging regulators as it adapts to the new framework.

A significant portion of the investment will go toward scaling Uber’s electric vehicle offering. The company currently operates more than 120 EVs in Johannesburg and plans to expand the fleet as demand grows.

Uber’s push into EVs aligns with its global target to become a zero-emission platform in key markets by 2030, though adoption in South Africa remains constrained by limited charging infrastructure and policy uncertainty.

The regulatory changes are also prompting a review of Uber’s business model. The company is considering simplifying its service offerings, including a potential phase-out of its UberX category in Gauteng later this year, according to industry reports.

South Africa is a key market for Uber in Africa, with thousands of drivers relying on the platform for income. The sector has seen increasing competition from rivals such as Bolt and inDrive, alongside growing pressure from regulators to improve safety, formalise the gig economy and ensure fair competition with traditional taxi operators.

Uber said part of its investment would support small businesses through Uber Eats by providing digital tools, logistics support and access to online marketplaces, particularly in underserved areas.

The company’s expansion plans come as South Africa seeks to attract investment and boost economic growth, with unemployment remaining above 30%.

 

What Users Expect From a Modern Trading App in Kenya

Disha Sethi
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0

The Kenyan financial landscape has evolved far beyond basic mobile payments into a more complex, digital-first asset economy. For you as a modern investor, a trading app is no longer just a gateway to markets; it has become a core tool for managing and growing your wealth.

You don’t need to visit a physical brokerage or wait until you’re at a desktop to act. In early 2026, the local market is defined by speed, accessibility and security that align with global standards.

Efficiency is now the baseline. As you explore your options, the difference between a helpful platform and a frustrating one often comes down to a few key features that directly impact your financial decisions.

Seamless Local Currency Integration

Seamless Local Currency Integration

Your experience starts with how easily you can move money in and out. In a country where mobile money is deeply embedded in daily life, friction in this process quickly becomes a dealbreaker. With mobile money penetration reported at 93% by September 2025, any gap between your wallet and your trading account is immediately apparent.

You should expect platforms to support direct M-Pesa or local bank transfers without forcing you through costly third-party conversions. When that connection is smooth, you’re in a position to act quickly instead of watching opportunities pass by.

Reliability matters just as much as speed. Many users find that choosing the best trading app in Kenya comes down to how fast withdrawals are processed in Kenyan Shillings. A platform that handles near-instant transactions removes the frustration of waiting days for international wire transfers or losing value due to poor exchange rates.

Institutional-Grade Technical Tools

Getting access to the market is only the starting point. What really shapes your outcomes is the quality of the tools you have at your fingertips. Your phone should function like a professional workstation, not a stripped-down version of one.

Data from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Quarterly Statistical Bulletin for Q3 2025 shows a clear rise in retail participation across asset classes. This growth is closely tied to traders’ use of technical indicators and real-time data to guide their decisions.

The shift is noticeable. Trading is becoming less about instinct and more about structured analysis. You’re expected to work with live data, layered indicators and tools that help you spot patterns you wouldn’t otherwise see.

To keep up, your platform should include:

  • Interactive charts with a wide range of indicators, such as Bollinger Bands and Fibonacci levels
  • Real-time price alerts that respond instantly to market conditions
  • Multi-timeframe views so you can compare short-term movements with long-term trends
  • Custom watchlists that combine global indices with local stocks
  • Advanced order types like trailing stop losses and OCO orders for automated risk management

These aren’t extras anymore. They’re part of the standard toolkit if you want to operate with precision.

Access to Diverse Global Markets

Access to Diverse Global Markets

While the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) remains central, your strategy likely extends beyond it. The NSE recorded a strong 2025, with total revenue surpassing KSh 1 billion, but many traders are increasingly looking outward to balance local exposure.

A well-designed app lets you access global equities, commodities and indices from a single interface. This kind of access simplifies everything. Instead of juggling multiple platforms, you can see your entire portfolio in one place.

That broader view helps you manage risk more effectively. You’re not tied to one market or one economic environment, which makes your portfolio more resilient when local conditions shift.

Transparent Regulatory Frameworks

When you’re trusting a platform with your money, security isn’t optional; it’s the foundation. The CMA’s updated regulations in 2025 were designed to improve stability and better protect retail traders and you should expect full compliance from any platform you use.

It’s worth taking the time to verify licensing and ensure the platform meets current capital requirements. This isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s about knowing your funds are handled responsibly.

Transparency in fees is another key signal. You should always be able to see exactly what you’re paying, whether that’s spreads, commissions or overnight charges. If that information is unclear or difficult to find, it raises questions about accountability.

Performance and Execution Speed

In fast-moving markets, timing is everything. Even a small delay can change the outcome of a trade. During the first full week of 2026, NSE turnover reached KSh 3.50 billion, highlighting just how active the market has become.

With that level of activity, your app needs to keep up. A strong backend system should handle large volumes of orders without lag, crashes or delays. When volatility increases, execution speed becomes even more critical. You want your trades to go through exactly when you intend them to, without slippage affecting your results.

At the same time, usability plays a major role. A clear, responsive interface helps you stay focused. You should be able to see your positions, margin and available funds instantly, without digging through menus.

When everything works together, fast execution, clean design and powerful tools, you’re not just reacting to the market. You’re operating with control and clarity, turning complex data into decisions you can act on with confidence.

Uber, Bolt South Africa Drivers Demand Fare Hikes Amid Fuel Cost Surge

Ronald Bwire
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0
Uber, Bolt South Africa Drivers Demand Fare Hikes Amid Fuel Cost Surge

Uber and Bolt drivers in South Africa are calling for higher fares and reduced commission fees, citing mounting pressure from rising global fuel prices.

The demands were made by the National e-hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA), whose members staged app shutdowns in parts of KwaZulu-Natal over concerns including earnings, safety and platform policies.

NEFSA spokesperson Tella Makasale said drivers want a transparent pricing system that automatically adjusts fares in line with fuel price movements, alongside temporary commission cuts during periods of high operating costs.

“Our key demands include a transparent fare adjustment model linked to fuel price fluctuations, reduced commission percentages during high fuel cost periods, inclusion of driver representatives in pricing discussions, and protections against extreme cost volatility,” he said.

Drivers argue that while platforms occasionally introduce fare changes through surge pricing or limited adjustments, these are driven by algorithms and demand rather than reflecting sustained increases in fuel costs. These follows similar taxi driver strikes in Nigeria and Kenya.

Fuel is one of the largest expenses for drivers, and recent price increases have sharply eroded profit margins, forcing many to work longer hours to maintain income levels. Makasale said this has led to declining take-home pay, rising debt—particularly among drivers financing vehicles—and growing dissatisfaction with commission structures.

The federation warned that the situation risks triggering a broader industry fallout, including driver attrition, longer passenger wait times and increased likelihood of protests.

NEFSA said it has previously engaged both companies through protests, shutdowns and formal requests for fare reviews, but described progress as slow and lacking transparency.

“The rising cost of fuel is not just an economic issue. It is a livelihood crisis,” Makasale said. “If fuel prices rise, fares must respond — or the system will fail the people who keep it running.”

Sun King to Invest $150 Million in Ethiopia Solar Expansion

James Musoba
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0
Sun King to Invest $150 Million in Ethiopia Solar Expansion

Sun King plans to invest up to $150 million in Ethiopia by 2030, targeting two million households and businesses as it expands into one of Africa’s least electrified markets.

The investment follows a memorandum of understanding with the Ethiopian Investment Commission, under which Sun King will establish a local subsidiary while authorities support licensing and regulatory approvals.

The move is part of the company’s broader $1.3 billion Africa expansion strategy through the end of the decade, driven by rising demand for off-grid energy solutions.

Despite having significant generation capacity, including power from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, large parts of Ethiopia remain without reliable grid access, particularly in rural areas where extending transmission infrastructure is costly.

Sun King aims to fill this gap with distributed solar systems such as home kits and mini-grids, which are faster and cheaper to deploy.

The expansion comes amid broader efforts to improve electricity access across Africa, including the Mission 300 initiative backed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, which targets connecting 300 million people by 2030.

Founded in 2007 as Greenlight Planet, Sun King operates in 14 African countries, offering pay-as-you-go solar products that allow low-income households to pay in instalments.

Africa remains the largest growth market for off-grid solar, with nearly 600 million people still lacking access to electricity, positioning Ethiopia as one of the last major untapped opportunities on the continent.

IFC Backs IPT PowerTech to Expand Solar Telecom Power Across Three African Markets

James Musoba
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0
IFC Backs IPT PowerTech to Expand Solar Telecom Power Across Three African Markets

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) said on Monday it has invested in telecom energy firm IPT PowerTech to expand clean and reliable power for mobile networks in Ethiopia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The financing is aimed at improving power stability at telecom towers, many of which operate in off-grid or weak-grid areas, helping to reduce outages and improve mobile connectivity for households, schools, health facilities and businesses.

Under the project, IPT PowerTech will modernize, operate and maintain 2,235 telecom sites across the three countries, with solar and battery systems replacing diesel generators in most locations. IFC said more than 90% of the sites are in off-grid or weak-grid environments.

The transition to renewable-backed systems is expected to lower operating costs for telecom operators by up to 52% in Ethiopia, 30% in Liberia and 26% in Sierra Leone, while cutting emissions by more than 10,600 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, according to IFC.

“Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation,” said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC Division Director for West Africa Gulf of Guinea.

IPT PowerTech chief executive Nabil Haddad said the partnership would help scale the company’s energy platforms and support the rollout of greener telecom infrastructure.

IFC said the $45 million financing package includes an A-loan and blended finance support from programs including the Canada–IFC Blended Climate Finance Program and the IDA20 Private Sector Window. It marks IFC’s return to direct infrastructure investment in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.

The initiative also aligns with broader development efforts by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank to expand electricity access across Africa, as well as digital economy strategies targeting underserved markets.

Mastercard, Scale Partner to Streamline Card Issuance in Five African Markets

James Musoba
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0
Mastercard, Scale Partner to Streamline Card Issuance in Five African Markets

Mastercard has partnered with South African fintech startup Scale to launch a unified card issuing platform across five African markets, aiming to simplify and speed up the rollout of payment card programs.

The initiative will initially cover Kenya, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Zambia and Zimbabwe, addressing longstanding operational hurdles that fintechs and non-financial companies face when launching card products.

Card issuance in many African markets has traditionally been complex and fragmented, requiring coordination with multiple stakeholders such as issuing banks, payment networks, BIN sponsors and regulators, often leading to high costs and long deployment timelines.

Under the partnership, Scale will provide core issuing technology, including customer onboarding, compliance systems and card program management, while Mastercard will contribute its global payments infrastructure and financial institution network.

The companies said the platform offers a single integration model that reduces complexity and allows businesses including fintechs, telecom firms and retailers to launch card programs without building extensive issuing capabilities.

“This collaboration removes key barriers for innovators looking to enter and scale in the card issuing space,” said Miranda Naidoo, co-founder and chief executive of Scale.

Mete Guney, executive vice president at Mastercard, said simplifying the issuing process would help expand access to digital financial services across the continent.

The partners said the platform is designed to adapt to varying market conditions. In Kenya, where digital payments are relatively advanced, the focus will be on accelerating time-to-market and enabling product innovation. In markets such as Senegal and Zambia, where card usage is still developing, the platform is expected to support use cases such as mobile wallet-linked cards, corporate expense cards and government payout solutions.

The announcement comes shortly after Scale raised $700,000 to support its expansion in Africa.

Africa’s financial services sector is projected to reach $230 billion in revenue by 2025, driven by increasing digitisation and smartphone adoption. Modern issuing platforms are also expected to account for a growing share of global card issuance in the coming years.

The companies said they will need to navigate differing regulatory frameworks and banking systems across the five markets as they scale the platform.

The partnership could help accelerate digital payments adoption and broaden financial inclusion across the continent if successfully implemented.

Hamilton Labs Secures AXIAN Backing to Expand Digital Dollar Access in Africa

Ronald Bwire
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0
Hamilton Labs Secures AXIAN Backing to Expand Digital Dollar Access in Africa

Hamilton Labs has secured an undisclosed strategic investment from AXIAN Investment to accelerate the rollout of its dollar-pegged stablecoin across Africa, the companies said.

The funding will support the integration of Hamilton’s USDh stablecoin into fintech platforms, targeting consumers and businesses seeking access to dollar-denominated savings in markets where local currencies are often volatile.

The investment marks AXIAN Investment’s second bet on stablecoin infrastructure, underscoring growing investor interest in blockchain-based financial rails in emerging markets.

“For millions of people in Africa, access to stable dollars and reliable savings tools remains limited,” said Mo Kasstawi, co-founder and chief executive of Hamilton Labs. “We believe programmable dollars like USDh can expand access to global financial infrastructure and help people protect and grow their savings regardless of where they live.”

Hamilton’s USDh is a permissionless stablecoin pegged one-to-one with the U.S. dollar and designed to be fully redeemable. The company says the product connects users in emerging markets to sovereign yield opportunities typically available only to institutional investors, within a global sovereign debt market estimated at more than $100 trillion.

AXIAN Investment, the venture arm of AXIAN Group, said the deal aligns with its strategy of backing digital financial solutions that can broaden access to financial services.

“We believe digital asset currencies remain a key lever to support financial inclusion in Africa and beyond,” said Hassane Muhieddine, chief executive of AXIAN’s Financial Services cluster.

AXIAN Investment has backed 33 startups and participated in 38 investment funds, positioning itself as an active investor in Africa’s growing fintech ecosystem.

Inside NCBA’s Ubuntu Strategy: Banking on Belief to Drive 2026–2030 Growth

Ronald Bwire
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0
Inside NCBA’s Ubuntu Strategy: Banking on Belief to Drive 2026–2030 Growth

NCBA Group has unveiled its 2026–2030 Ubuntu strategy, a roadmap designed to strengthen its market position while exploring new avenues for growth. Building on six years of solid performance, the strategy introduces a refreshed organizational purpose: Banking on Belief – Empowering Ambitions. This purpose reflects NCBA’s conviction that belief in people, ideas, and possibilities can serve as a powerful catalyst for progress.

The strategy comes as NCBA reported robust financial results for the fiscal year 2025. The bank posted a net profit of KSh 18.7 billion, up 12% from KSh 16.7 billion in 2024, driven by growth across its corporate, SME, and retail segments. Total assets increased to KSh 780 billion, while customer deposits rose 10% to KSh 620 billion, reflecting continued confidence in the bank’s offerings.

NCBA aims to fortify its core operations by ensuring reliable services, leveraging data as a driver of growth, optimizing product management, and enhancing its corporate banking proposition. The bank is simultaneously accelerating high-potential segments, including Wealth, Consumer, SME, and Insurance, by sharpening customer propositions and deepening engagement.

Expansion into new markets and sectors is also central to the Ubuntu strategy, positioning NCBA for further growth and diversification. Equally, the bank is transforming its operating model to foster a more empowered, purpose-driven culture—a “FutureReady Ubuntu” that aligns employees, partners, and customers with long-term ambitions.

Through this integrated approach, NCBA positions itself not only as a resilient financial institution but as a forward-looking group ready to meet evolving client needs and drive sustainable growth across East Africa.

 

Nedbank Acquisition of NCBA Presents a Significant Opportunity – MD

James Musoba
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0
Nedbank Acquisition of NCBA Presents a Significant Opportunity – MD

NCBA Managing Director John Gachora said the proposed acquisition of a 66% stake in Kenya-based NCBA by South Africa’s Nedbank presents a “significant opportunity” to accelerate the bank’s strategic ambitions.

Gachora said the deal is expected to deliver value for shareholders by improving prospects for sustainable returns, unlocking liquidity, diversifying risk beyond East Africa, and strengthening NCBA’s capital position for regional expansion.

NCBA reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 2025, with net profit after tax of KES 12.3 billion, up 8% from the previous year, and total assets of KES 720 billion, reflecting steady growth across its retail and corporate banking segments. Earnings per share rose to KES 4.50, supported by increased lending and improved operational efficiency.

Customers are expected to benefit from enhanced product offerings and Nedbank’s international servicing and distribution capabilities in London, the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Dubai, along with access to larger-ticket funding for corporate and individual clients.

Commenting on the development, NCBA MD said: “We are proud of the progress we have made, excited about the Ubuntu strategy, and confident that the Nedbank transaction will accelerate our ambitions. I want to thank our customers, colleagues, shareholders, regulators, and partners for their continued trust as we deliver on our priorities and shape the next chapter of our organization.”

The acquisition highlights growing interest from international banks in East Africa, as institutions seek to expand their footprint in the region’s dynamic financial sector.

 

Samsung Unveils Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G

James Musoba
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0
Samsung Unveils Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G

Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled two new mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G, as it seeks to bring advanced artificial intelligence features to a broader base of users while strengthening its position in the competitive mid-tier market.

The devices, part of Samsung’s popular Galaxy A series, introduce enhanced “Awesome Intelligence” capabilities powered by the company’s latest One UI 8.5 software based on Android 16. The move reflects a wider industry push to integrate AI tools beyond flagship devices and into more affordable models.

Samsung said the new phones include features such as voice transcription, AI-assisted photo editing, and improved on-device search functions. Users can convert voice recordings into text, remove unwanted objects from photos, and search multiple items within images simultaneously.

The Galaxy A57 5G, positioned as the more premium of the two, offers upgraded processing performance and enhanced camera capabilities, including improved image processing and faster shutter speeds. Both models feature a 50-megapixel main camera and upgraded low-light photography performance.

The company is also emphasizing longevity, offering up to six generations of operating system upgrades and six years of security updates — a notable extension for mid-range devices and a strategy aimed at increasing device lifespan and customer retention.

Both smartphones come with 6.7-inch AMOLED displays with refresh rates of up to 120Hz and are powered by 5,000mAh batteries designed to last up to two days under typical usage. The A57 supports faster charging and includes a larger cooling system to sustain performance during intensive tasks such as gaming or video recording.

Samsung has also incorporated IP68-rated water and dust resistance, along with its Knox security platform, as consumers increasingly prioritize durability and data protection.

The launch comes as global smartphone makers intensify competition in the mid-range segment, particularly in emerging markets where price sensitivity remains high but demand for premium-like features continues to grow.

The Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G will be available starting April 10 in select markets. Pricing details were not disclosed.

 

Key Specs

  Galaxy A57 5G Galaxy A37 5G
Display 6.7” FHD + Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.6″ accounting for the rounded corners. 6.7” FHD + Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ accounting for the rounded corners.
Super AMOLED + Display
Up to 120Hz refresh rate
Vision Booster		 Super AMOLED Display
Up to 120Hz refresh rate
Vision Booster
Dimensions & Weight 161.5 x 76.8 x 6.9mm, 179g 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4mm, 196g
Camera 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2
50MP Wide Camera
• F1.8
5MP Macro Camera
• F2.4
12MP Front Camera
• F2.2		 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2
50MP Wide Camera
• F1.8
5MP Macro Camera
• F2.4
12MP Front Camera
• F2.2
Memory & Storage 8+128 GB
8+256 GB
12+256 GB
12+512 GB		 6+128 GB
8+128 GB
8+256 GB
12+256 GB
Battery 5000mAh (typical)
4,905mAh.
OS Android 16
One UI 8.5
Security Samsung Knox
Water & Dust Resistance   IP68

 

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