Author: James Musoba

Studying Africa's startup and technology scene. I always look forward to discovering new exciting inventions and vibrant entrepreneurs.

Melbet app is software which players can use on most modern smartphones. Melbet app offers fast and smooth operation, and what is more, auto-update and push notification features. Turn on push notifications to know the latest news and fresh promotions from Melbet company. Download it for free and start betting on popular sports. About Melbet Mobile App Melbet app is the choice of bettors who follow modern trends. They can bet from any place anywhere and get excellent services online. Users install the application with several clicks from the official site and find there all of the advantages of the…

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Equator Africa Fund has received $5 million from Proparco to invest in startups addressing climate challenges across Africa. Proparco made the investment, through the FISEA+ facility to supporting early-stage African start-ups with innovative solutions to address climate challenges across sub-Saharan Africa. According to Fabrice Perez, head of the Venture Capital Division at Proparco: “Through this investment, we aim to support ventures addressing the urgent climate challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.” Equator invests in climate tech ventures that focus on three sectors crucial to Africa’s climate transition: energy, agriculture, and mobility with a mission to tackle the significant climate challenges due to…

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Strive Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies (Cassava), has raised $310 million in equity and debt financing to drive digital infrastructure across Africa. The $90 million equity injection was from DFC, Finnfund, and Google while the debt financing was from local South African financiers. Cassava’s impressive roster of shareholders includes including Econet Group, British International Investment (BII), Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH), Africa-Export Import Bank (Afreximbank/FEDA), and Gateway Capital also participated in the round. Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a business of Cassava Technologies, has signed new facilities equivalent to $220 million in South African Rands, provided by Standard Bank of South…

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MTN Group has created a new Digital Infrastructure (Infraco) role to incorporate the mobility and fibre businesses of Bayobab, along with executing its data centre strategy to develop AI across Africa, just days after announcing plans to launch a digital bank. Effective 1 January 2025, Mazen Mroue, MTN Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO), will assume additional responsibilities as CEO of Digital Infrastructure and in this dual role, he will continue to report to the Group President and CEO and remain a member of the Group Executive Committee. Since joining MTN in 1998, Mazen has held various senior positions…

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Tyme Group, which runs South African digital bank TymeBank, has raised $250 million in a Series D led by Nubank, one of the world’s largest digital financial service platforms, to join the unicorn club of just eight in Africa. Tyme Group, with over 15 million customers across South Africa and the Philippines, operates TymeBank in South Africa with its 10 million customers. The latest raise means Tyme Group has reached a unicorn status with a $.1.5 billion valuation. Nubank joins Tyme as a strategic investor to fuel its next stage of growth while African Rainbow Capital remains Tyme’s majority shareholder.…

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Eyone, a Senegalese startup specializing in digital health, has raised $1 million round of financing to enable it to consolidate its leadership in its sector and accelerate its expansion in Africa. This crucial investment includes an $855,000 contribution from the Sonatel Group, through its investment fund VIF (Véhicule d’Investissement et de Financement), and $145,000 in financing from BICIS to enable the startup to consolidate its leadership in its sector and accelerate its expansion in Africa. Since its creation, Eyone’s main objective has been to build connected systems that enable the digitization of people’s healthcare pathways to meet the specific needs…

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Tizeti, a Nigerian internet service provider (ISP), has launched its FreeFiber® broadband service in Nigeria and Ghana, setting a new benchmark for internet speed and accessibility in the region. The service, available in Lagos, Port Harcourt (Nigeria), and Accra (Ghana), with plans to scale to multiple cities within the next 12 months, delivers blazing speeds of over 1Gbps, significantly outpacing the regional average of 28Mbps. According to Kendall Ananyi, Chief Executive Officer of Tizeti, “Fiber is the next generation of internet technology, offering unparalleled unlimited speed and reliability. With our advanced fiber infrastructure, we’re delivering speeds of over 1Gbps, which…

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 SHA, Finance Bill 2024, and US Elections 2024 and personalities like Gachagua, Rebecca Miano, Soipan Tuya, led in this year’s Google’s Year in Search. SHA beat global phenomena such as the Olympics and Euro 2024, as it mattered most to Kenyans this year. The Social Health Authority (SHA), the new healthcare system launched to replace the now defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) as the primary healthcare provider for Kenyans captured the interest of Kenyans. With thousands going online to oppose its implementation and report cases of SHA system failure across the nation. The Finance Bill 2024, a tax legislation that proposed increase in Kenya’s taxes…

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Moove, a mobility solutions firm has signed a fleet partnership with Waymo, the autonomous driving technology, in a move that will see Moove manage and dispatch Waymo’s fully autonomous fleet. Moove will take responsibility for fleet operations, facilities, and charging infrastructure, ensuring the seamless operation of Waymo’s all-electric AV fleet. Waymo will continue to offer its service through the Waymo One app, and remain responsible for validation and operation of its autonomous driving technology – the Waymo Driver. The partnership will start with operations in Phoenix in 2025 and expanding into Miami in 2026. According to Ryan McNamara, Vice President…

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LeapFrog Investments, the Profit with Purpose firm, has closed its fourth fund (“Fund IV”), with commitments totalling $1.02 billion from its initial target of $1 billion to accelerate high-impact healthcare and financial services companies in global growth markets. The fundraise includes $808 million of primary fund commitments and up to $210 million of pre-allocated co-investment Alongside an additional partnership with Prudential Financial (to invest in leading African financial services firm Alexander Forbes), this brings new allocations to the firm’s healthcare and financial services strategies across the recent fundraising cycle to over $1.15 billion. Separately, LeapFrog also recently launched a new climate…

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OPPO has announced that it will be giving out the OPPO Enco buds for every OPPO Reno12 device purchased; this includes the Reno12 5G, Reno12 F5G, and Reno12 F4G while stocks last. OPPO announced the launch OPPO RENO 12 Series, its AI phones powered by the new MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy mobile platform developed exclusively by MediaTek and OPPO. The phones are powered by Android 14 with ColorOS 14.1 UI and have a 5,000mAh battery and 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge technology. The phones have Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i and an IP65 rating. OPPO Reno12 F 5G ultra-clear camera system includes a top-grade…

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Africhange, a cross-border remittance service provider, has secured the International Money Transfer Operator [IMTO] licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] through its Nigerian subsidiary, Currenzo. This strategic move significantly improves Africhange’s ability to facilitate inward remittances for immigrants and diaspora communities sending money to Nigeria. In a statement David Ajala, CEO of Africhange, “As an immigrant-founded company, we understand first-hand that sending and receiving money across borders is a key part of daily life for our users, who are immigrants of African descent. Securing the IMTO licence allows us to offer a faster, more affordable way for people…

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M-KOPA X20, a phone designed by HMD for M-KOPA, the pan-African fintech firm based in Kenya, is the successor of the M-KOPA X2 smartphone already available in the African market. Available in Glacier Green and Black Ocean, M-KOPA X20 is available on the M-KOPA asset financing program in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa and across several markets in Africa. The affordable smartphone is part of M-KOPA’ plan to allow as many people as possible to own smartphones across the country as the economy goes digital. M-KOPA users pay for the smartphones daily to build a credit score that allows…

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Tendo Technologies, an online retail software platform in Ghana, has acquired Shopa, a Ghanaian provider of comprehensive commerce solutions for informal retailers across Ghana in a cash and stock options to redefine the supply chain landscape in Africa. Tendo will leverage Shopa’s large network of offline distributors, predominantly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space to connect with its online retailers, help to expand its product offerings and widening opportunities for entrepreneurs. According to Chief Executive Officer of Tendo, Felix Manford, “We are excited to have Shopa, an integral provider of technology infrastructure for the informal supply chain in Africa,…

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Keep It Cool, a Kenyan enterprise dedicated to sustainable innovation, has received £1 million award from Prince William’s Earthshot Prize to help further its environmental solution, which tackles food spoilage and waste while improving community livelihoods. Keep It Cool was named one of the five winners of the prestigious 2024 Earthshot Prize, which was established by Prince William to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Speaking about the award, Keep IT Cool founder and Managing Director Francis Nderitu, said: “We are grateful for the recognition from The Earthshot Prize, and it is an important milestone for Keep…

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The Diamond Trust Bank Kenya (DTK) has appointed former Citibank exeuctive Mr Murali Natarajan as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Kenya, with immediate effect, in a move expected to drive its consumer business in East Africa. Mr Murali Natarajan has joined the Bank from DCB Bank India, where he was the immediate former Managing Director and CEO. Mr Natarajan, a Bachelor of Commerce Degree holder from Delhi University, is Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has over 40 years of global experience in banking and financial services, covering diverse geographies and banking verticals.…

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In the constantly shifting world of technology, startups face unique challenges and opportunities. Preparing for 2024 requires strategic financial planning, especially as the tech landscape becomes more competitive and complex. A study highlighted the pivotal role that directors with IT backgrounds play in reducing financial constraints for internet startups, emphasizing the importance of tech-savvy leadership. This article explores the top financial strategies that tech startups should adopt to thrive in the coming year, addressing key challenges and offering practical solutions for optimizing financial management. 1. Consider Flexible Financing Options Financial constraints can be a massive hurdle for many tech startups.…

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Coins by Bamboo has launched to offer cheaper remittances to Nigerians in the Diaspora after getting the Canadian Money Service Business licence. Coins by Bamboo will enable Nigerians in the diaspora to make faster, more secure and cheaper money transfers to loved ones from the convenience of their mobile phones. The new remittance app by Bamboo, the investment platform enabling Africans to invest globally through real-time access to global markets. In a statement seen by TechMoran, Richmond Bassey, Co-founder and CEO of Bamboo says, “We are thrilled to officially launch “Coins by Bamboo” to the public. “Coins” is a logical evolution of our core…

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Moniepoint, a Nigerian fintech startup backed by Google among others, has raised $110 million at a $1 billion valuation, joining the African unicorn club of the likes of Interswitch, Flutterwave, Jumia among others. The $110 million in equity financing was from Development Partners International’s African Development Partners (ADP) III fund, Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Verod Capital. In this latest capital raise – DPI, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, and Verod join existing blue-chip investors in Moniepoint such as QED Investors, Novastar Ventures, Lightrock, British International Investment, Global Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, and New Voices Fund. Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda…

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 Prudential and Google Cloud have partnered to use Google’s generative AI model MedLM to improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical insurance claim decisions starting in Singapore and Malaysia. Prudential will use MedLM to analyse documents submitted alongside health insurance claims, such as diagnostic reports, prescriptions and invoices. MedLM is typically used by healthcare organizations to build solutions for doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers to deliver better experiences for healthcare workers and patients. The announcement follows several proof-of-concept tests by Prudential that showed its use of MedLM doubled the automation rate of claim reviews and assessments, in addition to improving…

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EFT Corporation (EFTCorp) and Visa have announced a five-year partnership aimed at revolutionising Africa’s digital payments landscape through introducing new advanced payment solutions to enhance financial inclusion across the continent. EFT is also inviting fintechs across Africa to leverage its established platform and reach, participants will scale their operations, unlock new opportunities and drive innovation in the fintech space. In a statement, Clayton Hayward, Group CEO of EFTCorp, said, “The collaboration will also allow both companies to strengthen their brand and footprint in these regions. But it goes much further than that. The fintechs will have the opportunity to scale…

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M-KOPA X2 is available on asset financing to customers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania across several markets to allow as many people as possible to have access to smartphones. M-KOPA is also allowing customers own devices which provide enhancing benefits to their standard of living and customers who pay off their products and build a credit score with M-KOPA and access additional products at lower prices. Customers that are struggling with payments can return the phone within 30 days and get a full deposit refund, or within 30 – 90 days for a 50% deposit refund. If it exceeds the 90…

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Earthbond, a climate tech startup unlocking affordable, reliable solar energy for Nigerian SMEs via an integrated clean energy marketplace has raised $200,000 from Madica, a structured investment program designed for pre-seed stage startups in Africa. Following the investment, Earthbond will participate in Madica’s comprehensive investment program which includes 18 months of dedicated company-building support.  According to Chidalu Onyenso, Earthbond CEO: “This is a pivotal moment for Earthbond, and a powerful endorsement of our mission. We’re really excited to be joining the Madica portfolio family.  Leading the charge of energy transition is no easy feat and we are glad to be…

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Chromebooks aren’t known for being the best gaming devices, but they can still run a variety of games. However, if you’re using a school-issued Chromebook, things can get tricky. With school firewalls, device controls, and restrictions on installing new apps, accessing games like Gacha Life can seem impossible. But what if you want to dip into your creativity during your free time, make some design tweaks, or create new characters? That’s why you must learn the ways of how to play Gacha Life on browser. If you’re interested, let’s dive into the details! How to Play Gacha Life on Browser…

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Africa’s 54 countries covering a land area of 11.7 million square miles have an enormous diversity in terms of climate and terrain. The continent and its 1.4 billion population, however, face a number of hardships. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals in its ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report 2024’ that 20.4% of people in Africa face hunger, compared to 9% globally, and that the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Africa at 58% is nearly double the global average. Advances in genomics are improving scientific understanding of crops that can…

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IZI, the Rwandan-based e-mobility provider, has secured secures $200,000 Green Fund backing to expand its electric bus fleet just four months of operation. IZI’s buses have travelled over 74,000 electric kilometres, carried more than 250,000 passengers, saved operators 38% in running costs ($34,000 saved in diesel costs alone), and mitigated over 60 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This impact data is tracked in near real-time via the IZI Connect platform, providing unprecedented transparency to client fleet operators and investors. Alex Wilson, CEO of IZI, stated, “These results validate our E-Mobility-as-a-Service model. We’re not just reducing emissions; we’re proving that sustainable public…

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Ampersand, the Nairobi-based electric vehicle (EV) energy tech company, has opened a new, larger manufacturing facility in Nairobi, tripling the company’s production capacity in Kenya in a move expected to meet the rapidly increasing demand for electric motorcycles in the country. Ampersand has over 1,100 e-motos are already in operation in Nairobi and the new factory spans 21,000 square metres, making it over three times larger than the previous 6,500 square metre site. According to Josh Whale, CEO, Ampersand, “Our new Nairobi factory is a major step forward in both scale and impact. It reflects our dedication to providing sustainable,…

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Today, the African School of Governance Foundation (ASGF) announced the establishment of the African School of Governance (ASG) graduate institution designed to offer world-class public policy education, research, and engagement programs. Prominent African leaders have come together in this landmark step, as the initiative is set to transform the continent’s leadership landscape by meeting the diverse needs of leaders across Africa. The ASG aims to address the continent’s pressing governance challenges by equipping emerging leaders with the mindsets, skills and knowledge required for effective leadership in Africa’s future. The initiative brings together visionaries committed to creating a sustainable governance model…

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Mukuru, a fintech firm headquartered in South Africa, has launched Mukuru Wallet, its new mobile wallet in Malawi to boost international money transfer and improve financial access in the country. Mukuru Wallet is touted as a convenient, secure, and efficient way to manage funds and make money transfers both locally and internationally, and store, save and earn interest on funds. In a statement seen by TechMoran, Malawi Country Manager at Mukuru, Pride Chiwaya, said, “Mukuru is committed to driving financial inclusion, and this wallet, in response to the growing demand for money transfers, builds on the trust we have established…

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AXIAN Group has acquired a stake in WiASSUR, an insurance start-up based in Côte d’Ivoire. This marks a key milestone for AXIAN Group’s expansion strategy in this sector. This acquisition, closed mid-July 2024, positions AXIAN as WiASSUR’s second-largest shareholder. The Group will henceforth have a governance role in the company to actively contribute to its development. WiASSUR, an insurance broker based in Côte d’Ivoire, is striving to transform the sector by offering a completely digitised customer experience and optimised solutions to meet the insurance needs of citizens. This acquisition reflects AXIAN Investment’s strategy of investing in technologies aligned with the…

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