Author: James Musoba

NaFarm Foods, an agricultural solutions provider based in Kaduna, Nigeria, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Food category for efforts to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food security, and promote sustainable agricultural practices across Nigeria. NaFarm Foods’ flagship solution, the Hybrid Solar Food Dryer, is designed to tackle the critical issue of food spoilage. Combining solar heat and electricity generated from solar panels, the solution ensures efficient, all-weather drying of food, even during rainy or cloudy days. With a capacity of 500kg per unit and the ability to retain the nutritional quality of…

Ilara Health Inc, has received a $1 million loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to help upgrade private outpatient clinics in Kenya. Ilara Health will deliver care to underserved communities in Kenya through procurement of diagnostic devices, health management technology, and pharmaceutical products. Safi Organics, another Kenyan venture got $237,500 in technical assistance to support feasibility studies for its new biochar manufacturing facilities in Kenya. The firm will also use the funds for the development of associated biochar carbon credit from the activity, supporting economic empowerment of local farmers through expanding access to high-quality and affordable fertilizer.…

Kenya’s Order to Social Media Companies to Establish Physical Offices Might Backfire In a bold move to tighten regulation over the digital landscape, the Kenyan government has ordered that all social media companies operating within its borders establish physical offices in the country. This mandate, which affects major platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok (Google already has), reflects Kenya’s growing ambition to control digital spaces while balancing accountability, national security, and economic opportunities. But what does this mean for the government, citizens, and the broader African digital ecosystem? Government Perspective: Striving for Accountability and Control The Kenyan government’s decision is…

Conservio, the South African online travel booking platform has raised $1 million to scale up its customer base from the over 2000 Southern African suppliers on the platform. The funding was led by E4E Africa, with participation from Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures, and Payfast’s Jonathan Smith. Smith also invested $500,000 into Conservio pre-seed in March 2023. “We focus on curating places where every booking means something bigger,” says CEO and co-founder Lara Dendy Young. “Whether it’s preserving natural habitats or uplifting local communities, we want travel to be about more than just the destination — it’s about making a…

Safaricom has appointed Edward Okaro as an independent non-executive director, effective January 15, 2025, according to a statement from the telco. Okaro will replace Rose Ogega, who resigned and stepped down on November 29, 2024 after serving the firm since February 12, 2019. According to acting company secretary Linda Mesa in a statement on Thursday, “The Board of Safaricom is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward Okaro as an Independent Non-Executive Director, with effect from January 15, 2025. The Board welcomes Okaro to Safaricom PLC.” Okaro holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Manchester Business School, and…

Raseedi, an Egypian fintech serving Egypt’s millions of underbanked masses has acquired Kashat, and its subsidiary Pharos Microfinance, in an equity deal to broaden its product offerings and introduce instant loans. By providing the masses with a dialler app to make cheaper calls, Raseedi users open the app at least 200 times per month to make calls and slowly introduce them to online topup and bill payments. According to Ahmed Atalla, CEO of Raseedi: “After growing our payments product to double-digit throughput growth per annum, now is the time to offer the market a new and unprecedented lending product. Imagine…

There are literally thousands of casino games to choose from, how do you decide? Picking one at random is always an option, but this rarely guarantees satisfaction. After all, chances are you won’t pick a good match. That’s why if you’re looking for a guaranteed enjoyable gaming session, only a few will come close to what the Aviator game Kenya https://aviatorkenya.co.ke/ can provide. But what makes this game so special? Let’s learn more about this game. How to Play Aviator A round of Aviator can last just a few seconds, depending on what will transpire during the game. Here’s a…

DOB Equity, an impact investment fund based in East Africa, has invested into Spouts International, a Ugandan clean water access startup. DOB Equity aims to enable the firm, which locally-manufactures ceramic water filters under the brand name Purifaaya to offer a safe, affordable and eco-friendly solution for clean drinking water, eliminating the need for traditional boiling methods that are harmful to the environment.   “We are glad to have found a company in the water sector that not only achieves significant impact by providing clean drinking water but also demonstrates financial viability through its innovative business model. With less than 25%…

Google Country Director for East Africa Agnes Gathaiya has left the giant search firm after 4 plus years at the firm where she was in charge of Google Search, Maps, YouTube, Gmail, and Drive in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. She was also in charge of Google for Education and Google My Business and programs like the Hustle Academy and Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, among others. “After 4+ incredible years at Google as the Country Director for East Africa, the time has come for me to bid farewell and embark on a new chapter in my life,” Agnes…

The digital age has ushered in countless technological advancements, making life more convenient and interconnected. However, this progress comes at a significant cost to the environment. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing global problem that poses severe risks to our planet. As a leader in electronic waste management, Computer Recycling is at the forefront of combating this issue and ensuring that discarded electronics are managed responsibly. Understanding the Scope of E-Waste E-waste encompasses discarded electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, televisions, and other gadgets. According to the United Nations, the world generates over 50 million metric tons of e-waste…

Cryptocurrency Policy Means for the Future of Digital Money in Kenya In recent years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have gained global attention, not just for their potential as digital currencies, but for their ability to disrupt traditional financial systems. Kenya, a country already known for its innovative approach to mobile money through services like M-Pesa, is now making strides to embrace cryptocurrencies more formally. The government is currently drafting a policy to legalize and regulate digital currencies, marking a significant moment for both Kenya and the wider African continent. But what does this mean for the future of digital…

Integrity360, a European cyber security firm operating from 10 regional locations across the UK and Europe and Africa, has acquired Nclose, a South African cyber security services firm, just months after it acquired Cape Town headquartered Grove Group in its global expansion move. Integrity360 now has over 180 employees in South Africa and will operate as a significant regional hub and global SOC (Security Operations Centre) location for the group serving both local and international customers. According to Ian Brown, Executive Chairman at Integrity360, “We are very excited to be welcoming the Nclose team to Integrity360. The addition of CyberFire…

LG Electronics has partnered with Microsoft, will.i.am to enhance AI in homes, cars, audio devices in a move that will combine LG’s products and customer insights from various spaces, such as the home, mobility and commercial areas, with Microsoft’s AI technology to implement empathetic AI integrated services.   Judson Althoff, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Microsoft, shared, “At Microsoft, we believe AI will fundamentally change the way we live and work, and we could not be more excited to partner with LG Electronics – the pioneers of smart, connected spaces – to integrate AI into life’s everyday experiences.” …

Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has launched HMD Key, a £59 lightweight budget smartphone in the UK, Australia, and the New Zealand to help people upgrade to smartphones. It packs a 6.52-inch HD+ LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 460 nits and is powered by an octa-core Unisoc 9832E chipset on its 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage which can be expanded using a microSD card. HMD Key comes in Icy Blue and Midnight Black colours with essential features, and comes at an accessible price point making it the perfect choice for anyone seeking a…

Mobile phone safety is paramount in this festive season as phones have become invaluable tools not only for communication but finance. A typical Kenyan has various banking and loan apps on their smartphone and the device safety is key to make sure nothing is lost or no valuable information is passed on or shared by third-parties. Keep your mobile phone safe because of apps such as M-PESA, Airtel Money, Loop, banking apps among others. Reward points such as Bonga points, supermarket and gym membership loyalty programs among others are key information than need protection. Below are tips on how to…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…