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Egypt’s Reme-D Raises $500,000 to Expand Room-Temperature Diagnostics Across Africa

James Musoba
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0
Egypt’s Reme-D Raises $500,000 to Expand Room-Temperature Diagnostics Across Africa

Egyptian biotech startup Reme-D has secured $500,000 in funding from the Global Innovation Fund to expand production and distribution of its room-temperature stable molecular diagnostic kits across Africa, the company said on Tuesday.

Founded in 2022 by nanotechnology researcher Salma Tammam, Reme-D was initially developed as part of a government-backed effort to address shortages of PCR testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has since pivoted toward tackling broader diagnostic gaps in emerging markets.

Traditional PCR tests require constant refrigeration, posing challenges in regions with unreliable electricity. Reme-D uses freeze-drying and nanotechnology to stabilise reagents at room temperature for extended periods, reducing dependency on cold-chain logistics.

The company says its kits can cut diagnostic costs by up to 40% compared with imported alternatives, while maintaining clinical accuracy of 95% sensitivity and 98% specificity. Its products are also tailored to detect local pathogen variants.

Reme-D currently operates in Egypt, Iraq, Sudan and Kenya, with early deployments in Nigeria and Libya. It processes around 50,000 tests monthly across 92 hospitals and laboratories in Egypt and has tested more than 500,000 patients to date.

The startup previously raised about $1 million, including backing from the Oman Technology Fund.

Adoption has been particularly strong in blood banks, where Reme-D’s technology has shortened screening times by enabling direct molecular testing of donated blood, replacing slower two-step processes.

Despite growing demand, the company faces production and regulatory challenges. While its facility in Egypt can produce up to 12 million tests per month, packaging constraints currently limit output to about 130,000 units. Reme-D plans to expand capacity later this year.

Regulatory fragmentation across African markets also remains a barrier, with approval processes varying widely and often favouring established international manufacturers.

Tammam said investor skepticism toward African biotech firms has been an additional hurdle. The company recently received the Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award, which included a €25,000 grant.

Reme-D plans to use the new funding to scale operations and support commercial expansion into Nigeria and Libya, while advancing research into diagnostics for cancer, genetic disorders and maternal health.

Endeavor South Africa Closes $12.5 Million Venture Fund to Back Startups

Ronald Bwire
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Endeavor South Africa Closes $12.5 Million Venture Fund to Back Startups

Endeavor South Africa has closed its third Harvest Fund at 230 million rand ($12.5 million), targeting later-stage technology companies as investor appetite grows for African scale-ups.

The fund, Harvest Fund III, will co-invest alongside lead investors in Series B and later-stage rounds, focusing on companies with proven traction and expansion potential, the organisation said on Tuesday.

The vehicle builds on its predecessor and reached a final close after raising 190 million rand in October 2024.

It has already deployed capital into companies including GoTyme Bank, Onafriq, Entersekt and Plentify.

Investors in the fund include FirstRand, SA SME Fund, Standard Bank and Allan Gray, alongside a group of founders and operators.

“Harvest Fund III reflects what Endeavor has always believed: the strongest venture ecosystems are built when successful founders reinvest,” said Tjaart van der Walt, a board member at Endeavor South Africa.

The fund draws from a pipeline of about 40 Endeavor-backed companies across South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya, within a broader portfolio of 144 businesses.

Endeavor South Africa said its previous fund’s portfolio companies recorded annual revenue growth of 49% and employment growth of 24% between 2020 and 2025, while raising more than 27 billion rand over the period.

CEO Alison Collier said the fund aims to address gaps beyond capital, including access to global networks and founder-led mentorship.

“As the market matures, exits matter more than ever. They validate the asset class, recycle capital, and build long-term confidence in venture investing,” said Ketso Gordhan.

The fund is expected to support companies scaling across borders as global investors increasingly look to high-growth markets outside traditional venture hubs.

Morocco’s ZSystems Raises $1.65 Million to Digitise $40 Billion B2B Commerce Market

Ronald Bwire
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Morocco’s ZSystems Raises $1.65 Million to Digitise $40 Billion B2B Commerce Market

ZSystems, a Moroccan startup, has secured $1.65 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its unified digital commerce platform, targeting inefficiencies in a largely undigitised $40 billion market.

The round was led by Azur Innovation Management, with continued backing from existing investors MNF Ventures and Witamax. The Harambeans Prosperity Fund also joined as the company’s first international institutional investor.

The latest raise brings ZSystems’ total funding to $2.7 million, following a $1.05 million pre-seed round backed by MNF Ventures, Witamax, CASHPLUS Ventures, and Kalys Ventures.

ZSystems is building a platform that connects brands, wholesalers, and retailers into a single ecosystem, aiming to improve transparency, streamline operations, and unlock growth opportunities across fragmented supply chains.

Beyond funding, the company is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Star Venture programme and Amazon Web Services, providing access to infrastructure and scaling support.

The new capital will be used to enhance product development, expand the platform’s reach, and deepen market penetration as ZSystems seeks to modernise B2B commerce across Morocco and the wider region.

 

Nigeria’s Paga Appoints Opeyemi Oyinloye as Nigeria CEO | Tayo Oviosu Assumes Group CEO

Ronald Bwire
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0
Nigeria’s Paga Appoints Opeyemi Oyinloye as Nigeria CEO | Tayo Oviosu Assumes Group CEO

Nigerian fintech company Paga has appointed Opeyemi Oyinloye as acting chief executive of its Nigeria business, marking a major leadership transition after more than a decade under founder leadership.

Founder Tayo Oviosu said in a LinkedIn post he will step away from the day-to-day running of the Nigeria unit to assume the role of Group CEO, where he will oversee the company’s broader strategy and expansion. Oyinloye’s appointment is subject to approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The move marks the first time since Paga’s launch in 2009 that its Nigeria operations will be led by someone other than its founder.

The company said the leadership change is part of a wider restructuring aimed at positioning Paga for its next phase of growth, including expansion into other African markets and increased investment in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, stablecoins and global payments infrastructure.

Oviosu, who has led Paga since inception, will focus on scaling the group’s technology and strengthening its position as a financial services platform connecting African users to global systems.

Oyinloye, who has held senior roles within the company, will oversee operations in Nigeria, Paga’s largest and most mature market.

The transition comes amid strong growth, with Paga processing 17.1 trillion naira in transactions in 2025, a 96% increase year-on-year, highlighting rising adoption of digital payments in Nigeria.

The company has also expanded beyond its home market through partnerships with global players such as PayPal and by building products for cross-border transactions.

Paga’s restructuring reflects a broader trend among African fintechs, where founders are increasingly moving into group or strategic roles as companies scale across markets. Similar leadership transitions have been observed at firms such as Flutterwave, as they evolve from local payment solutions into multi-market financial infrastructure providers.

The company said the changes signal the start of a new phase focused on cross-border payments, interoperability and building scalable systems for digital finance.

Egypt’s Lucky Raises $23 Million Series B to Expand Credit and Target North Africa

Ronald Bwire
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Egypt’s Lucky Raises $23 Million Series B to Expand Credit and Target North Africa

Egyptian fintech platform Lucky App has raised $23 million in a Series B funding round combining equity and debt, as it looks to scale its consumer credit offering and expand into North Africa.

The round drew participation from a mix of existing and new investors, including Disruptech Ventures and DPI Venture Capital through the Nclude Fund. Strategic investors Suez Canal Bank and OneStop also joined the round.

As part of the deal, Egyptian tech investor Mohamed Farouk has been appointed Chairman of Lucky’s Board.

The funding comes after a strong growth period for the Cairo-based company, which reported threefold annual growth in 2025 and reached profitability by year-end, positioning itself among a growing cohort of African fintechs balancing scale with sustainable margins.

Lucky operates in the consumer credit space, offering users access to financing through a card-based system accepted across merchants. The company is betting on rising demand for digital financial services in Egypt, where regulators are pushing financial inclusion under the Central Bank of Egypt.

“Lucky has demonstrated disciplined growth, strong product-market fit, and a clear vision for inclusive digital finance,” said Farouk, noting the company is well-positioned to capture the next wave of consumer credit and neo-banking in the region.

Chief Executive Ayman Essawy said the capital will be used to scale operations while investing in infrastructure and regulatory readiness.

“Financial access is the foundation of progress. This round allows us to scale responsibly and deepen our impact as regulators unlock digital onboarding and modern payment frameworks,” Essawy said.

Egypt’s fintech sector has seen increasing regulatory support, including progress on digital onboarding, improved payments infrastructure, and the rollout of Payment Service Provider (PSP) licensing frameworks—developments that are lowering barriers for fintech expansion.

Lucky said it has already begun the process toward securing a PSP license, a move that would allow it to broaden its product stack into more comprehensive digital financial services.

The company also plans to expand beyond Egypt into select North African markets, leveraging its growing merchant network and user base.

Across Africa, fintech startups continue to attract investor interest, particularly those focused on credit access and embedded finance, as millions of consumers remain underserved by traditional banking systems.

Cape Town AI Startup Yazi Raises First Institutional Funding at $1.6 Million Valuation

James Musoba
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Cape Town AI Startup Yazi Raises First Institutional Funding at $1.6 Million Valuation

Cape Town-based AI research platform Yazi has raised its first institutional funding round from 3 Capital Ventures at a pre-money valuation of $1.6 million, the company said. The size of the investment was not disclosed.

Founded in 2022 by Chief Executive Timothy Treagus and Chief Technology Officer Mzwandile Sotsaka, Yazi enables companies to conduct surveys, interviews, diary studies and panel research via WhatsApp. Its platform uses artificial intelligence to engage respondents in conversational formats, ask follow-up questions and analyse responses in real time.

The investment comes from 3 Capital Ventures, an early-stage firm spun out of Allan Gray. The funding will be used to advance product development, expand Yazi’s research panel and support international growth.

As part of its roadmap, Yazi plans to introduce automated voice interviews on WhatsApp and broaden its participant base across Africa, while scaling demand from research agencies in the United Kingdom and Europe.

The company currently operates in more than 15 countries and has access to 1.8 million pre-qualified research participants. Its client base includes Old Mutual, Pick n Pay, Discovery, Capitec and Ipsos.

Yazi said revenue increased 2.5 times over the past financial year, with 64% month-on-month growth recorded in the most recent quarter. More than 65% of its revenue is generated in foreign currencies.

Treagus attributed the company’s growth in part to AI-driven search visibility. “We rank number one on Google for WhatsApp research keywords and more than 80% of our leads come through AI search,” he said.

Bwendi Wants to Solve Africa’s Addressing Problem

Ronald Bwire
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0
Bwendi Wants to Solve Africa’s Addressing Problem

For decades, Africa has lacked a reliable addressing system, a gap that has hindered e-commerce, financial services, and logistics. Across 54 countries and 1.4 billion people, many locations cannot be formally verified, creating friction for businesses and consumers alike.

Swiss-based location intelligence startup Bwendi said on Thursday it has deployed a system capable of turning GPS coordinates into verifiable digital addresses, bypassing the need for street signs or government-issued postal codes.

Founder Francis Osih previously led Cameroon’s national digital addressing project in 2019. Despite technical success, the system was discontinued due to corruption and bureaucratic hurdles. “We needed to build something that could not be switched off,” Osih said. “Not dependent on a single government, but usable by anyone building for Africa.”

The platform is now based in Switzerland and designed to operate independently of any state. In many African cities and rural areas, directions rely on landmarks rather than numbered streets. Phrases such as “turn after the church, next to the blue pharmacy” are common. While intuitive for people, these directions are difficult for digital systems that require precise, standardized location data.

Bwendi’s API converts any GPS coordinate into a structured address, enriched with local economic and commercial context. Responses are delivered in under 20 milliseconds and localized in more than 30 African languages. Rather than simply labeling a place, the system attempts to define its economic relevance, supporting credit scoring, logistics optimization, and marketplace expansion.

Africa receives less than 3 percent of global venture capital. Analysts cite infrastructure gaps, such as addressing, as a key reason for investor hesitation. okHI has been building a similar platform for years but Bwendi aims to reduce friction for fintechs, logistics firms, and online marketplaces by providing a standardized “address-of-record.”

The company said its platform currently covers all 54 African countries, supports 1.4 billion people, indexes over 19 million commercial points of interest, and delivers responses in approximately 20 milliseconds. The API is publicly available to developers and enterprise partners at https://bwendi.com/en/africa.

The success of digital addressing systems depends on adoption. Bwendi’s platform aims to make Africa’s locations legible to the digital economy, but its impact will hinge on how widely it is integrated by businesses and governments.

 

Airtel Surpasses 650 Million Users, Ranks Second Globally by Subscribers

Ronald Bwire
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0
Airtel Surpasses 650 Million Users, Ranks Second Globally by Subscribers

India’s Bharti Airtel has surpassed 650 million customers, becoming the world’s second-largest mobile operator by subscriber base, according to GSMA Intelligence, as the telecom group expands across India and Africa.

The milestone underscores Airtel’s growing scale in two of the fastest-growing telecom markets globally, with over 368 million users in India and 179 million across 14 African countries.

Airtel has been investing heavily in next-generation networks and digital services to drive growth. In India, the company has rolled out 5G Plus services, alongside offerings such as Xstream AirFiber and IPTV, as it targets rising demand for high-speed data. It serves more than 13 million broadband homes and over 15 million digital TV customers, it said.

The company is also expanding its enterprise segment through Airtel Business, offering services including cloud computing, cybersecurity, software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN), and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Its infrastructure includes more than 400,000 route kilometres of subsea cables and a network of Nxtra data centres.

In a push to diversify revenue, Airtel recently entered the non-banking financial services (NBFC) sector, aiming to offer credit and financial products via its mobile app.

In Africa, Airtel continues to scale its Airtel Money platform, which has grown to over 52 million users, providing mobile payments and banking services in markets with limited access to traditional financial systems.

The company is also investing in satellite-based connectivity through partnerships with Eutelsat OneWeb and SpaceX, targeting broadband access in remote and underserved areas.

“Achieving the milestone of 650 million customers is a great responsibility,” Executive Vice Chairman Gopal Vittal said, adding the company would continue to invest in network quality and customer experience.

Airtel’s growth reflects broader industry trends, with telecom expansion increasingly driven by emerging markets in Asia and Africa, where mobile and financial services adoption continues to rise.

Safaricom’s AI Super App Moment: Inside the Launch of My OneApp and Kenya’s Next Digital Leap

James Musoba
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Safaricom’s AI Super App Moment: Inside the Launch of My OneApp and Kenya’s Next Digital Leap

Safaricom is not content with being just a telco and payments company but a tech giant with ambitions to become the operating system of kenya’s everyday life.

These was made clear at its launch of My OneApp at the Decode Summit in Nairobi, yesetrday. My OneApp merges the widely used M-PESA app with the struggling MySafaricom App into a single, AI-powered “super app” placing Safaricom at the center of Kenya’s emerging digital economy.

“This is not just about convergence,” said Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Waititu. “It’s about building intelligence into the customer experience.”

From Super App to Smart Infrastructure

Though this shift is not limited to Safaricom, but a broader global trend where telecom operators are transforming into technology platforms. Few have the advantage Safaricom holds via its deep financial rails through M-PESA platform and its unmatched agency distribution network across Kenya.

With over 6.5 million monthly active users and 80+ integrated mini-apps, My OneApp isn’t starting from zero. It is building on a mature ecosystem and layering intelligence on top.

The differentiator is artificial intelligence.

Rather than acting as a static interface, My OneApp learns user behavior by prioritizing frequent transactions, surfacing relevant services, and adapting in real time. Whether it’s recurring bill payments, lending habits, or investment activity, the app reorganizes itself around the user.

In effect, Safaricom is shifting from a menu-based experience to a predictive one.

The Quiet Power Play: Owning the Customer Journey

For years, M-PESA dominated payments but existed alongside separate apps, USSD flows, and fragmented digital services. My OneApp collapses those layers into a single interface bringing telecom, finance, and lifestyle into one continuous experience.

That matters.

Because in digital ecosystems, whoever owns the interface often owns the customer relationship.

Inside My OneApp, users can:

  • Pay bills and manage airtime
  • Access Fuliza credit
  • Invest in money market funds via Ziidi
  • Trade shares through CD Trader
  • Run small businesses using Pochi la Biashara
  • Purchase insurance products
  • Engage with entertainment, gaming, and third-party services

This is no longer just fintech. It’s platform economics.

Scaling for a Digital Economy

Behind the user interface lies a less visible but critical transformation: infrastructure.

Safaricom says it has upgraded its systems to handle up to 6,000 transactions per second, a dramatic leap from roughly 100 transactions per second in earlier years. This shift to a multi-tenant, AI-first architecture reflects long-term thinking preparing not just for today’s usage, but for an ecosystem of developers and services yet to be built.

Through its Daraja API platform, which already supports more than 66,000 integrations, Safaricom is positioning itself as the backbone for innovation.

CEO Peter Ndegwa framed it simply, “Our role is to provide the rails. What gets built on top of them will define the future.”

From Financial Inclusion to Financial Power

M-PESA’s first chapter was about access. It helped move Kenya’s financial inclusion rate from 23% to 84% in under two decades  becoming one of the most significant fintech success stories globally.

But access is no longer the endgame.

The next frontier is financial health, wealth creation, and resilience.

By embedding investments, credit, insurance, and business tools directly into a daily-use app, Safaricom is attempting to move users up the economic ladder and not just keep them transacting.

This is where My OneApp becomes more than a product launch but infrastructure shaping how millions save, borrow, invest, and build livelihoods.

The Competitive Landscape

Safaricom’s move also raises the stakes across Africa’s fintech and telecom sectors.

Super apps are not new globally. Asia has shown what’s possible with platforms like WeChat and Grab. But Africa is not a country and it’s ecosystem has remained relatively fragmented, with fintech startups, banks, and telcos each controlling different parts of the value chain.

My OneApp changes that dynamic.

By integrating services and opening its platform to developers, Safaricom is effectively daring competitors to match its breadth or find ways to plug into it.

The Bigger Bet

At its core, My OneApp is a bet on behavior.

That users will prefer a single intelligent platform over multiple apps.
That AI-driven personalization will deepen engagement.
And that the future of digital economies will be shaped not by standalone services but by ecosystems.

If Safaricom gets this right, it won’t just dominate payments. It could define how a generation experiences money, services, and digital life itself. And in doing so, it may quietly cement its position not just as Kenya’s leading telco but as its most important technology company.

Make Easter Memorable with Samsung with Gifts That Turn Moments into Memories

Brand Voice
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Make Easter Memorable with Samsung with Gifts That Turn Moments into Memories

There is a particular warmth that comes with an Easter weekend spent at home. It’s found in the slow mornings that turn into long afternoons, the familiar hum of a house full of people, and the ease of a conversation that picks up exactly where it left off months ago. These are the moments that define the season, not the formal traditions, but the spontaneous ones. It’s the shared glance across a dinner table, the collective groan at a movie choice, or the way everyone naturally gravitates toward the kitchen.

When we think about gifting during this time, it’s rarely about the object itself. It’s about the experience that object creates. The right gift integrates into the day, making it easier to connect, share and enjoy the people around you. If you’re looking to make this season more memorable, here is a guide to gifting for the people, and the places that make Easter feel like home.

For the One Who Never Misses a Moment

Every family has the person who captures the quiet, candid moments everyone else might overlook. Gifting them the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series is about giving them a tool that finally keeps up with their perspective. With AI-powered Nightography, they can capture the warmth of a candlelit dinner or a late-evening garden chat ensuring every detail remains crisp and vibrant. The 200MP sensor on the S26 Ultra is particularly strategic for family gatherings as it allows them to take one wide shot of the entire lunch table and later zoom in to save a perfect, high-resolution portrait of a single relative without losing any detail. For those who also still prioritize staying connected and sharing every highlight, the Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G are excellent choices. These devices feature bright, sunlight-readable displays and AI-enhanced cameras that make capturing and posting high-quality photos effortless, ensuring that every memory is ready to be shared with the family group chat the moment it happens.

For the One Who Sets the Mood

Some people just have a knack for keeping everyone entertained, whether they are finding the right playlist or the perfect movie for the evening wind-down. The Galaxy Tab A11 is the companion for this person because it functions as a portable window into the family’s favorite content. Its slim, lightweight design means it moves easily from the kitchen, where it might be displaying a new recipe, to the couch for a quick game or a shared video. The vibrant display is built to stay clear in different lighting, so whether the family is sitting in a sunlit garden or a dim lounge, the picture remains sharp. It is a gift that doesn’t just entertain one person as it facilitates those small, shared “look at this” moments that bring everyone together on the sofa.

For the Home That Brings Everyone Together

Easter often centers around one home that opens its doors to everyone, and in these moments, the TV becomes the modern campfire. Upgrading to a premium display with 4K Upscaling is a strategic gift for the whole family because it takes older content like classic movies or home videos and sharpens them to look crisp on a modern screen. This season, making that upgrade is more accessible, for those looking for the sweet spot for a cinematic family movie night, the 65″ UHD Samsung TV is the ideal. For the ultimate host, the 75″ QLED Samsung TV features Quantum Dot technology, ensuring the screen stays vivid and clear even in a bright, sun-drenched living room, so no one has to squint to see the action.

For the Space That Breathes Life into the Day

The most thoughtful gifts are often the ones that act as a quiet support system, making the work of hosting feel effortless. A refrigerator with Twin Cooling Plus™ is a game-changer for an Easter host because it uses independent cooling systems to ensure the savoury scents of the main course don’t drift into the dessert, while keeping groceries fresh twice as long. Similarly, the aftermath of a big weekend usually involves a mountain of laundry, which is where Samsung’s EcoBubble™ technology comes in, allowing washing machines to clean deeply and protect fabrics even in cold water You can gift this smarter home experience offering the gift of time back to the person who usually does it all.

Making Every Moment Count

At its heart, Easter is about reconnection and the ease of being around the people who matter. Whether it’s through a sharper photo that saves a memory, a more immersive screen that hosts a movie night, or a kitchen that makes a large family lunch feel simple, Samsung is here to ensure the technology works so perfectly you forget it’s even there. This season, give a gift that doesn’t just look good on the day, but makes every day after feel a little more connected and a lot more meaningful.

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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0
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.

 

 

How NCBA Is Addressing The SME Credit Gap in Kenya

Sam Wakoba
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How NCBA Is Addressing The SME Credit Gap in Kenya

In Kenya, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and GDP growth.

According  to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), SMEs account for approximately 98 percent of all businesses in Kenya and contribute over 30 percent of total employment (PDF). The World Bank further estimates that SMEs contribute about 40 percent of Kenya’s GDP, highlighting their central role in economic activity.

Despite their significance, access to formal credit remains limited. Research by FSD Kenya and the Central Bank of Kenya indicates that less than 10 percent of SMEs in Kenya have access to formal bank credit (PDF), with many relying instead on informal sources such as savings groups, supplier credit, or on the mushrooming mobile lending apps. Some SMEs report that they are either fully financially excluded or only partially served by formal financial institutions, largely due to lack of collateral, limited credit history, and informality of their operations.

The FinAccess Household Survey also consistently shows that while financial inclusion has improved in Kenya overall, a substantial financing gap persists among small businesses, particularly in rural areas and among youth and women led enterprises.

In the end, these credit constraints limit SMEs’ ability to scale, compete effectively, and fully realize their economic potential, despite being one of the most dynamic segments of the Kenyan economy.

For Kenyan SMEs, the path to growth depends on access not only to capital, but also to tools that enable resilience and scalability. Through its integrated suite of digital platforms, credit solutions, and trade financing tools, NCBA is helping redefine what access to finance truly means in today’s economy.

NCBA Bank sees an opportunity to serve and eliminate this structural mismatch between traditional lending models and the realities of how SMEs operate.

Many SMEs in Kenya function within semi-formal or informal frameworks. While these businesses may generate consistent cashflows, they often lack audited financial statements, formal bookkeeping systems, or documented credit histories. For traditional lenders, SMEs are high-risk especially because they don’t have structured financial data, have no reliable records and therefore locked out of access to credit.

Many SMEs also have no collateral which further compounds the issue. Conventional lenders are typically asset-backed, requiring land, buildings, or other fixed assets as security. However, NCBA’s Elevate platform has opened up to creative and youth-led enterprises, women-owned businesses, and startups unable to secure the funding they need for their music or art.

Beyond structural barriers, there is also a trust and awareness gap. Some SME owners remain hesitant to engage with financial institutions due to past experiences, perceived complexity in loan processes, or limited understanding of available financial products. In other cases, financial institutions have historically struggled to design products that align with the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of SME cashflows. The result is a disconnect that slows down financial inclusion.

However, according to NCBA Bank, the landscape is evolving and the Group aims to play a central role in reshaping SME financing in Kenya.

Recognising that traditional credit models cannot fully serve modern SMEs, NCBA has invested heavily in data-driven and digital-first lending solutions. By leveraging alternative data sources such as transaction history, mobile money flows, and account behaviour, NCBA is able to assess creditworthiness more accurately and extend financing to previously underserved segments.

A key pillar of this transformation is NCBA’s M-Shwari platform, which enables users to access instant savings and micro-loans directly via mobile phones. Built in partnership with Safaricom, M-Shwari uses mobile transaction data to provide unsecured credit, making it one of the most widely used entry points to formal financial services for micro and small enterprises.

Closely linked is Fuliza, the mobile overdraft facility integrated with M-Pesa. For SMEs, Fuliza acts as a real-time liquidity buffer, allowing transactions to go through even when account balances are insufficient. This has become particularly important for traders and service providers who operate on tight daily cash cycles.

For more structured digital banking, NCBA Loop provides SMEs with a full-service digital banking ecosystem. Loop combines business accounts, savings tools, and flexible lending products, including personal and business loans tailored to cashflow patterns. It also helps entrepreneurs track spending and manage finances more efficiently through digital dashboards.

That’s not all. NCBA’s SME Banking division offers traditional yet highly tailored financing products such working capital loans, designed to support day-to-day operations such as payroll, inventory purchase, and supplier payments. SMEs can also access asset finance, enabling them to acquire vehicles, machinery, and equipment critical for expansion without large upfront capital outlays.

For businesses involved in trade and import/export, NCBA provides trade finance solutions, including letters of credit, bank guarantees, and import financing. These instruments reduce counterparty risk and allow SMEs to engage confidently in both local and international trade.

Another important offering is invoice discounting and receivables financing, which allows businesses to unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. This is especially useful for SMEs supplying larger corporates or government institutions, where payment delays are common but operational expenses continue to accumulate.

NCBA also supports SMEs through overdraft facilities linked to business accounts, giving firms short-term flexibility to manage cashflow gaps without disrupting operations. In addition, business credit cards and merchant solutions (including POS and card acquiring services) enable SMEs to accept payments seamlessly and manage business expenses more effectively.

For asset-heavy businesses, NCBA’s logbook and equipment financing solutions provide access to vehicles and machinery, helping entrepreneurs expand operational capacity while spreading repayment over time.

Complementing these financial products are digital banking platforms such as NCBA Internet Banking and the NCBA mobile banking app, which give SMEs real-time control over their accounts, payments, and loan facilities. These tools are increasingly important as businesses move toward digital-first operations. Digitization has also played a major role in financial inclusion with the Group reporting that over 90% of its transactions were conducted through digital channels.

Importantly, NCBA recognises that financing alone is not enough. The bank continues to invest in financial literacy, business advisory support, and SME capacity-building initiatives that help entrepreneurs formalise operations, strengthen governance, and improve long-term sustainability.

Ultimately, closing the SME credit gap requires more than just increasing access to loans. It demands a fundamental shift in how financial institutions understand and serve businesses. It requires ecosystems built on data, flexibility, and trust.

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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0
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.

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