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Zoho Bets on Kenya’s SME Boom With Digital Push Through KNCCI Partnership

Sam Wakoba
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Zoho Bets on Kenya’s SME Boom With Digital Push Through KNCCI Partnership

Zoho Corp. is expanding its bet on Kenya’s fast-growing small business sector through a partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), offering software credits, training and digital skills programs as competition intensifies for Africa’s millions of underserved enterprises.

The privately held software company said on Wednesday that eligible KNCCI members will receive KSh65,000 ($500) in Zoho Wallet credits to access its portfolio of more than 60 cloud-based business applications, ranging from accounting and payroll to customer relationship management and workplace collaboration.

The announcement, made at the company’s Zoholics Kenya 2026 conference in Nairobi, underscores Zoho’s growing focus on East Africa as businesses increasingly adopt cloud software and artificial intelligence to improve productivity and reduce operating costs.

Zoho said its Kenya revenue grew 55% over the past year, making the country one of its fastest-growing markets globally. Growth has been driven by demand from sectors including financial services, manufacturing, insurance, telecommunications and information technology.

The company serves more than 150 million users worldwide, operates over 60 business applications, and employs more than 19,000 people across its global operations.

“Kenya continues to be one of our fastest-growing markets as more businesses embrace digital transformation to improve resilience and competitiveness,” said Veerakumar Natarajan, Country Head of Zoho Kenya. He added that artificial intelligence is accelerating demand for unified software platforms that help businesses streamline operations.

Beyond subsidized software access, the partnership includes onboarding support, implementation assistance, workshops and digital skills training aimed at helping SMEs successfully adopt business technology. Zoho and KNCCI will also run joint marketing campaigns and educational programs to encourage digital adoption across Kenya.

The initiative comes as Kenyan SMEs face mounting pressure to digitize operations while keeping technology costs under control. SMEs account for the overwhelming majority of businesses in Kenya and contribute significantly to employment, yet many still rely on manual processes for finance, inventory and customer management.

“Through this partnership, our members will gain access not only to world-class business technology but also the training and support needed to successfully adopt and leverage these solutions,” said Dr. James Mwaura, Chairman of KNCCI Nairobi Chapter.

Zoho’s flagship products in Kenya include Zoho One, an integrated suite of business applications; Workplace for email and collaboration; CRM Plus and Zoho CRM for customer management; and Zoho Books for accounting.

The partnership reflects a broader trend among enterprise software providers competing to capture Africa’s rapidly digitizing SME market by combining affordable cloud services with training, financing incentives and local partnerships. For Zoho, whose business model emphasizes privately funded, long-term expansion over aggressive acquisitions, Kenya is increasingly emerging as a strategic gateway into East Africa’s digital economy.

SBM Bank Kenya Profit Jumps 171% On Growing Customer Deposits

Sam Wakoba
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SBM Bank Kenya Profit Jumps 171% On Growing Customer Deposits

SBM Bank Kenya has posted a 171% jump in first-half profit due to lower credit losses, stronger deposit growth and rising transaction income which boosted earnings.

The lender reported that cutting bad loans, growing customer deposits and expanding lending, in the six months ended June 30 saw its profit before tax hit $4.2 million, from $1.6 million a year earlier. The Bank’s operating profit climbed 279% to $6.6 million in this period.

SBM Bank Kenya saw customer deposits increase 24% to $723 million due to its recovery strategies, signaling a quick turnaround since its purchase of Chase Bank Kenya. Thw bank added that its net loans and advances rose 18% to $416 million while its total assets stood at $845 million at the end of June.

“The continued growth in customer deposits is particularly encouraging because it reflects trust,” Chief Executive Officer Bhartesh Shah said in a statement seen by TechMoran. “Customers choose banks they believe are financially strong, well governed and committed to supporting them over the long term.”

SBM reduced its gross non-performing loan ratio to 17.3% from 32.4% a year earlier, lowering credit losses and improving profitability as the bank continued to clean up its balance sheet. The shareholders’ equity reached $85 million while its net interest income rose to $16.9 million and non-interest income increased 54% to $10.7 million due to higher transaction volumes.

Total operating income grew 35%, comfortably outpacing a 12% increase in operating expenses despite continued investment in technology and digital banking, which include enhanced Mastercard offerings, roll out of additional features on its mobile banking platforms such as the M-Fukoni app.

SBM Bank Kenya, part of Mauritius-listed SBM Holdings Ltd., is rebuilding its banking business through tighter risk management, stronger capital and greater investment in digital services. The lender said it plans to use its stronger financial position to expand lending to households, small businesses and corporates, while increasing financing for sustainable and climate-related projects as competition in Kenya’s banking sector intensifies.

Kenya Bets on Science Diplomacy as Nairobi Hosts Continental Technology Summit

Brand Voice
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Kenya Bets on Science Diplomacy as Nairobi Hosts Continental Technology Summit

Kenya is seeking to cement its position as one of Africa’s leading technology and innovation hubs with the launch of the Africa Technology Leadership Conference (ATLC) 2026.

ATLC, a high-level summit designed to connect policymakers, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs around science-driven economic growth, scheduled for October 22-23 in Nairobi, is expected to attract more than 3,500 delegates from over 30 countries.

The conference aims to help governments across the continent to look beyond digital policy frameworks toward commercialising research, attracting investment and strengthening Africa’s influence in global technology governance.

The event is being convened by the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation (SDSRI) with support from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, INVIGENCE Ltd and Twinspen Limited.

Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak said the summit comes at a time when Africa must transform science and innovation into practical tools for economic development.

“Africa has reached a pivotal moment where science, research and innovation must become strategic instruments for economic transformation and global influence,” Abdulrazak said during the launch. “The conversations we convene today must move beyond aspiration towards execution, partnership and measurable impact.”

The conference will focus on research commercialisation, technology financing, public-private partnerships and science diplomacy, bringing together government leaders, diplomats, development finance institutions, universities, venture capital firms, multinational companies and technology entrepreneurs.

Organisers say discussions will culminate in an ATLC 2026 Communiqué outlining recommendations aimed at accelerating innovation, strengthening regional collaboration and expanding investment in African research and technology ecosystems.

“For years, Africa has produced bold digital strategies and ambitious innovation agendas. Our greatest opportunity now lies in execution,” said Dr. Kenneth Rotich, Chief Executive Officer of INVIGENCE Ltd. “This conference brings together the leaders who finance, govern, build and deploy research, innovation and technology so that ideas move beyond policy documents into institutions, investments and real outcomes.”

Kenya has spent the past decade building one of Africa’s most vibrant technology ecosystems, anchored by mobile money, a growing startup sector and government investment in digital infrastructure.

Organisers believe the conference will further reinforce Nairobi’s standing as a regional centre for technology leadership, innovation investment and research collaboration.

Registration for delegates, exhibitors and strategic partners is now open, with organisers expected to announce additional speakers and programme details in the coming weeks.

Samsung Enters Consumer Finance With First-Ever Galaxy Credit Card

Jemima Mwachia
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Samsung Enters Consumer Finance With First-Ever Galaxy Credit Card

Samsung Electronics America has entered the U.S. consumer credit market with the launch of Samsung Galaxy Card, the company’s first branded credit card, marking a significant step in its ambition to become more than just a smartphone and electronics manufacturer.

Developed in partnership with Barclays US Consumer Bank and running on the Visa network, the Galaxy Card is designed to integrate seamlessly with Samsung Wallet, offering cashback rewards, digital account management and exclusive benefits for Galaxy users.

The move brings Samsung into more direct competition with Apple, whose Apple Card has become a cornerstone of its growing financial services ecosystem.

“Galaxy Card is designed to reward customers for living in the Galaxy ecosystem while providing a secure, digital-first payment experience,” Samsung said during the launch.

The card, which opens for applications on July 22, carries no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders earn 5% cashback on purchases made directly from Samsung, 3% on purchases made using Samsung Wallet, 2% on eligible streaming subscriptions and 1% on all other purchases. New customers can also receive a $200 welcome bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first three months.

Unlike conventional credit cards, Galaxy Card is built around Samsung Wallet. Users can apply for the card digitally, manage their accounts, monitor transactions, redeem rewards and receive spending insights directly within the Wallet application without requiring a separate banking app.

The launch reflects a broader trend among technology companies seeking to deepen relationships with customers by expanding into financial services. Rather than relying solely on hardware sales, firms are increasingly building ecosystems that combine devices, software, payments and subscription services into a single customer experience.

For Samsung, the strategy is particularly important as global smartphone sales mature and consumers upgrade devices less frequently. Financial services offer recurring revenue opportunities while encouraging customers to remain within the Galaxy ecosystem.

The company has spent the past several years strengthening Samsung Wallet, adding digital IDs, boarding passes, loyalty cards, car keys and payment capabilities. The introduction of Galaxy Card gives Samsung another incentive for users to adopt the Wallet as their primary digital payment platform.

Industry analysts view the move as Samsung’s strongest push yet into consumer finance. While the company has previously offered installment financing for device purchases and operated Samsung Pay, Galaxy Card represents its first fully branded credit card product in the United States.

The launch also intensifies Samsung’s rivalry with Apple beyond smartphones. Apple’s introduction of Apple Card in 2019 demonstrated that financial products can drive customer loyalty while generating new sources of revenue. Samsung is now pursuing a similar strategy, leveraging its large installed base of Galaxy users.

With hundreds of millions of Galaxy devices in use worldwide and the United States remaining one of its largest premium smartphone markets, Samsung has a substantial customer base from which to grow its financial services ambitions.

Analysts believe Galaxy Card could be the foundation for a broader suite of financial offerings in the future, potentially including installment lending, savings products, subscription bundles and other digital banking services integrated within Samsung Wallet.

As competition among smartphone manufacturers increasingly shifts from hardware specifications to ecosystem value, Samsung’s latest move signals that the next battleground may not be devices alone, but the financial services that keep customers engaged long after they purchase their phones.

BasiGo, Rubis Roll Out Public EV Fast-Charging Network to Unlock Kenya’s Intercity Electric Transport

Terryanne Koech
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BasiGo, Rubis Roll Out Public EV Fast-Charging Network to Unlock Kenya’s Intercity Electric Transport

Kenyan electric bus company BasiGo has partnered with Rubis Energy Kenya to deploy a network of public DC fast-charging stations along major transport corridors.

This move marks one of the country’s biggest efforts to address a key barrier to electric vehicle adoption: charging infrastructure..

The companies said the first charging station is now operational at the Rubis Sabaki service station in Athi River, with three additional locations in Meru, Nanyuki and Nyeri expected to begin operations before the end of July.

The rollout comes as Kenya’s electric mobility sector shifts from focusing primarily on vehicle deployment to building the infrastructure needed to support long-distance travel for buses, commercial fleets and private motorists.

Unlike many existing charging stations designed for captive fleets, the new facilities will be open to the public, serving electric buses, passenger cars, delivery vans, trucks and other compatible electric vehicles.

The Sabaki site features 100-kilowatt DC fast chargers supporting both CCS2 and GB/T charging standards, allowing most passenger electric vehicles to recharge in under an hour.

Charging will cost about KES 48 per kilowatt-hour, with the same pricing expected across the network.The partnership significantly extends BasiGo’s charging footprint beyond Nairobi, enabling electric buses to operate more efficiently on intercity routes while giving private EV owners greater confidence to travel outside the capital.

“Scaling electric mobility requires infrastructure, and that’s exactly what this partnership with Rubis is building,” said Jit Bhattacharya, BasiGo’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder. “We are creating the infrastructure that will power EV operations beyond Nairobi and connect communities across Kenya.”

BasiGo Managing Director for Kenya Moses Nderitu said the debate around electric mobility has evolved beyond consumer demand.

“The question is no longer whether operators and the public want to go electric, but whether the infrastructure is in place to support them at scale,” he said. “Every charging station deployed along key transport corridors strengthens the business case for electric mobility.”

For Rubis, the partnership represents part of a broader transition from conventional fuel retailing to integrated energy services.

Rubis Energy Kenya Managing Director Frederic Maupetit said the company is leveraging its nationwide retail network to make EV travel practical across major highways.

“This partnership between BasiGo and Rubis Energy Kenya is a pivotal step in powering Kenya’s sustainable future,” he said. Rubis Energy East and Southern Africa CEO Olivier Sabrie described Kenya as a testing ground for the company’s regional electrification strategy.

“This deal shows how Rubis is evolving from fuel distributor to full energy partner, a shift we expect to replicate across East and Southern Africa,” he said.

The agreement combines Rubis’ network of more than 300 service stations across Kenya with BasiGo’s DC fast-charging network, currently the largest dedicated electric vehicle charging network in East Africa.

Kenya has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing electric mobility markets, driven by abundant renewable electricity, government incentives and rising investment in electric buses, motorcycles and passenger vehicles. However, charging infrastructure has remained concentrated around Nairobi, limiting broader adoption and long-distance travel. By placing high-power chargers along strategic transport corridors, BasiGo and Rubis aim to reduce range anxiety while supporting commercial fleet operators looking to electrify logistics and passenger transport.

The companies said additional charging stations are planned across Kenya and eventually other East and Southern African markets as demand for electric mobility continues to grow.

Anara Backs Egyptian Healthtech Startup Reme-D in $1.45 Million Funding Round

James Musoba
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Anara Backs Egyptian Healthtech Startup Reme-D in $1.45 Million Funding Round

Egyptian health technology startup Reme-D has raised $1.45 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Anara Impact Capital, betting that locally manufactured molecular diagnostics can help close one of Africa’s biggest healthcare gaps while reducing dependence on imported testing kits.

The round, which also attracted participation from the Global Innovation Fund, Africa Health Ventures, and existing investors, will finance a tenfold expansion in manufacturing capacity, the development of new diagnostic tests for cancer and genetic diseases, and the company’s push into additional African markets.

The investment comes as healthcare startups across Africa attract growing investor interest by addressing long-standing shortages in medical infrastructure. While digital health platforms have dominated venture funding over the past decade, a new generation of companies is building local manufacturing capabilities for diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices in response to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, when global supply chain disruptions exposed the continent’s reliance on imports.

Founded in 2023 by Salma Tammam, Cairo-based Reme-D develops molecular diagnostic tests capable of detecting diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis and human papillomavirus (HPV). The company differentiates itself by producing temperature-resilient testing kits designed for use in regions where refrigeration and laboratory infrastructure remain unreliable.

The latest capital follows a $500,000 investment from the Global Innovation Fund announced in April, giving the startup additional resources to accelerate commercial production.

Since launching three years ago, Reme-D says it has developed and commercialized 30 molecular diagnostic products from its manufacturing facility in Cairo and supplied more than 550,000 tests to healthcare providers in Egypt, Kenya and Sudan. Its customers include public laboratories, hospitals, private diagnostic centers and research institutions.

The company has also filed a U.S. patent application covering its proprietary molecular diagnostic technology, reflecting ambitions to compete internationally rather than remain solely an African manufacturer.

Reme-D recently supplied a customized solar-powered mobile laboratory commissioned by the World Health Organization’s Egypt office to support the Egyptian Ministry of Health’s surveillance of vector-borne diseases in remote communities.

The fresh funding will allow the startup to relocate into a 1,500-square-meter manufacturing facility, install additional production equipment and increase manufacturing capacity by ten times. It also plans to strengthen regulatory compliance while expanding distribution across Africa and the Middle East.

“We want patients in Africa and the Global South to no longer be prevented from accessing advanced molecular diagnostics because of cost or availability,” Chief Executive Officer Salma Tammam said in a statement. “That remains our ultimate goal.”

Tammam said the company also hopes to demonstrate that advanced biotechnology can be developed and manufactured on the continent.

“We take particular pride in demonstrating what African science and African women can bring to the global business and scientific community,” she said.

For investors, Reme-D represents a broader shift toward backing businesses capable of producing healthcare technologies locally rather than relying on imported solutions.

“We were impressed by Salma and the team’s ability to combine deep scientific expertise with a practical understanding of delivering diagnostics in underserved markets,” Mohamed Hussain, Principal at Anara Impact Capital, said. “Reme-D has already demonstrated that high-quality molecular diagnostics can be developed and manufactured locally.”

The investment reflects a wider trend in African venture capital, where investors are increasingly looking beyond software to businesses building critical infrastructure in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing. While funding for African startups has slowed from the record highs of 2021 and 2022, health technology companies solving structural challenges continue to attract capital from impact investors and development finance institutions.

For Reme-D, the next phase will test whether locally produced molecular diagnostics can compete on both price and quality while expanding beyond infectious diseases into oncology and genetic testing—markets that remain largely underserved across much of Africa.

Safaricom’s M-PESA Chief Esther Waititu Resigns as Executive Shake-Up Deepens

Sam Wakoba
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Safaricom’s M-PESA Chief Esther Waititu Resigns as Executive Shake-Up Deepens

Esther Waititu, Safaricom Plc’s top executive overseeing M-PESA and its fast-growing financial services business is stepping down, extending a wave of leadership changes at East Africa’s largest telco as it doubles down on fintech and digital services.

Esther Masese Waititu, the company’s Chief Financial Services Officer, will leave Safaricom on July 31 after nearly three and a half years in the role, according to an internal memo from Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa. She is departing to pursue other opportunities, with no successor outside the company yet announced.

Esther Waititu joined Safaricom in February 2023 from KCB Group, where she led corporate banking, and was tasked with steering one of the company’s most strategic businesses, M-PESA. During her tenure, Safaricom accelerated the modernization of its mobile money platform through the rollout of its cloud-native FinTech 2.0 architecture, expanded its developer ecosystem through Daraja APIs, and introduced new investment products including Ziidi Trader, allowing customers to trade Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed shares through M-PESA.

Her exit comes as M-PESA remains the cornerstone of Safaricom’s growth strategy. The platform has evolved far beyond person-to-person transfers into savings, lending, wealth management, merchant payments and enterprise financial services, contributing an increasing share of the group’s service revenue.

Safaricom has appointed Boniface Mungania, currently Director of Public Sector Digital Transformation, as acting Chief Financial Services Officer while it conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

Waititu’s resignation is the latest in a succession of senior leadership exits that have reshaped Safaricom’s executive ranks over the past year.

Among the most notable departures is Michael Mutiga, the company’s Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer, who recently resigned after being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan. Mutiga had played a central role in Safaricom’s corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and regional expansion.

Earlier this year, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Managing Director of M-PESA Africa, also left the Safaricom-Vodacom joint venture to join Absa Group in a senior executive role, ending a tenure during which he helped oversee M-PESA’s expansion across multiple African markets. Last year also saw the exit of Cynthia Karuri–Kropac, Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer. Cynthia Karuri–Kropac, a former AT&T executive joined Safaricom on 1st September 2022 to spearhead Safaricom’s growth in the enterprise sector. With a career spanning 19 years at US telco AT&T, where she held various management and leadership roles, Before joining Safaricom, Cytnhia was a Senior Director, Enterprise Mobile and IoT Technologies from 2019 to June 2022.

At board level, Safaricom also saw the departure of independent directors Ory Okolloh and Rose Ogega in 2024 as part of wider governance changes.

While executive turnover is common among large listed companies, the clustering of departures from key strategic functions including financial services, strategy and M-PESA, marks one of the most significant leadership transitions since Peter Ndegwa became CEO in 2020.

Despite the leadership changes, Safaricom continues to execute an ambitious growth agenda centered on digital financial services, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and enterprise technology. The company has also continued expanding M-PESA’s capabilities beyond payments into investments and wealth management while growing its Ethiopian business.

Investors will now watch closely to see who takes over the financial services portfolio, one of the most influential roles within Safaricom given M-PESA’s importance to the company’s earnings and long-term strategy.

For now, Safaricom has said only that Waititu is leaving to pursue other opportunities, with no indication of her next destination.

GTBank Kenya CEO Recalled to Nigeria as Lender Begins Leadership Transition

Jemima Mwachia
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GTBank Kenya CEO Recalled to Nigeria as Lender Begins Leadership Transition

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Kenya) Limited has begun the process of appointing a new chief executive after its Managing Director, Jubril Adeniji, was recalled to parent company Guaranty Trust Bank Limited in Nigeria following the end of his tenure.

Adeniji will remain at the helm of the Kenyan subsidiary for the next 90 days to facilitate a smooth handover while the lender seeks regulatory approval for the appointment of a successor.

The leadership transition comes after a period in which GTBank Kenya said it strengthened its governance and shareholding structure, improved the quality of its earning assets, enhanced internal controls and rolled out a strategic transformation plan aimed at expanding its presence in Kenya’s competitive banking sector. The bank also invested in strengthening its leadership team and workforce to support its long-term growth ambitions.

The move reflects the succession planning common among African banking groups, where senior executives are periodically redeployed across subsidiaries to support regional operations and leadership development. GTBank Kenya is part of the GTCO Group, one of Africa’s largest financial services groups with operations across several African markets.

The bank sought to reassure customers and investors that the transition would not disrupt operations, saying it remains financially stable and committed to delivering banking services while creating sustainable value for customers, shareholders and other stakeholders.

GTBank Kenya did not identify Adeniji’s successor, saying the appointment will be announced after the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained.

Mylerz Raises $2 Million to Double Down on Egypt’s Booming E-Commerce Logistics Market

James Musoba
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Mylerz Raises $2 Million to Double Down on Egypt’s Booming E-Commerce Logistics Market

Egyptian logistics startup Mylerz has secured more than $2 million in fresh debt and equity financing from existing investors, underscoring continued confidence in the country’s e-commerce infrastructure despite a more cautious funding environment across Africa.

The round was led by Lorax Capital Partners, with participation from digital payments giant Fawry and other existing shareholders, the company said Tuesday.

The funding will be used to strengthen Mylerz’s balance sheet, improve working capital and expand fulfilment centers, delivery capacity and proprietary logistics technology as demand for online shopping and cross-border commerce continues to rise in Egypt.

“This fresh funding is a strong vote of confidence from partners who know our business well,” founder and Chief Executive Officer Samer Gharaibeh said in a statement. “Egypt remains the heart of our operations, and this capital allows us to invest with conviction in the infrastructure, technology and people that keep us delivering for our merchants and their customers every day.”

Founded in 2019, Mylerz has grown into one of Egypt’s largest independent providers of integrated e-commerce logistics, offering warehousing, fulfilment and last-mile delivery services to online retailers. Its technology platform enables merchants to manage inventory, shipments and delivery operations from a single interface while supporting same-day and next-day delivery across much of the country.

The latest investment follows the company’s $9.6 million fundraising in 2022, reflecting investors’ willingness to back businesses with established operations and clear paths to profitability rather than high-growth expansion strategies that characterized earlier venture capital cycles.

The financing comes as Egypt’s e-commerce market continues to expand, fueled by rising smartphone adoption, digital payments and growing consumer confidence in online shopping. While online retail penetration remains below more mature markets, increasing demand has created opportunities for logistics providers capable of delivering faster fulfilment and broader geographic coverage.

For Mylerz, the emphasis is on strengthening domestic infrastructure rather than pursuing regional expansion. The company plans to increase fulfilment capacity, expand its delivery network and continue investing in the technology that supports its operations.

The investment also highlights the increasingly strategic relationship between fintech and logistics in Egypt’s digital economy. Fawry’s participation signals growing interest in connecting payments, fulfilment and delivery into more integrated commerce ecosystems as merchants seek end-to-end solutions for selling online.

Across Africa, investors have become more selective following a slowdown in venture funding over the past two years, favoring companies with resilient business models, predictable revenues and tangible infrastructure assets. Logistics firms serving the continent’s expanding digital commerce sector have remained among the beneficiaries, as efficient delivery networks are widely viewed as essential to unlocking the next phase of online retail growth.

For Mylerz, the new capital provides additional resources to scale its logistics network while reinforcing a strategy centered on operational efficiency and service reliability—two factors increasingly determining success as competition intensifies in Egypt’s fast-growing e-commerce market.

Airtel Kenya to Double Retail Footprint as It Expands Network

Sam Wakoba
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Airtel Kenya to Double Retail Footprint as It Expands Network

Airtel Kenya is accelerating the expansion of its physical retail presence, opening four new customer service stores in Mombasa as part of a broader strategy to double its nationwide retail footprint by the end of the year, underscoring the telecom operator’s push to strengthen customer engagement amid intensifying competition in Kenya’s telecommunications market.

The new outlets—located at Sabasaba, Airport Centre Mall, Nyali Bazaar and Likoni—bring Airtel Kenya’s total retail network to 90 stores nationwide. The company said the branches will serve as customer experience hubs, offering SIM registration and replacement, Airtel Money support, device assistance, customer onboarding, and voice and data solutions for both consumers and businesses.

The expansion reflects Airtel’s increasing investment in physical customer touchpoints even as telecom operators continue to digitize services. The company says retail outlets remain critical for onboarding new subscribers, supporting Airtel Money users, resolving service issues and strengthening relationships with customers.

“Our customers are at the centre of everything we do,” Airtel Kenya Managing Director Djibril Tobe said during the opening of the Mombasa stores. He said the company will continue investing in retail infrastructure alongside network upgrades and digital innovation to improve accessibility and service quality across the country.

Customer Experience Director Goldermier Opiyo said expanding Airtel’s retail presence will enable the operator to provide faster, more personalized support while bringing services closer to communities.

The Coast expansion comes as Airtel Kenya continues to invest aggressively in network coverage, 4G capacity and financial services through Airtel Money in a bid to capture a larger share of Kenya’s highly competitive mobile market, where operators are increasingly competing on customer experience as much as pricing.

Physical stores also remain strategically important for regulatory requirements such as SIM registration and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, while serving as key distribution channels for smartphones, business connectivity solutions and digital financial services.

With plans to double its customer service footprint before year-end, Airtel is positioning its retail network as a key pillar of its growth strategy, complementing investments in digital platforms and network infrastructure.

The expansion signals the company’s confidence in continued subscriber growth and rising demand for in-person support despite increasing adoption of self-service digital channels.

As Kenya’s telecom sector evolves beyond traditional voice services into digital payments, enterprise connectivity and digital ecosystems, Airtel’s growing retail presence is expected to strengthen its competitiveness while improving access to customer support across underserved regions.

Samsung Brings AI, Infinity-O Display to More Kenyans With Launch of Galaxy A27 5G

Sam Wakoba
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Samsung Brings AI, Infinity-O Display to More Kenyans With Launch of Galaxy A27 5G

Samsung Electronics has expanded its mid-range smartphone lineup in Kenya with the launch of the Galaxy A27 5G, introducing a larger immersive display, enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities, and longer software support as the company intensifies competition in the affordable 5G smartphone segment.

The new device builds on the Galaxy A26 5G with a redesigned Infinity-O display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, and an expanded suite of AI-powered features aimed at bringing premium smartphone experiences to more consumers without flagship pricing.

At the heart of the Galaxy A27 5G is a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, designed to deliver smoother scrolling, gaming, and video playback. Samsung has also reduced the bezels and replaced the traditional notch with a punch-hole camera, increasing usable screen space while giving the device a more premium appearance.

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, the handset promises improved multitasking, better graphics performance, and greater power efficiency. Samsung says the chipset enables smoother app switching and gaming while supporting faster memory performance.

Photography also receives an upgrade, with the introduction of a 12-megapixel front camera designed to capture improved detail, wider dynamic range, and more natural-looking selfies across different lighting conditions.

AI Takes Center Stage

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly central to Samsung’s strategy across its smartphone portfolio, and the Galaxy A27 5G reflects that shift.

The device features an enhanced version of Circle to Search with Google, allowing users to identify multiple objects within a single image simultaneously, including clothing and accessories. Users can also virtually try on outfits directly from search results.

Samsung has also upgraded Object Eraser, enabling cleaner removal of unwanted objects from photographs, while Voice Transcription in the Voice Recorder app can now automatically translate speech as it transcribes in 22 languages, simplifying multilingual meetings and interviews.

Unlike previous Galaxy A devices, users can also choose between multiple AI assistants, including Google Gemini, Perplexity, and Samsung’s own Bixby, offering greater flexibility depending on user preferences.

Long-Term Software Commitment

Samsung continues to differentiate its Galaxy A series with extended software support, promising six generations of Android and One UI upgrades, alongside six years of security updates from the device’s initial global launch.

The phone also incorporates Samsung Knox Vault, providing hardware-based protection for sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, and biometric data.

For additional protection, Samsung is bundling the device with Samsung Care+ support and a 24-month warranty.

Pricing and Availability in Kenya

The Galaxy A27 5G is available nationwide through Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung Shop-in-Shop outlets, and authorized retailers.

The smartphone comes in Black, Blue, Light Green, and Light Pink, with recommended retail prices of:

  • 4GB RAM + 64GB storage: KES 41,300
  • 8GB RAM + 256GB storage: KES 52,500

Market Context

The Galaxy A27 5G arrives as smartphone makers increasingly compete on AI capabilities rather than raw hardware specifications. By bringing features such as AI-powered search, intelligent photo editing, multilingual transcription, and multiple AI assistants into the mid-range segment, Samsung is seeking to make advanced mobile experiences accessible to a broader customer base while strengthening its position in Kenya’s growing 5G smartphone market.

The launch also reflects Samsung’s broader strategy of extending flagship-level software support and security features beyond its premium Galaxy S lineup, an area where Android manufacturers continue to compete aggressively for customer loyalty.

Spotify Bets on Culture to Win Africa’s Next Wave of Streaming Growth

Sam Wakoba
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Spotify Bets on Culture to Win Africa’s Next Wave of Streaming Growth

When Spotify launched Greasy Tunes in Johannesburg in July 2023, it looked like an experimental pop-up marrying music and food. Three years later, after expanding to Lagos in October 2025 and Nairobi from July 15–26, 2026, the initiative has evolved into something far more strategic: a blueprint for how the world’s largest audio streaming company plans to deepen its foothold in Africa.

Rather than relying solely on playlists, algorithms and digital advertising, Spotify is investing in physical experiences that bring together musicians, podcasters, chefs, fashion brands and creators betting that cultural relevance will prove as important as technology in winning the continent’s next generation of streaming users.

The strategy comes as global streaming platforms face slowing subscriber growth in mature markets and intensifying competition for attention from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Netflix. Africa, with the world’s youngest population and rising smartphone adoption, represents one of the industry’s largest long-term growth opportunities.

“Streaming has become table stakes,” said a Nairobi-based digital media executive familiar with the creator economy. “The platforms that win will be the ones that become part of people’s everyday lives.”

Three Markets, One Strategy

Spotify’s expansion of Greasy Tunes has followed a deliberate path.

The concept debuted in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, in July 2023, before moving to Lagos in October 2025, where it featured live podcast recordings and collaborations with local creative communities under the leadership of Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. Nairobi became the third African city to host the programme, with a 12-day activation running from July 15 to July 26, 2026, at Heltz House in Ngara, Nairobi.

The Kenyan edition was developed in partnership with The BAG, one of Nairobi’s best-known nightlife and events platforms, and Jikoni Studio Nairobi, bringing together 20 events spanning music, podcasts, comedy, sport, fashion and food.

Among the featured communities were Studio 18, Blueprint, Fishermans Experience, Standup Collective, Strictly Soul, Assembly, Nakili Session, Bambika TV and Ongeza Volume, alongside live recordings of Mic Cheque Podcast and 30 Percent Podcast.

Data Before Decisions

Unlike traditional brand activations, Greasy Tunes is built on Spotify’s own listening data.

According to the company, listeners aged 18 to 24 account for 53.7% of all Spotify streams in Nairobi, compared with 44.4% in Lagos and 29.9% in Johannesburg, making Kenya’s capital one of the platform’s youngest and most engaged streaming markets in Africa.

Spotify also found that the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. period represented the largest food-related listening window for Nairobi’s Gen Z audience, accounting for 20.9% of daily listening among users in that age group.

Rather than treating those insights as internal analytics, the company transformed them into a marketing strategy centred on food.

The Greasy Tunes Café Kitchen was designed around the idea that “Nairobi’s dinner table has a soundtrack,” blending Kenyan street food with live music and community programming.

“What stands out in this data is not just that Kenyan artists dominate the dinner playlist, but that they sit naturally alongside names like Dave, Tems and Drake,” said Agnes Opondo, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for East Africa, in announcing the Nairobi activation.

Building More Than a Streaming Platform

For Spotify, the business case extends well beyond customer acquisition.

By bringing together musicians, podcasters, comedians, chefs, designers and community organisers, the company is building an ecosystem that creates value for creators, advertisers and brand partners alike.

The approach mirrors strategies employed by companies such as Nike Inc., which built global running communities around its products, and Red Bull GmbH, whose investment in sports and entertainment transformed an energy drink into a media business.

Spotify appears to be following a similar path positioning itself not merely as a streaming service, but as a cultural platform.

That distinction matters in a market where music catalogues are increasingly similar and switching costs between streaming services remain low.

Why Kenya Matters

Spotify’s increased investment in Nairobi also reflects Kenya’s growing importance within Africa’s digital economy.

The country has become a regional hub for fintech, startups, digital media and creator businesses, while Kenyan artists continue gaining visibility across East Africa and beyond.

Spotify’s own June 2026 listening data showed Kenyan artists occupying seven of the top ten most-streamed tracks among Nairobi listeners aged 18–24 during the evening dinner window, led by Ywaya Tajiri, Wakadinali, Mutoriah, Toxic Lyrikali, Sauti Sol and Njerae, alongside international acts including Dave featuring Tems, Drake, and a regional collaboration between Alikiba and Bien.

For Spotify, those trends demonstrate that local music is no longer competing against international catalogues—it is increasingly growing alongside them.

The Bigger Bet

Greasy Tunes may look like a festival. For Spotify, however, it represents something more consequential: an investment in long-term market positioning.

As technology companies increasingly compete for attention rather than downloads, the companies that shape culture may ultimately prove more resilient than those that simply distribute content.

Africa’s next wave of streaming growth may therefore depend less on who offers the biggest music library and more on who becomes most embedded in the lives of the consumers listening to it.

Uber Buys Glovo Parent Delivery Hero in $14.8 Billion Consolidation Bet

Ronald Bwire
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Uber Buys Glovo Parent Delivery Hero in $14.8 Billion Consolidation Bet

Uber has agreed to acquire German food delivery giant Delivery Hero in a $14.8 billion all-cash deal, bringing one of the world’s largest food delivery companies under its control and marking the latest wave of consolidation in the fiercely competitive global delivery market.

The acquisition will unite Uber Eats with Delivery Hero’s portfolio of brands, including Glovo, foodpanda, talabat, PedidosYa, HungerStation and Baedal Minjok. Together, the combined business will serve customers in nearly 100 countries, creating one of the largest on-demand delivery networks outside China.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

For Africa, the acquisition could prove particularly significant.

Through Glovo, Delivery Hero has established a strong presence across several African markets, including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. If the acquisition receives regulatory approval, Uber would inherit one of the continent’s largest food and grocery delivery platforms, significantly expanding its footprint beyond ride-hailing.

The transaction reflects growing pressure on delivery companies to achieve scale as the industry shifts from rapid expansion to profitability. Higher operating costs, slowing consumer spending and intense competition have pushed major players to consolidate operations and pursue efficiencies.

Uber said combining the two businesses would create a stronger platform for consumers, merchants and delivery partners by leveraging its technology, logistics network and financial resources. The company expects the merger to accelerate innovation in food delivery, grocery delivery and quick commerce while improving operational efficiency across its global markets.

To ease antitrust concerns, Delivery Hero has agreed to divest operations in several overlapping markets before the transaction closes. Competition regulators in Europe and other jurisdictions are expected to closely scrutinize the acquisition due to the combined company’s market share in food delivery.

For consumers and businesses across Africa, no immediate changes have been announced. Glovo will continue operating as usual until the transaction is completed. However, industry analysts expect Uber to eventually evaluate opportunities to integrate technology platforms, logistics operations and merchant services across its delivery businesses.

The acquisition also underscores the growing strategic importance of Africa’s digital commerce ecosystem. Rising smartphone adoption, expanding mobile payments and increasing demand for on-demand services have made the continent one of the fastest-growing markets for food delivery and quick commerce.

If approved, the transaction would give Uber a stronger foothold in a region where competition for last-mile delivery, grocery fulfilment and local commerce is expected to intensify over the coming years.

While riders, restaurants and customers are unlikely to see immediate changes, the merger could reshape Africa’s food delivery landscape, influencing pricing, merchant commissions, platform investment and competition for years to come.

Stanbic Lures Safaricom Strategist Michael Mutiga as CEO in Latest Talent Shift

Jemima Mwachia
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Stanbic Lures Safaricom Strategist Michael Mutiga as CEO in Latest Talent Shift

Stanbic Bank Kenya has appointed Safaricom Plc executive Michael Mutiga as its next chief executive officer, marking another high-profile move of senior talent from Kenya’s largest telecommunications company to the banking industry as lenders compete for executives with deep digital finance expertise.

Mutiga, who has served as Safaricom’s Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer since 2022, will assume the role on August 1, subject to regulatory approvals. He succeeds acting CEO Abraham Ongenge, who has led the lender since March following the elevation of Joshua Oigara to Chief Executive of Stanbic Holdings and Standard Bank’s East Africa regional business.

The appointment hands Stanbic one of Kenya’s most experienced corporate strategists, bringing together more than two decades across investment banking, commercial banking, mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications and digital financial services at a time when traditional lenders are increasingly repositioning themselves against fintechs and mobile money platforms.

Before joining Safaricom, Mutiga held senior leadership positions at Citibank, Standard Bank Group and KCB Group, building a career spanning corporate finance, structured transactions and strategy across Africa. At Safaricom, he oversaw corporate strategy, business development, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, sustainability initiatives and regional expansion, helping shape the company’s ambitions beyond telecommunications into financial services and enterprise technology.

His departure represents more than a leadership change.

It underscores a broader shift in Kenya’s financial sector, where banks are increasingly recruiting executives from technology companies to accelerate digital transformation, customer acquisition and embedded financial services. As mobile payments become mainstream and consumers demand seamless digital experiences, traditional banking skills alone are no longer viewed as sufficient to compete.

Stanbic said Mutiga’s appointment reflects the lender’s ambition to deepen innovation while strengthening customer-centric banking. The board expressed confidence that his experience across banking and telecommunications would help guide the institution through its next phase of growth.

For Safaricom, however, Mutiga’s exit adds to a growing list of senior executive departures that have reshaped the company’s leadership team in 2026.

Earlier this year, former M-PESA Africa Managing Director Sitoyo Lopokoiyit announced his move to Absa Group. More recently, Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Waititu disclosed she would leave the telecommunications giant at the end of July to pursue new opportunities, ending a career that spanned more than a decade at the company. Together with Mutiga’s move, the exits have raised questions over succession planning at East Africa’s most valuable listed company even as Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa continues to steer Safaricom’s expansion into Ethiopia and broader financial services.

The executive movements also highlight how Kenya’s banking sector is increasingly competing with telecommunications companies for leadership talent.

Banks have historically recruited career bankers, but the rise of mobile money and digital commerce has blurred industry boundaries. Institutions are now seeking executives capable of building ecosystems rather than simply managing balance sheets.

Mutiga arrives at Stanbic at a pivotal moment.

The bank, part of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group, has been investing heavily in digital banking, wealth management and business banking as competition intensifies from established lenders including KCB Group, Equity Group, NCBA and Absa, alongside fintech startups targeting payments, lending and merchant services.

His experience leading strategic partnerships at Safaricom could prove particularly valuable as banks pursue collaborations with technology firms instead of competing directly with them. The next battleground is expected to be integrated financial services, where payments, lending, investments, insurance and commerce are delivered through digital platforms.

Mutiga is no stranger to Stanbic’s parent group.

Earlier in his career he worked within Standard Bank, giving him familiarity with the group’s culture before moving through Citi and later joining Safaricom to replace long-serving executive Joe Ogutu as Chief Business Development and Strategy Officer in 2022.

His return to banking also reflects an emerging trend where executives who helped build Africa’s largest digital platforms are now being tapped to modernize financial institutions facing pressure from fintech innovation.

For Safaricom, replacing Mutiga may prove strategically significant.

Beyond overseeing business development, he played a central role in evaluating new investment opportunities, strategic acquisitions and partnerships as the company diversified beyond connectivity into enterprise services, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, healthcare and financial products. Finding a successor with experience spanning corporate finance, banking and technology could be challenging.

The leadership changes come as Safaricom continues to balance strong earnings from Kenya with the long-term investment required to build its Ethiopian business, one of Africa’s largest greenfield telecommunications projects.

Stanbic, meanwhile, is betting that digital expertise can translate into stronger customer growth and improved competitiveness in an increasingly technology-driven financial services landscape.

Whether Mutiga’s appointment delivers that transformation will depend on how successfully he combines the discipline of banking with the innovation culture cultivated during his four years at Safaricom.

What is already evident is that Kenya’s largest companies are no longer competing only for customers—they are increasingly competing for the executives capable of defining the future of finance itself.

Stripe and Advent Seek to Acquire PayPal in $53 Billion Deal

James Musoba
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Stripe and Advent Seek to Acquire PayPal in $53 Billion Deal

Payments giant Stripe and private equity firm Advent International have made a joint offer to acquire PayPal Holdings in a deal valued at more than $53 billion, a move that could reshape the global digital payments industry and rank among the largest technology acquisitions of the year.

According to people familiar with the matter, the consortium has offered $60.50 per share for PayPal, valuing the company at approximately $53.1 billion. The proposal reportedly includes about $50 billion in committed financing from a group of banks, underscoring the scale of the transaction and the confidence of its backers.

The offer was first submitted earlier this month after discussions between the parties that began in April. Stripe and Advent are said to be seeking to advance negotiations in the coming weeks, although there is no guarantee the talks will lead to a definitive agreement. PayPal, Stripe and Advent have declined to comment publicly on the reported discussions.

News of the proposal sent PayPal shares soaring by roughly 15% as investors welcomed the prospect of a takeover after years of slowing growth and a sharp decline in the company’s market value from its pandemic-era peak. The stock had struggled as rising competition and changing consumer spending patterns weighed on investor sentiment.

Founded in 1998, PayPal helped pioneer online payments and became one of the world’s largest fintech companies, serving more than 430 million active consumer and merchant accounts globally. However, the company has faced mounting pressure in recent years from rivals including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Block’s Cash App and newer fintech platforms, while merchants increasingly embraced modern payment infrastructure providers such as Stripe.

For Stripe, acquiring PayPal would represent a transformational expansion beyond its core merchant payments business. While Stripe has built its reputation by providing payment infrastructure for online businesses, PayPal brings one of the world’s largest consumer payments ecosystems, including Venmo, a leading peer-to-peer payments platform in the United States.

A combined company would process an estimated $3.7 trillion in annual payment volume, creating one of the largest digital payments networks globally and strengthening its position as artificial intelligence increasingly automates online commerce and digital transactions.

Industry analysts say the proposed acquisition reflects a broader wave of consolidation sweeping through the fintech sector as companies seek greater scale, stronger consumer relationships and expanded merchant services to compete in an increasingly crowded payments market.

The deal would also provide Stripe with a significant consumer presence to complement its enterprise-focused business, while giving PayPal access to Stripe’s modern developer tools, cloud-native infrastructure and fast-growing global merchant network.

Despite the strategic rationale, analysts caution that integrating two of the world’s largest payment platforms would be a complex undertaking. Regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions, technology integration and preserving customer trust are expected to be among the biggest challenges if the acquisition proceeds.

Some investors have also questioned whether the offer fully reflects PayPal’s long-term value, suggesting competing bids or an improved proposal could still emerge. Others argue the reported price represents an attractive premium given the company’s recent struggles to accelerate revenue growth and expand profitability.

If completed, the transaction would mark one of the defining fintech deals of 2026, creating a payments powerhouse with unmatched scale across both merchant services and consumer digital wallets, and potentially reshaping competition in the global financial technology industry.

Cue Raises $5 Million to Scale AI Customer Service Platform Amid Enterprise Automation Push

Sam Wakoba
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Cue Raises $5 Million to Scale AI Customer Service Platform Amid Enterprise Automation Push

Cue, an AI customer service startup, has raised $5 million in a funding round co-led by Knife Capital and FAM Investments, as businesses increasingly turn to autonomous AI agents to cut support costs while improving customer experience.

The fresh capital will fund the development of Cue’s next generation of AI agents, expand its presence beyond its core UK and South African markets, and strengthen its voice capabilities, security infrastructure and enterprise software integrations.

Founded in 2015, Cue provides a unified customer service platform that combines AI-powered agents with human support across channels including WhatsApp, webchat, email, SMS, voice and Messenger. The company says its platform serves more than 500 businesses spanning automotive, retail, financial services, insurance and education.

The funding comes as enterprises increasingly adopt generative AI to automate customer support functions that traditionally required human agents.

Cue said its annual recurring revenue (ARR) grew more than 160% year over year in its latest financial year, while its platform now processes more than 500 million customer messages and conversations annually.

“Our customers are increasingly looking for one platform rather than a collection of disconnected tools,” Chief Executive Richard Nischk said. “We’re at an inflection point for AI in customer service, where businesses want automation that can genuinely resolve customer problems, not simply respond to them.”

Unlike conventional chatbots that primarily answer questions, Cue is developing AI agents capable of completing entire customer service workflows. These include qualifying sales leads, updating customer accounts, booking appointments, checking order status and generating payment links without human intervention. When issues become more complex, conversations are transferred to human agents together with the full customer history.

The company said its current generation of AI agents can already resolve more than 60% of customer conversations autonomously, with the next generation expected to execute more complex tasks securely across multiple enterprise systems.

The investment reflects growing confidence among venture investors that AI agents will become central to enterprise software, particularly as advances in large language models improve reasoning and task execution.

“Customer service remains the lifeblood of every enduring business,” said Keet van Zyl, founding partner at Knife Capital. “As AI reshapes enterprise software, the winners will be companies that enhance human capability rather than replace it. Cue has demonstrated measurable value while building a platform capable of becoming a category leader.”

Cue plans to deploy the new funding across three areas: expanding engineering teams to build more capable autonomous AI agents and voice infrastructure; accelerating sales and marketing efforts in the UK, South Africa and new international markets; and broadening its platform with additional communication channels, enterprise integrations and analytics.

The company argues that customer service technology has historically evolved in silos, forcing businesses to manage separate systems for voice, email, messaging and social media. Its platform aims to consolidate those channels while allowing AI agents and human support teams to work together within a single interface.

As enterprises seek to balance automation with customer satisfaction, Cue is betting that hybrid AI-human support models will become the industry standard rather than fully automated systems.

The latest funding positions the company to compete in the rapidly expanding AI customer service market, where businesses are racing to deploy autonomous agents capable of resolving increasingly complex customer interactions while reducing operational costs. Cue in March 2024 raised $2 million seed round to accelerate its development of advanced AI capabilities within its customer service suite. In October the previuos year, it had raised raised $500,000 to deliver faster customer service using the next generation of LLM-powered AI models on the Cue platform.

TikTok Tightens Fight Against AI Spam as AI Labels Top 3 Billion

James Musoba
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TikTok Tightens Fight Against AI Spam as AI Labels Top 3 Billion

TikTok is stepping up its efforts to combat AI-generated spam while expanding artificial intelligence transparency and literacy initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa, as the platform says more than 3 billion videos have now been labelled as AI-generated.

Announced during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, the new measures include enhanced systems to detect AI-generated spam, an in-app AI literacy hub for users in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, and expanded partnerships aimed at helping users understand and safely use AI technologies.

The company is testing improved detection systems designed to identify accounts dedicated to posting AI-generated spam, a growing challenge as generative AI makes it easier to mass-produce low-quality and misleading content.

“AI is opening up exciting new opportunities for creativity and storytelling, but as technology evolves, it can also be misused to mass-produce spam that crowds out original creators and undermines trust,” TikTok said.

The initiative builds on the platform’s broader efforts to maintain authenticity. During the first quarter of 2026 alone, TikTok removed more than 86 million fake accounts globally as it strengthened its automated detection capabilities.

“We believe people should have context, confidence and control over their experiences with AI on TikTok. We continue to invest in technologies, partnerships and educational resources that help people spot AI-generated content, understand how it’s created, and use these tools creatively and responsibly,” said Tom Varghese, AI Lead for TikTok’s Global Public Policy team.

Alongside its efforts to curb AI spam, TikTok said it has now labelled more than 3 billion videos as AI-generated using a combination of Content Credentials, creator disclosure tools and invisible watermarking technology. The milestone comes as governments, technology companies and civil society groups increasingly push for greater transparency around AI-generated content.

To further strengthen industry standards, TikTok has joined the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) Steering Committee, where it will work with other technology companies and organisations to advance the adoption of Content Credentials and other tools designed to help people identify AI-generated media.

The company is also expanding its investment in AI education across Africa. TikTok is launching an in-app AI literacy hub for users in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, providing educational resources that help people recognise AI-generated content and understand how AI tools are used on the platform.

TikTok said it has committed more than US$4 million to its AI Literacy Fund since launching the initiative in November 2025. Through partnerships with organisations including Africa Check, Paradigm Initiative, Moxi Africa, Eveminet and Mtoto News, the programme has generated more than 200 million views, highlighting growing demand for trusted AI education across the continent.

Beyond education, TikTok is also investing in AI-powered creative tools for creators. Features such as Smart Split, AI Outline and Manage Topics are designed to help creators produce content while giving users greater control over how much AI-generated content they see.

The company highlighted creators from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa who are using AI for storytelling, education and creative production, including Tonnee Ndungu and Nyandia Gachago from Kenya, Olayemi Afolabi and Comfort Obiagbaoso from Nigeria, and Motso Mike alongside AI engineer and founder Akhil from South Africa.

The latest initiatives underscore TikTok’s broader strategy of balancing rapid AI innovation with stronger safeguards against misuse, as platforms worldwide face growing scrutiny over synthetic content, misinformation and online trust.

Tomorrow Foundation Expands 100 Million Learners Initiative to Equip Nigeria’s Youth for AI Economy

Jemima Mwachia
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Tomorrow Foundation Expands 100 Million Learners Initiative to Equip Nigeria’s Youth for AI Economy

Tomorrow Foundation has expanded its 100 Million Learners Initiative into Nigeria through a new three-year partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University, aiming to equip millions of young Nigerians with entrepreneurship, leadership and digital skills needed for an increasingly AI-driven economy.

The initiative offers free online, self-paced courses in up to 40 languages, targeting university graduates, startup founders, women, young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. Participants can progress through foundational, intermediate and graduate-level learning pathways covering entrepreneurship, business leadership and strategic management.

The expansion comes as Nigeria seeks to harness the potential of one of the world’s youngest populations. About 70% of Nigerians are under the age of 30, while an estimated 3.5 million young people enter the workforce each year, creating growing demand for digital and AI-related skills.

Tomorrow Foundation said the programme forms a key pillar of its broader AI for All initiative, which aims to prepare individuals and communities for an AI-enabled future by widening access to education and economic opportunities.

“100 Million Learners reflects Tomorrow Foundation’s mission to build future-ready societies through education, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and human capability development,” said Maggie Gu, founder of Tomorrow Foundation. “Together with our partners, we are ensuring that Nigeria’s youth do not just gain access to the future economy, but have the competency and confidence to help shape it.”

The curriculum, developed by Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University, is divided into three tracks: introductory courses lasting between 10 and 30 hours, intermediate courses of roughly 130 hours each focused on entrepreneurship and leadership, and graduate-level courses that can count toward a master’s degree.

Beyond delivering the courses, Tomorrow Foundation will oversee learner recruitment and build partnerships with government agencies, universities and youth organisations to broaden participation, particularly in underserved communities. Participants will also gain access to the foundation’s wider entrepreneurship programmes to support business creation and career development.

“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Tomorrow Foundation to expand access to world-class entrepreneurship and leadership education for learners across Nigeria,” said Samantha Alvis, executive director of the 100 Million Learners Initiative. “As digital transformation reshapes the global economy, learners need entrepreneurial, leadership and future-ready skills to thrive.”

Tomorrow Foundation said it has already supported awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement for the initiative across several African countries and is working with Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to expand participation.

The organisation said it will continue collaborating with public and private sector partners to strengthen Nigeria’s entrepreneurial talent pipeline and workforce readiness as artificial intelligence transforms industries and labour markets.

Bernard Beya Appointed CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies DRC

Ronald Bwire
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Bernard Beya Appointed CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies DRC

Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a business of Cassava Technologies, has appointed Bernard Beya as Chief Executive Officer of its Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) operations, reinforcing the company’s leadership as it accelerates investments in digital infrastructure and enterprise technology services across one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital markets.

Beya officially assumed the role on April 1, 2026, after serving as Acting CEO since November 2025. He succeeds into the position following nearly four years with the company, having joined Liquid DRC as Chief Financial Officer in September 2022.

With more than two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector, Beya is expected to spearhead Liquid’s expansion strategy in the DRC, where demand for high-speed connectivity, cloud computing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to rise among businesses, governments and consumers.

“The DRC represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities in our region, and Bernard’s appointment comes at an important moment in our journey,” said Sutha Siva, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Operating Officer at Cassava Technologies.

“His deep understanding of the local market, combined with his commitment to customer success and operational excellence, will help accelerate our ambitions to expand digital infrastructure and enable greater economic growth across the country.”

During his tenure as Acting CEO, Beya oversaw the company’s strategic, operational and commercial activities, helping strengthen its financial performance while deepening relationships with customers and partners.

“I am honoured to lead Liquid DRC’s next phase of growth,” Beya said.

“Our priority is to build on the strong operational and financial foundation we have established to deliver greater value for our customers and partners. As a business of Cassava Technologies, we can expand access to reliable connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity, colocation and AI compute for our customers. We can play a meaningful role in accelerating digital transformation for the country’s enterprises, government and communities.”

The appointment comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo intensifies efforts to digitise its economy through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital public services and technology skills development. The government’s digital transformation agenda aims to expand internet access, modernise public services and attract greater investment into the country’s growing technology ecosystem.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies has been expanding its presence across Africa by investing in fibre networks, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions, hyperscale data centres and AI-ready digital infrastructure. The company says the DRC remains a strategic market due to its large population, increasing demand for enterprise connectivity and growing digital economy.

Under Beya’s leadership, Liquid DRC is expected to deepen its role in supporting enterprises, financial institutions, governments and telecommunications operators with secure connectivity and digital infrastructure designed to accelerate economic development and digital inclusion across the country.

Canal+ Completes $3.17 Billion MultiChoice Takeover to Create Global Media Giant

James Musoba
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Canal+ Completes $3.17 Billion MultiChoice Takeover to Create Global Media Giant

Canal+ has completed its $3.17 billion acquisition of MultiChoice Group, finalizing one of Africa’s largest media transactions and positioning the French broadcaster to expand its footprint across the continent’s fast-growing television and streaming markets

The deal, which values South Africa-based MultiChoice at about R55 billion ($3.17 billion), follows more than two years of regulatory reviews and shareholder approvals. Canal+ acquired the remaining shares it did not already own at R125 apiece, making MultiChoice a wholly owned subsidiary.

The combined company will operate across 70 countries, serving more than 40 million subscribers through brands including DStv, GOtv, Showmax and SuperSport, alongside Canal+’s pay television and streaming platforms in Europe and French-speaking Africa.

The acquisition brings together Canal+’s strong presence in Francophone Africa with MultiChoice’s dominance in English-speaking markets, creating one of the world’s largest media groups by geographic reach. Executives say the enlarged business will be better positioned to compete against global streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video while increasing investment in locally produced African content.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for MultiChoice,” Canal+ Africa and MultiChoice Chief Executive Officer David Mignot said in a statement, adding that the combined company would use its expanded scale to accelerate growth and strengthen its content offering.

The transaction required an extensive restructuring to comply with South Africa’s broadcasting laws, which restrict foreign ownership of commercial broadcasting licences. MultiChoice separated its domestic broadcasting licence into an independently controlled entity, allowing Canal+ to complete the acquisition while meeting regulatory requirements.

The takeover concludes Canal+’s gradual investment in MultiChoice that began in 2020. The French company steadily increased its holding before triggering a mandatory takeover offer after exceeding the threshold requiring it to bid for the remaining shares.

Canal+ expects the combination to generate more than €400 million ($470 million) in annual synergies over the coming years through shared content procurement, technology integration and operational efficiencies. The company has also said the merger will strengthen its direct-to-consumer streaming strategy as viewing habits continue shifting from traditional pay television to digital platforms.

For MultiChoice, the deal comes as Africa’s largest pay-TV operator faces slowing subscriber growth, currency volatility in several key markets and intensifying competition from global streaming services. The company has increasingly shifted its strategy toward streaming platform Showmax while continuing to invest heavily in sports broadcasting and locally produced programming to retain subscribers.

The acquisition gives Canal+ a stronger platform to pursue long-term growth in Africa, where rising internet penetration, expanding broadband infrastructure and a young population are expected to drive demand for digital entertainment despite ongoing economic headwinds in several markets.

With the transaction complete, Canal+ will focus on integrating operations while maintaining MultiChoice’s portfolio of consumer brands, betting that greater scale and deeper investment in premium content will strengthen its competitive position in one of the world’s fastest-growing media markets.

Apple Sues OpenAI, Former Engineers Over Alleged Theft of Hardware Trade Secrets

Ronald Bwire
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Apple Sues OpenAI, Former Engineers Over Alleged Theft of Hardware Trade Secrets

Apple has sued OpenAI and two former Apple engineers, accusing the artificial intelligence company of benefiting from the alleged theft of confidential hardware trade secrets as it accelerates its push into consumer devices, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between two companies that have also been strategic partners.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. federal court on July 10, alleges that former Apple executives Tang Tan and Chang Liu improperly retained and transferred proprietary information related to Apple’s hardware development and global supply chain before joining OpenAI. Apple claims the information could provide an unfair advantage as OpenAI expands beyond software into AI-powered consumer hardware.

The case does not involve OpenAI’s large language models or ChatGPT technology. Instead, Apple’s complaint centers on confidential engineering documents, product development processes and supply chain information that it says constitute valuable trade secrets developed over years of research and investment.

According to the lawsuit, Apple alleges that the two former employees took sensitive internal information before leaving the company and that OpenAI either encouraged the acquisition of the materials or knowingly benefited from them while recruiting Apple engineers for its growing hardware division.

OpenAI has denied the allegations.

The company said it develops its products independently and has no interest in obtaining or using competitors’ proprietary information. OpenAI said it intends to vigorously defend itself against Apple’s claims in court.

The legal battle underscores the rapidly shifting competitive landscape in artificial intelligence, where leading technology companies are increasingly competing not only in software but also in consumer hardware designed around generative AI.

The dispute is particularly significant because Apple and OpenAI have maintained a high-profile commercial partnership. Since 2024, Apple has integrated ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence, allowing users to access OpenAI’s conversational AI capabilities across iPhone, iPad and Mac devices for certain requests.

While that partnership remains in place, OpenAI has been investing heavily in building dedicated AI hardware, hiring engineers with expertise in industrial design, product engineering and manufacturing. Those ambitions have increasingly positioned the company as a potential competitor to Apple in next-generation consumer devices.

Industry analysts say the lawsuit highlights how competition for experienced hardware engineers has intensified as AI companies race to build products that move beyond smartphones and traditional computers. Talent recruitment has become one of the industry’s biggest competitive battlegrounds, with companies offering lucrative compensation packages to attract engineers from rivals.

Trade secret disputes involving departing employees have become increasingly common across Silicon Valley, particularly in industries where proprietary manufacturing techniques, supply chain strategies and product roadmaps represent critical competitive advantages.

For Apple, protecting confidential product development information has long been central to its business strategy. The company is known for maintaining strict internal secrecy around future products, manufacturing partners and engineering processes.

Legal experts note that Apple’s filing represents allegations that have yet to be tested in court. To succeed, Apple will need to demonstrate that legally protected trade secrets were misappropriated and that OpenAI knowingly used or benefited from the confidential information.

The litigation is expected to proceed through months of discovery, during which both sides could be required to produce internal communications, engineering records and recruitment documents. A trial, if the case is not settled beforehand, could still be years away.

The outcome could have broader implications for the fast-growing AI hardware sector, where established consumer electronics companies and AI startups are increasingly converging in the race to define the next generation of intelligent devices.

Spotify Data Shows Nairobi’s Gen Z Is Africa’s Most Active Streaming Audience

Sam Wakoba
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Spotify Data Shows Nairobi’s Gen Z Is Africa’s Most Active Streaming Audience

Spotify’s latest listening data for June 2026 shows the 18–24 age group accounted for 53.7% of all streams in Nairobi, the highest share among the three African cities analysed by the streaming platform. The same demographic generated 44.4% of streams in Lagos and 29.9% in Johannesburg, highlighting Nairobi as one of Spotify’s youngest and most engaged urban markets on the continent.

The figures, released ahead of Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Nairobi programme scheduled for July 15–26, suggest Kenya’s Gen Z is broadening its listening habits rather than rallying around a single dominant genre.

The data also shows that more than half of all Spotify streams in Nairobi now come from listeners aged between 18 and 24, underscoring Kenya’s growing role in Africa’s digital entertainment economy as Gen Z embraces an increasingly diverse mix of music genres and podcasts.

Dancehall emerged as the fastest-growing genre among Kenyan listeners aged 18 to 24, recording 95% year-on-year growth. Tanzania’s bongo flava followed with a 75% increase, while Nairobi-born gengetone expanded by 48%.

One of the report’s more notable findings is the continued growth of gospel music among young listeners. Gospel streams increased 37% year on year, about six times the growth recorded by drill music at 6% pointing to a listening culture that increasingly blends faith-based and mainstream entertainment rather than treating them as separate audiences.

South African genre amapiano maintained its momentum in Kenya with 34% growth, while Afrobeats, R&B and afropop also posted gains of 25%, 28% and 21%, respectively.

Rather than replacing one genre with another, the data suggests streaming is enabling young listeners to consume a broader range of music simultaneously, reflecting the personalized, on-demand nature of digital platforms.

Spotify’s data also highlights a widening generational gap in music preferences. Among Kenyan listeners aged 18 to 24, deep house, jazz, classic country and Congolese rumba all attracted proportionally fewer streams than they did among the broader listening population.

The report offers insight into how streaming is becoming embedded throughout the day. Nearly 40% of Gen Z listening takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., while another 30.5% occurs between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Even during the early morning hours of 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., listeners aged 18 to 24 account for 55% of all Spotify streams in Nairobi.

The data also points to growing demand for spoken-word content. Nairobi’s Gen Z podcast audience is 2.5 times larger than Lagos’ and 1.7 times larger than Johannesburg’s, with Arts, Society & Culture, Comedy and Health & Fitness emerging as the leading podcast categories.

For Spotify, the figures reinforce Kenya’s importance as a key digital entertainment market where young consumers are driving engagement across both music and podcasts. The country’s youthful, mobile-first audience has made streaming an increasingly central part of everyday entertainment, creating opportunities for artists, creators and advertisers seeking to reach digitally connected consumers.

“Greasy Tunes Nairobi brings the data to life by showing how young Kenyans actually listen: across genres, across formats, and across the social moments that shape the city,” said Agnes Opondo, Artist and Label Partnerships for East Africa at Spotify. “Over 12 days, we are creating space for artists, communities, food, conversation and sound to meet in one programme, reflecting Nairobi’s energy as a culture hub where music is not just streamed, but experienced together.”

The latest figures reinforce Nairobi’s position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing streaming markets, where Gen Z is not only driving overall consumption but also shaping a more diverse, multi-genre digital listening culture.

India Halts WhatsApp Username Rollout Over Cyber Fraud Concerns

Jemima Mwachia
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India Halts WhatsApp Username Rollout Over Cyber Fraud Concerns

India has suspended the rollout of Meta Platforms Inc.’s planned WhatsApp username feature, raising fresh questions about how messaging platforms balance user privacy with growing concerns over online fraud in one of the company’s largest markets.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has put the launch on hold while it reviews Meta’s response to concerns that usernames, which would allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, could become a new tool for cybercriminals posing as businesses, government agencies or trusted individuals.

The move represents one of the first major regulatory interventions targeting username-based messaging systems and underscores India’s increasingly assertive oversight of digital platforms as online scams continue to surge.

WhatsApp’s proposed feature is designed to let users create unique usernames, similar to those used on Telegram, Signal and other messaging platforms. By replacing phone numbers with usernames in certain interactions, the feature aims to strengthen user privacy while making it easier to connect with others.

Indian authorities, however, fear that the same functionality could enable fraudsters to create deceptive identities that appear legitimate, making phishing attacks and impersonation scams more difficult for users to detect.

Officials are particularly concerned about scams involving fake customer support agents, government representatives and so-called “digital arrest” schemes, where criminals impersonate law enforcement officers to extort money from victims.

The ministry has asked Meta to demonstrate how the company intends to verify usernames, prevent impersonation and rapidly remove fraudulent accounts before approving the feature’s launch. Meta has submitted its response, which is currently under review.

The delay affects a market of more than 850 million WhatsApp users, making India the platform’s largest user base globally and an important testing ground for new features. These might also lead to similar moves across Africa where Whatsapp is making inroads.

For Meta, the pause highlights the growing regulatory scrutiny facing technology companies as governments seek greater accountability over identity verification, fraud prevention and user safety. The company has increasingly positioned WhatsApp as a platform that prioritizes privacy through end-to-end encryption and features designed to reduce the exposure of personal information.

Industry analysts say the dispute illustrates the challenge facing messaging services worldwide. While usernames can enhance privacy by eliminating the need to share phone numbers, they also introduce new identity risks unless backed by robust verification systems and effective moderation.

The outcome of India’s review could have implications beyond WhatsApp. Authorities are reportedly assessing whether similar username systems offered by competing messaging platforms, including Telegram and Signal, should be subject to comparable safeguards, potentially establishing a broader regulatory framework for digital identity on messaging applications.

A prolonged suspension could delay one of WhatsApp’s most anticipated privacy features and influence how Meta rolls out similar capabilities in other jurisdictions where regulators are placing greater emphasis on combating cyber fraud without compromising user privacy.

The decision adds to a growing list of regulatory hurdles confronting global technology companies as governments seek tighter oversight of digital services that have become central to communication, commerce and financial transactions.

Airtel Africa Targets 5,000 Connected Schools by 2027 in Push to Narrow Digital Divide

Ronald Bwire
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Airtel Africa Targets 5,000 Connected Schools by 2027 in Push to Narrow Digital Divide

Airtel Africa Plc is expanding its digital education ambitions across the continent, pledging to connect 5,000 schools to free internet access by 2027 as the telecommunications operator deepens its investment in digital inclusion and workforce development.

The initiative, delivered through the Airtel Africa Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, builds on a $57 million collaboration launched in 2021 that has already connected 3,296 schools across Africa. The programme has provided more than two million students and approximately 40,000 teachers with internet-enabled learning opportunities, while zero-rating 64 educational platforms accessed by over 11 million users at no cost.

Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar announced the expanded target during a visit to St. Monica’s Girls School in Lusaka, Zambia, one of more than 300 schools already benefiting from the initiative in the country.

The announcement underscores how African telecom operators are increasingly positioning themselves as digital infrastructure providers extending beyond traditional voice and data services into education, financial inclusion and broader socioeconomic development.

“Students are accessing best-in-class education from the curriculum developed by UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and provided through Airtel’s connectivity,” Taldar said. The company is also training teachers to integrate digital tools into classroom instruction, helping improve learning outcomes while extending connectivity to underserved communities.

The initiative comes as governments across Africa accelerate efforts to digitize education systems, particularly in rural areas where limited internet access continues to widen learning inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in digital education infrastructure, prompting greater collaboration between governments, development agencies and private-sector technology providers.

According to Airtel Africa, the School Connection programme now operates in 13 countries: Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The programme combines broadband connectivity with teacher training and access to curriculum-aligned digital learning resources.

Education leaders in Zambia say the impact is already visible.

St. Monica’s Girls School Headmistress Sr. Matilda Soloko said students have been able to strengthen their studies through the online learning portal since the school was connected during the programme’s initial rollout. UNICEF Zambia Country Representative Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah added that the partnership is helping bridge educational inequality by ensuring children can continue learning regardless of their location or pace of study.

Officials at Zambia’s Ministry of Education also welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the role of public-private partnerships in expanding digital learning capacity. Director of Secondary Education Yvonne Mwemba Chuulu said students are now able to continue accessing educational content from home, complementing classroom instruction through blended learning.

For Airtel Africa, the programme also reinforces its broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda. The Airtel Africa Foundation focuses on four strategic pillars: education, digital inclusion, financial inclusion and environmental sustainability. While the company has traditionally competed on mobile connectivity and mobile money services, initiatives such as School Connection strengthen its social impact credentials across its 14 African markets.

The expanded commitment reflects growing recognition that internet connectivity has become an essential component of modern education, particularly as digital skills become increasingly important for Africa’s young and rapidly growing population. By providing schools with free internet access, zero-rated educational content and teacher training, Airtel Africa aims to help narrow the continent’s digital divide while creating a stronger foundation for future economic participation.

If achieved, connecting 5,000 schools by 2027 would mark one of the continent’s largest telecom-led digital education initiatives, extending online learning opportunities to millions more students across sub-Saharan Africa.

Samsung Brings AI-Powered Mini LED TVs to Kenya

Sam Wakoba
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Samsung Brings AI-Powered Mini LED TVs to Kenya

Samsung Electronics East Africa has unveiled its 2026 television lineup in Kenya, introducing a new generation of AI-powered Mini LED TVs as the technology giant doubles down on premium home entertainment and intelligent viewing experiences in one of East Africa’s fastest-growing consumer electronics markets.

The launch brings Samsung’s latest display innovations to Kenyan consumers, with the company positioning artificial intelligence, larger screens and enhanced picture quality as the next phase of television evolution.

The new Mini LED range combines Samsung’s Vision AI platform with advanced display and audio technologies, enabling televisions to automatically optimize content, respond to user queries and deliver personalized entertainment experiences.

“Consumers are no longer looking for televisions that simply display content,” said Samuel Odhiambo, Head of Consumer Electronics Business – Kenya at Samsung Electronics East Africa. “They want intelligent devices that enhance how they watch sports, movies and play games. Our 2026 TV lineup brings together larger screens, AI-powered intelligence and breakthrough display technologies to create more immersive and personalized viewing experiences.”

AI Becomes the Centerpiece

Samsung’s latest televisions place artificial intelligence at the heart of the viewing experience through the introduction of the new Vision AI Companion.

Rather than functioning solely as a display, the television becomes an interactive assistant capable of answering users’ questions in real time, helping viewers discover content and access information directly from the screen.

The new lineup also introduces AI Soccer Mode, which uses content recognition to automatically identify football broadcasts before optimizing both picture and sound settings to recreate the atmosphere of watching a match inside a stadium.

For gamers and sports enthusiasts, Samsung has equipped the televisions with Motion Xcelerator 144Hz technology, designed to minimize motion blur and deliver smoother performance during fast-paced action, live sporting events and next-generation gaming.

Mini LED Technology Expands

At the center of the launch is Samsung’s new Mini LED television range, available in the M80H and M70H series.

Unlike conventional LED televisions, Mini LED technology utilizes thousands of microscopic LEDs that allow significantly more precise control of backlighting. The result is brighter highlights, deeper blacks, improved contrast and greater overall picture accuracy.

The televisions also incorporate AI-powered picture enhancement that continuously analyzes scenes in real time to optimize brightness, sharpness and color reproduction, creating a more lifelike viewing experience regardless of the content being watched.

By introducing Mini LED across multiple screen sizes, Samsung is seeking to make its premium display technology accessible to a wider range of consumers while strengthening its position in the upper segment of Kenya’s television market.

Two Decades of Market Leadership

The Kenya launch coincides with Samsung celebrating 20 consecutive years as the world’s leading television brand, a position built through sustained investment in display technologies and connected consumer experiences.

Over the past two decades, Samsung has introduced several major innovations—including Quantum Dot displays, Neo QLED technology, Vision AI and Samsung Knox security—that have reshaped the modern television from a passive display into a connected smart home device.

The company says it is now extending artificial intelligence across its television portfolio, making premium features available across more product categories and screen sizes rather than limiting them to flagship models.

Premium Portfolio to Expand Further

Samsung also confirmed it will expand its premium television portfolio in Kenya later this September with the introduction of its next-generation Micro RGB TV.

The upcoming model is expected to showcase Samsung’s latest display technology, offering higher colour accuracy, greater brightness and enhanced picture precision aimed at consumers seeking the highest-end home entertainment experience.

The announcement signals Samsung’s continued investment in Kenya as a strategic market for premium consumer electronics, even as manufacturers increasingly compete through software intelligence and AI-driven experiences alongside advances in display hardware.

With the introduction of its 2026 Mini LED lineup, Samsung is positioning artificial intelligence—not simply higher resolution—as the defining feature of the next generation of televisions. As consumers increasingly expect connected, adaptive and personalized entertainment experiences, the company is betting that the future of the living room will be powered as much by intelligent software as by cutting-edge display technology.

Apple Commits Over $30 Billion to Broadcom in U.S. Chip Supply Deal Through 2031

Ronald Bwire
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Apple Commits Over $30 Billion to Broadcom in U.S. Chip Supply Deal Through 2031

Apple Inc. has agreed to spend more than $30 billion on semiconductor components from Broadcom Inc. through 2031, expanding a long-term partnership that underscores the iPhone maker’s growing commitment to U.S. manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

The multi-year agreement covers film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filters, radio-frequency chips that enable wireless connectivity across Apple’s ecosystem of devices. The companies said they have been jointly developing the components since at least 2023.

The announcement sent Broadcom shares up more than 4% in trading, while Apple stock was little changed, reflecting investor confidence in Broadcom’s long-term revenue visibility from one of its largest customers.

As part of the agreement, Broadcom will invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, increasing domestic production capacity for advanced wireless components. Apple said the partnership is expected to result in the manufacture of at least 15 billion chips over the life of the contract.

“The cutting-edge components built in Fort Collins are essential to delivering the incredible performance and connectivity our customers expect, and we’re proud to deepen our investments in U.S.-based suppliers that share our commitment to excellence and innovation,” Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in a statement.

The deal reinforces Apple’s strategy of localising more of its semiconductor supply chain as geopolitical tensions and government incentives continue to reshape global chip manufacturing. While Apple remains heavily dependent on manufacturing partners across Asia for device assembly, it has steadily increased investments in U.S.-based suppliers and production capabilities.

The agreement also aligns with broader efforts by Washington to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing through public incentives and private-sector investment. Apple said the partnership will support high-skilled manufacturing jobs while strengthening the resilience of its supply chain.

For Broadcom, the contract provides another significant long-term revenue stream beyond its diversified portfolio of networking, broadband, enterprise software and custom silicon businesses. The company has increasingly positioned itself as a strategic supplier to hyperscalers and major technology firms developing advanced AI infrastructure and next-generation connectivity solutions.

The latest commitment builds on Apple’s wider U.S. investment plans. In August 2025, the company increased its domestic investment pledge to $600 billion over four years, adding $100 billion to an earlier commitment. The spending spans manufacturing, research and development, engineering, silicon design and advanced production capabilities across the United States.

The Broadcom agreement highlights how leading technology companies are continuing to deepen investments in domestic semiconductor production as demand for high-performance chips accelerates across smartphones, artificial intelligence and connected devices. For Apple, securing a reliable supply of critical wireless components is becoming increasingly important as its products incorporate more advanced connectivity technologies and on-device AI capabilities.

Jobtech Alliance Invests in Kenya’s Fuzu and Kyosk to Back AI Employment and Informal Retail Growth

James Musoba
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Jobtech Alliance Invests in Kenya’s Fuzu and Kyosk to Back AI Employment and Informal Retail Growth

The Jobtech Alliance has expanded its investment portfolio in Africa with new investments in Kenyan startups Fuzu Ltd and Kyosk, doubling down on businesses positioned at the intersection of digital employment, artificial intelligence and informal commerce.

Financial terms of the investments were not disclosed.

The investments underscore the alliance’s evolving strategy from ecosystem building and technical support to direct capital deployment in startups addressing structural challenges in Africa’s labour markets and informal economy.

Led by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, the Jobtech Alliance has increasingly backed technology companies creating jobs, improving productivity and expanding economic opportunity. Previous investments have included Nigerian commerce platform Bumpa, logistics startup Flowcart and social commerce company Twiva.

Fuzu pivots deeper into AI-enabled digital work

Fuzu, founded more than a decade ago as an online career development and recruitment platform, has increasingly repositioned itself around digital work infrastructure as demand for AI-related services accelerates globally.

Rather than operating solely as a traditional employment marketplace, the company now manages distributed teams providing AI data operations, model evaluation and quality assurance services for international clients.

The investment comes shortly after the Jobtech Alliance released its Digital Work Sector Scan, which examined the growing role artificial intelligence is expected to play in reshaping digital employment opportunities across Africa.

Over the next six months, the alliance said it will support Fuzu’s international customer acquisition efforts, strengthen the market positioning of its Fuzu Atlas platform and help the company expand into higher-value AI services.

The move reflects growing investor interest in African companies that can supply skilled digital labour to global AI developers, particularly in areas such as data annotation, model testing and human-in-the-loop evaluation.

Kyosk strengthens informal retail ecosystem

The alliance also invested in Kyosk, one of East Africa’s largest business-to-business commerce platforms serving informal retailers.

Kyosk currently works with more than 200,000 retailers across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria, enabling shopkeepers to source inventory digitally while accessing logistics, payments and other business services.

The investment aligns with the Jobtech Alliance’s microenterprise strategy, which focuses on businesses helping informal merchants improve efficiency and profitability.

According to the alliance, Kyosk’s transition toward leaner warehouse operations and improved route-level economics demonstrates increasing operational discipline as the company continues scaling its distribution network.

By addressing persistent challenges such as inventory availability, reliable deliveries and repeat purchasing, the platform aims to improve the resilience of Africa’s vast informal retail sector.

Expanding investment mandate

The latest investments highlight the Jobtech Alliance’s broader ambition to catalyse businesses capable of creating sustainable employment while improving productivity across key sectors of African economies.

As artificial intelligence transforms global work and digital platforms reshape informal commerce, the alliance appears to be positioning its portfolio around companies with scalable models that connect African workers and entrepreneurs to larger economic opportunities.

For Fuzu, that means expanding Africa’s role in the global AI value chain. For Kyosk, it means strengthening the supply chains that underpin millions of small retailers across the continent.

South African Fintech Float Expands to UK After Four Years of Domestic Growth

Sam Wakoba
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South African Fintech Float Expands to UK After Four Years of Domestic Growth

Float, a South African buy-now-pay-later fintech, has launched in the United Kingdom, marking its first international expansion as it seeks to replicate a model that allows credit card holders to split purchases into monthly instalments without taking on new debt.

Founded in South Africa four years ago, Float has built its business around a card-linked instalment product that enables shoppers to spread payments using their existing credit card limits, rather than applying for new credit. The company said the model has been adopted by more than 2,200 merchants in South Africa, where participating businesses have recorded an average 134% increase in order values based on Float’s internal merchant data.

The UK launch follows several merchant partnerships secured ahead of the official rollout, positioning Float to enter one of Europe’s largest e-commerce and consumer payments markets.

Unlike traditional buy-now-pay-later providers that extend separate lines of credit, Float integrates with existing credit cards, allowing consumers to convert eligible purchases into monthly instalments while keeping the same card and credit limit. The company says the service does not charge additional interest or fees beyond the terms of the customer’s existing credit card agreement.

The expansion represents a significant milestone for the Cape Town-founded fintech as it begins exporting a payments model developed in South Africa to international markets. The move also reflects growing confidence among African fintech firms seeking growth opportunities beyond their home markets after establishing product-market fit domestically.

Float said the UK rollout is part of its broader ambition to redefine how consumers use credit cards by giving shoppers greater flexibility while helping merchants increase basket sizes and conversion rates.

The company cautioned that performance metrics achieved in South Africa may not necessarily be replicated in the UK market, where merchant and consumer behaviour differ.

Kenyan Rapper tg.blk Named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist for July

Brand Voice
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Kenyan Rapper tg.blk Named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Artist for July

Kenyan rapper, singer and producer tg.blk has been selected as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for July, the latest recognition for an independent musician who has become one of East Africa’s leading voices in alternative hip-hop.

The Mombasa-born artist, whose real name is Nyathigi Gatere, joins Spotify’s initiative spotlighting women musicians across Africa, a programme designed to expand their visibility and connect them with audiences beyond their home markets.

tg.blk began producing music independently in her bedroom using GarageBand before honing her songwriting and production skills while studying in the United States. She returned to Kenya and built a following through self-produced releases that blend rap, lo-fi production, R&B and soul.

Her breakthrough came with the 2021 single Love Being Used, which amassed millions of streams and introduced her emotionally driven, introspective style to a wider audience. She has since expanded her catalogue with projects including the 2024 EP ITS NOT THAT DEEP and songs such as gin and wine, cementing her reputation as one of Kenya’s emerging alternative artists.

“tg.blk represents the fresh, daring and authentic spirit that is propelling the East African alternative music scene forward,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Through the EQUAL programme, we are proud to celebrate her unique artistic perspective, her technical independence as a producer and her inspiring commitment to vulnerability.”

For tg.blk, the recognition validates a career largely built outside the traditional music industry.

“Being part of the EQUAL programme means so much to me because I built so much of my journey online, and I often feel disconnected from opportunities like this,” she said. “It’s incredibly affirming, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

She also encouraged more women to pursue music, saying the digital era has reshaped opportunities for female artists.

“Now is the time for women musicians. The power is in your hands, and people want to hear from you. The internet has opened up so many opportunities for us,” she said.

In an interview released alongside the announcement, tg.blk described her music as “a blend of rap, R&B and soul” characterised by textured production and vocal experimentation. She cited Zimbabwean music icon Oliver Mtukudzi, Kenyan benga legend Joseph Kamaru, South African singer Brenda Fassie and Kenya’s Ogopa Deejays as among the artists who shaped her musical tastes growing up.

Spotify’s EQUAL programme forms part of the streaming platform’s broader effort to improve representation of women in the music industry through editorial support, marketing campaigns and international exposure.

Avenews Expands Working-Capital Financing in Western Kenya Through Paves Vetagro Partnership

Sam Wakoba
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Avenews Expands Working-Capital Financing in Western Kenya Through Paves Vetagro Partnership

Avenews, a Kenyan agricultural fintech lender, has partnered with distributor Paves Vetagro Ltd to expand working-capital financing for agro-dealers and stockists across Western Kenya, deepening efforts to ease liquidity constraints in one of the country’s busiest agricultural trading corridors.

The partnership targets agribusinesses operating across Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Siaya and neighboring counties, where seasonal demand for farm inputs, livestock products and grain creates recurring financing needs. By embedding credit within existing distribution networks, the companies aim to help businesses replenish inventory, strengthen supplier relationships and meet peak trading demand.

Western Kenya is among the country’s largest agricultural marketplaces, with billions of shillings worth of cereals, livestock, veterinary products and farm inputs moving through commercial hubs such as Kitale, Bungoma and Kakamega each season. Despite robust demand, many small and medium-sized distributors continue to face working-capital shortages that limit their ability to expand.

“Most businesses already have customers and reliable suppliers. What slows them down is cash flow,” Emmanuel Murai, Avenews’ Business Development Director, said during the partnership launch in Kitale. “Our financing gives them the liquidity to stock up when opportunities arise. As they repay, they qualify for additional financing, creating a continuous cycle that supports business growth.”

Founded more than two decades ago, Paves Vetagro has established itself as one of Western Kenya’s largest agricultural distributors, supplying crop protection products, seeds, fertilizers, animal health products, animal feeds and farm equipment through an extensive dealer network. The company said its regional footprint positions it to extend financing solutions to businesses that have historically struggled to access formal credit.

The financing will support enterprises across cereals, dairy, poultry, livestock, horticulture and animal health value chains, allowing merchants to increase purchasing power without disrupting cash flow during seasonal procurement cycles.

The agreement reflects a broader shift in Kenya’s agricultural finance sector toward embedded lending models, where financing is delivered through trusted distributors and supply-chain partners rather than traditional banking channels. Such models allow lenders to leverage existing commercial relationships while improving access to credit for small and medium-sized agribusinesses.

The Kitale initiative forms part of Avenews’ nationwide expansion strategy, with the company planning further engagements across Western Kenya in July as it seeks to onboard more stockists and distributors. Insights gathered from the region will also inform the company’s expansion into other high-potential agricultural markets across Kenya.

Established in 2017, Avenews focuses on financing agricultural SMEs through partnerships with distributors, aggregators and other ecosystem players. The company says its model is designed to help address Africa’s estimated $65 billion agribusiness financing gap by improving access to working capital for businesses operating along agricultural value chains.

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