Home Blog Page 9

Bernard Beya Appointed CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies DRC

Ronald Bwire
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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.

Flutterwave Partners Xoom, a PayPal Service to Enable Direct Money Transfers to Nigeria

Ronald Bwire
-
0
Flutterwave Partners Xoom, a PayPal Service to Enable Direct Money Transfers to Nigeria

Flutterwave, a Nigerian payments technology firm, has partnered with Xoom, PayPal’s international digital money transfer service, to enable fast transfers into Nigeria.

The deal connects Xoom’s global network with Flutterwave’s local payout infrastructure, allowing users globally to send funds directly into Nigerian bank accounts with improved speed and efficiency.

Under this relationship, Xoom transfers are converted by Flutterwave and settled locally in NGN. This helps enable quick transfers directly into recipients’ bank accounts at Access Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank PLC, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, and additional participating banks across Nigeria

“We’re excited to have been chosen by Xoom for their Nigeria expansion,” said Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave. ” Millions of Nigerians rely on money from abroad to support everyday needs, whether it’s families receiving help from loved ones, freelancers getting paid for their work, or individuals earning income from the global economy. This helps make it easy and more reliable for people in Nigeria to receive funds and stay connected to opportunities beyond borders. “

Just yesterday, Flutterwave secured an investment from Circle Ventures to expand USDC-powered payments and settlement across Africa starting with Nigeria, the leading remittance recipient in Sub-Saharan Africa. Receiving over $20 billion in personal remittances in 2024. Despite this figures, receiving international payments has historically remained complex due to FX constraints and settlement delays in Nigeria. This collaboration helps address those challenges in a market of more than 232 million people, where the ICT sector is projected to contribute 21% of GDP by 2027.  

By combining Xoom’s expansive reach with Flutterwave’s local compliance and banking partnerships, the two companies are providing a more accessible financial corridor for the continent.

Xoom, a PayPal service, enables consumers to send money, pay bills, and reload phones for friends and family in approximately 160 markets globally. As part of PayPal’s global payments ecosystem, Xoom leverages advanced fraud protection, compliance capabilities, and a trusted global network to help millions of customers move money quickly and securely across borders. Xoom continues to expand its global footprint by strengthening local partnerships and enhancing digital-first cross-border payment experiences.

Keyper Secures $11 Million Led by Speedinvest to Expand UAE Rental Finance Platform

James Musoba
-
0
Keyper Secures $11 Million Led by Speedinvest to Expand UAE Rental Finance Platform

Keyper, a UAE startup that lets tenants pay rent monthly while landlords receive annual payments upfront, has raised $11 million in Series A funding as it scales a platform targeting one of the Gulf’s largest yet least-digitized financial markets.

The round was led by Speedinvest and included NeoVentures, the corporate venture capital arm of Mashreq Bank, alongside Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Dubai Future District Fund, Property Finder, Arab National Bank, Ellington Properties, Dar Ventures and Abbey Road Investment Group, the company said Thursday.

The equity raise follows a previously announced $30 million sukuk financing facility from Franklin Templeton, giving Keyper additional capital to fund rent advances while expanding its suite of financial products.

Founded in 2022 by Omar Abu Innab and Walid Al Saqqaf, Keyper is betting that the UAE’s rental market is ripe for modernization. While tenants in many countries pay rent monthly, renters across much of the UAE are still expected to settle annual leases using one to four post-dated cheques. Keyper bridges that gap by paying landlords upfront and allowing tenants to spread payments into monthly installments through its digital platform.

The company has evolved beyond rent financing into what it describes as an operating system for residential real estate, integrating rent payments, property management software and embedded financial services for landlords and property managers.

The fresh capital will be used to expand its monthly rent payments platform, deepen adoption among institutional landlords and large residential portfolios, introduce financing and liquidity products for property owners, and broaden its digital real estate ecosystem.

Keyper says it has financed more than $44 million in rental payments since launch, with $19 million processed in the first half of 2026 alone. Its platform now supports more than 10,500 residential properties valued at over $6 billion, serves around 4,000 landlords, and has surpassed 100,000 app downloads.

The company has also secured partnerships with the Dubai Land Department, Abu Dhabi Advanced Real Estate Services (ADRES), Property Finder, Visa and Mashreq, positioning itself within broader government and private-sector efforts to digitize the country’s housing market.

The investment underscores growing investor interest in fintech-enabled real estate infrastructure across the Gulf, where digital payment adoption continues to reshape traditionally manual sectors.

Rather than focusing solely on tenant convenience, investors increasingly see rental payment platforms as gateways to larger financial opportunities. Once recurring rental cash flows become digital and predictable, they can support lending, securitization and institutional investment products tied to residential property income.

“Today, the Keyper platform brings together payments, financing and property management, solving real problems for all sides of the market,” Rana Abdel Latif, a partner at Speedinvest, said in a statement.

ANB Capital Chief Executive Officer Khalid S. Alghamdi said Dubai recorded more than AED100 billion ($27.2 billion) in tenancy contracts last year, yet most rental payments are still made through post-dated cheques.

“This is not a rent app,” Alghamdi said. “It is the infrastructure layer for residential real estate, and whoever owns those rails will sit at the centre of how an entire market pays, borrows and invests against its homes.”

For Keyper, the latest funding provides both growth capital and strategic backing from investors spanning banking, venture capital, real estate development and property marketplaces—positioning the startup to compete for a larger share of the UAE’s rapidly digitizing property market.

Koko Networks’ Ethanol Platform Goes Up for Sale as Administrators Seek Buyers After Collapse

Ronald Bwire
-
0
Koko Networks’ Ethanol Platform Goes Up for Sale as Administrators Seek Buyers After Collapse

The core assets of Koko Networks, once one of Africa’s most ambitious clean-energy startups, have been put up for sale as administrators seek buyers for its ethanol cooking technology, manufacturing operations and fuel distribution platform following the company’s collapse.

The sale process represents an attempt to recover value from a venture that raised more than $100 million from investors and spent years building what it described as a carbon-financed clean cooking utility for low-income households in Kenya.

According to a public request for expressions of interest issued by administrators and liquidators in Mauritius and India, buyers are being sought for an integrated package of assets including Koko’s ethanol cooking intellectual property, hardware and software designs, patents, a stove and canister manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat, India, as well as its ethanol fuel retail and distribution platform.

Interested parties are required to demonstrate the financial ability to complete a transaction exceeding $15 million, according to the sale notice. The figure represents a qualification threshold for potential bidders rather than a confirmed valuation of the assets.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is acting as transaction adviser, with interested buyers expected to request formal sale documentation before the deadline for participation.

Koko Networks built its business around replacing charcoal and other traditional cooking fuels with bioethanol, using a technology-driven distribution model that included thousands of automated fuel dispensing points known as KokoPoints. At its peak, the company said its network served approximately 1.5 million households in Kenya.

The company attracted backing from major climate and development investors, including funds linked to Microsoft and development finance institutions, based on a model that combined clean cooking access with revenue from carbon credits.

That model collapsed after Koko failed to secure regulatory approval required to transfer carbon credits internationally, disrupting access to higher-value carbon markets that were central to the company’s economics.

The funding challenge forced Koko to halt operations earlier this year, with hundreds of employees losing their jobs as the company entered administration.

The asset sale now underway is focused on creditor recovery rather than a business relaunch. Secured lenders that provided financing against Koko’s assets are expected to have priority claims over proceeds from any transaction.

The collapse has become a significant case study for investors in Africa’s climate-tech sector, highlighting the risks facing businesses that depend on carbon markets, regulatory approvals and emerging climate-finance mechanisms.

For potential buyers, the challenge will be determining whether Koko’s technology can succeed under a different ownership structure, in another market, or through a business model that is less dependent on carbon credit revenues.

The outcome of the sale will determine whether Koko’s decade-long investment in clean cooking infrastructure becomes a recoverable technology platform or a cautionary example of the risks involved in building climate businesses around uncertain policy frameworks.

ILO, Microsoft & Power Learn Project Launch Digital Skills Initiative for 1,700 Refugees

Ronald Bwire
-
0
ILO, Microsoft & Power Learn Project Launch Digital Skills Initiative for 1,700 Refugees

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with Power Learn Project Africa, Microsoft and the Turkana County Government, has launched a digital skills programme targeting 1,700 young people from refugee and host communities in Turkana and Garissa counties.

The initiative, supported by the Government of the Netherlands through the PROSPECTS Partnership, aims to equip participants with market-ready digital skills, globally recognised Microsoft certifications and pathways into employment, entrepreneurship and remote work.

The 25-week blended learning programme will be delivered by Power Learn Project through a network of local digital hubs, community-based organisations, refugee-led organisations and local implementation partners. Up to 1,000 Microsoft certification vouchers will also be provided, allowing learners to earn credentials in areas aligned with growing labour market demand.

The programme comes as Kenya’s digital economy continues to expand, with projections indicating it could contribute $5.1 billion to the country’s GDP by 2028. However, employers continue to report shortages of job-ready digital talent, while youth unemployment remains high despite more than one million young people entering the labour market annually.

Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office for Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, said digital transformation is reshaping labour markets faster than many vulnerable communities can adapt.

“For young people in refugee-hosting communities, the risk is not simply being left behind—it is being excluded from opportunities that are increasingly defining economic participation across every sector,” she said.

“The ILO is committed to ensuring that technological change advances decent work, rights at work and inclusive labour market participation.”

The curriculum will be offered through two learning tracks. An intermediate programme will focus on foundational digital and workplace skills, while an advanced track will cover cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics, preparing learners for Microsoft certification pathways.

Winnie Karanu, AI Skills Director at Microsoft Elevate, said the partnership seeks to bridge the gap between training and employment.

“Digital skills are the foundation for inclusive growth, but access remains uneven, particularly in underserved communities,” she said.

“By connecting learners to globally recognised certification and real pathways into employment, we are helping ensure more people can participate meaningfully in Kenya’s digital economy.”

Power Learn Project said the programme aligns with its mission of expanding access to technology careers for underserved youth across Africa.

“Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not,” said Mumbi Ndung’u, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Power Learn Project Africa.

“This partnership allows us to bring digital opportunity closer to refugee and host community youth who have too often been excluded from the systems that shape the future of work.”

Beyond technical training, graduates will receive career readiness support, employer connections and entrepreneurship guidance designed to help them transition into jobs, remote work opportunities and other income-generating activities.

The programme also supports Kenya’s broader goals of advancing digital transformation, promoting youth employment, strengthening refugee inclusion and fostering equitable regional development.

The initiative is being implemented under the PROSPECTS Partnership, a multi-year programme funded by the Government of the Netherlands that brings together the ILO, UNICEF, UNHCR, IFC and the World Bank to improve education, skills development, economic inclusion and social protection for forcibly displaced people and their host communities.

Carry1st Brings Africa Cup 2026 East Africa Regional Finals to Nairobi

Ronald Bwire
-
0
Carry1st Brings Africa Cup 2026 East Africa Regional Finals to Nairobi

Carry1st will host the East Africa Regional Finals of the Carry1st Africa Cup 2026 in Nairobi on July 26, bringing together the region’s top Call of Duty: Mobile teams to compete for a place at Africa’s biggest mobile esports championship.

The one-day event, to be held at the Homeboyz Institute of Technology, marks the culmination of online qualifiers that have been running across East Africa since June. The winning team will advance to the Carry1st Africa Cup Grand Finals in Abuja, Nigeria, on September 5–6, where they will compete for a share of the tournament’s $30,000 prize pool—the largest prize pool for a mobile first-person shooter esports tournament in Africa—and an opportunity to represent the continent at the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship.

The Carry1st Africa Cup has quickly established itself as Africa’s premier mobile esports competition and serves as the official African qualifier for the global championship. Beyond identifying the continent’s best players, the tournament is helping build a sustainable esports ecosystem by creating opportunities for professional gamers, content creators, broadcasters, and gaming communities.

The tournament’s growth reflects the increasing popularity of mobile gaming across Africa, driven by greater smartphone adoption, expanding internet connectivity, and a young, digitally connected population. According to Carry1st, the 2025 edition reached more than 57 million people and generated over 332,000 livestream views, demonstrating the growing commercial potential of esports on the continent.

Now in its third year, the Africa Cup has expanded beyond competitive gaming into a broader entertainment platform. Carry1st has complemented the tournament with original content, including a documentary series and a bi-weekly esports podcast, aimed at showcasing African gaming talent and deepening engagement with fans throughout the year.

For Nairobi, hosting the regional finals further strengthens Kenya’s position as one of East Africa’s leading technology and digital innovation hubs, while highlighting the country’s growing role in Africa’s gaming and creator economy.

The July 26 finals are expected to attract leading players, gaming enthusiasts, creators, and industry stakeholders as East Africa’s best teams battle for a coveted place on Africa’s biggest mobile esports stage.

Launch Africa Ventures Exits Peach Payments Stake Through Secondary Sale to 27four

James Musoba
-
0
Launch Africa Ventures Exits Peach Payments Stake Through Secondary Sale to 27four

Pan-African venture capital firm Launch Africa Ventures has exited its exposure to African payments company Peach Payments through a secondary transaction with 27four, underscoring the growing importance of secondary deals in Africa’s maturing venture capital ecosystem.

The transaction sees Launch Africa sell its secondary exposure in Peach Payments to 27four’s Nebula Fund, providing the South African asset manager with exposure to one of the continent’s fastest-growing fintech companies while allowing an early-stage investor to realize liquidity and recycle capital into new startups.

Launch Africa is one of Africa’s most active early-stage venture capital firms, backing more than 180 startups across two funds. The firm first invested in Peach Payments during the company’s seed round in 2021, before the Cape Town-based fintech went on to raise a US$31 million Series A funding round in 2023.

Founded in 2012, Peach Payments has evolved from a payment gateway focused on small businesses in South Africa into a broader payments infrastructure provider serving merchants of all sizes across nine African markets. The company offers payment acceptance, processing, reconciliation and merchant enablement services, with operations spanning South Africa, Kenya and Mauritius.

For 27four, the acquisition aligns with the investment strategy of its Nebula Fund, launched in 2023 to invest in high-growth, technology-enabled businesses across Africa.

“This transaction gives the 27four Nebula Fund exposure to a category-defining African fintech business through a secondary opportunity with Launch Africa Ventures,” said Tishanya Naidoo, principal at 27four.

“Peach Payments has built critical payments infrastructure for merchants operating in increasingly digital and cross-border markets. We see strong alignment between the company’s growth trajectory and our mandate to back scalable, technology-enabled businesses across Africa.”

Naidoo said secondary transactions are becoming an increasingly important feature of Africa’s venture capital landscape as startups mature and investors seek liquidity.

“They allow early investors to realise liquidity while giving later-stage investors the opportunity to support proven companies entering their next phase of growth. Peach Payments is a strong example of the type of African technology growth story we want to be exposed to,” she said.

For Launch Africa, the transaction represents more than a portfolio exit. The firm believes a healthy secondary market is essential to attracting more institutional capital into African startups.

“As a specialist early-stage VC fund, the importance of secondary liquidity in African venture capital cannot be emphasised enough as a means to justify greater participation from both LPs and angel investors alike in the recycling of capital into a rapidly maturing venture ecosystem,” said Zachariah George, co-founder and managing partner of Launch Africa Ventures.

George noted that Launch Africa was the first pan-African venture fund to back Peach Payments during its seed stage and has witnessed the company’s transformation from a regional payment gateway into a continental fintech infrastructure provider serving merchants across multiple African markets.

The deal reflects a broader shift in African venture capital, where secondary transactions are emerging as a key mechanism for providing liquidity to early investors without requiring portfolio companies to pursue acquisitions or public listings. As the continent’s startup ecosystem matures, such transactions are expected to play an increasingly significant role in recycling capital and broadening participation from institutional investors seeking exposure to high-growth African technology businesses.

IFC Backs Airtel Africa With $150 Million to Expand Mobile Networks Across Africa

Ronald Bwire
-
0
IFC Backs Airtel Africa With $150 Million to Expand Mobile Networks Across Africa

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has extended a $150 million loan to two subsidiaries of Airtel Africa to accelerate the expansion and modernization of mobile network infrastructure across the continent, in a move aimed at boosting digital inclusion, job creation, and economic growth.

The financing will enable Airtel Africa to expand coverage and increase network capacity in underserved communities over the coming years, improving access to high-speed mobile data for millions of people. The investment is expected to strengthen connectivity for small businesses, entrepreneurs, students, and workers who increasingly rely on digital services to participate in the economy.

The investment builds on a longstanding partnership between IFC and Airtel Africa focused on expanding reliable internet access across Africa. Improved connectivity is expected to enhance productivity across sectors while supporting livelihoods ranging from mobile money agents and online merchants to informal service providers.

“Our ongoing partnership with IFC is helping us advance the expansion and modernization of our network, a core pillar of our long-term strategy,” said Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa.

He said the financing aligns with the company’s ambition to accelerate digital inclusion by expanding access to digital tools and services while creating greater economic opportunities for individuals and communities.

According to IFC, expanding digital infrastructure is increasingly becoming a catalyst for employment and inclusive economic development.

“Expanding digital connectivity is ultimately about expanding opportunity,” said Dan Croft, Acting Regional Manager for Infrastructure in Eastern Africa at IFC.

“Stronger networks help businesses reach new customers, enable workers to access wider markets, and connect young people to skills and services that shape their future. Through IFC’s partnership with Airtel Africa, we are supporting infrastructure that translates connectivity into jobs, inclusion, and sustained growth across Airtel Africa’s markets,” he added.

Beyond the latest loan, IFC said its continued support—including longer-tenor and local-currency financing—will strengthen Airtel Africa’s capacity to invest sustainably while delivering long-term impact across its markets.

Expanding reliable digital infrastructure remains a key pillar of IFC’s strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa, where improved connectivity is viewed as critical to enabling entrepreneurship, supporting businesses, and creating employment opportunities.

Over the past decade, IFC has committed and mobilized more than $12 billion in investments across telecommunications, media, and technology sectors in emerging markets.

Airtel Africa operates telecommunications and mobile money services in 14 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, offering voice, data, and digital financial services to millions of customers as it seeks to deepen financial and digital inclusion across the region.

Samsung Bets on AI Foldables With July 22 Galaxy Unpacked Event in London

Jemima Mwachia
-
0
Samsung Bets on AI Foldables With July 22 Galaxy Unpacked Event in London

Samsung Electronics Co. will unveil its next generation of Galaxy devices on July 22 in London as the world’s largest smartphone maker seeks to strengthen its leadership in foldable smartphones and expand the role of artificial intelligence across its mobile ecosystem.

The company announced Wednesday that its latest Galaxy Unpacked event, themed “A New Shape Unfolds,” will showcase new additions to its Galaxy portfolio, promising a combination of AI-powered software and redesigned hardware aimed at delivering more personalized and adaptive user experiences.

The event will be streamed globally from London beginning at 2:00 p.m. BST (4:00 p.m. East Africa Time).

While Samsung stopped short of naming the devices it plans to launch, the invitation strongly signals the debut of its latest foldable smartphones, continuing a product category the South Korean technology giant helped pioneer and has dominated for several years.

The launch comes as smartphone manufacturers increasingly shift their focus from hardware specifications to artificial intelligence, with AI becoming the primary battleground for premium devices. Samsung has been among the industry’s early movers, integrating Galaxy AI features across its flagship smartphones through partnerships and its own on-device AI capabilities.

The company said the next generation of Galaxy devices will combine “intelligent capabilities with innovative form factors,” underscoring its strategy of using AI to differentiate its premium smartphone lineup while making foldable devices more practical for everyday use.

Samsung faces growing competition in the foldable market from Chinese manufacturers including Honor, Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi, which have introduced thinner, lighter and increasingly sophisticated foldable devices over the past year. At the same time, Apple continues to invest heavily in AI capabilities, intensifying competition in the broader premium smartphone segment despite not yet offering a foldable iPhone.

Industry analysts expect Samsung to refresh its flagship foldable lineup with successors to the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, alongside enhanced Galaxy AI features and potential updates to its wearable ecosystem.

The July event marks Samsung’s second major Galaxy Unpacked showcase of 2026 and is expected to set the tone for the company’s premium mobile strategy during the second half of the year as consumers increasingly demand AI capabilities alongside innovative hardware.

Consumers can register their interest through Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked website ahead of the launch to receive event updates, teasers and eligible pre-order offers.

Flutterwave Gets Circle Ventures Backing to Accelerate USDC Settlement Across Africa

Ronald Bwire
-
0
Flutterwave Gets Circle Ventures Backing to Accelerate USDC Settlement Across Africa

Flutterwave has secured a strategic investment from Circle Ventures to expand USDC-powered payments and settlement across Africa, as the continent’s largest fintechs race to capitalize on growing demand for faster and cheaper cross-border transactions using stablecoins.

The investment, whose value was not disclosed, will enable the Nigerian-founded payments company to integrate USDC settlement directly into its existing payments infrastructure, allowing merchants to accept payments in local currencies while settling transactions in the dollar-backed stablecoin.

The deal follows Flutterwave’s participation in the launch of the Circle Payments Network in 2025 and deepens its relationship with Circle Internet Group, the issuer of USDC.

The move comes as businesses across Africa increasingly turn to stablecoins to reduce foreign exchange volatility, lower remittance costs and bypass delays associated with traditional correspondent banking networks.

“Stablecoins like USDC are no longer an experiment; they are becoming core financial infrastructure,” Flutterwave Founder and Chief Executive Officer Olugbenga “GB” Agboola said in a statement. “By embedding USDC settlement into our current payments infrastructure, we are building a system that lets businesses move money at the speed of the internet.”

Flutterwave said businesses using its platform will be able to collect payments through existing methods—including bank transfers, cards and mobile money—while settling in USDC, giving merchants greater flexibility in managing cross-border transactions and treasury operations.

The company said the infrastructure will operate within existing regulatory and compliance frameworks, enabling blockchain-based settlement without requiring businesses to overhaul their current payment systems.

Global stablecoin circulation has now surpassed $300 billion, according to Flutterwave, with Africa emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for adoption as businesses seek alternatives to costly international payment rails.

The investment strengthens Flutterwave’s strategy of becoming a multi-rail payments platform by combining traditional payment methods with blockchain-based settlement, positioning the company to benefit from increasing institutional adoption of digital dollars across emerging markets.

Founded in 2016, Flutterwave has processed more than 1 billion transactions worth over $50 billion and operates payment infrastructure in 34 African countries. Its customers include Uber, Air Peace, Bamboo and PiggyVest, while its Send App enables remittances from the African diaspora to recipients across the continent.

The investment adds to growing institutional backing for stablecoin infrastructure globally as financial technology firms seek to modernize cross-border payments and reduce settlement times from days to near-instant transactions.

How Automation Is Transforming Modern Supply Chain Management

James Musoba
-
0
How Automation Is Transforming Modern Supply Chain Management

Have you ever wondered what if your warehouse operations move goods without human intervention? Automated dispatch tools reduce manual labor errors? Automated digital invoice auditing and automated transfers? That’s where AI & Innovation enters in supply chain management!

Modern supply chains involve multiple interconnected stages from procurement and manufacturing to distribution and delivery. This approach not only boosts productivity but also helps companies stay competitive by adapting to shifts in customer demand and market conditions.

What Is Supply Chain Automation

Supply chain automation includes the connected systems, rule-based workflows, and real-time data to manage supply chain activities with minimal manual intervention. Supply automation reduces manual processes with coordinated digital execution ensuring that orders, inventory, production, and logistics stay aligned as conditions change.

Instead of reacting to problems after they occur, automated supply chains are designed to prevent errors, surface expectations early, and keep materials and information flowing accurately across the organization.

But you must be still thinking how it works in practical terms, automation means:

  • Customer demand is received electronically and processed instantly 
  • Inventory is updated in real time as material moves
  • Shipping and labeling are validated before a truck leaves the dock
  • Expectations are flagged automatically instead of discovered after the fact

Why Businesses Are Adopting Automation 

Do you know? Automation reduces processing and operational errors by as much as 70%. And 68% of businesses report enhanced data accuracy after adopting automation. This shift allows organizations to optimize performance, accelerate time-to-insight and maintain competitiveness in a digital landscape.

Automation in logistics and supply chain management typically spans multiple functional areas, including:

  • Automating inbound customer orders, releases, and schedule changes to eliminate manual rekeying and misinterpretation.
  • Real-time visibility into raw material, WIP, and finished goods across warehouses.
  • Synchronizing demand with production schedules and material availability.
  • Automatically generating compliant labels, validating shipments, and crafting accurate advanced shipment notifications.
  • Automating purchase orders, supplier releases, and inbound ASNs to improve collaboration and performance.

Now, let’s move further and know the key technologies powering supply chain automation.

Key Technologies Powering Supply Chain Automation

Supply chain automation is a coordinated digital ecosystem where advanced software and physical systems manage processes from end-to-end. Let’s look for the core technologies are the foundation of modern automated supply chains:

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML)

AI is transforming physical activities by virtue of capabilities such as Physical AI and Agentic AI, which go further than offering mere insights to planning and executing activities. This technology also recognizes disturbances, plans delivery paths, and optimizes facility layouts. 

Internet of Things (IoT)

A live look into how things are going in the world of goods. IoT sensors keep track of location, temperature, humidity, and condition of products and enable predictive maintenance of commercial vehicles.

Robotics

Speeds up picking, sorting, and packing without sacrificing accuracy. The industry is rapidly adopting polyfunctional robots that can take on multiple tasks, alleviating the pressures of labor shortages.

Robotic Process Automation 

Drastically cuts down on human errors and manual data entry. It is widely used to automatically process invoices, check orders, and schedule shipments.

Cloud Computing 

The key foundation upon which data sets throughout the supply chain are collected, analyzed, and disseminated. Serves to link the ERP systems and WMS systems around the world.

Blockchain

Tackles the problem of trust and transparency through provision of an unalterable record of movement of data and products. This ensures that there is an accurate record of provenance of products enabling tracing their origin and movement.

Benefits of Supply Chain Automation 

Lets know the supply chain automation advantages.

Improved Operational Efficiency 

Automation eliminates the need for repetitive and manual entry of data, thus reducing the errors that cause loss of sales and product return. Through the use of Oracle NetSuite and packing automation, savings are realized in labor and carrying costs.

Reduced Human Errors

Manual interventions can be reduced with automated machinery and equipment like dispatching tools. 

Faster Order FulFillment 

Automated moving can help to move faster and release workload from human 

Final Thoughts

Automation is redefining modern supply chains by making operations faster, smarter, and more resilient. From Supply Chain Automation and Automated Supply Chain Management to AI in Supply Chain Management businesses are embracing innovative technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs. With Logistics Automation Solutions, Warehouse Automation Technology, and AI-powered Supply Chain Solutions, companies can achieve better Supply Chain Optimization while adapting to changing customer demands. As Intelligent Supply Chain Systems continue to evolve, the Benefits of Supply Chain Automation will only grow, making Automation in Logistics and Warehousing a key driver of success. Looking ahead, the Future of Supply Chain Automation in 2026 will be shaped by smarter technologies and stronger Digital Supply Chain Transformation Strategies, helping organizations build more agile and competitive supply chains.

STEM Students Must Be Ready for an AI-Driven Job Market

Brand Voice
-
0
STEM Students Must Be Ready for an AI-Driven Job Market

The fastest-growing companies today are not waiting for the future. They are already using Artificial Intelligence to make better decisions, move faster, reduce costs, and find new opportunities. AI is helping teams work smarter, respond quickly to market changes, and improve how they serve customers.

This should make us ask a serious question: how are we preparing young learners, especially STEM students in high school, to use AI tools before they enter the job market? If these learners are the future engineers, scientists, health workers, data analysts, innovators, and business leaders, then AI readiness must become part of their training today.

Kenya has long supported the UN and AU goals of industrial growth through STEM education. The country has also set a target of having 60% of learners in senior school go through the STEM pathway. This ambition is reflected in the new Competency Based Education model, where STEM is one of the three specialised pathways and the only pathway that every senior school is expected to offer.

This is a good and necessary goal. STEM careers will continue to shape many sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, health, energy, finance, education, and technology. However, the real test is not whether we have strong targets on paper. The real test is whether our learners are being prepared for the world of work as it is changing.

The concerns around the transition to CBE are already known. Many schools are still struggling with limited infrastructure, inadequate teacher training, and funding challenges. These issues must be addressed. But beyond them, we must also ask whether our education system is keeping pace with the rapid changes taking place in the workplace.

AI is no longer just a buzzword. It is quickly becoming a basic workplace skill. Many employers are now looking for people who can use AI tools to improve productivity, analyse information, solve problems, and support faster decision-making. It is no longer enough for a young person to say they can use a computer. Increasingly, they must show that they can use digital tools, including AI, in a responsible and practical way.

This is especially important for STEM students. A student interested in engineering should learn how AI can support design, testing, and problem-solving. A student interested in health sciences should understand how AI can help with research and data analysis. A student in agriculture should see how AI can support crop planning, weather prediction, and better use of resources. These are not distant ideas. They are already becoming part of modern work.

The biggest workplace gains will come from employees who can combine technical knowledge with AI tools. These are the people who will help organisations make quicker decisions, reduce delays, improve operations, and create better solutions. If our STEM students are not exposed to AI early, they may enter the job market with strong classroom knowledge but weak workplace readiness.

This is where our curriculum must go further. Learners should not only be introduced to AI tools, but also taught how to use them well. They should learn how to ask clear questions, write good prompts, check the accuracy of AI responses, compare information from different sources, and protect private or confidential data. 

Just as important, learners must understand that AI is not a replacement for thinking. It is a tool that supports thinking. Students must still learn the core principles of science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. They must be able to question AI-generated answers and use their own knowledge to judge whether the output makes sense.

Teachers also need to be supported. It is not enough to train teachers in basic ICT skills. They need practical training in AI use, data privacy, data management, critical thinking, and risk awareness. A teacher who understands AI is better placed to guide learners on both the benefits and the dangers of using these tools.

By the time today’s high school learners enter the job market, AI skills may be as basic as word processing and spreadsheet skills are today. This means schools must begin preparing them now. AI should not be treated as an optional extra or a skill reserved for university students. It should become part of how STEM learners are prepared for work, innovation, and problem-solving.

However, AI readiness should not be limited to technical skills. Our education system must also continue to build communication, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and ethical judgment. The future worker will not only need to know how to use AI. They will also need to explain ideas clearly, work well with others, question results, and make responsible decisions.

Kenya’s STEM ambition is important. But ambition must be matched with delivery. If we want our young people to compete in a changing world, we must prepare them for the tools, skills, and expectations of the modern workplace.

The future job market will reward learners who can think, adapt, and use technology to solve real problems. STEM education gives Kenya a strong foundation. AI readiness can make that foundation even stronger. The time to prepare our learners is not tomorrow. It is now.

Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) National Director – Dr. Eng. Victor M. Mwongera

Swedfund Increases Investment in TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund With Additional $5 Million

James Musoba
-
0
Swedfund Increases Investment in TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund With Additional $5 Million

Swedfund Increases Investment in TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund With Additional $5 Million

Swedish development finance institution Swedfund has committed an additional US$5 million to the TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund II (TLG II), increasing its total investment in the fund to US$20 million as it seeks to expand access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

The latest commitment comes as part of TLG II’s second fundraising close alongside Proparco, Calvert Impact Capital, and several existing investors.

SMEs remain a key driver of employment and economic growth across the continent but continue to face limited access to affordable, long-term financing. Many businesses with strong growth potential struggle to secure loans that match their financing needs, limiting expansion and job creation.

Swedfund said the additional capital will help bridge this financing gap by enabling TLG II to provide flexible credit solutions that support business growth while preserving existing jobs and creating new employment opportunities.

“Through our continued engagement with TLG II, Swedfund helps address an important financing gap for SMEs in Africa. Flexible and tailored credit solutions can support viable companies with temporary liquidity needs, helping to preserve jobs while enabling businesses to recover, grow and create new decent employment opportunities,” said Jonas Tornblad, Investment Manager at Swedfund.

TLG II provides flexible, long-term debt financing to SMEs backed by guarantees issued by partner banks. This model enables the fund to offer loans with longer tenors and more affordable interest rates, giving businesses the financial flexibility to stabilize operations, invest in growth and create sustainable employment.

Swedfund first invested US$15 million in TLG II in 2025. The latest US$5 million commitment brings its total investment in the fund to US$20 million, reinforcing its strategy of supporting private sector development, financial inclusion and sustainable job creation across Africa.

The investment is expected to improve access to finance for underserved SMEs while strengthening local economies through increased employment, resilient businesses and inclusive economic growth.

NCBA, African Guarantee Fund Commit $5 Million to Scale Women-Led Businesses

Ronald Bwire
-
0
NCBA, African Guarantee Fund Commit $5 Million to Scale Women-Led Businesses

NCBA Bank and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) have reaffirmed their commitment to financing women-led businesses through the NCBA AFAWA Women Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs) Acceleration Programme, targeting USD5 million in funding for participating enterprises.

The commitment was announced during the programme’s final investment pitching event, where 32 women entrepreneurs presented their business expansion plans to an investment panel comprising representatives from NCBA, AGF, Unga Group and the SME Support Centre.

The initiative forms part of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), an initiative by the African Development Bank aimed at closing the estimated USD42–49 billion financing gap facing women entrepreneurs across Africa.

The acceleration programme, delivered in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund, equips women-owned businesses with mentorship, business development support, market access opportunities and financing solutions to help them scale sustainably.

According to NCBA, the programme has supported 82 women-owned SMEs across two cohorts. Businesses represented span Kenya’s agricultural value chains, including cereals, poultry, coffee, avocados, mushrooms, bananas, fish farming, animal feeds, macadamia, seedlings and value-added food processing.

The bank said the programme has already unlocked USD1.365 million in financing, with the broader goal of mobilising USD5 million for participating enterprises.

Linda Onyango, Chief Executive Officer of the SME Support Centre, said the programme was designed to prepare entrepreneurs for long-term business success rather than simply improving access to credit.

“Our role has been to equip these women entrepreneurs with the practical skills, confidence and strategic mindset needed to build resilient businesses. Throughout the programme, we’ve worked closely with them to strengthen their governance, financial management, business planning and pitching capabilities so that when they seek investment, they are truly investment ready.”

Speaking during the event, Dennis Njau, NCBA Group Director for Retail Banking, said the initiative aligns with the bank’s “Banking on Belief: Empowering Ambitions” strategy.

“At NCBA, we believe every ambition matters. Through our Banking on Belief strategy, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs with not only the capital they need to grow, but also the skills, networks and confidence to build resilient businesses.”

Ann Mwangi of the African Guarantee Fund said the programme was intentionally designed to create a pipeline of investment-ready women-owned businesses capable of accessing formal financing.

Beyond financing, the initiative also supports NCBA’s “Change the Story” agenda by addressing both financial and non-financial barriers that have historically limited the growth of women-owned enterprises.

The programme brings together the African Guarantee Fund, AFAWA, the SME Support Centre, Unga Group and NCBA Group, combining business acceleration, mentorship, market linkages and financial solutions to strengthen women-led enterprises across Kenya.

NCBA said the partnership reflects the Ubuntu philosophy of collaborative development, creating an ecosystem that enables entrepreneurs to access knowledge, networks and capital needed for sustainable growth.

Microsoft Launches Frontier Company With $2.5 Billion AI Investment

James Musoba
-
0
Microsoft Launches Frontier Company With $2.5 Billion AI Investment

Microsoft has launched Microsoft Frontier Company, a new AI engineering and enterprise transformation business designed to help organizations build and scale artificial intelligence systems across their operations.

The company said it will invest $2.5 billion into the initiative and deploy 6,000 engineers and industry specialists to work directly with customers. The teams will help businesses co-design, deploy and continuously improve AI systems with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes and return on investment.

Unlike a traditional product launch, Microsoft Frontier Company is being positioned as an operating business that combines AI engineering expertise, industry knowledge and change management capabilities. The goal is to help organizations integrate AI into core business processes while refining systems over time.

Microsoft said the initiative will also focus on protecting customer data and intellectual property, emphasizing that a company’s proprietary information and competitive advantages will remain under its control.

The company added that customers will be able to use a range of AI models, including systems from OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft AI, open-source models and industry-specific models, rather than being tied to a single provider.

Rodrigo Kede Lima will lead Microsoft Frontier Company as president. Microsoft said early work with customers including London Stock Exchange Group, Land O’Lakes, Unilever and Novo Nordisk has already shown measurable results.

Google Play Launches $1 Million Fund for African Indie Game Developers

Sam Wakoba
-
0
Google Play Launches $1 Million Fund for African Indie Game Developers

Google Play is committing $1 million to independent game developers across Africa through its first regional Indie Games Fund, expanding support for the continent’s growing gaming ecosystem with financing, technical assistance and mentorship.

The initiative, announced Tuesday, will provide equity-free funding to selected game studios across 32 African countries, with individual allocations ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. The company said the program is intended to help emerging studios scale operations and reach wider international audiences.

Africa has become an increasingly important source of creative talent and original storytelling, though many developers continue to face limited access to capital needed to grow beyond early-stage development. The fund seeks to address that challenge by combining direct financial support with technical expertise and industry guidance.

Selected studios will receive assistance to improve game performance, strengthen technical frameworks and increase discoverability in global markets, alongside hands-on mentorship from industry specialists.

“Africa’s unique creativity has fuelled a vibrant game development scene,” Ben McOwen Wilson, Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Google Play, said in a statement. He said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to helping local developers expand their businesses and bring African stories to audiences around the world.

Applications are open to privately held independent studios with 50 employees or fewer that are officially registered in eligible African countries and have already launched a mobile, PC or console game. Selected participants must also commit to publishing on Google Play and participate non-exclusively in the Google Play Pass subscription program for two years.

Applications close on July 31 at 3:00 p.m. East Africa Time, with the company expected to announce the final 10 selected studios in September.

Eligible markets include Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Zambia, among others across East, West, Central and Southern Africa.

The move adds to growing efforts by major technology companies to support Africa’s expanding developer economy as rising smartphone adoption and digital consumption create new opportunities for locally developed entertainment products.

MTN Elevates Jerry Soko to CEO Role at Eswatini Unit Amid Leadership Push

James Musoba
-
0
MTN Elevates Jerry Soko to CEO Role at Eswatini Unit Amid Leadership Push

MTN Group has appointed Jerry Soko as Chief Executive Officer of MTN Eswatini, effective July 1, as the African telecommunications operator continues to strengthen its leadership ranks in support of its long-term growth strategy.

Soko assumes the role after serving as acting CEO for seven months, a period during which the company said he helped restore momentum in the business through stronger operational execution and deeper customer engagement.

The appointment comes as MTN advances its Ambition 2030 strategy, aimed at expanding beyond traditional connectivity services into fintech and digital infrastructure businesses across its markets.

“Under Jerry’s leadership, MTN Eswatini has regained strong momentum, improving performance, strengthening operational discipline, and deepening customer engagement,” MTN Group Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita said in a statement.

Soko, a telecommunications executive and qualified accountant with more than two decades of experience across Africa’s ICT sector, has held senior leadership positions within MTN operations including CEO and CFO roles in Zambia, South Sudan, Botswana and Rwanda.

During his time leading MTN Eswatini on an interim basis, he focused on improving network reliability, strengthening operational efficiency and advancing customer-focused initiatives, while also building partnerships aligned with the country’s broader digital development agenda.

The appointment underscores MTN’s emphasis on leadership continuity and internal talent development as the company seeks to accelerate growth across its African markets.

Jubilee Partners With FSD Africa’s BimaLab to Build Insurance Products for Underserved Markets

Jemima Mwachia
-
0
Jubilee Partners With FSD Africa’s BimaLab to Build Insurance Products for Underserved Markets

Jubilee Group is partnering with BimaLab, FSD Africa’s insurtech accelerator, to develop and test new insurance products aimed at reaching low-income consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), targeting one of the largest untapped segments in East Africa’s financial sector.

The initiative marks a shift toward collaboration between established insurers and startup ecosystems as companies seek new ways to expand insurance penetration across the region. Through the partnership, Jubilee will work alongside BimaLab-supported insurtech firms to design, pilot and scale technology-driven solutions tailored to customers who have historically had limited access to insurance products.

The partnership will initially launch in Kenya before expanding across Jubilee’s regional markets.

Insurance coverage remains one of the weakest areas of financial inclusion in Kenya and across much of Africa, despite rapid growth in access to banking and mobile financial services. Kenya’s insurance penetration stood at 2.4% of gross domestic product in 2025, according to figures released by the organizations, compared with a global average of 7%.

Small businesses represent a significant opportunity for insurers. Kenya has an estimated 7.5 million SMEs employing about 15 million people, yet many remain exposed to economic shocks without adequate protection. Health-related financial risks also continue to place pressure on households, with out-of-pocket medical costs estimated to push around 1.5 million people below the poverty line annually.

The partnership will operate through BimaLab’s Insurtech-Insurer Partnership Framework, which connects startups with established insurers to build and launch products in live market environments. The model allows emerging technology companies to access industry expertise and distribution networks while providing insurers with new channels and product ideas.

Jubilee plans to execute the initiative through J-Hub, its innovation and technology arm, using digital and artificial intelligence capabilities to accelerate product development and deployment.

BimaLab-backed startups selected through a competitive process will work with Jubilee on products focused on embedded and bundled insurance distribution, SME ecosystems, and health and wellness solutions. The selected insurtech firms are expected to be announced in August.

For insurers, the collaboration reflects a broader push to move beyond traditional products and distribution models in pursuit of customers that have largely remained outside the formal insurance market.

Sanara Deploys $9.3 Million, Trains 20,000 Young Creatives in Kenya

Jemima Mwachia
-
0
Sanara Deploys $9.3 Million, Trains 20,000 Young Creatives in Kenya

Sanara has deployed more than $9.3 million (KES 1.2 billion) in commercial financing and grants to Kenya’s creative economy, while demand for its Ota loan facilities has climbed to approximately KES 4 billion, signaling strong appetite for financing among creative entrepreneurs and exposing a substantial funding gap in the sector.

The initiative has emerged as one of the country’s major efforts to expand capital access for creative businesses, combining financing with enterprise development, technical skills training and market access support.

So far, Sanara has expanded access to finance for more than 330 creative enterprises, equipped over 20,000 young creatives with business and technical skills, and supported more than 3,000 startups across Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kakamega and Turkana counties.

The KES 4 billion demand for Ota loans, more than three times the amount already deployed through the initiative, highlights significant unmet demand for financing among creative businesses seeking to scale operations and strengthen commercial growth.

Supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by HEVA Fund, SNDBX Ubuntu, Baraza Media Lab and GoDown Arts Centre, Sanara is increasingly being positioned as a model for demonstrating how financing and enterprise support can work together to strengthen Kenya’s creative economy.

“The creative economy is increasingly proving to be an investable sector,” said Tabitha Masese, Program Manager at HEVA Fund, during the Sanara Creative Economy Learning Forum in Nairobi. “When entrepreneurs have access to financing, business development support, technical skills and markets, they build resilient enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.”

Sanara’s financing portfolio has also reflected a focus on inclusive growth. Nearly 63% of financed enterprises are women-led, while approximately 30% of beneficiaries are first-time borrowers, expanding access to formal financing for entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to traditional lending.

Program leaders say evidence emerging from Sanara indicates that financing becomes more effective when combined with technical skills and business development services, enabling enterprises to improve governance structures, strengthen commercial viability and increase readiness for future investment.

Beyond enterprise financing, the initiative is supporting broader ecosystem development through policy engagement and creative infrastructure mapping in selected counties aimed at strengthening long-term competitiveness and creating conditions for greater private sector investment.

Targeted interventions have also expanded opportunities for underserved groups, including refugees and persons with disabilities. Through the Ota Pepea Access to Market initiative, refugee creatives from Turkana have showcased products in Nairobi, gained access to new buyers and reached wider markets.

Kenya’s creative economy contributes more than 5% of the country’s gross domestic product and remains one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. Participants at the Sanara Creative Economy Learning Forum called for stronger collaboration between government, investors, financial institutions and development partners to increase investment and strengthen the sector’s contribution to employment, innovation and economic growth.

1...8910...886Page 9 of 886