Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

With the arrival of September comes cooler weather, and, like clockwork, Apple’s annual iPhone launch event. This year’s showcase, dubbed “awe dropping,” unveiled a host of new devices and features, including the iPhone 17 lineup, a brand-new iPhone Air, updated Apple Watches, and the AirPods Pro 3. Apple executives also…

After six years of operating as a venture capital fund within Nigeria’s dynamic startup landscape, Hux Ventures has announced a significant strategic pivot. The Lagos-based firm, founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Sam Ojei, will cease its VC operations and reemerge as a venture studio, a model that emphasizes building startups…

Basata Holding for Financial Payments S.A.E., Egypt’s leading provider of electronic payment solutions, has announced its intention to invest approximately USD 7 million in 2026. This strategic move is part of the company’s broader plan to reinforce its market leadership and accelerate growth across the region. As part of its…

New Forests, a global investment manager specializing in nature-based assets, has announced a significant investment through its African Forestry Impact Platform (AFIP) into Rance Timber, a well-established forestry and sawmilling enterprise based in South Africa. Rance Timber, a family-owned business with roots dating back over 100 years, oversees more than…

Vantage Capital, a leading African mezzanine finance fund manager, has successfully exited its investment in Equity Invest, a prominent Moroccan technology group. This marks the first full exit for Vantage Capital in Morocco, a country that has become a key market for the firm. Vantage initially provided Equity Invest with…

Aavishkaar Capital has deepened its footprint in Africa with its fourth investment on the continent, extending a loan facility to Horizon Group Africa. This funding initiative is in collaboration with KfW, Germany’s state-owned development bank, and is backed by the Global Supply Chain Support Fund (GSCSF), a $250 million fund…

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) competition, the flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation, has officially unveiled the top 20 semi-finalists for its prestigious 2025 edition, where entrepreneurs will compete for a share of US$1.5 million in grant funding. ABH is dedicated to empowering visionary entrepreneurs…

In a significant development for the South African telecommunications sector, MTN Group, Africa’s largest wireless carrier, is reportedly considering reigniting talks to acquire its smaller rival, Telkom SA. Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, say that Telkom is also preparing for a potential new takeover bid by consulting…

In a surprising move, 21 years later, Meta is breathing new life into one of Facebook’s earliest, and arguably most puzzling, features: the poke. Once a quirky hallmark of early social networking, the poke is making a comeback, as Meta reintroduces it to user profiles within the Facebook app and…

AI research and development firm Anthropic has closed a massive $13 billion Series F funding round, catapulting its post-money valuation to $183 billion. The company says the capital will be used to accelerate enterprise adoption of its AI products, expand its global footprint, and deepen its research into AI safety,…

OpenAI has announced plans to launch a new AI-driven hiring platform designed to connect employers with job seekers, positioning the company as a direct competitor to LinkedIn. The upcoming service, named the OpenAI Jobs Platform, is expected to debut by mid-2026, according to a spokesperson who spoke with TechCrunch. The…

In a strategic move to tap into Kenya’s booming remittance market, the Tanzanian fintech company NALA has expanded its services into the country through a new partnership. Instead of navigating the lengthy and complex process of obtaining a license from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), NALA has joined forces…

AgDevCo, a specialist impact investor focused on agriculture in Africa, has announced a follow-on investment of $7.2 million in its long-standing portfolio company, EFAfrica Group (EFAG). Structured as a long-term loan, the funding is designed to help EFAG scale its operations and extend its reach to more farmers and agribusinesses…

Koolboks, a cleantech startup operating out of Nigeria and France, has raised $11 million in Series A funding to accelerate its mission of delivering affordable, solar-powered refrigeration across Africa. The funding will be used to expand its cooling-as-a-service model, establish its first local assembly plant in Nigeria, and deepen its…

The Government of Ghana is moving ahead with a strategic plan to merge two underperforming telecom operators, Telecel and AirtelTigo, in a bid to reshape the competitive landscape of the country’s telecommunications sector. This initiative is designed to consolidate resources, improve service delivery, and create a stronger second-tier competitor capable…

Swedfund, the Swedish government’s development finance institution, has officially named Siongo Kisoso as its new Regional Director for East Africa. This strategic appointment underscores Swedfund’s commitment to deepening its presence and impact across the region. Kisoso brings over 16 years of extensive experience in banking, corporate finance, and investment management.…

Apple is gearing up for its annual fall event, a major showcase where it is expected to unveil its next generation of products. This year’s event is titled “Awe Dropping” and is scheduled for September 9 at  7 PM CAT / 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT. If you’re…

The Invigilator, a South African education technology company specializing in secure remote assessment solutions, has successfully raised US$11 million (approximately R195 million) in a strategic funding round aimed at propelling its international growth and enhancing its AI-driven capabilities. The investment round was led by Kaltroco, a private, family-backed investment firm…

In a significant ruling, a federal judge has decided that while Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in internet search, the company will not be forced to sell its Chrome browser. The decision, from Judge Amit Mehta, comes over a year after he initially ruled against Google in an…

Global media analytics company Nielsen has announced its plan to exit South Africa within the next 12 months, a decision that will have significant implications for the country’s media and advertising industries. Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement and data analytics with operations in over 100 countries, has a…