Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Asset Chain, a Nigerian blockchain infrastructure startup, has officially launched its own Layer-1 (L1) blockchain network, purpose-built to redefine how Nigerians exchange both digital and real-world assets. Engineered for speed, security, and transparency, the platform offers a modern alternative to traditional financial systems and informal peer-to-peer (P2P) markets, eliminating the…

Ghanaian agritech startup Complete Farmer has secured a €2.2 million (approximately $2.5 million) investment from the European Union’s AgriFI initiative, marking a major milestone in the advancement of technology-driven agriculture and rural development in West Africa. The funding, managed by EDFI Management Company, will support the construction of agricultural fulfilment centres and the expansion…

The Takealot Group, South Africa’s leading e-commerce platform, has reported another financial loss for the 2025 fiscal year, but parent company Naspers remains optimistic, projecting that the group will achieve profitability within the current financial year. According to Naspers’ full-year results for the period ending March 31, 2025, Takealot Group delivered robust growth…

In a historic move that marks a turning point in Ethiopia’s economic trajectory, the country’s central bank has issued a long-anticipated directive allowing foreign banks and investors to formally enter its financial sector. This development is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s broader economic liberalization agenda and follows the ratification of a…

Peach Payments, a leading South African fintech company headquartered in Cape Town, has officially launched its new point-of-sale (POS) device, the Digit Pro, targeting mid-sized and enterprise-level merchants. This marks a significant expansion of the company’s product suite, which already includes robust tools for online and mobile payment processing. Founded in…

Logidoo, a fast-growing logistics and cross-border trade platform based in Senegal, has announced a major expansion of its operations with the launch of a new trade corridor linking Belgium to West Africa through Morocco. This strategic move extends the company’s existing Casablanca–Dakar route, creating a seamless logistics bridge between Europe,…

Shoptreo, a rising Nigerian e-commerce startup, has successfully secured a new round of funding—details of which are undisclosed—to accelerate its mission of bringing locally crafted artisanal products to the global marketplace. At the heart of Shoptreo’s innovation is its commitment to unlocking economic value within Nigeria’s informal markets and underserved…

In a strategic move to deepen its footprint in the fintech space, Nigeria’s diversified financial services firm BAS Group has acquired a majority stake in Zuvy, a fast-growing local startup specializing in invoice financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While the exact financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, BAS Group now…

In a bold move to strengthen the local digital economy, the South African government — through Proudly SA and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) — is set to launch two new eCommerce platforms on July 1, 2025. These platforms, Shop Proudly SA (for consumers) and the Market Access Platform (MAP) (for businesses), aim to promote locally…

Visa, the global leader in digital payments, in collaboration with Absa, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups, has officially opened applications for the She’s Next programme — a flagship initiative aimed at supporting and uplifting women-led businesses in South Africa. The She’s Next programme is designed to foster a more…

African tech startups are now invited to apply for the Afreximbank Flagship Accelerator Programme, a high-impact initiative designed to empower visionary entrepreneurs building scalable solutions that enhance intra-African trade. Spearheaded by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the programme seeks to identify and support startups developing innovative technologies that address key challenges…

Developers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the continent are invited to apply for the Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at harnessing blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) to address Africa’s most pressing challenges. This year’s hackathon, powered by the Hashgraph Association — a Swiss non-profit dedicated to accelerating global adoption of…

Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has officially resumed accepting new customer subscriptions in Nairobi and surrounding counties in Kenya, following a seven-month suspension that began in November 2024. The freeze affected high-demand regions including Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang’a. According to Starlink, the pause was necessary due to a…

In a move that highlights the growing spirit of collaboration within South Africa’s financial technology sector, two leading fintech players — Float and Adumo — have announced a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the in-store payment experience for consumers. Float, a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider, has teamed up…

Samsung is gearing up for its third Unpacked event of 2025, scheduled for July 9 at 10 AM ET. The event will be broadcast live from Brooklyn, New York, and streamed globally via the Samsung Newsroom, the company’s official website, and its YouTube channel. This mid-year Unpacked is expected to spotlight the next evolution of Galaxy AI and…

Cutstruct, a Nigerian startup revolutionizing procurement in the construction industry, has successfully raised $1.5 million in seed funding to accelerate its growth and deepen its impact across Nigeria’s built environment sector. Founded by John Oamen and Tayo Odunsi, Cutstruct operates a digital construction procurement marketplace that connects real estate developers, contractors, and other buyers with a network…

South African startup Regenize, a pioneer in zero-waste solutions and inclusive recycling systems, has received an undisclosed investment from E Squared Investments, marking the firm’s first venture philanthropy transaction under its newly launched impact strategy. Founded with a mission to make recycling more accessible and equitable, Regenize has built a community-driven, decentralised recycling model that integrates…

Nigerian B2B marketplace startup Sabi has announced a strategic shift in its business model, accompanied by a workforce reduction affecting approximately 20% of its employees—around 50 team members. The move comes as the company pivots from its broader informal trade marketplace model to a more focused approach centered on commodity exports and traceability. Founded in 2020,…

Hizo, a promising Nigerian fintech startup, has successfully raised $100,000 in a “friends and family” seed funding round to accelerate its mission of transforming how money moves across African borders. The funding will support the company’s efforts to simplify intra-African remittances by enabling seamless transactions in local currencies, without the need for…

Scalar International and Mergence Investment Managers have officially announced the launch of a substantial $150 million private equity fund aimed at financing clean energy and digital infrastructure projects in Southern Africa. This initiative, named the Africa Decarbonization Fund I, is designed to support energy-efficient and decarbonization efforts within the commercial…