Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

South African discount retail giant Pepkor Holdings has received regulatory clearance to establish a banking presence, marking a significant step in its diversification beyond retail and financial services. The company announced on Tuesday that the Prudential Authority granted approval in November, paving the way for Pepkor to enter South Africa’s…

CI Capital PE for Fund Management and Investment (CIPE), a subsidiary of CI Capital Holding, has announced the appointment of Karim Badr as Chief Executive Officer. This strategic move underscores the Egyptian financial services group’s ambition to broaden its footprint in non-traditional asset classes, including private equity and closed-ended fund…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $15 million equity investment in the Adenia Entrepreneurial Fund I (AEF I), a growth-focused fund managed by Adenia Partners. This strategic investment aims to provide growth capital to small- and mid-cap companies across multiple African markets, particularly those operating in sectors that…

Chui Ventures, a pan-African seed-stage venture capital firm with a strong gender-inclusive mandate, has announced the final close of its inaugural Fund I at $17.3 million, surpassing its original fundraising goal of $10 million. The fund is dedicated to backing African founders who are building mass-market, technology-enabled solutions across Sub-Saharan…

In today’s digital age, losing data doesn’t have to be catastrophic. Thanks to cloud services and device synchronization, most information can be recovered with relative ease. Now, iPhone users have one more option to safeguard their data: Signal has officially introduced secure backups for iOS devices. This update follows the…

M-KOPA Kenya, the Kenyan arm of pay-as-you-go fintech M-KOPA Holdings, has surpassed $1.6 billion (KES 207 billion) in credit extended to customers, cementing its role as a major player in Kenya’s consumer credit market. The milestone was announced alongside the release of the company’s first Kenya-focused impact report, which highlights…

Nomba, the Nigerian fintech formerly known as Kudi, is making a strategic move into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of Africa’s most cash-driven economies. The company’s entry point? Remittances—a sector that already sees significant money flows and offers a natural foundation for broader financial services. Building the Foundation…

Malaysia has become the latest country to announce plans to restrict social media access based on age. On Sunday, the nation’s cabinet approved a ban on social media accounts for anyone under 16, according to reports from the Associated Press. The move reflects growing global concerns about the negative impact…

With Black Friday fast approaching, OpenAI is enhancing ChatGPT’s capabilities to make shopping easier and more efficient. Starting today, the company is rolling out Shopping Research, a new feature designed to simplify product comparisons and help users make informed purchasing decisions. What Is Shopping Research? The tool is available to…

Following Google’s recent announcement that Android’s Quick Share will soon work seamlessly with Apple’s AirDrop—starting with Pixel 10 smartphones—Qualcomm has revealed that this cross-platform file-sharing feature will also be available on devices powered by its Snapdragon chips. In a post on X, Qualcomm stated: “We can’t wait for people to…

Uber has officially introduced its first fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa, marking a significant step toward sustainable transportation in the region. The rollout began in Johannesburg, where 70 EVs are already operational. By the end of January, the fleet is expected to grow to 350 vehicles. The…

Woodlands Dairy, one of South Africa’s leading dairy producers, has announced the acquisition of 100% of Ladismith Cheese Company, including its subsidiaries Ladismith Powder Company and Mooivallei Suiwel, from Sea Harvest Group. This strategic move strengthens Woodlands Dairy’s position in the local dairy market and expands its product portfolio. Woodlands…

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC), South Africa’s largest asset manager, has announced a $30 million investment into Enko Capital’s private credit fund, reinforcing its commitment to driving economic inclusion and supporting high-growth businesses across Africa. The fund, managed by Enko Capital, is targeting a final close of $150 million in…

Thirty innovative startups have been announced as finalists for the Latitude59 Kenya Pitch Competition, chosen from a competitive pool of 222 applications representing 27 countries. This selection marks a key milestone in the lead-up to one of Africa’s most dynamic startup showcases. About Latitude59 Latitude59 is the flagship tech and…

Startups across Africa can now apply for the latest edition of the New Venture Competition, hosted by Harvard Business School’s Africa Business Club, offering entrepreneurs the chance to win cash prizes of up to US$55,000, alongside exposure to investors and industry leaders. About the Competition The Africa Business Club, a…

Seedstars, a Swiss-based venture capital firm and ecosystem builder focused on emerging markets, has partnered with the SANAD Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to introduce the SANAD Elevate Her Programme—a multi-phase initiative designed to accelerate female-led and 2X-aligned startups across the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. About the Partners…

develoPPP Ventures, an entrepreneurial support program launched by Germany’s Federal Development Ministry (BMZ), has opened applications for its 10th cohort, offering post-revenue startups the chance to secure EUR 100,000 (US$115,000) in catalytic funding and technical support to scale. The initiative operates through a matching-funds model in partnership with DEG –…

Choice Hotels International, a leading American multinational hospitality company with nearly seven decades of industry experience, is set to make its debut on the African continent. The group announced plans to open three hotels in Kenya by 2026, marking its first footprint in Africa and signaling a major step in…

Prosus, the technology investment arm of Naspers, announced on Monday a 99% surge in adjusted core profit for the first half of its financial year, driven by robust performance across its digital services and e-commerce portfolio. The group’s adjusted EBITDA climbed to US$423 million, up from US$213 million in the…

BHP’s latest overture toward Anglo American underscores mounting pressure in a mining industry eager to secure scale and growth—particularly in copper, where global supply is tightening and demand is projected to surge as economies accelerate electrification. The approach comes just weeks before shareholders of Anglo American and Teck Resources are…