Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a serious warning about a growing and deeply concerning trend: Nigerians are reportedly selling their National Identification Numbers (NINs) and other sensitive personal data for as little as ₦2,000—approximately $1.30. This alarming practice not only violates national data protection laws but also exposes individuals to a wide range…

Admyt, South Africa’s pioneering provider of ticketless parking solutions, has made a bold move into the e-commerce and retail engagement space with the acquisition of SHôPING—an innovative in-mall digital platform originally developed by Attacq, the owner of Mall of Africa. This strategic acquisition marks a significant evolution in Admyt’s business…

The University of Michigan’s International Investment Fund (IIF) has announced a strategic pre-seed investment in Swyft, a fast-growing logistics technology start-up based in Cameroon. Swyft specializes in providing efficient, tech-enabled delivery solutions for both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) clients, addressing critical gaps in the country’s logistics infrastructure. Founded in 2019,…

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI for Manufacturing is now accepting applications, offering a total of US$2 million in prizes to African innovators using artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to transform manufacturing value chains across the continent. This prestigious competition is designed to support Africa-based companies that are developing scalable, tech-powered solutions aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing waste,…

Candi Solar, a leading provider of clean energy solutions for businesses in emerging markets, has successfully raised $24 million in new funding from its existing investor base. This latest capital injection includes a $20 million convertible loan jointly provided by Norfund and STOA, as well as a $4 million increase…

South African venture capital firm Havaíc has announced the successful second closing of its African Innovation Fund 3, securing an additional $25 million in capital commitments. This milestone brings the firm significantly closer to its target of $50 million, reinforcing its position as a key player in Africa’s early-stage tech investment landscape. The latest round was…

Collect Africa, a Nigerian fintech startup founded to streamline payments for small businesses, has announced it will officially cease operations by August 31, 2025. After four years of building tools to simplify financial management for merchants, the company is shifting its focus entirely to a new venture: Autospend, a platform centered…

Revolut, the UK-based financial technology powerhouse, is preparing to make its debut in Morocco, signaling a strategic move into North Africa as part of its broader global expansion. This entry comes on the heels of major developments across Europe, where the company has been aggressively scaling its product offerings and…

Orange Money has entered into a strategic partnership with South African fintech company JUMO to provide mobile-based credit services to millions of unbanked and underbanked individuals across Africa. This collaboration aims to bridge the financial gap by enabling users to access microloans directly through their mobile wallets, without the need for traditional…

Carbin Africa, a fast-growing Nigerian B2B automotive startup, has announced a strategic partnership with TIM Motors, a Chinese automaker, to distribute a new line of passenger vehicles across Nigeria. This collaboration marks TIM Motors’ official entry into the consumer car segment, transitioning from its established footprint in commercial trucks and industrial transport. TIM Motors…

Sukhiba, the Kenyan startup known for its innovative use of WhatsApp in business communications, has officially rebranded to Flowcart. The rebrand marks a pivotal evolution in the company’s journey—from a chat-based customer support tool to a fully integrated, AI-driven conversational commerce and CRM platform designed for the mobile-first, messaging-centric future of retail. Founded…

Astron Energy, a subsidiary of Swiss commodities giant Glencore, has rapidly established itself as a dominant force in South Africa’s fuel industry. With a growing network of petrol stations and one of the country’s largest oil refineries, Astron is reshaping the competitive landscape traditionally led by brands like BP and TotalEnergies. Glencore entered the…

The African Local Currency Bond Fund (ALCB Fund), managed by Cygnum Capital, has successfully raised $30 million through the issuance of a 10-year bond under its Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme. This milestone transaction marks the fund’s first investment from a private institutional investor—a UK-based insurance company—signaling growing international confidence in Africa’s local currency debt markets. Executed…

In a decisive move to accelerate its green mobility agenda, Uganda has introduced a comprehensive package of tax incentives aimed at stimulating the local assembly of electric motorcycles. This policy shift is a cornerstone of the country’s broader National E-Mobility Strategy, launched in 2024, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut fossil fuel…

Ghana is preparing to join a growing cohort of African nations formalizing their approach to cryptocurrency regulation. By September 2025, the country is expected to begin licensing cryptocurrency exchanges, marking a significant shift from its previously cautious stance. This move places Ghana alongside regional leaders like Nigeria and South Africa, both of which have already…

Africa’s streaming industry is on a steady upward trajectory, with user numbers projected to reach 46.3 million by 2029. Despite this growing audience, the market’s revenue is expected to remain modest in the near term, with $5.4 million forecasted for 2025. Currently, the space is largely dominated by global giants Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.…

Standard Bank has played a pivotal role in securing the financial close of the Red Sands Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)—a landmark project that now stands as the largest standalone battery energy storage initiative in Africa to reach financial close. It is also the most substantial project awarded under South Africa’s Battery Energy Storage…

South Africa-based VALR, Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has taken a major step in merging traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem. The company has officially launched the Garrington Capital USD Private Credit Token (USDPC) on its platform—an innovative, yield-generating crypto asset that represents tokenized exposure to private credit investments…

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation, continues to deepen its impact across the continent. Designed to empower and celebrate visionary entrepreneurs from all 54 African nations, ABH is committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth through entrepreneurship. Over a ten-year period, the…

On the evening of Thursday, July 24th, Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service that has become a lifeline for remote communities worldwide, including here in Zimbabwe, experienced a rare and significant global outage. If your Starlink terminal started acting up around 9:00 p.m. Zimbabwean time, you weren’t alone. The entire…