Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

The Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO), a prominent development finance institution, has announced a strategic investment in Limbua Kenya, a leading processor in the country’s macadamia sector. This investment marks a significant step in supporting sustainable agriculture and inclusive economic development in Kenya. Limbua Kenya has built a…

Kenyan agri-tech startup Farm to Feed has successfully raised $1.5 million in seed funding, marking a significant milestone in its mission to build a more climate-resilient and inclusive food system across Africa. Founded in 2021 by Claire Van Enk (CEO), alongside co-founders Anouk Boertien and Zara Benosa, Farm to Feed…

ElectriFI, the Electrification Financing Initiative managed by EDFI Management Company, has announced a €2.5 million equity investment in Sawa Energy, a fast-growing renewable energy company operating in Uganda and Rwanda. This strategic investment aims to support Sawa Energy’s mission to expand access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for businesses…

Standard Bank, Africa’s largest financial institution by assets, proudly celebrates its instrumental role in the growth and public listing of Optasia, a pioneering fintech company. From its early days as a startup, Optasia has evolved into a market-leading platform, culminating in a landmark listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE),…

Invest International, the Dutch development finance institution, has committed a €15 million investment loan to Namibia Berries, a fast-growing agribusiness focused on blueberry cultivation in north-eastern Namibia. The funding will support the expansion of the company’s operations along the Kavango River, enabling it to scale production and strengthen its export…

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €20 million investment into the newly launched Amethis Europe Expansion Fund, a private equity vehicle designed to support the international growth of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those expanding into Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The fund will provide…

Anda, a mobility technology platform based in Angola, has secured €3 million in seed funding to accelerate its mission of formalizing the country’s vast informal motorcycle taxi sector. The round was co-led by European venture capital firms Breega and Speedinvest, both known for backing high-growth startups across emerging markets. Founded…

Digital banking institution TymeBank has announced a leadership transition set to take effect on 1 January 2026, with Cheslyn Jacobs stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Karl Westvig. Westvig, who has served on the bank’s executive team since 2023, will remain involved in an advisory capacity to…

MyBitSecure, a South African agritech and cybersecurity startup, has launched a cutting-edge smart IoT farming system designed to help African farmers modernize their operations while protecting them from emerging digital threats. The solution integrates connected sensors, flow meters, and real-time data dashboards into existing irrigation systems, enabling farmers to monitor…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a financing package worth $14.54 million to support the development of the Garneton North 20MW solar power project in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. This strategic investment is aimed at strengthening Zambia’s renewable energy capacity and advancing the AfDB’s broader electrification goals across the continent.…

AfricInvest, a leading pan-African private equity firm, has acquired a significant minority stake in Arrow Holding, a fast-growing HR technology and staffing group with operations spanning Africa and the Middle East. The investment, made through AfricInvest Fund IV, is aimed at supporting Arrow’s digital transformation strategy and fueling its expansion…

EDFI ElectriFI, the European Union–backed initiative focused on accelerating access to clean energy in emerging markets, has announced a $1 million reinvestment in GOGO Electric, a Ugandan electric mobility startup. The funding will support the expansion of GOGO’s battery-swap infrastructure, a key component in the company’s mission to electrify public…

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a strategic expansion of its partnership with Chapa Financial Technologies, one of Ethiopia’s leading fintech innovators, to introduce a groundbreaking payment option for its customers. For the first time, travelers can now purchase airline tickets and services using local ATM debit cards, marking a significant milestone…

Enterprise AI startup Velents.ai has successfully raised US $1.5 million in a new funding round, marking a significant milestone as it unveils Agent.sa, a pioneering Arabic-speaking AI employee designed specifically for organizations across the Middle East. The funding round drew interest from a group of prominent angel investors, including senior…

The African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has approved a loan of $73.31 million to enhance science and technology education across Kenya’s public universities. This funding marks a significant step in the second phase of the Support to Higher Education, Science…

Social networking platform Bluesky has reached a major milestone, surpassing 40 million users, and is now preparing to roll out a new feature: “dislikes”. This upcoming beta test aims to enhance personalization across the platform’s Discover feed and other content streams by allowing users to signal what they prefer to…

Pesapal has officially launched Drive, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to transform how businesses across East Africa manage fuel consumption and fleet operations. This innovation arrives at a critical time when companies are increasingly burdened by fuel theft, transaction fraud, and inefficient manual tracking systems, issues that significantly inflate operational…

Mirova, the sustainable investment affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, has announced the addition of three new catalytic investors to its flagship Sustainable Land Use strategy: the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, and The Coca-Cola Foundation. These new partners join a growing coalition of backers…

When Chioma Nnanna set out to solve her own marketing headaches, she didn’t imagine it would lead to building Socella, an AI-native platform designed to transform how small businesses manage social media. What began as a personal frustration has evolved into a startup that blends artificial intelligence, automation, and design…

German development finance institution DEG has announced a $25 million investment in Helios V, the fifth private equity fund managed by Helios Investment Partners. The commitment underscores DEG’s continued support for private capital mobilization in Africa, particularly in sectors critical to the continent’s long-term development. Helios V is focused on…