Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Anthropic has announced the launch of a research preview for its new browser-based AI agent, Claude for Chrome, powered by its Claude AI models. This experimental rollout is currently available to a select group of 1,000 users subscribed to Anthropic’s Max plan, which ranges from $100 to $200 per month. For those interested…

In a significant move underscoring the deepening financial ties between Japan and Africa, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Japan’s second-largest bank, has made a strategic investment into the latest fund from the veteran venture capital firm, Novastar Ventures. This commitment is a clear indicator of a wider, calculated trend of…

In a significant move to channel capital towards global digital equity, the Finnish development financier Finnfund has announced the successful first closing of its new investment vehicle, the Digital Access Impact Fund I (DAIF). The fund secured an impressive €80 million in initial capital commitments, establishing a strong foundation to…

In a significant move to consolidate its position in the African automotive market, Africar Group, the company operating the rapidly growing used car marketplace AUTO24.africa, has officially acquired Koto.ci. Koto.ci is a well-regarded digital platform in Côte d’Ivoire that specializes in providing price references and information for new vehicles. This…

The European Union (EU) has announced a significant investment in Africa’s digital future through a new broadband infrastructure initiative valued at $16 million. This project, titled Africa-BB-Maps, is part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, a €300 billion global infrastructure plan aimed at fostering sustainable development and digital transformation, particularly in Africa.…

Maia Capital Partners, through its Maia Debt Impact Fund I, has extended mezzanine financing to Student Living Asset Management (SLAM), a South African private equity firm specializing in student accommodation. The funding is intended to support SLAM’s acquisition of a 51% controlling stake in Academia, a premium 1,026-bed student residence located in Stellenbosch, one…

Alterra Capital Partners has announced a strategic investment in Cobra Group Holdings, joining founder Donovin Cronning and CEO Lloyd Darby in supporting the company’s next phase of expansion across Africa and international markets. Cobra Group, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, operates through three specialized divisions, Cobra Projects, Cobra Fire, and Cobra Tech. The company is a leading…

Norfund, the Norwegian government’s development finance institution, has officially acquired a minority equity stake in Kinetic Holdings, a prominent East African enterprise known locally as Kensta Group. Kensta is a well-established manufacturer and distributor of stationery and paper-based products, supplying raw materials to the printing and packaging industries across the region. This…

FCMB Asset Management (FCMBAM) and TLG Capital, two prominent players in Africa’s investment landscape, have successfully completed the full deployment of the FCMB-TLG Private Debt Fund Series 1, which was oversubscribed by investors. This milestone reflects the growing appetite for private debt instruments as a scalable and risk-managed financing solution for Nigeria’s real economy. The…

Axian Energy, a leading pan-African renewable energy company, in partnership with Sika Capital, has officially announced the launch of a transformative solar energy project in Benin. The initiative involves the construction of four strategically located solar power plants across the country, with a combined generation capacity of 50 megawatts alternating current (MWac). This ambitious…

South Africa’s financial ecosystem is undergoing a transformative shift as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) unveils a strategic initiative to open the National Payment System (NPS) to non-bank financial technology companies (fintechs). This landmark decision, part of SARB’s broader Payments Ecosystem Modernization (PEM) framework, marks a significant departure from the long-standing…

The Dutch development finance institution, FMO (Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V.), has officially committed a $10 million investment to the Lendable MSME Fintech Credit Fund 2 (LMFCF2). This new investment vehicle is a debt fund managed by DynoLabs Asset Management. DynoLabs Asset Management operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lendable…

VEA Capital Partners, the dedicated private investment division of the South African conglomerate VEA Group, has announced a strategic investment in StraTech. StraTech is a financial technology firm specializing in the development of critical enterprise infrastructure that powers complex financial operations for businesses across Africa. While the specific financial terms…

Blue Label Telecoms, the majority owner of mobile operator Cell C, has officially secured shareholder approval to proceed with a corporate name change. Effective 3 September 2025, the company will be known as Blu Label Unlimited, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing transformation. The proposed rebranding was first announced in July 2025,…

Global technology investor Prosus has unveiled an ambitious plan to generate US$2 billion (approximately R35 billion) through the sale of non-core assets in the near future. The announcement was made by CEO Fabricio Bloisi on Wednesday, concurrently with the release of stellar quarterly results that saw the company’s core e-commerce…

Google staked its claim on the fall hardware season Wednesday, strategically unveiling a broad and deeply integrated ecosystem of new products at its annual “Made by Google 2025” event. In a presentation that placed its advanced AI, Gemini, at the core of every device, the tech giant debuted the Pixel…

Google officially launched its next generation of smartphones, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL at its annual “Made by Google” hardware event on Wednesday. While the entire family is powered by the formidable new Tensor G5 processor, the most significant hardware leap comes to the…

In a strategic move reflecting Japan’s growing interest in Africa’s tech landscape, venture capital firm Uncovered Fund has teamed up with corporate investor Monex Ventures to launch a new ¥3 billion (approximately $20 million) fund. The fund, titled the Uncovered Monex Africa Investment Partnership, will target early-stage startups across Africa and the Middle East and…

South Africa’s largest grocery retailer, Shoprite Checkers, is rolling out a cutting-edge pilot program featuring its new ‘Xpress Trolley’, a smart shopping cart designed to streamline the in-store experience. This innovation allows customers to scan items, track their basket total in real time, and pay directly from the trolley, completely bypassing traditional checkout…

The Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA), managed by Sahel Capital, has received a significant boost with a $10 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund. The fund is administered by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), Mauritius, and is aimed at catalyzing inclusive growth across the continent. This capital injection will enable…