Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Barloworld, the long‑standing JSE‑listed industrial group and Southern Africa’s exclusive distributor of Caterpillar construction and mining equipment, has officially been taken over by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group. The transaction marks a major turning point in the company’s history, with Barloworld now preparing to delist from both…

Ghana’s WellsForAll, an organization dedicated to delivering sustainable clean drinking water to underserved rural communities across Africa, achieved a significant milestone in 2025 with the completion of 25 mechanized boreholes. This progress was made possible through US $150,000 in community‑governed funding, deployed using blockchain technology to ensure transparency and accountability throughout…

Sahel Capital has finalized a $2.4 million working capital facility for Kuapa Kokoo Limited (KKL) through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA). This latest facility renews and expands upon Sahel Capital’s previous financing support for KKL, ensuring the company can meet its increased working capital requirements during…

FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) has committed $7.5 million to the newly established Ci‑Gaba (Progress) Fund, helping propel the vehicle to a successful first close of $75 million. The Ci-Gaba Fund, domiciled in Ghana, is designed as a fund of funds that channels local pension capital into private equity and private…

South African startup Andi On Demand has officially launched its on‑demand services platform, aiming to digitize and modernize one of Africa’s most fragmented economic sectors: home and business services. The platform enables customers to seamlessly connect with vetted service professionals, including electricians, plumbers, cleaners, handymen, and various technicians, through a…

Nigerian startup IyeOgé is preparing to debut what it describes as Africa’s first AI‑powered luxury fashion platform, designed to connect global consumers with top-tier African designers while merging technology, storytelling, and high-end fashion into one cohesive digital experience. Founded in 2025 by Iziegbe Okungbowa, IyeOgé was created to fill what…

Egyptian startup KNOT Technologies has secured a US$1 million pre‑seed investment, with leading early‑stage investor A15 at the helm, to accelerate the scaling of its AI‑native ticketing and access‑control infrastructure. Founded in 2025 by Ahmed Abdalla and Hussein ElBendak, KNOT is developing an advanced ticketing and identity‑verification platform designed to…

TikTok has officially completed the restructuring of its US operations, with its parent company, ByteDance, finalizing the sale of a majority stake to a consortium of non‑Chinese investors. The transaction was wrapped up just ahead of the Trump Administration’s most recent deadline, which would have banned the app in the…

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has granted approval for Zenith Bank Plc’s proposed acquisition of 100% of Paramount Bank Limited, clearing a major regulatory milestone for the Nigerian lender as it seeks to enter East Africa’s largest financial market. The CAK’s approval, issued on Thursday, comes with one key…

Standard Bank has announced the successful delivery of a comprehensive $285 million debt and equity financing package to support Bluecore Gas InfraCo in acquiring 100% ownership of Glover Gas & Power, the sole shareholder of Axxela, one of Nigeria’s leading natural gas distribution and energy infrastructure companies. This milestone transaction…

Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of Dalu Ajene as the new Chief Executive Officer for its Africa operations, a role that also carries dual responsibilities as the Head of Coverage for Africa. In this expanded mandate, Ajene will oversee the bank’s strategic direction across the continent, leading its corporate,…

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced plans for a proposed loan of up to $80 million to Midroc Ethiopia, funding a major hospitality expansion that includes the refurbishment of the iconic Sheraton Addis and the construction of a new Sheraton‑branded hotel. Midroc Ethiopia, the project sponsor, is part of…

Canada’s bilateral development finance institution, FinDev Canada, has announced a $15 million loan commitment to the Lendable MSME Fintech Credit Fund II (LMFCF II), a seven‑year debt vehicle targeting $250 million in total capital. The fund invests globally across Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, with a mandate centered on…

Development Partners International (DPI) has announced a $50 million follow‑on investment in Kazyon, the rapidly expanding Egyptian discount retail chain. The fresh capital injection marks the latest step in DPI’s multi‑year partnership with the company and is intended to accelerate Kazyon’s regional expansion. According to Jade Del Lero Moreau, Partner…

Standard Bank Group Ltd., Africa’s largest bank by assets, is poised to lose yet another pair of senior executives to rival Absa Group Ltd., deepening a trend that has seen several high-profile departures from the continent’s biggest lender. Absa confirmed that it has appointed Clive Potter, currently the Head of…

ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) and the country’s largest development‑finance institution, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), have revived negotiations over a potential takeover of the steelmaker’s local operations. The renewed talks come after earlier efforts to attract alternative buyers failed to produce any viable offers. According to people familiar with the…

Karooooo has reported a substantial increase in subscriber growth across its platforms and is now actively exploring emerging technologies to sustain and accelerate its expansion trajectory. Founded by Zak Calisto, who continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer, Karooooo is best known for its flagship brand Cartrack. Calisto retains ownership…

Nedbank Group, one of South Africa’s largest and most diversified financial institutions, serving more than 8 million clients, has unveiled plans to acquire a controlling stake in Kenya’s National Commercial Bank of Africa (NCBA) Group. The proposed transaction, structured as a combination of cash and newly issued shares, carries a…

Mirova, acting through its Mirova Gigaton Fund, has announced a $19 million investment in Cold Solutions Kiambu, a Kenyan company specializing in temperature‑controlled warehousing and logistics infrastructure. The investment is designed to strengthen Kenya’s rapidly expanding cold chain sector, which plays a vital role in supporting the country’s food systems…

Truvalu, a global impact investment firm, has formally announced its exit from GrowPact Kitale, a Kenyan agribusiness known for producing high‑quality seedlings. The exit comes in the form of a strategic sale to a private Dutch family office, marking a significant milestone for both the investor and the company. Founded…