Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

When Bolt first launched in Kenya, it entered the market with a promise to make ride-hailing more accessible and affordable. However, over time, the platform has faced growing scrutiny over safety issues affecting both drivers and passengers. Reports of harassment, theft, and physical assaults have steadily increased, prompting calls for…

The Kenyan government is evaluating a significant restructuring of Safaricom, the country’s largest publicly listed company, with plans to split it into three separate operational units. Under the proposed framework, Safaricom would be divided into: This strategic move follows a regulatory review aimed at enhancing transparency, improving operational efficiency, and…

Paratus Group, a rapidly expanding digital infrastructure provider headquartered in Windhoek, Namibia, is preparing to launch a new mobile data network that could disrupt the country’s telecommunications landscape. The launch, scheduled for 2 September 2025, marks Paratus’s entry into Namibia’s mobile market, which is currently dominated by state-owned entities. Barney Harmse,…

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set to commence operations in Nigeria in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s access to international development finance. This strategic expansion into Africa’s largest economy is expected to unlock substantial funding opportunities, particularly for Nigeria’s dynamic and fast-growing technology…

In a significant step toward modernizing Egypt’s financial markets, the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) has launched a new mobile application aimed at democratizing access to stock market information for the general public. The app, which recently entered its beta phase, provides a user-friendly, mobile-first platform for real-time data and updates on…

In a landmark agreement poised to significantly advance Senegal’s industrial capabilities, Mercedes-Benz, through its globally recognized Daimler Truck division, has formally committed to establishing a state-of-the-art truck assembly plant in the West African nation. The initiative is solidified through a three-way letter of intent, creating a strategic public-private partnership between…

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is formally petitioning the South African government to consider an alternative to the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (B-EE) ownership laws, which are currently a barrier to the launch of its Starlink satellite internet service in Africa’s most developed economy. In a letter submitted to the government, SpaceX…

In a significant move that underscores its rapid growth trajectory, Kenyan edtech platform Craydel has officially launched its services in Burundi and Tanzania. This strategic expansion marks the company’s entry into its sixth and seventh African markets, solidifying its position as the first Kenyan education startup to establish a true…

African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), through its flagship IDEAS Fund, has partnered with Motseng Investment Holdings to establish a new investment entity: the Motseng Ideas Infrastructure Group (MIIG). This strategic collaboration marks a significant step toward advancing inclusive infrastructure development across South Africa and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. MIIG is a South African-based investment company managing…

In a landmark move for Egypt’s financial sector, Banque Misr, one of the country’s oldest and most influential state-owned banks, is accelerating its digital transformation with the launch of onebank, Egypt’s first fully digital-native bank. The initiative is spearheaded by Banque Misr’s fintech subsidiary, Misr Digital Innovation (MDI), which has received final regulatory…

AfricInvest, via its blended-finance impact initiative, the Transform Health Fund, has announced a strategic investment of $10.5 million in HewaTele, a Kenyan-based medical oxygen provider. This funding marks a significant step toward addressing one of East Africa’s most critical yet overlooked healthcare challenges: the availability of high-quality medical oxygen. In Kenya, the situation is…

MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator, has reported a robust financial turnaround for the first half of 2025, marking a significant recovery from its prior-year losses. The Johannesburg-based telecom giant posted headline earnings per share (HEPS) of 645 cents, a dramatic reversal from the 256 cents loss recorded in H1 2024. This…

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) has officially launched applications for the seventh edition of the MEST Africa Challenge, a pan-African pitch competition aimed at identifying and supporting high-potential technology startups. This year, the focus is squarely on fintech innovation, with the program seeking startups that are building impactful solutions in digital…

CrossBoundary Energy (CBE), a leading developer of renewable energy solutions for commercial and industrial clients in Africa, has secured a $40 million equity-like capital investment from Impact Fund Denmark (IFDK). This strategic funding will support the expansion of CBE’s portfolio of clean energy projects across the continent, accelerating its mission to deliver reliable,…

MTN Group has unveiled a sweeping leadership overhaul as part of its strategic realignment for 2025 and beyond. The changes, which reflect the company’s transition into its next phase of growth, will take effect from 1 November 2025 and include key executive appointments across its operations in Africa and the Middle East.…

Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets, has announced that Group CEO Sim Tshabalala and Group CFO Arno Daehnke will retire by the end of 2027. This decision comes even as the bank has officially raised the retirement age for its executive leadership from 60 to 63 years, in line with evolving global and…

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the pan-African Ecobank Group, has announced that Nedbank Group has reached an agreement to divest its 21.22% equity stake in ETI to Bosquet Investments, a private investment vehicle owned by Alain Nkontchou. The transaction is currently pending regulatory approval. This strategic move aligns with Nedbank’s broader decision…

Ezdehar Management, a leading private equity firm, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Kemet, a prominent Egyptian food company, through its Ezdehar Mid-Cap Fund II. This strategic investment marks a significant milestone in Ezdehar’s commitment to supporting high-potential businesses in Egypt’s fast-growing food and beverage (F&B) sector.…

Renew Capital has announced a strategic investment in Hypeo Ai, a fast-growing Moroccan startup that is transforming the influencer marketing landscape across Africa and the Middle East through the power of artificial intelligence. Hypeo Ai offers a cutting-edge platform that enables brands to launch and manage influencer campaigns with unprecedented speed…

Vodacom South Africa has received final regulatory approval to acquire a co-controlling stake in Maziv, a major fibre infrastructure provider that operates Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa. The decision marks the conclusion of a three-and-a-half-year regulatory process, clearing the way for a significant capital injection into Maziv’s operations. The approval, confirmed on August 14, 2025 by Pieter Uys,…