Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

LeapFrog Investments has officially exited its investment in Goodlife Pharmacy, East Africa’s largest retail pharmacy chain, following the full acquisition of the business by CFAO Healthcare, a leading distributor of pharmaceutical and medical products across Africa. This marks the culmination of a strategic partnership that began in 2022, when CFAO Healthcare acquired a minority stake in…

First National Bank (FNB) has announced the appointment of Ghana Msibi, current CEO of WesBank, as the new Chief Executive Officer of FNB Business, one of South Africa’s largest lenders to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), serving over one million customers. This strategic leadership change comes at a time when the SME banking segment is…

Nigerian fintech company Payaza has received a significant regulatory green light from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise an additional ₦20 billion under its ongoing ₦50 billion commercial paper programme. This approval follows a similar endorsement from the FMDQ Exchange in December 2024, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s financial strategy and operational strength. The newly approved…

Pearl Capital Partners (PCP), the fund manager of the Yield Fund Uganda, has officially exited its investment in Clarke Farm, a leading agribusiness enterprise in Uganda’s specialty coffee industry. This marks the successful conclusion of a multi-year partnership that significantly advanced Clarke Farm’s operations, sustainability, and impact on smallholder farmers. Pearl Capital…

South Africa-based Mergence Investment Managers has deepened its commitment to clean energy by announcing a follow-on investment of R60 million (approximately $3.4 million) in Solarise Africa, a pan-African energy solutions provider. This latest funding round is structured as a mezzanine facility through preference shares, and will be used to accelerate the deployment of commercial and industrial…

Altera Biosciences, positioning itself as Africa’s first dedicated cell and gene therapy startup, has raised R29 million (approximately $1.6 million) in a pre-seed funding round to pursue one of biotechnology’s most ambitious goals: the creation of universal donor cells. The round was led by OneBio Venture Studio and E Squared Investments, marking a significant milestone for…

MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and Showmax, is facing mounting pressure as its core businesses continue to lose subscribers and revenue. The company is now pinning its hopes on a proposed acquisition by French media giant Canal+, which could provide the strategic and financial support needed to reverse its fortunes.…

The Takealot Group has unveiled a new standalone business unit—Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS)—marking a strategic shift from being South Africa’s leading e-commerce platform to becoming a technology-driven fulfilment partner for businesses of all sizes. TFS consolidates the group’s extensive logistics, courier, on-demand delivery, supply chain, and international freight services under a single,…

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…