Author: Kaluka wanjala

As African businesses accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence and cloud technologies, a new challenge is emerging, protecting the data that powers these systems. According to executives from Veeam, many organisations are expanding faster than their ability to properly secure and recover their data. Speaking to TechArena at AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, Brendan Widlake, Regional Director for English Africa and Lisa Strydom, Senior Channel and Alliances Manager for Africa, said the conversation around data is rapidly shifting but key gaps still remain. One of the biggest shifts organisations are facing is the sheer spread of data. “Your data…

South African-based Mia Healthcare Technologies has raised R15 million ($910,000) to expand the reach of affordable dental and orthodontic care in Southern Africa. The investment comes from the Vumela Fund, which is managed by Edge Growth in partnership with First National Bank (FNB). If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Mia Healthcare operates mobile clinics in schools, workplaces and underserved communities. They bring professional dental care closer to patients who might otherwise go without treatment. At the same time, the company is positioning itself as a local challenger in the orthodontics market…

Kenya is set to introduce minimum fare regulations for ride-hailing services. William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to engage ride-hailing companies and implement a pricing framework that will establish a minimum taxi fare across platforms such as Uber and Bolt according to the Daily Nation.  The proposed minimum fare framework comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of Kenya’s ride-hailing ecosystem. Over the past few years, aggressive price competition between platforms has driven down ride costs for consumers. Drivers have complained about shrinking incomes accelerated by high fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, insurance expenses and…

Cassava Technologies has been named the 2026 Pan-African Champion at the Africa CEO Forum Awards. The award was presented during the Africa CEO Forum Gala Dinner held in Kigali on May 14, bringing together top business leaders, policymakers, and investors from across Africa. Cassava Technologies’ President and Group CEO, Hardy Pemhiwa, accepted the award and also participated as a panellist in discussions focused on Africa’s digital future. The conversations highlighted the important role of infrastructure in accelerating digital transformation and enabling inclusive economic growth. The recognition is testament to Cassava’s continued investments towards building Africa’s digital backbone. These investments have…

Mitsumi Distribution has announced a $2 million investment in an artificial intelligence (AI) cloud platform. The company says the aim is to empower young Kenyan innovators with access to critical digital infrastructure. The initiative was unveiled during the AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya Summit in Nairobi.  According to Mitesh Shah, Co-founder and Managing Director of Mitsumi, the investment goes beyond commercial interests and is largely driven by corporate social responsibility. “The AI cloud we are putting up is around $2 million. This is mostly CSR from Mitsumi’s side so that most of our educated youths can utilize it for…

National Bank of Kenya (NBK) recorded KShs 1.03 billion in profit after tax for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026, representing a 275% growth compared to KShs 275.7 million recorded during a similar period last year, driven by net interest income and a substantial reduction in credit impairment charges. The Net interest income increased to KShs 2.84 billion from KShs 2.4 billion in Q1 2025, supported by disciplined asset pricing and improved funding efficiency. Non-interest income remained resilient at KShs 664.3 million, reflecting consistent performance in fees and commissions despite a competitive operating environment. Operating expenses were maintained at…

Visa has announced the launch of Apple Pay in Mauritius. The service is currently available to MCB Visa cardholders, with plans to expand support to additional banks in the near future. Apple Pay enables users to make secure, contactless payments in-store, within apps and online. Customers just have to double-click the side button on their iPhone or Apple Watch, authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode and complete transactions by holding their device near a payment terminal. According to Yared Endale, the launch represents a milestone in Mauritius’ broader digital transformation efforts. “The launch of Apple Pay…

At AI Everything GITEX Kenya 2026, Qhala, Amini AI, Angani and iXAfrica Data Centres announced a strategic collaboration to launch Qubit Hub at iXAfrica’s NBOX1 facility. The initiative aims to create a unified environment where AI research, cloud capabilities, data infrastructure and digital sovereignty can converge. This will position Kenya more firmly as a regional hub for AI and cloud innovation. Qubit Hub, incubated by Qhala under its QTrust framework, is designed as an African AI research, innovation and development lab. The platform brings together researchers, technologists, data scientists, policymakers and builders focused on developing practical, real-world AI solutions tailored…

As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across Africa, cybersecurity experts are warning that organisations may be moving faster than their ability to secure themselves. Speaking to TechArena on the sidelines of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, Moses Munguti, Technical Expert and Team Manager for Africa at Kaspersky, said AI is already reshaping the cyber threat landscape, often in favour of attackers. “AI is a force multiplier,” Munguti said. “It can be used for good, but attackers are adopting it faster, and that is stretching already limited cybersecurity resources within organisations.” Rather than introducing entirely new types of attacks, AI is…

Checker has announced it has raised $8 million in funding to accelerate the adoption of stablecoin-powered financial services across Africa and other emerging markets. The round was led by Al Mada Ventures, the investment arm of a Moroccan sovereign wealth group and parent of Attijariwafa Bank. Additional investors include Galaxy Ventures and Framework Ventures, alongside strategic backing from DFS Lab, Bitso, Airtm, Onigiri Capital, SNZ Capital, and Velocity Capital. The funding round also drew participation from prominent figures in Africa’s tech ecosystem, including Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, former Onafriq VP Gwera Kiwana, and Juicyway co-founder Justin Ziegler, as well as individuals from…