Author: Kaluka wanjala

Capitec Bank has entered into a binding agreement to acquire 100 percent of Walletdoc Holdings, a South African fintech firm known for its modern payment gateway solutions. The acquisition includes an initial cash payment of R300 million and a potential R100 million earn-out paid over three years. The earn-out is tied to performance milestones and the Capitec share price. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Why Capitec Is Buying Walletdoc Walletdoc offers online and in-app payments, digital wallets, payment links, Instant EFT and real-time payouts. Its platform is built for scale,…

Vertiv has completed its previously announced plan to acquire Purge Rite Intermediate, also known as PurgeRite. The deal is valued at approximately $1 billion and strengthens Vertiv’s thermal management capabilities and reinforces its position as a leader in next generation liquid cooling services for data centres. Gio Albertazzi, CEO of Vertiv, said the acquisition will enhance the company’s ability to support high density computing environments. He added that PurgeRite’s specialised expertise in fluid management complements Vertiv’s portfolio and improves its ability to deliver end to end support for AI and HPC applications that depend on efficient thermal performance. The demand…

The Government of Kenya has released nine conditions that Vodacom must commit to before the State proceeds with the planned sale of a 15% Safaricom stake to Vodafone Kenya Limited. The proposed divestment, announced last week, is expected to raise between KES 240.5 billion and KES 244.5 billion, which will be used to capitalise the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund. The government insists that the transaction is a shareholder level adjustment. It will not change how Safaricom is run or its relationship with Kenyan consumers, suppliers, or employees. The undertakings are designed to protect the company’s identity,…

LOOP  has unveiled a new device financing solution designed to make premium smartphones and other gadgets more accessible. The service has been launched in partnership with bolttech, a global insurtech company known for providing device protection and digital insurance solutions. The offering brings together LOOP FLEX, a Buy Now Pay Later solution with repayment periods of up to 12 months, and bolttech’s device protection cover. Customers who purchase devices through LOOP FLEX will enjoy protection against theft, accidental damage, liquid damage, mechanical breakdowns and repairs done only at authorised service centres using genuine parts.  LOOP says the service is aimed…

Access Bank Kenya and National Bank of Kenya, both subsidiaries of Access Bank PLC, have introduced the W Initiative in Kenya. This is a programme designed to increase financing and business support for women-led enterprises. The initiative is backed by Access Bank’s presence across Africa and seeks to promote financial inclusion and help women entrepreneurs access new opportunities for growth. Across the Access Bank network, the W Initiative has already disbursed 141 million dollars to women-owned and women-supported businesses. In Kenya, the programme brings together NBK’s existing women-focused offerings, NIA and Almasi Lady, into one comprehensive platform. The unified approach…

Airtel Money customers in Kenya can now pay DTB Till Moja merchants directly and deposit funds into DTB accounts from their mobile wallets.  The integration allows customers to manage their finances instantly and securely from their mobile phones without visiting a bank branch or payment outlet. Customers can also make Paybill payments and get a 50% guaranteed cashback in airtime. “At Airtel Money, we are committed to facilitating seamless flow of money across Kenya’s financial ecosystem,” said Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, Airtel Money Kenya Managing Director. “While customers have previously been able to send funds to DTB accounts, this new feature now…

Zoho has expanded its Young Creators Program (YCP) across East Africa, empowering students and professionals with hands-on digital skills in low-code application development. Through workshops conducted across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Madagascar, Zoho trained more than 150 participants to design and deploy business-ready applications using Zoho Creator, the company’s low-code development platform. These workshops were conducted in partnership with local institutions in each of the countries.  “Through the Young Creators Program, we are helping students and professionals across East Africa gain the tools and confidence to turn their ideas into impactful digital solutions,” said Veerakumar Natarajan, Regional Manager, Zoho East…

The Government of Kenya has announced a proposal to undertake a partial divestment of its shares in Safaricom PLC. If approved, the State will sell 15% of its Safaricom stake to Vodafone Kenya. This transaction is expected to generate approximately KES 240.5 billion to KES 244.5 billion. Treasury has noted that the valuation reflects a 23.6% premium on the six-month volume weighted average price. The Government will still retain a significant stake in Safaricom even after the sale. This will be Safaricom’s new ownership structure: Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the proceeds will become seed capital for the National…

Bolttech, the global insurtech firm, has acquired mTek, a Nairobi based digital insurance platform. The move is part of Bolttech’s wider strategy to grow its presence in East Africa and strengthen its embedded insurance capabilities in new markets. mTek launched in 2019 and built a digital platform that allows users to compare, buy and manage insurance policies through a paperless workflow. The company works with major insurers in Kenya including GA Insurance, Sanlam and Britam. In September, mTek and Mastercard announced a partnership that will bring embedded insurance solutions to customers across East Africa. If you have a startup you want featured…

Mauritius-based FinTech startup Black Swan has been crowned the winner of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025. The pan-African pitch competition which is led by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) and powered by Absa Group spotlighted startups building next-generation financial solutions aimed at boosting inclusion and improving lending, payments and digital services across the continent. Black Swan is building infrastructure that turns fragmented consumer and MSME data into real-time credit intelligence. The startup says its platform enables banks and lenders to run instant affordability assessments, making it possible to extend credit to borrowers typically excluded by traditional…