Author: Kaluka wanjala

Safaricom has revealed that one of its latest products, M-Pesa Ratiba, has had over 1 million opt-ins in just a month. M-Pesa Ratiba allows M-Pesa registered customers to set up recurring payments from their M-Pesa accounts to other M-Pesa accounts or to a Lipa na M-Pesa shortcode. Think of this like a standing order that you can set up on your bank account for recurring monthly payments. With Ratiba, you can automate regular payments including rent, utility bills and school fees through Lipa na M-Pesa payments to M-Pesa Buy Goods, Business tills, and Paybills. Having over 1 million opt-ins in…

M-Pesa, Safaricom’s mobile money platform, has surpassed 34 million subscribers. The company announced this today revealing the milestone was achieved back in November. With 34 million subscribers, Safaricom is one of the leading mobile money solutions across the continent. in addition, M-Pesa has over 300,000 agents across the country. This agent network is what has helped Safaricom expand and maintain its market share. Safaricom has also revealed that M-Pesa supports over 1.5M micro, small, medium and large enterprises through its merchant payment options. Most recently Safaricom acquired an insurance intermediary license partnering with various insurance providers to offer comprehensive insurance…

Microsoft, through the company’s Africa Transformation Office (ATO), has unveiled an initiative that will accelerate advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and foster collaboration between startups and industry leaders. The initiative will also mark the launch of Microsoft’s strategic collaboration with NVIDIA, aimed at accelerating AI startup development in Africa. The announcement was made building on the success of the Microsoft African Startups AI Fest held earlier this year in South Africa and included participation from the NVIDIA Inception program as a platform for startups to engage with industry leaders, investors, and potential partners. Participants will discover cutting-edge AI solutions and…

Binance has announced a partnership with AltSchool Africa to provide full-tuition scholarships to 500 young Africans. Kicking off in January 2025 to 31 December, this collaboration is aimed at addressing the digital skills gap in Africa by offering access to specialised education in fields such as software engineering, cybersecurity, sales and content creation, empowering learners with skills that are essential in today’s rapidly evolving job market. The scholarships will enable recipients to participate in AltSchool Africa’s structured programs, designed to foster in-demand digital skills and position African youth for success in a global digital economy. As part of this initiative,…

Samsung has launched its first ever experience store in Meru today. The store, dubbed Generations, is located in Greenwood City Mall. This move by Samsung is aimed at ensuring technology penetration, and access to quality premium smartphones across the country. It is a strategic move that has followed the launch of nine other Samsung Experience Stores (SES) in the East African Region. Using this store, Samsung wants to ensure that all customers in Meru have the opportunity to explore and experience a variety of Samsung products first-hand; from mobile devices, including Samsung flagship Galaxy series, foldables, wearables, accessories and home…

Visa has concluded the Demo Day for the second cohort of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program. This event was held in Cape Town, South Africa on December 2nd. At the event, 23 fintech startups presented their solutions to an audience of venture capitalists, angel investors, ecosystem enablers, and business partners. The second cohort’s Demo Day was a culmination of a 12-week intensive program that included training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The highlights of the event included startup pitches from three batches representing different regions of Africa—West Africa, North Africa, and East & South Africa. At the Demo Day, four…

OPPO Find X8 has officially launched in Kenya and is available across the country for Ksh 140,000. This is currently the most expensive phone from the company in the country and was launched globally on 21st November 2024. Kenya is one of the first international markets to unveil this phone. The Find X8 is launching at a very competitive segment dominated by Samsung and Apple. While OPPO has had some flagship phones, we rarely see them officially launch in Kenya. “With the Find X8, OPPO has broken through barriers that have held smartphones back for generations. Its exquisite, ultra-slim design,…

 Vertiv has introduced the Vertiv PowerUPS 9000, an energy-efficient, high-power density uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system with a compact footprint. The system is engineered to support IT applications from traditional computing to high density applications. It is available globally in UL and CE models, from 250 to 1250kW per unit. The Vertiv PowerUPS 9000 is designed for high-power density, as well as a high double-conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%. The system enables fast and easy installation, with top or bottom cable entry, as well as backfeed protection and ground fault kit options that are embedded in the system without need for…

The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) hosted its 61st Biannual Plenary Session on 1st December 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “The FinTech Revolution in Africa.” The event, held in partnership with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and Kenya Bankers Association among others, brought together leading economists, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the evolving role of financial technology in shaping Africa’s economic future. The plenary opening session was chaired by Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Chair of the AERC Board of Directors and Emeritus Professor of Development Economics at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research at the University…

Nowlun, an Egyptian digital freight forwarding platform, has announced it has raised $1.7 million in seed funding. The round was led by Nama Ventures and A15, with participation from Sanabil 500 Global and prominent angel investors. This investment will fuel Nowlun’s ambitious expansion plans and accelerate the development of its innovative technology platform, which is transforming the logistics industry by offering instant, transparent, and competitive ocean freight rates, streamlined shipment management, and real-time visibility into cargo movements. Since its launch in 2021 by Moataz Khamis (CEO), Mahmoud Khaled (CTO), and Ahmed Emara (COO), Nowlun has rapidly established itself as a…