Johnstone Kpilaakaa

Copia secures $15M in Series C extension to intensify focus on Kenyan operations

Copia Global has secured $20 million in a Series C extension round. The Kenyan e-commerce startup has also appointed John Lazar, the former CEO of Metaswitch, to its board

Wyclef Jean inks deal to build a tech hub in Plateau state

Renowned Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur, Wyclef Jean, in collaboration with Caribbean International Commerce (CICH), has signed a partnership with the Plateau state government.

BD Insider 215: Why the acquisition of Bluewave by Lami failed

Inside: Chowdeck onboards Shoprite, the failed acquisition of Bluewave by Lami, and the Nigerian tech journalist of the year award.

Flutterwave obtains licences to facilitate remittances to and from 29 US States

Flutterwave has acquired money transmission licences enabling it to provide remittance in 29 states in the United States.

WIC Capital gets $1M to provide funding for female-led SMEs in Francophone Africa

WIC Capital has secured a $1 million loan from FSDAi Nyala Facility to invest in female-led businesses in Francophone Africa.

Nigerian fintech, Bujeti secures $2 million seed round, led by YC

Nigerian fintech startup, Bujeti has secured a $2 million seed in a round led by Y Combinator

Exclusive: Co-founder conflict forces YC-backed fintech, Pivo to shut down

A year after raising a $2 million seed round, Nigerian fintech startup, Pivo is shutting down due to a co-founder conflict, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Why Bitmama is acquiring Payday

Bitmama, a Nigerian blockchain startup is seeking to acquire Payday, aiming to strengthen its cross-border payment services. The deal is yet to be finalised.

El-Rufai to launch $100M fund for startups in Northern Nigeria

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state has revealed that he plans to launch a $100 million venture fund to invest in the innovative ideas of young Nigerians, starting with the tech ecosystem in Northern Nigeria.

BD Insider 214: 40% of Kenyan employers consider mass layoffs

Inside: About 40% of Kenyan employers consider mass layoffs + Nigeria wants to launch 100 electric buses as carbon reduction initiative.

Sky.Garden makes a comeback a year after its acquisition by Lipa Later

Kenyan e-commerce startup, Sky.Garden has relaunched operations, one year after its acquisition by Lipa Later, a Kenyan fintech.

Three charts showing how African startups raised $89.6M in November 2023

In November 2023, African startups secured $89.6 million in VC funding, across 17 announced deals. Per BD Funding Tracker, it is a 42.63% decline from the previous month.