Bloc launches business banking service, appoints Guobadia to assemble its board

After 18 months of enabling fintech startups to build and deploy banking and payment services, Nigerian fintech startup, Bloc has launched a business banking services.

What we know about the Meta Creator Lab Live for Nigerian creators

Last Friday, over 40 young and aspiring Nigerian creators gathered at the Meta office in Lagos for the Creator Lab Live, an educational event that provides an opportunity for creators to learn from experts and collaborate.

Meet the African startups competing at TechCrunch’s 2023 Startup Battlefield 200

The startups cut across Cleantech, SaaS, Fintech, Fintech, HealthTech, AI/Machine Learning, Security and Privacy and Cleantech. The startups are from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.

BD Insider 183: Where does Nigeria’s “$500 million digital economy fund” come from?

Where is the Nigeria’s “$500 million digital economy fund” from? We attempt to answer this question and also provided insights into World Bank’s partnership to roll out digital IDs for Nigerians.

BD Insider 182: Nigeria rakes in over ₦2 trillion from Big Tech taxes

Within 15 months, non-resident digital firms paid over ₦2 trillion to the Nigerian government, according to NBS data. We also provided a roundup of tech happenings.

BD Insider 181: TikTok to open an office in Kenya to drive its African operations

The fintech startup said it will use the funds to expand to Europe, Asia, and MENA. We also covered TIkTok's plan to set up an office in Kenya.

LemFi raises $33 million Series A for global expansion

Global payments company, LemFi (formerly Lemonade Finance) has secured a $33 million Series A in a round led by Left Lane Capital.

Kenyan fintech, Cellulant is downsizing its workforce by 20%

Kenyan fintech startup, Cellulant has laid off 20% of its workforce as it transitions into “product-focused strategy”.

Africans secured 60% of the Gates Foundation’s $5M fund for health-focused AI projects

Through its Grand Challenge, Gates Foundation has selected 48 research groups that plan to build artificial intelligence (AI) applications on large language models (LLMs) to help social and healthcare causes in their communities.

Google expands “AI First” accelerator to Africa

Google has launched its AI First program in Africa to provide startups with access to Google's AI expertise, Cloud Platform resources, and networking opportunities.

NALA enters Nigeria’s cross-border payment market

Tanzanian fintech startup, NALA has launched payments from the UK and EU to Nigeria.

African fintech unicorn, Flutterwave resumes IPO talks

Flutterwave, the leading African fintech startup wants to continue with its initial public offering (IPO) plans that were stalled last year due to a myriad of scandals including insider trading, sexual allegations and regulatory challenges.