Okra Solar raises $12M to power mesh-grid electrification in Africa

Cleantech startup, Okra Solar has raised a $12 million Series A to enable mesh-grid electrification in Africa.

Ugandan mobility fintech, Asaak acquires FlexClub, expands to Latin America

Asaak has acquired FlexClub Mexico, as part of its expansion into Latin America. The undisclosed acquisition does not include FlexClub South Africa.

India wants to expand its Unified Payments Interface to Africa

The Indian government is planning to expand its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Africa through commercial partnerships between payment platforms. According to Mint, an Indian business publication, the government is in talks with "several African countries", including Namibia, Mozambique, and Kenya.

ICT was the second-highest contributor to Nigeria’s GDP in Q2 2023

Despite a substantial funding gap between male-led and female-led startups on the continent, four investors see immense potential in these women entrepreneurs and consider them a must-watch.

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.

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.

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.

Moniepoint set to acquire 100% shares in Kenyan fintech, Kopo Kopo

Africa's pioneer climate tech pre-seed fund and accelerator advances efforts to build a climate-resilient future.

Tinubu appoints CcHUB’s ‘Bosun Tijani as minister of digital economy

Two weeks after he was named a minister-designate, CcHUB’s co-founder and CEO 'Bosun Tijani has been appointed as Nigeria's minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy.

Nigerian Government commends Google’s ₦1.2 billion grant initiative

The Federal Government of Nigeria through, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima has praised Google's ₦1.2 billion grant initiative to train Nigerian youths with digital skills.

Kobo360 CEO is now Enugu’s commissioner of transport

Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, has appointed Obi Ozor, the co-founder and CEO of Kobo360, as the commissioner of transport.

World Bank pauses financing to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law

On Tuesday, World Bank announced that it will not provide new loans to Uganda due to its anti-LGBTQ laws. “Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values,” the Bank said in a statement seen by thecondia.com.