Author: Kaluka wanjala

Egyptian fintech startup Blnk has secured a total of $37.1 million in fresh funding, combining $12.5 million in Series A equity and $24.6 million in local debt facilities, as it looks to scale its point-of-sale financing solutions and deepen financial inclusion in the country. The equity round was led by Algebra Ventures, with participation from SANAD Fund for MSME, Endeavor Catalyst and Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC), which also backed the company at the seed stage. On the debt side, Blnk attracted support from major Egyptian financial institutions including Suez Canal Bank, Bank Albaraka and National Bank of Egypt, alongside…

The Mwanga wa Elimu movement held its inaugural public workshop at the eLearning Africa 2026 conference in Accra. The conference brought together policymakers, developers, educators, researchers and funders from across the continent. The workshop, themed “Light the Way: Join Africa’s EdTech Revolution,” marked two key developments: the official launch of the Africa EdTech Policy Toolkit and the opening of membership for practitioners across Africa. The initiative is closely tied to the Africa EdTech 2030 Vision and Plan, developed by AUDA-NEPAD and endorsed during the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly. The plan outlines an ambitious roadmap to create a…

NTT DATA has announced the expansion of its Salesforce capabilities in East Africa. The announcement was made during an industry event in Nairobi. This signals to a deeper push by NTT DATA to localise its global Salesforce expertise while at the same time strengthening in-region delivery capabilities for businesses across Kenya and across East African market. This expansion focuses on enabling organisations to manage customer data better, integrate fragmented systems and adopt AI-powered tools. The aim is to deliver more personalised and efficient customer experiences. A key theme that emerged during the event was the growing challenge of disconnected customer…

Vertiv announced the Vertiv Rack Extreme, a next-generation rack designed for the increasing demands of high-performance computing and AI applications. This future-ready rack platform supports deep and heavy IT equipment required for next-generation deployments. Driven by increasing compute density, data centre operators must accommodate IT equipment while supporting airflow, cable organisation and installation flexibility. The Vertiv Rack Extreme is designed to help meet these evolving demands with higher load ratings, deeper configurations, integrated cable management and compatibility with power and thermal management systems used in data centre environments. “The Vertiv Rack Extreme reflects our expanded capabilities in rack and enclosure designs for high-density…

A new study released by Visa reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming deeply embedded in how consumers discover and shop for products in Kenya. The findings come from Visa’s latest Stay Secure report, conducted by Wakefield Research. According to the study, 89% of Kenyan consumers have already used AI-powered tools to support their shopping journeys. These tools are being used to compare prices (53%), generate gift ideas (55%) and check product reviews or ratings (60%). 91% of respondents said AI and other emerging technologies have made online shopping faster and easier. AI is also influencing discovery as the study…

Proparco has announced a new financing facility for Kenyan healthtech startup Tibu Health. This funding will accelerate the rollout of its proximity-based “Minute Clinics”. It will also help expand access to affordable primary healthcare for underserved communities. This funding is being provided through the Bridge Fund by Digital Africa facility and is expected to support Tibu Health’s expansion across urban and peri-urban areas in Kenya. Tibu Health was founded by Jason Carmichael and focuses on delivering accessible and affordable primary healthcare services. The company has built a model centered on embedded clinics which are small healthcare units that are integrated…

Nigerian shared mobility platform Shuttlers has surpassed 10 million completed journeys and has become the first private shared transport operator in Nigeria to integrate with Google Maps Transit system. The integration allows commuters searching for public transport directions on Google Maps in Nigeria to discover Shuttlers’ routes and book seats directly within the platform. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Shuttlers operates a structured shared commuting network designed for professionals and businesses navigating high-density urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The company currently serves around 30,000 active users…

Africa’s esports industry is showing strong signs of rapid expansion, with the Carry1st Africa Cup 2026 returning as the continent’s largest competitive Call of Duty: Mobile tournament and a key qualifier for the global championship stage. According to the organisers, the previous edition of the tournament reached more than 57 million people, drew over 20,000 viewers during the grand finals and attracted 700 in-person fans at the Lagos finale. The competition also marked Africa’s first-ever qualification pathway to the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship. “Last year, 57 million people heard about the Carry1st Africa Cup, with over 20,000 people…

Vertiv has announced progress on a production-grade digital twin capability for Vertiv SmartRun integrated in the NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint, advancing the company’s roadmap to make AI factory infrastructure more configurable, repeatable, and simulation-ready. As AI deployments scale to higher densities and larger capacities, data centres need a faster, more reliable way to turn each generation of computing into real-world infrastructure. Traditional, document-based processes and siloed handoffs across power, cooling, controls, and deployment teams can’t keep pace. Vertiv SmartRun digital twin shifts planning to a model-based approach, allowing infrastructure to be designed, simulated, and validated as a single system before build-out. By…

Spiro has just announced a $215 million investment round.  The new funding will be used to expand its battery-swapping network, scale local manufacturing and assembly, enhance technology development and support entry into new African markets. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. The company is already operational in seven countries, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon, with plans to expand into Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. Spiro’s raise comes at a time when electric mobility is gaining traction across Africa. The company’s footprint includes manufacturing plants in Kenya,…