Author: Kaluka wanjala

Safaricom has launched Ziidi Trader inside the M-PESA app making it easier for Kenyans to buy and sell shares listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) directly from their mobile phones. For M-PESA users, there is no need of opening separate accounts with brokers or downloading separate trading apps. What is Ziidi Trader? Ziidi Trader is a new investment feature built into the M-PESA app that allows customers to trade NSE-listed shares and corporate bonds directly from their phones. It is part of Safaricom’s broader Ziidi Investment Platform, which already includes Ziidi Money Market Fund (MMF) and Ziidi Shariah. With…

Wimbart has launched a new service called Wimbart Lite that aims to support pre-seed and early-stage startups that have raised under $1 million. The new offering is designed for founders and early teams that may not need full-scale, long-term PR retainers but still require professional communications support around key milestones such as product launches, partnerships and fundraising. To lead the new division, Wimbart has promoted Maria Adediran, Associate Director and a founding team member, to Head of Wimbart Lite. In her new role, Adediran will oversee strategy, new business, and delivery standards for the unit. Wimbart Lite takes a menu-based,…

NCBA Bank has become the first bank in East and Central Africa to attain dual ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701 certifications.  The certifications were awarded by the British Standards Institution (BSI), a global accreditation body. They reinforce NCBA’s position as a technology-driven bank focused on protecting customer, employee and partner data at scale. ISO/IEC 27001 sets a global benchmark for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). NCBA is the first bank in East and Central Africa to attain ISO/IEC 27701 for privacy information management. This certification directly supports compliance with the Kenya Data Protection Act and the Uganda Data Protection and…

Asset financier Watu has welcomed the launch of Kenya’s E-Mobility Policy 2026. The company describes it as a major milestone in the country’s push toward clean, affordable and scalable electric mobility. The policy provides a national framework to accelerate the shift from fossil-fuel vehicles to electric alternatives. It has goals of reducing emissions, improving urban air quality and creating new opportunities across the e-mobility value chain. Speaking at the launch, Watu Kenya Country Manager Erick Massawe said the policy brings much-needed clarity and momentum to the electric vehicle (EV) sector. “The Kenya E-Mobility Policy is a game-changer for the industry.…

Absa has partnered with Microsoft Elevate and Women in Tech to expand the ElevateHer AI Programme to 9 additional African countries. The ElevateHer AI Programme was launched in South Africa and has reached more than 10,000 learners. The expansion will now see the initiative rolled out across additional African countries as Absa sharpens its focus on skills development, inclusion and responsible AI adoption. The programme leverages Absa’s pan-African footprint, Microsoft’s Elevate AI skilling platform, and Women in Tech’s community networks to train women in how to use AI tools for real-world work and business use cases. Participants learn how to…

Pan-African payments company Cellulant has appointed Michael Muriuki as its new Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO. The move brings together oversight of product, platform and software engineering under one role. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Muriuki has been with Cellulant for over a decade, joining the company as an implementation engineer when it was primarily focused on mobile banking. He has played a central role in building the infrastructure that has powered Cellulant’s evolution over the years into a full-scale payments platform operating in multiple African markets. He was…

Kenya is facing a new wave of cyber threats powered by artificial intelligence, with deepfake scams and AI-generated malware emerging as some of the most serious risks to businesses and everyday users. That’s according to the latest ESET H2 2025 Threat Report, which analysed cyber threat data from June to November 2025. The report highlights that Kenyan organisations and internet users remain highly exposed to socially engineered fraud, especially investment scams amplified through deepfake videos, impersonation, and AI-built phishing infrastructure. ESET researchers say scammers are now using high-quality deepfake videos and fake websites generated by AI to run sophisticated investment…

Google has today announced it is accepting applications for the 10th cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa.  The latest cohort will focus on AI-driven scientific and technological breakthroughs. It will have a strong emphasis on startups using artificial intelligence and machine learning to solve large-scale problems across Africa. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. The 12-week accelerator is an “AI First” hybrid program designed for Series A startups based in Africa or building Africa-centric solutions. Selected founders will gain access to Google’s AI expertise, technical infrastructure, hands-on mentorship from…

Old Mutual Group has announced a new partnership with Paystack aimed at simplifying and also strengthening digital payments across its insurance and investment platforms in East Africa. The integration allows customers to complete transactions faster and securely through different online and mobile payment channels. This will help reduce friction at the point of payment and in the end improve the digital customer journey. Old Mutual hopes this will improve conversion rates, reduce failed transactions and enhance operational efficiency across its growing digital ecosystem. “At Old Mutual, we are committed to delivering exceptional digital experiences for our customers. Partnering with Paystack…

Kenya has officially launched its National Electric Mobility (e-Mobility) Policy. This policy was formally launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Mr. Davis Chirchir, EGH.  Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), CS Chirchir said the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) would significantly reduce Kenya’s annual petroleum import bill – currently estimated at US$5 billion, which places considerable strain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves, undermines energy security and exposes the economy to global fuel price volatility. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here.…