Author: Kaluka wanjala

Paystack has today announced the launch of The Stack Group (TSG). This will be the new parent holding company that will house a family of tech-focused brands including Paystack, Paystack Microfinance Bank (MFB), Zap and TSG Labs. The announcement comes as Paystack celebrates its 10-year anniversary in January 2026 and reports strong financial momentum following its acquisition by global payments giant Stripe in 2020. Since then, Paystack says its payment volume has grown more than 12x and the group is now profitable at the holding company level. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact…

Konza Technopolis partnered with the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) to host the Magical Kenya Trail Series 2026 Youth Hackathon in Nandi County. This 24-hour innovation sprint explored how technology can be used to unlock new value in tourism, culture and local economies. the theme was “Innovating Culture, Tourism and Youth Skills for Sustainable Community Growth,” participants tackled real-world challenges across three key areas: The goal was to use technology to turn local insight into scalable, market-ready solutions that can grow jobs and opportunity at the grassroots level. Over 50 innovators from institutions including Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Eldohub,…

For many Kenyan households, after-sales support is still a frustrating maze of unreliable technicians, substandard parts, long wait times and wasted weekends hauling bulky appliances across town. LG is betting that this experience doesn’t have to be the norm. With the launch of its Best Care Trailer, LG is using mobile service units to rethink how after-sales support works in Kenya. This shifts it from reactive, inconvenient and risky to proactive, accessible, and trustworthy. After-sales is broken Kenyans spend a lot of time researching specs, prices, and brands before buying appliances. But what happens after the purchase? That’s where things…

Safaricom has appointed Sylvia Anampiu as the new Director of Fixed Business. The telco plans to roll out flexible, prepaid fibre and tokenized Wi-Fi access, bringing daily, weekly and monthly broadband options to homes and businesses across the country. Anampiu took over the role on January 5, 2026, and will lead strategy, growth, and profitability for Safaricom’s fixed broadband operations. Her appointment comes as the company prepares to shift from rigid monthly plans to flexible, time-based bundles, mirroring the approach that transformed mobile data in Kenya. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO, said fixed broadband sits at the center of the group’s…

Microsoft has partnered with Kenyan health-tech startup Zendawa to roll out an AI-powered platform to help independent pharmacies across the country to improve efficiency, reduce medicine wastage and grow revenues. The solution is built on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 Copilot and Power BI. It enables small and medium-sized pharmacies to digitise inventory management, access real-time business insights and make data-driven decisions. These decisions were previously difficult to achieve with manual systems. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Zendawa’s AI-driven platform replaces manual inventory tracking with predictive analytics, automated reporting, and demand…

Global fintech trading platform Capital.com has received regulatory approval from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya, allowing it to operate as a licensed Dealing Online Foreign Exchange Broker in the country. The licence, issued under number 244, authorises Capital.com to offer regulated online forex and trading services to Kenyan clients. Capital.com emphasised that compliance, risk management, and transparency remain central to its operations. To lead its local operations, Capital.com has appointed Samwel Kiraka as Chief Executive Officer, Kenya. Kiraka brings experience in managing financial services within regulated markets and will oversee governance, compliance, and day-to-day client operations as the…

According to data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), licensed digital lenders have disbursed Ksh. 109.8 billion across more than 6.6 million loans in the first 11 months of 2025, Mobile-first lending platforms are now a central part of how many Kenyans access quick financing, particularly outside traditional banking hours and physical branches. Mobile loans are designed for speed and convenience. Approvals are instant and disbursement is done through USSD and mobile apps. This accessibility has made them attractive to informal traders, gig workers and salaried employees who want short-term liquidity. Against this backdrop, Faulu Bank has expanded access…

Vertiv has announced new configurations of the Vertiv MegaMod HDX, a prefabricated power and liquid cooling infrastructure solution engineered for high-density computing environments, including artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) deployments. The new configurations give operators flexibility to support rapidly increasing power and cooling requirements while optimising space and deployment speed. The models are available globally. Vertiv MegaMod HDX integrates direct-to-chip liquid cooling with air-cooled architectures to meet the intense thermal demands of AI workloads, supporting pod-style AI environments and advanced GPU clusters. The new compact solution has a standard module height and a maximum of 13 racks and power…

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed all licensed mobile network operators (MNOs) and internet service providers (ISPs) to temporarily suspend public internet access and certain mobile services during the ongoing election period. The directive, effective 13th January at 18:00, comes on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Security Committee. UCC cited concerns over the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence. Services Affected The suspension includes: The shutdown covers multiple networks: mobile broadband, fibre optic, leased lines, fixed wireless, microwave links and satellite internet services. What Is Exempted Certain critical services will remain operational, strictly…

Kenya-based optical retail startup Mamy Eyewear has secured a strategic investment from Japan’s Ikemori Venture Support (IVS). IVS is a Japan-based family office that backs high-potential consumer and technology businesses with a strong focus on long-term impact across Africa and Asia. The firm said its decision to invest in Mamy Eyewear was driven by the company’s combination of innovation, operational execution and commitment to expanding access to essential eye care services. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Mamy Eyewear operates a network of modern optical stores offering free AI-powered eye tests,…