Author: Kaluka wanjala

National Bank of Kenya (NBK) recorded KShs 1.03 billion in profit after tax for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026, representing a 275% growth compared to KShs 275.7 million recorded during a similar period last year, driven by net interest income and a substantial reduction in credit impairment charges. The Net interest income increased to KShs 2.84 billion from KShs 2.4 billion in Q1 2025, supported by disciplined asset pricing and improved funding efficiency. Non-interest income remained resilient at KShs 664.3 million, reflecting consistent performance in fees and commissions despite a competitive operating environment. Operating expenses were maintained at…

Visa has announced the launch of Apple Pay in Mauritius. The service is currently available to MCB Visa cardholders, with plans to expand support to additional banks in the near future. Apple Pay enables users to make secure, contactless payments in-store, within apps and online. Customers just have to double-click the side button on their iPhone or Apple Watch, authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode and complete transactions by holding their device near a payment terminal. According to Yared Endale, the launch represents a milestone in Mauritius’ broader digital transformation efforts. “The launch of Apple Pay…

At AI Everything GITEX Kenya 2026, Qhala, Amini AI, Angani and iXAfrica Data Centres announced a strategic collaboration to launch Qubit Hub at iXAfrica’s NBOX1 facility. The initiative aims to create a unified environment where AI research, cloud capabilities, data infrastructure and digital sovereignty can converge. This will position Kenya more firmly as a regional hub for AI and cloud innovation. Qubit Hub, incubated by Qhala under its QTrust framework, is designed as an African AI research, innovation and development lab. The platform brings together researchers, technologists, data scientists, policymakers and builders focused on developing practical, real-world AI solutions tailored…

As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across Africa, cybersecurity experts are warning that organisations may be moving faster than their ability to secure themselves. Speaking to TechArena on the sidelines of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, Moses Munguti, Technical Expert and Team Manager for Africa at Kaspersky, said AI is already reshaping the cyber threat landscape, often in favour of attackers. “AI is a force multiplier,” Munguti said. “It can be used for good, but attackers are adopting it faster, and that is stretching already limited cybersecurity resources within organisations.” Rather than introducing entirely new types of attacks, AI is…

Checker has announced it has raised $8 million in funding to accelerate the adoption of stablecoin-powered financial services across Africa and other emerging markets. The round was led by Al Mada Ventures, the investment arm of a Moroccan sovereign wealth group and parent of Attijariwafa Bank. Additional investors include Galaxy Ventures and Framework Ventures, alongside strategic backing from DFS Lab, Bitso, Airtm, Onigiri Capital, SNZ Capital, and Velocity Capital. The funding round also drew participation from prominent figures in Africa’s tech ecosystem, including Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, former Onafriq VP Gwera Kiwana, and Juicyway co-founder Justin Ziegler, as well as individuals from…

Back in April, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) launched its contactless payment wearables in Kenya in partnership with Mastercard. These allow you to complete transactions without your phone or card. The bank’s NFC-enabled wearable devices let you make payments using accessories like rings and wristbands. There are no extra transaction fees and you only pay the standard card charges. Here’s everything you need to know about the DTB wearables. What Are DTB NFC Wearables? DTB NFC wearables are payment-enabled accessories including rings and wristbands. They allow you to pay just by tapping on a contactless payment terminal. They are powered by…

Tether has announced a strategic investment in LemFi to deepen financial inclusion and accelerate the adoption of stablecoin-powered infrastructure in emerging markets. LemFi operates across key corridors linking the UK, US, Canada and Europe with Africa and Asia. It makes it easier for millions of users to send money to family and communities abroad. For many of these users, the platform has effectively become a “financial home” where traditional banking rails have fallen short. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. With this new partnership, Tether plans to support LemFi in integrating…

Visa has released a new white paper exploring how privacy and security perceptions shape the way women entrepreneurs engage with digital financial services (DFS). The report, titled Privacy and Security for Women-Led SMBs in Digital Financial Services, was developed under the Digital Finance for All initiative Digital Finance for All — a Visa-funded partnership with the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation. Grounded in primary research conducted in Kenya, one of the world’s most advanced mobile money ecosystems, the study also draws on Visa’s broader Consumer Empowerment research across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East,…

Equity Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi is calling for a stronger convergence between technology and finance as Africa looks to unlock its digital economy and accelerate intra-continental trade. Speaking at a high-level Tech Breakfast held on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali, Mwangi emphasized that Africa’s next phase of growth will depend on how effectively it integrates financial systems with emerging technologies. “We need an intersection of technology and money,” Mwangi said.“We want to enable trade across the continent and create platforms that empower businesses and entrepreneurs to scale.” The session, themed “From Fintech…

That was the message from Daniel Mainda, CEO of the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority (NIFC), speaking at the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference. Mainda challenged a long-standing narrative that Africa is merely a follower in global technology trends. He said the continent’s real-world innovations, particularly in digital finance, are proof that Africa is already building the future. Unlike in many developed markets where innovation often begins in labs and boardrooms, Africa’s fintech revolution was born out of necessity. “In Kenya, if someone tells you they only accept cash, that is the exception—not the norm,” Mainda noted, highlighting how digital…