Author: Kaluka wanjala

PayQuicker has partnered with dLocal which will see the expansion of its payout orchestration platform across Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Through this collaboration, they expect to make it easier for global businesses to reach consumers in emerging markets. It will also help them manage payouts across multiple currencies. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. PayQuicker has an orchestration system that brings together different payment services under one API. The company says this allows businesses to manage complex payment needs without the need of using multiple vendors.…

Citi has announced the addition of new artificial intelligence tools to its Sub-Saharan African operations with Kenya being one of the first markets to gain access to these tools. The rollout gives more than 200 Kenyan employees access to generative AI systems designed to automate routine processes, accelerate decision-making and enhance data insights. Citi isn’t reinventing the wheel but is leveraging established LLMs such as Gemini, ChatGPT and Grok and running them through tightly controlled enterprise frameworks that allow secure access to internal data while maintaining strict governance. These systems run inside gated cloud environments and connect directly to a…

Wingu Africa has introduced the Wingu Cloud Exchange platform in Tanzania as part of its plan to expand locally hosted cloud services across East Africa. The new platform is designed to give businesses a reliable and cost efficient alternative to offshore cloud services while keeping data within regional borders. Wingu Cloud Exchange, also known as WCX, is positioned as a full service cloud environment that supports organisations that want predictable pricing, fast deployment and the ability to scale without major upfront investments. Wingu says the platform removes the uncertainty that comes with exchange rate fluctuations and offshore hosting requirements since…

Canon held its first Creator Lens event in Nairobi Yesterday. The event brought together creators from across the region for hands-on product sessions, panel discussions and practical demonstrations led by leading Kenyan and Tanzanian creatives. Speaking to TechArena, Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa, explained why now was the right time to invest in a creator-focused platform. “We are living in a time where content carries so much importance. Everyone is creating something, but very few have access to spaces where they can learn, improve, and collaborate,” he said. Ghani added that Canon wanted…

Datacentrix has been named as ‘New Partner of the Year’ by Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd, at the organisation’s recent Africa Partner Day 2025. Taking place in, Johannesburg, the African Partner Day included Hitachi Vantara’s Partner Awards, recognising excellence within the local environment. According to Pieter Engelbrecht, Business Unit Manager: Data Management Services at Datacentrix, Hitachi Vantara’s well-established reputation for quality and its strong emphasis on sustainability align closely with Datacentrix’s values. “Hitachi Vantara is a trusted, long-standing Japanese brand recognised for its manufacturing excellence and responsible practices,” he says. “The…

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has refuted concerns circulating online that biometric data collection is required under the revised SIM card registration regulations. Over the past few days, there have been concerns by Kenyans about this topic, saying it invades their privacy.  In a press statement, the regulator clarified that no directive has been issued that requires mobile operators to collect biometric data from subscribers. The CA said the updated SIM registration rules were published in May 2025 and were introduced to protect citizens from SIM-related fraud, strengthen the integrity of telecommunications services and support secure access to digital…

ALX, Anthropic and the Government of Rwanda have announced a partnership to integrate advanced artificial intelligence into learning and teaching across Africa. Central to this collaboration is Chidi, a personalised AI-powered learning companion built on Anthropic’s Claude language model, designed to transform how students and educators develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. The initiative represents one of the largest AI-enhanced education deployments on the continent. It combines ALX’s talent development expertise, Anthropic’s safe and responsible AI technology and Rwanda’s national commitment to digital transformation. This…

When Safaricom introduced M-PESA in Kenya in 2007, the service grew out of a very specific need: helping people send money quickly and safely across long distances. It replaced the old habit of handing cash to a bus driver headed upcountry, and in the process, pulled millions into the formal financial ecosystem. Nearly two decades later, M-PESA has transformed the Kenyan economy and has helped raise the banked population from just 27% in 2006 to around 85% today. Safaricom’s newest market is Ethiopia and the landscape is very different, and so does the opportunity. Ethiopia doesn’t struggle with financial access…

Rural Kenya has overtaken major cities as the main engine of online shopping growth, according to a new report released by Jumia Kenya. The report titled E commerce in Rural Kenya: Expanding Access, Driving Inclusion, Connecting Border to Border shows that rural shoppers now account for 60 percent of all orders placed on the platform. This marks a major shift from the early years of digital retail when e commerce was mainly centered on Nairobi and a few large towns. Jumia says the shift is being powered by better connectivity, lower cost smartphones, simplified delivery networks and a fast growing…

Safaricom has announced a scheduled system upgrade that will is set to affect the Fuliza platform on Monday, 17 November 2025, from 01:00 to 02:00. During this period, Fuliza services may be intermittent, although all other M-Pesa services are expected to remain available. The company says the work is part of ongoing efforts to improve reliability, security and general performance across its financial services ecosystem. Safaricom adds that the timing of the maintenance has been chosen to minimise disruption for customers who depend on Fuliza for short-term credit and everyday payments. This maintenance comes only a few weeks after Safaricom…