Author: Kaluka wanjala

Wise has received conditional approval from the South African Reserve Bank to allow the company to operate as a Category 2 Authorised Dealer in Foreign Exchange with Limited Authority. This marks its first regulatory approval on the African continent and sets the stage for the company to begin offering international money transfer services to personal customers in South Africa. The approval allows Wise to officially enter South Africa. The country has significant cross-border payment activity which is mostly driven by high digital adoption and a huge diaspora community. These factors continue to increase demand for faster, transparent, and affordable global…

iColo has announced the appointment of Wanja Muriithi as its new General Manager in Kenya. The company says the appointment is part of its plan to accelerate business growth in the country and strengthen Digital Realty’s footprint across East Africa. Digital Realty already operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa and Kenya remains a key market for its regional expansion. Muriithi will report to Marcel Louw, Managing Director for Africa at Digital Realty. The company highlighted her record of delivering operational excellence, providing strategic direction and driving sales growth while maintaining a strong focus on both customers and employees.…

Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa has been recognised with RUCKUS Platinum Distributor Status. RUCKUS Networks provides reliable wired and wireless networking solutions designed for complex and high-demand environments. Its technology is used in a number of sectors including education, hospitality, manufacturing and public services. The Platinum Status is awarded to distributors that demonstrate sustained excellence in revenue performance, solution capability and partner enablement. For Westcon Southern Africa, the recognition highlights its role as a specialist distributor that offers more than product fulfilment. Nickey Mannya, Director for Cyber Security and Next Generation Solutions at Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa, said the achievement reflects the company’s…

The Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET), in partnership with Huawei Technologies Kenya, today announced the successful completion of the second phase of the national Huawei Train the Trainer program which is an initiative aimed at strengthening digital skills and ICT training capacity across Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Joseph Kanyi, Director TVET, who represented the Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET. A total of 65 TVET lecturers completed the intensive 15-day program covering advanced on Artificial Intelligence, and Data Communication, Cloud and Cybersecurity equipping trainers with both foundational and advanced…

Safaricom Ethiopia has launched M-PESA LeHulum, a fully telco-agnostic mobile money platform that allows any Ethiopian to use M-PESA services regardless of the SIM card they own. M-PESA LeHulum removes the barrier that has always tied mobile money access to specific networks. Anyone can now download the app, register with any phone number, verify through the Fayda Digital ID system and start transacting within minutes. This approach allows the platform to reach communities that previously could not join the digital economy. According to Safaricom Ethiopia, M-PESA LeHulum brings together the services users rely on most. Users can use the platform…

Liquid C2 has introduced an AI powered Google Cloud distribution programme aimed at supporting African resellers and enterprises. The programme, branded Liquid G, is delivered through Cloudmania. According to Liquid C2, Liquid G has been created to accelerate cloud adoption across Africa by offering local partners access to Google Cloud infrastructure, AI tools and data analytics solutions. The company noted that this launch marks an important step in widening access to advanced cloud technologies for African businesses of all sizes. Oswald Jumira, the chief executive officer of Liquid C2, said that cloud adoption in Africa is growing and local partners…

Proparco has completed an investment in BasiGo, the Nairobi-based e-mobility company that is working with public transport operators in Kenya and Rwanda to transition to electric buses. BasiGo has 100 electric buses currently deployed across the two countries. The company locally assembles electric buses, develops and operates charging infrastructure, and works with bus operators to provide a cost-effective electric alternative to diesel buses for mass public transport. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. BasiGo buses have carried more than 9 million passengers. Twenty-nine Saccos are benefiting from buses that deliver about…

Chui Ventures has announced the final close of its first fund at 17.3 million dollars, surpassing its initial target of 10 million dollars. The fund attracted commitments from a diverse group of foundations, family offices and more than 30 high-net-worth individuals. Among these backers are the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. More than 90 percent of the high-net-worth investors are of African origin, and 60 percent are African female executives. This aligns with the fund’s mandate to increase African capital participation within the continent’s innovation ecosystem. If you have a startup you want featured on…

Bolt has announced that over 40% of motorbikes on its platform are now electric motorbikes. This makes Bolt the largest supplier of electric bikes in the ride-hailing industry in Kenya. The company also revealed that it has already onboarded more than 1,700 riders financed through M-KOPA. This means Bolt has met its 2025 electrification target ahead of schedule. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Bolt says the increased adoption of electric bikes aligns with its wider plan to reduce emissions, lower operating costs for riders and contribute to Kenya’s clean transport…

From a pool of over 200 applications representing 27 countries, ten startups have been selected for the final stage of the Latitude59 Kenya Edition Pitch Competition. These teams will present their solutions from December 3 to 5, 2025, at the A.S.K Dome in Nairobi. The selected startups are developing technologies including drone- and AI-powered carbon measurement, automated smart-locker infrastructure, AI-driven crop health platforms, circular pet nutrition, influencer tools, healthcare operations software and clean aquatic protein for sustainable food systems. Triin Ilves, Head of Startup Relations at Latitude59, said the competition demonstrates the strength of the African startup ecosystem. She said,…