Author: Kaluka wanjala

Binance’s number one commitment is to protect users and help keep the ecosystem safe from bad actors. Recently, Binance’s Investigations team worked with The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), an agency of the government of the Netherlands responsible for investigating financial crimes, in a gambling platform exit scam where Binance helped freeze millions of euros. Reported by FIOD, the suspect was arrested on April 29 for suspected fraud, embezzlement and money laundering and the investigation is focused on a large-scale scam surrounding the alleged gambling platform, ZKasino. “ZKcasino presented itself as a gambling platform and blockchain casino. Investors were led…

Google has opened applications for the 2024 cohort of its Hustle Academy. Google Hustle Academy is a program that seeks to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Sub-Saharan Africa. In the 2024 Cohort, Google has added business-focused AI training integrated directly into the curriculum. Google has acknowledged the importance of SMBs in Africa’s economy and the challenges they face. Some of these challenges include accessing funding and developing the essential skills needed to grow their businesses. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), 40% of formal SMBs in developing countries have an unmet funding need of…

 Check Point has unveiled its 2024 Cloud Security Report. The report exposes a critical surge in cloud security incidents, marking a significant increase from 24% in 2023 to 61% in 2024 (a 154% increase), highlighting the escalating complexity and frequency of cloud threats.  The latest survey from Check Point reveals a concerning trend: while most organizations continue to prioritize threat detection and monitoring, focusing on known vulnerabilities and patterns of malicious behavior, only a mere 21% emphasize prevention. This is particularly alarming as companies struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, including the speed of DevOps and the deployment…

The Board of Safaricom Investment Co-operative has appointed Churchill Winstone Ochieng’ as the new Chief Executive Officer. Churchill brings on board over 25 years of experience in leadership, cash flow management, corporate development and brand management, team and product development, financial management, planning and forecasting, international business, business operation, communication and negotiation, policy implementation, negotiation, and problem-solving. “As a board, we would like to congratulate Churchill Winstone Ochieng’ on his appointment and assure him of our support. We are confident that his impeccable track record in banking, telco, fast-moving consumer goods and facility management industries coupled with his proven ability to develop and…

After years of waiting, Amazon’s marketplace in South Africa has officially gone live. There has not been any fanfare for this launch but the platform is offering buyers free delivery on their first purchase. According to Mybroadband, Amazon is offering direct delivery in addition to supporting 3,000 pickup points as of now. It has also partnered with Pargo and The Courier Guy for its pickup location option. Amazon officially announced plans to launch in South Africa back in October 2022. This was to be its first official entry into Africa and it made sense to start with Africa’s biggest economy.…

IBM has announced that the availability of its software portfolio is expanding to 18 countries in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from independent software vendors (ISVs) that make it easy to find, test, buy, and deploy software that runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The countries include Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad,Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda. According to IBM, the addition of these countries will make procurement easier for clients, streamline purchasing and create new efficiencies while allowing them to use their AWS…

Google has released the list of the participants in its first Generative AI (GenAI) Cohort. 21 non-profits have been selected with 2 of them based in Kenya. The organizations will have access to the $20 million in funding that Google is providing across the projects. The 2 Kenyan organizations are: The Google generative AI accelerator is a six-month programme that seeks to support non-profits that are developing high-impact applications of GenAI. They will also receive technical training, workshops, mentors, and pro bono support from dedicated AI coaches. “Generative AI can empower social impact teams to be more productive, creative and…

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has announced that it is extending its deadline for 2024 entries from May 19 to June 9 to accommodate more entrepreneurs eager to participate in the competition. Candidates selected for the top 50 will gain access to a host of resources, including training, mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as a supportive network of fellow African business leaders. US$1.5 million in grant funding will be distributed among the top 10 finalists; the first prize winner will receive an award of US$300,000. This year, ABH…

Xiaomi Kenya has today kicked off its May Sales Promotion campaign offering exclusive deals on a number of devices. The promotion will run from today (6th) to 31st of May. The deals will be available exclusivly through Xiaomi Stores & Promoter Shops countrywide. Redmi A3 The first product on offer is the recently unveiled Redmi A3. I reviewed this phone a few days back and loved it. During the promotional period, customers can grab the Redmi A3 with 3+64 GB storage for only KES 10,999/- or opt for the higher variant with 4+128 GB storage at just KES 12,499/-. At…

BuuPass has finalised the acquisition of Quickbus, a significant player in the bus ticketing service sector in Nigeria and South Africa. BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book their tickets through the Buupass website, the Buupass app (available on Apple and Android) and a USSD system that can be used on any mobile phone. Founded in 2016, BuuPass has sold over 6 million travel tickets and generated over $100 million in total value of goods sold. Its current platform has already served over 16 million passengers Commenting on the acquisition, Eunice Wambui, Investment Principal at…