Author: Kaluka wanjala

Announced on the sidelines of the Connected Africa Summit 2024, the academy aligns with Safaricom’s commitment to investing in robust fiber optic networks in Kenya and Ethiopia and the ICT Authority’s initiative to roll out extensive fiber networks, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and Digital Village Smart Hubs. The Connect Academy is part of the Presidential DigiTalent Programme, a Public-Private Partnership Programme whose key components are Skill development, on-the-job coaching, mentorship, training, certification, and ICT innovations. “Our target is to grow a world-class broadband connectivity talent pool for both public & private sectors in partnership with TVETs. This will create employment and a career path…

Moringa School has announced the appointment of Nikki Germany as the new CEO of the company. Nikki Germany has over 15 years experience in the technology and education sectors. She was previously the Chief Growth Officer at Copia, Director of Operations at Bridge International Academies and Industry Head at Google. “We are thrilled to welcome Nikki Germany as our new CEO, at Moringa School” said Sebastian McKinlay, Chair of the Moringa School Board. “Her proven track record of operating and scaling tech-enabled businesses and her passion for education will be invaluable as we continue to empower students with cutting-edge tech…

Standard Chartered Kenya has today announced the launch of its first Sustainable Account in Africa, in response to growing momentum in the sustainable finance arena. Aligned to Standard Chartered’s commitment to enhance access to sustainable finance, the Sustainable Account provides clients an opportunity to participate in sustainable development by having surplus cash referenced against Standard Chartered’s sustainable loans and projects. Kenya became the first African market to adopt the new solution following its launch in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China and more recently, the United States. “We understand the challenges that businesses face when it comes…

Chunguza Travel, a Ugandan self-service online travel reservation platform, has announced the successful raise of $200,000 in seed investment. Launched in December 2023, Chunguza Travel is breaking down barriers and transforming travel planning for individuals across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. This user-friendly platform offers unprecedented convenience for East African travelers. For the first time, residents can seamlessly book flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and activities to destinations worldwide – all directly from a local website. Chunguza Travel’s integration with familiar payment methods like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, Tigo-Pesa, and other popular mobile money options eliminates transaction…

Bokra, a Cairo-based fintech, announces the successful closure of its $4.6 million pre-Seed round led by DisrupTech Ventures, and SS Capital alongside other investors, setting it to revolutionise wealth management in the MENA region by being the first platform to offer goal-based investment and saving products through asset backed securities. On a mission to democratise wealth management, Ayman El-Sawy, an industry veteran boasting 21 years of experience in non-banking financial services and debt instruments, founded Bokra to serve diverse financial goals and empower retail and SME’s investors to seamlessly save and invest across multiple asset classes. Bokra’s team is tackling…

Kenya Power, Kenya’s electricity transmitting and distributing company, plans to invest ksh 258 million over the next 3 years to accelerate adoption of electric mobility in Kenya. As of June 2023, there were 2,079 electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). With rising demand for EVs, Kenya Power is taking the right steps to being one of the key stakeholders driving adoption of EVs. The investment by Kenya Power will include the cost of setting up EV charging stations across the country. It will also include the purchase of electric vehicles and motorbikes for…

TLcom Capital has announced the final close of TIDE Africa Fund II, its second fund for technology in Africa, at $154 million. Back in 2022, TLCom Capital announced the first close of $70mn for its $150mn Africa focused tech fund. At more than twice the size of TLcom Capital’s first fund, TIDE Africa Fund II is oversubscribed and sees participation from several new, high-profile LPs alongside returning LPs from the firm’s first Africa- focused fund, TIDE Africa Fund I, closed in 2020. These include the European Investment Bank (EIB), Allianz and DEG Impact’s joint venture, AfricaGrow, Visa Foundation and Bertelsmann.…

Earlier today, Bolt announced a strategic partnership with Roam Electric, Ampersand and M-Kopa that will see the addition of electric motorcycles to its platform. Bolt says this is part of its long term sustainability strategy. Riders can now request electric boda bodas (motorcycles) which make less noise and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  The company says it has plans to have 1000 electric bikes on its platform by the end of the year and over 5000 in the next 2 years. This is a bold and ambitious goal for the company but the partnership it has forged can help it achieve…

Plans are in top gear for the 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24), which begins on Tuesday, 23rd April 2024 and ends on Thursday, 25th April 2024. Delegates from 61 countries will be in Accra, Ghana, where conversations on digital policy in Africa will be shaped, policy directions debated, and partnerships forged for action. The signature event is hosted by pan-African organisation, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) under the theme, Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age. Partner organisations working with PIN to host DRIF24 in Ghana are E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA), University of Media, Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism,…

Africa Tech Summit (ATS) London will host its eighth edition on June 7th, 2024, at the London Stock Exchange. The previously sold-out summit gathers over 300 African and international tech leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and corporates to discuss the future of African technology and innovation.African tech ventures seeking partnerships or investment opportunities are invited to apply for the Investment Showcase, taking place on June 7th, 2024. The showcase aims to connect investor-ready ventures with investors. The showcase offers startups unparalleled opportunities to present their business model to investors and potential partners, garner exposure, and secure funding to propel their growth. Abraham…