Author: Kaluka wanjala

Kenyan based Agri SME, Shamba Pride, has announced an investment of $3.7 million from EDFI AgriFI (the EU Agriculture Financing Initiative) and Seedstars Africa Ventures. The investment is broken down to a $2 million long term loan from EDFI Agrifi and $1.7 million in equity from Seedstars Africa Ventures. Seedstars Africa Ventures has been an investor since 2021. Shamba pride is one of its key investments in Kenya, the other company on its investment list is Poa Internet. The investment by Seedstars comes almost 2 weeks after the venture announced it has secured a $30 million equity investment from the European…

Egyptian payments company, Zeal, has successfully secured $4 million in funding through a round led by RAED Ventures and Cur8 Capital, alongside strategic angel investors. This funding marks a pivotal moment for the startup, as it gears up to expand its technology solutions across the EMEA region, following a recent foray into the UK market. Key to Zeal’s groundbreaking product offering is the SmartPOS Plugin, a transformative technology that is set to redefine in-store customer engagement and payment intelligence. Unlike traditional credit card machines, the SmartPOS Plugin empowers retailers to identify, segment, and retarget in-store customers. This approach aims to…

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S24 series. Comprising the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24, this latest release introduces Galaxy AI, an innovation that promises to amplify user experiences across various aspects of daily life. Speaking after the global launch, the Head of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics East Africa, Anthony Hutia said the Galaxy S24 series will ignite the next decade of mobile innovation. “Galaxy AI is built on our innovation heritage and deep understanding of how people use their phones. We’re excited to see how our users around the world empower their everyday lives with…

Visa has partnered with fintech firm, Pesaflow, to improve and enhance digital government ecosystems. Pesaflow has solutions that hat create government platforms for government services and offer a simple and reliable way to collect payment services from the public and helps track all transactions made by enhancing collection of revenue and reducing leakages. Partnering with Visa allows Pesaflow to use Visa’s extensive reach and security infrastructure to deliver enhanced services to the public sector and to citizens accessing government services. This partnership will focus on creating seamless, user-friendly digital payment platforms integrating virtual, digital cards and secure gateway services that…

Internet service provider, Mawingu, has announced the expansion of its network to Taveta Town in Taita Taveta County to provide affordable Internet and unlock opportunities for households and businesses. This brings the number of counties to 26 that the firm has so far connected across the country. In its initial progress update for 2024, Mawingu’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Farouk RAMJI says:  “Our expansion into Taveta Town marks another milestone met towards our long-term vision of making meaningful connectivity accessible to more Kenyans. The digital economy in the country is rapidly expanding and we want to support more Kenyans to tap…

 Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) has announced its attainment of the Cisco Gold Certified Partner certification level for its South African operations. Liquid SA is now one of a few select partners in Africa to achieve this milestone, joining an elite group of system integrators with proven expertise and competency in Cisco technologies and solutions. “The Cisco Gold Certification is another validation for our customers as we continue to be the digital service provider of choice for businesses in South Africa. This certification reflects our team’s expertise and commitment to meeting the highest industry standards. While this is an accomplishment for Liquid…

Invest Africa has announced a strategic partnership with global corporate intelligence and cyber security consultancy, S-RM. The combination of S-RM’s intelligence and strategic support, with Invest Africa’s well-established network, will help business leaders and investors in their critical decision-making and ultimately provide them with the confidence to navigate risk and build resilient businesses on the continent. The increasing reliance on digital technologies in Af0rica, and the evolving regulatory, business, political, ESG, and cyber threat landscapes, underscore the importance of actionable intelligence and cyber resilience in driving sustainable economic growth. As the trusted entry point to business in Africa, Invest Africa…

OPPO Kenya is set to launch the Reno11 Series on January 25, 2024. The Reno11 series comes with ColorOS 14 and the launch marks a significant milestone as OPPO ColorOS celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Reno11 is the successor to the Reno10 series that I reviewed last year. ColorOS 14, built on the Android 14 platform, introduces a host of new features aimed at delivering a seamless and efficient experience for users. Among the highlights are the optimized Aquamorphic Design, AI-powered smart features, ultra-smooth performance, and robust tools for safety and privacy. The OPPO Reno11 Series promises to push the…

The Africa Tech Summit Nairobi is set to showcase Kenya’s tech ecosystem, featuring four Kenyan ventures that are set to captivate a diverse audience of industry experts, investors, and fellow innovators at the upcoming Africa Tech Festival on February 14th and 15th. Even with the recent decline in startup funding across the continent, Africa’s tech scene continues to thrive. According to data from Africa: The Big Deal, African startup funding experienced a 39% decline, falling to $2.9bn in 2023 from $4.6bn recorded in the previous year. The Four Kenyan Ventures The four Kenyan ventures, spanning sectors such as fintech, agritech, beauty…

The first Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event of 2024 in happening today. At the event, we expect to see a number of devices included new smartwatches and Galaxy phones. This event will take place in the US but you can watch it live from anywhere in the world. The event kicks off at 9PM Kenyan time. You can livestream the event through Samsung’s website or on YouTube. To be notified when the event starts, you can head over to the YouTube link provided below and click on “notify me” to get an alert when it starts. What to Expect at Galaxy…