Author: Kaluka wanjala

Xiaomi has announced the global rollout of its new Android Skin, HyperOS. HyperOS is meant to replace MIUI which has been ubiquitous with Xiaomi devices. HyperOS is trying to do what HarmonyOS has been attempting. Both want to integrate more devices under a single operating system. They are not just Smartphone skins but are evolving to offer more. Xiaomi refers to HyperOS as “A human-centric operating system designed for Human, Car, Home smart ecosystem.” With Xiaomi focusing on additional smart devices and not just smartphones, having an operating system that makes this integration smooth is essential. The 8 devices that…

The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) has unveiled its top 5 Regional Winners, with Letaji, a Kenyan startup revolutionizing the construction industry, taking center stage. The MAC, an Africa-wide pitch competition for early-stage technology startups, has attracted attention from across the continent, showcasing the diversity and innovation present in the African tech landscape. Letaji, the Kenyan representative among the top 5 Regional Winners, seeks to transform the construction industry through its online marketplace. The platform streamlines the process of purchasing building materials, creating a direct link between homeowners, contractors, and hardware stores with top suppliers. This not only simplifies the procurement…

Infinix has officially launched the Hot 40 series in Kenya. This is one of the latest entry level smartphones from the company to launch in Kenya. The phone has been launched in Kenya just a month after the launch of the Infinix Smart 8. In Kenya, the Infinix Hot 40 comes in 3 variants, the HOT 40 Pro, HOT 40, and HOT 40i models. Prices start at Ksh 17,299 for the most affordable model and go all the way up to Ksh 28,399 for the Infinix Hot 40 Pro. The Infinix Hot 40 is the successor to the Hot 30…

Mdundo has today announced the launch of a Ksh 5 daily subscription option exclusively available to Safaricom subscribers. Mdundo started operations back in 2012. It has steadily expanded and now boasts over 29 million monthly active users as of September 2023. The platform currently has over 58,000 artists from Kenya. The introduction of the Ksh 5 daily subscription service is geared towards enhancing the monetization of music for artists, according to Mdundo. The company, which currently pays over Ksh 200 million in royalties annually to artists. It anticipates that this figure will increase with the introduction of the new subscription…

 e-finance Investment Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Software Group to encourage the adoption of digital financial technologies, agent banking, along with cloud computing services and artificial intelligence. The MOU, which was signed during the 27th edition of CairoICT 2023 Middle East and Africa Exhibition and Conference, is part of e-finance’s plan to empower banks and financial institutions in Egypt by providing a wealth of solutions and services including agency banking services widening the access of financial services to mass market, while focusing on rapid time to market. This Partnership is capitalizing on the capabilities of Software Group’s Agency…

 Paymentology has announced the appointment of its new CEO Jeff Parker, who will be succeeding the interim Co-CEOs Abe Smith and Angy Watson.  Jeff is a leader in the global fintech & financial services arena. Having lived & worked in four continents he brings with him over 20 years of experience to his new role as CEO of Paymentology. In his previous role as SVP and Managing Director International at Marqeta he was responsible for building the company’s go-to-market and operational functions internationally and advancing the company’s service offerings in its key markets across Europe and APAC. Before joining Marqeta…

In a recent interview with Deputy Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, Nils Anderson Röed, and Head of Law Enforcement Training, Jarek Jakubcek, I got some key insights into Binance’s proactive approach to combating crypto-related crime. The interview, conducted during their crypto training tour in Kenya, shed light on the exchange’s dedication to providing practical education and assistance to law enforcement agencies. Crypto Education for Law Enforcement Binance emphasized the significance of practical education for law enforcement, with a specific focus on Kenya, identified as one of the major markets in the crypto space according to Canalysis. The exchange…

TUNL has secured $1 million in pre-seed funding from Founders Factory Africa, Digital Africa Ventures, E4E Africa, and Jozi Angels.  The funding will be used to accelerate the company’s growth in its beachhead market of South Africa and begin building toward launching in other strategic African and emerging markets. Since its launch, TUNL has grown 35% month-on-month, with over 700 merchants now part of its “shipping club”, with the number of merchants doubling in Q3 2023. TUNL’s merchants have shipped over 11,000 international parcels in 2023, representing exports from South Africa worth more than R24 million. TUNL was founded in…

Techstars has announced its second cohort of 12 companies to participate in its pan-African accelerator program in partnership with Lagos-based innovation program, ARM Labs. Following a successful inaugural program, the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator will build upon its commitment to helping entrepreneurs that are changing Africa and the world. The 2023 cohort, selected from over a thousand applications, delivers tech-enabled solutions across various verticals in Sub-Saharan Africa. The sourcing and selection was led by Managing Director for the accelerator, Oyin Solebo. It culminated in a screening committee joined by fellow directors at Techstars, executive leaders at ARM – Jumoke Ogundare, Sadiq…

Jumia Food, the food delivery arm of the e-commerce giant Jumia, is set to cease operations this month. For years, Jumia Food has competed with companies such as Glovo, Uber Eats, and Bolt Food. These all offer a convenient platform for customers to order food and drinks from local restaurants in their location. Jumia has announced its decision to discontinue its food delivery division. The company said it will focus on its physical goods business and JumiaPay. The challenging nature of the food delivery business, marked by tough competition and thin profit margins, likely played a part in this decision.…