Author: Kaluka wanjala

 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.…

Microsoft has opened its doors to welcome interns from around the globe, offering an opportunity for aspiring software engineers to join its team in Nairobi, Kenya. You can apply here. Key Details Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. As an intern at Microsoft, you’ll have the chance to bring your aspirations, talent, and potential to a global platform. The internship is designed not only for you to do meaningful work and learn but also to experience a culture of inclusion, innovation, and collaboration. Responsibilities As a Software Engineering Intern at Microsoft…

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has announced the successful opening of seven new branches this quarter strategically located across Kenya as it intensifies its expansion drive in a bid to bring products and services closer to customers. The seven branches, located in Gikomba, Eastleigh’s BBS Mall, Ongata Rongai, Karen Hardy, Kenol Murang’a, Kapsabet, and Bondeni, Mombasa, mark a pivotal moment in the bank’s commitment to expanding accessibility and providing personalised financial services across its core customer segments; small and medium enterprises and the retail sectors. DTB Group CEO, Nasim Devji, emphasised the bank’s commitment to understanding and meeting the unique needs…

Bolt has today announced the introduction of a number of Trip Safety Monitoring features for its ride-hailing services in Kenya. These features are designed to monitor trips effectively. The system automatically engages with riders and drivers in-app when a vehicle remains stationary for an extended period, prompting a confirmation of their well-being. This approach aims to address potential safety concerns by giving users the option to call emergency services, share trip details, record audio, or request Bolt Assistance—all with a single touch through an in-app notification. Complementing the Trip Safety Monitoring features, Bolt’s app is comes with an In-App Safety…

Last week, Nairobi hosted the Kenyan Edition of Latitude59, the flagship event for Estonia’s startup ecosystem, marking the first time the event ventured beyond Estonia’s borders. A significant win for Kenya’s startup scene, the choice was driven by the similarities between the two countries’ ecosystems, according to Liisi Org, the CEO of Latitude59. The event aimed to showcase Kenya’s accessibility and numerous opportunities to Estonian and European companies, leveraging the country’s sizeable population with smartphone access and internet connectivity. The conference covered a number of topics, ranging from the reasons behind East Africa’s startup boom to community building, E-mobility, and…

Tigo has won the prestigious Ookla Speedtest Award as the Fastest Mobile Network in Tanzania for the year 2023. The Ookla Award is an elite designation reserved for fixed and mobile providers in a market, based on consumer-initiated tests and background scans from speed test applications. Tigo has scooped the coveted award against the backdrop of the company’s robust investment in its network modernization and upgrade across the country. Speaking about the award, Tigo Chief Executive Officer, Kamal Okba said: “We are excited and thrilled to win this much-sought-after award. The Ookla award is a clear demonstration that Tigo’s heavy…