Author: Kaluka wanjala

Craft Silicon has announced the launch of TouristTap, a new digital payments system that will make it easier for tourists to pay for things all over the country. TouristTap has now been formally recognized by the Government of Kenya as an authorized payment option. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. The platform was unveiled during the “Tap into Kenya” event and is already approved for use across key tourism touchpoints, including national parks, hotels, coastal destinations and other attractions. TouristTap makes it easier for visitors to make payments directly using their…

Africa Tech Summit London is set to return on May 29, 2026 at the London Stock Exchange. Now in its 10th edition, the summit will convene more than 350 investors, founders, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore the technologies and trends defining Africa’s next growth phase. Key themes will span fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), climate innovation, venture capital growth and digital infrastructure. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Andrew Fassnidge noted the significant evolution of Africa’s tech ecosystem over the past decade. “When Africa Tech Summit was born in 2016, the…

A Kenyan startup, Zerobionic, has been selected as part of the 2026 cohort of Qualcomm’s Make in Africa Mentorship Programme. Zerobionic is developing assistive robotics solutions aimed at improving independence and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Its selection places it among 10 startups chosen from more than 1,200 applications spanning over 45 countries. The Make in Africa programme falls under the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform. This initiative designed to support early-stage startups working on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart systems and connected solutions. Participants in the program will benefit from mentorship, engineering advice and business training. All these…

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has introduced a new range of contactless payment solutions dubbed DTB Wearables. These wearables let customers pay with NFC-enabled wristbands and rings. No more fumbling with cash, cards or even their phones. Transactions are simple: just tap the wearable on any contactless point-of-sale terminal. The solution is linked directly to customers’ existing DTB debit cards and is powered by Near Field Communication (NFC). The limit per transaction is Ksh 5,000 while the daily limit is Ksh 10,000. DTB developed the wearables in collaboration with Mastercard and technology provider Tappy Pay. This makes it the first Tier One…

For years, businesses looking to scale across borders have had to navigate a patchwork of systems, high latency and expensive international data routing. It’s a reality that has shaped how startups build, how enterprises expand and how digital services are delivered. According to Nicholas Lodge, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder of Wingu Africa, this fragmentation is exactly what the company is working to change. “What we are trying to do,” Lodge explains, “is build interconnected, carrier-neutral, Tier III-certified data centres in key markets across the region.” He says the goal is to create a foundation that allows businesses to operate…

Vertiv has announced it will host the next edition of its AI Innovation Roadshow for Africa in a virtual format, as the company pushes conversations around data centre readiness for artificial intelligence workloads across the continent. The webinar is scheduled for April 15 at 11:00 SAST and will bring together industry experts to discuss how African data centres can evolve to support the growing demands of AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. Held under the theme “AI-Ready Data Centres for Africa: Building Infrastructure for What’s Next,” the session will focus on the infrastructure requirements needed to support high-density computing environments…

Safaricom is evolving into what it now describes as a purpose-led technology company with a clear ambition to lead Africa’s digital transformation by 2030. Part of this shift is the focus on artificial intelligence, intelligent infrastructure and ecosystem building. This was recently highlighted at Safaricom Decode 4.0. According to Safaricom’s Group Chief Technology Officer James Maitai, the company’s long-term strategy is closely tied to building the foundations of a modern digital economy. “Decode sits at the heart of Safaricom’s vision to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030.” The platform is part of a broader effort to bring together…

Google has announced a major redesign of its Hustle Academy programme. The updated initiative is delivered in partnership with UpSkill Universe and targets individuals across Sub-Saharan Africa looking to build practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills. Previously focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Hustle Academy has trained over 18,000 businesses through bootcamp-style sessions covering business strategy, digital tools, leadership and AI. The Hustle Academy is now open to students, employees and job seekers. The redesigned programme introduces a more flexible learning format that combines Short, 60-minute webinars for accessible, bite-sized learning and more immersive bootcamps for deeper, hands-on training. …

Liquid C2 has unveiled Africa’s first Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud in Johannesburg. The new facility aims to push partners and resellers past conventional distribution methods. It provides an immersive, practical space for them to create, experiment with, and implement solutions specifically designed for the African market. Central to this effort is a structured onboarding process. This journey guides partners toward achieving official Google Cloud accreditation and certification. At the core of the initiative is a structured onboarding journey that helps partners achieve official Google Cloud accreditation and certification. Participants will work alongside specialist engineers to build bespoke…

Verto has introduced US-dollar business accounts for companies that are doing business between the United States and Africa. The accounts are designed to offer a more stable way to receive, hold and move funds. This is particularly beneficial for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. “This responds to a clear gap in the market,” said Ola Oyetayo, CEO of Verto. “We are seeing businesses that are properly registered and investment-backed struggle to maintain banking relationships simply because they operate across borders, including in African markets.” Verto says its new accounts are tailored for US-based firms with African operations, startups expanding across…