Author: Kaluka wanjala

Asset financier Watu has welcomed the launch of Kenya’s E-Mobility Policy 2026. The company describes it as a major milestone in the country’s push toward clean, affordable and scalable electric mobility. The policy provides a national framework to accelerate the shift from fossil-fuel vehicles to electric alternatives. It has goals of reducing emissions, improving urban air quality and creating new opportunities across the e-mobility value chain. Speaking at the launch, Watu Kenya Country Manager Erick Massawe said the policy brings much-needed clarity and momentum to the electric vehicle (EV) sector. “The Kenya E-Mobility Policy is a game-changer for the industry.…

Absa has partnered with Microsoft Elevate and Women in Tech to expand the ElevateHer AI Programme to 9 additional African countries. The ElevateHer AI Programme was launched in South Africa and has reached more than 10,000 learners. The expansion will now see the initiative rolled out across additional African countries as Absa sharpens its focus on skills development, inclusion and responsible AI adoption. The programme leverages Absa’s pan-African footprint, Microsoft’s Elevate AI skilling platform, and Women in Tech’s community networks to train women in how to use AI tools for real-world work and business use cases. Participants learn how to…

Pan-African payments company Cellulant has appointed Michael Muriuki as its new Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO. The move brings together oversight of product, platform and software engineering under one role. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Muriuki has been with Cellulant for over a decade, joining the company as an implementation engineer when it was primarily focused on mobile banking. He has played a central role in building the infrastructure that has powered Cellulant’s evolution over the years into a full-scale payments platform operating in multiple African markets. He was…

Kenya is facing a new wave of cyber threats powered by artificial intelligence, with deepfake scams and AI-generated malware emerging as some of the most serious risks to businesses and everyday users. That’s according to the latest ESET H2 2025 Threat Report, which analysed cyber threat data from June to November 2025. The report highlights that Kenyan organisations and internet users remain highly exposed to socially engineered fraud, especially investment scams amplified through deepfake videos, impersonation, and AI-built phishing infrastructure. ESET researchers say scammers are now using high-quality deepfake videos and fake websites generated by AI to run sophisticated investment…

Google has today announced it is accepting applications for the 10th cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa.  The latest cohort will focus on AI-driven scientific and technological breakthroughs. It will have a strong emphasis on startups using artificial intelligence and machine learning to solve large-scale problems across Africa. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. The 12-week accelerator is an “AI First” hybrid program designed for Series A startups based in Africa or building Africa-centric solutions. Selected founders will gain access to Google’s AI expertise, technical infrastructure, hands-on mentorship from…

Old Mutual Group has announced a new partnership with Paystack aimed at simplifying and also strengthening digital payments across its insurance and investment platforms in East Africa. The integration allows customers to complete transactions faster and securely through different online and mobile payment channels. This will help reduce friction at the point of payment and in the end improve the digital customer journey. Old Mutual hopes this will improve conversion rates, reduce failed transactions and enhance operational efficiency across its growing digital ecosystem. “At Old Mutual, we are committed to delivering exceptional digital experiences for our customers. Partnering with Paystack…

Kenya has officially launched its National Electric Mobility (e-Mobility) Policy. This policy was formally launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Mr. Davis Chirchir, EGH.  Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), CS Chirchir said the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) would significantly reduce Kenya’s annual petroleum import bill – currently estimated at US$5 billion, which places considerable strain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves, undermines energy security and exposes the economy to global fuel price volatility. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here.…

Infinix has officially launched the Note Edge in Kenya, making it the world’s first smartphone powered by MediaTek’s brand-new Dimensity 7100 5G chipset and running Android 16 with XOS 16 out of the box. Unlike phones that chase short bursts of peak performance, the Note Edge is built around long-term reliability, battery endurance, and sustained everyday performance. Priced from KES 32,999, the Infinix Note Edge brings premium design, AI features, and a longevity-first battery system into the midrange market. At the heart of the Note Edge is the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 (6nm). This is its first commercial appearance globally. The…

Konza Technopolis recently held a two-day MSME–Innovator Connect Forum aimed at using technology and collaboration to unlock growth for Kenya’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The forum brought together 50 MSMEs and 50 local tech innovators to jointly identify operational bottlenecks and co-create solutions that can be deployed directly inside real businesses. The focus was on manufacturing, agribusiness and ICT. These sectors are seen as critical to Kenya’s industrial and digital future. MSMEs account for over 33% of Kenya’s GDP yet many still struggle with efficiency, market access, financing and technology adoption. According to Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul…

Google, in partnership with leading African universities and community organizations, today unveiled WAXAL, a large-scale speech dataset aimed at bringing over 100 million Africans into the AI-powered digital future. Voice technologies have largely bypassed Africa due to the scarcity of high-quality speech data. WAXAL addresses this gap with 1,250 hours of transcribed, natural speech and over 20 hours of high-fidelity studio recordings across 21 Sub-Saharan languages, including Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba, Luganda, and Acholi. “The ultimate impact of WAXAL is the empowerment of people in Africa,” said Aisha Walcott-Bryantt, Head of Google Research Africa. “This dataset provides the critical foundation for…