Author: Kaluka wanjala

Airtel Kenya has quietly upgraded its 5G Smart Connect home internet plans. These 5G unlimited speeds can be accessed through the Airtel 5G router. The move comes as the demand for reliable and affordable home internet continues to grow across Kenya. Previously, Airtel customers could access: With the new upgrade, Airtel has changed its packages to offer: This represents a 50% increase in speed and a slight drop in pricing. This is particularly so for users who were previously paying Ksh 3,500 for just 10 Mbps. Even the most expensive plan now delivers faster speeds at a significantly lower cost.…

Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies, has announced the successful deployment of a self-cooling rack system at its CPT1 facility in Cape Town. The deployment introduces a smarter, more sustainable approach to data centre operations in Africa. This is important with AI, big data and enterprise workloads driving up demand for power and cooling. “This is more than just an upgrade, it’s a rethinking of how we manage high-performance infrastructure in energy-constrained environments,” said Adil El Youssefi, CEO of Africa Data Centres. “By adopting Gold Synergy’s cutting-edge cooling solution, we’re increasing capacity and demonstrating that Africa can lead…

By Phyllis Migwi, Microsoft Country Manager, Kenya. Kenya is rapidly emerging as a digital powerhouse in Africa, with internet and mobile phone usage consistently on the rise. By 2028, the country’s digital economy is expected to contribute KSh 662 billion to the GDP. Yet, this impressive growth brings with it significant challenges, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. Microsoft’s latest research reveals a troubling trend: AI-powered fraud attacks are escalating worldwide. As Kenya’s digital marketplace expands, the risk of cyber threats grows proportionally, underscoring the urgent need for robust security measures to keep pace with the accelerated pace of digital…

MaxAB-Wasoko has announced the acquisition of Fatura, a Cairo-based B2B e-marketplace. The deal also sees EFG Finance (a subsidiary of EFG Holding) join MaxAB-Wasoko as a major shareholder. The acquisition follows the merger between MaxAB and Wasoko last year. That merger marked the creation of one of the largest tech-driven retail platforms on the continent, with operations now spanning Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Egypt, and Morocco. “This is more than just growth — it’s about realizing our vision to be the go-to digital partner for retailers across Africa,” said Belal El-Megharbel, CEO of MaxAB-Wasoko. “By adding Fatura’s network and marketplace model…

South African emergency response tech company AURA has raised €13.5 million in a Series B funding round, setting the stage for its expansion into the United States and the creation of a global dispatch network for emergency services. The round was co-led by Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF) and Partech, and brings AURA’s total funding to €21 million. The company says this will help make access to security and medical emergency response faster, smarter, and more accessible. Founded in 2017 by Warren Myers, Ryan Green, and Adam Pantanowitz, AURA began as a response to one big question: What if getting…

A new study by Visa and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has revealed how passengers pay for their flights. The report also showed how airlines manage those payments behind the scenes. The report is part of the Airline Payment Maturity Index survey. It looks at how African airlines can improve their financial performance by upgrading payment systems, reducing fraud and improving passenger experience. Visa and AFRAA surveyed African carriers across the continent (including but not limited to AFRAA members) to assess how mature and efficient their payment systems are. The survey discovered that most airlines comply with key industry standards,…

Zoho has upgraded its customer experience (CX) platform by rolling out new AI features, driven by its proprietary AI engine, Zia. The goal is to simplify CRM, make it smarter, and usable by every department in an organisation and not just sales. “Many people across departments need access to customer information, yet CRMs have traditionally been limited to sales,” explains Veerakumar Natarajan, Country Head, Zoho Kenya. “With CRM for Everyone, we’re democratising access and simplifying system use through Zia’s capabilities.” The new updates make CRM more intuitive and accessible than ever before. Zia, Zoho’s in-house AI, now enables users to…

Safaricom has officially launched a new campaign called Maisha Poa Ni Digital. If you’re still using a feature phone or know someone who is, this is something worth paying attention to. The campaign is all about accelerating digital inclusion in Kenya by helping more people, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas, transition from 2G phones to affordable 4G+ smartphones. What exactly is this campaign about, who is it targeting and how can you benefit? Here is everything you need to know. What Is Maisha Poa Ni Digital? Launched in May 2025, the Maisha Poa Ni Digital campaign is Safaricom’s…

SEACOM, through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, is working on practical steps to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. It is currently working with universities across multiple counties in Kenya and offers students short-term engagements with long-term potential. “We’re looking to establish more formal, lasting partnerships with institutions,” said a SEACOM spokesperson. “It’s about consistency, deeper impact, and creating shared value for students and the tech ecosystem.” One of the programme’s most unique aspects is its academic tours. These are not just campus visits. Students get a closer look at SEACOM’s undersea cable infrastructure. These tours…

Opera’s stablecoin wallet MiniPay, once only accessible via the Opera Mini browser, is now a standalone application available globally on iOS and Android. Built on Celo’s Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain, MiniPay is designed to make sending and spending stablecoins as easy as sending a text message. MiniPay was launched back in 2023 and has activated over 7 million wallets. Its Android standalone version released just last October has already surpassed 1 million downloads. The app supports all popular stablecoins like USDT, USDC, and cUSD. It allows users to store value and make low-fee, near-instant transfers globally. “MiniPay becoming a standalone app…