Author: Kaluka wanjala

NTT DATA has launched NTT DATA AI for Insurance, an AI-native agentic solution designed to help insurers modernise core workflows while maintaining governance, auditability and human oversight. The Service-as-Software solution combines configurable AI agents, insurance-specific data models, workflow orchestration and enterprise-grade governance to support processes including underwriting, claims and customer service. The launch comes as Kenya’s insurance sector continues to expand and digitise. According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s latest figures, long-term insurance premiums increased by 36.3% in the first quarter of 2026, while industry assets surpassed KES 1.1 trillion. “AI is no longer a future capability; it is becoming…

Yellow Card has raised $40 million in a strategic funding round to accelerate the expansion of its stablecoin infrastructure and Global USD Accounts. The round attracted investment from SC Ventures by Standard Chartered, Sony Innovation Fund, Polychain Capital, Blockchain Capital and other strategic investors, bringing Yellow Card’s total funding to more than $120 million. The new capital will support the rollout of Global USD Accounts, an end-to-end dollar account designed for businesses. The platform enables companies to hold U.S. dollars, manage treasury, swap stablecoins and send or receive local currency payments through domestic payment rails in more than 50 countries.…

Moove has secured $250 million in a Series C funding round, pushing its valuation to $2.1 billion. The funding round was led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund, alongside Ion Pacific. New investors including BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group joined the round, while existing backers such as BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton, Uber and Endeavor Catalyst also continue to support the company. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Moove said the fresh capital will be used to expand its autonomous vehicle…

Absa Asset Management Limited (AAML), the asset management subsidiary of Absa Bank Kenya PLC, has received regulatory approval from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to register two new special funds under the Absa Unit Trust Scheme. The approval clears the way for the launch of the Absa Global Multi-Asset Special Fund (USD) and the Absa Global Multi-Asset Special Fund (KES). These will give investors access to professionally managed global investment opportunities while enabling greater portfolio diversification. According to the CMA, the new funds comply with the requirements of the Capital Markets (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 2023 and have been approved…

Bitzero Holdings has partnered with Vertiv to expand its ecosystem of technology and engineering partners supporting the development of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data centres. The partnership will strengthen Bitzero’s capabilities in delivering next-generation digital infrastructure. This will be happen by leveraging Vertiv’s expertise in critical power, thermal management and infrastructure deployment for hyperscale, AI and HPC environments. As AI workloads continue to drive demand for higher-density computing, efficient cooling and power management have become essential components of modern data centres. This partnership will give Bitzero access to Vertiv’s advanced liquid cooling technologies, engineering expertise and modular infrastructure solutions…

Google has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa. The three-month hybrid programme aims to help startups improve their products and technical capabilities by providing access to Google’s AI tools, Cloud infrastructure, mentorship and strategic support. Selected startups will receive up to R1 million in non-dilutive funding to support their growth while the founders retain full ownership of their businesses and scale their operations. Participants will also gain hands-on access to Google’s AI tools, including Gemini, alongside one-on-one mentorship from Google engineers and industry experts. The accelerator will prioritise South African-led, historically disadvantaged…

Airtel Money has today introduced Bizna Wallet, a new digital wallet designed for small businesses. Bizna Wallet is Airtel Money’s equivalent of Safaricom’s M-PESA Pochi la Biashara, targeting Kenya’s micro and small businesses with a dedicated business wallet. The new solution enables entrepreneurs to separate business income from personal finances while providing tools to track transactions, monitor cash flow and receive payments across mobile money networks. The launch comes as digital payments are becoming more and more essential for Kenya’s small businesses. According to the Mastercard SME Confidence Index, 95% of SMEs in the country now accept mobile payments, indicating…

iHUB, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has selected 12 Kenyan startups for Cohort 4 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship. The selected startups are developing technology solutions in four key areas: learners with disabilities, refugees and displaced communities, underserved populations and girls and young women. The cohort reflects the Fellowship’s transition to supporting early-stage innovators developing inclusive education technologies. According to iHUB Managing Partner Nissi Madu, the latest cohort prioritizes founders addressing long-standing barriers to equitable education through solutions designed with inclusion at their core. “Innovation has the greatest impact when it begins with the learners who have historically…

Visa has today announced the appointment of Anne Kinuthia Otieno as its new Vice President and Head of East Africa, effective August 4, 2026. Anne will oversee Visa’s operations across seven East African markets, leading efforts to expand digital payments, deepen relationships with financial institutions and partners, and accelerate financial inclusion across the region. The appointment comes shortly after Anne stepped down from her role as Managing Director of Airtel Money Kenya, where she oversaw a period of growth and market expansion for the mobile money business. Her career spans more than two decades across banking, telecommunications and digital financial…

KCB has secured a US$100 million (KShs. 12.9 billion) financing facility from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to expand access to credit for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 30% of the funds will be allocated for eligible green investments to support businesses to adopt climate-smart technologies and environmentally sustainable practices. 35% of the funds will be allocated to women and youth-led enterprises. The partnership also marks EBRD’s first investment in Kenya’s financial sector. Speaking during the signing ceremony, EBRD Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Heike Harmgart, said the facility will help channel much-needed financing to…