Author: Kaluka wanjala

Choice Microfinance Bank has officially rebranded to Choice Bank and unveiled a fully digital, purpose-driven banking model. The announcement came during a vibrant celebration in Nairobi to mark the institution’s 10-year anniversary since its licensing by the Central Bank of Kenya in 2015. “We are very proud to officially launch our first, inclusive and purpose-driven digital banking model for a better experience to our customers,” said CEO Bonface Isinta Ombui. Reflecting on the bank’s decade-long journey, Ombui credited customers, partners, and regulators for their support. “Ten years of operations is no mean feat… Today’s digital shift is not just a…

Despite a more cautious global venture capital environment, the African startup ecosystem is proving it still has momentum and value. Over the last 12 months, a number of new VC firms and funds have raised fresh capital specifically to back African founders. From fintech to climate tech and digital health, these funds are doubling down on the continent’s potential. If you’re building a startup in Africa, here’s a look at the investors who have raised new funds and are actively looking for startups to back in 2025. P1 Ventures In February 2025, P1 Ventures, pan-African early-stage VC firm, announced the…

KCB  has reported a solid start to 2025, posting a KShs. 16.53 billion profit after tax for the first quarter ending March 31. This is a marginal uptick from last year’s KShs. 16.48 billion.  The Group’s total revenue rose 2% to KShs. 49.4 billion, while its balance sheet expanded to KShs. 2.03 trillion. Customer deposits stood at KShs. 1.4 trillion, with loan and advances closing the quarter at KShs. 1.02 trillion. This is despite the foreign exchange pressures from a strengthening Kenyan Shilling. Paul Russo, Group CEO, credited the performance to collective execution across business units and a focus on…

Safaricom has today unveiled revamped business credit solutions, including Fuliza Biashara, Taasi Till, and Taasi Pochi. The telco is doubling down on its commitment to financial inclusion and easing the credit crunch faced by thousands of Kenyan businesses. We’ve come a long way from the days when credit was a preserve of the salaried few or the well-connected.  With Fuliza Biashara, Lipa na M-PESA merchants will have access to overdrafts that range from Ksh 1,000 to Ksh 400,000. For a business, this is a good amount. Repayments are automatically deducted based on till inflows. This reduces pressure on businesses that…

G42 and France’s Mistral AI have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop next-generation artificial intelligence platforms and infrastructure. The collaboration is part of a broader trend that could soon ripple across the continent. This is especially so as African markets, including Kenya, continue to scale up their AI ambitions. Announced during the Choose France business summit, this partnership is more than a diplomatic handshake. It’s a signal of intent: two innovation powerhouses coming together to develop open, secure, and interoperable AI models that can scale across regions, including the Global South. Kenya stands to benefit from such alliances with its…

A team of students from The African Leadership University, Machakos University, Technical University of Mombasa, and the United States International University – Africa, have been recognized as one of the top three finalists of the prestigious Microsoft Imagine Cup finals. The winner was announced at an event during Microsoft Build this week. Now in its 23rd year, the Imagine Cup is the premier global technology competition for student founders leveraging AI to push the boundaries of innovation. Since the first Imagine Cup, over 2 million students have participated from over 160 countries across the globe. In 2025, more than 15,000…

Vertiv has announced its strategic alignment with NVIDIA’s AI roadmap. Vertiv will introduce its 800V Direct Current (DC) power portfolio in the second half of 2026. This move is aimed at supporting the next generation of AI-centric data centres, including those built on NVIDIA’s upcoming Kyber and Rubin Ultra platforms. By getting ahead of the curve, Vertiv is preparing to deliver infrastructure that can keep pace with the exponential demands of AI development. One of the biggest shifts happening in AI data centres is the skyrocketing power demand. AI workloads are pushing rack power requirements beyond 300 kilowatts. These are…

The Government of Kenya has partnered with Veridos to roll out a new generation of ePassports. This will hopefully speed up issuance times and incorporate advanced security features and design elements that reflect Kenya’s cultural identity. “We wanted a passport that tells the Kenyan story, one that is inclusive, secure, and built to last,” said Evelyn Chegulet, Director General at the Directorate of Immigration Services. The new ePassport will include full-color photos printed directly onto polycarbonate. This detail alone significantly increases the document’s durability and security. The design will celebrate the country’s economy, heritage, wildlife, and history. “It’s not just…

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…