Author: Kaluka wanjala

In just under three months, Kenyan-based music streaming service Mdundo has recorded over 125,000 subscriptions and more than 5 million streams via MiniPay, Opera’s blockchain wallet integrated into Opera Mini.  The announcement was made via X (formerly Twitter) by both Mdundo and MiniPay, celebrating the success of their recent partnership. “People aren’t just saving stablecoins, they’re vibing on-chain,” read a tweet from MiniPay. Mdundo has been one of the dominant players in Africa’s digital music space. It offers affordable access to music through downloads and ad-supported models. The MiniPay integration introduced a new dimension to make it asier for users…

Ghanaian fintech Zeepay has raised $18 million in senior secured venture debt. This funding will help its expansion across Africa and the Caribbean. Structured by investment firm Verdant Capital IMAP, the deal marks a major step forward for the fintech, which has positioned itself as a critical bridge between international remittance inflows and local mobile wallets. Unlike equity funding, this round of financing focuses on working capital and float financing. Float enables liquidity so that users can send and receive money seamlessly, without system downtime or delays. For Zeepay, maintaining that liquidity across multiple countries and currencies is very important. …

Pesalink recently partnered with Strathmore University to launch the 2025 Pesalink AI Fintech Hackathon. Through this initiative, Pesalink aims to cultivate the next generation of fintech developers and leaders. It hopes to achieve this by creating opportunities to solve current payment industry challenges that impact Pesalink ecosystem participants. “At Pesalink, we are passionate about innovation as a means to creating more inclusive and seamless payments,” said Plounne Oyunge, Chief Growth Officer at IPSL. “This hackathon is more than a competition—it’s a practical step toward solving real infrastructure challenges, while nurturing the next generation of fintech innovators who will shape the…

The Technopolis Bill, 2024 that is currently before the Senate, seeks to have Counties design and develop their smart cities to be overseen by a new authority. It provides a framework for the development of high-tech innovation zones called Technopolises, which will serve as engines for research, entrepreneurship and economic transformation. The main aim of the Bill is the creation of the Technopolis Development Authority. This is a dedicated body to oversee the planning, development and regulation of these futuristic zones. This Authority will be in charge of allocating land to investors, setting up science and technology parks, managing cutting-edge…

Airtel Africa has announced its latest partnership with SpaceX to deliver Starlink’s satellite internet to its customers across the continent. This will help improve Airtel Africa’s satellite connectivity offerings. Its aim is to extend reliable internet access to underserved and remote communities. These include schools, health centres, businesses and rural enterprises. SpaceX has secured operating licenses in 9 of the 14 African countries where Airtel operates, with license approvals pending in the remaining five. Once regulatory clearances are finalized, Starlink will become a powerful addition to Airtel Africa’s connectivity infrastructure. “We remain deeply committed to our vision to enrich the…

Kenya Power has announced plans to install 45 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across six counties over the next year. The chargers will be deployed in Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Taita Taveta. In Nairobi, six of the chargers will be at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). “Kenya Power is committed to enabling the country’s transition to electric mobility to catalyse the reduction of carbon emissions,” said Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror, the company’s Managing Director and CEO. “Part of our plan is to create an enabling environment for players within the e-mobility ecosystem through provision of adequate power…

Bolt has announced a new partnership with Driver Technologies to bring affordable, high-tech dash cam functionality to its driver partners across South Africa. Through this partnership, Bolt drivers can now turn their smartphones into fully functional dash cams—recording both the road ahead and the interior of their vehicles. The app, developed by Driver Technologies, offers cloud-backed video storage, unlimited trip recordings, and the ability to access and share footage when needed. As part of the rollout, Bolt drivers will get their first month of the premium dash cam service free. After that, they’ll be able to continue using the service…

Money Fellows has announced it has raised $13 million in a new financing round. This round brings the total amount invested in the company to over $60 million. The company will use the investment to enhance and upgrade its digital platform, especially as its user base expands to over 8.5 million users. This latest round of investment was co-led by Al Mada Ventures (AMV) and DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, with notable contributions from Partech, and CommerzVentures “Money Fellows is a critical player in Africa’s financial ecosystem, combining the power of community-based savings with cutting-edge fintech to create…

Spotify’s AI Playlist tool is now available in Kenya. This feature gives Premium subscribers a fun and creative way to discover and curate music. It was Initially launched in the UK and Australia but is now rolling out to over 40 new markets globally, including Kenya. Here’s everything you need to know to get started. What Is Spotify’s AI Playlist? AI Playlist is a beta feature on Spotify that allows Premium users to create playlists using natural language prompts. Whether you want “Afrobeat tracks to heat up the dance floor” or “chill songs for a rainy Nairobi evening,” Spotify uses…

Aruwa Capital Management, the trailblazing, female-founded investment firm based in Lagos, has announced it has raised 90% of its $40 million target for its second fund, Aruwa Capital Fund II—a major milestone in a tough fundraising environment. Building on the success of its first fund, which closed in 2022 at just over $20 million, Fund II is already showing promise. Backed by a diverse group of returning and new investors, including the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, Visa Foundation, Bank of Industry (BOI), British International Investment (BII), and EDFI Management Company (via the EU-funded ElectriFI initiative), Aruwa is on track…