Author: Kaluka wanjala

Qme, an Egyptian B2B SaaS startup, has raised US$3 million in a seed funding round with participation from AHOY, a leading multi-sector technology company, alongside a group of strategic angel investors in the GCC region. Qme is an AI-driven platform addressing a critical issue in MENA, where inefficient queuing systems and outdated appointment booking methods cause individuals to lose an average of six months of their lives standing in line. Moreover, the reliance on phone bookings, which account for 92% of appointments in key sectors, leads to a no-show rate of 31%, creating further inefficiencies. “Our partnership with AHOY is…

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series has been on pre-order in Kenya for the last couple of weeks. The phone is now available in stores across the country starting from Ksh 108,300. Have a look at the breakdown of the prices below: The Galaxy S25 series will be available through authorized Samsung stores and e-commerce partners across Kenya. To celebrate the launch, customers who purchase a device within the first four weeks will receive a complimentary Samsung case. “The Galaxy S25 series marks a transformative leap in mobile AI, bringing intuitive and intelligent experiences to users in East Africa and beyond,”…

Visa has announced the launch of a new report, ‘Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Kenya,’ which reveals growth opportunities for digital payments, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The report highlights a thriving digital payments ecosystem in Kenya, with 84% of surveyed SMEs recognizing that investing in payments technologies is crucial to drive business growth. This positive outlook is reinforced by the fact that 68% of SMEs currently accepting digital payments plan to invest further in payment technologies, including contactless solutions. The report underscores a compelling opportunity to transition cash-only SMEs to digital payments by…

Ethio telecom has unveiled its newly built EV charging station in Addis Ababa. The telco says this initiative aligns with its vision as a leading digital solutions provider and its slogan, “Bringing New Possibilities.” The EV charging station is designed to meet the growing demand by EV users for fast, efficient, and smart charging solutions. The station can simultaneously charge up to 32 electric vehicles. The charging station operates 24/7 and is fully powered by telebirr SuperApp, Ethio telecom’s digital payment platform. Customers can pay charging services quickly, easily and conveniently with telebirr. The newly launched station includes: Also Read:…

The adoption of smart household appliances, including popular products such as LG’s InstaView refrigerators, is set to experience a notable increase by 2029, according to the latest consumer data on the segment, reported by Statista. Projections indicate that smart home appliances will reach a 5.8% penetration rate across households in the country, marking a significant shift from the estimated 2.8% in 2025. As a result, at least 831,700 households will have active smart appliances. This increase shows a growing trend towards home automation, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for convenience, energy efficiency, and advanced technological features. As a result, smart appliances, which are…

dLocal, the cross-border payment platform, has announced a new partnership with AZA Finance to expand the service offering capabilities of both partners through mutual cross-selling. AZA Finance specializes in payments and foreign exchange in Africa and this partnership will ensure customers of both companies benefit from improved payment processing, increased reach, and enhanced financial services. This collaboration enhances dLocal’s ability to support merchants in managing foreign exchange conversion, deepens the number of payout corridors dLocal can serve, and broadens the company’s portfolio of cross border payment solutions effectively. It also expands the company’s reach across the continent to Nigeria, Kenya,…

Airtel Kenya has announced the launch of Airtel Lite, a new Progressive Web App (PWA) designed to offer a lighter, faster, and more accessible selfcare experience. With capabilities similar to the My Airtel self-care app, Airtel Lite aims to efficiently cater to smartphones characterised of low storage and processing power. The launch of Airtel Lite coincides with Airtel Kenya’s announcement of zero-rating the My Airtel App, Airtel’s self-care app. With smartphone users conscious of data consumption and highly accustomed to USSD services, Airtel Lite is set to transform how customers engage with Airtel’s wide range of products and services. Lack…

Madica has announced its latest round of investments in four tech-enabled startups which include Medikea, Motherbeing, Pixii Motors and ToumAI. Each startup has received an investment of up to $200,000 and will participate in Madica’s comprehensive investment program. This includes 18 months of support through a highly personalised curriculum, hands-on mentorship, and two fully-funded week-long founder immersion trips to key local and global ecosystems, including Cape Town and London. The portfolio companies will also gain access to executive coaching opportunities and access to Madica’s global network of investors for follow-on funding, all designed to spur growth and ensure the long-term viability of the startups. This…

Equity Bank has announced reduction in interest rates on all new and existing Kenya Shilling-denominated credit facilities, effective February 13th, 2025, for new loans and from 1st of March for existing loans. This follows the recent decision by the Central Bank of Kenya’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to cut the Central Bank Rate (CBR) by 50 basis points to 10.75% from 11.25% and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 100 basis points to 3.25% from 4.25%. The reduced interest rates will comprise a revised Equity Bank Reference Rate (EBRR) of 14.39% plus a margin (based on specific customer risk profile). This…

Fincra has announced the appointment of Emmanuel Babalola, also known as Babz, as its new Chief Commercial and Growth Officer. Babz joins us with lots of experience and success in the African fintech industry, having directly led the efforts of Binance scaling across more than 40 markets in Africa and the Middle East. Under his leadership, the platform grew from serving a small user base to empowering millions of Africans and facilitating billions of dollars in transaction volume, helping unlock new opportunities across the continent. In an announcement, Fincra’s CEO Wole Ayodele described Babz as one of the most respected…