Author: Kaluka wanjala

When Safaricom says its “True Value” hit KSh 1.1 trillion in FY2025, 16 times greater than its financial profit, the number may sound abstract. But behind it lies a profound statement about how corporate success in Kenya is being redefined. The True Value Assessment, developed with KPMG, measures how much value Safaricom creates (or erodes) for society. This includes employment and innovation and even environmental stewardship. It represents more than shareholder profit and includes the impact the company has on its customers, communities and even the planet. Safaricom’s KSh 1.1 trillion True Value is a great contribution to Kenya’s economy…

Safaricom’s economic, social and environmental impact has reached KSh 1.1 trillion, according to its latest Sustainable Business Report 2025. The “True Value” figure is 16 times greater than the company’s financial profit. The report, themed “Anchored on Purpose, Accelerating a Digital Future,” quantifies the telco’s holistic value to society beyond profit, capturing the impact of initiatives in digital inclusion, financial access, climate action, and corporate governance. “At the heart of our journey is sustainability, embedded not as an obligation, but as a business imperative,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC. “Now in our 14th year of publishing our…

Tesh Mbaabu has announced the launch of a new venture called Cloud9. He refers to this as a fintech startup that aims to redefine how young Africans experience banking. He previously co-founded MarketForce with Mesongo Sibuti. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. MarketForce began as a sales automation platform before evolving into RejaReja, a B2B retail marketplace helping informal merchants source and pay for inventory digitally. The startup went through Y Combinator and raised a $2 million seed round. It later closed a $40 million Series A round in 2022. The…

itel has announced the launch of the itel SUPER 26 Ultra in Kenya. The phone is available in Kenya for KES 20,499. The phone blends premium design, powerful performance and intelligent AI features at a price few competitors can match. The SUPER 26 Ultra is built around a 6.78-inch 3D Curved AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and an ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate. This delivers a viewing experience rarely seen in this price range. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, and the phone’s TitanShield Architecture gives it added strength. The phone has an IP65 rating for dust…

Safaricom Business hosted an exclusive breakfast session for senior IT and security executives. The session showcased its Managed Security Operations Centre (MSOC) and its role in strengthening enterprise resilience. Participants were taken through live threat simulations and demonstrations of MSOC’s analytics-driven monitoring tools, which provide real-time detection and response capabilities. “Enterprises can no longer treat security as an afterthought; it is now central to business continuity and reputation. Through our MSOC, we equip organisations with the tools and expertise needed to identify threats early and respond decisively,” said Frankline Okata, Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Safaricom. Kenya’s Rising Cyber…

Network International and Magnati have completed a strategic merger under the ownership of a Brookfield-led consortium. The merged entity will operate under the name Network International LLC. With an expanded suite of solutions, ranging from digital payments and data-driven insights to SME lending and advanced fraud prevention, the merged entity is well-placed to drive innovation, scale, and financial inclusion across the region. The company will continue to collaborate with governments to accelerate digital transformation and expand access to financial services throughout MEA. Hadi Badri, Chairman of the Board, Network International, said, “This merger creates a UAE homegrown fintech champion for…

Safaricom has unveiled 10 startups as finalists for the second cohort of its Spark Accelerator Program, a corporate innovation initiative launched in partnership with M-PESA Africa, Sumitomo Corporation, and implemented by iHUB. The startups are: If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. The startups will join a three-month acceleration program beginning October 2025. The program is designed to fast-track growth by combining mentorship, technical support, and corporate market access. According to Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, the accelerator’s goal is to “nurture, grow and scale commercially viable tech start-ups that drive positive societal…

Africa’s startup and SME ecosystem continues to attract growing investor attention in 2025. There are some new funds targeting everything from early-stage tech to climate and private credit. For founders, this rise in capital represents fresh growth opportunities. If you have a startup you want featured on TechArena, let us know through this contact form here. Below, we will highlight some of the most notable fund launches and closes announced between January and September 2025. The information provided below is based of data we have gathered from publicly available information. Acumen — KawiSafi Fund II ($90m, September 2025) Acumen is the first one…

Visa has announced the launch of a stablecoin prefunding pilot through its global money movement platform, Visa Direct. The initiative is designed to give businesses, banks and remittance providers a faster and more flexible way to fund cross-border payouts. Visa’s new pilot aims to disrupt the legacy systems that require costly pre-funding in fiat as they often lock up large sums of capital for days at a time. “Cross-border payments have been stuck in outdated systems for far too long,” said Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa. “Visa Direct’s new stablecoin integration lays the groundwork…

Kenya will require $47.26 million (about SKsh 6.12 billion) to set up 10,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. According to a new policy document from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the rollout will take place in three phases. It will start with 17 towns located along the Mombasa–Busia highway corridor. The first phase alone will cost $9.16 million (Ksh 1.18 billion). The second stage of the project will cost $13.9 million (Ksh 1.8 billion) and extend to 23 more towns and roads linked to the initial corridor. The final and most expensive phase will target county…