Unpacking gaps in payment systems in Africa ft TBD’s Angie Jones

This latest episode of our TechTrends Daily Newsletter is sponsored by LOOP App. LOOP DFS a Fintech subsidiary of the NCBA Group.

Currently using LOOP, customers can manage all their bank and mobile money accounts on the App; easily fund their account, pay their utility bills, set up standing orders, and even get quick loans. Customers can also get access to fast overdrafts of up to KES.100K and personal loans of up to KES.3M when they transact on LOOP.?

The LOOP app is available for download for Android devices on the PlayStore and IOS devices on the Apple Store.

[TechTrends Podcast] Unpacking gaps in payment systems in Africa ft TBD’s Angie Jones

In this episode, we unpack the existing gaps in payments in Africa with Angie Jones , the Global Vice President of Developer Relations for TBD, Block’s newest business unit focused on open and decentralized technologies. Listen to the episode here.

Will Tech VC Funding in Africa Rebound on Interest Rate Cuts?

While the potential for interest rate cuts offers a glimmer of hope for the African VC landscape, a true rebound will depend on a combination of factors. The industry will need to navigate the changing macroeconomic environment, demonstrate resilience and adaptability, and continue to nurture promising startups across various sectors.?

If these elements align, we could indeed see a revival of VC dealmaking in Africa, potentially returning the industry to its former vibrancy. However, this recovery is likely to be gradual and may look different from the growth seen in previous years, with a greater emphasis on sustainable business models and a more diverse investor base. Read more.

NCBA disbursed KES 478 billion in digital loans in H1 2024

NCBA Group disbursed KES 478 billion in digital loans in the first half of 2024,? marking a significant milestone for the bank and underscoring its commitment to digital transformation.

The bank has revealed these figures as part of its continued efforts to expand its digital lending services and cater to the evolving needs of its customers. Read more.

iColo adds 650 kW of solar power to its data centers in Nairobi and Mombasa

Carrier-neutral data center infrastructure provider iColo on Monday announced it has added and commissioned over 650 kilowatts (kW) of new solar installations across its two data center campuses in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Over 450kW of this new solar capacity is available within iColo’s NBO campus, where over 60 national and global networks aggregate, and will support continued campus expansion. The nearly 200 kW of remaining capacity will be utilized on iColo’s growing Miritini Mombasa campus. Read more.

Kenyans’ interest in AI surges by 150%, Google Search report

Kenyans’ interest in artificial intelligence (AI) has more than doubled soaring by 150 per cent compared to the same period in 2023 according to new search trends released by Google on Monday.?

Data from the tech giant show that searches in Kenya for “what is AI” also increased by 60%, while searches for “how to use AI” increased by 90%. Kenya has the fourth-highest search interest in AI in Africa – and ranks 13th in the world.? Read more.

Also, subscribe to my bi-monthly TechTrends Podcast here. The podcast is also available on all other podcast streaming platforms as well as YouTube here.

Also, read

• Bolt raises fares by 10% to address driver earnings concerns
• Kenyan HR payroll startup WorkPay raises $5m investment to expand across Africa
• Kenya’s Lillian Kariuki Appointed to TikTok’s Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa
• Ethiopia boosts digital financial services with its first virtual Visa card
• Liquid’s Group CTIO Ben Roberts is leaving the company after 22 years

Can AI help us better prepare for climate-related disasters in Kenya?

After years of drought, the sudden arrival of heavy rain that began in Kenya late last year seemed like a long-awaited turn in fortune. However, as the rain continued to fall, the celebrations quickly turned into a nightmare, with people swept away and homes completely inundated.

Indeed, for many in Kenya the catastrophic floods that shook the nation earlier this year brought the realities of the global climate crisis into sharp focus. One of the worst floods in the country’s history, it claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of people, serving as a stark reminder of how climate change is not a distant threat but rather a growing danger to both lives and livelihoods.??Read more.

?|2024|TechTrends Media Ltd |

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