Weekly news roundup including Visa, Orange, Digital Africa, AWS launches Amazon CloudFront Edge in Nigeria

Less than one week until 300+ tech leaders meet in London including Moniepoint, AWS, London Stock Exchange, Deloitte, Eversend, AZA Finance, Goodwin, MAX, Google, Verto, Executives in Africa, Interswitch, Andela, Celo, Budpay, OjirehPrime, Enza Capital, AFEX, Wimbart, Proparco, TLCom, Curacel, First Circle Capital, Pivo, Klasha, Talking Drum, Money Africa, Pivo, Bank of America, Katapult Africa, Turaco, Aiponics, QED Investors, and many more Register today.

ThriveAgric empowers over 500,000 smallholder farmers to scale food production in Africa

ThriveAgric, has released its 2022 Impact Report reiterating the company’s mission to build the largest network of profitable farmers and accelerate an Africa that feeds itself. In the year under review, the Nigeria-founded company scaled its operations into neighbouring Ghana, and Kenya in East Africa, amongst other feats. Via AppsAfrica?Read More

Orange partners with Digital Africa to strengthen the growth of African startups

As part of this collaboration, Orange and Digital Africa will work to identify and select promising tech startups across the African continent. Selected startups will be able to access a range of resources, including mentoring programs, technical support, funding, and networking opportunities through the Orange Digital Center and the Digital Africa community. Via AppsAfrica?Read More

Amazon Web Services (AWS) launches first Amazon CloudFront Edge location in Nigeria

The introduction of this new AWS edge location provides users in Lagos with access to the comprehensive benefits offered by Amazon CloudFront that optimizes the delivery of data, video, applications, and APIs worldwide and supports organizations in various industries, including education, media and entertainment, healthcare, financial services, and e-commerce, innovate faster. Via Textnext Read More

Women-led African tech startups significantly less likely to raise funding than male counterparts

When it comes to funds raised, US$369,102,000 (9.1%) of funds went to startups with at least one female co-founder, and only US$119,053,000 (2.9%) was invested in companies led by a female CEO. Via Disrupt Africa?Read More

Funds Raised by African startups surge in May 2023, $645M raised in over 50 deals

The amount raised showed a significant increase from the sum recorded in April (4.4x MoM) which saw only $129.8 million raised, also more than the sum recorded in the same month last year, (+50% YoY). From several $100k+ deals points of view, there was a very decent progression compared to April. Via Tekedia Read More

South Africa’s load-shedding is taking a toll on businesses

South Africa is in the dark. Literally. The country is going through its worst power crisis ever, with frequent and severe power cuts, also known as load shedding. And it’s taking a toll on businesses, regardless of their size. Via Ventures Africa Read More

Visa to aid fintech startups to help expand its reach in Africa

The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator will enable up to 40 start-ups each year to accelerate and grow through a three-month intensive learning program focused on business growth and mentoring. Via AppsAfrica Read More

How blockchain technology makes it easier for Africans to upskill

Podcast:?The narrative that blockchain technology could revolutionize how people interact with technology in Africa may not be stale after all. Via Cointelegraph?Read More

How artificial intelligence is transforming the financial services sector

“AI including robotic process automation and machine learning is rapidly transforming entire industries,” says Ukheshe’s President: Project Engineering, Paul Selibas. “The AI fintech sector alone is projected to grow to almost $32 billion by 2027, but how and where we use AI will determine if it has a meaningful impact in certain industries and use cases. Via Ukheshe?Read more

Sanlam partners fintech firm for affordable insurance products

Insurance giant Sanlam is partnering microinsurance fintech firm aYo Holdings?to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria, using technology to make financial services more readily available across the country. Via This Day Read More

MyCredit Investments successfully completes N2.5billion series 1 commercial paper issuance

MyCredit Investments (FairMoney Nigeria) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of its debut N2.5 billion Series 1 Commercial Paper (“CP”) Issuance. FairMoney’s Commercial Paper Issuance (the “Offer” or the “Programme”) garnered overwhelming interest from an extensive array of qualified institutional investors with total demand exceeding the issue size by nearly 100%. Via AppsAfrica Read More

Peach Cars KE , a Kenyan used-car marketplace, raises $5M in seed investment

The $5 million seed round was led by Japan-based The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC) and other angel investors, including Shintaro Yamada (founder and CEO of Mercari), Peter Kenevan (VP, Head of Japan at PayPal), and Hiroaki Ohta (general partner at Japan’s Waseda University Ventures). Via Techcrunch Read More

Termii Group raises $3.65M to drive expansion in Africa

Nigerian communications platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) startup, Termii, has raised $3.65 million to expand its product offerings.?The new raise brought the startup’s total funding to $5.05 million having first raised $1.4 million in seed funding in January 2021. Via Technext Read More

Eze secures $3.7 million seed funding to build global marketplace for electronics wholesaling

Eze, a wholesale marketplace for used and new electronics, has secured $3.7 million in seed funding to develop its technology infrastructure, broaden its product offering and expand into new markets in Africa, Europe and South America. The funding round was led by Right Side Capital Management, with participation from C2 Ventures, Boro Capital, EVPI Investments and other angel investors. Via AppsAfrica Read More

Messenger raises Pre-Seed funding led by Nama Ventures

Messenger, A one stop logistics platform that finances and aggregates end to end logistics and supply chain operations, announced that it has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round led by Nama Ventures with participation from Aidi Ventures and notable Angels. Via TechCabal Read more

African Founder in London?

Apply to attend the Techstars and AWS Meet & Greet, 5pm Weds 21st June, It’s your opportunity to learn about the 2023 Techstars program, meet the teams, get insider tips on how to submit a stellar application, and network with fellow-founders. Register here

Female Founder? Apply for ACT NOW African Award

This year, the ACT NOW Award focuses on women who stand up, make a difference and dare to run their own businesses or found and lead startups. Any independent female entrepreneur from Africa can apply with and for her business. ?Read More

Startup Wise Guys - SaaS Accelerator Program: Africa

Startup Wise Guys SaaS acceleration Africa program will provide an optimized approach that delivers tailored guidance and support from world class mentors and experts. Our accelerator program will help you navigate the bumps in the company building road, revolutionize your go-to-market strategy and encourage you to bring your A game. Read More

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