Daisy Atino

Journalist & Writer Covering Tech News from the East African Region.

Morocco's Nindohost Targets African Startups with Regional Expansion

Moroccan web hosting firm Nindohost is extending its footprint across the continent, launching operations in 13 African countries. With nearly 20 years of experience in Morocco’s digital ecosystem, Nindohost will now offer cloud hosting and cybersecurity services in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’

Connected Africa 2025: 130 Kenyan Startups Selected for Investment

Kenya's ICT Authority (ICTA) has shortlisted 130 Kenyan technology startups as investment-ready, ahead of the Connected Africa Summit set to take place later this month. The startups were selected from a pool of 250 applicants registered under the Huduma Whitebox Programme, a joint initiative by ICTA and the

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East Africa’s Fintech Boom: What’s Driving It and What Comes Next

East Africa experienced a fintech revolution. Once defined by limited banking infrastructure, the region now stands at the forefront of Africa’s digital financial future, with fintech startups driving innovation, investment, and financial inclusion. The seeds of this fintech boom were sown in 2007 with the launch of M-Pesa in

BURN Secures $5M to Scale Electric Cooking in Kenya

Kenya’s clean energy push has received a significant boost, as African cookstove manufacturer BURN secures USD 5 million from the Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFI), backed by the European Union and managed by EDFI Management Company. The funding will accelerate the deployment of BURN’s ECOA Induction Cooker (ECOA IDC)

Safaricom Unveils Program to Accelerate Kenyan Startups

Safaricom has opened applications for the 2025 edition of its Spark Accelerator Program, a platform designed to support bold and visionary early-stage startups. The 14-week program, scheduled to commence in August 2025, aims to empower businesses with the resources and tools needed to scale. The initiative is a collaboration between

3 Kenyan Startups Selected for Entrepreneurship Summit in Beijing

Three Kenyan startups have been selected to represent the country at a Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Beijing, scheduled for October 2025, following a newly established partnership between Konza Technopolis Development Authority and HICOOL, a global innovation platform based in China. The three startups heading to Beijing include Composi.it, a

Uganda Proposes 3-Year Tax Break for Local Startups

The Ugandan government has introduced the Income Tax Amendment Bill, 2025, which proposes a three-year income tax exemption for startup businesses established by Ugandan citizens. The bill presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija states that its aim is “to provide for the exemption of startup businesses established by

Kenya's Craydel Expands Edtech Services to Rwanda

Craydel, founded in 2021 by Manish Sardana, John Nguru, and Shayne Aman Premji, has officially launched operations in Rwanda. The Kenyan edtech startup operates in five countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda. Unlike most edtech companies in single markets, Craydel has taken a continental approach, offering a unified digital

Wakandi Seeks $50 million to Digitize SACCOs in Kenya

Norwegian fintech firm Wakandi has launched a capital raise of USD 50 million (Ksh6.5 billion) to accelerate the digitisation of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOS) and cooperatives across Africa, with Kenya at the centre of its strategy. Speaking in Nairobi during the signing of a partnership between Wakandi and

East Africa’s Roam, Numida & Inkomoko On FT Africa Growth List

A handful of East African companies have earned spots on the Financial Times’ 2025 ranking of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies. Among the standout performers is Rwanda-based Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development Ltd, which ranked 8th overall. The company, active in fintech and financial services, posted a remarkable 2,914.1% absolute growth

Ethiopia Secures Three-Year Deal with JICA to Power Startup Growth

A three-year initiative to strengthen Ethiopia’s startup landscape has officially kicked off with a partnership between the Ministry of Innovation & Technology (MiNT) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The agreement sets the stage for a technical cooperation project tailored to elevate the startup ecosystem. Kenuske Oshima, Chief

Rwanda's Startup Ecosystem Attracts German Investment Despite Political Tensions

A German tech company is doubling down on its investments in Rwanda’s growing ICT sector, signaling strong confidence in the country’s potential, even amid political tensions in Europe. TestSolutions GmbH, a global software testing firm, has been operating in Rwanda through its subsidiary, TestSolutions Rwanda (TSR), for over

Kofa Expands Operations in Kenya with $8.1 Million Investment

Kofa, a Ghana-based renewable energy company, has secured $8.1 million in pre-Series A funding to expand its AI-powered battery-swapping network across urban centers in Africa. This funding round includes $3.25 million in equity, $4.32 million in debt, and $590,000 in grants. The company plans to use

Africa's E-Mobility Firm Spiro Launches in Tanzania

African e-mobility firm Spiro has launched operations in Tanzania, as part of its broader growth strategy. The company has deployed over ten battery swapping stations in the country and plans to expand this into a nationwide network. To further support the e-mobility sector, the company will introduce bank-financed assets, flexible

Kenya

Mentorship Crucial for the Future of Kenya’s Startups, Stakeholders Say

Key players in Kenya's startup ecosystem are urging seasoned entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and experience with emerging founders, in a bid to foster the long-term growth and sustainability of local startups. “Entrepreneurial success extends beyond profit and valuation — true impact lies in paying it forward. At Endeavor,

Venture Capital

African Startups Struggling to Attract Foreign Investment

African startups are finding it increasingly difficult to attract foreign investment due to heightened perceptions of risk, according to a new report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank. The report, Venture Capital and the Rise of Africa’s Tech Startups, reveals that despite

Zemen GEBEYA: Ethiopia’s Digital Marketplace for Startup Growth

Ethio Telecom has launched Zemen GEBEYA, a digital marketplace aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s commercial landscape. The platform will connect businesses, especially Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with consumers nationwide. Integrated within the telebirr SuperApp, it also plans to facilitate trade across urban and rural Ethiopia. According to the

PalmPay Expands East Africa Footprint with Uganda, Tanzania Launch

Nigerian fintech PalmPay has announced plans to launch operations in South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, and Tanzania before the end of 2025. This expansion will grow its operational footprint to six countries, adding to existing operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. The fintech also disclosed that it now boasts

Worldcoin to Erase Biometric Data in Kenya Under ODPC Supervision

The Kenyan High Court has ruled that Worldcoin’s collection of biometric data from Kenyans was unconstitutional due to its failure to carry out a Data Protection Impact Assessment. In an affidavit, Deputy Data Commissioner Oscar Otieno said that having reviewed the Worldcoin project operations in the country, he was

Tech Giants AWS, Google, Cisco Confirmed for Connected Africa Summit 2025

Global technology powerhouses AWS, Google, Cisco, HPE, CheckPoint, and Fortinet have confirmed their participation in the Connected Africa Summit 2025. Slated for 26-29 May 2025, at the Diamond Leisure Resort & Spa in Diani, Kenya, the summit is hosted by Kenya's ICT Ministry under the theme — “The Digital

Kenya's MYDAWA Secures $9.6M to Expand in East Africa

MYDAWA, a Kenyan digital health platform, has raised $9.6 million in a new funding round to expand its services throughout East Africa. The investment was spearheaded by IFU, Alta Semper, AAIC Investment, Creadev, and Ohara Pharmaceutical Co. Since its establishment in 2017, MYDAWA has provided comprehensive healthcare solutions through

Starlink Scales Up in Africa with Airtel Deal

Telecom giant Airtel Africa has announced an agreement with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services across the continent. “This partnership with SpaceX is a significant step to demonstrate our continued commitment to advancing Africa’s digital economy through strategic investments and partnerships,” said Airtel Africa’s

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Flutterwave Cleared in Kenya as Anti-Money Laundering Agency Drops its Final Lawsuit

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Google Expands Generative AI in Search to Kenya and Other African countries

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Two Ugandan Startups Emerge Victorious at the Global Startup Awards Africa