Daisy Atino

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

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

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Kenyan E-Mobility Startup BasiGo Secures $1.5 Million USAID Grant to Expand Operations in Rwanda

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BluePeak Private Capital closes $156M fund to back African businesses

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Maisha Meds Secures $5.25 Million in Stage 3 Funding from USAID

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MFS Africa Rebrands to Onafriq

Pan-African fintech company, MFS Africa has rebranded to Onafriq due to trademark challenges in America. According to its founder and CEO, Dare Okoudjou, the trademark MFS belongs to another company in the US, and their ability to use it outside of Africa was becoming difficult. “The trademark MFS actually belongs

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Kenyan Ride-Hailing Service Little App Introduces NFC Payment Feature

Little App has rolled out Near Field Communication (NFC) payment feature for its drivers in Kenya in partnership with Visa and Absa Bank. NFC is a wireless technology that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of four centimetres or less. The collaboration among the three companies aims

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Exclusive Interview

Empowering the Next Generation of African Entrepreneurs: A Conversation with Rhea Singhla

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Inclusivity Solutions Raises $1.5 Million to Fuel African Market Expansion

Insurtech startup, Inclusivity Solutions, has secured a $1.5 million extension round, to support its expansion plans to operate in at least 12 African markets by the end of 2024. This round was led by Goodwell Investments. The startup delivers embedded insurance solutions into platforms and services that consumers already

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Bolt Kenya Suspends 5% Booking Fee Pending NTSA Clarification

Bolt Kenya has announced that it is suspending its 5% booking fee included in the riders’ fare, pending clarification from the National Transport and Regulatory Authority (NTSA) amidst licence renewal troubles. This even comes as Bolt has been under attack from NTSA over the illegal booking fees, with the regulator

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Sukhiba Connect Sets Sights on Expanding WhatsApp Conversational Commerce Across Africa