BitKE

Kenyan leading telco, Safaricom, has revealed 9 startups for the first cohort of its Spark Accelerator Program.
Earlier this year [2024], Safaricom, alongside MPESA Africa and Sumitomo Corporation, launched the three-month accelerator program designed to offer a comprehensive mix of training,

Tushop, a startup which enables communities in Nairobi to buy groceries more cheaply with free delivery, has secured US$3 million in pre-seed funding to expand its team and platform and

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa is currently running 30 investigations into unauthorized crypto-related financial services within the country.
This is according to the organization’s latest regulatory actions report that outlines the measures they have put in place to

Ayoken, an NFT marketplace for African creatives, recently raised $1.4 million to expand its platform. The marketplace allows users to mint and sell digital collectibles, with plans to enhance payment options and secure exclusive deals with artists and telecoms.

In a report titled “Who is Buying Crypto in Africa?,” the average African crypto buyer is:
Most likely to be male
Spends about $20 USD on the first purchase and
Holds onto it for about n

Tools For Humanity is in talks to raise $50 million through an over-the-counter sale of $WLD tokens at a discount. Despite regulatory issues in Kenya, WorldCoin has seen significant participation and funding from notable venture capitalists.

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested in France under a warrant related to alleged criminal activities linked to the messaging app, facing serious charges. The situation highlights concerns over privacy, censorship, and government surveillance.

MasterCard has agreed to invest up to $200 million in MTN Group Fintech, valuing it at $5.2 billion. This partnership aims to enhance financial inclusion in Africa and supports MTN's expanding fintech operations.

VISA has announced an exciting cohort of 22 innovative startups chosen for its 4th Africa Fintech Accelerator—a signal of rising momentum in the continent’s fintech ecosystem.
Launched in 2023, this 12-week virtual accelerator is part of VISA’s broader commitment to invest $1 billion in Africa

Aella Credit has rebranded as Aella Microfinance Bank to enhance financial services in Nigeria. Founded in 2015, it aims for innovation and inclusivity, providing accessible loans and banking services while ensuring user security and compliance with regulations.

Xago, a blockchain-based money transfer company from South Africa, has announced support for the British Pound with its stable coin $XGB which is backed 1:1 with the Pound.
The move will

Victor Mapunga, a Web3 entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, is developing FlexID, a self-sovereign identity solution addressing the lack of IDs for 1.7 billion people globally. His partnerships and funding efforts aim to revolutionize identity accessibility in Africa and beyond.

The Bitcoin ecosystem is responsive to users’ needs, keeping true with the standards of Bitcoin. Stacks, for example, provides an innovative layer-2 solution that brings Web3 to Bitcoin
Read on to learn about Stacks, how it works, and how it improves Bitcoin’s functionality and usage

What is

Block, Inc. has launched pre-orders for its self-custody wallet, BitKey, aimed at enhancing Bitcoin ownership and security. Available in over 95 countries, BitKey seeks to simplify and secure Bitcoin management for users worldwide.

Blnk, an Egyptian digital lending startup, has raised $23.7 million in funding to enhance its AI-driven lending platform. Launched in 2021, it provides quick loans at the point of sale, promoting financial inclusion in Egypt, where credit card access is limited.

EchoVC, a venture capital firm headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, has announced its maiden blockchain fund ‘EchoVC Chain,’ with a budget of $8 million. The fund is being piloted to support under-represented founders and under-served markets.
“Over the past few years at EchoVC, we have become

Ronin is an Ethereum sidechain developed by Sky Mavis, the team behind popular Play-As-You-Earn game, Axie Infinity, as a solution for scaling NFT games.
Sky Mavis also developed the Ronin

The Central Bank of Nigeria has disputed reports suggesting that its eNaira CBDC threatens financial stability, citing misunderstandings. A recent book discusses CBDC impacts, advocating for broader adoption to overcome current challenges.