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Lengthy Licensing Stumps Kenyan Fintech Startups
13.9.2024
Fintech startups face significant challenges when expanding to Kenya, primarily due to the lengthy and complex process of obtaining an operating license. Obtaining a payment service provider (PSP) license can take up to two years, forcing startups to rely on workarounds such as partnerships with...
Mastercard and Scale Partner to Accelerate Fintech Deployment in Africa
18.8.2024
Mastercard, the American multinational financial giant, recently revealed it has partnered with the fintech firm Scale to accelerate the deployment of fintech firms in Africa and the Middle East. Amnah Ajmal praised the partnership with Scale, saying it moves her organization closer to its goal...
South African Travel Fintech Turnstay Secures Funding for Regional Expansion from DCG, DFS Lab
18.7.2024
Venture capital firms DFS Lab and Digital Currency Group (DCG) recently invested $300,000 in Turnstay, a South African travel-focused fintech startup. Turnstay aims to simplify payment procedures for international travelers by leveraging a global network of compliant companies. New Investment...
Tanzania Fintech Startup Nala Secures $40 Million via Series A Round
11.7.2024
Tanzanian fintech startup Nala recently secured $40 million in a Series A funding round led by San Francisco-based venture capital firm Acrew Capital. The funds will be used to bolster Nala’s business-to-business (B2B) payment platform and support its overall growth plans. New Funding...
Ignite innovation at Africa Fintech Forum 2024: Join us in Nairobi for the premier finance & technology convergence!
3.7.2024
Nairobi is set to host the groundbreaking Africa Fintech Forum 2024 on September 24 and 25, where global fintech pioneers will converge to share transformative insights and strategies shaping the future of finance and technology. Prepare for an unparalleled experience at the Africa Fintech Forum...
Kenyan Central Bank to Issue Licenses to Fintech Firms
14.6.2024
The Central Bank of Kenya is amending the country’s payment systems law, which will allow it to issue operating licenses to fintech startups. Governor Kamau Thugge said he expects the bank to complete the process of amending the law soon. Central Bank Aims to Support Fintech Startups The Central...
South African Fintech Startup Leseka Tech Signs Deal to Buy Payments Provider for $86M
12.5.2024
Lesaka Technologies, a fintech startup based in South Africa, recently signed a deal to acquire Adumo, a payment solutions provider, for nearly $86 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Lesaka Technologies will pay Adumo $12.5 million in cash. The funds will be sourced both internally and from...
Nigerian Fintech Startup Chipper Cash Lays Off Employees in US, UK
18.3.2024
The Nigerian fintech startup, Chipper Cash, recently abolished the roles of 20 workers based in the U.S. and U.K. The CEO Ham Serunjogi said this decision aligns with its goal of maintaining high operational efficiency and moves the startup closer to profitability. Layoffs Set Chipper Cash...
Egyptian Fintech Startup Moneyhash Secures $4.5 Million in Seed Funding Round
4.3.2024
Moneyhash, a digital payments fintech startup, recently secured $4.5 million in a seed funding round. The fintech startup said it will use the capital raised to enhance its technology and fund its regional expansion drive. The Impact of COVID on Payments Moneyhash, an Egyptian fintech startup...
Nigerian Microfinance Bank Carbon Acquires Fintech Startup Vella Finance
18.2.2024
Vella Finance, a Nigerian fintech startup, was recently bought by the microfinance bank Carbon. The acquisition of the fintech startup paves for Carbon to launch a new banking platform targeting Nigerian businesses. New Business to Leverage Artificial Intelligence The Nigerian microfinance bank...
Kenyan High Court Unfreezes $3 Million Belonging to Nigerian Fintech Giant Flutterwave
5.2.2024
A recent ruling by the Kenyan High Court in favor of the Nigerian fintech startup Flutterwave will see it finally get access to $3 million which has been frozen since July 2022. The judge slammed the Assets Recovery Agency for continuing to hold onto the funds even after it withdrew its suit...
South African Fintech Startup Ukheshe Acquires 100% Stake in EFT Corporation
21.1.2024
South African fintech startup Ukheshe recently announced that it has acquired a 100% stake in EFT Corporation, an Africa-focused payment services provider. According to the startup, the acquisition takes Ukheshe closer to its stated goal of attaining a larger footprint in Africa and beyond. Access...
Nigerian Payments Fintech Startup Cleva Secures $1.5 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
10.1.2024
The Y Combinator-backed Nigerian fintech startup has reportedly raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding. Tolu Alabi, the CEO of Cleva, expressed confidence in her and fellow co-founder Philip Abel’s ability to navigate the competitive fintech market, citing their background as a factor that counts...
Nigerian Fintech Flutterwave Secures Money Transfer Licenses in 13 US States
12.12.2023
The Nigerian fintech unicorn revealed on Dec.7 that it has obtained money transfer licenses in 13 U.S. states. Flutterwave’s partnership with a licensed financial institution also means that it can now serve customers in 29 states in the U.S. Flutterwave CEO suggested that the fintech hopes...
Africa-Focused Remittances Fintech Zazuu Shut Downs After Failing to Secure Additional Funding
21.11.2023
An Africa-focused remittances firm, Zazuu, has become the latest fintech startup to close shop after it failed to raise extra funding. Zazuu and other African fintechs’ funding problems are said to be linked to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the U.S. Zazuu Shuts Down Just Over a Year...
Nigeria’s Fintech Startup Paystack Cuts Workforce, 33 Employees to Depart
18.11.2023
The Nigerian fintech startup, Paystack, will be scaling down its operations outside Africa. In addition, Paystack will part ways with at least 33 employees based in Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Co-founder Shola Akinlade has promised to help affected employees secure new roles elsewhere....
Egyptian and Nigerian Central Banks Sign Agreement to Deepen Cross-Border Regulation
20.7.2023
The central banks of Egypt and Nigeria have signed a fintech agreement to deepen the two institutions’ “cross-border regulatory collaboration” and information sharing. The London Institute of Banking & Finance, which also signed an MOU, will offer training programs, workshops...
Study: Africa Likely to Leapfrog Leading Fintech Regions if It Adopts New Technologies
25.5.2023
Africa will likely leapfrog the top fintech regions if startups on the continent adopt new technologies, the Global Fintech 2023 report by the Boston Consulting Group and QED Investors has said. The report points to the African continent’s young population as well as the projected population...
Mastercard Study: African Fintech Sector Had One of the Highest Year-on-Year Growth Rates in Funding in 2021
1.11.2022
In 2021, African fintech startups accounted for 61% of the $2.7 billion in venture capital funding that was deployed on the continent, a new study has found. While its share of global fintech funding is just over one percent, the continent’s fintech sector still recorded one of the highest...
Report: Legal Experts Say Nigeria in Need of ‘Clear-Cut Guidelines’ for Crypto Industry
8.9.2022
Authorities in Nigeria have been told to consider upgrading the country’s cryptocurrency regulatory guidelines because current regulations are not consistent with the realities on the ground. According to legal experts, the growing interest in cryptocurrencies by Nigerians means the country...