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Disrupt-Africa

The African gaming industry is still extremely fragmented in that it is made up of a handful of small studios, but is nonetheless “the next big thing” given, among other things, the relative youth of the continent’s population.

Fragmented African gaming industry needs to get itself together, but is still “next big thing”

South African early-stage venture capital firm 4Di Capital has announced the second closing of its new US$25 million seed fund – created in partnership with DotExe Ventures in Mauritius – with an undisclosed raise from Mauritian-based conglomerate IBL Group, via its investment vehicle, IBL Link Investments Ltd. 

SA VC firm 4Di Capital partners announces 2nd close of $25m seed fund

Nigeria’s mobility fintech company Moove, Uber’s largest vehicle supply partner in EMEA, has raised US$30 million from a debut sukuk issuance to fund its expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Nigerian mobility fintech Moove raises $30m debt round to fund expansion into UAE

Kenyan tech ventures have higher rates of acceleration or incubation than their peers in other leading African startup ecosystems, a fact that stems from the country’s extremely well-established startup support scene.

Here’s why Kenyan tech startups are continent’s most accelerated

Small Foundation and Village Capital have selected 20 African entrepreneur support organisations (ESOs) that work with rural-impacting enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa to take part in the Rural Impacting Entrepreneurship research project aimed at identifying gaps and solutions to deepen impact within the rural business ecosystem and develop a thriving support community.

20 African entrepreneur support organisations selected for Village Capital project

Investors in Africa’s e-commerce and retail-tech space should take an ecosystem-growth approach to success rather than expecting quick returns, and as such local investors may be better placed to build out the space, according to retail-tech entrepreneurs interviewed in the latest Disrupt Podcast series.

Investors in African e-commerce must focus on ecosystem growth

Startups are building out the infrastructure necessary to support a thriving e-commerce ecosystem in Africa, with adoption expected to surge in line with the continent’s high population growth, according to Tesh Mbaabu, co-founder and CEO of Kenyan retail-tech venture MarketForce.

Future of African e-commerce bright as “right ingredients” coming together

Egyptian e-health company CheckMe has acquired counterpart DoctorOnline in a deal that brings the former’s market value to US$20 million.

Egyptian e-health company CheckMe acquires counterpart DoctorOnline

Nigerian startup Raenest is helping remote workers and freelancers automate invoicing and get paid faster by clients globally while saving on fees via its Raenest Global accounts and cards. 

How Nigeria’s Raenest helps freelancers get paid faster

South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt have established themselves over the last few years, by various criteria, as the “big four” African tech startup ecosystems. 

Comparing Africa’s “big four” startup ecosystems – how do they match up?

Tunisia-founded enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) startup InstaDeep has been acquired by Nasdaq-listed German biotech company BioNTech SE in a deal that could eventually be worth GBP562 million (US$684m) to its shareholders.

Tunisia-founded AI startup InstaDeep acquired in $684m deal

Egypt-based solar power developer and electricity distributor KarmSolar has secured EGP83 million (US$3 million) in debt funding to support the further development and rollout of Farafra Solar Grid, the company’s second micro-grid-solution, covering 100 per cent of clients’ load. 

Egypt’s KarmSolar raises $3m debt funding for innovative micro-grid solution

The Ethiopia-based Gebeya, a SaaS-enabled, pan-African talent marketplace, has announced an undisclosed pre-Series A investment from a Japanese VC firm to drive its ongoing expansion.

Ethiopian talent marketplace Gebeya raises pre-Series A funding to drive growth

Kenyan fintech startup Kwara has agreed to wholly acquire IRNET Coop Kenya, a software company which is a subsidiary of the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCC), in a deal that will see it offer its banking software solutions and mobile banking channels to rapidly increase growth and profitability of SACCOs in Kenya. 

Kenyan fintech startup Kwara acquires software company, partners SACCO union

Kenyan startup iGas has launched a digital LPG marketplace that aims to accelerate access to clean cooking by solving affordability, accessibility and last mile delivery constraints.

Kenyan startup iGas launches digital LPG marketplace

Ten Kenyan agri-circularity startups have been selected for the second edition of the O-Farms accelerator programme, which will award two peer-selected companies with milestone-based grant funding of up to EUR25,000 (US$24,000).

10 Kenyan agri-circularity startups selected for O-Farms programme

Zimbabwean fintech startup Cashlinq has launched a banking-as-a-service platform to enable businesses and startups across the continent to offer superior banking solutions. 

Zimbabwe’s Cashlinq launches banking-as-a-service platform for small businesses

The Cape Innovation and Technology (CiTi), recognised along with its Bandwidth Barn as Africa’s oldest tech incubator, has rebranded to UVU Africa to mark its new pan-African approach.

Established in 1999, CiTi works with government, academia, business and society to promote inclusive growth of the digital economy, and has significantly impacted the growth of the Cape Town and South African technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative rebrands to UVU Africa to recognise new pan-African approach

Y Combinator-backed Nigerian agri-tech startup Vendease has raised US$3.2 million in seed funding to expand operations and build out its technology.

YC-backed Nigerian agri-tech startup Vendease closes $3.2m seed round

Ghanaian startup FLUID has launched a new platform that helps smallholder farmers access loans, and has already signed one bank on a 12-month contract to provide financing to 25,000 farmers in Northern Ghana.

Ghanaian startup FLUID launches platform helping smallholder farmers access credit

Moroccan fintech startup Gwala has raised an undisclosed pre-seed funding round to help it scale.

Moroccan fintech startup Gwala raises pre-seed funding round

Ghanaian startup Chestify AI Labs provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform that gives a highly accurate algorithm for diagnosing pathologies on chest X-rays, CT-scans and MRI images.

Ghana’s Chestify AI is boosting radiology with artificial intelligence algorithms

The number of active investors in African tech startups increased by 28 per cent to almost 1,000 in 2022, yet this was a slower rate of growth than witnessed in previous years.

Active investors in African tech startups grew by 28% in 2022

Nigerian mobility startup Treepz has launched operations in Kenya following strategic investment deals to raise additional US$1.2 million in funding over the last 12 months. 

Nigerian mobility startup Treepz launches in Kenya following strategic investment

Nigerian e-health startup Famasi, which began life as a medication management service but has expanded its vision to building pharmacy infrastructure to scale digital health, has raised a pre-seed round of funding.

Nigerian e-health startup Famasi raises pre-seed funding to build pharmacy infrastructure in Africa

African entrepreneurs with promising climate-focused solutions have been invited to apply for Africa ClimAccelerator, which will provide selected companies with funding, expertise and mentorship to help them scale.

Climate-focused innovations invited to apply for Africa ClimAccelerator

Ugandan fintech Qiribu believes itself to be the first platform within the East African country to launch an earned wage access product, which it plans to expand into Kenya and Rwanda in the next couple of years.

Uganda’s Qiribu is taking earned wage access across East Africa

South African hotel management system (HMS) RoomRaccoon has announced its expansion to Zanzibar, offering independent hoteliers the opportunity to accelerate their operations, increase profitability and reduce costs with its all-in-one system. 

SA hotel management startup RoomRaccoon launches operations in Zanzibar

The Kigali-based non-profit Norrsken has partnered the Novartis Foundation to build and launch what it says will be the leading hub and accelerator for e-health startups in East Africa.

Kigali-based Norrsken partners Novartis to launch health challenge, accelerator

Mali’s Sodishop, a B2C and B2B marketplace that sells and delivers almost all categories of products, has expanded across several markets in West Africa and shows no sign of slowing down.

How Mali’s Sodishop is scaling its online marketplace across West Africa

Rwandan startup DoctorAI is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help healthcare providers reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with medical errors and inaccessibility to medical specialists.

How Rwanda’s DoctorAI uses artificial intelligence to improve healthcare outcomes

Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh) has begun the operational setup of its Ci-Gaba fund of funds, which seeks to unlock US$75 million in local and international funding for local capital providers, who are investing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Fund of funds launches in Ghana to unlock $75m of funding for local capital providers

Kenya-based electric mobility startup Opibus has raised US$7.5 million in equity and grant funding to help it scale its operations in electric motorcycle and bus manufacturing. Founded in 2017, Opibus is the leading provider of electric vehicles designed and manufactured locally. Its vision is to create reliable and cost effective products designed for the pan-African mass market. 

Kenya-based electric mobility startup Opibus raises $7.5m funding round

Tanzanian music streaming startup Jibu has launched a differentiated offering it claims gives a larger chunk of revenues to independent artists as opposed to labels and distributors.

Tanzanian music streaming startup Jibu launches differentiated offering

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)-based energy company Nuru is on track to build 13.7MWp of isolated solar-hybrid grids by mid-2024 after securing an initial US$1.5 million from investors in a convertible note round ahead of the close of its Series B funding round.

DRC-based energy startup Nuru raises $1.5m funding

Egyptian grocery delivery startup Breadfast has raised a US$26 million Series A funding rund to expand into new cities, scale its technology, and move into Sub-Saharan African markets.

Egyptian grocery delivery startup Breadfast secures $26m Series A round

Cameroonian startup Prepdia, which is helping learners improve their outcomes by reliably connecting them with professional tutors for in-person and online lessons, has expanded to Gabon after seeing impressive growth in its home market.

Cameroonian ed-tech startup Prepdia expands to Gabon

When Mohamed Badr conceived of the idea for a mobile app that allows businesses and individuals to connect with transportation for items such as furniture, he wanted to launch it in his home country of Egypt.

Moroccan startup EZZAL connects businesses with delivery services via app

Kenyan insurtech startup Turaco has partnered Airtel Money and Prudential in Uganda to launch Hospital Sente, a low-cost hospital cash insurance product with funeral benefits, aimed at increasing access to insurance for underserved communities, and low-income individuals and families. 

Kenyan insurtech startup Turaco partners Airtel, Prudential for Uganda product launch

Kenyan startup WorkPay, which builds human resources (HR) and payroll solutions for Africa, has expanded into Nigeria.

Kenyan HR startup WorkPay expands into Nigeria

Kenyan startup TIBU Health has raised an undisclosed amount of pre-Series A funding to allow it to strengthen its solutions dedicated to chronic diseases and improve its virtual care platform.

Kenya’s TIBU Health raises pre-Series A funding to accelerate its growth

South African VC firm Kalon Venture Partners, which invests in digital disruptive technologies, is to raise a US$50 million fund which will see it make investments outside of South Africa for the first time.

SA VC firm Kalon Venture Partners to raise $50m pan-African fund

Nigeria’s HouseAfrica, a prop-tech startup providing real estate digitalisation and transparency tools to property developers and their customers, has raised US$400,000 in funding.

Nigerian prop-tech startup HouseAfrica raises $400k funding round

Nigerian fintech startup OnePipe has secured a US$4.8 million credit facility from TLG Capital, which it will use to provide inventory finance to small shops, while at the same laying off an undisclosed number of team members to extend its runway.

Nigerian fintech startup OnePipe secures $4.8m credit facility, lays off staff

Ethiopian startup Medstore has launched a digital marketplace to allow users to sell and buy medical equipment online, and publish and subscribe to medical equipment tenders.

Ethiopian startup Medstore launches digital marketplace for medical equipment

Kenyan startup BasiGo, an electric vehicle technology and financing company working to bring electric bus services to Sub-Saharan Africa, has launched operations in Nairobi having secured KES100 million (US$900,000) in funding earlier this year.

E-mobility startup BasiGo launches in Kenya with $900k funding

The Egypt-based VC firm Camel Ventures has launched an EGP500 million (US$16 million) fund that is focused on the country’s fintech startup ecosystem.

Egypt’s Camel Ventures launches $16m fintech-focused fund

Ghanaian agri-tech startup Farmerline has expanded into Francophone Africa with an official launch of operations in Ivory Coast, deepening partnerships across West Africa and accelerating its commitment to support small scale farmers everywhere.

Ghana’s Farmerline expands operations to Francophone Africa with Ivory Coast launch

Young African Catalysts has launched in a bid to democratise access to the African venture ecosystem, leveraging data and community to enable young Africans to upskill, find jobs, and unlock investment.

Young African Catalysts launches to democratise access to venture ecosystem

The DRC-based Altech Group has raised US$18 million in debt financing and grants to continue strengthening its market position and expand access to energy across the country.

DRC’s Altech Group raises $18m growth capital to expand access to energy

South African startup Maholla, a viral consumer rewards app, has concluded a US$1.5 million seed funding round to help it continue to scale. 


SA rewards app Maholla raises $1.5m seed funding to help it scale

Capria Ventures, a leading Global South specialist firm investing in early-growth Global South startups, has announced the first close of its US$100 million fund.

Capria announces 1st close of $100m Global South Fund II

Nigerian fintech startup Storspay has raised a US$320,000 funding round and been selected to participate in the Techstars NYC accelerator, backed by JP Morgan Accelerator.

Nigerian fintech startup Storspay raises $320k, selected for Techstars NYC

Tunisia-based e-commerce platform Drest has raised US$336,000 from 216 Capital Ventures to fund its expansion into the African market.

Tunisian e-commerce startup Drest raises $336k to fund African expansion

Applications have opened for the African Food Fellowship, which is building a radical movement of leaders in Africa working to transform food systems across the continent. 

Kenyan, Rwandan startups invited to apply for African Food Fellowship

South African digital fuel management solutions and telematics startup Payment24 has expanded into new markets in North America and Europe, as well as announcing ongoing product innovation in other areas.

SA fleet management startup Payment24 expands into new geographies, industries

Ivory Coast-based fintech Djamo’s first product was a Visa-powered card for digital payments, but it has gradually added other financial services to become the one-stop personal finance partner for consumers. 

How Ivory Coast’s Djamo has expanded to become a personal finance super-app

Tunisian B2B e-commerce startup Kamioun aims to become the leading mobile platform for corner shops, helping them simplify replenishment processes as a stepping stone into other aspects of business digitisation.

Tunisian B2B e-commerce startup Kamioun aims to become the leading platform for corner shops

Ugandan fintech startup Zofi Cash has secured US$1 million in pre-seed funding to double down on its commitment to ensuring that every day is a payday for salaried workers. 

Uganda’s Zofi Cash raises $1m pre-seed funding to help it scale

Kenya’s Patamali has developed a groundbreaking decentralised finance (DeFi) platform operating on the Celo blockchain that aims to revolutionise the real estate financing space.

Kenya’s Patamali wants to revolutionise real estate financing through DeFi

The Moroccan startup PrestaFreedom, a home services platform specialising in household subscriptions and other services for individuals, has raised MDH11 million (US$1.1 million) from the Azur Innovation Fund to accelerate its growth at the national and regional level.

Moroccan home services startup PrestaFreedom raises $1.1m

B2B marketplace Sabi has announced the close of a US$6 million bridge round to support its continued fast-paced growth in Nigeria and beyond. 
Formed last year after spinning out of energy startup Rensource, Sabi is optimising Africa’s informal trade sector by bringing merchants and resellers into its network with curated business tools and services that help them reach new customers, improve cash flow, and streamline logistics. 

Nigerian B2B marketplace Sabi raises $6m bridge round, expands to Kenya

Fewer than 10 per cent of African tech startups are led by a female CEO, while less than 15 per cent even have a female co-founder, according to a groundbreaking study on gender diversity released by Disrupt Africa.

Less than 10% of African tech startups led by female CEO, report shows

The Rwanda-based Ampersand, an integrated electric motorcycle and transport energy solution, has reached a major milestone in its mission to provide sustainable mobility solutions in Kenya and Rwanda, with it now having more than 1,000 commercial use electric motorcycles on the roads.

Rwandan electric vehicle startup Ampersand achieves 1,000 vehicle milestone

Kenyan fintech startup Pezesha has partnered retail distribution platform Kyosk App to enable Kyosk merchants in Kenya – and soon in Uganda – to access affordable inventory credit. 

Kenya’s Pezesha partners Kyosk App to provide inventory credit to merchants

South African fintech group Adumo has acquired SwitchPay, a provider of alternative payment solutions for consumers both in-store and online, for an undisclosed amount. Adumo is South Africa’s largest independent payments processor, offering a range of smart payment solutions to more than 50,000 active clients, including large multinational and independent retailers as well as entrepreneurs and informal traders. Its group companies include Sureswipe, iKhokha, Humble, Innervation Pan African Payment Solutions and Innervation Rewards.

SA fintech startup Adumo acquires alternative payments provider SwitchPay

Kenyan e-health startup MYDAWA has been awarded a grant of US$1.2 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at increasing access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services through its e-pharmacy model, supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya. 

Kenyan e-pharmacy startup MYDAWA banks $1.2m grant funding from Gates Foundation

The Fashion Kingdom (TFK), the leading curated fashion marketplace in Egypt, has acquired direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion brand Opio to create a powerhouse fashion group

Egypt’s TFK acquires Opio to form MENA region’s first fashion aggregator

South African e-health startup Zoie Health has raised a pre-seed extension funding round to fund its expansion and growth.

SA’s Zoie Health closes pre-seed funding round to fund expansion

Ghanaian Web3 startup Mazzuma has secured an undisclosed amount of financing from Adaverse to implement the roll-out of its AI-powered smart contract creation platform – MazzumaGPT. 

Ghana’s Mazzuma raises funding to roll out AI-based smart contract generator

Egyptian Islamic invoice financing startup Agel has closed an undisclosed seven-figure pre-seed round of funding to help it roll out customised, digital, cashless, and Sharia-compliant financing products, including Murabaha, a cost-plus financing model that complies with Islamic principles.

Egyptian Islamic invoice financing startup Agel raises 7-figure pre-seed round

Founded in 2022 by Sarah Johnson, Revivo is an online marketplace for quality electronic spare parts, accessories, and repair tools, which aims to increase access to quality and affordable electronics repairs in emerging markets by addressing the needs of small businesses doing the vast majority of repairs. 

Kenyan B2B electronic spare parts startup Revivo raises $635k pre-seed funding

Chari, a Morocco-based B2B e-commerce startup with embedded financing for the FMCG sector, has secured further funding worth US$1.5 million from Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV) to support its growth plan.

Moroccan B2B e-commerce startup Chari banks $1.5m funding from VKAV 🛒 🇲🇦 

The Africa Business Angels Network (ABAN), a pan-African association of angel investors, and Rwanda Finance Ltd (RFL), a company dedicated to establishing Rwanda as a premier financial destination in Africa, have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and advance their respective initiatives across the continent. 

ABAN, Rwanda Finance partner to foster entrepreneurship, enhance investor awareness 🤝🏾 🇷🇼

Egyptian startup Exits MENA, a fintech investment banking marketplace, has extended its seed round to US$1.25 million with investment from Silicon Valley-based venture firm Practical VC. Founded in 2022 by Mohamed Aboulnaga, Ahella El Saban and Ayman El Tanbouly, Exits MENA aims to facilitate M&As and investments in companies by offering a seamless and fully integrated online solution on its platform and a full-fledged financial advisory service.

Egyptian fintech startup Exits MENA tops up pre-seed round to $1.25m 🇪🇬

Ten Southern African startups have received awards for their solutions to bridge the gap in financial access for underserved communities as part of a challenge supported by the World Bank. The Fintech Challenge was part of the ecosystem development initiatives under the Southern Africa Innovation Bridge Portal supported by the World Bank to crowd-source new and impactful ways to utilise the latest innovations in fintech. 

10 Southern African fintech startups secure grant funding from World Bank

Egyptian digital savings startup Menthum has secured an undisclosed pre-seed round of funding to help it expand its team and develop its infrastructure. Launched last November by veteran professionals Himanshu Shrimali and Ismail Sarhank, Menthum is a B2B and B2C digital savings platform that provides individuals and companies with an innovative way to invest in safe treasury bills (T-bills) through a money market fund. 

Egyptian digital savings startup Menthum secures pre-seed funding 🇪🇬

Egyptian cashback marketplace WaffarX has raised an undisclosed but multi-million US dollar funding round to help it increase its user base and expand its geographic presence. Founded in 2018 by Ezz Fayek, Mahmoud Montasser and Ahmed Kamal, WaffarX uses cutting-edge technology to distribute cashback rewards, helping shoppers save on every dollar they spend. 

Egyptian cashback marketplaces WaffarX raises multi-million dollar funding round

Egyptian startup Qardy, a marketplace and aggregator for debt financing, is planning to boost financial inclusivity across the country after signing a partnership with the Egyptian Post Office. Founded in July 2022, Qardy facilitates loans for MSMEs, with founder Abdel Aziz Abdel Nabi saying the startup’s goal was to be the “Amazon of lending”.

Egypt’s Qardy plans to scale debt financing marketplace in partnership with country’s post office 🇪🇬

Egypt-based ed-tech corporate VC firm EdVentures has announced a strategic partnership with VMS, a leading venture studio empowering entrepreneurs and startups in the Middle East, to enhance ed-tech in the region. Since its establishment in 2017, EdVentures, the investment arm of Egypt’s Nahdet Misr Group, has been at the forefront of investing in innovative ed-tech startups. 

Egypt’s EdVentures, Saudi’s VMS join forces to revolutionise MENA ed-tech industry 🇪🇬 🤝 🇸🇦

Kenyan startup Lipa Later has partnered Mastercard to drive financial inclusion and expand Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions in Africa, starting with Kenya and expanding to Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria. Founded in 2018, Lipa Later aims to empower African businesses to do more by enabling e-commerce, financial inclusion and shopping all on one centralised and fully integrated platform. 

Kenya’s Lipa Later partners Mastercard to drive BNPL solutions in Africa 🇰🇪 🤝🏽

The Nigeria-based African Blockchain Lab has received a US$6 million pre-Series A investment to fund the launch of its crypto wallet VIBRA.
Founded by blockchain venture studio Everest Ventures Group, African Blockchain Lab is a blockchain technology company and the builder of African crypto app VIBRA. VIBRA offers an easy way for beginners to learn, and make trades with a community of experts, which enables Africans to effortlessly go from zero to crypto master. 

Nigeria’s African Blockchain Lab raises $6m strategic funding round

Cairo-based startup Grinta, a fintech-enabled B2B tech platform digitising the pharmaceutical supply chain, has acquired Alexandria-based online pharmacy Auto-Cure to expand its footprint in the country. Founded in 2021 by Mohamed Azab, Yosra Badr, Ali Youssef, and Hamza Mohamed, Grinta is a managed marketplace that modernises the pharmaceutical supply chain by empowering independent pharmacies. The end-to-end platform provides access to the full spectrum of traceable pharmaceutical and medical products from multiple vendors in addition to providing fulfillment, demand planning, and inventory financing. 

Egyptian pharma startup Grinta acquires counterpart Auto-Cure to expand footprint 🇪🇬

Egyptian AI recruitment startup Talents Arena has raised a US$750,000 pre-seed round of funding to power its expansion into Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2019 by Aya Elgebeely, Talents Arena has developed an AI-powered recruitment platform featuring a talents mining engine and automation features. So far it has made more than 180,000 job matches and placed thousands of candidates in suitable tech jobs.

Egyptian AI recruitment startup Talents Arena raises $750k pre-seed round for Saudi expansion 🇪🇬

The co-investment fund Catalytic Africa, established in 2019 by the African Business Angels Network (ABAN) and AfriLabs, made three investments totalling EUR174,000 (US$191,000) in startups from Cameroon, DRC and Kenya in June and July. The partnership between AfriLabs, a pan-African network of technology and innovation centres, and ABAN aims to increase the pool of capital available to promising African growth-stage entrepreneurs, support the startup ecosystem, and increase the visibility of impact to institutional funders.

Catalytic Africa matching fund makes 3 investments totalling $191k

South African car subscription startup Planet42 has raised US$30 million in debt and equity funding to drive its international expansion, with its first cars already on the road in Mexico as it aims to provide a total of one million cars worldwide by 2025.

SA car subscription startup Planet42 raises $30m funding to drive international expansion

Kenyan startup Zuri Health has expanded its operations into Senegal via a partnership with telecoms firm Expresso Senegal. Disrupt Africa reported in January on the launch of Zuri Health, which allows users to book appointments instantly with any medical professional or hospital within their region, book laboratory tests, talk to practitioners via message or video, and request for home visits.

Kenyan e-health startup Zuri launches operations in Senegal

Ghana’s Oyster Agribusiness, an agricultural enterprise that employs significant levels of tech and works closely with smallholder farmers, has raised US$310,000 in grant and debt funding to propel its mission of sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, and talent management. 

Ghanaian agri-tech startup Oyster Agribusiness raises $310k funding to scale 🇬🇭

Tunis-based peer-to-peer (P2P) fashion marketplace Dabchy has launched operations in Egypt. Founded by Amani Mansouri, Ghazi Ketata and Oussama Mahjoub in 2016, Dabchy is an online platform that allows users to buy and sell pre-used and new clothes online. 

Tunisia’s Dabchy expands fashion e-commerce platform to Egypt 🇹🇳 🇪🇬

Ghanaian retail-tech startup Shopa says it is “redefining” informal retail distribution and supply chain by connecting last-mile retailers with suppliers, and enabling access to stock on cash or credit. 

How Ghana’s Shopa is redefining informal retail distribution, supply chain

Tanzanian startup Safiri has created the digital infrastructure that enables transit operators to manage their operations and provide more – and better – services to customers. Launched in June 2022, Safiri is digitising the management of transit companies, replacing pen and paper with software in local languages, point of sale devices for the issuance of tickets, and GPS trackers for vehicles.

How Tanzania’s Safiri is bringing African transport operators into the digital age 🚌

Africa’s fintech startup ecosystem is continuing on its growth trajectory, with the number of startups operating in the space increasing by 17.7 per cent to 678 in 2023 as compared to 2021. This is according to the latest edition of Disrupt Africa’s Finnovating for Africa publication, released every two years since June 2017, which tracks the extraordinary development of the fintech ecosystem across Africa over the last few years.  

Number of active African fintech ventures jumps 17.7% in 2 years

Egyptian beauty services booking platform Glamera has successfully obtained the fintech license “SoftPOS” from Saudi Payments, the major payment system in Saudi Arabia, established by Ministry of Finance under the supervision of Saudi Central Bank, which it says will “unlock new horizons of growth and deliver an unparalleled customer experience” in the Saudi market.

Egypt’s Glamera obtains fintech license to expand in Saudi Arabia 🇪🇬 🇸🇦

South African personal finance companion FinMeUp is bridging the gap between financial education and executions through its community-based platform of almost 100,000 users. Founded in 2020, FinMeUp offers a comprehensive range of solutions including an education platform, financial advisory, investments, insurance, and credit solutions. As a community-based platform, the startup is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where individuals can learn, engage, and grow together. It boasts over 80,000 community members and over 15,000 app users. 

How SA’s FinMeUp is bridging gap between financial education and execution

Nigerian logistics startup Kwik has launched on-demand e-commerce fulfillment service KwikShelf, its first fulfillment centre at Iddo House, Lagos.
Disrupt Africa reported in July 2019 on the launch of Kwik – a digital platform connecting delivery partners and corporate customers in large African cities and offering digital solutions for e-commerce payment and fulfilment – after the startup raised seed funding, and it saw speedy uptake. 

Nigerian logistics startup Kwik launches e-commerce fulfillment service

Nigerian real estate investment startup Cribstock is helping users become landlords in minutes by purchasing shares of properties that can then earn rent every month from Lagos tenants. Launched in 2021, Cribstock helps allows users to own fractions of properties, and earn a share of rent from tenants. “Think of this as a platform micro-investors use to crowdfund real estate to earn from it,” CEO Harold Nno told Disrupt Africa.

How Nigerian real estate investment platform helps users become landlords in minutes 🇳🇬

Cameroonian startup Koree, a consumer app that acts as a digital wallet for loyalty cards, is planning to expand across Francophone Africa with the help of matching funding from Catalytic Africa. Founded in September 2022, Koree allows consumers to digitally collect their spare change from cash retail payment roundups, and earn cashback from stores and brands across multiple categories.

Cameroonian cashback app Koree plans expansion across Francophone Africa 🇨🇲

Kenyan save-to-buy platform Mosmos is allowing customers to pay for high value products and services in convenient and flexible installments, as they earn rewards and unlock discounts. Formed to bridge the affordability gap for high value products and services, and make savings targeted and achievable, Mosmos enables customers to save for items they want to purchase, interest-free. 