At the AWS Summit 2024 in Johannesburg, AWS reinforced its commitment to expanding its cloud and AI services across Africa. The tech giant announced a significant investment plan, dedicating an additional $1.7 billion by 2029 to build infrastructure and meet the growing demands of its customers in the region. This investment follows AWS’s substantial previous expenditures, underscoring its strategic focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nairobi’s dynamic tech ecosystem is gearing up for an exciting showcase at the AfricArena Nairobi Summit: Africa Climate Tech Week, scheduled for September 3-4, 2024. This event, which precedes the Africa Fintech Summit, promises to be a significant boost for Kenya’s growth and capital raising efforts in the tech and innovation sectors.
Naivas Supermarket is making a significant addition to its network with the upcoming opening of its 105th store in Mombasa, specifically in the Nyali area. This new store, located along Links Road, marks a notable expansion, covering 5,000 square feet and becoming the 12th Naivas branch in the coastal region.
Paratus has made a significant stride in Botswana’s connectivity landscape by becoming the first Starlink reseller in the country. Following the recent approval of Starlink’s license by the Botswana government, Paratus is now offering SpaceX’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity, enhancing internet access across Botswana.
Flutterwave, a leading global pay-tech company, has made a significant leap by expanding its operations into Uganda. The Bank of Uganda has granted Flutterwave a Payments System Operator (PSO) license, marking a major milestone in the firm’s mission to enhance financial inclusion across Africa. This expansion brings Flutterwave’s reach to 29 African countries, further solidifying its position as a key player in the continent’s digital payments landscape.
Chpter, a Kenyan e-commerce startup founded by the team behind YC-backed Marketforce, has successfully raised $1.2 million in a pre-seed funding round. This significant milestone comes as Chpter gears up to enhance its technology stack and expand its operations into Egypt and Nigeria. The company, established in 2022 by Tesh Mbaabu, Mesongo Sibuti, Kuria Kevin, and Mark Kiarie, specializes in transforming social media into a robust sales platform through chat, order, and payment tools.
DOB Equity, a private equity fund with bases in Nairobi and the Netherlands, has appointed Karen Serem Waithaka as its new Chief Executive Officer. Karen brings over 15 years of expertise in the financial services sector to her new role, stepping into the leadership position at a pivotal moment for the fund. This appointment follows recent significant changes in leadership and challenges within DOB Equity’s portfolio companies.
