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.
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.
Jordan Schleck has clinched the top spot once again in the 120KM LOOP men’s elite category, finishing the 4th and final leg of the 2024 LOOP Safari Gravel Series at Vipingo Ridge with an impressive time of 4:40:50 hours. Schleck, who previously won the first leg of the series in Tatu City, showcased his endurance and skill against strong competition. Joel Kyaviro and Stanley Ngugi followed in second and third places with times of 4:57:37 hours and 5:00:55 hours, respectively.
Telecom Namibia has announced its plans to commence commercial 5G deployment in 2026, aiming to align with industry advancements and compete with its peer, MTC, which began 5G testing earlier this year in partnership with Huawei. Dr. Stanley Shanapinda, CEO of Telecom Namibia, provided the update during a session organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in Windhoek, addressing questions about the company’s 5G rollout strategy.
Vendease, a leading Nigerian food tech procurement platform, is accelerating its expansion across Africa and intensifying its fundraising efforts. The company has recently appointed Mohamed Chaudry as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Chaudry brings over 20 years of experience in scaling businesses, securing funding, and implementing strategic financial strategies, with a strong emphasis on enhancing operational efficiency.
