Selar, Global Digital Creators’ Platform, Expands into Kenya

Selar, Africa’s leading marketplace for digital creators, is expanding its footprint into Kenya, recognizing the country as the largest market in East Africa with a vibrant community of creators. The platform offers a robust e-commerce store builder that empowers creators to monetize their digital products, such as courses, e-books, music, art, and more. This expansion aligns with Selar’s mission to drive economic growth by providing Kenyan creators with the tools to effectively showcase and sell their digital content.

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Waza Raises $8M to Expand Into Emerging Markets

Waza, a fast-growing fintech company operating in Ghana and Nigeria, has secured $8 million in funding to simplify business payments for African enterprises dealing with global vendors and suppliers. Founded in January 2023, Waza has quickly established itself as a key player in B2B payments and liquidity solutions for emerging markets, successfully closing a multi-million-dollar funding round that includes both debt and equity.

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Mastercard, Scale Partner to Accelerate Fintech Deployment

Mastercard has partnered with Scale to accelerate the deployment of fintech solutions across Africa and the Middle East, addressing key technical and commercial barriers. This collaboration is set to benefit a range of ecosystem players, including fintech companies, aggregators, enablers, PSPs, and telcos, by simplifying the process of launching payment programs and providing vital support for sustainable growth.

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Jumia Secures $99.6M from Secondary Share Sale

Jumia has successfully closed the sale of 20 million ordinary shares, achieving its funding target of $99.6 million. The transaction, detailed in a recent securities filing, was completed with an average share price of approximately $4.95, slightly above Friday’s trading price. Notably, liquor and wine maker Pernod Ricard acquired 1.27 million shares valued at around $6 million.

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Malawi to Locally Produce Affordable Smartphones

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has announced plans to address the significant digital divide in the country, where 40% of citizens currently lack internet access. To bridge this gap, MACRA is set to launch a local smart device assembly program aimed at producing affordable mobile phones. While no specific timeline has been provided, this initiative represents a crucial step towards enhancing digital inclusion in Malawi.

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Hewatele Secures Sh2.5B to Boost Oxygen Production

Local health startup Hewatele has secured $20 million (Sh2.5 billion) in financing to significantly scale up its medical oxygen production in Kenya. This investment, which includes both debt and equity, is aimed at increasing Hewatele’s oxygen production capacity from two tonnes to 20 tonnes per month. The funding will support the construction of a new liquid oxygen production facility, expected to enhance production and reduce costs for healthcare providers by up to 30 percent.

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MetroTrans Invests Sh103M in Acquiring New Buses

MetroTrans Investment Limited has made a significant investment of Sh103 million in the modernization of its fleet, acquiring 14 new Hino buses as part of its strategy to enhance public transportation services. These buses, locally assembled by CFAO Mobility Kenya and financed by Family Bank, are a testament to the company’s commitment to providing reliable and efficient transport solutions for Nairobi’s growing population.

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ShafDB, CPF Commit to Supporting Kenya’s Affordable Housing Project

Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) and CPF Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the implementation of large-scale affordable housing projects in Kenya. This partnership aligns with ShafDB’s long-term goal of supporting member states through public-private partnerships, emphasizing the critical need for affordable housing solutions in the country.

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