Brief (565)
Villgro Africa, in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, is accepting applications in Kenya for the Eye Health Innovation Accelerator 2026. The programme targets Sub-Saharan African startups developing technology solutions to improve access to eye care.
Selected startups will receive strategic support and may secure between $100,000 and $250,000 in seed funding.
Tanzanian fintech NALA has received approval from the Bank of Ghana to launch its money transfer services, formalized through a Letter of No Objection and a strategic partnership with local provider BigPay. The collaboration will enable direct transfers to bank accounts and mobile wallets, significantly reducing costs and processing times.
The National Science and Engineering Infrastructure Agency (NSEIA) launched its FutureMakers programme on Thursday, Dec. 11. Aimed at children aged five to 16, the initiative seeks to boost innovation and core skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The programme will run from December 2025 to February 2026 and will select 60 participants from the country’s six geopolitical zones. Top performers will be eligible for prizes of up to 5 million naira (about $3,500) and scholarships.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Global South Alliance launched the second round of its Datafication and Democracy Fund, allocating $72,000 to support research and advocacy projects in 2026 examining how datafication affects democratic processes. Organizations based in the Global South and working on digital rights can apply for grants of up to $8,000. Applications must be submitted in English through the online form by Jan. 30, 2026.
South African startup Community Wolf, which develops AI-based security technology, has acquired the emergency-response app Namola. The acquisition will bring together neighborhood alert systems delivered through instant messaging and a nationwide network of medical, fire and security responders. Namola will continue operating as a standalone app but will be integrated into the Community Wolf platform to enable faster and more coordinated emergency responses.
The Lagos team behind NEVO, a personalized learning platform for neurodivergent children, has won the innovation hackathon for the Southwest region in the third cohort of the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, taking a prize of N500,000 (about $345). The event highlights local digital solutions designed to improve inclusive education and expand economic opportunities for Nigerians.
South African bank Capitec is acquiring payment firm Walletdoc for $23.5 million. The transaction includes an immediate payment of 300 million rand ($17.6 million) and 100 million rand ($5.8 million) in contingent consideration. The deal is intended to bring Walletdoc’s technology into Capitec’s business-services platform and strengthen the bank’s position in e-commerce.
The Egyptian platform MoneyHash is partnering with Saudi firm Amwal Tech to boost adoption of local payment methods and offer installment plans. The partnership strengthens MoneyHash’s presence in Saudi Arabia and makes it easier for merchants to add new payment options for their customers.
Ezeebit, a pan-African company specializing in cryptocurrency and stablecoin payments, has raised $2.05 million in a seed funding round. The funds will support expansion in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, and help strengthen partnerships with banks and telecom operators. Ezeebit aims to reduce the cost and processing time of digital payments across the continent.
Goodwell Investments is seeking partnerships with revenue-generating companies across Africa. They specifically target enterprises led by African founders that provide essential goods or services with a strong social or environmental impact. Selected companies will receive funding, hands-on operational support, mentorship, and access to an extensive global network. Submissions are due online by Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
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The Imagine H2O Accelerator has opened its application window to African water startups. Eligible companies must be under seven years old, have less than $5 million in revenue, and have secured less than $10 million in total funding. This program is non-equity-taking and provides mentorship, specialized training, and introductions to a massive worldwide network of industry leaders, investors, and founders. The application deadline is December 31st.
South African enterprise AI startup Ageiro has raised 3 million dollars to scale its autonomous agent platform, which turns business objectives into production-ready applications within days. The company plans to use the funding to strengthen its decision models, enhance compliance tooling and expand commercial operations, framing software autonomy as a core driver of enterprise digital transformation.
Investisseurs & Partenaires has completed a first close of €41 million (about $47.7 million) for its Africa Entrepreneurs 3 fund. The fund is targeting $81.5 million in total and expects a second close in 2026. It plans to invest $1.2 million to $5.9 million in 15 to 20 small and medium-sized enterprises operating in sectors including education, health, energy, agribusiness, logistics, financial services and manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on climate and gender impact.
Pan-African fund Five35 Ventures has received an anchor investment from the Mauritius-based Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), which manages the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund. The capital will strengthen Five35 Ventures’ backing for women-led technology startups across East, West and Southern Africa. The fund seeks to bridge the gap between seed funding and scaling up by combining capital, strategic guidance and access to a broad network of mentors and investors.