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Qubators, a Christian network of technology experts and innovators, is launching AI Foundry — a free, intensive program designed to help students and young professionals move beyond using artificial intelligence tools to building applications. Guided by mentors, participants design, develop, and launch real-world products through a structured “learn, build, earn” path, ending with a project showcase to connect them with growth and funding opportunities.
Google has selected 15 African startups for the 10th cohort of its accelerator program focused on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The companies will benefit from mentoring, hands-on workshops and technical support without taking equity from April through June 2026.
Venture capital firm Propeller is launching Kernel Camp, an eight-week program to be held in May 2026 in Silicon Valley, bringing together five deep-tech startups from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. Founders will gain access to mentorship, workshops, and sessions with leading engineers, investors and operators. The program aims to help them establish a lasting foothold in the global AI ecosystem and accelerate their growth.
Kredete, a participant in the Visa Africa accelerator, is launching a credit card backed by U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins for Africans and the African diaspora. Accepted in 50 countries by 150 million merchants, it enables international spending without high foreign-exchange fees or currency volatility. The initiative is now expanding to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Tulupay is launching a preview of its pan-African financial operating system, a platform that connects banks, mobile money services, and blockchain networks. Built to streamline cross-border payments and reduce costs, it aims to make intra-African transactions more efficient. With integrated digital identity and compliance features, Tulupay is positioning itself as a secure, unified financial infrastructure for the continent.
Qualcomm has unveiled 10 African startups selected from more than 1,200 applicants for the 2026 edition of its Make in Africa mentorship program. They will receive free support, including business coaching and technical guidance on edge AI, the Internet of Things, and Arduino, as well as a grant for each startup and additional funding for the most impactful social project.
The Kenyan startup Zuri Health is expanding its mobile clinic fleet in Nairobi with three new buses equipped for diagnostics, dental care and cervical cancer screening. Deployed in busy areas, these solar-powered, self-sufficient units bring healthcare closer to low-income workers, reducing travel and time away from work. Consultations start at 500 Kenyan shillings (about $4).
The pan-African neobank Zazu has partnered with Visa to offer entrepreneurs and small businesses in Morocco a 100% online business account. Customers can open an account, send and receive payments, issue multiple cards for their teams, and track expenses in real time from a single dashboard, eliminating the need for multiple tools, saving time and improving cash flow management.
The Moroccan startup z.systems, which specializes in digitizing neighborhood grocery stores, has raised $1.65 million from the Azur Innovation Fund and existing investors. The company aims to build digital infrastructure for the traditional retail sector, which accounts for the vast majority of food spending in Morocco, and plans to connect 50,000 retailers to its platform by 2030, with support from the government.
In Casablanca, the Morocco Accelerator program has launched its second cohort, featuring 19 Moroccan startups, including diaspora founders, specializing in fintech, AI, healthcare, agritech and deeptech. Supported by the Ministry of Digital Transition, in partnership with Technopark and Plug and Play, the program provides mentorship, market access and connections with investors. It aims to help these startups scale beyond Morocco, in line with the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy.
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Egyptian startup Lucky has raised $23 million in a funding round to expand its credit offerings and grow across North Africa. The app already allows millions of users to save money, make payments and access flexible lines of credit. The new funding will support its technology, licensing and compliance efforts as it moves toward becoming a digital bank.
Kenyan data protection authorities have launched an investigation into Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses amid concerns they may capture and expose sensitive information. The glasses, which can record video, take photos and respond to voice commands, are reported to capture private content that is then reviewed by human contractors. The case has reignited debate over privacy and consent in the era of wearable technology.
The fintech company Cashi is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to roll out an interoperable digital payments platform in Central Africa, initially targeting Chad. The platform, accessible via mobile phones, payment terminals and SMS, is designed to facilitate everyday transactions, reduce reliance on cash and broaden access to financial services, particularly for small businesses and underserved populations.
The investment firm Novastar Ventures has closed its third fund, worth $147 million, to back high-impact African startups, particularly in climate, clean energy, mobility, and logistics.
Backed by major Japanese investors and development finance institutions, the fund aims to accelerate the growth of companies delivering both financial returns and social and environmental impact.