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Nigerian fintech Risevest, which enables users to invest in dollar-denominated assets, has secured a fund and portfolio management license from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The license was issued to its subsidiary, RV Fund Management, following months of regulatory review. The approval resolves uncertainty stemming from a 2025 public warning by the regulator over the company’s unlicensed status.
Spiro, a company specializing in rent-to-own electric motorcycles, has secured $7 million in debt financing from Nithio, a US-based climate investor. The funding will accelerate the rollout of electric bikes and the expansion of battery infrastructure, including swapping stations, across several African markets.
WhatsApp is rolling out voice and video calls directly to its web browser, eliminating the need for a desktop app. The feature launches with one-on-one calls, while group calls, call links, and scheduled calls are set to arrive soon. All conversations remain protected by end-to-end encryption, and screen sharing is also available, which will be particularly useful for Linux users.
Delta40, a venture studio based in Nairobi and Lagos, has raised $20 million to invest in and help scale African startups. Its model combines early-stage capital with hands-on operational support across strategy, product development, finance and growth. Focused on energy, agriculture, financial services and AI-driven technologies, Delta40 aims to help local ventures achieve sustainable growth.
OpenAI is testing ads for ChatGPT users in the U.S. on the Free and Go plans. The company says ads will be clearly labeled and kept separate from the chat interface, and will not influence responses or user privacy. The move is intended to help cover costs and keep the service free.
The She Wins Africa program, backed by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank, has completed its first phase in Lagos, supporting 100 women-led startups across 23 countries and helping them raise $4 million. The initiative is now scaling up, aiming to support 1,000 more entrepreneurs across the continent with training, mentorship and access to capital.
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that would allow users to share status updates exclusively with a “close friends” group, similar to Instagram’s functionality. Users would be able to create and name custom contact lists for this purpose, which could be reused without having to adjust privacy settings for each update. Status updates shared with this restricted group would be marked by a different-colored ring, indicating that the content is intended for a more private audience.
Redtech, backed by Heirs Holdings, processed $20.6 billion (29 trillion naira) in transactions in 2025, doubling its volume from a year earlier. Its RedPay platform spans POS terminals, merchant acquiring and digital channels, helping the company solidify its position as a key national infrastructure provider. Redtech is now targeting expansion into nearly 30 African countries by 2027.
LemFi, a Nigerian fintech focused on underserved communities, is launching its money transfer services in Australia after securing regulatory approval. Australia, one of the world’s largest remittance markets, now joins LemFi’s network of more than 2 million users across Europe and North America, enabling transfers to over 30 countries, including India, China, and Nigeria.
Nigerian fintech Nomba has acquired a licensed Canadian payment provider to expand its cross-border infrastructure for businesses. The deal allows Nomba to open Canadian dollar accounts and speed up payments into the naira and other African currencies, while reducing foreign exchange and transaction costs. The move positions the company to tap growing trade flows between Africa and Canada, with plans to expand into other markets.
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Google is testing a new Gemini feature called Import AI Chats, which would let users transfer their chat histories from rival assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude and Grok. By carrying over context and user preferences, the tool aims to reduce switching costs. Still in beta, the feature could add momentum to broader efforts across the industry to improve data portability and interoperability.
Paga, via its Doroki merchant platform, has formed a strategic partnership with Nigeria’s Leadway Assurance to provide tailored insurance solutions for retailers. The current rollout includes coverage for cash-in-transit, fire and theft, and Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal protection. Soon, the partnership will expand to offer credit life insurance for Memento loans. Beyond coverage, the initiative focuses on building merchant resilience through risk awareness and education.
Onafriq Nigeria Payments Limited has partnered with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to launch a pilot of the first cross-border wallet payment service between Nigeria and Ghana. The six-month trial, approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, allows payments to be made in naira and settled in real time, using the partners’ banking and mobile money networks. The service is aimed at consumers, merchants and small businesses.
Mauritius launched its National Data Strategy 2025-2029 on Jan. 28, World Data Protection Day, as part of efforts to build a “new era of trust.” The roadmap, led by the Ministry of Information Technology and the Data Protection Office, prioritizes responsible data governance, cybercrime prevention, and stronger protections for citizens, especially young people vulnerable online.