Brief (644)
South Africa’s Competition Tribunal has approved Lesaka Technologies’ acquisition of digital-only bank Bank Zero for about $63.8 million. The deal still requires sign-off from prudential regulators. The acquisition will enable Lesaka to strengthen its financial services platform, expand its digital banking offering, and fund its growth more effectively through customer deposits.
OceanHub Africa has opened applications for the seventh edition of its 12-month acceleration program, which will support up to twenty-four African impact startups focused on ocean preservation.
Selected startups will receive a mix of in-person and remote support, access to an international network of experts, investors, and customers, and various service and software benefits. Applications are open until December 30.
The Gabon chapter of the Congo Digital Economy Summit (Codes Africa) will host a regional meeting on cooperation, interoperability, and digital sovereignty in Central Africa on Thursday, December 4, at the Radisson Blu in Libreville.
The event, backed by the Association of Central African Telecommunications Regulators and consulting firm Deloitte, will bring together public- and private-sector leaders to discuss key digital issues.
Applications are now open for the tenth cohort of the develoPPP Ventures program, aimed at Kenyan startups that already generate revenue. Selected companies can receive up to €100,000 (about $113,000) in non-dilutive financing, along with technical support, to accelerate their growth and increase their social, economic or environmental impact in the region.
The Nigerian startup Konnadex has received a $20,000 grant from the Lisk protocol to accelerate the development of its stablecoin payment portal for merchants. The platform offers on-chain invoicing, payment links and automated reconciliation to streamline cryptocurrency settlements. The funding strengthens the company’s market credibility but remains only an early step toward scaling.
M-KOPA Kenya, a subsidiary of M-KOPA Holdings, said it has extended $1.6 billion in credit to customers in the country, largely through smartphone financing. The company says it has reached 4.8 million customers over fifteen years, making it a major source of credit for low-income households.
Seedstars is partnering with the SANAD Fund to launch the SANAD Elevate Her program, which targets women-led startups in Africa and the Middle East. Forty startups will receive tailored support, investment-readiness coaching, and access to networks designed to promote job creation and strengthen economic resilience. Applications are open until Wednesday, November 26.
Egyptian startup Bluworks, which specializes in digitizing workforce management for field employees, has raised $1 million in seed funding to accelerate its growth in Egypt and expand across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The funding will support platform enhancements, the integration of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), and a stronger focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
African startups under five years old can now apply to the Harvard New Venture Competition, which will award up to $55,000 in prizes at the Africa Business Conference in Boston on March 27-28, 2026. The top 30 applicants will also receive mentorship from MBA student consultants. Applications are open now.
Itel announced on Tuesday, November 18, a partnership with Tech Sphere Academy to provide smartphones to young people who cannot afford them. The devices will help students access virtual classes and hands-on training. The partnership also supports digital education efforts and complements the TS Academy scholarship program, which already assists more than 3,000 young people across Africa.
More...
Accra will host the 19th edition of eLearning Africa, the continent’s leading conference on digital education and training, from June 3 to 5, 2026.
Held under the theme “Africa's Time, Africa's Terms: Learning for Sovereignty, Strength and Solidarity,” the event will gather policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Africa’s digital transformation.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub has launched its first acceleration program, open to startups across Africa, with 10 million naira (about $6,900) in available funding.
Startups developing solutions in artificial intelligence, energy, hardware or the circular economy have until Friday, Nov. 21, to apply. Selected companies will receive mentorship, workshops and support for future fundraising.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, in partnership with Google, has launched a free training program for 7,500 small African businesses across 19 countries.
Participants will learn how to expand their operations using artificial intelligence, e-commerce and cloud technology, with courses available in four languages. The initiative aims to strengthen digital skills and promote inclusion across the continent.
The sessions will be delivered in 25 groups and will run until June 2026.
Casablanca will host EMECEXPO from Nov. 19-21, a major gathering for digital innovation in Africa. The event will bring together decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and experts for panels, workshops, and competitions on digital commerce, artificial intelligence, and SME capacity-building. It aims to promote collaboration, strengthen professional skills, and help African startups expand into new markets.