Brief (644)
Nigerian stablecoin-focused fintech OneDosh has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding to build out its cross-border payment infrastructure. Operating in both the U.S. and Nigeria, the platform enables rapid transfers, stablecoin storage, and payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay-compatible cards. The capital will fuel expansion into new payment corridors and the growth of its engineering teams.
Last week, Central Bank of Congo (BCC) Governor André Wameso met with GSMA representatives to discuss potential partnerships to expand connectivity nationwide. Talks focused on digitalisation, financial inclusion and infrastructure, key priorities in the BCC’s drive to modernise the financial sector.
Applications are open for the 2026 Female Founder Award, a global programme recognising women-led tech startups. Held during Viva Technology in Paris, the competition offers winners greater exposure, mentorship and support in raising funds. Applications close on Feb. 2, 2026, and selected finalists will be presented at the event.
The ICT Africa Summit, a flagship event on innovation, digital transformation and connectivity, will return for its sixth edition on April 21-23, 2026, at the SAFEX Exhibition Center in Algiers. The summit will bring together policymakers, companies, startups and investors, with the aim of supporting a more inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem across Africa. Following the 2025 edition, this year’s event will highlight innovation and cross-border collaboration to speed up the continent’s digital transformation.
Following a court order declaring its data collection illegal, the crypto project Worldcoin has purged all biometric data gathered in Kenya. Regulators confirmed that iris scans and other personal identifiers have been destroyed, ending a protracted legal dispute that underscores the clash between tech innovation and data privacy.
Algeria will host the African Digital Transformation Summit this March 28-30. Preparations are already in full swing following a meeting between the Secretary-General of the ATU and Algerian Minister Sid Ali Zerrouki at the 2026 Algeria Optical Summit. The summit aims to turn high-level discussions into measurable actions that drive the continent’s digital transition and attract sustainable investment.
Chipper Cash is officially operating in the black. The African payments specialist reported that it covered all operating expenses in Q4 2025, successfully halting its cash burn after two years of restructuring. By doubling down on key markets like Nigeria and Uganda and leveraging the success of its dollar-denominated cards, Chipper Cash is now signaling that its business model is built to last.
eYouth, the Egyptian edtech company, has entered the Iraqi market through a partnership with Al-Majal Group. Together, they are launching Iraq’s first Arabic digital learning platform, designed to boost employability through career-focused training and international-standard certifications for young professionals and graduates.
The Aurora Tech Award has announced the 30 finalists for its 2026 edition, highlighting an all-female cohort of startup founders. Selected from 3,400 applicants across 127 countries, these entrepreneurs represent the surge of female-led innovation in technology. Spanning sectors from AI and fintech to healthtech and edtech, the finalists will receive strategic and financial support ahead of the global awards ceremony later this year.
Israeli IT services firm Commit has acquired Savannah, a startup that recruits senior developers across Africa. Founded in 2022, Savannah has placed more than 100 engineers at global companies. The deal, worth several million dollars, marks Commit’s entry into Africa’s fast-growing tech talent market, as traditional outsourcing costs rise.
More...
Kenyan digital lender MyCredit has raised $3 million in debt funding from an international microfinance institution. The round brings the company’s total funding raised to $13.6 million. The funds will be used to scale lending for SMEs, private schools, and individual entrepreneurs. Noblestride Capital advised on the deal. MyCredit said it aims to expand access to credit for underbanked borrowers in Kenya.
The 2026 RegTech Africa Conference, scheduled for May 20–22, will host a regional qualifying round of the Startup World Cup in Abuja. The event will give African startups a platform to pitch their solutions to investors and policymakers. The winner will advance to the global final for a chance to secure a $1 million investment and boost its international visibility.
The 2026 Albert Schweitzer International Prize, with a total prize fund of €50,000, supports healthcare projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Three winners will receive €25,000, €15,000 and €10,000, respectively, to implement practical solutions to improve healthcare access and quality within 12 months. Applications are open until February 6, 2026, through the Dutch fund’s online portal.
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has launched the Insat online portal to receive complaints, inquiries and suggestions from the public about postal and telecom services. The platform offers a simple, secure and transparent way to submit and track requests, with faster processing times.