Brief (644)
Mali’s Minister of Communication, Digital Economy, and Modernization of Administration, Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, has announced the launch of Digital Week, scheduled for January 29-31, 2026, in Bamako. Themed "E-Government in the Era of Artificial Intelligence," this year’s event will feature Burkina Faso and Niger as guests of honor, with a core focus on Sahelian cooperation, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
Nigeria’s Metro Africa Xpress (MAX) has secured $24 million in debt and equity to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) financing across West and Central Africa. This fresh capital will support fleet expansion, the rollout of battery-swapping stations, and the company's regional growth.
Nigerian fintech Cardtonic has raised $2.1 million to scale Pil, a standalone expense management platform tailored for African startups and SMEs. Designed as a comprehensive financial operating system, Pil will offer virtual dollar cards, multi-currency funding, and real-time expense tracking, marking Cardtonic’s strategic shift from consumer services to the B2B market.
Ghana-based Stars From All Nations (SFAN) has secured a grant from the British Council Ghana to train 100 creative entrepreneurs. Through its ReadyforWork platform, SFAN will offer training in business and digital skills to help young talent build sustainable companies. Applications for the program are open through Friday, January 30.
Nigerian fintech Paycrest announced a $404,000 funding round on Tuesday to build out its decentralized settlement layer. By linking stablecoins with fiat in emerging markets, Paycrest is making cross-border payments faster and more compliant. Having already undergone real-world testing, the platform offers a resilient payment infrastructure designed specifically to navigate local constraints.
Egypt’s MoneyHash has teamed up with Spare to bring Pay-by-Bank options to UAE merchants. By reducing costs and accelerating settlements, the collaboration promises a more seamless checkout experience. The move is a key step in MoneyHash’s mission to scale open banking and modernize the Middle East’s payment landscape.
The UK-Kenya Tech Hub and Viktoria Ventures have launched Startup 360 Connect to boost early-stage investment in Kenya. In partnership with Anza Village and POV, the "Angel Leads" program will provide hands-on training in deal sourcing, syndication, and due diligence. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of local investors capable of providing sustainable support to innovative startups. Applications are open through Friday, January 30.
Egyptian startup Oasys Health has raised $4.6 million to enhance its AI-powered mental healthcare platform. The company plans to use the funds to automate clinical tasks, integrate data from wearable devices, and offer personalized patient monitoring. This investment will also support its expansion across partner clinics and universities.
The 2026 Africa Tech Summit Nairobi will feature 12 promising startups: Bekia, Bosso Africa Inc, Chefaa, Hizo, Innobid, Niteon, Pretium, Timart, TIBU Health, Vepay, Winich Farms, and Zerobionic. Spanning sectors from healthcare and finance to sustainability and robotics, these ventures represent the next generation of African innovation, offering high potential for both investment and impact.
The EridanSeed SME Venture Scale 2026 program is open to high-growth Nigerian small and medium-sized businesses looking to scale. It offers $25,000 in funding, mentorship and networking, and aims to help founders build new sources of revenue. Open to all sectors, the program combines capital with operational support. Applications close on Jan. 31, 2026.
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Mamy Eyewear, a Kenyan AI-driven vision testing startup, has received backing from Japan’s Ikemori Venture Support. The investment will help the company expand in East Africa and improve access to optical services.
NALA, a pan-African startup, has partnered with UK payment infrastructure provider Noah to launch a cross-border settlement network linking Africa and Asia. Through its Rafiki platform, NALA allows businesses to receive payments in stablecoins and convert them into local currency immediately, cutting fees and delays in emerging-market payments.
The AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge 2026 is accepting submissions from startups, researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to address Tunisia’s agricultural challenges, including water scarcity and climate risks. Backed by the Accelerate for Impact platform, the program offers a bootcamp, technical support and access to investors. Applications are open until Feb. 12, 2026.
The Founders Smith Accelerator Program 2026 is accepting applications from African startups.
The program offers mentorship, strategic guidance and access to investors, aimed at strengthening business models and supporting growth. Open to startups across sectors, it helps founders prepare for regional and international markets. Applications close on Jan. 30, 2026.