The Dakar Network Angels network launched this month, making its first investment in francophone Africa to cleantech venture Coliba. The Ivorian startup—that uses a mobile app to coordinate waste recycling—will receive mentorship and a minimum of $25K in seed funds. The deal is part of Dakar Network Angels’ mission of convening experts and capital to […]
View More Dakar Network Angels begins startup investments in francophone AfricaCategory: africa
Nigerian fintech startup OneFi acquires payment company Amplify
Lagos based online lending startup OneFi is buying Nigerian payment solutions company Amplify for an undisclosed amount. OneFi will take over Amplify’s IP, team, and client network of over 1000 merchants to which Amplify provides payment processing services, OneFi CEO Chijioke Dozie told TechCrunch. The move comes as fintech has become one of Africa’s most […]
View More Nigerian fintech startup OneFi acquires payment company AmplifyScientists left camera traps to record wild apes
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology conducted a large scale field experiment to find out how apes react to unfamiliar objects, such as monitoring equipment, in their natural habitats. Here’s what happened. Read more…Mor…
View More Scientists left camera traps to record wild apesSeven Africa-focused startups present at Y Combinator’s Demo Day
The seven African-focused companies which presented as part of Y Combinator’s 200 strong cohort of Winter 2019 class of 200 startups may seem like a small percentage for such a large class, but it represents the growing significance of African ventures in YC’s universe. Since 2016, the Silicon Valley accelerator—that provides seed funds and mentorship […]
View More Seven Africa-focused startups present at Y Combinator’s Demo DaySouth Africa’s FlexClub raises $1.2M, partners with Uber Mexico
FlexClub, a South African startup that matches investors and drivers to cars for ride-hailing services, closed a $1.2 million seed round led by CRE Venture Capital. The company will use the financing to add team members and expand off the continent through a partnership with Uber Mexico. The move comes as Africa’s tech-transit space continues […]
View More South Africa’s FlexClub raises $1.2M, partners with Uber MexicoAfrican e-commerce startup Jumia files for IPO on NYSE
Pan-African e-commerce company Jumia filed for an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange today per SEC documents and confirmation from CEO Sacha Poignonnec to TechCrunch. The valuation, share price, and timeline for public stock sales will be determined over the coming weeks for the Nigeria headquartered company. With a smooth filing process, Jumia will […]
View More African e-commerce startup Jumia files for IPO on NYSENigeria’s Gloo.ng drops consumer e-commerce, pivots to e-procurement
Nigerian startup Gloo.ng is dropping consumer online retail and pivoting to B2B e-procurement with Gloopro as its new name. The Lagos based venture has called it quits on e-commerce grocery services, shifting to a product that supplies large and medium corporates with everything from desks to toilet paper. Gloopro’s new platform will generate revenues on […]
View More Nigeria’s Gloo.ng drops consumer e-commerce, pivots to e-procurementWhy Warriors’ Andre Iguodala joined African unicorn Jumia’s board of directors
Andre Iguodala, a key member of the Golden State Warriors basketball team, is no stranger to the tech industry. He’s invested in Tristan Walker’s Walker & Company, which has since been acquired by Procter & Gamble, electric scooter startup Lime and many others. Now, he’s joined the board of directors over at Jumia, an African e-commerce […]
View More Why Warriors’ Andre Iguodala joined African unicorn Jumia’s board of directorsThe other smartphone business
With the smartphone operating system market sewn up by Google’s Android platform, which has a close to 90% share globally, leaving Apple’s iOS a slender (but lucrative) premium top-slice, a little company called Jolla and its Linux-based Sailfish OS is a rare sight indeed: A self-styled ‘independent alternative’ that’s still somehow in business. The Finnish […]
View More The other smartphone businessOmidyar Network spins out its fintech investment arm as Flourish, with up to $300 million
After 12 years spent investing in impact-oriented financial services startups around the globe, the Omidyar Network, which serves as the family investment office for eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, is spinning off its financial inclusion investment arm as Flourish Ventures. Equipped with up to $300 million in capital for operations and investments, the new Flourish will […]
View More Omidyar Network spins out its fintech investment arm as Flourish, with up to $300 millionAfrica Roundup: Kenya’s BRCK acquires EveryLayer, Nigeria’s TeamApt eyes global expansion
Kenyan communications hardware company BRCK acquired the assets of Nairobi based internet provider Surf and its U.S. parent EveryLayer in a purchase deal of an undisclosed amount in February. Based in Nairobi, Surf is a hotspot service provider aimed at offering affordable internet to lower income segments. BRCK is a five year old venture that pairs its rugged WiFi routers […]
View More Africa Roundup: Kenya’s BRCK acquires EveryLayer, Nigeria’s TeamApt eyes global expansionNigerian fintech firm TeamApt raises $5M, eyes global expansion
Nigerian fintech startup TeamApt has raised $5.5 million in capital in a Series A round led by Quantum Capital Partners. The Lagos based firm will use the funds to expand its white label digital finance products and pivot to consumer finance with the launch of its AptPay banking app. Founded by Tosin Eniolorunda, TeamApt supplies […]
View More Nigerian fintech firm TeamApt raises $5M, eyes global expansion