A number of startup firms seem to not only be growing locally but also spreading their tentacles across borders to hatch new establishments abroad, with Kenyan and Nigerian entities topping the bill.
Tech Roundup
Nigerian Neobank Kuda has relaunched with a multi-currency wallet that lets users outside Nigeria send money directly to local bank accounts.
The move comes after a pause in remittances due to reliance on third-party intermediaries.
Meanwhile, Kenyan logistics start-up Leta has expanded into Ghana, marking its seventh African market.
Leta’s first customer in the country is Simbisa Brands Limited.
On the other hand, Nigerian fintech LemFi has expanded into Egypt, rolling out its international payment services to serve the growing demand for faster, low-cost cross-border transfers.
The move is part of its broader push to scale across key markets.
Aria Ventures has launched a USD 1 million fund to back early-stage deep-tech start-ups. The fund aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications.
South African Fintechs Float and Adumo have partnered to let shoppers pay in-store over four interest-free monthly instalments using their credit card limit.
The service is available at retail outlets using Adumo’s payment devices.
Deal Roundup
South African AI startup Cerebrium has raised USD 8.5 million in a seed round led by Gradient. The startup will use the funding to hire engineers, grow its platform, and scale to meet rising enterprise demand.
Kenyan mobility start-up BuuPass has raised an undisclosed amount in strategic funding from Yango Ventures.
The investment will help the company scale its platform and deepen its footprint in key markets.
South African fintech Stitch has acquired Efficacy Payments, giving it full control of the card payment stack. The deal strengthens its push to dominate digital payments without relying on banks or third parties.
Nigerian crypto exchange Roqqu has acquired Kenyan fintech Flitaa, marking the first publicly disclosed crypto consolidation in Africa.
South African earned wage access start-up Paymenow has secured a USD 22.5 million working capital facility from Standard Bank.
The funding will support its expansion across Africa and boost its employee financial wellness offerings.
MEST has opened applications for its newly revamped Artificial Intelligence (AI) Startup Program, aimed at preparing Africa’s top tech talent to build and scale AI-driven ventures.
The updated program positions African entrepreneurs to lead in the global AI wave. Applications for the 2026 intake are now open.
Visa has opened applications for its She’s Next programme to women-led businesses in South Africa. The initiative offers grant funding, training, mentorship, and networking to support female founders.