Bank of Tanzania develops own Integrated Core Banking System. Vodacom acquires Maziv. Starlink gets raw deal in Dar

The Bank of Tanzania has become the first central bank in Africa to develop its own Integrated Core Banking System in-house, a move that will make the country’s financial system more secure and efficient.

With BoT building the Integrated Core Banking System (iCBS) locally, Tanzania saved over 81 billion/- that would have been spent on foreign vendors.

This achievement gives the nation greater control over its critical financial data and operations.

Still in Tanzania, new guidelines from the draconic Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) are reshaping how satellite internet can be sold in the country.

Global providers like Starlink are now required to sell their services via licensed local companies instead of directly to consumers through an old-fashion arrangement.

The policy is designed to strengthen local telecom operators and ensure the country maintains control over its digital infrastructure, but observers see it is another way of crippling digital development and communication in the country.

African fintech giant Flutterwave processed nearly USD 1 billion in payments from East Asian companies in the first half of 2025 alone.

This boom in transactions demonstrated the rising global demand for African products and services.

The company also expanded its services into new countries like Cameroon and Senegal, making digital payments more accessible across the continent.

Doing business across Africa is getting simpler and cheaper as Algeria becomes the 18th country to join the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

This system allows companies to trade in their local currencies, which reduces transaction costs by up to 27 percent and makes it easier for businesses to expand into neighbouring markets.

Moniepoint has launched Moniebook, a new POS system that does more than process payments.

The device helps small businesses track sales, manage inventory, and print receipts in real time, solving a big headache for merchants who usually rely on manual record-keeping.

The machine is already being tested by over 4,000 shops, supermarkets, and even toll gates.

Vodacom has received approval to acquire a major stake in fibre operator Maziv

After a three-year regulatory battle, Vodacom has received approval to acquire a major stake in fibre operator Maziv, a deal that could expand high-speed internet access for more South Africans.

The acquisition is expected to increase competition in the market. This will likely accelerate the rollout of faster and more reliable fibre internet across the country.

The Kenyan government has launched an ambitious project to train 100,000 public sector workers with artificial intelligence skills.

As a key part of the country’s new National AI Strategy, the initiative aims to modernize government and make public services more efficient for citizens.

Kenya is cementing its role as a leader in sustainable transport by partnering with the state of California to establish Africa’s first Clean Transportation Center of Excellence.

Based in Nairobi, the hub will adapt California’s expertise to develop zero-emission solutions, like electric vehicles, specifically for African cities.

The collaboration aims to create green transport models that can be scaled across the continent.

In a move that will bring better internet to millions, telecom rivals Airtel and Vodacom signed a strategic deal to share their fibre and tower infrastructure in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the DR Congo.

By sharing costs, the companies can expand connectivity into underserved communities more quickly. This partnership is a significant step toward closing the digital divide in these markets.

Deal Roundup

In a major deal for South Africa’s small business sector, Nedbank acquired fintech firm iKhokha for USD 93.3 million.

The acquisition will equip small and medium-sized enterprises with better digital payment tools. This move underscores a clear trend of major banks investing heavily in technology to serve the SME market more effectively.

Nairobi-based fintech HoneyCoin has generated USD 4.9 million seed funding led by Flourish Ventures, with backing from Visa Ventures, TLcom, Stellar, and others.

The startup is building stablecoin-powered rails to cut Africa’s USD 329B cross-border payments costs and delays. HoneyCoin says it’s been profitable for two years and will use the cash to scale into new African, LatAm, and Asian markets.

Tech Safari broke down HoneyCoin’s story in detail—read the deep dive in Old Money, New Rails.

South African fintech startup Street Wallet has raised USD 350,000 in new funding. The investment will be used to expand its low-cost payment solutions to more street vendors, helping them avoid lost sales and improving their financial security. This directly supports financial inclusion for a vital but often underserved part of the economy.

East African electric vehicle company Ampersand has completed a funding round to scale its electric motorcycle and battery-swapping operations across the region.

The new undisclosed capital will accelerate the push for clean transportation. This expansion will make green transport a more viable and accessible option for thousands of commercial riders.