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Editor’s Note
Week 26, 2023
Read time: 5 minutes
Hello
Buckle up and dive into interesting African tech news, with a focus on the happenings in the vibrant East African country of Kenya. Plus, we need your genius insights to sprinkle some extra pizzazz on this newsletter, so please take our survey and help us unleash the full force of awesomeness upon you!
Pamela Tetteh Editor, TechCabal.
Editor’s Picks
Kenyans can now pay with data
Kenya’s biggest telecoms operator, Safaricom, has launched a new service that will allow customers to pay for products and services using their internet data balance.
CBN draws a line
While Kenya pushes the boundaries with payments technology, the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed restrictions on the maximum transaction amounts permitted for residents using contactless payment technology.
What’s the deal with South Africa’s new identification bill?
South Africa’s identification bill has people losing sleep about the privacy risks of consolidating all citizens’ ID information into a single system.
Nigerian banks to do social media checks
In more news about controversial rules, a wave of raised eyebrows swept across Nigeria when the CBN made it mandatory for banks to request customers’ social media IDs as part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) process.
Kenya’s digital sex offenders registry
Kenya has launched the first digital sex offenders registry in Africa. Now with a few simple clicks, you can find out if someone is a registered sex offender in Kenya.
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Ethiopia’s Safaricom gets a new CEO
Wim Vanhelleputte from MTN Group will assume the position of CEO at Safaricom Ethiopia, succeeding Anwar Soussa in the role.
Kenya to tax influencers and crypto bros
Kenya’s Finance Bill 2023 mandates digital content creators, crypto traders, and digital lenders to pay taxes.
inDrive is licensed in Kenya
inDrive, a ride-hailing platform, has obtained the necessary licences to operate within Kenya. Unlike Uber and Bolt, it allows customers and drivers to bargain the cost of trips.
Flutterwave enters 5-year deal with Microsoft
Flutterwave has entered into a five-year technological agreement with technology giant, Microsoft. Now, the fintech company build a new generation of payment services on Microsoft Azure.
Free data for Ugandan refugees
The Ugandan government has partnered with the World Bank to provide Internet access to 1.5 million refugees living in Uganda’s refugee communities.
Who brought the money this week?
Kenyan fashion e-commerce company, ShopZetu, raised $1 million in pre-seed funding. Chui Ventures led the round.
Tappi, a Kenyan e-commerce company, secured a $180,000 grant from Orbit Startups.
Ghana-based web3 startup, Mazzuma, raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Adaverse.
Zoie, a South African-based health-tech company, also closed an undisclosed amount in funding from 4DX Ventures and E Squared Investments.
What else to read this weekend?
Nigeria’s Central Bank issues new rules for contactless payments
Nigeria’s proposed electricity tariff hike means a fresh headache for small businesses
Smile Identity lays off eight employees as it increases its ‘focus on profitability’
Following chargeback fraud fiasco, Union54 is back with a superapp
Written by: Ngozi Chukwu & Hannatu Asheolge
Edited by: Pamela Tetteh