Morroco’s Sand to Green secures $50K DeepTech grant to turn deserts into farms
Sand to Green, a Moroccan agrotechnology startup that turns degraded land into productive farmland, has won a $50,000 grant at the DeepTech Summit 2025, unlocking new funding to expand operations across Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. The company was awarded the prize in the Green Economy category at the summit held on May 8–9 and organised by the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir, Morocco. The grant highlights the growing investor interest in the agriculture technology-as-a-service (AaaS) sector in Africa. Similar businesses, including South Africa’s Aerobotics, have received similar attention after raising a total of $26.8 million in funding. The interest in Sand to Green also comes at a time when the Moroccan government and the World Bank, through its Morocco Digital and Climate Smart Agriculture programme and other related ventures, are investing in agrotechnology. By providing much-needed technology to scale farming, investors are buying into startups that can tap into Morocco’s $12.39 billion agriculture market, while still backing technology. Sand to Green’s model blends satellite-driven land analysis, solar-powered desalination, and regenerative agroforestry to transform arid zones into fertile, sustainable farmlands. The company says the grant will fast-track its expansion plans and deepen its reach in markets highly vulnerable to desertification and climate-driven food insecurity. “This international recognition is a turning point for us,” said Benjamin Rombaut, CEO and co-founder of Sand to Green. “It confirms that Deep Tech can be a powerful lever for restoring ecosystems, fighting desertification, and offering sustainable economic prospects to vulnerable territories in cooperation with all local actors.” Founded in 2021 by Rombaut, Gautier de Carcouët, and Wissal Ben Moussa, Sand to Green has raised $1 million in seed funding from investors including Norway’s Katapult and the Catalyst Fund. The company operates at the intersection of two rising global priorities: climate resilience and food security. According to the United Nations (UN), over 40% of the world’s land is already degraded, affecting half of the global population and costing the world economy up to $6 trillion annually. Due to desertification, Africa loses roughly 3 million hectares of forest and arable land each year. This translates to nearly 3% of Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth being lost yearly from soil and nutrient depletion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), forcing the continent to spend more than $35 billion on food imports. Sand to Green’s approach integrates environmental data—soil type, climate patterns, topography—with local agricultural practices to develop customised agroecological systems. Projects are co-developed with rural communities, farmers, and local institutions, a strategy the company says ensures long-term viability and community buy-in. The company makes money by designing and managing sustainable farms that grow high-value crops like nuts, grains, and herbs. It also earns revenue through consulting, land development, and by generating carbon credits, which it can sell to businesses looking to offset emissions. Sand to Green operates in Morocco and plans to expand locally in the Tan-Tan region. The agrotechnology startup is backed by NextAfrica, a trans-continental accelerator run by UM6P and Paris-based STATION F, providing strategic support, mentorship, and investor access to startups. By marrying traditional land stewardship with advanced satellite and water technology, Sand to Green is betting on a model it believes can scale—both economically and ecologically—to meet one of the planet’s most pressing challenges.
Read MoreSouth Africa’s AURA raises $14.6 million to drive U.S. expansion and global ambitions
AURA, a South African lifesaving technology platform, has raised €13.5 million ($14.6 million) in Series B funding to drive its expansion into the United States and broaden its global footprint, aiming to operate in nearly 50 countries within two years. The round was co-led by the Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF) and global venture capital firm Partech, bringing AURA’s total funding to €21 million ($22.8 million). The fresh capital will support product scale, deepen international partnerships, and integrate AURA’s emergency tech across a growing number of consumer-facing applications. Founded in 2017, AURA, which operates in South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., offers emergency response services through its smart auto-dispatch and routing platform. The platform enables people in emergencies to connect to emergency response via mobile apps and integrated panic buttons with the nearest vetted private security and medical responders. “AURA addresses the challenge that, traditionally, access to private security or ambulance services is expensive and limited to those who can afford monthly contracts and alarm systems,” Warren Myers, AURA’s founder and CEO, told TechCabal. “Our solution democratises access to safety by enabling anyone with a phone to access rapid emergency response at an affordable subscription rate.” Aura operates a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) model, charging a per-user, per-month subscription fee. The company partners with resellers and distributors such as insurance companies, security companies, monitoring centers, and app providers that offer access to emergency response services through white-labeled apps and panic buttons. The company also partners with companies such as Uber, FNB, Samsung, and traditional security and ambulance companies to integrate its technology with armed response and ambulance companies, allowing them to monetise their idle capacity by being available on AURA’s platform. AURA is betting on the fundamental human need for safety and the growing prevalence of mobile phones, which allows them to democratise access to emergency response services at a low monthly cost. The platform currently has 1.2 million paying subscribers globally. In South Africa alone, it estimates that 20 million mobile phone users fall within its target market based on its ZAR 40–ZAR 50 monthly pricing ($2.20–$2.70), suggesting significant room to grow. “South Africa has an addressable market of 46 million mobile users,” Myers said. The emergency response market is growing rapidly in both developed and emerging economies. In South Africa, alarm response revenue is projected to reach $121.4 million by 2025, according to Statista. The U.S., where AURA is now prioritising expansion, represents a $7 billion market, according to Myers. “In markets like the UK and US, police are stepping back from responding to unverified alarms owing to pressure on time and resources,” he said. “This creates a huge opportunity for private sector players to fill the gap.” AURA claims to have pioneered the on-demand emergency response marketplace at scale in Africa and the U.K., and now wants to replicate that momentum in the U.S., where consumer safety platforms are fragmented and largely tied to traditional alarm systems. The company plans to leverage partnerships with major tech brands and insurance providers to embed its technology into phones, wearables, and other smart devices. “Our goals are to make alarm verification faster, homes and businesses safer, and to help law enforcement focus on higher-priority incidents,” Myers said.
Read More“I didn’t know”: The Buy Now Pay Later boom that’s backfiring in rural Kenya
When Grace Achieng’, a vegetable vendor in western Kenya, signed up for a Vivo smartphone on a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plan, it felt like a lifeline. With no deposit and weekly instalments of $2.71 (KES 350) or $0.39 (KES 50) daily, the deal was attractive: pay in bits, own the device, and stay connected with your friends and relatives. Three missed payments later, her device was remotely disabled. “Imagine your only way of sending money or calling family getting locked,” says Achieng’. “It’s an inconvenience that forces you to borrow from other people or lenders. That’s an additional cost.” Unlike traditional asset finance, which involves lengthy forms, background checks, and slow approvals, BNPL offers instant credit with a few clicks. The ease has made this form of asset financing popular, especially among younger consumers. But the same ease that brings people in has led to a debt regret facing users like Achieng’. Many users find themselves stuck in repayment cycles they did not fully anticipate, a debt trap disguised as convenience. BNPL offers deferred payments for customers who would otherwise be excluded from credit. The appeal is undeniable in a country where formal lending is scarce and most people survive on irregular incomes. However, for many customers in rural Kenya, the fast-growing consumer credit looks more like a risk than a help. BNPL is drawing scrutiny for its opaque terms, digital lockouts, and aggressive collection tactics, especially in a country like Kenya, where regulation lags behind innovation. The trap In principle, BNPL offers deferred payments for low-income customers who would otherwise be excluded from credit. In rural Kenya, where formal lending is scarce and most people survive on irregular incomes, the appeal is undeniable. Startups backed by global venture capital have rushed to fill the rural credit gap, offering solar kits, motorcycles, phones, and household electronics under flexible payment terms. Instalments can be as low as $0.77 (KES 100) per week, and customers can sign up with just a national ID and mobile number. But beneath the ease of entry lies a model increasingly reliant on digital coercion. BNPL platforms use sleek design and persuasive messaging to keep users spending. Push notifications and SMS reminders often dress up new credit as “pre-approved” or frame repayments as part of exclusive offers, pushing customers toward repeat borrowing with the language of opportunity rather than caution. The result is a user experience engineered for ease, which can quietly lock consumers into a cycle of debt. “These companies are not selling mobile phones or motorcycles, they are selling debt at high interest rates,” says Gad Awuonda, a Nairobi-based lawyer and consumer-rights advocate. “I have met customers who do not even fully know what happens when they fail to pay.” The challenge is that BNPL startups like Aspira, Watu Credit, MOGO, Buy Simu Technologies, SunKing, and FlexPay Lipia Pole Pole operate with few regulations that govern formal lenders like commercial banks and microfinance institutions. Many are not registered as financial institutions and, therefore, are not subject to Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) oversight. None of the BNPL providers responded to requests for comments. Regulatory grey zone Since 2021, CBK has been scrambling to create sanity in the digital lending and BNPL sectors, requiring licensing and data protection compliance under the 2021 Digital Credit Providers (DCP) regulations. The regulator also wants to repeal the outdated Hire Purchase Act 1968 —originally designed for furniture and car sales — to allow new legislation covering BNPL. The regulatory grey zone has left consumers exposed. Few understand how much they are ultimately supposed to pay or what recourse they can take when locked out or facing repossession. Disclosures on interest rates — often in the 30– over 100% annualised range — are rare. Contracts are short and largely unread if presented at all. For example, an electric scooter priced at $851 (KES 110,000) in cash can end up costing nearly twice as much under a BNPL arrangement once interest and fees are factored in. For rural users unfamiliar with structured credit, the consequences of default can be harsh. A spot check by TechCabal revealed that BNPL startups disable devices after two to four missed payments, in some cases without notice. While some of the companies market the lockouts as a gentle nudge toward repayment, it is punitive in rural areas where mobile phones and motorcycles serve as financial lifelines. “Most young people who are unemployed buy motorcycles in instalments, expecting to earn some income. What happens when it is switched off or worse, when repossessed,” says Awuonda. Across the country, dusty yards are filling up with thousands of repossessed motorcycles, fridges, and televisions, seized from defaulters and auctioned off by BNPL companies struggling to recover their money. “Modern hire purchase models thrive on information asymmetry,” says Dennis Oduor, a banker based in Kisumu, a city 400km west of Nairobi. “In urban areas like Kisumu, you might have options such as working on a construction site for daily wages. In rural areas, people feel trapped.” Like any VC-backed firm, BNPL startups are under intense pressure to show revenue growth to satisfy global investors. In 2023, African BNPL platforms raised over $200 million in equity and debt funding, most of it to expand customer bases and explore new markets. Increased investor appetite could mean aggressive onboarding and even more aggressive enforcement. The BNPL payment market in Africa is forecast to reach $5.34 billion in 2025 and over $10 billion in 2030. For many Kenyan rural users, the expansion could mean more pain. “We cannot have people who are lending and not regulated by any financial regulator. That’s a ticking time bomb,” says Awuonda. If Kenyan regulators can catch up with innovation, the BNPL startups could still deliver on its promise without trapping the millions of unbanked rural users it aims to help.
Read MoreInside the server glitch behind JAMB’s 380,000 scrambled UTME score
It began with one skipped software patch. Within a few days, the results from 157 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres were spitting out scrambled UTME scores, warping the futures of 380,000 students and sending three-quarters of Nigeria’s 1.95 million test-takers below the 200-point university cutoff. By the time the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) acknowledged the error and ordered a retake, it was in the middle of its worst crisis in a decade, including a reported student’s suicide. JAMB introduced CBT in 2013, phasing out paper-based tests entirely by 2015. The digitalisation signalled progress, yet a decade later, despite extensive investment, the platform still suffers from technical flaws. Students faced power failures, system crashes, and login errors in previous years, such as 2015, 2023, and 2024. But the 2025 crisis eclipsed them all. After the results were released, showing that over 75% of the 1.95 million candidates scored below 200 out of 400—the typical benchmark for university admissions—public outrage followed. Alex Onyia, founder of Educare, who petitioned JAMB on behalf of the candidates, said concerns surfaced on May 9, 2025, when JAMB released the UTME results. Principals from schools using the Educare learning platform noticed alarming discrepancies. Over the years, Educare, a software company that provides school management solutions, has developed a reliable performance prediction model based on students’ learning metrics. But this time, the gap between predicted and actual scores was vast, prompting immediate concern. “We reached out to the most affected students, and their stories were consistent,” Onyia explained. “They faced technical challenges and were confident the scores didn’t reflect their performance. A major issue was transparency—unlike our CBT platform, JAMB’s system offered little clarity, making it impossible to explain the failure.” While Onyia and his team fielded panicked calls from students and parents, tragedy struck in Lagos. Timilehin Faith Opesusi, a 19-year-old aspiring Microbiology student living with her sister in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, reportedly took her life by ingesting rodent poison after scoring 190, far below her expectations. In response to the growing outcry, JAMB convened a high-level technical review on May 14, led by Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede and attended by technology experts, including Onyia. The review revealed three major upgrades had been implemented in 2025: a shift from count-based (one mark per correct answer) to source-based scoring, full randomisation of questions and answers to prevent cheating, and new performance patches to reduce lag. Critically, these updates were not uniformly deployed across all CBT centres. “The engineering team didn’t follow their internal testing procedures; if they had, this shouldn’t have happened,” Onyia explained. A critical oversight was discovered: while the new patch had been deployed to servers in Kaduna, it was not applied to the Lagos cluster, which also served the South-East. As a result, 157 centres—92 in the South-East and 65 in South-West Lagos—were using outdated server logic that misinterpreted shuffled questions, affecting nearly 380,000 candidates. “The error went undetected until after the 17th session. By then, thousands of scores had been generated using flawed algorithms,” Onyia said. Beyond the software error, structural issues in JAMB’s CBT network design have also been raised. Each region is supposed to be served by a dedicated server cluster. However, the South-East had no such infrastructure and instead relied on the Lagos cluster, over 450km away. In practice, CBT centres are supposed to function within local area networks (LANs) for speed and stability. Running dozens of centres remotely without high-speed, redundant connections introduces risks of latency and failure, exactly what happened. According to James Nnanyelugo, Educare’s lead engineer who participated in the technical audit, the core issue was not just physical distance, but the failure to properly synchronise system updates within the LAG cluster. “The real failure was in system discipline,” he said. “ We learned that a staff member had previously refused to push an update early enough, only choosing to push them when it was already late. If you are conducting an exam of this size, you need to start early to push an update, so you can stress-test it against any possible risk. But in this case, it was too late—the patch never reached the LAG servers before the exams began.”. Faced with overwhelming evidence, JAMB publicly acknowledged the failure. Professor Oloyede apologised at a national press briefing and announced that all affected candidates would retake the exam at no cost between May 16 and 19. The new schedule was carefully coordinated with the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) to avoid overlap with ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) exams. For students who complained of difficulty in obtaining tickets that will enable them to access the hall, Fabian Benjamin, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of JAMB, said the admissions board is directly operating the ticketing system to ensure that all affected students get their tickets. “This mistake is directly from JAMB, so we are closely monitoring to ensure no student is left out,” Benjamin said. However, he ruled out any possibility of remarking the answer scripts of the affected despite admitting JAMB could still retrieve them. The 2025 incident illustrates the perils of partial deployment in high-stakes digital systems. While JAMB has invested heavily in CBT infrastructure—including a ₦2.7 billion budget for 2024 alone—gaps in execution continue to expose students to failure. Until JAMB fully decentralises its server infrastructure, strengthens its testing protocols, and implements real-time monitoring, the credibility of its digital assessment model will remain vulnerable. Education experts argue that the CBT model remains the future of standardised testing in Nigeria. Yet, without rigorous quality controls and disciplined systems management, even the best-funded innovations risk becoming expensive failures. Without thorough quality control, disciplined systems management, and a commitment to equitable digital access, innovation alone is not enough.
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TechCabal Daily – Fawry takes flight
In partnership with Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية TGIF. Here’s a weird thought to start your day: your brain is constantly cleaning itself by “eating” bits of its own tissue—a process scientists call phagocytosis. Specialised cells called microglia act like tiny janitors, gobbling up old or damaged cells and clearing out mental clutter while you work, rest, or even sleep. It might sound creepy, but this microscopic housekeeping is essential for learning, memory, and keeping your mind sharp. So don’t lose your head over it—your brain’s just making sure you’re ready for whatever the day throws at you. Coinbase was breached; hackers ask for $20 million Why Flour Mills joined OmniRetail’s $20 million round Fawry’s revenue jumps 65% in Q1 2025 Funding Tracker World Wide Web 3 Job Openings Cryptocurrency Coinbase, one of the world’s largest central exchanges, was breached; hackers ask for $20 million Image Source: Coinbase Coinbase, the largest US-owned crypto exchange, disclosed in a regulatory filing on Thursday that it suffered a data breach. On May 11, it received an email from hackers demanding $20 million in Bitcoin or they’d leak sensitive customer data. CEO Brian Armstrong later posted on X, urging users to remain calm. He said less than 1% of users were affected—still not a small number when you serve over 100 million globally. The hackers reportedly accessed names, addresses, government ID images, and account data of customers. Posing as Coinbase officials, they deceived these users, asking them to send their crypto. Coinbase claims the attackers had help from bribed employees, all of whom have been fired. The company has refused to pay the ransom and instead pulled a Uno reverse move, offering a $20 million bounty for information leading to the hackers. Still, it’s estimating losses of up to $400 million. ICYMI: In February, Coinbase partnered with Onboard to let Nigerians buy and sell crypto via P2P. While Coinbase now operates in Nigeria through Onboard, the recent hack doesn’t affect Nigerians. Onboard manages KYC, compliance, and user accounts, while Coinbase supplies the tech behind the transactions. But the incident also raises regulatory concerns for global crypto adoption. Base—Coinbase’s Layer-2 network—powers Stripe’s new stablecoin payments feature in 101 countries. A hack like this could spook regulators and slow down broader crypto integrations. And the timing couldn’t be worse. Just this week—on May 13—Coinbase was announced as the first crypto firm set to join the S&P 500, replacing Discover Financial Services. The breach could stall that momentum and rattle investor confidence. In Africa, where countries like Nigeria and Kenya are warming up to crypto regulation, incidents like this risk reigniting scepticism among regulators—even though similar breaches happen in traditional finance and fintech. For a company vying to be crypto’s face in traditional finance, it’s a reminder that even in the most secure vaults, cracks can appear. Seamless Global Payments With Fincra. Issue accounts in NGN, KES, EUR, USD & more with one integration. Send & receive funds seamlessly across borders; no more banking hassles or complex conversions. Create an account for free & go global today. 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Before the confetti settles on that announcement, we would like to answer the question that has been on your mind
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Top Infinix phones in 2025: Latest models, specs & prices in Nigeria
If you’re considering buying a new Infinix phone in Nigeria this year, you’ve got plenty of options. Infinix has built a strong name in the Nigerian market by offering phones with great features at prices that don’t break the bank. Whether you’re after speed, camera quality, battery life, or a phone that just fits your budget, there’s likely an Infinix phone for you. In this article, we break down the newest Infinix phone available in Nigeria. We review their key specs, what makes each model stand out, and who they’re best suited for. The Latest Infinix Phone Available in Nigeria (2024–2025) Infinix has released many smartphones across its popular product lines, including Hot, Note, Zero, GT, and Smart series. 1. Hot Series The Hot Series offers good value if you want a solid phone without spending too much. Recent models include: Infinix Hot 40i – Comes in different variants to suit your budget. Infinix Hot 40 Pro – Launched in December 2023, delivers reliable performance and decent camera quality. Infinix Hot 50i – A budget-friendly choice with essential features. Infinix Hot 50 Pro+ – Offers more advanced features than the basic versions. Infinix Hot 50 – Another recent model aimed at affordable everyday use. 2. Note Series This line balances power and price. Some of the most talked-about models include: Infinix Note 40 – A solid mix of performance and key features. Infinix Note 40 Pro – Built with stronger capabilities than the base model. Infinix Note 40 Pro+ – A top-tier pick in this range with a more premium feel. Infinix Note 40X 5G – Adds 5G support for faster connectivity. Infinix Note 50 – Offers solid performance as a base model. Infinix Note 50 Pro – Brings more speed and better camera specs. Infinix Note 50 Pro+ 5G – A high-end model with advanced specs and 5G. Infinix Note 50S 5G+ – Combines style and speed in a slim design. Infinix Note 50X 5G – Another 5G-enabled option for faster browsing and downloads. 3. Zero Series Known for bold design and strong cameras, this series focuses on creativity and performance: Infinix Zero 30 5G – A vlogger-friendly phone with powerful video and photo features. Infinix Zero 30 4G – Offers a similar experience for users who don’t need 5G. Infinix Zero Flip 5G – A foldable smartphone with a sleek design. Infinix Zero Ultra – Features 180W Thunder Charge and an upgraded camera system. Infinix Zero 40 and Zero 40 5G – Packed with newer specs for users who want the latest tech. 4. GT Series If gaming is your priority, the GT series is built to keep up: Infinix GT 20 Pro – Designed for esports-level performance. Infinix GT 10 Pro – Delivers a fast, smooth gaming experience. 5. Smart Series These phones are made for users who want reliable features at the lowest prices. Options include: Smart 8, 8 Plus, 8 Pro, 8 HD Smart 9, 9 HD Smart 7, 7 Plus, 7 HD 4G Top Infinix Models in 2025 We’ll now focus on a few models that stand out in the Nigerian market right now. These include: Infinix Note 50 Series – (Note 50 Pro+, Note 50 4G, Note 50S 5G+, Note 50X 5G) Infinix GT 20 Pro Infinix Zero 30 Series – Both 5G and 4G versions Infinix Hot 40 Series – Including the Hot 40 Pro and Hot 40i These phones have been getting a lot of attention lately, and we’ll take a closer look at their design, performance, camera, battery life, and more to help you figure out which one is right for you. 1. Infinix Note 50 Pro+: Image source: Izzi Boye on YouTube The Infinix Note 50 Pro+ is a standout in the 2025 lineup, merging a premium design with top-tier performance features. It adopts a sleek, flagship-like aesthetic, often featuring a curved AMOLED display and a glass front, with some models sporting a vegan leather back for added sophistication. Its 6.78-inch FHD+ display supports a 144Hz refresh rate and reaches up to 1300 nits brightness, ensuring smooth visuals and excellent outdoor visibility. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and paired with 12GB RAM, this device handles multitasking, streaming, and mobile gaming with ease. Running on Android 15 with XOS 15, it supports up to two major Android OS upgrades, keeping users future-proofed. The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, periscope telephoto lens, and ultrawide camera, while the 32MP front camera and optical image stabilisation (OIS) make it ideal for selfies and content creation. The 5200mAh battery supports 100W wired charging and 50W wireless MagCharge, drastically reducing downtime. Additional features include 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, an IR blaster, JBL-tuned stereo speakers, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and even an active halo notification light, making it a powerhouse for users who want it all. 2. Infinix Note 50 Pro 4G: Image source: Fisayo Fosudo on YouTube Designed with elegance and durability in mind, the Infinix Note 50 Pro 4G often features an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and glass front, giving it a solid, premium feel. Its 6.78-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and 1300 nits peak brightness ensures crisp visuals in any environment. Under the hood, it runs on the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate processor, with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage, making it capable of handling daily tasks and moderate gaming without stutter. It ships with Android 15 and XOS 15, and like its 5G sibling, it promises two major Android OS updates. The camera module includes a 50MP main lens with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide camera, while the 32MP front camera ensures clear and vibrant selfies. The 5200mAh battery supports 90W fast wired charging and 30W wireless MagCharge. Additional highlights include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IR blaster, FM radio, IP64 water/dust resistance, and even a heart rate and SpO2 monitor, making this a well-rounded option for health-conscious users. 3. Infinix Note 50s 5G+: Image source:
Read More10 African startups opening markets, cutting CO2 & seafarming no one’s talking about yet
Startups on Our Radar is a bi-weekly column that spotlights new startups across Africa taking unconventional approaches, filling fundamental gaps, and creating value in a way that feels fresh, focused, and meaningful. Know a startup we should feature next? Please nominate here. In our debut, we featured 10 startups from Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Egypt, spanning e-commerce, logistics, SaaS, fintech, EV, AI, and social commerce. If you missed it, catch up here. Expect the next dispatch on May 29, 2025. Let’s get into today’s picks. Mystocks.africa wants to put every African stock market in your pocket (Fintech, Botswana) I first met Humphrey Mwamba, founder of Mystocks.africa, at Accelerate Africa’s demo day on Friday, May 2, 2025. Twice, I watched him pitch, and both times, I was genuinely impressed. Launched in 2024, Mystocks.africa is an AI-powered investment platform that enables Africans to invest in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and funds across major African exchanges, regardless of location. The platform addresses the long-standing challenge of fragmented and inaccessible African stock markets for retail investors. With thousands already on the waitlist, Mystocks.africa is among the first to offer seamless, cross-border stock trading for Africa’s retail investors. Key features include AI-driven analytics, real-time market data, customisable charting tools, and a mobile-friendly interface. Users can also access a demo trading account, educational resources, and 24/7 support. Pricing is accessible, with both free and $5/month pro plans. Why we’re watching: Mystocks.africa is a first-mover making Africa’s capital markets accessible to everyday investors. Humphrey’s finance background (he helped build the East African Commodity Exchange) gives this startup serious credibility. 2. ZOOMe wants to keep electric delivery bikes moving with three-minute battery swaps (EV, Nigeria) EV adoption in Africa is accelerating. Launched in 2023 by Adedayo Odunlami, ZOOMe is a Nigerian startup that offers a network of battery swap stations and electric motorcycles for logistics firms and fleet operators. ZOOMe addresses two of the most significant barriers to EV adoption in Africa: range anxiety and operational downtime. Their battery swap technology allows riders to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under three minutes at any of their nine stations, ensuring fleets stay on the road with zero waiting time. ZOOMe’s infrastructure-first approach is complemented by after-sales and maintenance support, a digital monitoring app for real-time fleet management, and partnerships with leading players like Spiro to further scale battery-swapping access and drive sustainable logistics. In just over a year, ZOOMe has completed over 19,000 battery swaps, enabled 1.4 million kilometres of emission-free travel, and helped avoid over 140 tons of CO₂ emissions. Why we’re watching: EV adoption is accelerating across Africa, and ZOOMe’s infrastructure-first model is precisely what’s needed to make electric vehicles viable for businesses on the continent. Nigeria’s EV market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2025 to 2031. With over 27 million motorcycles already on African roads and two- and three-wheelers expected to account for over 50% of new sales by 2040, ZOOMe is well-positioned to capture a significant share of a market worth billions as electrification accelerates. 3. Reasy wants to make paying and vetting overseas suppliers as easy as mobile money (Fintech, Cameroon) I met Brice Mba, co-founder of Reasy, at a lively mixer during the just concluded Africa’s Venture Capital Week. Within minutes, I was drawing parallels from his business model to Middleman in Nigeria. Launched in 2023, Reasy offers supplier verification, rapid cross-border payments, escrow, and logistics support, making it easier and safer for local businesses to source internationally. Through a recent partnership with Savana, a leading microfinance institution, Reasy now enables merchants to pay Chinese suppliers directly from any Savana branch in Cameroon, bridging the gap between traditional finance and modern trade needs. Why we’re watching: Reasy is equipping Cameroonian importers with the tools they need to trade confidently and efficiently across one of Africa’s largest commercial corridors. Reasy is helping local businesses overcome fraud risks, payment delays, and shipping hassles, unlocking new growth opportunities in a $295 billion trade ecosystem. 4. Konnect Networks wants to let North African freelancers get paid online like it’s 2025 (Fintech, Tunisia) I first heard about Konnect Networks, founded by Amin Ben Abderrahman, from an Egyptian investor who couldn’t stop raving about their impact. Konnect is building the “Stripe for North Africa,” making it easier for businesses and freelancers to get paid online despite a conservative banking sector. With over 27,500 users and $478,000 in revenue in its first two years (2023, 2024), Konnect recently raised $1.5 million to scale its payment gateway across North Africa. Why we’re watching: Konnect is solving a critical problem in North Africa’s conservative banking sector. The startup’s rapid growth and recent investment from VISA signal that global players are finally paying attention to North Africa’s fintech scene. 5. MazaoHub wants to boost smallholder yields with AI soil tests and on-site support (Agritech, Tanzania) I first read about MazaoHub in a “why we invested” blog post by Mercy Corps Ventures. Co-founded by Geophrey Tenganamba and Adelard Josephat Urassa, MazaoHub empowers smallholder farmers with AI-driven recommendations, climate data, and a Farm ERP platform. The company blends advanced technology like real-time soil analytics, AI-driven crop and fertiliser recommendations, and a full-featured Farm ERP with on-the-ground support through a network of extension officers and Farmer Excellence Centres. This “Tech and Touch” approach ensures farmers receive actionable insights and the hands-on help needed to adopt new practices. MazaoHub’s platform covers the entire farming cycle: soil testing and input optimisation to pest scouting, weather risk intelligence, supply chain management, and financial record-keeping. Farmers use the mobile-accessible system to plan, track, and analyse their operations, access credit, and connect directly with buyers, boosting yields, reducing costs, and improving market access. MazaoHub has helped over 14,000 farmers increase yields by an average of 150%, cut fertiliser expenses by 30%, and boost organic manure use by 500%. Why we’re watching: MazaoHub is closing the productivity gap for Africa’s 33 million smallholder farmers by making
Read MoreKenya bars Safaricom, Airtel, regulator from future internet shutdowns
The High Court of Kenya has barred the government, telecom operators, Safaricom and Airtel, and the country’s communications regulator, from disrupting internet access, marking a significant step in the fight for digital rights in East Africa’s most connected country. Seven civil society organisations are suing the Communications Authority (CA), the Attorney General, the Ministry of ICT, Safaricom, and Airtel Kenya, challenging the legality of past and potential internet shutdowns. On May 14, Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued an order restraining state agencies and telcos from interfering with digital communications until the case is fully heard. The petitioners include the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya Section), Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Paradigm Initiative, Kenya Union of Journalists, Katiba Institute, Law Society of Kenya, and CIPESA. Mwamuye ruled against “shutdown, blockage, denial of access or service, or causing to become offline as disclosed in the Application and the Petition.” The judge also ordered the preservation of all documents linked to previous shutdowns, setting the stage for deeper scrutiny. Kenya’s internet disruptions have been allegedly used to silence dissent and disrupt communication, exposing the fragile state of digital rights protections. This case could therefore force a legal assessment on the limits of state power in controlling digital spaces. “We got orders blocking everyone we sued or their agents, or departments within them, from restricting internet in any way or form. They are also not allowed to limit phone calls as well,” James Wamathai, Director, Partnerships and Advocacy, Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), told TechCaba. Kenya witnessed internet disruptions during critical moments, including the 2024 #RejectFinanceBill protests and the 2024 pre-college examinations. Evidence from Cloudflare, IODA, and OONI pointed to deliberate throttling and the blocking of Telegram, claiming that the app was being used to facilitate cheating, which raised serious questions about abuse of power. The petitioners argue that these disruptions violated fundamental rights, freedom of expression, media freedom, access to information, and broader economic and social rights. They also cite Kenya’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The organisations want the court to declare internet shutdowns without due process unconstitutional. They are also seeking court-ordered frameworks to enforce judicial oversight, transparency, and accountability in digital governance. “The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for millions of Kenyans who rely on unimpeded connectivity for livelihoods, education, and civic engagement,” Kennedy Kachwanya of BAKE said. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 23.
Read MoreNigeria’s inflation eases to 23.71% in April on energy, FX pressure
Nigeria’s headline inflation eased in April due to high energy and telecom costs, alongside currency depreciation, and a slowdown in food inflation. Headline inflation slowed to 23.71%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, from 24.23% in March. While food inflation may have stabilised on improved supply and softening demand, core inflation—excluding food and energy—cooled to 23.39% due to rising costs in utilities, telecoms, and other import-heavy sectors. Food inflation for April was 21.26%. “Core inflation is likely to remain the key driver [of inflation], sustained by the pass-through effects of the naira’s depreciation on import-dependent goods,” said Felicia Awolope, Senior Investment Research Analyst at Meristem. “Conversely, food inflation may continue to moderate, supported by stable supply levels and subdued demand.” The naira, though more stable in April than in the first quarter, remains significantly weaker year-on-year. Importers and service providers continue to adjust prices upward in response to past FX volatility, especially in urban centers. “The absence of a meaningful decline in food prices has also limited any potential relief on the headline number,” said Victor Onyema, Head of Investment Management at Norrenberger. While energy and transport costs have shown some stability, any renewed naira weakness or external shocks could reignite broader inflationary pressures, Onyema said. “Inflation may follow a broadly moderate path if currency stability holds and global commodity prices ease,” Awolope said. “Still, imported cost pressures and FX risks remain key concerns.” April inflation data will shape the outcome of the Central Bank interest rate setting meeting when its Monetary Policy Committee meets on May 19. After a series of hikes aimed at stabilizing the naira and curbing inflation, analysts expect a more measured stance. “We expect the MPC to hold rates, especially given recent FX and price stability,” Awolope added. “But with oil prices softening and external inflows under pressure, maintaining investor confidence remains critical.”
Read MoreWhy Flour Mills, Nigeria’s 64-year-old food giant, joined OmniRetail’s $20 million round
In April, Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), a 64-year-old manufacturing titan, transitioned from customer to shareholder in OmniRetail, a B2B e-commerce startup that has been ranked the fastest-growing business in Africa twice. FMN, one of the 145 manufacturers that use the platform to sell to retailers, co-invested $20 million in the startup. That was an uncommon step for traditional Nigerian companies, most of whom prefer to collaborate with rather than buy equity in local startups. Globally, this kind of investment, corporate venture capital (CVC), where large companies fund startups, has been on the rise. It has tripled between 2014 and 2024, accounting for over 46% of venture capital deal value. Some foreign CVC firms, like Axa Venture Partners, Mobility54, and Coinbase Ventures, and some non-Nigerian ones like South Africa’s Absa Bank, have extended their interest to Nigerian startups. However, CVC activity from Nigerian traditional businesses continues to lag, despite exits delivering as much as 29x returns. Flour Mills’ recent investment adds to a small but growing number of traditional firms embracing startup investments, driven by financial returns and the need for strategic leverage. As technology reshapes commerce—from mobile point-of-sale systems overtaking ATMs to innovations in last-mile logistics—such investments may become lifelines for legacy companies seeking to stay competitive. “Traditional companies don’t always have the flexibility to build these capabilities internally,” said Akwugo Onuekwusi, an expert in fundraising and financial advisory. “Investing in startups offers them optionality and a moat, especially when the technology touches a core operational pain point.” OmniRetail is solving a big problem for Flour Mills Africa’s retail market is a sprawling headache: 90% of Nigerians shop at informal kiosks, market stalls, and mom-and-pop stores. In Nairobi, the number is 87%. Manufacturers like Flour Mills go through a cascade of wholesalers and distributors to reach these traders. The cost of the items increases at every handoff, while inflation, currently at 23.71%, erodes consumer purchasing power. OmniRetail is one of several startups trying to solve this problem. The platform currently connects 145 manufacturers, including Flour Mills, to 150,000 retailers through an asset-light “network of networks.” With 85 partner warehouses and 1,100 third-party trucks, OmniRetail delivers goods directly to retailers’ doorsteps. Its collateral-free financing model allows cash-strapped vendors to stock up, ensuring consistent demand for manufacturers’ products. Beyond logistics, the startup’s real-time data on demand trends, stock levels, and retailer preferences enable manufacturers to find and meet demand. Flour Mills has had first-hand experience of the impact of this system on its business. “Distribution is key in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, and OmniRetail seems well on its way to building the engine that powers distribution of the future,” Oo Nwoye, an angel investor, told TechCabal. Nwoye notes that this will deepen its alliance with the startup and give the company better insight into the distribution value chain, across pricing, demand, and logistics. It could also give Flour Mills a foothold in the future of the FMCG industry. OmniRetail told TechCabal that the investment was a vote of confidence from Flour Mills and a sign of shared long-term interest. “It came after years of partnership where we demonstrated measurable value—improved sell-through, real-time data insights, and reduced logistics costs,” the company said in an email to TechCabal. “[The investment] reflects FMN’s broader strategy to deepen its distribution footprint, digitise its route-to-market channels, and strengthen retail intelligence, particularly in segments where traditional systems lack transparency and speed. This [investment] deepens our alignment beyond supply chain support—it’s now a strategic partnership for growth.” Moniepoint, PalmPay, OmniRetail, Paga make FT Africa’s fastest-growing companies list A key partner in a new era for Flour Mills Flour Mills’ investment comes at a pivotal moment in its 64-year history. In 2024, the company, majority-owned by a shipping conglomerate, delisted from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and plans to restructure its 22 business units into five standalone entities and pursue a pan-African expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “We aim to attract both technical and financial partners to support the growth of our sugar operations and food business,” said John Coumantaros, the company’s chairman. OmniRetail told TechCabal it is positioned to support Flour Mills’ expansion plans. Nigeria is its biggest market, as the platform already supports cross-border operations in Ghana and Francophone West Africa for all its manufacturers. With OmniRetail’s technology, FMN can manage multi-country distribution, local demand forecasting, and view real-time product performance across regions from a single dashboard—key capabilities for any expansion. Beyond distribution and credit, B2B platforms offer real-time market data: demand trends, stock levels, and customer preferences. This gives manufacturers a clear view of the pulse of new markets, enabling faster entry and sharper operations to compete better with other manufacturers. Nwoye told TechCabal that this acquisition could be a proactive defensive move against their competition in the future. “Any FMCG company that acquires the platform would have access to better insight, distribution tech, and network than other competitors, even those who use the platform.” This echoes the dynamics of Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI. Just as Microsoft understood the future significance of advanced AI and sought to embed itself within its development in the leading AI startup, Flour Mills likely sees OmniRetail’s asset-light network and data capabilities as a critical infrastructure for the future of FMCG distribution in Africa. Their investment ensures they have a strong voice in its evolution and prevents competitors from leveraging its unique advantages to gain an insurmountable lead. However, this investment poses a question about what Four Mills’ new relationship means for competitors who also use OmniRetail. As a significant investor, Flour Mills’ influence over OmniRetail’s development and data could create an uneven playing field for other manufacturers relying on the same infrastructure. But OmniRetail told TechCabal that it will continue to operate as a multi-manufacturer platform and that Flour Mills’ investment does not come with exclusivity around product distribution or access to competitor data. “We’re committed to maintaining a level playing field for all manufacturers on our platform, ensuring trust, neutrality, and fair access
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