Edmund Olotu (Founder & CEO, Bloc Bloc, a rising African fintech startup recently announced the launch of its flagship business banking solution, catering specifically to the needs of tech-savvy businesses across the continent. As a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider that has empowered hundreds of startups with embedded financial services, Bloc Business Banking offers a comprehensive suite of financial services that include: Essential Banking Services: Corporate accounts, transfers, virtual cards, and more powered by licensed banks. Advanced Features: USD accounts, global payment acceptance, bill payment, custom checkout, and payment links. Seamless Integration: Bloc integrates seamlessly with existing business workflows and platforms. Says…
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Kareem Elsirafy (Managing Partner, Modus Capital) In November 2023, startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region secured a significant funding milestone, raising $764 million across 42 funding rounds. This reflects a remarkable month-on-month increase of 390% and a substantial year-on-year growth of 74%. Saudi Arabia took the lead by securing the top spot, raising an impressive $338 million across nine deals The UAE followed closely in second place, accumulating $284 million across 22 deals Egypt maintained the third position, raising $130.5 million through five funding rounds The remaining capital was allocated to startups based in Kuwait, Morocco,…
Prince Boakye Boampong (Founder & CEO, DaSh) : tHE Ghanaian fintech shut down after raising $86.1M in five Years 📸 DASH In 2023, venture capital funding declined significantly across the world, and despite initial hopes that the promise of the African tech ecosystem might mean it avoided too much damage, the growing size of the continent’s “startup graveyard” suggests that this is not the case. As evidence, these 10 well-known startups have shut down in 2023. Sendy: In August, Kenyan end-to-end fulfillment startup Sendy shut down operations and announced a fire sale of assets (it didn’t call it that), with reports saying…
John-Paul Iwuoha 📸Activator HQ John-Paul Iwuoha leads the Activator HQ market research and intelligence team that tracks Africa’s most interesting business opportunities Activator HQ has just released a guide tagged Top 100 Business Ideas, created for entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, policymakers, project developers, and anyone who is keen to position themselves in Africa’s promising and fast-changing markets in 2024. Says Activator HQ: “After analysing dozens of value propositions, market gaps, demand sources, trends, and underserved niches across Africa, we have identified 100 of the most lucrative business ideas and investment opportunities the continent has to offer in 2024. “In addition to…
Jessie Abugre (Co-Founder, Zuputo) Co-founders Jessie Abugre and Nana Adwoa Amponsah-Mensah have launched Zuputo into the African market. Zuputo (which means ‘brain’ in the Gurune language of Ghana’s Frafra people) offers tailored contracts that take the jargon out of legal processes, making them clear, quick, and hassle-free for individuals and businesses across Africa. The company’s range of services include startup launch, navigating compliance, intellectual property protection, contract services, and access to legal experts. Emphasising the company’s mission, Jessie Abugre says:, “We are passionate about dismantling barriers in the legal field. Zuputo is more than a platform; it represents our dedication…
Team TUNL South African parcel shipping platform, TUNL, has secured US$1 million in pre-seed funding from an array of investors, including Founders Factory Africa, Digital Africa Ventures, E4E Africa, and Jozi Angels. The platform, which promises to help e-commerce merchants save between 50% and 80% on international shipping costs, says the funding will fuel its expansion in its primary market, South Africa, and lay the groundwork for its launch in other key African and emerging markets. According to Craig Lowman (COO, TUNL): “Our pricing is completely transparent and democratised. We want to ensure that every business, large or small, can…
(L-R) Dr. Ibilola Amao (Founder, Lonadek Inc): Samuel Jackson (Lonadek Inc) On Friday, December 15, 2023 Lonadek Inc. received the Oil & Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) Innovation in Training award. With operations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Lonadek empowers STEM/TECH talent to deliver state-of-the-art technologies and OEM solutions globally. Lonadek also serves various clients in the Energy, Power, Infrastructure, Mining, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Renewables sectors by leveraging technology to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The OGTAN awards celebrate leading contributors to capacity development in Nigeria’s oil & Gas industrySays Dr. Amao: “It is such…
Eme Ugwuegbu is the enterprising Founder of Sahara Sunrise Naturals (makers of natural hair and body care products), whose product lines include shea butter, black soap, salt and sugar Scrubs, lip balms, soaks, and scented candles. Sahara Sunrise is live at the Delights trade fair, taking place in Port Harcourt (Rivers State, Nigeria), and Eme is on hand to serve customers herself. Says Eme: “I know first hand what it feels like when someone thinks you are 20 years younger than you actually are, all because of the look and feel of your skin! We want you to feel the…
Olapeju Umah – Founder & CEO, MyFoodAngels (formerly Mile12 Market Woman) Olapeju Umah is the Founder & CEO of MyFoodAngels (formerly known as Mile12marketwoman) – an agricultural hub which leverages technology with the objective of closing the gap of access to organic farm produce by connecting farmers and consumers. Basically, farmers in the MyFoodAngels network are funded with high yielding seeds, and assured of an offtake of the mature produce, which are directly sold to end-customers who enjoy affordable products for longer shelf life than what is obtainable in the open markets. 🎥 @myfoodangels Says Olapeju: “Over the years, MyFoodAngels…
Orange Corners Innovation Fund Nigeria has announced five winners of its Cohort 9 business pitch competition, which was held on December 05, 2023. The emerging winners, listed from 1st to 5th place are: First Place: Edu Shola (Founder of @deluxecreation) – €40,000 Second Place: Chukwuka Otekeiwebia (Founder, @filmanatomie Manufacturing – €30,000) Third Place: Lateefat Adelekan (Founder, @tquart_foods) – €25,000) Fourth Place: Hawau Kolawole (Founder of @klayfoods & Production Ltd.) – €15,000 Fifth Place: Omolabake Matthew (Co-founder, @nutrition4kids_ng NG) – €10,000 Says Orange Corners: “Congratulations to the top 5 winners of the fund and we appreciate The Kingdom of the Netherlands for sponsoring this project. We look forward…