Kenya Leads Africa Again for Start-up Funding in 2025, Here is Why
Kenya has for the third consecutive year emerged as Africa’s top destination for start-up investment, raising $984 million in 2025 and capturing roughly 32% of total funding across the continent. Egypt followed with $614 million (20%), South Africa secured $599 million (19%), and Nigeria raised $343 million (11%), cementing the dominance of these four countries […]
HESLB vs. HELB Shows Why Tanzania is Spending Nearly Three Times More per Student than Kenya in 2026
Tanzania is allocating nearly three times more per university student than Kenya, highlighting a stark contrast in higher education financing strategies in East Africa. The Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) of Tanzania has set aside Sh926.7 billion ($377 million) for roughly 273,347 students for the 2025/26 academic year. In comparison, Kenya’s Higher Education Loans […]
Four African Banking Startups to Watch in 2026
Total funding for startups is projected to reach $4 billion in 2026, with about $120 million expected to go into pre-seed rounds to sustain early-stage ecosystem development. That would follow a rebound to $3.2 billion in 2025 after two years of slower capital flows. Fintech remains the largest recipient of venture capital, though its shape […]
Kenya’s Mobile-First Internet Drives Record Livestream for IShowSpeed
American streamer IShowSpeed, born Darren Jason Watkins Jr., drew his largest audience of the “Speed Does Africa” tour during his Kenya visit on Sunday, January 11, 2026, highlighting the country’s mobile-led digital growth and its impact on online engagement. His first livestream from Kenya peaked at more than 239,000 concurrent viewers, the highest recorded so […]
Uganda Rolls Out Universal Loan Checker for Mobile Money Borrowers
Ugandan borrowers applying for mobile money loans will now be assessed using a consolidated view of their digital debt, following the rollout of the Universal Loan Checker by gnuGrid Credit Reference Bureau in 2026. The system allows lenders to see a borrower’s outstanding loans across both MTN MoMo and Airtel Money in real time, changing […]
Kenyan Firms Span Energy, Banking and Retail Among Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2025
Kenyan companies featured across multiple industries in the Financial Times–Statista Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2025 ranking, placing the country among markets with the most varied sector representation on the list. Roam ranked highest among Kenyan firms at 35th, followed by TPS Eastern Africa Plc in hospitality and travel and M-Kopa Holdings Ltd in financial services. The […]
The KSh 3 Billion Line: Which Kenyan Banks Crossed It and Which Didn’t
As of 31 December 2025, Kenya’s banking sector crossed a major regulatory milestone. Commercial banks were required to meet a minimum core capital threshold of KSh 3 billion, following amendments to the Business Laws Act implemented by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). While most banks complied comfortably, regulatory filings indicate that 10 banks closed […]
EIRS sets new standard for risk management across Africa and the Middle East
In an era where uncertainty has become a defining feature of global commerce, EIRS is redefining how businesses across Africa and the Middle East navigate risk by combining data-led intelligence, strong alliances, and deep regional expertise, enabling companies to trade with greater confidence and resilience across emerging markets. With heightened cross-border trade within Africa and […]
I&M Bank Recognized for Retail Growth, Digital Innovation, and Agriculture Financing
Nairobi, Kenya — 16th December 2025, I&M Bank has received multiple industry recognitions across Kenya and the wider region, that affirm the Bank’s strategic progress in digital innovation, retail growth, payments excellence, and support to key economic sectors. The Bank was named Best Digital Bank Kenya 2025, Fastest Growing Retail Bank Kenya 2025, and Best […]
How Countries Define and License Virtual Asset Operators
Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) are businesses that handle cryptocurrencies and digital tokens on behalf of users. This includes exchanges where people buy and sell crypto, platforms that transfer virtual assets between users, wallet providers that hold crypto for clients, and firms that manage or administer digital assets. In simple terms, if a company touches […]