NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund (FSDEA) Commits Investment to BFA Asset Management’s Kimbo Fund

With a fundamental objective to support the growth of companies led by young people and women, Kimbo Fund aims to contribute to filling value chains, promote job creation, strengthen financial inclusion, and improve access to financing.

Source

AVCA (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

business development, employment, financial inclusion, women entrepreneurs, youth

Revolutionizing Payments in Kenya: Interswitch and Tuma Launch Tumatap

The system’s core strength lies in its ability to convert everyday smartphones into functional point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

Source

Tech in Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

fintech, innovation, partnerships

China Targets ‘Green Infrastructure’ Deals in $50 Billion Pledge to Africa

The FOCAC summit has seen Beijing unveil a series of major partnerships with African countries in areas including supply chains for key minerals required to develop green technologies including electric vehicles.

Source

Semafor (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Energy

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

e-mobility, infrastructure, lending, renewable energy, supply chains

South Africa to Launch its National Astro-Tourism Strategy

South Africa is set to become the first African nation to develop a National Astro-Tourism Strategy, aiming to position the country as a world-class astro-tourism destination.

Source

Space in Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

innovation, tourism

Ghanaian Fintech Fido Closes $30 Million in Series B Funding Round

Fido is exploring mobile technology and different data sources to provide quick micro-loans to individuals and SMEs who can’t access traditional bank credits.

Source

Tech Build Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

business development, financial inclusion, fintech, lending, microfinance, MSMEs

Ampersand Raises $2 Million to Accelerate East African Expansion

This funding round underscores a growing investor appetite for renewable energy and e-mobility in Africa.

Source

Startup Lagos (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, Transportation

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

e-mobility, startups

Report: Job Creation Through Solar-Powered Farm Equipment Could Boost Employment in Rural Communities

New research from Efficiency for Access highlights the transformative impact of solar-powered farm equipment by providing the first comprehensive analysis of employment trends in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, along with actionable recommendations for governments and industry stakeholders.

Source

Efficiency for Access (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Energy, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

employment, energy access, Productive Use of Energy, renewable energy, rural development, smallholder farmers, youth

Africa’s Debt Crisis Has ‘Catastrophic Implications’ for the World

Crushing obligations to foreign creditors that have few precedents have sapped numerous African nations of growth and stoked social instability.

Source

The New York Times (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

climate change, global development, lending, regulations