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Safaricom Triples M-Pesa Users in Ethiopia to 3.1 Million
Safaricom’s Ethiopia subsidiary launched the mobile money service on August 15 last year.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Should I Stay or Should I Go?: Why Latin American Entrepreneurs Should Stay in the Region — And How Corporate Venturing Can Power Their Growth
Many young entrepreneurs in Latin America are leaving the region to pursue their entrepreneurial journey abroad. International legal advisor Eugenia Di Marco explores the reasons behind this decision, and discusses a promising source of support that could convince them to stay: corporate venturing — i.e., investments and initiatives aimed at supporting external innovation and building a vibrant business ecosystem where startups can thrive.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
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African Tech Startup Investment Falls 28% to $2.4 Billion in 2023 as Global “Funding Winter” Begins to Bite
This is the first time the sector, which has expanded so exponentially in the last few years, has declined since 2016.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Ampersand, a Rwandan E-Bike Startup, Raises $19.5 Million in a Funding Round
The Ampersand fleet has increased to over a thousand since its commercial launch in May 2019, and by the end of 2024, it is projected to surpass ten thousand.
- Categories
- Technology, Transportation
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Securitization for Social Impact: Why It’s the Ideal Instrument for Scaling Social Enterprises Providing Consumer Financing in the Developing World
Economic uncertainty has led to a risk-averse approach from investors in recent years, forcing social enterprises and other businesses in developing countries to find alternative sources of finance. Ron Pfende at d.light shares an innovative solution to this challenge: securitization, the process of transforming a group of cash-generating assets into one investable security. He explains how d.light has leveraged this approach to finance its growth, and how securitization yields returns for businesses and investors alike.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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Kenyan Agritech Startup, Shamba Pride, Secures $3.7 Million for the Expansion of Its Merchant Network
Shamba Pride uses digital technology to equip agro-dealers, empowering them to manage their businesses and order inventory efficiently.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Africa’s Top Smartphone Seller Transsion Is the World’s Fastest Growing Phone Maker
Transsion, the top smartphone seller in Africa, posted the highest annual growth in smartphone shipments in 2023 of the top five phone makers in the world.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Aboyeji and Koschitzky-Kimani Launch ‘African YC’ with Support from a $750,000 USAID Grant
With both founders having experienced significant startup successes, they aim to foster the next wave of global businesses from Africa.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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