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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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Press Release: UNDP And African Leaders Launch Timbuktoo Initiative to Unleash Africa’s Startup Revolution
Promoted by the UNDP, timbuktoo aims to address critical gaps and work with African governments, investors, corporates, and universities, to support the African startup ecosystem.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Africa’s Biggest Oil Refinery Begins Production in Nigeria with the Aim of Reducing Need for Imports
Some citizens have expressed hope that the new plant would soon help reduce consumer gas prices, which have tripled from a year ago after the government stopped decades long subsidies.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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BRD and KfW Sign €15.6 Million to Support Rwanda SMEs and Export Growth
The agreement aims to foster the growth of both emerging and export-oriented SMEs in Rwanda, with a specific focus on women-led enterprises.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa