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South African AI Startup Yazi Secures First Institutional Funding at $1.6 Million Valuation
Founded in 2022 by CEO Timothy Treagus and CTO Mzwandile Sotsaka, Yazi is attempting to disrupt the $153 billion global market research industry by moving away from traditional email-based surveys and towards the world’s most used messaging platform: WhatsApp.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Western Union and Sasai Fintech Boost Digital Remittance Access for South Africa’s Consumers
Through this app, customers can transfer funds to billions of bank accounts and wallets worldwide, or for cash pick-up at hundreds of thousands of retail locations.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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South African Anti-Fraud Startup Orca Secures $2.35 Million Seed Round to Protect Emerging Market Payment Rails
As financial inclusion accelerates across Africa, largely driven by mobile money and e-wallets, cybercrime has followed suit. According to an Interpol report, South Africa was the most cyber-attacked country on the continent and the third most globally in 2021.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Ho Chi Minh City Sets up $20 Million Venture Capital Fund to Support Startups
Priority investment areas include digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain, semiconductor manufacturing, biotechnology, new materials, renewable energy, automation and robotics.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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Press Release: Fasanara and IFC Launch New Strategy to Expand Access to Finance for MSMEs in Emerging Markets
The initiative will channel more affordable, flexible financing to MSMEs by supporting fintech lenders that serve these businesses.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Global
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African Development Bank Approves €6.5 Million Investment in Saviu II to Back Francophone African Tech Start-Ups
The decision, taken at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, aims to help young tech start-ups bridge a persistent funding gap and scale from seed through their first institutional fundraising rounds, particularly in French-speaking West and Central African countries.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Proparco Grants Wema Bank a First €5 Million Guarantee to Finance Impact-Driven MSMEs in Nigeria
Proparco is granting a NGN 9 billion ARIZ portfolio guarantee (equivalent to €5 million) to Wema Bank in Nigeria. This marks the first collaboration between the two institutions.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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NSIA, JICA Plan $50 Million Fund to Empower Startups in Nigeria
The fund will provide capital to pre-seed, seed, and early-stage start-ups, addressing critical social challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, waste and water management.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Education, Energy, Finance, Health Care, WASH
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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