This week on Startup Researcher Africa: Fincra clinches a South African payments license, Blockchain.com opens in Nigeria, and Zero Carbon Charge scores $5.5 million to power solar-driven EV charging. Tap in for your no-fluff briefing:Top HeadlinesFincra: South African license unlocks compliant cross-border payments.Blockchain.com: Lagos office marks deep push into Africa’s crypto scene.Heroshe: Nigerian e-commerce shipper faces shutdown after delivery failures.GITEX Kenya 2026: New East Africa tech expo to spotlight AI and innovation.Paymob × Bit68: Partnership brings AI-powered e-commerce and payments across MENA.Funding NewsZero Carbon Charge raises $5.5 million to build off-grid EV stations every 150 km on South African highways.Cutstruct secures $1.5 million to scale its construction-procurement marketplace in Nigeria.Sycamore lands $628 k local debt to expand its consumer-lending book.Beemi grabs seed funding to gamify live streaming across Africa.TooMuchWifi wins fresh capital to widen affordable internet in underserved South African communities.Exit WatchValu prepares EGX listing via share distribution from EFG Holding.Investor & Ecosystem MovesDisrupTech readies a $70 million fintech-and-AI fund for MENA and Africa.COREangels launches a $10 million early-stage MEA fund after backing five fintechs.Oui Capital urges infrastructure bets to unlock $10 billion in cross-border-payments value.Kosmos Innovation Center and Mastercard Foundation invest $200 k across 22 agritech startups.SpotlightStartup of the Week: Zero Carbon Charge – solar-powered, ultra-fast EV charging for inclusive growth.Investor of the Week: DisrupTech – Cairo VC doubling down on fintech and AI with Fund II.Opportunity RadarCartier Women’s Initiative Awards – apply by 24 June 2025 for funding, visibility, and a global fellowship.Press play for the full analysis and stay ahead of Africa’s fast-moving startup and VC landscape.