This week on Startup Researcher Africa: Kenya’s Finance Bill 2025 puts stock-option perks at risk, Medsaf shuts down after a $7 million raise, and PalmPay targets a $50–100 million Series B as it scales across Africa and Asia. Tune in for a sharp, data-driven briefing:Top HeadlinesKenya’s Finance Bill 2025 aims to tax employee stock options and scrap incentives, sparking backlash from founders and investors.Medsaf, the Nigerian healthtech that raised $7 million, closes amid FX turmoil, debts, and a failed sale.Fincra secures a Payment System Provider license in Tanzania to power regulated cross-border fintech services.Twiga pauses Nairobi operations while it relocates and restructures for leaner growth.Ghana’s Central Bank readies digital-lending rules for August 2025 to curb fees and cap bad loans.Funding NewsPalmPay lines up a $50–100 million Series B to deepen its 35 million-user fintech play.Thunder Code (Expensya founders) scores $9 million seed for AI-powered QA testing.Kumulus Water raises $3.5 million to turn air into drinking water across EMEA.Salpha Energy secures $1.3 million to expand off-grid solar assembly in Nigeria.OceansMall nets $150 k to scale its cold-chain platform in Ghana.Exits & AcquisitionsMoniepoint wins approval to buy 78 percent of Kenya’s Sumac Microfinance Bank.dLocal moves to acquire AZA Finance, boosting cross-border payments reach.Investor & Ecosystem MovesTechnopark Morocco teams with Plug and Play to launch a national acceleration program under Morocco Digital 2030.Egypt rolls out a national VC-reporting standard with MSMEDA and the World Bank.SpotlightStartup of the Week: PalmPay – profitable hybrid fintech serving the underbanked.Investor of the Week: Plug and Play – Silicon Valley giant expanding in North Africa.Opportunity RadarTechstars New York City Accelerator – applications close 11 June 2025; ideal for early-stage founders in AI, fintech, health, climate, and SaaS.Hit play for the full analysis and stay ahead of Africa’s fast-moving startup and VC landscape.