This week on Startup Researcher Africa: TymeBank challenges rising national ID fees in South Africa, Flutterwave expands to Cameroon, and Google for Startups unveils its latest AI accelerator cohort. We dive into the biggest headlines, funding rounds, and acquisitions shaping the continent's tech landscape.
In this episode, we cover:
Top Headlines:
TymeBank (South Africa): The digital bank is set to contest the proposed hike in national ID verification fees, warning it could hinder financial inclusion.
Flutterwave (Cameroon): The fintech giant launches digital payments in Cameroon after securing a key license, deepening its presence in Francophone Africa.
Google for Startups (Africa): Fifteen AI-first startups from seven African nations are selected for the latest accelerator, gaining access to mentorship and up to $350,000 in credits.
Peach Payments (South Africa): A look at the new "Digit Pro" point-of-sale system, integrating buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) for omnichannel retailers.
Wahu (West Africa): The e-mobility startup rolls out the "Wahu Hero" app, a super app for its electric bike riders.
Funding News:
Better Auth ($5M Seed): The open-source authentication platform, our featured startup, closes a major seed round led by Peak XV Partners to fuel its growth.
Complete Farmer ($2.5M): The Ghanaian agritech startup secures EU-backed funding to expand its platform for smallholder farmers.
Nowlun ($600k): The Egyptian logistics startup scales its AI-powered freight solutions with fresh capital.
Shoptreo (Undisclosed): Rebel Seed Capital backs the e-commerce platform for artisans.
Roomz.rent (Pre-Seed): The AI-driven co-living platform for MENA cities attracts pre-seed investment.
Acquisitions & Exits:
Lesaka Technologies & Bank Zero: Lesaka agrees to a $61.6M deal to acquire the digital bank.
Amazon & Valu: Amazon takes a 3.95% stake in the Egyptian fintech following its IPO.
BAS Group & Zuvy: The Nigerian investment group acquires a majority stake in the invoice financing startup.
Chowdeck & Mira: The delivery platform acquires restaurant tech company Mira to enhance vendor operations.
Investor & Ecosystem News:
Aria Ventures (Egypt): Our investor in the spotlight, this venture studio launches a $1M program for deep-tech startups.
Beltone Leasing (Egypt): Secures $20M to boost financing for MSMEs and green projects.
Northern Light Accelerator (Finland): An opportunity for African startups looking to expand into Europe.
Tune in to get the full story on these developments and more. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just passionate about African tech, this is your essential weekly briefing.