From Lagos to Nairobi

Nigeria’s fintech sector is often described as one of Africa’s most innovative, but behind the rapid growth is a growing concern among operators. Rising compliance costs and regulatory obligations are increasingly shaping how fintech companies build, launch, and scale products. Evidence from industry surveys and regulatory reports suggests that while regulation is necessary, its current…

Algeria is making a calculated push to reshape how startups access capital, signaling a renewed commitment to building a more inclusive and dynamic innovation economy. Rather than relying solely on grants or bank financing, authorities are now positioning the country’s capital markets as a viable funding route for early stage and growth focused companies. The…

Africa’s satellite internet market is heating up as Starlink, OneWeb, and SES scale operations across the continent, each promising to close connectivity gaps left by fiber and mobile networks. With demand surging from households, enterprises, and governments alike, the race has sparked a familiar question: which provider will ultimately dominate Africa’s skies? By 2026, the…

Namibia has launched new connectivity infrastructure in the Kunene Region, a largely rural and remote part of the country where access to reliable internet has remained limited for years. The rollout, unveiled in early February 2026, is part of a broader government effort to extend digital services beyond urban centres and bring more communities into…

Selam Demissie has just been appointed as the Regional Managing Director for East Africa at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and it’s a move worth watching. Based in Nairobi, she’ll be leading DFC’s investments across the region; from energy and agriculture, to infrastructure and tech. In short, she’s now the go-to person for…

Egypt is quietly changing how payments work at the last mile. With a new rollout from the Central Bank of Egypt, smartphones and tablets can now function as point-of-sale terminals, allowing merchants to accept contactless card payments without buying traditional POS machines. It’s a simple shift on the surface, but one that could have outsized…