From Lagos to Nairobi

Africa-focused private equity firm Silverbacks Holdings has exited its stake in Nigerian remittance startup LemFi, earning a remarkable 29x return during LemFi’s $53M Series B round. This marks Silverbacks’ eighth profitable exit—its sixth from a Nigerian tech company and fourth from fintech—highlighting the firm’s strategic approach to partially exiting high-growth investments. The move reinforces Nigeria’s…

TVC News has launched AI-powered news anchors capable of delivering bulletins in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, marking a historic milestone in Nigerian broadcasting. The move aims to expand access to underserved audiences while supporting human journalists through faster, localized content delivery. With editorial oversight and digital watermarking in place, TVC says it’s committed…

In cities from Lagos to Cairo, tech startups are tackling chronic transit challenges with real‑time data, affordable hardware, and cloud‑based analytics. By combining GPS and IoT sensors with low‑bandwidth designs, these innovators help reduce wait times, optimize routes, and predict maintenance needs—even where internet access is unreliable. Their tools not only improve daily commutes but…

Africa’s renewable energy sector is expanding, but around 600 million people still lack electricity. Effective policies, like Kenya’s 89% renewable grid and South Africa’s $14B investment are key to closing this gap. Policy analysis should focus on infrastructure gaps, successful models (e.g., Ghana’s solar tariffs), and regional initiatives like the West Africa Clean Energy Corridor….

Technology is transforming sports across Africa, from grassroots to professional levels. Innovations like wearable devices (e.g., PlayerMaker) are helping coaches track player performance and prevent injuries. Digital platforms and social media are expanding the global visibility of African sports, bringing more sponsorship and audience engagement. eSports and VR training are gaining momentum, especially in tech…

While the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is boosting tech collaboration by removing trade barriers and funding digital projects, African startups still face major scaling risks. These include infrastructure gaps (like poor internet and unreliable power), inconsistent regulations across borders, and a shortage of skilled tech talent. Key sectors benefiting from AfCFTA, such as…