From Lagos to Nairobi

Egyptian AI startup Widebot has raised $3 million in a pre-Series A funding round to further develop “AQL Mind,” a generative AI model tailored for the Arabic language. Originally founded in Cairo, the company has now moved its operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aiming to provide accurate, secure, and personalized AI experiences for businesses and…

Moniepoint has launched its 2025 Women in Tech Internship, selecting 15 young women for a transformative program that offers hands-on experience, mentorship, and essential skills to build successful careers in the tech industry. This initiative aims to break barriers for women in technology by providing a structured pathway into the sector. Moniepoint Inc., a leading…

At just 21, Motunrayo Sanyaolu, a third-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is making waves in the Nigerian tech and innovation space. In 2024, she became the first-ever recipient of the Engineering Spirit Award, recognizing her passion for invention, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving. One of her standout projects is a low-cost…

Despite numerous initiatives aimed at increasing funding for women-led startups, female founders in Africa received just 1% of total VC funding in 2024, the lowest in five years. At the Accelerating Investment into Women-Led Businesses roundtable—organized by Spurt! and the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub—investors and entrepreneurs discussed why women continue to be sidelined in venture capital….

Many Nigerian fintechs have promised to “bank the unbanked,” but few have truly reached beyond Lagos. Fintava Pay, co-founded by Tobi Arowolo, Samuel Ojerinde, and Isaiah Tokinbo, is taking a different approach. The Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform enables businesses—such as microfinance banks, cooperatives, and agent networks—to create tailored financial products for rural and underserved communities, particularly…

Kenya’s social commerce market is growing rapidly, but many businesses have yet to fully tap into its potential. With millions of Kenyans active on platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, social commerce is reshaping how micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) engage with customers. However, one of the biggest challenges has been cart abandonment when…