Author: The Exchange

African startups under cleantech lead in attracting financing with two massive funding deals sealed by Sun King and d.light. FinTech follows in funding volume reported, while African startups with a focus on big data and analytics are equally gaining momentum. Across July, six acquisitions were recorded in the industry, including Meta’s buyout of Egyptian AI startup PlayAI, reflecting the highest mergers and acquisitions activity so far this year. Startups in Africa attracted over $2 billion in fresh capital injection in seven months to July, 2025, with enterprises in clean teach taking the lions share, a new report by startup financing…

Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi says regional lender experienced the biggest transformation in Tanzania business, hitting 4% return on assets and 27% return on equity during the six months ended June 30, 2025. Equity’s Tanzania subsidiary’s net profit surged by 75% to $8.5 million (KES1.1Bn) up from $4.6 million (KES600M) reported in June 2024. However, bank says regional economies suffered depressed GDP numbers, high interest rates, volatile exchange rates and high inflation during the period. For Equity Group, its strategy to grow regional footprint beyond Kenya has continued to pay off with the bank’s subsidiaries accounting for half of…

Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group ink infrastructure sharing plan to speed up connectivity and digital inclusion across Mozambique, Tanzania and DRC. Vodacom Group says agreement aligns with its ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030. The telcos’ cooperation is modelled to increase subscriber connectivity in a design that cuts investment costs. Telco giants Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at fostering infrastructure sharing systems across key markets as part of a broad plan to enhance access to connectivity for millions of underserved subscribers. In an update to stakeholders, the two companies said the…

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana have set the groundwork for nuclear energy plants. Investments in nuclear will see these countries meet rising electricity demand, diversify energy mix, fortify energy security, and cut emissions. Currently, South Africa is the only country in the continent with an active nuclear power production system. For an increasing number of economies in Africa keen on plugging persistent electricity supply gap, nuclear energy is fast emerging as a good option given that globally, the continent supplies 14 per cent of Uranium—the critical mineral used in nuclear power production. Other…

Triumph over sleeping sickness scourge sees Kenya join Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda in eradicating the disease. Health authorities in Kenya have not reported any indigenous new cases of sleeping sickness since 2009. Sleeping sickness, which is only prevalent in Africa, is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (r-HAT) and often progresses fast, attacking multiple organs in human body including the brain. Kenya has been declared free of sleeping sickness disease, joining 10 other countries in Africa which have received similar certification from the World Health Organization (WHO). In an update, the UN health…

Senator Cruz’s participation at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies is expected to firm up U.S.-Africa energy ties. Known for his push for energy independence and market-driven growth, Senator Cruz’s message is expected to center on expanding private-sector investment. Texas lawmaker also set to support U.S. energy companies operating in Africa, and bolster energy infrastructure that syncs with both African development goals and emerging U.S. strategic interests. The push by the U.S. to secure significant control in critical energy resources in Africa is projected to intensify later this year as Ted Cruz, a ranking member of U.S. Senate…

Diageo is exploring the sale of its 65% stake in East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), valued at up to $2 billion, as part of its strategy to exit African beer markets and focus on high-margin spirits. The potential sale, involving major brands Tusker and Guinness, could reshape East Africa’s beverage industry, attracting interest from global players like Heineken and AB InBev. EABL’s strong financial performance and regional presence make it a pivotal asset, but implication on jobs, competition, and local economies loom. Diageo, the British beverage giant, is poised to reshape East Africa’s beer industry with a strategic review of…

EcoSecurities and the Energy Quest Foundation have partnered to accelerate electric mobility in sub-Saharan Africa, starting with Ghana. The collaboration focuses on climate advisory services, capacity building, and mobilizing investment to develop high-impact e-mobility projects, aiming to reduce the transport sector’s 346 million tonnes of annual CO₂ emissions. Initiative seeks to drive inclusive economic growth and decarbonize Africa’s rapidly urbanizing transport systems. EcoSecurities, a global enterprise in climate solutions, has joined forces with the Energy Quest Foundation, a social impact organization championing clean energy and sustainable transport. Their partnership is tailored to leverage carbon markets and climate finance to accelerate…

Afreximbank has signed a $1.35 billion loan financing for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) as part of a larger $4 billion syndicated credit plan. Syndication of one of the largest loans in recent African financial markets that aims refinance construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex. Dangote Refinery is the biggest single-train refinery in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a $1.35 billion loan financing for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) as part of a larger $4 billion syndicated credit plan secured by one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate.…

Trade integration across EAC in jeopardy after Kenya accuses Tanzania of watering down the core objective of “regional economic integration”. This follows Dodoma’s move to prohibit non-Tanzanians from operating businesses across 15 segments, a directive that is poised to hit Kenyans hard. Nairobi says Dodoma’s Business Licensing Order will “hurt both our economies.” The pace of trade integration between Kenya and Tanzania is hurtling to a rough patch following the latter’s latest directive prohibiting non-citizens from running certain businesses in the country, a move that the former terms counterproductive and fashioned to undermine regional integration. According to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary…