This Week in African Tech 🌍

Hey, Maryann here 👋🏽 

There’s no coasting in African tech right now. Kuda is back in the remittances game, LemFi is testing the waters in Egypt, and Leta’s footprint just hit lucky number seven. Float and Adumo are giving credit cards a new spin, while Aria Ventures is putting early money behind deep-tech bets.

On the funding front, we’ve got fresh capital flowing into AI, mobility and wage access, plus two acquisitions including Africa’s first publicly disclosed crypto consolidation.

Let’s get to the roundup!

Tech Roundup

• Nigerian neobank Kuda has relaunched with a multi-currency wallet that lets users outside Nigeria send money directly to local bank accounts. The move comes after a pause in remittances due to reliance on third-party intermediaries.

• Kenyan logistics startup Leta has expanded into Ghana, marking its seventh African market. Its first customer in the country is Simbisa Brands Limited.

• Aria Ventures has launched a $1 million fund to back early-stage deep-tech startups. The fund aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications.

• South African fintechs Float and Adumo have partnered to let shoppers pay in-store over four interest-free monthly instalments using their credit card limit. The service is available at retail outlets using Adumo’s payment devices.

• Nigerian fintech LemFi has expanded into Egypt, rolling out its international payment services to serve the growing demand for faster, low-cost cross-border transfers. The move is part of its broader push to scale across key markets.

Deal Roundup

• South African AI startup Cerebrium has raised $8.5 million in a seed round led by Gradient. The startup will use the funding to hire engineers, grow its platform, and scale to meet rising enterprise demand.

• Kenyan mobility startup BuuPass has raised an undisclosed amount in strategic funding from Yango Ventures. The investment will help the company scale its platform and deepen its footprint in key markets.

• South African fintech Stitch has acquired Efficacy Payments, giving it full control of the card payment stack. The deal strengthens its push to dominate digital payments without relying on banks or third parties.

• Nigerian crypto exchange Roqqu has acquired Kenyan fintech Flitaa, marking the first publicly disclosed crypto consolidation in Africa.

• South African earned wage access startup Paymenow has secured a $22.5 million working capital facility from Standard Bank. The funding will support its expansion across Africa and boost its employee financial wellness offerings.

Other Events and Opportunities

• MEST has opened applications for its newly revamped AI Startup Program, aimed at preparing Africa’s top tech talent to build and scale AI-driven ventures. The updated program positions African entrepreneurs to lead in the global AI wave. Applications for the 2026 intake are now open.

• Visa has opened applications for its She’s Next programme to women-led businesses in South Africa. The initiative offers grant funding, training, mentorship, and networking to support female founders. Applications are open here until July 30.

• Regenesys is hosting a 6-night educational and business trip in Sandton, Johannesburg from August 17 to 23, 2025. The experience includes an SME conference and expo, networking sessions, industry visits, cultural tours and time to relax. Cost is KES 250,000 (USD 1,940), which covers flights and meals for three days. Spots are limited, so register now.

And that's a wrap!

That’s it for this week. See you on Wednesday 😃 

Cheers,

The Tech Safari Team

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