This Week in African Tech 🌍

Hey, Maryann here 👋🏽 

African tech isn’t slowing down. Chpter is now live in 11 more countries through a Flutterwave deal. Visa and Yellow Card are testing stablecoin payments across borders, and South African startups are cashing big cheques in energy, payments and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Logidoo is building new trade routes, and Egypt’s Octane just raised $5.2 million to speed things up in logistics. If you're sensing a theme, you're not wrong. This week is all about movement: of money, markets, and momentum.

Plenty to catch up on this week. Let’s get into it.

Tech Roundup

• Kenyan social commerce startup Chpter has expanded into 11 more African countries through a partnership with Flutterwave. The deal lets merchants accept payments via mobile money, cards and bank transfers, with payouts in local currency or USD.

• Visa has partnered with pan-African fintech Yellow Card to pilot cross-border stablecoin payments in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The move will let businesses hold dollars in stablecoins and send money across borders more easily.

• Senegalese logistics startup Logidoo has launched a new shipping service linking Belgium, Morocco, and West Africa. It’s aimed at helping European businesses reach African markets through a Belgian partner.

• Orange has partnered with risingSUD to support African startups in the Orange Digital Centre network. The three-year deal connects innovation ecosystems across Africa, the Middle East, and the South of France.

• South African digital payments platform LovCash has partnered with German blockchain firm Lisk to help small retailers, supermarkets, and informal traders shift from cash to digital payments.

Deal Roundup

• Nigerian agri-tech startup Winich Farms has raised an undisclosed amount from Egypt’s DisrupTech Ventures as part of its pre-Series A round. The funding will go towards scaling operations, supporting more farmers, and exploring new markets across Africa and beyond.

• South African startup Open Access Energy has raised $1.8 million in seed funding in a round led by E3 Capital. The funding will support product development and help the company scale its decentralised energy solutions.

• Egyptian logistics startup Octane has raised $5.2 million in a round led by Shorooq. The funding will fuel the expansion of its network, deepen its tech stack, and support growth across Egypt and the wider MENA region.

• South African energy startup Wetility has secured a $27.8 million structured capital deal with Jaltech. The funding will support its push to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable solar energy to over one million homes and businesses.

Other Events and Opportunities

• African entrepreneurs worldwide have been invited to apply for the D-Prize Competition, which offers up to $20,000 in funding for social impact startups. Applications are open here until June 29.

• 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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