Absa has confirmed plans to launch its own MVNO and become the last of South Africa’s Big Four banks to do so. The move follows rivals like FNB, Standard Bank, and Nedbank, which have already pulled in millions of subscribers combined. With over 2.45 million users on banking-backed networks, the model is proving sticky, bundling telecoms with financial services and loyalty perks.

Terra Industries is building what it claims will be Africa’s largest drone factory in Ghana. A 34,000-square-foot facility targeting 50,000 units annually by 2028. The expansion comes as drone warfare rises across the Sahel, exposing gaps in local defence systems.

Xiaomi is leaning into South Africa with a push to expand carrier partnerships and bring more premium smartphones to market. They’ll focus on postpaid deals with operators like MTN and Vodacom, making high-end devices more accessible through contracts rather than upfront purchases. With a reported 9% market share and steady growth, Xiaomi is aiming to climb out of the crowded sub-10% tier.

Kenya’s data regulator is rolling out stricter rules for transport platforms, putting companies like Uber and Bolt under closer scrutiny. The new framework requires firms to store or mirror sensitive user data locally, tightening control over how information is collected, used, and shared. With real-time location, payment, and identity data in play, regulators are moving to curb misuse and strengthen oversight.

Nigeria is tightening its grip on financial fraud by linking banks directly to telecom data. A new agreement between the Central Bank and NCC introduces a system that lets banks check if a phone number tied to a transaction has been swapped, recycled, or flagged, before money moves. With SIM swap fraud a major loophole, this plugs a critical gap in identity verification.

Kenya’s M-TIBA is shutting down its health savings wallet and refunding users, marking a shift away from consumer savings toward insurance management. Funds are already being sent back to users’ M-PESA accounts, closing a chapter on a product that helped people set aside money specifically for healthcare.

MTN Nigeria and Huawei have rolled out what they claim is the world’s first commercial sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO deployment, a network upgrade designed to handle surging data demand. Early results show traffic doubling and user speeds improving, as more Nigerians shift from 2G and 3G to 4G services like streaming and mobile payments.

BuuPass is expanding beyond consumer bookings with Gavanpass, a new platform targeting corporate travel management. The Kenyan startup, which has sold over 30 million tickets, is now going after enterprise clients who still manage travel through calls, emails, and spreadsheets. Gavanpass bundles bookings, approvals, and spend tracking into one system, aiming to bring structure to a messy process. 

PayTic is moving deeper into Africa’s banking infrastructure with a new partnership with Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire to automate back-office payment operations. The deal plugs PayTic’s automation tools into Ecobank’s internal workflows, aiming to streamline processing, cut operational complexity, and bring down the cost of electronic payments.

 Glovo says Nigeria has become its fastest-growing market after a major expansion push that has seen over ₦37 billion ($27 million) invested locally. The delivery platform says it completed 38 million deliveries in the past year, underscoring rapid adoption in Africa’s largest economy. Growth is now pushing Glovo to expand beyond its 11 cities in Nigeria while doubling down on groceries and retail alongside food..

Swoop, an Eswatini-born startup, has raised $7.3 million in seed funding to take a swing at Nigeria’s food delivery market and kick off broader super-app ambitions. The company, which recently entered Lagos, starting with Yaba, plans to begin with food delivery before expanding into groceries and mobility. Backed by a mix of global investors, Swoop is betting less on price wars and more on growing the market by converting new users.

 The Omniverse Africa Summit 3.0 is taking place in Lagos this June, bringing together founders, investors, policymakers, and creatives to map the next phase of Africa’s digital economy. Set to run from June 2–5, the four-day event builds on a growing footprint of 30,000 participants, 180+ speakers, and 80+ partners across past editions. Get your tickets here.

Africa Tech Summit London 2026 returns to the London Stock Exchange on May 29, marking its 10th edition as a key bridge between African startups and global capital. The event will gather over 350 investors, founders, and industry leaders to unpack trends across fintech, AI, climate tech, and infrastructure. Register to attend.

Angola Rising Forum is bringing together leaders, founders, investors, and diaspora professionals in Luanda for two days of conversations on the country’s economic direction. Taking place July 15–16, 2026, the forum focuses on investment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and the industries shaping Angola’s next growth cycle. Get more details here.

Morocco is betting on gaming innovation with a new startup challenge launched in partnership with telecom operator inwi. The program will back startups building interactive entertainment solutions, with the winning team receiving a MAD 100,000 (~$10,000) grant and a shot at showcasing at a major industry expo. Selected founders will also get structured support to refine their products.

UNICEF is opening applications for its 2026 StartUp Lab Accelerator in Ghana, targeting founders building solutions to tackle child labour and trafficking. The program is inviting startups to plug into government frameworks and improve how risks are identified, tracked, and addressed. Selected teams will co-develop tools with public and private partners, then pilot them in real-world settings.

Code for Africa is recruiting technologists for its 2026 AI for Good Fellowship, offering a $500/month stipend to build tools that support human rights defenders across Africa. Over four months, fellows will work with civil society groups to design and deploy AI solutions.

Grey is rolling out UpGreyed Her, a new initiative aimed at backing women-led startups across emerging markets, with $10,000 in equity-free grants on the table. The program will fund three founders, with $5,000 for the winner and smaller checks for runners-up, while also offering visibility and support beyond capital. Apply here.

Google has opened applications for the 2026 Hustle Academy, a free training program helping African SMEs scale using digital tools and AI. The format has been streamlined into 60-minute expert webinars followed by 1-day bootcamps designed to be practical, fast, and easy to attend. Find out more here.

UNICEF is offering up to $100,000 in equity-free funding through its 2026 Venture Fund, targeting startups building climate-tech solutions that improve children’s health. The focus is on open-source, frontier technologies like AI and blockchain designed for low-resource and emergency settings. Get more details.

THRIVE is launching its 2026 Global Impact Challenge, offering up to $1 million in investment to agrifood startups tackling everything from regenerative agriculture to food security and AI-driven farming systems. Finalists will pitch live at the THRIVE Global Impact Summit in Silicon Valley. Register here.