IHS Towers’ board has endorsed MTN’s $2.2 billion plan to take the company private. If shareholders approve the deal, the Africa-focused tower operator will leave the New York Stock Exchange and become a wholly owned MTN subsidiary.

Kenya wants a cut of startup exits, even when they happen offshore. A proposed law could impose a 15% capital gains tax on foreign investors selling shares in companies whose value is derived from Kenyan operations, potentially reshaping how venture capital exits are structured.

inDrive has officially joined South Africa’s regulated e-hailing club. The company secured approval from the National Public Transport Regulator, putting it alongside Uber, Bolt, and other registered operators as the country tightens oversight of ride-hailing services.

Investec, the South African and UK-listed lender, is seeking an Irish banking licence to expand its European footprint, strengthen services for wealthy and corporate clients, and position itself closer to the EU market. The bank expects a decision before year-end. 

African telecom operators are sounding the alarm on satellite internet competition. A new report argues that companies like Starlink are winning customers across the continent while facing lighter licensing, tax, and infrastructure obligations than local operators that contribute billions in taxes and network investments.

 Zipline wants to go from drone-delivery pilot to national infrastructure. The company plans to build 12 new distribution hubs in Nigeria, expanding from three facilities today to a network that could serve 20,000 health centres and 100 million people by 2028.

The Bank of Ghana hit pause on a proposed MTN mobile money fee before it could go live. Regulators directed MTN’s fintech unit to suspend a planned 0.75% charge on wallet-to-bank transfers, citing the need for further consultation with industry stakeholders.

Digital lender Branch laid off employees across Kenya and Nigeria even as its African operations remained in the black, and the group recorded about $30 million in profit in 2025. The fintech said the layoffs weren’t driven by financial distress.

Spiro, which has deployed 95,000 e-bikes and completed more than 30 million battery swaps, acquired EV engineering firm Coexlion and plans to build an R&D centre in Kenya. They aim to design motorcycles for African roads rather than adapting those built elsewhere.

Yoco is moving beyond card readers and into the back office. The South African fintech acquired restaurant AI startup Dyner, whose software helps businesses manage inventory, supplier orders, and margins. The deal signals Yoco’s ambition to become a broader commerce platform, one that helps merchants run their businesses, not just get paid.

Tomato Jos secured a $2 million debt facility from Sabou Capital to expand tomato processing and grow its network of more than 3,000 smallholder farmers in Nigeria. The financing is tied to impact targets like women-led sourcing, farmer inclusion, and rural job creation.

AHL Venture Partners reached a $30.5 million first close for its debut Africa-focused credit fund, backed by its foundation and three family offices. The milestone comes as private equity fundraising on the continent cools, suggesting some investors are finding debt a more comfortable seat at the table.

Nala has secured up to $50 million in credit financing to expand its stablecoin-powered payments network. Rather than raising more equity, the Tanzanian fintech is using debt to fund the liquidity needed for larger cross-border transactions and enterprise customers.

UK-Africa Ecosystem Day returns on June 10, 2026, bringing founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem builders together for a day of curated connections, market-entry support, and partnership-building. Think less conference, more sandbox for anyone trying to build between Africa and the UK. Get your tickets.

The 17th edition of Tech in Ghana will be held on June 11 during London Tech Week, bringing together founders, investors, policymakers, and corporates under the theme “From Ecosystem to Economy.” RSVP here.

Social Shifters has opened applications for its 2026 Global Innovation Challenge, offering grants of up to $15,000 to impact-focused startups led by entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30. Winners also get access to a global network, mentorship, and exposure through major brands. Get more information.

Tanzania’s startup ecosystem has a funding gap, and the UNDP-backed FUNGUO programme wants to help fill it. The initiative is offering performance-based grants and business support to early-stage Tanzanian startups that have traction but have raised less than $100,000. It’s targeting what investors often call the “missing middle,” more details here.

KPMG is once again hunting for the next breakout tech startup. The 2026 Global Tech Innovator Competition is open to companies less than seven years old, generating up to $15 million in revenue or armed with at least $500,000 in funding. Finalists get mentorship, investor exposure, and a free trip to the global finals. Get more information here.

The 2026 develoPPP Ventures Ideas Competition is looking for startups in five African markets with scalable businesses and early revenue traction. Selected companies can access €100,000 ($113,000) in non-dilutive capital before applications close on June 30, 2026. Get more information here.

The 2026 Call for Code Global Challenge is inviting developers across 190+ countries to build anti-trafficking tools, with winning teams earning mentorship, global recognition, and access to a six-month incubator. The challenge closes July 9, more details 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.