Africa
Meta found liable as court blocks firing of moderators
A Kenyan court has ruled that Meta is the primary employer of content moderators suing the social media giant and its content review partner in Africa, Sama, for unlawful dismissal. The 184 moderators
MarketForce tightens its belt as tough times hit B2B commerce
MarketForce, a Kenyan B2B e-commerce platform to help independent corner shops source goods, once had an ambitious plan to grow the number of users on its platform to a million by the end of 2022, wit
Jumia reaches lowest losses in four years under new management
Q1 2023 marks the first quarter Jumia’s new management implemented its strategy after riding out the blueprint of previous management in Q4 2022. The result? Jumia saw its losses decrease significan
EBANX: We will be operating in 11 African countries by the end of the year
For all the talk about emerging markets and their similarities, moves involving African startups expanding to Latin America are rare. Only two significant activities come to mind recently: Migo’s ex
E3 Capital and Lion’s Head climate fund hits first close at $48M to back African startups
The E3 Low Carbon Economy Fund for Africa (E3LCEF), a fund by early-stage VC E3 Capital (formerly Energy Access Ventures), and emerging markets-focused investment bank Lion’s Head Global Partners, h
South African challenger bank TymeBank raises $77.8M from Norrsken22 and Blue Earth Capital
South African digital banking platform TymeBank has raised $77.8 million in a pre-Series C round led by African-focused growth-stage fund Norrsken22 and Swiss global impact investment firm Blue Earth
Tiger Global-backed Axis launches digital payments platform for Egyptian SMEs months after its $8.25M seed
Egyptian fintech Axis has launched its digital payments platform to the North African market after securing a license from the apex bank, Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), for its open-loop mobile wallet,
Jia, a blockchain-based lender of small businesses in emerging markets, raises $4.3 million seed
Jia, a blockchain-based fintech providing loans to micro and small businesses in emerging markets, has raised $4.3 million seed funding, and an additional $1 million commitment for on-chain liquidity,
M-KOPA snaps up $250M+ debt, equity for its asset financing platform
M-KOPA, the asset financing platform that offers underbanked African customers access to “productive assets” and the ability to pay for them via digital micropayments, has secured more than $250 m
Cold-chain startup Figorr raises $1.5M, backs the rollout of data-driven perishables insurance
Oghenetega Iortim built Nigerian-based cold-chain startup Figorr after imagining better means of storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products, following the post-harvest losses from hi
Meta content review partner Sama told by court to pay moderators
Meta’s content moderation partner in Africa, Sama, was earlier today compelled by a Kenyan court to pay April salaries to a section of moderators it had left out. The direction comes days after mode
Wingcopter, Germany’s drone delivery startup, raises another $44M from the EIB
Wingcopter, a startup out of Germany that has made a name for itself in the world of delivery drones used primarily for delivery of medicine and other goods to remote areas, has picked up some more fi
Kenya plans to delay ESOP taxes to incentivize startups
Kenya is proposing a special tax regime on startups’ Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs), as it aligns to its plan to spur innovation. The finance bill 2023 proposes the deferment of taxes on emp
We’re disrupting TechCrunch Disrupt: 8 stages, 3 days, 1 city
For founders and investors, there’s no platform like TechCrunch Disrupt. Just as the industry is always evolving and innovating — especially in recent months — we’re doing the same to keep Dis
Confusion sets in as Meta content moderators go without pay
Content moderators under Sama, Meta’s content review sub-contractor in Africa, earlier today picketed at the company’s headquarters in Kenya demanding April salary, while urging it to obse
Crypto, influencers targeted in Kenya’s new tax bid
Kenya is proposing new taxes targeting the digital economy in a bid to grow domestic revenues and narrow its fiscal deficit in response to the ongoing cash crunch. The East African country plans to ch
African startups: Apply to Startup Battlefield 200
Our global search continues, and today, we’re urging early-stage startups across Africa to apply for the Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023. The application window closes on May 15 at 11:59
African payment service provider Nomba raises $30M, backed by Base10 Partners and Shopify
Nigerian payment service provider Nomba has raised $30 million in a pre-Series B investment to support the delivery of bespoke payment solutions for African businesses. The round, which values the com
eBay appoints new head of emerging markets, covering regions like Southeast Asia and India
eBay announced today that it has appointed Vidmay Naini as its general manager for global emerging markets, a role that covers the company’s growth in Southeast Asia, India, Eastern Europe, Israel,
Kenyan court paves way for lawsuit alleging Facebook played role in fueling Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict
Petitioners seek to compel Meta to stop viral hate on Facebook, ramp up content review, and to create a $1.6 billion compensation fund.