Category: Key developments

Pan-African fintech startup Zazu has entered a new phase of its expansion with the launch of a fully digital business banking solution in Morocco, developed in partnership with global payments company Visa.

African startups attracted an estimated $705 million in funding during the first quarter of 2026, spread across 59 disclosed deals in 14 countries.

Sixteen African startups focused on climate and agriculture solutions have been selected for Halcyon’s Climate Resilience and Food Security program.

Ethiopia has signed investment agreements valued at approximately $13.1 billion, marking one of the largest recent foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows announced in Africa.

A South African fintech startup, Scale, has entered into a strategic partnership with global payments firm Mastercard to simplify how businesses issue payment cards across parts of Africa.

British International Investment (BII) has announced a $150 million risk-sharing agreement with Deutsche Bank, marking the first collaboration between the UK development finance institution and the German lender.

Microsoft has announced plans to train three million people across Africa in artificial intelligence (AI) skills in 2026, marking a significant expansion of its efforts to grow its presence on the continent and respond to rising competition from alternative AI platforms.

In 2025, the European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, committed €3.1 billion across Africa.

Beltone Holding has introduced a new private equity division designed to support companies as they grow from early financing rounds to the verge of going public, marking a significant expansion of its investment services.