Despite a 78 per cent surge in overall funding, female-led African startups received just 1.5 per cent of total capital in H1 2025, with ventures featuring at least one female co-founder claiming only 9 per cent. “Investments in female (co-)founded startups keep declining,” the Africa: The Big Deal report warns, adding that funding for female CEOs is “at its lowest in years.” African startups raised $1.4 billion in the first half of 2025—a 78 per cent increase over H1 2024. “Startups raised significantly more in H1’25 than in H1’24 (+78%),” states Africa: The Big Deal, highlighting a powerful post-downturn recovery.…
Author: Muindi
Muindi
Experience working on communication and marketing departments and in the broadcast industry. Interested in sustainable development and international relations issues.
Across East African cities, the commercial real estate landscape is undergoing a transition as tenants gravitate toward Grade A, ESG-compliant workspaces. Latest findings from Knight Frank’s H1 2025 Africa Offices Market Dashboard reveal a widening performance gap between premium and secondary office stock, underpinned by changing workplace preferences, hybrid models, and sustainability benchmarks. Nairobi: Resilience Amid Oversupply Kenya’s capital is facing a dual market trend: strong demand for high-quality spaces and rising pressure from oversupply. With 15,000 sqm of new Grade A stock expected by year-end, developers have adopted a “wait-and-see” approach amid cautious absorption. “Kenya’s office market continues to…
Safaricom is scaling up its national agenda for entrepreneurship, skill development, and digital inclusion, activating thousands of young people and business owners across Kenya through bold, on-the-ground platforms. Youth Skill Building – Greater Western Region Through Safaricom Hook, the M-PESA Sokoni Caravan made stops in Siaya, Vihiga, and Kisumu, where over 2,000 young people were trained in technical skills such as plumbing, hospitality, fashion, and electricals. Graduates received completion certificates and starter kits to spark entrepreneurial journeys. “We want young people to walk out of school not just with knowledge, but with real tools they can use to start a…
OPPO Kenya says its OPPO Reno14 Series is now available, ushering in a new era of AI-powered smartphones. Packed with Google Gemini AI, users get seamless assistance across apps like Notes, Calendar, and Clock—making everyday tasks smarter and faster. Gemini AI enhances functionality by pulling relevant information and enabling quick actions across OPPO Notes, Calendar, Clock, and other services. This integration reflects OPPO’s continued commitment to delivering a frictionless, human-centered AI experience. “With the Reno14 Series, we are collaborating closely with Google to systematically integrate Google Gemini into OPPO core apps. This integration will enable users to effortlessly perform complex…
The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development S.A. (AKEF) has applied to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to transfer its 92.6 million shares into its wholly owned Kenyan subsidiary, NRFT Holdings Africa Limited (NRFT). The adjustment is purely internal and does not change the ultimate beneficial ownership or trigger a public takeover under existing regulations. “There will be no significant changes to NMG’s operations, governance, or shareholder rights as a result of this transaction,” the notice to CMA and NMG states, underscoring that AKEF remains the beneficial owner both before and after the transfer. Transaction Structure and Rationale Vendor: Aga…
The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has formally revised its market segmentation following the Capital Markets Authority’s (CMA) approval of the Capital Markets (Public Offers, Listings and Disclosures) Regulations, 2023. Effective from 15 December 2023, these reforms marked a significant capital markets restructuring in over two decades. Bowman’s legal firm underscores the scale of change: “The new regulations provide a welcome update to the well-out-of-date 2002 framework,” said Bowmans legal analysts. “They aim to resolve long-standing ambiguities and modernize Kenya’s capital markets architecture.” Segments for Equity and Debt Instruments The NSE’s former segmentation has been replaced by a leaner, two-tier structure:…