Djamo is one of several digital banking startups targeting Africa’s underbanked. But unlike many that focus on large markets like Nigeria, Egypt, or South Africa, Djamo has carved out a niche in Francophone West Africa, specifically the Ivory Coast and, more recently, Senegal. It now serves over one million...
Consumer demand for credit options varies across regions, and for fintechs, understanding these differences is key to survival. In developed markets, where credit cards are common, consumers often view buy now, pay later (BNPL) offerings positively because of their flexible installment options. But in emerging markets like the Middle East,...
Africa’s top digital banking platforms typically come from high-growth, populous markets like Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. But Affinity Africa, an upstart from Ghana, wants to join the conversation. The startup has raised $8 million in seed funding to expand its financial products further across the country, where mobile...
A large portion of Egypt’s population lacks access to traditional banking, forcing many to rely on cash transactions and informal lending. Khazna, a fintech startup founded in 2019, is tackling this issue by offering financial services tailored for low- and middle-income workers. The company provides solutions like salary advances,...
Not many ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley can boast successful tech startups launched by founders while still in school or shortly after dropping out. So, when such events occur in regions like the Middle East or Africa, the companies are worth paying attention to. A decade ago, Islam Shawky, Alain...
In June 2021, Ziina, fresh from completing YC’s first cohort that year and securing a $7.5 million seed, launched its fintech app to 20,000 retail customers, allowing them to send and receive money. Three years later, the Dubai-based startup, which now counts 50,000 retail and business customers byafter expanding...
The African tech ecosystem, buffeted by huge potential but also lots of economic, political and social instabilities, is no stranger to major drama affecting even its most promising-looking startups. But recently, LemFi, the Nigeria-based fintech that provides money transfer services to African migrants, is shaping up as an example...
Pan-African venture capital firm P1 Ventures has reached the first close of its second fund at $25 million. The venture capital firm secured this capital from some of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates and private companies, several fund of funds and general partners of global funds based in the U.S....