Every fortnight we compile a list of important news updates and events covering the East African FINTECH, MFGTECH, CLNTECH, and AGRTECH sectors.

For a downloadable copy of Africa’s Issue #37

FINTECH

New M-PESA Update Allows Users to Send Money to Multiple People
Safaricom has introduced a new M-PESA app feature that allows users to send money to up to five people at the same time. According to Gadgets Africa, a big reason why the telco may have introduced this feature is to make it easier for companies to pay employees via the app.
Sitoyo Lopokoiyit is the CEO at M-Pesa

Ethio Telecom Receives Greenlight to Launch Mobile Money Services
Ethio telecom is set to launch mobile money services following authorisation from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). Ethio Telecom and NBE have been in negotiations for the past year regarding the telco’s entry into mobile money sphere. NBE is the regulatory body tasked with oversight of the financial sector in Ethiopia.
Frehiwot Tamru is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Ethio Telecom

Kwara a Kenyan fintech company has been selected for JICA’s Ninja Accelerator program.
Digital banking platform and fintech company Kwara has been nominated for the first cohort of the Ninja Accelerator program in Kenya. The NINJA Accelerator in Kenya is JICA’s first acceleration program in Africa and aims at empowering Kenya’s high-growth post-revenue ventures with strategic partnerships, mentorships, and access to investments for enhanced business growth and continued social development in the country.
Cynthia Wandia is the Co-founder & CEO at Kwara

Nigeria’s Paystack launches in South Africa – and is charging 2.9% plus R1.00 per transaction
Nigerian fintech giant Paystack has officially entered the South African market following a six-month pilot programme. Paystack processes online and offline payments made via cards and electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Shola Akinlade is the Co-founder/CEO at Paystack

Econet, Mastercard team up to promote Covid-19 response in Africa
The Econet Group through its subsidiary Cassava Fintech International and Mastercard have entered into a strategic partnership to advance digital inclusion across Africa and collaborate on a range of initiatives including the expansion of the Africa Center for Diseases Control TravelPass.
Hardy Pemhiwa is the Group CEO & Managid Director at Econet Global Ltd
Ngozi Megwa is the Senior Vice President Digital Partnerships at Mastercard, Middle East and Africa

Muhuri sues Kenya Ferry over use of M-Pesa
Muhuri has sued Kenya Ferry Services for forcing motorists to pay toll charges using Safaricom’s M-Pesa. The directive, which came to effect in February, has grossly inconvenienced motorists using the channel and other ferry users such as handcart pullers and cyclists.
Sitoyo Lopokoiyit is the CEO at M-Pesa

Visa partners with Hubtel to expand eCommerce in Ghana
Ghana’s indigenous eCommerce & SMS messaging company, Hubtel.com has entered into a partnership with Visa, to expand access to seamless payments on its eCommerce platform. This partnership with Visa provides consumers with access to more merchant services on Hubtel’s eCommerce platforms.
Adoma Peprah is the Country Manager at Visa Ghana

Nedbank and Mastercard team on WhatsApp payments for small businesses
South Africa’s Nedbank has teamed up with Mastercard and local fintech player Ukheshe to let customers pay small businesses via WhatsApp. Once registered, small and microbusinesses can use the service, called Money Message, to send a WhatsApp request-to-pay message to customers with a valid South African identity document and bank account.
Mike Brown is the CEO at Nedbank
Clayton Hayward is the CEO at Ukheshe Technologies
Mark Elliott is the President at Mastercard South Africa

Eli Hini appointed as first CEO of MobileMoney Limited
MobileMoney Limited (MML), a wholly owned subsidiary of Scancom PLC announces the appointment of   Mr. Eli Hini as its first Chief Executive Officer. The appointment was made by the MML Board early this month indicating Eli’s responsibility to drive strategy, business development, innovation and relevant operations for MTN’s Mobile Money business.

AGRTECH

Nigeria’s Farmula is building the infrastructure connecting food producers to retailers
Nigerian agri-tech startup Farmula is building the B2B digital infrastructure that makes it possible for farmers and bulk buyers to directly interact, driving up margins on both ends of the chain.
ViVian Opondoh, and Ibrahim Abdulmalik are the founders at Farmula.

Founders Factory partners with Small Foundation to invest in 18 Agritechstartups.
Johannesburg-based investment company Founders Factory Africa (FFA) today announced a partnership with Small Foundation that will see it select 18 agritech startups for an acceleration and incubation program.
Alina Truhina is the Co-founder & CSO at Founders Factory Africa (FFA)
Roo Rodgers is the Co-founder and CEO at Founders Factory Africa (FFA)

Nigerian agri-tech startups invited to apply for $3m COVID-19 Food Security ChallengeThe US Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched the USAID/Nigeria COVID-19 Food Security Challenge, which will offer US$3 million in funding and technical assistance to Nigerian companies mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on Nigeria’s agri-food systems.