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

FINTECH Roundup

Corona virus Pandemic Driving Tech Solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, via All Africa.
The COVID-19 Pandemic is posing major challenges in Africa. And with not much help expected from donors, the continent’s tech geniuses are in the front line inventing quick and cheap solutions to help curb the spread of the virus.

Tigo Tanzania launches Mobile Money Services across East Africa, via Taarifa.
A service that allows all Tigo Pesa customers to send and receive cash on their mobile money wallets from M-PESA in Kenya, MTN in Uganda and MTN and Airtel in Rwanda.

Prioritising Fintech should be our key lesson from COVID-19, via Daily Monitor.
The new corona virus crisis provides opportunities for Fintech players to adapt and innovate financial inclusion solutions that support the most vulnerable and limit the long-term negative impact, as well as provide buffer against future similar crises.

Africa turns to Mobile Apps to Curb COVID-19 Spread, via CIO.
Mobile apps are becoming the new way to fight the coronavirus and is likely to change e-commerce permanently. Africans are learning that one of the most effective tools to fight the spread of the corona virus is already in their hands.

How a South African Fintech App is helping them afford Medical Bills, via Disrupt Africa.
Oyi, launched back in 2017 has developed a prepaid medical card solution that can be used only to pay for doctors and medical services, or purchase medicines from any pharmacy.

Corona virus triggered deep digital change in African fintech, via The Africa report.
The ongoing crisis ha become biggest catalyst for a digital transformation and now the digitizing has moved from a good to what is now the survival game changer in what has become the new norm.

Africa’s Digital financial services amid COVID-19, via Nairametrics.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries and major business hubs are also on lock down, the story is no different – an increase in the usage of mobile money and digital financial services has resulted in major growth projections for many of the key industry players in the region.

Kenya’s Safaricom forecasts 7% corona virus hit to M-Pesa revenue, via Nasdaq.
M-Pesa one of the most popular modes of payment in East Africa expects a 451.64 million (5.5 billion shillings) hit to its revenue from the scrapped fees adjusted from mid-march in amid to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Kenya.

M-Pesa, Airtel Money agents feel the heat of COVID-19 curb measures, via Business Daily.
Digital financial Services (DFS) Agents are counting losses halving and in some cases, agents catering to customers at government institutions and business centers have had to close shops having owing to measures put in place by the government in discouraging handling of cash to stop spread of Corona virus.

MTN Nigeria Diversification into Digital and FinTech Fueling growth, via Tech Financials.
MTN Group’s biggest operating subsidiary, diversification from its voice telephony business into digital and FinTech space has been gaining traction and is a boon for its earnings.

Kenya’s Safaricom to pursue entry of M-Pesa into Ethiopia, via Xinhua Net.
The Safaricom and Vodacom’s acquisition of M-Pesa is now planning to enhance further expansion into the Africa market and pursue entry of its mobile services into Ethiopia as part of the expansion.

AGRTECH Roundup

How Ugandan Farmers can use EzyAgric app to order supplies during this COVID-19 Lockdown, via TechJaja.
The need to continue farming and practice general agriculture during this period is essential for the constant demand of food. EzyAgric Mobile App comes in handy to bridge the logistical, information and services delivery gap connecting farmers to suppliers, buyers and traders.

Cleantech Roundup

BlueGreen Water Technologies Successfully Completes First treatment at Roodeplaat Dam, South Africa, via yahoo finance.
BlueGreen one of the emerging Global Clean tech Company uses its proprietary algaecide, Lake Guard^TM Oxy, as game changing technology to treat Billions of Gallons of water in Roodeplaat Dam in South Africa.

Upcoming Events

East Africa Fintech Summit May 2020, via CIO Events.
A two-day event that will gather disruptors, tech and finance professionals, regulators, and investors from across East Africa to discuss the technologies revolutionizing finance.

AGRITECH AFRICA June 2020, via Agritech Africa.
An International Agriculture Technology Conference & Exhibition, The First edition of the International Agricultural Technology Exhibition – one of the most important exhibitions in the field, will for the first time take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

FinBank Innovation Conference & Expo 2020, via Finbanking Innovation.
The platform will cover professionals from payments, retail, fintech and insurtech to discuss new ideas about digital transformational in financial ecosystem. You will hear more from thought leaders across Africa and the globe and new technologies from prestigious tech startups.