Welcome to this Week’s Newsletter
Hey,
Welcome to another newsletter. Glad you choose to subscriber. I am still trying to figure out the best time and day to publish the newsletter so expect it at different times.
If you have any suggestions, I am open to hear that. my contact information and social media links are at the end of this email.
News of the week
This week, Kenyan launched its first Draft Electric Mobility Policy to guide the transition to Electric Vehicles. The policy will help with the transition to electric mobility for all modes of transport.
This draft policy was developed by the National Electric Mobility Task Force. The policy addresses some of the key aspects of electric mobility and seeks to promote e-mobility adoption, local manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (EVs), enhancing infrastructural capacity, and improving technical skills in the e-mobility sector.
This draft policy is a positive step for the country as a big part of Kenya’s electricity is considered clean energy.
Startup Funding Rounds
We had 4 funding rounds this week, 3 of the funded startups are based in Kenya. Out of the 4 funded startups, two are FinTechs with the other one being a non-profit and a TravelTech startup.
Zeepay, the Ghanaian Fintech focusing on digital rails to connect digital assets, received $3 million in equity investment from Africa50, Oikocredit, Injaro, Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund and I&P.
Triply (formerly Tripitaca) received $500,000 from Y Combinator.
Food for Education, a Kenya non-profit that subsidizes lunch meals to schoolchildren received a $2,000,000 grant from Skoll Foundation.
Pezesha, the business digital lending platform, received a $500,000 from the US Development Finance Corporation.
Active Investors
This week saw a total of 8 investors who took part in the 4 funding rounds. These are Africa50, Oikocredit, Injaro, Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, I&P, Y Combinator, Skoll Foundation and DFC.
Appointments
Google Cloud has appointed Noor Al-Sulaiti as Head of Security Business Development and Government Relations in Middle East, Turkey and Africa.
Opportunities and jobs
Applications are Open for the Africa Tech Startup Forum Accelerator by Africa Development Bank. Applications are open till April 19 and you can apply here.
ICANN is accepting applications for for Global Grant Program. The application window will remain open until 24 May 2024.
Other Stories
LemFi Receives CBK Approval to Facilitate Remittances to Kenya, in partnership with Wapi Pay.
Kua Ventures and Startup Savanna Partner To Support East African SMEs.
Watu Credit Commits Ksh 1.3 Billion to Accelerate Kenya’s Efforts to Transition to Electric bikes.
Ghanaian HealthTech, Rivia, acquired SaaS Company Waffle.
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