This week on Startup Researcher Africa: Fincra clinches a South African payments license, Blockchain.com opens in Nigeria, and Zero Carbon Charge scores $5.5 million to power solar-driven EV charging. Tap in for your no-fluff briefing:
Top Headlines
- Fincra: South African license unlocks compliant cross-border payments.
- Blockchain.com: Lagos office marks deep push into Africa’s crypto scene.
- Heroshe: Nigerian e-commerce shipper faces shutdown after delivery failures.
- GITEX Kenya 2026: New East Africa tech expo to spotlight AI and innovation.
- Paymob × Bit68: Partnership brings AI-powered e-commerce and payments across MENA.
Funding News
- Zero Carbon Charge raises $5.5 million to build off-grid EV stations every 150 km on South African highways.
- Cutstruct secures $1.5 million to scale its construction-procurement marketplace in Nigeria.
- Sycamore lands $628 k local debt to expand its consumer-lending book.
- Beemi grabs seed funding to gamify live streaming across Africa.
- TooMuchWifi wins fresh capital to widen affordable internet in underserved South African communities.
Exit Watch
- Valu prepares EGX listing via share distribution from EFG Holding.
Investor & Ecosystem Moves
- DisrupTech readies a $70 million fintech-and-AI fund for MENA and Africa.
- COREangels launches a $10 million early-stage MEA fund after backing five fintechs.
- Oui Capital urges infrastructure bets to unlock $10 billion in cross-border-payments value.
- Kosmos Innovation Center and Mastercard Foundation invest $200 k across 22 agritech startups.
Spotlight
- Startup of the Week: Zero Carbon Charge – solar-powered, ultra-fast EV charging for inclusive growth.
- Investor of the Week: DisrupTech – Cairo VC doubling down on fintech and AI with Fund II.
Opportunity Radar
- Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards – apply by 24 June 2025 for funding, visibility, and a global fellowship.
Press play for the full analysis and stay ahead of Africa’s fast-moving startup and VC landscape.