Here's a round-up of the top stories that have happened across the African technology startup ecosystem.
1. British PM Theresa May gives $72m for battery storage technology in South Africa
As part of her trip to South Africa to deepen the UK’s business, trading, diplomatic and research partnerships with the country, the Prime Minister set out a more than £56 million ($72 million) contribution through the Clean Technology Fund to a $500 million investment in battery storage developed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank in partnership with the government of South Africa, fast-tracking the region’s access to clean energy. Full story on TechMoran.
2. Equity Bank Captures 47% Share of Banking Agents in Kenya – CBK Report
In 2017, the total number of banking agents in Kenya hit 61,290 with the country’s top three banks taking about 90% share of this. However, equity Bank took the biggest chunk of the agents at 28,663 (47%), compared to KCB’s 14,466 (23.6%) and Co-op Bank’s 11,207 (18.3%). Full story on Kenyan Wall Street.
3. New boda-boda hailing app wants to dominate the sector with futuristic planning
A new motorcycle taxi-hailing app has been rolled out in Kenya, bringing with it some novel strategies it hopes to exploit to dominate the industry in East Africa and, later, at a continental level. Named Busy Boda, the startup was founded by Atharva Tembhekar, 20, an electrical engineering student and Vaidehi Tembhekar, a 22-year-old graduate of chemical engineering. Full story on Sautitech.
4. Azuri & Unilever partner in Kenya to bring pay-as-you-go solar home lighting to millions off-grid
Azuri Technologies, a pay-as-you-go solar home systems and Unilever Kenya have signed a partnership deal. Under the terms of the deal, Azuri’s Quad solar home system will be co-branded with the Unilever Sunlight brand and offered through Unilever’s distribution network, which in Kenya is some 67,000 smallholder traders. Full story on TechMoran.
5. Kilimall has completely shut down its Ugandan business
Kilimall, an e-commerce company, has shut down its Ugandan business according to a person who is familiar with the matters. Full details on Digest Africa.