Tech

Safaricom, M-Pesa Foundations donate Sh15m to victims of Kenyan protests

Published

5 months ago

July 5, 2024

Kenya’s tech giants, Safaricom and M-Pesa, have made a joint donation of KES Sh15m to victims of the protests that have rocked the country in the last two weeks.

The two companies which made the donation through their Foundations also rolled out infrastructure developmental projects and support to hospitals catering for the project victims.

Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, who spoke at the Kenyatta National Hospital while visiting the victims on Thursday, said as part of the donation, KES 10 million would go to the hospital’s Disaster Response Centre, while KES 5 million would go towards supporting those injured and admitted at the hospital.

“Our Foundations are there to stand with people, especially in times of need. We are happy to provide hospitals with structured support in times of emergencies, both for infrastructure improvement and patient recovery,” Ndegwa said.

He said the KES 5 million will be for the provision of assistive devices to the injured, smartphones and airtime for those who lost their phones, supporting affected individuals with three months’ worth of food as well as one year’s worth of rent for those in extreme condition.

The Safaricom CEO added that to provide further immediate support, the firm, through its M-Pesa Foundation, is organizing medical camps in affected areas, starting with Githurai on 6th July, followed by Rongai at a later date.

“In the medium term, Safaricom will also mobilize its Gen Z employees as well as other like-minded corporates and foundations, under the #GenZforGenZ initiative, which will entail volunteer squads leading community outreaches, clean-ups, and medical camps.

“The long-term plan will entail a comprehensive execution of community programs through M-Pesa and Safaricom Foundations, with an increased focus on Gen Z.

“This includes providing TVET scholarships, economic empowerment through the Ndoto Zetu program, agri-business value chain opportunities through the Wezesha Agri Program, and offering access to business training and micro-loans in 13 counties, starting with Nakuru, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Migori.

“The plan will also include supporting mental health through strategic partnerships and provision of complimentary counselling services,” he said.

Related Topics:Donations Featured Kenya M-Pesa Protests Safaricom

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Tech

Tanzanian fintech startup Tunzaa announces capital raise for expansion

Published

7 hours ago

December 4, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Tanzanian fintech startup, Tunzaa, has announced raising fresh funds to enable it carry out its expansion plans.

The fintech, which has developed an innovative payments API enabling e-commerce transactions to be processed in installments, said in a statement that it secured the funding from Warioba Ventures.

A statement by Warioba Ventures said:

“This investment underscores our commitment to fostering solutions that address the unique challenges of African markets while creating a ripple effect of financial empowerment and economic growth.

“We believe Tunzaa is poised to redefine how payments and savings are integrated into the e-commerce experience, setting a new standard for financial inclusion and innovation.”

Tunzaa offers flexible installment that empowers consumers to access products more conveniently while promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

The platform inspires a culture of savings by enabling consumers to save towards specific goals through gamified incentives.

Tech

Egyptian freight-fowarding startup Nowlun raises $1.7m in seed funding

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Egyptian digital freight forwarding platform, Nowlun, has announced raising $1.7 million in seed funding, which is a significant milestone for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) logistics sector.

The seed funding round, according to Nowlun’s CEO, Moataz Khamis, was led by Nama Ventures and A15, with participation from Sanabil 500 Global and prominent angel investors.

In a statement announcing the funding, Khamis said the investment will fuel Nowlun’s ambitious expansion plans and accelerate the development of its innovative technology platform, which is transforming the logistics industry by offering instant, transparent, and competitive ocean freight rates, streamlined shipment management, and real-time visibility into cargo movements.

Founded in 2021 by Khamis, Mahmoud Khaled, and Ahmed Emara, Nowlun has rapidly established itself as a key player in the MENA logistics market, integrating all major shipping lines, providing businesses with unparalleled access to real-time pricing and enabling them to make faster, more informed decisions.

“Nowlun’s advanced shipment management system offers a comprehensive control tower, allowing users to track their cargo in real-time, receive instant notifications, and proactively manage any issues,” Khamis said.

“Throughout my decade in logistics, I’ve witnessed the daily inefficiencies shippers face.

“Driven by a sense of responsibility, my team and I are committed to transforming the industry using cutting-edge technology. This funding will empower us to further simplify the shipping process and make shippers’ lives easier,” he added.