🇳🇬 From Kano To Kenya 🇰🇪

⟹ 🚀 STARTUPS WATCH 🚀 ⟸

Here are the 5 top startups in the African eco-system we think you need to know:

Naqla, Egypt's pioneering trucking platform since 2016, is revolutionizing the transportation of goods with its user-friendly mobile app. The app connects shippers with a trusted network of carriers, streamlining the entire shipping process from load pricing, pickup, and delivery to payment and documentation. By eliminating manual processes, Naqla saves valuable time and ensures efficient, hassle-free shipping.

The platform leverages AI to match shippers with the right driver and truck type instantly. With near real-time visibility, shippers can maintain control over their supply chain at every stop, reducing the likelihood of unexpected costs. Naqla's competitive pricing and diverse service options, including transloading, FTL, and intermodal services, maximize routes and transit times, making it a reliable solution for efficient logistics management.

FinAccess, a Kenyan startup based in Nairobi, is transforming the microfinance sector with its innovative banking software. Catering to non-traditional financial institutions, including microfinance institutions, SACCOs, cooperatives, and savings groups, FinAccess offers advanced technological solutions to support their growth and scalability.

Utilizing cutting-edge Cloud Computing Technology (CCT), FinAccess ensures system uptime, scalability, disaster recovery, and the flexibility to work from anywhere. With a highly experienced team passionate about developing and implementing financial systems, FinAccess is dedicated to empowering microfinance organizations to expand their reach and impact, driving financial inclusion and economic development in the region.

Seso Global, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, is transforming the property market with its blockchain-powered platform for digital land transactions. By facilitating secure real estate deals between property owners and financial institutions, Seso Global has become known as Africa's Trusted Property Market, offering a unique one-stop-shop for digital real estate transactions.

The platform provides buyers with access to trusted properties and professional service providers, ensuring a seamless property purchasing experience. Seso Global's process includes verifying property titles, arranging real or virtual tours with trusted advisors, and facilitating the final purchase with the help of a network of professional service providers.

With a commitment to transparency and security, Seso Global streamlines the real estate value chain by only representing verified property developers and offering a concierge experience. Buyers benefit from the expertise of Seso’s trusted lawyers, property management companies, insurance, and finance experts. Additionally, Seso Global has international offices in London, Lagos, and Accra, providing personalized assistance to buyers throughout the property purchasing process.

⟹ 💼 💰️ VENTURE CAPITAL WATCH 💼 💰️ ⟸

It was a slow week in the VC space compared to the previous few weeks but even then we have a few notable events to report.

Egypt’s Connect Money, a fintech startup specializing in banking-as-a-service and embedded finance, has secured $8 million in seed funding to launch five new business verticals. The company provides a white-label card issuing platform that allows businesses to offer debit and credit cards without building their fintech infrastructure. With solutions covering digital payments, instant financing, and access to a vast network of marketplace partners, Connect Money simplifies the payment experience through a unique SaaS offering. Led by Disruptech Ventures and Algebra Ventures, the funding will support Connect Money's expansion into North African markets, aiming to become the leading platform for seamless banking services.

Launch Africa Ventures, an early-stage VC firm, has invested $4.3 million in 16 startups across the continent as part of its second fund. Founded in July 2020 by Zachariah George and Janade du Plessis, with chairperson Margaret O’Connor, the firm closed its first fund at $36.3 million in March 2022. The second fund continues to invest in tech-driven ventures to scale them into market leaders. The 16 startups funded so far span 11 African countries and include South African car service marketplace Servisor, Senegalese logistics service Paps, Kenyan inventory tracking platform Logistify, Nigerian lending marketplace Kredete, and Zambian prop-tech startup Bosso, among others.

👀 This week’s featured investor is Musha Ventures. 👀

Musha Ventures is an Africa-focused micro VC and angel fund that strategically invests in sectors including education, healthcare, fintech, agriculture, and supply chain. Founded by Aadil Mamujee in 2011, Musha Ventures aims to support innovative startups at the seed stage, making significant investments across more than 18 countries globally. The name Musha, inspired by Aadil's parents' names (Musti and Shakila), also means 'home' in Zimbabwe (Shona), reflecting the firm’s deep-rooted commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

Aadil Mamujee, born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya, brings over 15 years of experience in building software across Europe, the USA, and Africa. His notable career includes key roles at OpenSea, Automattic, Google, and Pocket Gems. Aadil also has a rich background in early-stage investments from his time at Index Ventures and as a Sequoia Capital Scout. His academic credentials include a Bachelor's and Master’s of Engineering from Cambridge University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Musha Ventures' impressive portfolio features prominent startups like Flutterwave, mPharma, Wasoko, M-Kopa, and Twiga Foods, among many others. The firm continues to drive impactful investments that support entrepreneurial growth and innovation across Africa and beyond. You can follow Aadil’s insights and writings at aadil.blog.

⟹ 📺️ MEDIA WATCH 📺️  ⟸

Here are the 5 key things in the news this week that you need to know:

1. OPay and Moniepoint issue 17 million Verve cards as Nigerian fintech switch from Visa and Mastercard - Techcabal

2. Egypt’s Connect Money raises $8m seed funding to launch embedded finance platform - Disrupt Africa

3. Launch Africa Ventures has invested $4.3m in 16 startups from its 2nd fund so far - Disrupt Africa

4. Kano is becoming one of Nigeria’s biggest startup cities - Techcabal

5. Internet goes dark in Kenya in the wake of major protests over finance bill - Techcrunch

And that’s your weekly dosage of the African startup ecosystem! If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email. We are always looking to hear from our community.

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• Big Desk Energy

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Thanks for reading. See you next week.

Gitonga, the Stoic Founder at StartupHub.Africa 🚀

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