From AI intelligence engines in Mauritius to fintech accelerators across Ghana and Nigeria, African startups are gaining serious ground. FollowICT rounds up this week’s most notable developments from across the continent.
Mauritius-based AI startup Rwazi raises $12M to accelerate global expansion
Rwazi, an African-founded AI market intelligence platform with global reach, has secured $12 million in Series A funding to bolster its decision-support engine and simulation capabilities. The funding is expected to expand Rwazi’s real-time insight tools, offering organizations actionable visibility into shifting trends and optimal strategic responses.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Mauritius, Rwazi developed a mobile and web application that enables local consumers worldwide to share granular insights about product usage and purchasing behavior—both online and offline. The platform serves major global brands by providing contextual data on who is buying what, when, where, and why.
The new funding will enhance simulation performance, scale Rwazi’s data infrastructure across continents, and strengthen its AI assistant’s recommendation capabilities.
Morocco’s ORA Technologies closes $7.5M Series A to expand digital access
ORA Technologies, the Moroccan startup behind the nationwide “Digital Morocco for All” initiative, has secured $7.5 million in a Series A round led by Azur Innovation Fund with participation from three strategic local investors. This brings ORA’s total capital raised to $11.9 million since January 2023—marking a record for domestic tech funding.
ORA’s dual focus on retail-tech and fintech is reflected in its rapid growth. Its food delivery app “Kooul” reached over 15,000 active users in ten months, while its digital wallet “ORA Cash”—offering 15-second onboarding and instant, fee-free transfers—recorded 50,000 accounts in five months. Couriers are now using the wallet to digitize Morocco’s widespread cash-on-delivery sector.
“This milestone represents a profound vote of confidence in our startup ecosystem,” said founder Omar Alami. “We’re proud to be a 100% Moroccan venture, ready to scale both locally and internationally. With the recent endorsement from the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, the Moroccan tech landscape is entering a new phase of opportunity.”
MoneyBadger taps $400K to expand crypto payments in South Africa
South African crypto payment startup MoneyBadger raised $400,000 in seed funding to expand its Lightning Network-integrated API and create new Bitcoin use cases across borders. Founded by tech entrepreneurs in Stellenbosch, the startup aims to simplify Bitcoin transactions for both e-commerce and physical retail environments.
MoneyBadger’s universal translator app bridges legacy POS systems with QR-code-enabled Bitcoin payments. The company’s first major client, Pick n Pay, launched crypto payments across 1,600 outlets in 2023—including supermarkets, clothing stores, and fast-service branches.
Kenyan startups launch Africa’s first electric cold-chain delivery network
Roam and Keep It Cool, two Kenya-based startups, have partnered to deploy the continent’s first fully electric cold-chain logistics network. The initiative integrates solar-powered refrigeration units with electric motorcycles, beginning with five Roam Air bikes delivering fresh produce via Keep It Cool’s Markiti smart cold-chain system.
Currently transporting over 250 metric tons weekly to 4,000 urban businesses, the system promises reduced emissions and operating costs—slashing fuel expenses by up to 75% compared to traditional petrol-powered bikes.
Village Capital launches $4M climate tech fund for West and East Africa
Village Capital, in partnership with Dutch development bank FMO and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), unveiled a $4 million Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility (AECF) to support startups advancing economic mobility and climate resilience in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
Selected entrepreneurial support organizations include Reach for Change (Ghana), Africa Fintech Foundry and Fate Foundation (Nigeria), and Anza Entrepreneurs and Ennovate Ventures (Tanzania). The fund focuses on context-specific solutions in financial inclusion, climate adaptation, and livelihood improvement through local ecosystem engagement.
Visa opens applications for Africa Fintech Accelerator’s fifth cohort
Visa has officially opened applications for the fifth edition of its Africa Fintech Accelerator—a flagship initiative designed to mentor and scale high-potential fintech startups across the continent. Running for three months, the program offers access to cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and funding opportunities.
Launched in 2023, the accelerator is a cornerstone of Visa’s $1 billion commitment to digital transformation and financial inclusion in Africa by 2027. Interested startups can apply until August 15, 2025, via Visa’s official portal.
