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    The Commoditisation of LLMs Is Driving a Spree of Micro-AI Acquisitions

    Large language models can scrape the web, but they can't replicate deep domain expertise. From Cairo cold-emails to Cape Town acqui-hires, tech giants are paying up to buy niche capabilities.

    IFC Eyes $90M Equity Stake in Airtel Money as London IPO Gathers Momentum

    World Bank arm joins proposed listing of African fintech processing $245bn annually.
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    Egyptian AI Startup Synapse Analytics Secures $2M Led by Silicon Badia and Hub 71

    The startup specializes in providing advanced AI software designed to enhance financial decision-making processes, including credit scoring, cross-selling, dynamic pricing, and electronic Know Your Customer/Business (eKYC/eKYB) procedures.

    Ivory Coast-Based Fintech Hub2 Secures New Funding to Expand Payment Services

    In a subsequent funding round in September 2023, HUB2 received a €1.25 million equity investment from ESSOR PME La Réunion.

    MNT Halan Eyes Egyptian Stock Exchange Listing, Targets $1 Billion Financing Portfolio

    The company aims to bolster its financing portfolio to a substantial $1 billion by the year’s end.

    Profitability-Focused Cartona Raises $8.1M for Egyptian Expansion and Potential Saudi Entry

    Cartona’s asset-light approach has allowed them to scale rapidly, as evidenced by their annualized gross merchandise volume (GMV) increasing from EGP 2.3 billion ($120 million) in 2022 to EGP 10 billion ($210 million) currently. This scalability is appealing to investors seeking high-growth potential.

    LemFi Expands to Latin America, Offering Fast and Fee-Free Money Transfers

    Previously focused on the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, LemFi now allows users to send money to family and friends in Brazil and Mexico, with plans to expand to additional countries soon.

    TLcom Capital & Plus VC Lead $2.5M Investment in Egypt’s Educatly

    The funding will be used to solidify Educatly’s presence in key markets across the Middle East and Africa, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ireland.

    Zambia’s PremierCredit Secures Additional Funding from Enygma Ventures

    Enygma Ventures, known for its focus on investing in women-led businesses in Africa, has found success in Zambia through its investments in both PremierCredit and Lupiya, from which it exited in February 2024 after the company repaid its outstanding debt.

    CDG Invest Backs Strapack Morocco to Propel Industrial Packaging Growth

    Offering financial support of up to USD2 million, alongside strategic guidance throughout the investment cycle, this program acts as a catalyst for success for innovative companies in the industrial and service sectors.

    Inside Revamped SPAC Rules in Egypt: What Pre-IPO Startups Need to Know

    Founders must retain 100% of their shares until the profitability condition is met and maintained for two fiscal years.

    Born in Tatouine, Sold for $500M+: InstaDeep Building Next-Gen Tech Talent with Project Tatooine

    In addition to training, GoMyCode will offer 4,000 professional internships in tech companies, further enhancing the employability of graduates.

    Egypt’s MNT-Halan Expands to Turkey with Acquisition of Tam Finans

    Following this acquisition, Tam Finans’ existing owners, Actera Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), have become shareholders in MNT-Halan.

    Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt Unaffected as Mercury Bank Reports Less Than 1% of Customers are Nigerian

    "As an immigrant from Pakistan myself, I have a lot of empathy for international founders and sincerely apologize to the founders impacted by this decision."

    Latest articles

    The Commoditisation of LLMs Is Driving a Spree of Micro-AI Acquisitions

    Large language models can scrape the web, but they can't replicate deep domain expertise. From Cairo cold-emails to Cape Town acqui-hires, tech giants are paying up to buy niche capabilities.

    IFC Eyes $90M Equity Stake in Airtel Money as London IPO Gathers Momentum

    World Bank arm joins proposed listing of African fintech processing $245bn annually.

    African Startup Deal Tracker — Newest Deals

    Here’s a closer look at the notable under-the-radar investment activity we’re tracking this month.

    The Field Is Not Level

    Ray Langa, Group CEO, Leagas Delaney, writes from South Africa