BitKE

Ten startups will compete in the Latitude59 Africa final for a chance to win EUR 1 million. The finalists, selected from 382 applications, will pitch on November 28, showcasing a shift toward agriculture and sustainability innovations in Kenya.

Africa will implement the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) by February 2024, enabling transactions in local currencies without relying on the U.S. dollar. Kenya will host the headquarters, promoting regional trade and integration.

HoneyCoin, a Kenyan Web3 super app, partners with MYKOBO to launch in Europe, allowing users in the EU to easily manage digital Euros across 140 countries, excluding sanctioned territories.

Peach Payments has partnered with Float to offer merchants an interest-free installment option at checkout, enhancing online shopping. Float uses existing credit cards for payment flexibility, benefiting both consumers and retailers with increased sales and improved financial management.

Kotani Pay is expanding its crypto on-ramp and off-ramp services into Rwanda and Uganda, enhancing access to blockchain via USSD for local businesses and users. This move aims to simplify crypto- fiat exchanges and support fintech growth in these markets.

VALR, a crypto exchange in South Africa, has received Category I and II licenses from the FSCA, making it one of the first regulated crypto asset platforms in the country. This approval enhances customer protection and regulatory compliance, promoting trust in the crypto industry.

Nigerian fintech startup Opay has seen a 30% increase in valuation, reaching $2.7 billion since its 2021 Series C funding round. Its services and agent banking model significantly boosted its user base and revenue in 2023, aided by a currency shortage in Nigeria.

VISA will launch a stablecoin pre-funding pilot through Visa Direct at SIBOS 2025, enhancing global cross-border payments by offering faster, smarter liquidity and modernizing treasury operations for businesses.

BridgeCard, co-founded by Owumi Festus and Tunde Adewole, is a fintech app that consolidates users' financial accounts for seamless transactions. Selected for Y Combinator's S22 batch, it raised $440,000 to enhance its platform and user base.

a16z’s Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX) Spring 2024 program is set to kick off this week in London, marking the beginning of an intensive 10-week journey for 25 promising early-stage startups in the crypto space, the company said in a blog post.
The startups were selected from a highly

Ethiopia launched its National Digital Payment Strategy and the EthioPay system to enhance digital finance and facilitate trade under the AfCFTA. This initiative aims to boost financial inclusion and reduce barriers for underserved groups.

YellowCard has received a Virtual Asset Provider license in Botswana, marking a significant milestone as the first licensed crypto exchange in Africa. This follows a $40 million Series B fundraiser, indicating strong growth and future potential in the region's cryptocurrency market.