Author: Elan

Apple is testing iOS 26.4 with developers and public beta users, with the update introducing RCS end-to-end encryption testing, a security setting change that enables Stolen Device Protection by default, and a range of new features across Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Health. The third beta is currently available, according to Apple’s release notes.A public release is expected sometime in late March or early April, based on the historical release timing of comparable updates.Apple Music Gains New Features With iOS 26.4One of the main focuses of iOS 26.4 is the Apple Music app. The update adds a number of…

Nivesh Pather, principal at Norrsken22** For the best experience, download the free Africa Private Equity News app Android | iOS **South Africa-based Orca Fraud has raised $2.35 million in seed funding to advance its real-time transaction monitoring and fraud intelligence capabilities across Africa and other emerging markets.The round was led by returning investor Norrsken22, with participation from OneDayYes, Enza Capital, and CV VC Africa.Founded by Thalia Pillay and Carla Wilby, the company has grown to process over $5 billion in monthly transaction volume across more than 70 countries, working with major banks, telcos and payment providers across Africa. The duo…

By Standard BankWe are proud to announce that we have successfully supported a US-based consortium in the acquisition of South Africa-based Metrofile, a market leader in information governance and management.In addition to advising Metrofile on the transaction, Standard Bank acted as sole mandated lead arranger and underwriter, delivering an innovative and comprehensive financing solution that comprised an acquisition funding package for the acquirer, together with the issuance of a takeover regulation panel (TRP) guarantee for the full duration of the offer.This transaction highlights the bank’s speed and agility, demonstrated by the swift delivery of approved and executable funding solutions within…

Egypt’s rapid rise as one of Africa’s strongest startup ecosystems is offering a new policy blueprint for countries such as Nigeria, where startups remain vibrant but are struggling to attract larger investment. Startup data from 2025 shows Egyptian startups raised about $595 million, representing a 51 percent increase year-on-year, as a combination of government-backed funding, tax incentives and technology infrastructure strengthened investor confidence. Nigeria, by contrast, saw startup funding decline by about 17 percent to $343 milli Egypt’s rapid rise as one of Africa’s strongest startup ecosystems is offering a new policy blueprint for countries such as Nigeria, where startups…

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Zeno, an East African-based electric mobility startup, has raised $25 million in Series A funding to improve the production of Emara e-motorcycles and increase its battery-swap network across Kenya and Uganda.  The round was led by Congruent Ventures, which contributed 82% ($20.5 million), with participation from Active Impact and Lower-carbon Ventures. The remaining $4.5 million was a debt facility from Camber Road and Trifecta Capital. Founded in 2024 by Michael Spencer, Zeno builds the Emara electric motorbike and an app-controlled battery infrastructure swap network to reduce operating costs for East Africa’s bodaboda riders. According to Spencer, the aim of creating…

The Numbers Nobody Wants to Say Out Loud. There is a crisis hiding in plain sight inside every HR department in Nigeria, and it starts with numbers that most recruiters already know but rarely say out loud. A single job posting on Jobberman, HotNigerianJobs, MyJobMag, or LinkedIn from a reputable Nigerian company attracts between 200 and 500 applications. For roles at multinationals, banks, or oil and gas firms, that number can exceed 2,000. A corporate recruiter managing 15 to 25 open positions simultaneously is staring at a mountain of 5,000 to 10,000 CVs per hiring cycle. No human being can…

My college years are a distant memory, but I do recall that my lifestyle left a lot to be desired. Healthy eating was the last thing on my mind as I subsisted on a diet of instant noodles and takeout deliveries, and I was left with a vague sense that I was always either hungry or broke. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and the cost-of-living crisis is in full swing. Whether we live in Madrid, Mumbai, or Manhattan, we would all appreciate some money off our grocery bills, and this is where my Instant Pot has made a real difference.…

Gaborone — A same sex couple, Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile, has approached the High Court on Friday, challenging the constitutionality of the Marriage Act, arguing that it is unconstitutional for the Act to outlaw same-sex marriages. The case has been scheduled for July 14-15, before a full bench of the High Court. However, the proposed same sex marriage also faces stern opposition from Dingwetsi Association of Botswana, the Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana, and the Botswana House of Prayer and Transformation, through joint application also made before court on Friday. The organisations stance is for the sanity of marriage and…

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for approving the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, a policy widely seen as a move to boost local processing and strengthen Nigeria’s agro-industrial value chain. An engineer and agribusiness strategist, Alex Omaghomi, who applauded the decision, described it as a significant step towards promoting value addition in the country’s agricultural sector. The export restriction, recently extended for another year from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, aims to encourage domestic processing and reduce the export of raw agricultural commodities. Omaghomi said the policy signals a growing recognition…