Global tour asks what pan-Africanism looks like in 2026
Global tour asks what pan-Africanism looks like in 2026 African Business
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22 On Sloane Launches AI Platform As It Raises $63 Million For African Startups
Johannesburg-based startup campus 22 On Sloane has launched KUMii.Africa, an artificial intelligence platform that matches entrepreneurs with funders, markets and support services, while opening a $63 million fundraise through its investment arm.Both initiatives were announced at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa, held on September 16 and 17 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre under the theme “Connecting Africa.”The congress brought together representatives from 59 countries, including 26 African nations, following more than a year of engagement with ecosystem organisations across more than a dozen countries.KUMii.Africa is built around matching businesses with opportunities. For entrepreneurs, the platform generates business plans, pitch decks and financial models in about three minutes. It also drafts tender applications, connects businesses with services and resources, and identifies market opportunities aligned with their profiles.For investors, it facilitates connections with entrepreneurs. For ecosystem support organisations, it delivers enterprise development, market readiness and investor readiness programmes, with dashboards providing real-time visibility into entrepreneurs’ progress.For policymakers, the platform provides a channel for connecting with peers across the continent.More than 4,000 startups and micro, small and medium enterprises have registered on the platform. KUMii is led by Noma Ngubane, its chief executive officer.Sloane Capital, led by chief executive officer Priyansh Dhawan, is raising $63 million to invest in startups and MSMEs across the continent.The firm has secured a Category II licence and a licence from the National Credit Regulator.“Sloane Capital has been established to help bridge this gap by facilitating access to capital for high-potential startups and MSMEs,” said Kizito Okechukwu, executive head of 22 On Sloane.“Through Sloane Capital, we aim to support businesses across critical stages of growth, connecting entrepreneurs with appropriate sources of capital,” Dhawan said.Only 190 African startups raised $100,000 or more in the first half of 2026, the lowest figure since 2021. Globally, nine in every 10 late-stage venture capital dollars now flow into artificial intelligence.Okechukwu described Africa’s structural opportunity as being constrained by fragmentation within and beyond the continent.“Africa’s future will not be built in isolation; it will be built through connection. The question is no longer whether Africa should integrate, but how quickly and deliberately we can make it happen. On a fragmented continent, connection is power. And in a connected Africa, opportunity becomes exponential.”Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, cautioned against measuring entrepreneurship ecosystem interventions solely by participation figures.He argued that their effectiveness should be assessed through measurable outcomes, including funding secured, tenders won and customers acquired.By that standard, the platform’s 4,000 registrations demonstrate adoption rather than measurable business impact.Strategic partners for the congress included African Bank, Microsoft, Amazon, the Western Cape Government, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, the City of Cape Town, the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.Additional partners included Telkom, the United Nations Development Programme, the Masisizane Fund, the Wholesale and Retail SETA, the National Empowerment Fund and the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation.
Read briefingState Cuts Contractor Arrears as Pending Bills Fall By 15%
State Cuts Contractor Arrears as Pending Bills Fall By 15% The Kenyan Wallstreet
Read briefingKenya’s Microfinance Banks Post 10th Straight Annual Loss
Kenya’s Microfinance Banks Post 10th Straight Annual Loss The Kenyan Wallstreet
Read briefingODM Leader Oburu Oginga Demands Answers From Uhuru Kenyatta Over 2022 Election Claims
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has demanded full transparency from former President Uhuru Kenyatta following Kenyatta’s recent assertion that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election. In an official statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Dr. Oburu stated that while Kenyatta’s remarks validate what the […]
Read briefingYou have seven days to act: UASU threatens strike over lecturers' pay
UASU issues seven-day strike notice over proposed university funding framework, warns it could tie staff salaries to students fee payments.
Read briefingGeorgina Njenga Shares Message of Hope With People Nursing Heartbreak
Georgina Njenga has shared a heartfelt message for people dealing with heartbreak, urging them not to allow failed relationships to undermine their self-worth or belief in love. In a post shared on her Instagram Stories, Georgina acknowledged the emotional pain that often follows the end of a relationship while reminding her followers that heartbreak is […]
Read briefingTeacher Cillah Clarifies Marital Status After Meeting TikTok Doctor Majesty Njuguna
Popular Kenyan teacher and TikToker Tr Cillah has clarified her marital status after her interaction with TikTok doctor Majesty Njuguna attracted attention from social media users. The two finally met in person on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, following a series of exchanges on TikTok in which Majesty had openly expressed interest in meeting the teacher. […]
Read briefingAmber Ray’s Turkey Makeover Rekindles Debate Over Cosmetic Surgery and Social Media
Amber Ray has once again put cosmetic procedures at the centre of conversations about beauty, money and the influence of social media. The influencer travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, in September for a series of cosmetic procedures and documented much of the experience for her online followers. Her transformation included breast augmentation, 360-degree liposuction and a […] The post Amber Ray’s Turkey Makeover Rekindles Debate Over Cosmetic Surgery and Social Media appeared first on Ghafla!.
Read briefingNIFC Africa, Swiss Firm To Pilot Capital Markets Link
The Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC Africa) has signed a cooperation agreement with Swiss technology company New Wind Ventures to develop and test a framework connecting participants in the Swiss banking sector with Kenya’s capital markets.The agreement was signed by NIFC Africa CEO Daniel Mainda and New Wind Ventures CEO Veronica Almedom on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The signing took place at the Consulate General of Switzerland and was witnessed by Joachim Tomaschett, Deputy Consul General of Switzerland. The proposed pilot will focus on improving the quality and reliability of capital markets data, increasing transparency across transactions and exploring the use of tokenisation within Kenya’s existing regulatory framework.The two organisations also plan to develop a recurring pipeline for opportunities connecting Swiss financial sector participants with Kenya’s capital markets. Mainda said the initiative is intended to address some of the information and transparency challenges that can affect cross-border investment.“This is not technology for technology’s sake,” Mainda said. “It is about using technology to reduce information asymmetry, strengthen confidence, lower transaction costs and ultimately move more capital into productive, job-creating opportunities in Kenya.”Under the agreement, New Wind Ventures will contribute technology capabilities, relationships within the Swiss market and international execution experience, while NIFC Africa will provide its institutional platform, regulatory connections and access to Kenya’s financial ecosystem. Mainda further said that the parties are looking to develop a framework that could eventually be applied beyond Kenya.The intention, Mainda said, is to “turn Swiss confidence into scalable opportunity in Kenya” and establish a model that can eventually serve markets across the continent. This initiative comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position as a regional financial centre and attract international capital into its financial services and technology sectors.NIFC certification provides qualifying firms with access to various state incentives, including tax benefits, while certified companies are required to establish a physical presence in Kenya. In July, NIFC Africa announced the admission of 15 new firms, which it said were expected to mobilise a combined KSh25.8 billion, equivalent to about $200 million, and create more than 1,000 jobs.New Wind Ventures is based at EPFL Innovation Park in Prilly, Switzerland. The company works with investors, governments, businesses and institutional partners on initiatives involving capital and investment opportunities in African markets.The pilot will provide a framework for the two organisations to assess how technology can support data quality, transaction transparency and cross-border participation in Kenya’s capital markets.
Read briefingSenators clash over seven Cabinet Secretaries accompanying Ruto to UN meeting
Senators clash over seven Cabinet Secretaries accompanying Ruto to UN meeting standardmedia.co.ke
Read briefingTwo Injured in Crash Near Royal City
Two Injured in Crash Near Royal City yoursourceone.com
Read briefingKenya moves to improve training, safety of workers seeking jobs abroad
Kenya moves to improve training, safety of workers seeking jobs abroad People Daily
Read briefingAfrican economies cannot afford to let public interest media die
African economies cannot afford to let public interest media die African Business
Read briefingKalonzo Responds to Claims His Family Is a Political Dynasty
Kalonzo Musyoka addresses the congregation at the Seed of Hope Church, Donholm. Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly dismissed suggestions framing his family as a political dynasty or royal household, insisting that his household embodies servant leadership rooted in humility. Speaking on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Mama Pauline Kalonzo Girls High School in Kyuso, Kitui County, where he handed over a new school bus to the institution, the former vice president stressed that his family came from humble beginnings. “Cause is apparent, it is my duty to do so. Never imagine this family is a royal family. No,” Kalonzo said. Addressing remarks made during the event, Kalonzo pushed back against attempts to equate his family’s public standing with institutional privilege. “Mwalimu, with all your eloquence, and I know your sense of commitment; this is a family that believes in servant leadership,” he stated. “This is a family from this part of the world, downtrodden, looked down upon, and therefore we are not the royalty. We are just a simple family.” Kalonzo explicitly rejected the idea that his children should be viewed through a royal lens, noting that Kenya’s constitutional setup deliberately avoids monarchical structures. “So, I would never want to hear Kennedy growing up, and Kevin, and Klein, and Damari, to be looked at as royal. Because they’re not,” h...
Read briefingNew Suspect to Face Murder Charge in Victoria Mutiso Case
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved murder charges against a fifth suspect, Kimutai Maritim, in connection with the killing of Dr. Victoria Mutiso. Maritim will face the High Court alongside four co-accused: Rose Mbithe, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa, and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi. Following a directive by Justice Alexander Muteti, all five suspects will appear in court for formal plea-taking on September 29, 2026. Authorities arrested Maritim on August 22, 2026, under unusual circumstances at Pangani Police Station. Detectives intercepted him after he arrived attempting to deliver a loaf of bread and a packet of milk to suspects detained in connection with the murder. During subsequent court proceedings, investigators stated that forensic and intelligence links tied Maritim to the planning phases of the murder, adding that his custody could help trace additional suspects who remain at large. Physical Appearance Ordered After Virtual Refusal The scheduled September 29 plea-taking follows a strict directive from Justice Muteti requiring all accused persons to appear physically in the courtroom. The directive came after Rose Mbithe and Angela Mulwa refused to participate in court proceedings virtually from Lang’ata Women’s Prison. A prison officer informed the court: “My lord, the two have refused to appear before court virtually.”...
Read briefingAll The Trending Memes in Nairobi Today
It’s a beautiful day and this these are the memes and posts trending. The post All The Trending Memes in Nairobi Today appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefingKenya and Anthropic Strike AI Deal as Ruto Pushes ‘Shared Sovereignty’
Kenya has formalized a strategic partnership with global artificial intelligence leader Anthropic to promote responsible AI deployment, cultivate domestic expertise, and leverage emerging technologies for national growth. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei and Elizabeth Kelly from Anthropic’s Beneficial Deployments team finalized the agreement following months of joint planning. The initiative sets up a collaborative framework spanning public sector innovation, skills training, AI safety evaluations, healthcare, and education. The deal ensures that international AI technologies align with Kenyan laws, institutional frameworks, and unique linguistic diversity. Rather than simply importing foreign tech, the operational strategy focuses on co-designing solutions with local bodies, piloting high-impact applications, and building long-term technical capacity within the country. Key figures driving the initiative include Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo, US Ambassador Courtney O’Donnell, and joint technical advisory teams from both nations. Championing African Agency at UNGA 81 Announced on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, the deal aligns with President William Ruto’s broader diplomatic push for equitable technology access. Co-chairing the High-Level Artificial Intelligence Middle Powers Coalition along...
Read briefingRuto’s UN Reform Push Gets Fresh Backing From UN Chief Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has thrown weight behind President William Ruto’s ongoing push for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, calling the continent’s continued exclusion unjust and indefensible. Speaking on Wednesday during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, Guterres stated that the current composition of the Security Council fails to reflect 21st-century geopolitical realities. “Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council. A 21st-century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust & indefensible,” Guterres posted on X (formerly Twitter). The UN chief called for comprehensive institutional reforms to restore the Council’s authority and credibility. “We must reform the Council so that it reflects today’s world with the legitimacy and effectiveness that today’s challenges demand,” he added. Aligning With President Ruto’s Reform Agenda Guterres’ position aligns closely with President William Ruto’s diplomatic campaign advocating for structural changes across global governance institutions. Ruto has repeatedly argued that the international community cannot exclude the voice of 54 African nations from decisions regarding global peace and security. “You cannot claim to be the United Nations while disregarding the voice of 54 nations. It is not possible,” Presiden...
Read briefingBenni McCarthy Forced to Leave Kenya After Every Harambee Stars Camp
Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, faces a massive dual crisis after head coach Benni McCarthy revealed that he and his foreign coaching staff have operated without formal Kenyan work permits for over a year. The administrative failure forces the South African legend and his technical team to leave Kenya immediately after every national team camp and match. McCarthy explained that ongoing immigration hurdles prevent his staff from staying in the country between assignments, throwing the team’s long-term planning into uncertainty ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign. Under Kenyan immigration law, foreign workers, including elite sports coaches, must secure a Class D work permit through a sponsoring sports federation or club. While short-term entry authorizations exist to cover temporary processing periods, the delay has severely disrupted the coaching staff’s day-to-day operations. Player Boycott Rocks Nairobi Training Camp The bureaucratic permit issues are only part of a growing storm within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). Tensions boiled over in Nairobi when Harambee Stars players and technical staff staged a boycott, refusing to take the training pitch due to unpaid allowances, poor accommodation, and broader welfare negligence. Some squad members have reportedly attended four or five international camps without recei...
Read briefingPolice Launch Manhunt for Highway Syndicate Targeting Bank Customers on Thika Superhighway
Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) detectives and Ruiru Sub-County Police Commander Charles Kibathi have launched a massive manhunt for a highway syndicate targeting bank customers along the Thika Superhighway and Eastern Bypass following a daring daylight heist. Investigating officers suspect the gang trails victims from as far as Nairobi’s Industrial Area before executing swift vehicular break-ins across Ruiru and Kasarani. The latest incident unfolded at a Shell petrol station in Kahawa Sukari, targeting 55-year-old Moses Njeru Kithaka. According to police reports, Kithaka withdrew Ksh.100,000 from a bank in the Kamakis area along the Eastern Bypass and subsequently parked his vehicle at the service station. When Kithaka returned 30 minutes later after shopping, he discovered his vehicle’s right rear window shattered. The perpetrators had stolen the khaki envelope containing the Ksh.100,000 left inside the car. CCTV footage obtained by investigators captured the syndicate’s precise strategy moments after Kithaka arrived at the location. The suspects shadowed Kithaka’s vehicle, pulled up alongside it, and used a specialized tool to shatter the glass instantly. The gang retrieved the cash envelope and rapidly sped off toward Ruiru. Officers from the Kahawa Sukari Police Station and Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) detectives processed the scene, gathering forensic evidence and s...
Read briefingWhat Didmus Barasa Said That Triggered NCIC Summons
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Wekesa Barasa over alleged hate speech and discriminatory ethnic remarks made during a public address in Bungoma County. The commission launched an investigation into comments the lawmaker delivered on September 19, 2026, in Sirisia Constituency. In a video recording from the event, Barasa urged public officials from the former Western Province to use their state positions exclusively to benefit their local community. “Ukipatiwa nafasi kubwa kama ni PS, ama wewe ni waziri, kama wewe ni ambassador, kama wewe ni chairman ya parastatal, na wewe unatoka mkoa wa magharibi, wewe jua nafasi hiyo ni ya jamii. Umepewa utumie kuhakikisha maswala na maslahi ya wananchi hawa,” Barasa said. Loosely translated: (“If you are given a high position, whether as a Principal Secretary (PS), a Cabinet Secretary, an Ambassador, or a Parastatal Chairman, and you hail from the Western region, know that position belongs to the community. You have been given that role to ensure you serve the issues and interests of these citizens.”) The lawmaker went further, encouraging public officials to favor job seekers from Western Kenya while deliberately disqualifying qualified applicants from other ethnic backgrounds during interviews. “Hata ukiwa kwa ofisi na unafanya interview, na unakuta mtu ametoka huko...
Read briefingMike Sonko Unveils KRG The Don, Daughter Saumu Mbuvi for Key Nairobi Seats
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s camp has unveiled an interesting lineup for key capital seats, with dancehall star KRG The Don seeking the Nairobi County Senate seat and Sonko’s daughter, Saumu Mbuvi, declaring her bid for Nairobi Woman Representative. Both candidates will run on the National Empowerment Democratic Party (NEDP) banner. Dancehall artist William Karuga Kimani, popularly known as KRG The Don, aims to make a dramatic political pivot from the studio to the Senate floor. Former Governor Sonko confirmed the musician’s political ambitions following a consultative meeting focused on pressing urban challenges, including youth and women’s empowerment, poverty eradication, support for small-scale traders, and infrastructure improvements in informal settlements. “Our mission is simple: fight poverty, create opportunities, and improve lives across Nairobi,” Sonko announced, adding that Nairobi requires a senator who will defend county resources and enforce strict oversight. He closed his statement with the rallying call: “Nairobi ni yetu sote. Mungu mbele.” The announcement sparked immediate online debate, with critics questioning whether the entertainer possesses the legislative experience needed for county oversight, while supporters welcomed new faces into the political arena. Saumu Mbuvi Enters Race for Nairobi Woman Representative KRG’s bid follows the formal entry...
Read briefingHigh Court Asked to Force IEBC to Reveal 2027 Election Plans
A petitioner has moved to the High Court seeking orders to compel the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to publish its operational protocols, national tallying center details, and voter verification measures ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a Notice of Motion filed under a certificate of urgency, Francis Awino asks the court to restrain the IEBC and its officials from implementing undisclosed or materially revised operational procedures pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Key Orders Sought by the Petitioner National Tallying Centre Disclosure: The applicant wants the commission to file an affidavit within seven days confirming whether a national tallying center has been designated, selected, or reserved. If identified, the IEBC must reveal its official name, physical location, geographical coordinates, legal basis, relevant Gazette Notice, and public access protocols. Publication of Geographical Coordinates: Awino argues that publishing the exact GPS coordinates for all polling stations and tallying centers six months before the election would allow voters and stakeholders to independently verify locations and report errors early. Biometric Fallback Protocols: The suit demands full disclosure of voter registration and identification records, specifically detailing procedures for when biometric verification fails, devices malfunction, or...
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