Tech Arena

Absa Launches Visa Infinite Metal Card in Kenya with MPESA Integration techarena.co.ke/2026/02/23/abs…

At the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference, NIFC CEO Daniel Mainda highlighted how blockchain, stablecoins and regulatory clarity could unlock cross-border trade and financial inclusion across the continent. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/15/ken… #KBCC2026

How 58% free transactions have propelled the growth of M-PESA techarena.co.ke/2026/05/15/mpe…

JuiceMe acquires Ajiraworks to fast-track its Employer of Record expansion across Africa, bringing in proven compliance systems and appointing founder Catherine Ochako as Global EOR Director. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/15/jui…

Kenya’s crypto ecosystem is entering a new phase driven by institutions, regulation and financial infrastructure. VALR is positioning itself for this shift. Here’s what this means for Kenya’s fintech future. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/15/val…

Red Hat AI Factory with NVIDIA Expands Support for a New Class of Autonomous Agents in the Enterprise techarena.co.ke/2026/05/15/red…

Binance Announces ‘Binance Online’ Featuring Leading Voices Across Crypto, Finance, and Technology techarena.co.ke/2026/05/14/bin…

Africa’s fintech leaders say we’re heading toward zero payment fees. At the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference (@KBCC_01) , players like Kotani Pay and Pawapay revealed how crypto is already cutting settlement times from days to seconds. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/14/ken…

Liquid Intelligent Technologies revitalises access to cloud and cyber security services in support of improved national digital resilience techarena.co.ke/2026/05/14/liq…

@capitalsyst That is true and you've explained it so well

The largest mobile money rail operator in East Africa naming usability and cost failure as structural problems is the most significant negative signal in this batch. Jason Masai is describing M-PESA's own ecosystem from the inside. The 10% cross-border cost figure is the one that connects directly to ACSS territory. That cost is not primarily a fee decision. It is the pricing of the trust account float, the switching partner margin, and the FX conversion spread that sit between the instruction and the local currency credit. M-PESA's rail is real-time for domestic transactions. Cross-border flows through M-PESA still route through switching partners with their own float requirements and settlement cycles. The usability failure and the cost failure are the same structural failure at different layers.

M-PESA’s Jason Masai says Africa’s fintech has a problem: “Too much exciting technology doesn’t work for the ordinary user.” He also notes cross-border payments still cost up to 10%. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/08/mpe…

Just checked in for #Kbcc2026

Nutanix is set to spotlight practical AI deployment strategies at GITEX Kenya 2026, as the conversation in East Africa shifts from experimentation to execution. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/13/nut…

Stanbic Bank Kenya has recorded a 5% increase in Q1 2026 profit to KES 3.5 billion, driven by lending growth across key sectors including trade, energy and construction. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/13/sta…

Africa Tech Summit London has announced 13 investor-ready startups that will showcase at the London Stock Exchange this May. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/13/afr…

Bolt has raised ride fares by 6% to support drivers dealing with rising fuel costs. The company says the move balances driver earnings with rider affordability. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/13/bol…

What comes after Generative AI? And What That Means for African Innovation techarena.co.ke/2026/05/13/wha…

Microsoft Research Launches LINGUA Africa Initiative Offering Up to $250,000 in Funding for Inclusive AI Language Projects Across Africa techarena.co.ke/2026/05/13/mic…

KCB Bank has cut Pesalink fees to a flat KSh20 and made transfers below KSh1,000 free. The move targets cheaper real-time payments for individuals and SMEs, in line with the “Tuma Direct na 20/-” push. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/11/kcb…

M-KOPA lands on the Financial Times’ Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies list for the 5th straight year and is about to hit 10M customers. Here’s how its “More than a Phone” model is scaling financial inclusion across Africa. techarena.co.ke/2026/05/12/m-k…

Nairobi will host one of Africa’s biggest AI events next week, AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya 2026. We’ve put together a quick guide on how to attend, including a 50% discount code for TechArena readers. Read more: techarena.co.ke/2026/05/12/how…

Proparco and Ecobank have partnered to mobilise €300M to support agriculture, agri-SMEs and women-led businesses across the continent. Here’s what that means techarena.co.ke/2026/05/12/pro…