#22: January’s African Tech Roundup | Notion

Interesting product finds, trends and country specific startup news.

Product Launches:

Sandbox by PIP:
- https://medium.com/@sandboxbypip/sandbox-standardising-the-hiring-process-for-product-managers-63e5f2fe31f6
- https://techcabal.com/2023/12/19/sandboxs-platform-wants-to-connect-product-managers-with-employers/
Fez Safe Lockers:
- https://www.benjamindada.com/fez-automated-lockers-network-nigerian-deliveries/
- https://www.benjamindada.com/fez-launches-safe-lockers/
AfriLabs Revolutionizes Investment Landscape with the Launch of AfriLabs Connect Deal Room (ACDR).
- https://lnkd.in/drimkN-D

Product Launches:

Zilla has paused their BNPL service to focus on Zillawire, their cross-border payment:
- https://www.benjamindada.com/zilla-pause-bnpl-launch-zillawire/
- https://techcabal.com/2024/01/22/bnpl-blues-zilla-hits-pause-as-consumer-understanding-hampers-growth/
- Interestingly, the model seems to be thriving in South Africa
  - Revolutionizing Credit: How BNPL Innovation is Reshaping the South African Landscape
    - https://ventureburn.com/2024/01/revolutionizing-credit-how-bnpl-innovation-is-reshaping-the-south-african-landscape/

Acquisitions, Fundraises & Expansions:

Ezdehar invests $10M in Yodawy for a minority stake in the Egyptian healthtech
- https://www.benjamindada.com/yodawy-ezdehar-minority-stake/
Egypt-born DXwand secures $4 million Series A fund to expand its AI platform to Africa
- https://techpoint.africa/2024/01/25/egypt-dxwand-secures-seriesa/
Two of Africa’s largest B2B e-commerce platforms, MaxAB and Wasoko, in merger talks
- https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/22/maxab-and-wasoko-in-merger-talks/
- https://www.techinafrica.com/wasoko-and-maxab-merger-set-to-forge-e-commerce-dominance/
Cloudline raises $6M to take aerial autonomy green and mainstream
- https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/21/backed-by-schmidt-futures-cloudline-raises-6m-to-take-aerial-autonomy-green-and-mainstream/
- https://www.techinafrica.com/cloudline-secures-6-million-seed-funding-to-expand-operations-in-namibia-and-mozambique/
Social commerce platform Maka raises $2.65M to simplify buying fashion and beauty products in Africa
- https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/13/social-commerce-platform-maka-raises-2-65m-to-simplify-buying-fashion-and-beauty-products-in-africa/
Seedstars Africa Ventures gets $30M backing from EIB Global to invest in early-stage startups
- https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/09/eib-global-invests-30m-in-seedstars-africa-ventures-i/
- https://www.techinafrica.com/seedstars-africa-ventures-launches-new-30-million-fund-to-boost-startup-ecosystem-in-africa/