Savannah Fund launches $25m fund for African startups. 2 other things and a trivia

These latest stories from the tech space will keep you updated with trends today.

1. Savannah Fund launches $25-million fund for African startups

A technology seed fund, Savannah Fund, has announced launching a $25-million fund to support African tech startups.

The VC, according to reports, is focused on investing in early-stage startups across sub-Saharan Africa.

The $25-million fund was led by The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

Reports further stated that the fund saw the participation of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WeFi), Tim Draper of Draper Associates, Visa Forsten, co-founder of Supercell and Senegal-based Venture studios UMA.

Commenting on the initiative, Kevin Njiraini, IFC Regional Director for Southern Africa and Nigeria underscored the importance of investing in African early-stage startups and their contribution to the economy.

He said: “Early-stage funding is vital to enable more of Africa’s emerging and growing tech founders to grow their business and fuel the transformation of Africa’s Internet economy. By partnering with Savannah Fund, we can help more entrepreneurs to access funding.”

Tech Trivia: What West African Country became the first country to have a permanent internet connection?
A. Benin
B. Nigeria
C. Ghana
D. Togo
Answer: See end of post.

2. Ghana’s mPharma enters Ethiopia as 6th market in Africa

Ghanaian e-health startup mPharma has thrust its footprint in Ethiopia, to make the country its sixth African market.

The development was achieved with a partnership signing with Belayab Pharmaceuticals to launch Haltons Pharmacies via a franchise agreement.

mPharma as a technology-driven healthcare company specialises in vendor-managed inventory, retail pharmacy operations, and market intelligence serving hospitals, pharmacies, and patients.

READ ALSO: MEST opens 2022 applications for entrepreneurs in Ghana, Nigeria. 2 other things and a trivia

Founded 8 years ago, the venture-backed company is headquartered in Ghana, and has expanded to four other African countries, to include Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, and Rwanda.

In 2019, the company acquired Kenya’s second-largest pharmacy chain Haltons.

The new franchise agreement with Belayab is expected to see Haltons launch in Ethiopia to become its sixth market in Sub-Saharan Africa and third in East Africa.

3. Security-tech startup AURA expands to East Africa

AURA, a Johannesburg-based security tech startup and medical response platform, has revealed intent to expand into Kenya.

According to reports, the expansion to Kenya followed a partnership with Kenyan company KK Security, owned by GardaWorld.

With the new signing, the innovative SA-born tech startup is expected to offer its emergency and medical response services in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Commenting on the new development, Warren Myers, founder, and CEO of AURA noted that the undertaking will serve the firm an opportunity to explore a new ecosystem.

“We are excited to have someone of Itela’s calibre join our team as we explore the many unique opportunities within the East African market.

“Kenya has a strong, but fragmented private security and emergency medical industry. It provides an ideal opportunity for AURA to create an effective and efficient response network.

“Similar to South Africa, Kenya is plagued by significant crime issues, in particular, road safety, street crime, home invasions, burglaries, and carjackings.

“With a high smartphone penetration rate, we are able to provide our users with affordable and accessible on-demand security and medical response and help keep people in those areas safe.”

Tech Trivia Answer: Ghana

Ghana got its hotline to commence its operation on 21 August 1995, making the country the first country in West Africa to have a permanent Internet connection.

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