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💵 Algeria, Nigeria Seal $300M Payments Deal

💵 Algeria, Nigeria Seal $300M Payments Deal

Plus: 📰 Walmart to Launch Branded Store in South Africa by year-end

Innovation Village
September 11, 2025

In partnership with

Happy pre-TGIF☀️

We’re closer to the weekend than to Monday (yes, you survived the hardest part already), but don’t check out just yet, this is actually the sweet spot. Thursdays are for momentum, for setting yourself up so Friday feels less like a finish line and more like a victory lap.

Speaking of momentum, today’s newsletter comes stacked with opportunities we’ve handpicked just for you. Whether you’re hunting for your next big career move, looking for projects to plug into, or just curious about what’s out there, these listings are your reminder that doors are opening all the time, you just have to walk through.

So take a scroll, click around, and see what catches your eye. Who knows? By the time the weekend hits, you could already be one step closer to something bigger.

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 Algeria, Nigeria Seal $300M Payment Terminal Deal
💰 Float Secures $2.6m to Transform South Africa’s Credit Landscape
🛒 Walmart to Launch Branded Store in South Africa by Year-End
💼 ORA Technologies acquires Cathedis to strengthen eCommerce and fintech ecosystem
📱SARS Clarifies Tax Rules for Social Media Influencers in South Africa
☁️ Acumen launches KawiSafi Fund II to accelerate climate solutions across Africa
📲 WhatsApp Brings Back Blue Read Receipts for All Chat Themes on iOS and Android

If you haven't subscribed, join over 7,000 people curious about Innovation, New Products, New Technologies in Africa.

💵 CROSS-BORDER PAYMEMTS

Algeria, Nigeria Seal $300M Payment Terminal Deal

Algeria has signed a $300 million deal to supply two million payment terminals to Nigeria, a move set to transform West Africa’s digital payments landscape. Beyond hardware, the agreement could boost financial inclusion, modernize informal commerce, and advance Nigeria’s push for a traceable, fraud-resistant payments ecosystem under new Central Bank standards.

The deal also marks a symbolic shift: Algeria, after rapidly growing its own infrastructure, is now exporting payment capacity, signalling stronger intra-African collaboration in technology. While questions remain over compliance, rollout, and merchant access, the agreement underscores a new era of regional cooperation and digital transformation across the continent.....…continue reading

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From market-moving developments to deep dives on business trends, The Daily Upside gives leaders clarity on what matters — without the noise.

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💰FUNDING

Float Secures $2.6m to Transform South Africa’s Credit Landscape

Float, a South African fintech startup, has raised $2.6 million (R46 million) in new funding to expand locally and prepare for international growth. Launched in 2021, Float is Africa’s first card-linked instalment platform, letting consumers split purchases into interest- and fee-free instalments using their existing credit cards—an alternative to traditional BNPL models.

Already partnered with over 2,000 merchants, including iStore, Samsung, and Cape Union Mart, Float has boosted average order values by more than 130%. Backed by Invenfin, SAAD Investment Holdings, and others, the startup is scaling fast, with 400% annual growth in transaction volumes, positioning itself as a leader in responsible, flexible payments..........…continue reading

🛒 RETAIL

Walmart to Launch Branded Store in South Africa by Year-End

Walmart is set to open its first branded stores in South Africa later this year, more than a decade after acquiring Massmart. The move follows Walmart’s 2022 buyout of the retailer for full ownership, giving it control to reshape operations. The new stores will blend global retail standards with local sourcing, offering everything from groceries to tech, while also investing in digital infrastructure to compete with players like Amazon and Takealot.

By combining affordability, community investment, and omnichannel innovation, Walmart aims to challenge South Africa’s retail giants and cement a long-term presence in the market.....…continue reading

💰ACQUISITIONS

ORA Technologies acquires Cathedis to strengthen eCommerce and fintech ecosystem

ORA Technologies, a Moroccan super-app startup founded in 2023, has acquired Casablanca-based last-mile delivery company Cathedis for an undisclosed sum. The deal strengthens ORA’s mission to unify e-commerce, fintech, and logistics on a single platform.

Backed by over $9 million in funding this year, ORA has grown rapidly with services like Kooul food delivery (15,000+ active users) and ORA Cash wallet (50,000+ accounts). By bringing delivery in-house, ORA can now integrate the full journey—ordering, payments, and fulfillment—making it a leading force in Morocco’s fast-evolving digital economy.....…continue reading

📱SOCIAL MEDIA

SARS Clarifies Tax Rules for Social Media Influencers in South Africa

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has formally added social media influencers to its taxpayer segmentation model, underscoring that income from brand deals, sponsorships, gifts, or trips is taxable. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter emphasized that influencers are “modern entrepreneurs” and must declare all earnings, whether cash or in-kind.

To ease compliance, SARS is rolling out guides, webinars, and educational resources, while also using third-party data from brands to verify undeclared income. The move reflects the growing influence of digital creators in South Africa’s economy and signals that influencer income will now be treated like any other professional or freelance earnings.

The message is clear: influence is a business — and business comes with tax obligations...…..continue reading

☁️ CLIMATE

Acumen launches KawiSafi Fund II to accelerate climate solutions across Africa

Acumen has launched KawiSafi Fund II, a $90 million climate-focused fund designed to scale renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other low-carbon solutions across Africa. Building on the success of its first $67 million clean energy fund launched in 2016, the new fund will back entrepreneurs creating scalable, climate-smart business models.

Supported by key investors including the African Development Bank’s SEFA, the Green Climate Fund, the Schmidt Family Foundation, and the Quadrature Climate Foundation, the fund aims to mobilize private capital for climate resilience and inclusive growth on the continent...…..continue reading