💵 CICO at Naivas through Airtel Money

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 Airtel Kenya Expands Airtel Money’s Reach Through Partnership with Naivas Supermarket
📱MTN South Africa Launches “MTN Icon 5G” – its Own-Branded 5G Smartphone
💰 Ninety One secures $260 million in initial close of Africa and emerging markets credit fund
📱Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority Approves Safaricom’s Second Money Market Product, Ziidi

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📱MOBILE MONEY

Airtel Kenya Expands Airtel Money’s Reach Through Partnership with Naivas Supermarket

Airtel Kenya has announced a strategic partnership with Naivas Supermarkets, enabling customers to deposit and withdraw cash at all 109 Naivas outlets nationwide. This collaboration will contribute to Airtel Money’s mission to increasing accessibility and convenience for its users.

Speaking at the launch, Anne Kinuthia Otieno, Airtel Money’s Managing Director, said, this partnership is part of the company’s efforts to expand its service footprint and support financial inclusion across Kenya. With over 90,000 Airtel Money agents already in place, this move underscores Airtel’s focus on bringing services closer to communities.

This development comes amid Airtel’s broader strategy to compete more effectively in Kenya’s highly competitive telecommunications market, where Safaricom’s M-Pesa holds a dominant position. While Airtel has made strides in improving its network and service offerings, challenges such as limited market penetration and branding issues persist. This partnership with Naivas could help Airtel attract more customers by providing a seamless cash-handling experience, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where Naivas has a strong presence....……continue reading

📱 TELECOMS

MTN South Africa Launches “MTN Icon 5G” – its Own-Branded 5G Smartphone

MTN South Africa has launched the MTN Icon 5G, its first self-branded 5G smartphone, priced at R2,500. The device promises to bring the benefits of 5G technology—faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced user experiences—within reach of more South Africans.

The Icon 5G boasts a 6.6-inch touchscreen, a 50MP rear camera, a powerful 5,000mAh battery, and 128GB of internal storage. The phone was built with a focus on consumers still using older 2G and 3G devices. A TechCentral report noted customers can choose between a prepaid model, bundled with a once-off 21GB data package, or a postpaid plan starting at R219 per month for 36 months, which includes 1GB of data and 50 voice minutes monthly...……continue reading

💰 FUNDING

Ninety One secures $260 million in initial close of Africa and emerging markets credit fund

Ninety One, a leading investment firm, has announced the first close of its third Africa and emerging markets-focused credit opportunities strategy, securing $260 million in commitments. The fund, known as ACO Fund 3, has garnered support from prominent international institutions, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment, and the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM).

Standard Bank of South Africa is serving as the credit provider for this initiative. ACO Fund 3 is designed to provide private credit investments to market-leading companies and infrastructure projects across Africa and other emerging markets, with the goal of delivering competitive returns for investors. The fund aims to support economic growth and development in these regions by financing key projects and enterprises....……continue reading

📱TELECOMS

Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority Approves Safaricom’s Second Money Market Product, Ziidi

Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has given the green light to Safaricom’s second money market product, Ziidi. This new offering, developed in partnership with Standard Investment Bank, ALA Capital Limited, and Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited, aims to meet Kenya’s growing demand for accessible digital investments.

Safaricom first entered the money market fund (MMF) space in 2019 with the launch of Mali, in collaboration with Genghis Capital, a Kenyan investment bank. By November 2024, Mali’s asset base had grown to KES 3 billion ($23 million)....……continue reading

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