💵 Egypt’s Octane Raises $5.2 million

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 Egypt’s Octane Raises $5.2 million to Digitize Fleet Payments Across MENA
🪧 Protests Ignite in Kenya After Blogger’s Death in Police Custody, Highlighting Entrenched Brutality
📱Trump Mobile Launches With Brash Push into U.S. Telco Market
🤖 OpenAI Wins $200m U.S. Defence Contract in Historic Military AI Push

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💵 PAYMENTS

Egypt’s Octane Raises $5.2 million to Digitize Fleet Payments Across MENA

Egyptian fintech startup Octane is accelerating its mission to modernize fleet and mobility payments across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a fresh $5.2 million funding round led by Shorooq Partners, Algebra Ventures, and SC Holding.

Launched in 2022 by Amr Gamal and Ziad Eladawy, Octane has quickly emerged as a game-changer in the enterprise mobility space. The Cairo-based startup offers a closed-loop digital wallet that enables businesses to centralize all fleet-related expenses—fuel, maintenance, spare parts, and even petty cash—under one platform. The goal? To eliminate inefficiencies, reduce fraud, and deliver real-time visibility into fleet spending.

While traditional fuel cards offer limited functionality and lack transparency, Octane’s platform integrates deeply into day-to-day operations, enabling companies to track on-road expenses with precision and implement cost-saving controls. Already operational at over 2,400 fuel stations and 400 CNG outlets across Egypt, Octane boasts the country’s largest fleet-payment acceptance network....……continue reading

🪧 PROTESTS

Protests Ignite in Kenya After Blogger’s Death in Police Custody, Highlighting Entrenched Brutality

A wave of protests is engulfing Nairobi and Mombasa after the June 8 death of 31-year-old blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang, whose body was found in police custody following his arrest for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. Initial police claims of suicide have been contradicted by an independent autopsy revealing clear signs of assault—raising serious questions about custodial torture and police violence.

Mass public anger has surged since President William Ruto acknowledged Ojwang died “at the hands of the police,” calling the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable”. Demonstrators have flooded the streets of Nairobi, chanting slogans like “Stop killing us”, and setting vehicles ablaze in scenes echoing last year’s deadly Anti-Finance Bill protests.

In Mombasa, activists have similarly taken to the streets to condemn extrajudicial killings. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) investigation has prompted Deputy Inspector General Lagat to temporarily step aside, as two high-ranking officers and a CCTV technician face arrest for evidence tampering........…continue reading

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 📱TELECOMS

Trump Mobile Launches With Brash Push into U.S. Telco Market

The Trump Organization has announced its bold entry into the U.S. wireless market with Trump Mobile, a phone service and branded device aimed squarely at conservative consumers. Launched on June 16, the venture includes a gold-colored smartphone priced at $499 and a signature monthly plan dubbed the “47 Plan,” priced at $47.45—a nod to Donald Trump’s inaugural and current presidential terms.

• T1 Smartphone: A sleek gold-colored Android device set for release in September. While marketed as “made in America”, analysts note significant skepticism, pointing out that U.S. smartphone production remains rare and likely outsources assembly to China.

• The 47 Plan: Subscribers receive unlimited talk, text, and data, free international calling to over 100 countries, along with perks like telehealth services and 24/7 roadside assistance.

• Service Backbone: Trump Mobile is being launched as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), leasing infrastructure from major carriers—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Customer support is promised to be U.S.-based.

The venture leans heavily into ideological branding. Marketed primarily to conservative audiences, Trump Mobile positions itself as a patriotic alternative to mainstream carriers. It includes powerful symbolism: U.S.-designed devices, American call centre staff, and pricing tied to Trump’s presidential chapters.

Yet this brand positioning also raises ethical concerns. Observers note potential conflicts as the sitting president promotes a commercial product, and questions loom over the licensing setup and regulatory oversight by entities like the Federal Communications Commission..…...…continue reading

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

OpenAI Wins $200m U.S. Defence Contract in Historic Military AI Push

On June 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defence officially awarded OpenAI its first-ever defence contract, potentially worth up to $200 million, under a prototype program  with the aim of developing advanced artificial intelligence capabilities for military and enterprise use.

Silicon Valley’s involvement with national security systems is being reintroduced by the award, which is part of a competitive bidding process that includes twelve competitors.

This is not just another tech contract, as OpenAI has entered into direct collaboration with the U.S. military and has become one of the most extensive AI contracts ever awarded to a private software firm. The Pentagon’s decision is a reflection of the growing awareness that frontier AI can be utilized for important tasks, including battlefield models, cyber-defense systems, and improving healthcare and logistics management.

As part of the agreement, OpenAI is preparing to unite its public-sector efforts under a new umbrella program called “OpenAI for Government,” which follows earlier collaborations with other agencies such as NASA, NIH, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.  .......…continue reading

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