💼 Moni Rebrands to Rank After Acquiring AjoMoney, Zazzau MFB

Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Community, trust, and technology — three forces reshaping Africa’s digital economy. This week, Moni, the Y Combinator-backed fintech, rebranded as Rank, marking its evolution from community lending to a full-fledged digital bank. After acquiring AjoMoney and Zazzau Microfinance Bank, Rank now blends Africa’s savings culture with regulated banking infrastructure, empowering communities to save, invest, and grow wealth together. What began in 2021 as a trust-based lending model has matured into a platform built for financial inclusion at scale.

Meanwhile, Cassava Technologies made a bold play on the tech front, becoming Africa’s first NVIDIA Cloud Partner. The partnership, unveiled at AfricaCom 2025, will deploy NVIDIA GPUs across five African data centers — unlocking world-class AI capacity for startups, developers, and researchers right on the continent. Africa isn’t just catching up — it’s building its own digital future.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💼 Moni Rebrands to Rank After Acquiring AjoMoney, Zazzau MFB
🤖 Cassava Teams Up with NVIDIA to Power Africa’s AI Future
📺 DStv rolls out free festive upgrades to win back viewers
🏫 Breni’s Going Global: 3,000 Users, 20 Countries, and Counting
✈️ Canada Sets New Rules for Cancelling Visas and Permits
💵 Stitches Africa Raises $50M to Put African Fashion on the Global Map
📲Threads Launches New Features for Podcasters

 💼 STARTUPS

Moni Rebrands to Rank After Acquiring AjoMoney, Zazzau MFB

Y Combinator-backed fintech Moni has rebranded as Rank, following the acquisition of AjoMoney and Zazzau Microfinance Bank (MFB), marking its transition from a lending platform to a fully regulated digital bank. Founded in 2021, Moni built trust-based community lending networks that disbursed ₦67 billion ($46.6m) in loans with a 96% repayment rate.

The rebrand enables Rank to offer payments, savings, and investment services under a licensed structure. AjoMoney strengthens its roots in Africa’s traditional group savings system, while Zazzau MFB, now Rank Microfinance Bank, provides the regulatory foundation for deposits and NIBSS connectivity.

Rank has piloted a group savings product delivering up to 23% returns, paying ₦16 billion to users. Unlike individual-focused fintechs, Rank targets communities and cooperatives, empowering Africans to save, invest, and build generational wealth through technology and social trust.......…continue reading

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Cassava Teams Up with NVIDIA to Power Africa’s AI Future

Cassava Technologies just made a bold move to put Africa on the global AI map — becoming the continent’s first NVIDIA Cloud Partner. Announced at AfricaCom 2025, the partnership will see Cassava deploy NVIDIA GPUs across five African data centers, giving local developers, startups, and researchers access to high-performance computing power without relying on servers overseas.

This means faster, cheaper AI training and experimentation right here in Africa — whether it’s for improving healthcare diagnostics, optimizing logistics, or developing next-gen language models.

Cassava isn’t stopping there. The company is also partnering with Google, Anthropic, and other AI leaders to bring advanced tools, training, and resources to African innovators............…continue reading

📺MEDIA

DStv rolls out free festive upgrades to win back viewers

DStv is ending the year on a high note with a festive treat for its customers. The pay-TV giant just launched “Thol-iUpsize”, a promo that automatically upgrades subscribers to higher-tier packages at no extra cost from November 10 to December 31, 2025.

Here’s how it works:

• Compact Plus and Compact customers get access to Premium channels.

• Family and Access customers are bumped up to Compact.
  And the best part? You don’t have to do anything — the upgrade happens automatically.

DStv says the campaign is part of a “value reset” focused on affordability and customer satisfaction. It’s also a smart move to win back subscribers after years of decline, especially in the premium segment.…..…continue reading

🏫EDTECH

Breni’s Going Global: 3,000 Users, 20 Countries, and Counting

Nigeria’s Breni is making waves in the edtech world with its ambitious goal to become the “Duolingo for everything.” In just three months since launch, the AI-powered learning platform has attracted over 3,000 users across 20 countries, with Nepal surprisingly leading adoption, followed by Russia and Nigeria.

The app uses bite-sized, AI-driven lessons to make learning fun and effective, and most of its growth has been completely organic, fueled by referrals and international networks. Breni runs on a freemium model, with a free ad-supported tier and a premium subscription that’s regionally priced ($1 in Nigeria, up to $5 elsewhere). Early revenue is modest but promising — ₦200,000 ($137) in just over a month............…..…continue reading

✈️TRAVEL

Canada Sets New Rules for Cancelling Visas and Permits

Canada’s IRCC has rolled out new rules to make it clearer when temporary resident documents — like visitor visas, study and work permits, and eTAs — can be cancelled. Gone is the old discretionary system; now there’s a clear legal framework giving immigration officers explicit authority to revoke documents if holders no longer meet eligibility, compliance, or admissibility requirements.

For example:

• Visitor visas can be cancelled for administrative errors, loss of eligibility, or if the holder becomes a permanent resident.

• eTAs can be revoked due to passport issues, criminal inadmissibility, or issuance mistakes.

• Study and work permits may be cancelled if institutions or employers lose compliance status.

The changes aim to increase transparency and predictability for applicants while keeping Canada’s immigration system fair and consistent. There’s even a waiver clause to protect people in special situations, like humanitarian or emergency cases..............…..…continue reading

💵 FUNDING

Stitches Africa Raises $50M to Put African Fashion on the Global Map

African fashion just got a major upgrade. Stitches Africa, an AI-powered platform, launched its mobile app in Lagos, connecting designers and tailors with customers around the world—especially the diaspora looking for authentic African styles. Using AI body measurement tech, the platform ensures perfect fits while helping local tailors earn in dollars, access better materials, and compete globally.

Alongside the launch, Stitches Africa secured $50 million in funding to scale operations, support tailors, improve logistics, and expand to international markets. The app doubles as a marketplace and a digital archive of African creativity, blending tradition with tech.

Co-founder Franklyn Peters calls it a game-changer: it’s not just about fashion—it’s about building sustainable systems, empowering creators, and showcasing African design on the world stage.............…continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun to Exit, Plans New ‘World Models’ Venture……continue reading

• Threads Launches New Features for Podcasters….continue reading

• Roam opens pre-Series B round to retail investors via Crowdcube………continue reading

• Chery launches in Kenya with affordable electric and hybrid SUVs….continue reading

• WildyNess raises pre-seed funding round to scale sustainable travel across MENA….continue reading

Do you know you can join and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel?