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💽 Visa launches first African data centre in South Africa

💽 Visa launches first African data centre in South Africa

Plus: 🎥 Canal+ gets green light for $3 billion Multichoice takeover

Innovation Village
July 24, 2025

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Today’s Menu ☕️

💽 Visa launches first African data centre in South Africa
💸 Safaricom integrates PayPal withdrawals into M-PESA app to support Kenya’s digital workforce
🚎 BasiGo launches Kenya’s first electric matatu pilot on intercity routes
📲 Vodacom strengthens fintech lead with $460B processed in mobile money transactions
🎥 Canal+ secures regulatory green light for $3 billion takeover of MultiChoice
💻 How Microsoft Made the Greatest Business Deal in History

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💽 INFRASTRUCTURE

Visa launches first African data centre in South Africa

Visa has launched its first African data centre in Johannesburg, South Africa—a major step in strengthening digital payment infrastructure across the continent. The high-tech facility will boost the speed, security, and reliability of transactions not only in South Africa but throughout Africa. It also supports Visa’s broader strategy to foster innovation and inclusion in the region’s fast-growing digital economy.

Accompanying the launch is a R1 billion ($56.9 million) investment to expand access to contactless and AI-driven payment technologies, support SMEs, generate digital economy jobs, and enhance financial inclusion. Visa's Southern and Eastern Africa Country Manager, Michael Berner, described the centre as a “launchpad for innovation,” enabling cutting-edge technologies like generative AI.

The move is part of Visa’s two-pronged African infrastructure strategy, with another data centre planned for Nigeria. That facility will further support payment processing and fintech development, building on Visa’s $1 billion investment in Nigeria. Together, the two hubs position Visa as a key player in Africa’s digital transformation, combining regulatory strength in South Africa with Nigeria’s fintech dynamism...…...…continue reading

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💸 PAYMENTS

Safaricom integrates PayPal withdrawals into M-PESA app to support Kenya’s digital workforce

Safaricom has integrated PayPal withdrawals directly into its M-PESA super app, allowing users—especially freelancers and digital entrepreneurs—to access international earnings more efficiently. Previously reliant on a separate web portal, the new mini app streamlines the process by eliminating browser redirects and multiple logins. This move aims to boost Safaricom’s share of Kenya’s booming digital gig economy, where PayPal remains a top cross-border payment platform.

The integration also intensifies competition with Equity Bank, which offers Kenya’s only instant PayPal-to-bank withdrawal service. While Equity remains preferable for high-value transactions, M-PESA now offers a quicker, bank-free alternative for smaller withdrawals, enhancing user control and convenience.

This development aligns with Safaricom’s broader strategy to deepen financial engagement through the M-PESA ecosystem. As of March 2025, M-PESA posted strong growth: KES 161.1 billion ($1.25 billion) in mobile money revenue, 35.82 million active users, and 299,000 agents. With wallet limits now reaching KES 500,000, and increasing competition from services like Wise and Payoneer, Safaricom’s PayPal feature cements its leadership in mobile financial services........…continue reading

🚎 ELECTRIC VEHICLES

BasiGo launches Kenya’s first electric matatu pilot on intercity routes

Kenyan electric mobility startup BasiGo has launched the country’s first pilot program for electric matatus—public transport minivans—on intercity routes, marking a major step in decarbonizing Kenya’s transport sector. The pilot involves two electric vans operated by 4NTE Sacco and Manchester Travellers Coach on key routes such as Nyahururu–Nyeri, Nyahururu–Nakuru, and Thika–Nairobi.

Each vehicle has a 300-kilometer range and recharges in 90 minutes. Charging stations have been installed in Thika and Nyahururu to support operations. Offered through BasiGo’s “Pay-As-You-Drive” lease-to-own model, the initiative lowers the financial barrier for matatu operators.

BasiGo Managing Director Moses Nderitu called the program a milestone in electrifying a cultural icon. Despite skepticism in the informal, diesel-reliant matatu industry, BasiGo aims to scale the project to over 1,000 vans, eventually assembling them locally to spur job creation.

Founded in 2021, BasiGo raised $41.5 million in 2024 to expand its Nairobi assembly plant, reinforcing investor confidence in Kenya’s electric mobility transition......…continue reading

📲 FINTECH

Vodacom strengthens fintech lead with $460B processed in mobile money transactions

Vodacom Group has announced that its mobile money platforms, including Safaricom in Kenya, processed a massive US$460 billion (R8.1 trillion) in transactions over the past year—a 14.9% increase. This milestone reinforces the growing role of financial services in Vodacom’s broader business strategy.

In its trading update for the quarter ending June 2025, Vodacom reported group financial services revenue of R3.9 billion, with strong contributions from South Africa’s insurance sector, Egypt’s 44.3% revenue growth, and a 17.4% increase across Mozambique and other markets. Overall group revenue rose 10.6% to R40 billion, driven by an 18.1% surge in financial services revenue.

CEO Shameel Joosub emphasized financial services as Vodacom’s largest “beyond mobile” segment and a clear strategic priority. He highlighted strong growth in South Africa’s contract segment, improved international market performance, and exceptional momentum in Egypt.

Vodacom also plans to ramp up investment in South Africa, with R12 billion earmarked for capital expenditure by March 2026, as it continues to solidify its fintech leadership across Africa..........…continue reading

🎥 MEDIA

Canal+ secures regulatory green light for $3 billion takeover of MultiChoice

France-based media conglomerate Canal+ has secured approval from South Africa’s Competition Tribunal to acquire MultiChoice in a deal valued at approximately R53 billion ($3 billion). The Tribunal’s conditional approval marks a major milestone in uniting two leading media entities and includes commitments to support local interests. These conditions focus on promoting Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs), aiding SMMEs in the audio-visual sector, investing in local content, and preserving employment and skills development.

Canal+ hailed the decision as a crucial step toward creating a pan-African media powerhouse. However, the transaction still requires approvals from several South African regulatory bodies, including the Reserve Bank, the JSE, the Takeover Regulation Panel, and ICASA. To navigate foreign ownership restrictions, MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd—which serves South African subscribers—will be separated from the parent group and run independently.

MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela called the Tribunal’s decision a turning point and reaffirmed both companies’ commitment to uninterrupted service and expanded content deliver.....…continue reading