LOOP DFS, the fintech arm of NCBA Group, has unveiled a new device financing solution in partnership with global insurtech leader bolttech, marking a major step forward in accessible digital finance. The solution integrates seamlessly with LOOP FLEX, the brand’s Buy Now, Pay Later service, enabling customers to acquire premium devices and spread payments over flexible instalments of up to 12 months. This launch positions LOOP as a strong driver of digital lifestyles by making high-quality technology more attainable for consumers.
The collaboration ensures that every financed device comes with comprehensive built-in protection powered by bolttech. Customers benefit from coverage against theft, accidental and liquid damage, and mechanical breakdowns. All repairs and servicing are guaranteed to be conducted only at authorized service centers using genuine parts, maintaining product integrity and delivering peace of mind. This approach reinforces LOOP’s commitment to safeguarding customer value while advancing responsible digital ownership.
Speaking during the unveiling, LOOP DFS CEO Eric Muriuki emphasized the significance of this innovation in meeting evolving lifestyle needs. He noted that the new device financing solution not only enhances consumer access to premium technology but also aligns with LOOP’s mission to deliver modern, digitally driven financial solutions that empower customers in their work and everyday lives. The partnership with bolttech further strengthens LOOP’s ability to integrate convenience, protection, and affordability into a single offering.
Alongside the device financing rollout, LOOP has launched the LOOP Shopping Festival, an extensive campaign running through the festive season into February. The initiative offers substantial savings through cashback rewards across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, fuel, groceries, and dining. With over 30 participating partner merchants, including prominent brands like Shell, Hotpoint Appliances Limited, Quickmart Kenya, OPPO, Artcaffé – Cafe | Restaurant | Baré, Lintons Beauty World, Samsung Electronics, Tecno, and Autoexpress, customers gain access to a wide ecosystem of exclusive deals designed to elevate their shopping experiences.
To complement the campaign, LOOP has organized a series of immersive mall activations at key locations including The Nord Mall, Thika Road Mall, and Sarit Centre. These activations feature vendor showcases, live demonstrations, and experiential interactions, offering customers an opportunity to explore products and services firsthand. The LOOP Shopping Festival is open to all customers via the LOOP App, which remains available on both Android and iOS platforms, ensuring easy access and broad participation.
Loop, bolttech Partners to Unveil Device Financing
Wanja Muriithi Named New General Manager at IColo
iColo: A Digital Realty Company has announced a significant leadership move with the appointment of Wanja Muriithi as its new General Manager in Kenya, marking a strategic step toward accelerating business growth and deepening Digital Realty’s footprint across East Africa. With Digital Realty already established in Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, and South Africa, Kenya continues to stand out as a central market for regional expansion, reinforcing the importance of this appointment.
Muriithi will report directly to Marcel Louw, Managing Director for Africa at Digital Realty, as she steps into a role that demands strong operational leadership and strategic vision. The company emphasized her exceptional track record in driving operational excellence, steering strategic direction, and delivering consistent sales growth while maintaining a deep commitment to both customer satisfaction and employee engagement.
Her extensive experience in the ICT sector spans leadership and sales roles at Microsoft, Tarsus Technologies, and Isolutions Associates Ltd, where she served as Managing Director. Most recently, she held the position of Country General Manager at Tano Digital Solutions Group Kenya, a role she executed with distinction for seven years. This diverse portfolio positions her as a strong fit for iColo’s evolving ambitions within the data center and digital infrastructure landscape.
Digital Realty leadership expressed strong confidence in her appointment, noting her alignment with the company’s global vision and local execution strategy. Louw highlighted her ability to contribute meaningfully as the company sharpens its focus on growth and operational excellence, underscoring the timing of her entry as iColo pursues a new phase of expansion.
Muriithi shared her optimism about joining iColo, citing inspiration from the company’s impressive growth over the past decade. She expressed her eagerness to engage customers, understand their evolving colocation needs, and strengthen the company’s role in supporting businesses across the region. Her appointment signals renewed momentum for iColo as it continues to empower digital transformation across East Africa.
Bolt Grows to Nairobi’s Largest EV Ride-Hailing Platform
Bolt has reached a major milestone in Kenya’s mobility landscape, officially becoming Nairobi’s largest electric motorbike ride-hailing operator. With more than 40% of its boda boda fleet now electric, the company has positioned itself at the forefront of the country’s green transport transition. This rapid expansion not only surpasses industry competitors but also reinforces Kenya’s growing reputation as a continental leader in clean mobility adoption.
This growth has been significantly accelerated through Bolt’s strategic partnership with M-KOPA, which has enabled over 1,700 riders to access electric motorbikes through flexible pay-as-you-go financing. By removing the high upfront cost typically associated with EVs, Bolt and M-KOPA have unlocked opportunities for thousands of riders to embrace cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable alternatives. The company has achieved its 2025 electrification targets months ahead of schedule — a clear indicator of strong market readiness.
Industry leaders acknowledge the economic and environmental impact of this transition. With fuel prices remaining unpredictable, electric motorbikes offer riders a dramatically lower cost of operation, reduced maintenance expenses, and greater income stability. Bolt’s 4.8 million EV rides recorded over the past year underline both rider adoption and rising consumer preference for environmentally conscious transport options. This momentum complements Kenya’s National E-mobility Policy aimed at reducing emissions and promoting local EV assembly.
Bolt’s leadership team emphasizes that this milestone is as much about improved livelihoods as it is about sustainability. By enabling riders to shift from fuel-powered to electric alternatives, the company is demonstrating how climate-friendly innovation can directly improve daily earnings. M-KOPA’s leadership has echoed this sentiment, highlighting the strong appetite among riders when financial barriers are eliminated. The success of this model challenges other mobility platforms to accelerate their own electrification strategies in an increasingly competitive ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Bolt plans to expand its electric fleet even further in 2026 through new financing partnerships and collaborations with charging infrastructure providers. As local EV manufacturers like Roam and Ampersand scale up assembly efforts, Kenya’s mobility sector is entering a transformative phase. Bolt’s achievement signals a new standard for the ride-hailing industry — one where affordability, sustainability, and innovation move in the same direction to shape the future of urban transport.
Bryan Kariuki Appointed as New Chief Product Officer at LOOPS DFS
LOOP DFS has announced that Bryan Kariuki is joining as Chief Product Officer, where he will lead the next phase of product evolution, strengthen the neobank’s position as a lifestyle-driven digital banking platform, and accelerate product-led growth across consumer, merchant, and platform segments.
Bryan brings extensive experience in fintech, digital financial services, digital innovation for mass markets, product leadership, business development and partnerships, general management, and strategy consulting. This rich background positions him to help drive LOOP’s ambition to deliver high-impact digital financial solutions tailored to real customer needs while supporting business growth.
He joins at a moment when LOOP is actively expanding its product suite and market presence — having recently launched innovative services such as the BUY NOW PAY LATER solution LOOP Flex to offer flexible financing and embedded protection for device purchases. (The Online Kenyan) With Bryan’s leadership, LOOP is better equipped to build on these offerings and continue to innovate.
His track record spans across Africa and beyond: he has contributed to growth trajectories at trusted fintech and digital commerce organizations including Cellulant, Copia, and Mawingu, and held advisory roles at firms operating in banking, microfinance, and venture investing — giving him a diverse perspective that bridges finance, tech, and strategic growth.
As LOOP DFS moves forward under this strengthened leadership, the future suggests accelerated innovation, expanded product offerings, and deeper value delivery to customers and merchants. Bryan’s arrival marks a strategic inflection point for the company — one that could shape how digital banking and financial services evolve in Kenya and beyond.
FSD Kenya Appoints Rashmi Pillai As New CEO
Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya) has announced a major leadership transition with the appointment of Rashmi P. as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2026. Rashmi brings close to two decades of experience in driving inclusive financial sector transformation across Africa and South Asia, having served in high-impact roles including CEO of Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSD Uganda), Head of Public Policy at Wave Mobile Money, and senior advisory positions at CGAP and United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). Her appointment marks a strategic step for FSD Kenya as it prepares for its next phase of growth under the 2026–2030 strategy.
Rashmi succeeds Tamara Cook, who has led the organization since 2019 and played a pivotal role in shaping FSD Kenya into a leading institution for market systems development in inclusive and green finance. Both leaders will collaborate closely over the next year to ensure a smooth leadership transition, with Tamara continuing in her role until January 2026. The transition comes at a defining moment for Kenya’s financial landscape, where the challenge is no longer access alone but the deeper issue of financial health among individuals and enterprises.
Today, although 84.8% of Kenyans have access to formal financial services, only 18.3% are considered financially healthy, revealing a significant gap between usage and impact. This is particularly felt among women, youth, and MSMEs. Rashmi emphasized that FSD Kenya’s mission now centers on ensuring finance contributes meaningfully to resilience, opportunity, and economic participation, especially amidst climate pressures, rapid technological advancement, and shifting economic conditions. She highlighted the organization’s strength in de-risking innovation, convening diverse stakeholders, and catalyzing systemic change as the foundation of its next chapter.
Rashmi’s extensive track record underscores her readiness for this responsibility. At FSD Uganda, she deepened the strategic focus, strengthened evidence-driven programming, and mobilized significant funding partnerships, including a $26 million facility with Mastercard Foundation and a €5 million technical assistance facility with the European Union. Her experience shaping policy for Wave Mobile Money and founding India’s Sankalp Forum—now a leading impact investment platform across Asia and East Africa—further illustrates her ability to build ecosystems, influence policy, and scale inclusive innovation.
FSD Kenya’s Programme Investment Committee welcomed the appointment, affirming Rashmi’s capability to drive the organization’s vision at a time when Kenya is strengthening its financial systems for inclusive growth.
Proptech Company Rushbox Acquires BuyRentKenya
In a strategic move reshaping East Africa’s proptech landscape, Rushbox Digital Media Ltd has acquired BuyRentKenya, Kenya’s leading online real estate marketplace. The acquisition strengthens Rushbox’s footprint in the region while allowing Ringier One Africa Media (ROAM), the seller, to focus more intently on its core “Jobs and General Classifieds” verticals. The deal marks a significant milestone for both companies, signaling a shift in priorities and an expansion of digital real estate services across the continent.
Rushbox Ltd, known for its operation of digital property platforms such as Property.co.zw in Zimbabwe and PropertyCloud.mu in Mauritius, now consolidates its position as a pan-African proptech leader with platforms spanning three distinct regions. By integrating BuyRentKenya into its portfolio, Rushbox aims to bring enhanced innovation, improved user experience, and expanded opportunities for property seekers, agents, and developers across East Africa.
Garth Drummond, Director of Rushbox Ltd, highlighted that BuyRentKenya’s established reputation in the Kenyan market makes it a strong addition to their growing network. The acquisition is expected to introduce new technical capabilities and innovative features while leveraging Rushbox’s experience in managing digital real estate marketplaces across Africa. The platform will continue to serve its users reliably, maintaining operational continuity and high-quality service.
For ROAM, the divestiture allows a sharper focus on its recruitment and general classifieds businesses under The African Talent Company (TATC), which includes job platforms such as BrighterMonday and Jobberman. By exiting the specialized real estate vertical, ROAM is doubling down on connecting talent with opportunity across the continent, positioning itself for growth in the human capital space.
Elizabeth Costabir, CEO of BuyRentKenya, emphasized that the partnership with Rushbox brings fresh energy, technology, and capacity to the platform while preserving its commitment to connecting Kenyans with reliable and high-quality property options. The acquisition is expected to further strengthen BuyRentKenya’s market presence and enhance the overall experience for its users, solidifying its role as a trusted real estate marketplace in Kenya.
Ten Startups Advance to Latitude59 Kenya 2025 Finals
From a competitive pool of over 200 applications spanning 27 countries, ten startups have been selected for the final stage of the Latitude59 Kenya Edition Pitch Competition. These innovative teams will showcase their solutions from December 3 to 5, 2025, at Nairobi’s A.S.K Dome. The selection reflects the growing strength and diversity of Africa’s startup ecosystem, highlighting ventures that are leveraging technology to address critical challenges across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, and digital services.
The startups advancing to the finals are developing cutting-edge solutions, including AI- and drone-powered carbon measurement, smart-locker infrastructure, AI-driven crop health monitoring, circular pet nutrition, influencer tools, healthcare operations software, and clean aquatic protein for sustainable food systems. Notable companies competing include Acre Insights, Beba-Beggie: Smart storage E-lockers, LimaBot AI, Loop Pet Food, MediaKits.io, MyItura (MTN ‘25), Payd HQ, ProPath Sports, RUN, and Vertical Lake.
Triin Ilves, Head of Startup Relations at Latitude59, emphasized the exceptional quality of the entries, noting that narrowing the field to ten finalists was extremely challenging. She highlighted that these startups not only bring advanced technology but also clarity, speed, and global ambition to their ventures. Nairobi Business Angel Network founder Nick Vilelle also praised the calibre of the startups, expressing eagerness to invest and support these founders on their growth journeys.
Latitude59 Kenya 2025 will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including founders and innovators such as David N. from HoneyCoin, Monicah Muhoya from SisterSpeaks Global, Chisom Anoke from Yango, Vinod Goel from Jumia Group East Africa, and Michelle Watiki from Duck. Taavi Kotka, a key architect of Estonia’s digital transformation, will share insights on building a successful startup and IT ecosystem, while Dr. Myriam Sidibé [She/Her] will discuss strategies for inclusive and sustainable growth through innovation.
The competition will run alongside the Digital and Green Innovation Summit Africa, bringing together innovators, investors, policymakers, and global partners to explore sustainable and human-centered approaches to digital transformation and green innovation. Organized in cooperation with Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), Civitta, Smart Africa, Belva Inc., KOOD, the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, and Fienta, Latitude59 Kenya 2025 is set to be a landmark event, showcasing the continent’s startup potential and commitment to sustainable growth.
Kenya Emerges Gateway to 350M Customers Worldwide
Kenya was strongly positioned as the gateway to a 350-million-person East and Central African market during the Kenya Trade and Investment Roadshow 2025, held from November 28. The event brought together over 300 CEOs, investors, and policymakers from 35 countries for three days of deal-focused engagement. Organized by Equity Bank Limited Holdings, the summit aimed to spotlight Kenya’s strategic role in unlocking regional opportunities under the theme “Unlocking East Africa: Kenya’s Role as the Engine of Regional Prosperity.”
Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi urged global investors to view East Africa as a mature and scalable investment destination. He highlighted Kenya’s demographic advantage, noting that over 75% of the population is under 35 and digitally savvy, forming a strong consumer and talent base for the future. His call to action encouraged investors not to focus solely on Kenya’s domestic market but to leverage its central position within the East African Community, COMESA Secretariat, and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. Dr. Mwangi emphasized that East Africa’s long-term growth trajectory and market readiness make it a powerful region for transformational investment.
The roadshow followed a successful mission in Rwanda where Kenyan businesses engaged with hundreds of continental investors, further building momentum for cross-border collaboration. In Nairobi, Dr. Mwangi urged delegates to move beyond exploratory conversations and pursue decisive, transactional engagements. He stressed that the summit was not a diplomatic event but a practical platform for making deals, building partnerships, and signing agreements. His message reinforced Equity Group’s commitment to championing regional economic integration and fostering corporate expansion across East and Central Africa.
Key global leaders echoed the significance of Kenya’s strategic position. Rt Hon Lord (Hugo) Swire, Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, highlighted that trade within the 56-member Commonwealth is 19% cheaper compared to non-member trading. He praised Kenya’s dynamism and encouraged investors to explore opportunities within Commonwealth markets. Meanwhile, Aliou Maiga of the IFC – International Finance Corporation noted that Africa requires a generation of bold visionaries—leaders who can think big and execute effectively. He reaffirmed The World Bank Group’s role in building competitive and resilient economies across the continent.
Across the three-day summit, one message remained consistent: Kenya and its regional partners offer a powerful blend of market scale, youthful talent, stability, and innovation leadership. With Equity Group showcasing its financial muscle and continental footprint, investors were encouraged to anchor their long-term strategies in East Africa.
Opera Mini, Safaricom Extend Partnership to Offer Free Data
Opera has renewed its partnership with Safaricom PLC to deliver 1.5GB of free browsing data every month to all Opera Mini users in Kenya. This initiative applies automatically to both new and existing users on the Safaricom network who open or update the Opera Mini app. The renewed collaboration reinforces a shared commitment to expand affordable internet access across the country, especially at a time when digital inclusion is becoming increasingly essential for learning, business, and everyday communication.
The partnership comes against the backdrop of rising demand for cost-friendly data solutions. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, the country recorded 58.5 million mobile data subscriptions by June 2025, marking a 27.3 percent growth from the previous year. Opera attributes this momentum to its free data campaign, which has significantly boosted engagement: monthly users in Kenya have grown by 13 percent, and weekly usage trends show that 47 percent of Kenyans now rely on Opera Mini as their primary browser—a remarkable 40 percent increase since the beginning of the year.
Usage among Safaricom subscribers has surged even more dramatically. Opera Mini has recorded a 93 percent increase in daily active users and a 55 percent rise in the number of pages loaded since the campaign relaunch. Opera leaders emphasized that the goal is to empower every Kenyan to connect without worrying about data constraints. By offering free monthly browsing capacity, Opera Mini positions itself as a smart and data-conscious choice, particularly for users seeking fast, efficient, and cost-effective access to the internet.
Safaricom reinforced that the collaboration aligns with its mission to advance nationwide digital inclusion. The telco highlighted that providing 1.5GB of free browsing each month enhances access to online opportunities for millions, from education to entrepreneurship. Opera Mini’s renowned data-saving features—capable of reducing data consumption by up to 90 percent—further complement this mission. The browser is supported by Opera’s local data centres, including one in Nairobi, which enhance speed, reliability, and performance even on low-bandwidth connections.
Opera Mini has also evolved technologically, integrating free and unlimited AI tools directly into the browser. These include writing assistance, translation, summarisation, and enhanced search capabilities, all optimized to consume significantly less data than standalone AI applications. With AI adoption rapidly increasing among young Kenyans, Opera’s move ensures broader accessibility while complementing its personalized newsfeeds, live sports updates, and built-in ad-blocking features. The renewed partnership ultimately represents an important step toward a more connected and digitally empowered nation.
Grofunder Africa Wins Top Honor at Verto Awards
Grofunder Africa has been crowned the overall winner of the inaugural Verto Awards, securing the grand prize of USD 10,000 for its pioneering peer-to-peer agri-financing platform that empowers smallholder commercial farmers. The Kenyan startup topped a strong field of early-stage innovators from across Africa, reaffirming the growing influence of agri-fintech solutions in driving economic transformation. Train Your Brain emerged as the 1st Runner-Up with USD 3,000 for its technology-enabled mental health services, while Green Voyage claimed the 2nd Runner-Up position with USD 2,000 for its climate-tech innovations that support carbon offset management.
The 2025 Verto Awards, launched earlier this year, were established to spotlight standout startups from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa in the fintech, agritech, healthtech, and climate-tech spaces. Startups operational for at least two years were evaluated for their ability to address critical challenges in finance, agriculture, health, climate resilience, and digital commerce. This year’s finalists demonstrated strong market traction, creative business models, and the capacity to deliver sustainable, scalable impact.
Grofunder Africa stood out to the judging panel for its transformative work in unlocking financial access for farmers and strengthening agricultural value chains. By connecting investors directly with smallholder commercial farmers, the platform helps bridge longstanding financing gaps that have historically limited agricultural productivity. Kelvin Dol, CEO of Grofunder Africa Ltd, emphasized that the award validates their mission of empowering farmers with financial tools capable of fueling economic growth across the continent.
The finalists showcased exceptional ambition and technical depth, according to the panel of investors and digital economy experts who evaluated the entries. Judges assessed each startup on innovation, demonstrated need, sustainability, scalability, and social impact. They noted that the level of competition was exceptionally high, with each finalist presenting solutions designed to address pressing socio-economic challenges through technology-driven innovation.
Verto Co-founder and CEO Ola Oyetayo praised the outstanding calibre of startups featured in this inaugural edition, highlighting the innovation, resilience, and global ambition embedded within Africa’s early-stage ecosystem. He reiterated Verto’s commitment to providing financial infrastructure that enables African businesses to grow, expand, and build stronger international connections. As platforms like Grofunder, Train Your Brain, and Green Voyage continue to scale, they reflect a continent increasingly defined by bold entrepreneurship and technology-led problem-solving..
