Tech Trends

  • - When you’re watching a film, you may not even notice the phones, computers, or cars that the characters drive. But in Hollywood, those decisions aren’t always arbitrary. Behind the scenes, Apple, Google, and Tesla are among the companies that are proactively dictating how their products look—making…
  • - Internet Society has announced the expansion of its partnership with Meta with the launch of a new Connectivity Co-Funding Initiative. The initiative aims to scale up efforts to expand affordable, reliable, and sustainable Internet access globally, with both the Internet Society and Internet…
  • - Equity Bancassurance: In this continuously growing world, financial institutions are evolving to offer more than just traditional banking services. One of these offerings is Bancassurance, which is a collaboration of a bank and insurance companies, where insurance products from different…
  • - Months after rolling out Uber One in South Africa, Uber has officially rolled out the service in Kenya. Uber One is a membership program that offers fee-paying members discounts on rides and deliveries. According to Uber, Uber One provides members with savings and an elevated experience in everyday…
  • - The public relations (PR) industry is undergoing a significant shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing an increasingly important role. According to recent data, 46.43% of PR firms have already integrated AI tools into their daily workflows. However, AI adoption across the industry still…
  • - Kenya’s motor vehicle industry is poised for a significant overhaul as Middle East-based investor Silver Box takes over Mobius Motors Kenya. Mobius Motors, who produced rugged, locally made vehicles, had been a bastion of local auto technology for decades but has faced financial setbacks in recent…
  • - Social media site X (formerly Twitter) experienced intermittent outages on Monday, which owner Elon Musk attributed to an “unusually powerful” cyberattack. “We get attacked every day, but this was accomplished with many resources. Either a large, organized group and/or state actor is involved,”…
  • - Officially, AI.com is now on the market at an eye-popping $100 million asking price, which dwarfs Voice.com that was sold for $30 million back in 2019. If sold for anywhere near that figure, it will set all-time records as the most expensive domain sales ever. But, is AI.com worth $100 million, or…
  • - In an Air Force One briefing on Sunday, Donald Trump stated that he has been negotiating with “four different groups” of potential TikTok buyers. Trump, known for his public statements, said, “A lot of people want it,” adding that “ownership is for me to decide.” The details of the negotiations…
  • - Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has announced a new lineup of niche phones designed for users who seek alternatives beyond the typical iPhone and Android flagships. The devices were unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. HMD says the new family portfolio demonstrates better…
  • - Ndovu, the Kenyan wealth tech startup is revolutionizing the investment landscape by making financial markets more accessible to a broader segment of the population.  Founded in 2020 by Radhika Bhachu, Ro Nyangeri and Gianpaolo De Biase, and available on iOS and Android, Ndovu allows users to…
  • - International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated on March 8th, is a global day honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while highlighting the ongoing disparities and advocating for equality, ensuring that progress continues. This year’s theme is “Accelerate action…
  • - Safaricom’s mobile financial service M-PESA has today marked 18 years since its launch in March 2007.  M-PESA is currently available in more than 170 countries globally serving over 70 million customers. The mobile financial services provider has grown to over one million businesses and agents in…
  • - One of Africa’s rapidly growing sectors is Kenya’s telecom sector, boasting over 65 million mobile subscriptions and a growing demand for affordable data and mobile money services. Consumers are, however, more digitally connected today than ever before. What is it that has led them to this choice?…
  • - OPPO Reno13 F 5G is the company’s latest smartphone in the midrange Reno lineup alongside the 4G version. The phone delivers an impressive blend of design, performance, and camera capabilities at a mid-range price. With a sleek look, a powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, and a high-refresh-rate…
  • - Kenya’s dream of becoming Africa’s technology hub is coming true as its flagship smart city project – Konza Technopolis – continues to attract global technology firms. Dubbed the “Silicon Savannah,” Konza is fast becoming home to a number of foreign investment firms from South Korea, America, and…
  • - Fast urbanization, industrial growth, and growing acceptance of electrically powered options are pushing Kenya’s electricity demand to unprecedented levels. In February 2025, the peak national electricity demand in Kenya reached a high of 2,316 MW against the record of 2,304 MW set barely one month…
  • - An investigative report by the BBC published on March 3, 2025, raises an alarm over children’s exploitation on TikTok livestreams in Kenya. Titled “TikTok Profiting from Sexual Livestreams in Kenya Involving Children,” the report claims that minors are exploited through sexualized livestreams,…
  • - The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation have announced the three teams advancing to the final round of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech. As the competition intensifies, these innovators are vying for the prestigious US$1 million Grand Prize. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech aims to…
  • - BasiGo, the Kenyan electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced a significant expansion of its operations in Rwanda, with 28 new electric buses set for delivery. The first batch of buses is already on the way and will arrive in Kigali next month. As a result, the expanded fleet will soon serve both…
  • - Kaspersky has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Africa to enhance cybersecurity across the continent. This partnership announced on Thursday will expand cybersecurity capabilities in Africa through joint initiatives and expertise-sharing. The partnership focuses …
  • - Bolt Food is enhancing the Ramadan experience by partnering with over 250 restaurants across Nairobi to meet the increased demand for meal deliveries during the evening hours. As the holy month begins, the platform has curated exclusive Ramadan menus featuring traditional favorites such as Biryani…
  • - BCS Group, a leading Pan-African wholesale telecom infrastructure provider, has announced the completion of its Lake Tanganyika Submarine Cable Project. This milestone marks the deployment of the deepest inland undersea fiber optic cable in the world. BCS Group CEO officially announced this…
  • - Infopercept, a global platform-led managed security services company has announced its new MDR solution called ‘Real MDR Solution.’ Delivered through Infopercept’s consolidated cybersecurity platform ‘Invinsense,’ the solution offers comprehensive cybersecurity coverage that goes beyond traditional…
  • - Epson has unveiled its latest power management IC, the S1A00210B, designed for hearing aids and other compact electronic devices.  Advancements in Power Management for Hearing Aids Power management integrated circuits [PMICs] play a crucial role in managing power within electronic devices,…
  • - Meme coins have gained big across the continent but recently have had many homegrown tokens sprouting in Africa. Such meme coins are probably not going to last long because of regulatory uncertainties. As Kenya joins the rest of Africa in establishing a substantive legal framework around the newly…
  • - African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Kenyan government have ratified a series of initiatives designed to support the country’s industrialisation and export-led development agenda.  Under the terms of the initiatives, formalised at a signing ceremony with the Kenyan authorities in…
  • - As of 2025, 39 out of 55 African nations have enacted data protection laws, with 34  out of these having additionally established data protection authorities.  This is according to the 2025 Report on Data Protection in Africa by Yellow Card, a leading stable-coin infrastructure platform in Africa…
  • - As we gear up for the TechTrends Pulse tech forum this June, TechTrends Media is conducting a survey to explore how businesses are leveraging smart technologies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall performance. This study aims to assess the adoption of smart solutions such as artificial…
  • - Odibets, Kenya’s leading sports gaming platform, has commended the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for appointing Benni McCarthy as the new Harambee Stars head coach. The move, seen as a turning point for Kenyan football, has been widely welcomed by fans and stakeholders alike. Odibets has been a…
  • - Digital payments company Visa has released a new report detailing growth opportunities for digital payments, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. According to the report, 40% of SMEs have adopted digital payments in the last two years.  This momentum according to…
  • - Join us on The TechTrends Podcast as we sit down with Samsung’s ⁠Ryan Mule⁠ for an exclusive deep dive into AI—the Samsung way. Ryan is the B2B Key Account Manager-Mobile Experience (Smartphones, Tablets, Wearables & MDM solutions) at Samsung Electronics East Africa. With his extensive…
  • - AI development has accelerated with phenomenal speed recently, and tech giants like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, along with a host of emerging startups, are churning out powerful new models at breakneck speed. Keeping up with the latest releases may feel pretty overwhelming, mainly when AI…
  • - In boardrooms, conflicts and rivalries seem to be the norm. However, not many rivalries in the tech arena have created as much dust as the one between Apple and Qualcomm. For over 15 years, the two giants- Apple, the consumer electronics brand, and Qualcomm, the leading force in wireless chip…
  • - The Samsung Galaxy A56, a mid-range smartphone based on the proven Galaxy A55, has been officially launched with upgrades in display size, processor, charging speeds, and connectivity. Display: A Slightly Larger and Brighter Panel The Galaxy A56 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz…
  • - Samsung has officially launched its much-anticipated Galaxy A36, featuring several upgrades from the previous version, the Galaxy A35. The latest member of the Galaxy A series is designed to be attractive and comes with improved performance and camera capabilities with longer software support. This…
  • - A whole underworld exists for people who want to watch over and spy on their families. Several app creators sell the software—sometimes termed as stalkerware—directly to jealous partners who can use it to control access to their victims’ phones remotely. Still these companies are losing the…
  • - With Donald Trump back as president, change is already affecting global industries with ripples; Africa’s fast-growing technology sector feels the backlash quite hard. From reorganization of foreign aid to adjusting trade policies and implementing tough immigration controls, the changes are…
  • - On May 5, 2025, Microsoft will stop supporting Skype, the pioneering Internet call service. This essentially marks an end to the platform after 23 years of operation as the company now shifts its focus towards Microsoft Teams. A Declining Skype User Base The decline in user engagement over the…
  • - OPPO officially launched the Reno13 F series, introducing the OPPO Reno13 5G and Reno13 F 4G. These incredible smartphones combine cutting-edge technologies, stunning designs, and powerful performance under one roof. Design and Display: Premium Aesthetics with High Refresh Rates The Reno13 F 5G and…
  • - Maersk, a global leader in integrated container logistics, and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have today announced the launch of a comprehensive maritime training programme.  The programme will provide fully funded, 12-month sea-time training opportunities aboard Maersk vessels for 10 Kenyan cadets. …
  • - Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is reportedly working on a standalone AI chatbot app, reopening the competition against giants OpenAI and Google. This decision testifies to Meta’s increasing desire to consolidate its position in the fast-evolving AI ecosystem, where…
  • - Reels, the short video format launched by Instagram, is now one of the most widely used tools on the platform itself. With this, it is reported that Meta has considered making Reels a separate app to cement its position in the short-form video market. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, reportedly…
  • - With the introduction of searchable transcripts, Google is today making significant strides in enhancing video accessibility and usability within Google Drive.  Last year the tech giant announced that users can automatically generate captions for any video uploaded to Google Drive.  The aim was to…
  • - The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has rolled out major upgrades to its Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) KRA says the upgrade will directly benefit taxpayers by simplifying compliance, increasing efficiency, and providing greater flexibility in tax invoice management. Why This…
  • - KCB Group has joined the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to enhance cross-border trade and financial integration across the continent. As the first bank in East Africa to integrate PAPSS, KCB customers will benefit from faster settlements, lower currency conversion costs, and…
  • - iXAfrica Data Centres,  East Africa’s largest hyperscale data centre facility, has unveiled the first phase of its data centre in Nairobi. Named NBOX1, the 4.5MW facility houses 780 racks and offers hyperscale, carrier-neutral, and AI-ready capabilities. According to iXAfrica , the facility expands…
  • - Tunisia achieved a major tech milestone as three leading telecom operators; Orange Tunisie, Ooredoo Tunisie, and Tunisie Télécom; simultaneously launched 5G services nationwide.  The rollout came shortly after the operators secured their licenses, marking a swift implementation of the next-…
  • - A Mano River Union (MRU) delegation recently concluded a successful study tour of the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Kenya and Uganda, gaining valuable insights into efficient cross-border trade systems that benefit women traders.  The tour brought together women traders and border…
  • - Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $1 million aimed at training one million Nigerians in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills over the next two years.  The training program is expected to be implemented through partnerships with local organisations including Tech4Dev and…