Today Africa Weekly| May 11th – 17th, 2026
Last week behaved like a startup founder’s calendar, too many tabs open, one investor call running late, and at least three government policies arriving right when everyone thought they could breathe. The big story was not just who raised money. It was where pressure was building. Capital is still available,
Spiro enters Cameroon as it hits 95,000 motorcycles
Spiro, an African electric vehicle (EV) and battery-swapping company, revealed it now has 95,000 electric motorcycles across Africa and is launching operations in Cameroon, as well as a partnership with pan-African consulting firm Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) to get more women into the e-mobility economy. The Cameroon entry brings Spiro
22 cheapest businesses women can start from home this year
Nowadays, women are transforming their homes into thriving business hubs with nothing more than a laptop, some creativity, and a little drive. From virtual assistance to baking, the opportunities are endless, and often surprisingly affordable. The key is finding the right business idea that aligns with your skills and interests,
These are 7 ways to get free money to start a small business
Free money to start a small business is one of those phrases that makes every hopeful entrepreneur stop scrolling. It sounds like a secret door: open it, grab the cash, launch the dream. The truth is more complicated, but it is still useful. There are grants, competitions, nonprofit programs, local
Most Africans over 40 who lack these 10 skills are struggling in silence
Life after 40 in Africa can feel like standing in the middle of two worlds. One world still respects experience, patience, community, and hard-earned wisdom. The other world is moving fast, powered by smartphones, digital money, online jobs, changing family roles, and new ways of doing business. Many Africans over
Thomas Sankara biography: The man who dared to dream of a self-reliant Africa
Thomas Sankara’s biography often begins with the same striking fact: he became president of Upper Volta at 33 and led the country, later renamed Burkina Faso, from 1983 until his assassination in 1987. Yet that short timeline doesn’t fully explain why his name still carries such force. Sankara was a
Dodai secures $13m Series A to scale electric bike battery-swapping in Ethiopia
Ethiopian electric mobility startup Dodai has raised $13 million in Series A funding to expand its battery-swapping infrastructure for electric motorcycles, as international investors increase their bets on Africa’s clean transport sector. The company raised $8 million in equity and $5 million in debt. British International Investment (BII), the UK’s
CBN’s new rule means you’ll pay more for transfers above ₦10,000
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s proposed 2026 charges guide removes fees on transfers below ₦5,000 and cuts mid-tier inter-bank transfer fees between ₦5,000 and ₦50,000 to ₦10. Transfers above ₦50,000 remain capped at ₦50, giving millions of customers a clearer and cheaper fee structure for everyday payments. But the real
These 8 affordable habits are quietly making Africans in diaspora broke
Life in the diaspora presents an exciting opportunity to build a better future, but it also brings new challenges, particularly when it comes to managing finances. Many Africans living abroad earn higher wages compared to what they would have back home, but despite this, they find themselves struggling to meet
7 things you must never do before filing your taxes (or risk penalties)
Tax season is here, and if you’re not careful, a few simple mistakes could cost you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. It’s easy to rush through your return and check off the boxes. But some of the most common errors can lead to rejected returns, missed refunds, or even
