How UBA is Empowering SMEs across Africa by Accelerating Digital Payments
Across Africa’s dynamic markets, reliable and instant financial transactions are critical to business success. For most traders, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has emerged as a trusted partner, delivering seamless digital payment solutions through innovations like its upgraded PoS terminals and UBA Moni App. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that with instant settlement, enhanced security, and user-friendly features, UBA is not only bridging the trust gap but also empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow and thrive in today’s digital economy.
Alhaja Aminatu Bashiru is a trader in Lagos’ bustling Balogun Market, where she sells a vibrant array of fabrics. Like many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), her financial health depends on seamless transactions and reliable infrastructure that ensures she receives payments the moment they are made.
Fintech’s impact on rural financial inclusion in Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is at the heart of a fintech revolution that is rapidly reshaping access to financial services. While urban areas have long enjoyed the benefits of modern banking, rural Nigeria — home to nearly half of the country’s population — has historically remained excluded from the formal financial system. Today, fintech is changing that narrative by bringing financial services directly to remote and underserved communities, fuelling economic empowerment and inclusion.
Read more: https://www.businessamlive.com/fintechs-impact-on-rural-financial-inclusion-in-nigeria/
Buy now, panic later: A legal deep dive into South Africa’s payment revolution
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment options have strutted onto South Africa’s financial runway with the swagger of innovation—offering interest-free instalments, bypassing traditional credit checks, and boasting sleek user interfaces that make old-school lay-bys look prehistoric. For consumers, it feels like a dream: swipe today, split it tomorrow. For platforms, it’s fintech gold.
But beneath the surface of this frictionless façade lies a regulatory grey zone thick with risk, ambiguity, and potential litigation. Is BNPL empowering consumers, or quietly indebting them? And when the legal hammer finally drops, who’s left holding the bill?
COREangels MEA Launches $10M Fund to Support Early-Stage Startups in Middle East and Africa
COREangels MEA has announced the rollout of a USD 10 million fund targeting early-stage tech startups across the Middle East and Africa.
The fund, launched during the network’s 5th Investment Committee meeting held in Cairo at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AAST), is backed by PTS Holdings and co-managed by Kemtix Ventures.
With a clear focus on ventures aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the fund aims to provide not just capital but operational and strategic support through Kemtix’s innovation studio. Startups selected can receive up to USD 150,000 each, along with tailored guidance to build and scale.
Read more: https://techbuild.africa/coreangels-mea-10m-early-stage-startups-africa/#google_vignette
Google and FS-ISAC Launch Programme to Combat Financial Fraud
Google and FS-ISAC have launched a new collaboration aimed at improving fraud prevention in the financial services sector.
The initiative introduces a dedicated Financial Services branch under Google’s Priority Flagger Programme.
FS-ISAC, a member-driven nonprofit focused on advancing cybersecurity in the global financial system, will manage a dedicated channel for its members to report fraud and malicious activity involving Google platforms, such as Google Workspace and Google Ads.
Read more: https://fintechnews.sg/112048/security/google-fs-isac/
Mastercard introduces TouchCard for the partially sighted in Canada
As payment cards continue to evolve to drive accessibility while adopting modern, flat designs for increased security, Mastercard is introducing Touch Card by Mastercard in Canada.
This accessible system of payment cards has unique notches that allow the sight loss community to identify their credit, debit and prepaid cards with just a touch.
“The Touch Card feature is inclusive by design and addresses a longstanding challenge faced by Canadians with sight loss when engaging in everyday financial activities by helping make their payments easier,” said Shawna Miller, Senior Vice President, Canada Marketing & Communications, Mastercard, Canada. “At Mastercard, we’re to proud foster innovation like Touch Card to help make participating in the digital economy more inclusive, secure and seamless for the sight loss community in Canada.”
