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Image credit: ZBC In the warm glow of a Harare summer evening, Dzoka Festival burst onto the cultural calendar on 18 December 2025, transforming Glamis Arena into a vibrant hub of music, heritage and communal pride. More than a concert, Dzoka, a Shona word meaning “to return” was conceived as Zimbabwe’s flagship homecoming festival, inviting Zimbabweans at home and abroad to reconnect with their roots through song, tradition, and shared experience. Organised with the explicit aim of bridging the diaspora and local communities, the festival was strategically placed at the heart of the holiday season, a time when families and friends gather from the UK, South Africa, Europe and beyond. For many, the event wasn’t just entertainment - it was a homecoming, a celebration of identity and an affirmation of belonging. From the outset, Dzoka delivered on its promise of cultural immersion. The sprawling grounds buzzed with colourful traditional performances, rhythmic dance troupes and stalls offering Zimbabwe’s rich gastronomy tourism from hearty local dishes to artisanal crafts. Revellers moved seamlessly between heritage showcases and modern beats, embodying a festival ethos that honours the past while celebrating contemporary creativity. Onstage, a regionally diverse line-up kept the energy high. British-Nigerian hitmaker Darkoo brought her dynamic fusion of Afrobeats and UK rap, resonating with diaspora audiences familiar with her chart-topping sound. South African house and amapiano heavyweight DJ Maphorisa commanded the crowd with electrifying rhythms that have become synonymous with Southern African celebration. Rising regional stars such as Jazzwrld and Thukutela added fresh musical textures, amplifying the festival’s commitment to showcasing both seasoned and emerging talent. Throughout the day and into the night, festival goers soaked in more than just music. Dzoka became a cultural marketplace. A space where heritage, fashion, food, and conversation intertwined. For Zimbabweans returning home after months or years abroad, the festival offered a communal anchor, a place to reunite with family and friends, and to immerse themselves in the unique rhythm of Zimbabwean December life. Ultimately, Dzoka Festival succeeded not merely as an event but as a statement: Zimbabwe’s culture is not static, but alive - celebrated loudly, proudly, and in full colour. As organisers look ahead to future editions, Dzoka is quickly earning its place as a defining festival for heritage tourism and national pride in the heart of Southern Africa. Discover More by Following DzokaFest on Instagram

Dec 23,2025 Celebrated Zimbabwean writer and film actor Angeline Dimingo has earned a place in the Narratives Against Poverty in Africa  anthology, a continental literary project that uses storytelling as a tool for social impact. The anthology, spearheaded by the African Narrative Writing Hub, was officially launched at a vibrant ceremony in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Dimingo’s essay, Hope in the Desert , is among several distinguished writings featured in the 2025 edition, reflecting on the human condition within the African context. Other notable contributions include Burden of Stolen Survival   by Aneth Marembo (Tanzania) and Litany for the Body That Remembers  by Benedict Hangiriza (Tanzania). During the launch, organizers also announced the winners of the 2025 African Literary Prizes. First prize (prose) went to Moira Rakotomalala of Madagascar for Under the Silence of Gold , second prize (poetry) to Dolphine Anyango of Kenya for Lost and Not Found , and third prize (essays) to Grace Kakoma of Zambia for Beyond the Brain: Narratives of Poverty, Pain and Possibility in African Education . While Africa is often portrayed narrowly through the lens of conflict and deprivation, Narratives Against Poverty  offers a broader perspective, highlighting the continent’s rich culture, history, and resilience. Through its contributors, the anthology demonstrates Africa’s capacity for healing, creativity, and progress, providing a platform for voices that inspire reflection and social change. Dimingo’s inclusion in the anthology marks another milestone in her literary career, reinforcing her status as one of Zimbabwe’s prominent storytellers and a contributor to Africa’s vibrant literary landscape.

Dec 23, 2025 Rising digital demand and artificial intelligence are driving rapid growth in data center capacity across Africa. Operators are balancing reliability, cost, and sustainability while expanding infrastructure in key markets. Image: OVHcloud / AFP In Africa, as across the world, rising digital connectivity is driving unprecedented demand for data center capacity, a trend expected to accelerate with the growth of artificial intelligence. Consulting firm McKinsey projects that data center capacity in Africa’s five largest markets; South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt will increase from around 400 megawatts today to between 1.5 and 2.2 gigawatts by 2030. East Africa is emerging as a key growth area. Ethiopia and Kenya, which generate most of their electricity from renewable sources, offer a combination of green energy and digital infrastructure. Kenya is the site of Microsoft and UAE-based G42’s plan for a 100 megawatt, potentially 1 gigawatt, geothermal-powered data center campus. While feasibility questions remain, the region’s renewable resources provide a promising framework for both business and sustainability, according to Seema Dhanani, East Africa director at British International Investment. Companies such as Raxio Group are at the forefront of meeting Africa’s data storage needs. The company operates facilities in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, and Angola, with plans to expand to Tanzania. Securing reliable power is a top priority. Each data center is connected directly to substations with multiple power lines and supported by diesel generators to ensure 99.999 percent operational time. These measures are essential given the electricity-intensive nature of artificial intelligence workloads.

Morocco kicked off the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations the way the continent loves its biggest moments: with colour, energy, and spectacle. The opening ceremony in Rabat on Sunday (21 December, 2025) set the tone for the tournament, blending sport, music, and culture on a grand international stage. Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido and American-Moroccan rapper French Montana headlined the festivities, delivering high-energy performances that electrified the crowd and showcased Africa’s global cultural influence. Their sets preceded Morocco’s 2-0 victory over Comoros in the opening match, played in front of 69,500 spectators at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium under heavy rain, demonstrating that Africa’s passion for football is unstoppable. Headliners Davido and French Montana opening the AFCON official ceremony./ Ian Walton/Getty Images The tournament’s kickoff is also generating immediate economic benefits. The festive-season influx of local and international tourists has boosted demand across hotels, restaurants, transport services, and entertainment venues in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. Analysts predict millions in short-term revenue, alongside positive spillover effects for retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors, providing a timely lift for Morocco’s economy. Government and industry leaders emphasize that AFCON 2025 is more than a sporting event; it is a platform for economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and infrastructure showcase. By attracting thousands of visitors and extensive media coverage, Morocco is positioning itself as a premier destination for sports tourism and international events in Africa. As the tournament unfolds, the mix of world-class football, star-studded performances, and festive-season tourism is expected to leave a lasting impact both financially and culturally. For Morocco, the opening ceremony and kickoff match are not just sporting milestones—they are a statement of Africa’s ability to host events that resonate across the continent and the world.

Dec 23, 2025 Bonang Matheba extended her reputation as one of Africa’s foremost hosts to the global stage, and jubilantly described her role at Miss Cosmo 2025 as a “truly special experience.” Bonang Matheba pictured at the Miss Cosmo 2025 Grand Finale and Beauty Music Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam./ Image by Nguyen Du. The South African media personality and entrepreneur hosted the Miss Cosmo 2025 Grand Finale and Beauty Music Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, marking her first appearance as lead host of the international pageant. Matheba graced the international stage in a dazzling black gown drapped in gold embellishment crafted by Biji la Maison. Announced in early November, her appointment positioned her at the centre of a global celebration that blends beauty, music, and cultural exchange. Organizers from the Miss Cosmo Organisation highlighted Matheba as an “icon of African entertainment and global pageantry,” citing her extensive experience across television, radio, entrepreneurship, and live events. Her selection underscored a growing recognition of African talent within major international productions. Bonang Matheba and Vietnamese Presenter  Bùi Đức Bảo pictured smiling and joyful at the backstage mid hosting duties./ Image by Nguyen Du. Sharing hosting duties with Vietnamese presenter Bùi Đức Bảo, Matheba brought balance, polish, and authority to the stage. She navigated the demands of a multicultural audience with ease, grounding the production with warmth while maintaining structure and pace. Observers noted her assured delivery and natural command, qualities shaped by years of fronting high-profile events across the continent. Matheba’s career includes hosting roles at Miss South Africa and several major award ceremonies, experiences that have firmly established pageantry as a space where she not only belongs but leads. Her performance at Miss Cosmo 2025 reflected that evolution, blending professionalism with visible joy. Reflecting on the moment, Matheba expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent African hosting talent on a global platform. Her appearance in Vietnam stands as both a personal milestone and a broader signal of Africa’s growing presence in international entertainment.

Munashe Mutsva, Johannesburg, Dec 23  – The South African rand strengthened further against the US dollar on Tuesday morning, supported by record high gold prices and improving domestic economic conditions. Republic of South Africa's bank notes featuring the former and late President Nelson Mandela, were displayed in an office. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko. By late afternoon trade in Johannesburg, the rand was quoted at 16.6875 to the dollar, extending gains from the previous session and marking its strongest level since August 2022. The currency is on track to end the year more than 12 percent higher against the dollar, reflecting renewed support from commodity exports and macroeconomic stability. Rising prices of precious metals, a key South African export, have underpinned the rand’s recent performance. Gold prices reached fresh record highs, reinforcing the positive impact of commodity strength on the country’s external balances and investor sentiment. Beyond commodities, the currency has also benefited from improved fiscal outcomes and progress in containing inflation. Tighter monetary policy and stabilizing price pressures have helped support the rand, while stronger revenue collection has eased concerns around public finances. Johannesburg-listed equities also advanced, extending gains from the previous trading day. The JSE Top 40 Index was up approximately 0.6 percent in afternoon trade, supported by resource stocks and improved market sentiment. Trading activity remained thinner than usual as many investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the year end holidays. Despite reduced liquidity, market participants said demand for South African assets remained firm.

Uganda has imposed immediate restrictions on the importation and clearance of Starlink satellite internet equipment, heightening scrutiny over the service as the country approaches its January 2026 general election. The directive, issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on December 19, instructs customs officials to block all Starlink technology, including communication devices and related components, unless importers present formal authorisation from the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). The move effectively places Elon Musk’s satellite broadband service under direct state oversight, limiting citizens’ ability to access an alternative internet infrastructure that is less susceptible to government shutdowns or monitoring. Uganda’s internet restrictions are not unprecedented; during the 2021 elections, the government temporarily shut down online access, drawing criticism from civil society groups, election observers, and technology companies for undermining transparency and free expression. Starlink’s Role in Africa’s Digital Landscape Starlink has marketed itself as a potential solution to Africa’s persistent connectivity challenges, delivering high-speed internet via low-Earth orbit satellites instead of conventional ground-based fibre networks. Since its African launch, Starlink has expanded to 26 countries, aiming to reach rural areas with limited broadband infrastructure. Despite its promise, the service’s rollout across Africa has caused concern he continent has faced delays and uneven adoption. Regulatory hurdles, high equipment costs, foreign exchange limitations, and opposition from local telecom operators have slowed its expansion. Several African governments have imposed licensing requirements, mandated local partnerships, or demanded data oversight, reflecting broader tensions between disruptive technology and state authority. Uganda’s new requirement for formal military approval illustrates this friction. While Starlink offers a resilient alternative to traditional networks, authorities remain wary of technologies that fall outside their control, particularly during politically sensitive periods. President Yoweri Museveni’s administration has consistently defended internet restrictions as necessary for national security and public order. Critics, however, argue that these measures are often used to suppress dissent and restrict opposition activity. Implications for Connectivity and Governance The latest directive raises questions about the future of digital access in Uganda. By imposing stringent controls on Starlink, the government is signaling its intent to maintain regulatory and operational oversight over emerging technologies that could circumvent traditional telecom networks. Analysts warn that such restrictions may slow adoption of satellite-based internet services and further entrench the state’s control over information flows, particularly during electoral cycles. As Starlink continues to expand across Africa, Uganda’s approach may serve as a case study in the ongoing negotiation between innovation, access, and government oversight — highlighting the complex interplay between technology and governance in the continent’s digital future.

AI is no longer a future conversation for African SMEs. It is a margin conversation. In lean companies, time is the rarest resource. Automating repetitive work can free founders to sell, deliver, and manage cashflow with more discipline. The mistake is trying to adopt “AI” as a big transformation. The best SMEs treat it like a set of small productivity upgrades. Here are seven workflows founders can automate today, using a mix of AI assistants and simple process tools. Customer support triage. Draft responses, tag urgency, and route issues so customers feel seen faster. Sales follow up. Turn call notes into next steps, reminders, and tailored emails. Proposals and quotations. Generate first drafts using your templates, then refine for clarity and consistency. Invoicing and collections messaging. Create polite but firm reminders that improve payment discipline without damaging relationships. Bookkeeping support. Categorise transactions and draft monthly summaries for your accountant, reducing errors and delays. Hiring operations. Write job descriptions, interview scorecards, and onboarding checklists so you hire faster and train consistently. Content repurposing. Convert one founder insight into a newsletter, LinkedIn post, short script, and sales collateral. The broader ecosystem is also catching up. Investments into data infrastructure across Africa aim to strengthen the foundation for cloud and AI use cases, which will matter as SMEs adopt more digital tools over time. Smart SEO angle: AI for African SMEs, automate business workflows, AI productivity for entrepreneurs, SME operations automation Africa, AI tools for sales and customer support. Advice for African founders and entrepreneurs: pick one workflow that wastes five hours a week, automate it, then measure the time saved and reinvest those hours into revenue activities. AI is not identity. It is return on investment.

Stablecoins sit at the intersection of Africa’s biggest business pain and its biggest policy fear. On one hand, they promise faster settlement, cheaper cross border transfers, and a hedge against currency volatility. On the other, regulators worry about consumer protection, illicit finance, and monetary stability, especially if stablecoins become widely used in place of local currency. In 2025, regulation has started to harden in key markets. Kenya’s Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill has been presented as a major step toward licensing and oversight of crypto activity, signalling a shift from grey zone adoption to formal compliance expectations. This matters because many African founders have been using stablecoins informally for settlements, payments to global contractors, and supplier transactions. The moment licensing regimes tighten, founders who cannot produce proper audit trails, customer verification processes, and risk controls will be exposed. Even those not building crypto products can be affected if stablecoins are part of their treasury operations. At the same time, the demand is real. Where FX markets are illiquid and cross border payments are expensive, stablecoins can feel like a workaround that keeps businesses moving. For founders in trade, freelancing, and cross border services, the attraction is operational. It is about speed and reliability, not ideology. So how should SMEs think about it? As a tool, not a brand. The right question is: does this reduce cost and risk without introducing a bigger regulatory and counterparty risk? That means thinking through custody, exchange partners, reserve risk where relevant, consumer disclosures, and what happens if a regulator changes the rules quickly. Smart SEO angle: stablecoins Africa regulation, Kenya VASP Bill stablecoins, crypto compliance for African startups, cross border payments risk management, SME treasury strategy Africa. Advice for African founders and entrepreneurs: if stablecoins touch your business, operate like you are regulated even before you are. Document transactions, use reputable partners, keep multiple payment rails, and build a compliance posture that can survive policy shifts. The goal is resilience, not shortcuts.

African businesses have spent decades paying a premium to trade with each other. Cross border payments have been slow, expensive, and overly dependent on correspondent banking and hard currency routing. PAPSS, the Pan African Payment and Settlement System, was created to change that by enabling cross border payments and settlement in local currencies across participating countries. Reuters reported that PAPSS planned to launch an Africa Currency Marketplace in 2025, designed to enable direct exchange between African currencies and reduce reliance on intermediary currencies like the US dollar. The logic is straightforward: if SMEs can pay and get paid across borders without multiple conversions and delays, working capital improves and trade becomes less risky. The Guardian has also described PAPSS as a platform intended to make instant, low cost local currency transfers possible across African markets, while noting challenges that still exist, including infrastructure gaps, currency volatility, and the coordination required to make a network solution feel ubiquitous. For SMEs, “payments shifting” is not a slogan. It is a potential productivity gain. Faster settlement means fewer days chasing cash. Lower fees improve margins, especially for traders and exporters operating on thin spreads. Better traceability can strengthen credit profiles, since clean transaction histories make it easier to access finance. But the adoption curve matters. Networks become valuable when enough banks, fintechs, and merchants connect. That is why founders should treat PAPSS as part of a broader treasury strategy, not as a single magic switch. The best operators will keep optionality, using multiple rails while moving customers and suppliers toward cheaper settlement options when available. Smart SEO angle: PAPSS expansion, cross border payments Africa, AfCFTA trade payments, local currency settlement, African SME trade finance, Africa Currency Marketplace. Advice for African founders and entrepreneurs: design your payments like a CFO. Standardise invoicing, pricing, and collections terms. Build multi currency thinking into your business early. When payment rails improve, the most prepared SMEs will scale across borders fastest.

African startup funding has shown a clear return of confidence in 2025, after a two year slump, according to Forbes Africa’s reporting on the rebound. But founders should not confuse “more capital” with “easy capital.” The rebound is paired with a harder filter: investors are backing businesses that look inevitable, not merely exciting. Forbes Africa described investors returning with a preference for demonstrable unit economics, recurring revenue, and clear paths to profitability. In other words, the market has moved from growth storytelling back to business performance. So what is getting funded? Fintech continues to attract capital because it is the operating system of African commerce, especially when it serves SMEs rather than only consumers. Climate and energy linked ventures are also gaining attention, particularly where they improve productivity for businesses, like cooling, logistics efficiency, and productive use energy. B2B software is rising when it cuts cost or improves collections. Data infrastructure is increasingly strategic as AI adoption and cloud usage rise across the continent. Reuters reporting on IFC’s large investment into Raxio’s data centre expansion is one example of how infrastructure investment is building the foundation for digital businesses. What is being ignored or repriced down? Consumer startups that burn cash without strong margins. Copycat marketplaces without distribution moats. “App first” products that do not own a workflow or a balance sheet. Financial products that sit in regulatory grey zones. Investors do not hate these models. They simply do not want to subsidise them. This shift creates a healthier ecosystem for serious founders. It rewards execution. It rewards governance. It rewards businesses that can survive without fundraising as oxygen. Smart SEO angle: African startup funding 2025, venture capital Africa rebound, what investors want in Africa, unit economics for African startups, B2B SaaS Africa, fintech Africa investment. Advice for African founders and entrepreneurs: build your company like you will never raise again. Nail margins, retention, and collections. Invest in governance early. When the market rewards fundamentals, the most fundable companies are also the most profitable.

In early December 2025, senior African business and philanthropic leaders travelled to the UAE for meetings with top leadership in Dubai, in a delegation covered by UAE state media and international business outlets. WAM reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid met the delegation, reflecting the UAE’s ongoing positioning as a global hub for investment partnerships with Africa. Dubai’s Media Office also described a meeting between Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed and notable African business and philanthropic figures, including high profile industrial and foundation leaders. The significance is not celebrity. It is the consolidation of a “deal corridor” between African capital, African projects, and Gulf financing networks. Business Insider Africa framed the delegation as historic, highlighting engagement with UAE leadership and global philanthropic figures. For founders and SMEs, this kind of convening often signals what sectors are about to attract structured attention: infrastructure, energy transition, food security, health systems, and technology that improves delivery. The mistake many entrepreneurs make is assuming these rooms do not matter to them. In reality, large partnerships are built on layers. Even billion dollar projects rely on thousands of smaller contracts. Procurement, localisation, ESG reporting, community engagement, construction supply chains, workforce training, digital monitoring, and last mile delivery are all spaces where SMEs can win. The second takeaway is standards. Cross border partnerships come with requirements: audited accounts, governance, compliance, measurable impact, and documented operating systems. Founders who still run everything on informal agreements and WhatsApp voice notes will struggle to plug into these corridors. Founders who build “institution level operations” early will be the ones invited into the next phase. Smart SEO angle: Africa UAE business delegation, investment partnerships Africa Gulf, SME procurement opportunities, cross border trade and investment, African founders global partnerships. Advice for African founders and entrepreneurs: make your business export ready. Clean up your financials, build repeatable processes, and create a clear capability statement that explains what you deliver, at what quality, and at what scale. When investment corridors open, the prepared companies win first.