#35 Connectivity to Crypto: Africa’s Digital Rules are Changing

African startups kicked off 2026 with a strong $705 million raised in the first quarter. However, the "how" is just as important as the "how much." Debt financing has emerged as the dominant force, suggesting a shift in how founders scale and how investors perceive risk in the current economic climate. We break down what this "debt-first" trend means for the ecosystem’s long-term sustainability.

Other interesting stories in this episode:

• New regulations require stablecoin issuers to back their tokens with reserves held strictly within Kenyan banks to ensure financial stability.
• The Conecta project is expanding, with 37 firms joining the mission to bridge the digital divide via satellite internet. in Angola.
• Africa’s first disability-tech fund launches, aiming to empower entrepreneurs building solutions for the millions of Africans living with disabilities.
• Internet usage has climbed to 71% in Kenya, pushing the country’s infrastructure to the limit and sparking urgent conversations about capacity upgrades.

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