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Visa is expanding its cryptocurrency efforts by partnering with merchant companies to use USD Coin on the Solana blockchain for settlement payments, enhancing speed and cross-border transactions using stablecoins.

Egypt has issued a 3-year Sustainability Panda Bond worth RMB 3.5 billion, becoming the first African nation to do so. This move, supported by the AfDB and the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, promotes sustainable financing and strengthens ties with China. Proceeds will support green growth under Egypt's financing framework.

Dar Blockchain hosted the first Hedera Hackathon in Tunisia, featuring 70 participants from 9 African countries. Winners included DigiLand, AfriKare, and Aqua, which focused on land certification, medical data control, and DeFi lending, respectively.

Moya Money, a South African fintech startup, has relaunched with a new website and products targeting freelancers and small businesses. Founded in 2021 by former freelancers, it aims to empower users in financial management and streamline invoicing. The startup has gained recognition in the fintech sector and invites users to join its waitlist for the upcoming app release.

Safaricom has reduced interest rates on micro-loans under its Fuliza service, effective October 2022, lowering charges for loans under 1,000 Ksh by 40%. This move aims to make borrowing more affordable for Kenyans, following discussions among key financial leaders.

Solana Labs has launched the 'Solana Incubator' program to support Web3 and blockchain projects with fundraising, development, and marketing on its platform. Open for applications until November 30, 2023, the initiative aims to remove barriers for founding teams and facilitate connections with venture capitalists.

Emata, a Ugandan agri-finance startup, has secured $2.4 million in seed funding to enhance digital loans for farmers in East Africa. The investment aims to expand their market presence, particularly in Tanzania, while improving loan accessibility for smallholders in Uganda.