SemaBOX Africa has launched YEBO, a new encrypted file-sharing platform built for African creators, filmmakers, and businesses, designed to offer a secure and locally-tailored alternative to global platforms.

• YEBO is built on Mozilla’s open-source foundation and re-engineered to address the unique challenges faced by African digital storytellers.
• The platform offers free file transfers of up to 2.5GB, with plans for upcoming paid tiers.
• A core promise of YEBO is that files shared will never be used to train artificial intelligence models.
• SemaBOX Africa aims to bring full ownership and control back to African creators, prioritizing their privacy and intellectual property.

Samsung has launched its Galaxy XR headset, marking its entry into the extended reality (XR) space. This device is the first to be powered by Android XR, a platform developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, and integrates Google's Gemini AI at its core.

• The Galaxy XR is priced at $1,799 (approximately KES 230,000), less than half the price of Apple Vision Pro in Kenya.
• The headset features the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset and Hexagon NPU, and supports millions of Android apps, including optimized versions of YouTube, Google Maps, and native apps like Netflix.
• The Galaxy XR is available in the U.S. and South Korea, both online and in select Samsung and Google Stores.

Binance has launched direct USD deposits and withdrawals in over 70 countries, collaborating with BPay Global, its Bahrain-licensed payments provider. This move aims to simplify the process for users to convert between cash and cryptocurrency.

• Users can deposit USD via SWIFT bank transfers with zero fees, or use credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
• Thomas Gregory, Binance VP of Fiat, emphasized that widespread USD services will lower entry barriers to crypto and enhance the user experience.
• The expansion leverages Binance’s Bahrain-licensed arm, BPay Global B.S.C (c), aligning with regulatory confidence-building efforts.
• For emerging markets like Kenya, where the country recently passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, this update is significant for formalized crypto operations.

Samsung has launched a new 22-work collection on its Art Store, in collaboration with Art Basel Paris 2025. This collection aims to bring contemporary global art into homes worldwide via Samsung Art TVs, highlighting artists who redefine today's cultural landscape.

• The collection features artists from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including works by Pascale Marthine Tayou, Ludovic Nkoth, and others.
• The artworks, available in 4K ultra-high resolution, will be showcased at Art Basel Paris from October 24 to 26, 2025, including a special highlight on Korean artist Seundja Rhee.
• The Art Store is accessible across Samsung’s 2025 TV lineup, including The Frame Pro, which features an upgraded Neo QLED screen and Anti-Reflection Matte Display.

NCBA Bank has launched ConnectPlus, a new digital platform powered by Intellect Design Arena’s eMACH.ai Wholesale Banking Cloud, designed to digitize and enhance its corporate and SME banking operations across Africa.

• The platform promises faster transaction processing, improved cash management, and enhanced reporting capabilities for corporate clients.
• According to Managing Director James Gossip, ConnectPlus supports Kenya’s Digital Economy initiative under Vision 2030.
• The system integrates key services like payments, collections, and liquidity management, built on a cloud-native architecture with advanced security protocols.