KCB Acquires Pesapal Stake; OpenAI Signs $38bn Deal; AVPA Launches Sh1.6bn Fund - November 2025

KCB Group PLC has signed an agreement to acquire a minority stake in payment service provider Pesapal Limited, an initiative aimed at boosting SMEs and digital growth across Africa. In another major deal, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has signed a significant $38 billion cloud computing deal with Amazon to diversify its computing power sources and reduce its reliance on Microsoft. Additionally, the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) has launched Africa’s first Catalytic Pooled Fund, valued at Sh1.6 billion, to boost investment in mental health. This fund was unveiled during AVPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Nairobi and aims to unlock private capital for the underfunded sector.