The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched a significant inquiry into consumer complaints involving three major industries: banking, telecommunications, and aviation. The investigations aim to address allegations of poor service delivery, exploitative practices, and potential violations of consumer rights. According to FCCPC in a statement, the inquiries,…
Author: Staff Writer
Swiss cement maker Holcim AG is set to exit the Nigerian market by selling its 83.8% stake in Lafarge Africa to China’s Huaxin Cement Co. in a landmark $1 billion deal. The transaction, expected to close in 2025 pending regulatory approvals, underscores Holcim’s ongoing strategy to streamline its portfolio and…
The World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council has unanimously reappointed Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second four-year term as Director-General. Her new term will commence on September 1, 2025, extending her historic tenure as the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body. A Transparent Process…
In a vibrant showcase of innovation and talent, Feegor, an innovative B2B e-commerce company, emerged as the grand prize winner at Wema Bank’s Hackaholics 5.0, taking home an impressive N50 million. The event, held recently in Lagos, spotlighted the ingenuity of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and marked another milestone in the…
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a firm cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service provider, Starlink, citing unlicensed operations within the country. This development adds Namibia to the list of African nations where Starlink faces regulatory hurdles despite its growing presence across the continent. Regulatory…
Australia has taken a bold step in digital regulation, becoming one of the first countries to enforce an outright ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. Passed after heated debates and widespread public scrutiny, the Social Media Minimum Age Bill introduces some of the toughest…
Tranglo, a prominent cross-border payment hub, has made significant strides in fostering financial inclusion across Africa by extending its services to Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, and Zambia. This expansion reflects Tranglo’s commitment to providing efficient and cost-effective payment solutions to underserved populations in one of the world’s fastest-growing…
OpenAI, Meta, and French telecom giant Orange are joining forces to address the underrepresentation of African languages in artificial intelligence. By creating custom AI models to recognize and process languages spoken across Africa, the partnership aims to bridge gaps in linguistic diversity and make AI more inclusive and accessible. Transforming…
Huawei Technologies is set to make a bold shift in the smartphone and tablet market by completely replacing Google’s Android with its homegrown HarmonyOS Next, as from 2025. This landmark decision underlines Huawei’s strategic move to reduce reliance on U.S. technology and reinforce its presence in China’s premium tech market,…
Kenya’s leading rural-focused Internet Service Provider (ISP), Mawingu, has secured $15 million in financing to drive its ambitious expansion into Tanzania. This strategic growth includes the acquisition of Habari, an Arusha-based ISP with over 25 years of experience delivering internet and ICT solutions to rural and underserved communities across Tanzania.…
Sylndr, Egypt’s foremost online used car marketplace, has reached a transformative milestone, securing a groundbreaking EGP 370 million ($7.5 million) working capital facility to bolster its ambitious growth trajectory. Facilitated by EFG Hermes, the leading investment bank in the MENA region, this financing marks Egypt’s first-ever asset-backed working capital solution,…
Brazilian protein giant JBS has announced a groundbreaking $2.5 billion investment plan to establish six meat-processing facilities in Nigeria, underscoring its commitment to tackling food insecurity in the region. This initiative marks a significant step in JBS’s global expansion strategy and its ongoing efforts to foster sustainable food production. Details…
Neuralink, the brain-implant company co-founded by Elon Musk, is expanding its groundbreaking research into Canada. With Health Canada’s regulatory approval, Toronto Western Hospital will serve as the first non-U.S. site for Neuralink’s clinical trials, marking a major step in the company’s journey to revolutionize neural technology. The clinical trials, operating…
Ariika, a digital-first, direct-to-consumer home furnishing brand, has successfully raised $3 million in its Series A extension equity round. The investment was spearheaded by Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Beltone Financial Holding, and UAE-based Citadel International Holdings. This funding milestone paves the way for ariika to accelerate its expansion…
WhatsApp has launched a new feature that allows users to transcribe voice messages into text, enhancing accessibility and convenience for its global audience. The update, announced on Thursday, is designed for situations where listening to a voice message isn’t feasible—whether you’re in a noisy environment or simply prefer reading over…
Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) has announced the fourth round of its Crypto for Good Fund (C4G), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at driving global financial inclusion and climate resilience through blockchain technology in emerging markets. Building on the success of three previous rounds, C4G has already screened over 1,000 applications, deployed…
Kenya’s President William Ruto has canceled multimillion-dollar deals involving the Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of bribery and fraud against the group’s founder, Gautam Adani, in the United States. The scrapped agreements included a $2 billion airport modernization project at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a $736 million…
VAS2Nets, a Nigerian technology firm has joined forces with Telness Tech, Lebara and Procescom to establish a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Nigeria. This initiative brings a fresh entrant to the rapidly evolving Nigerian telecommunications market, leveraging cutting-edge technology and a globally recognized brand. A Growing Market Ripe…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has ramped up its fight against Google, proposing significant remedies to address the tech giant’s illegal monopoly in search and search advertising. Among the most radical measures, the DOJ seeks to compel Google to divest its Chrome web browser and impose sweeping restrictions on…
MTN, Africa’s telecom giant with over 290 million subscribers, has introduced Cloudplay, a pioneering cloud gaming service in collaboration with Telecoming, a sportech company focused on digital entertainment. The launch signifies a bold step in redefining gaming accessibility and marks a milestone in MTN’s ongoing innovation efforts. What is MTN…