BrandArena

WARC Identifies Five Global Marketing Trends Set to Shape 2027

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:02:36 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI), changing social media algorithms, short-form video, climate change and consumer trust are among five major trends expected to reshape global marketing in 2027, according to a new report by WARC.

The global marketing intelligence company has released its Marketer's Toolkit 2027, highlighting emerging developments and offering insights to help businesses adapt their marketing strategies and identify growth opportunities.

WARC's research shows that marketer optimism has declined for the third consecutive year, with just 46% expecting business conditions to improve in 2027, nearly 20 percentage points lower than three years ago. However, fewer marketers anticipate budget cuts.

Meanwhile, global advertising expenditure is forecast to grow by 8.4% to $1.46 trillion in 2027, according to WARC Media.

Aditya Kishore, Insight Director at WARC, said, "The macroeconomic backdrop remains challenging – a fading middle market, mounting sovereign debt, and a cost-of-living crisis are all still weighing on marketer optimism. But beneath these pressures, important shifts are reshaping the industry. AI agents are starting to influence how consumers shop, algorithms are superseding social connections on social media, and the rise of the clip economy is changing how brands connect with audiences. Marketers who understand these emerging trends – and act on them – have a genuine opportunity to turn disruption into growth in 2027."

Now in its 16th year, the report draws on WARC's proprietary GEISTE framework, a global survey of more than 1,000 marketing executives conducted in September and October 2026, interviews with industry leaders and insights from its global team of experts.

The five trends identified are:

1. AI Delegation: The Rise of Agent-Led Shopping

WARC found that 69% of marketers expect consumers to use AI agents for product research within the next three years, while only 8% anticipate customers will fully delegate purchases to AI.

Research by PHD and WARC projects that agent-facilitated consumer spending could reach $944 billion in 2026 and $3.4 trillion by 2030.

The report advises brands to optimise their strategies for both human consumers and AI agents, assess the impact of AI-driven shopping on their industries and encourage greater collaboration across marketing teams.

2. The Post-Social Era: Algorithms Take Centre Stage

Despite social media advertising expenditure reaching a projected $394.6 billion in 2026, 43% of advertisers believe its effectiveness is declining. However, 58% say established media-buying practices make it difficult to remove social platforms from their plans.

WARC argues that algorithms are increasingly replacing social connections as the primary drivers of content discovery, making personalised and relevant content essential.

Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at Procter & Gamble, said: "You need to make sure that you create memory in the algorithm. What we’ve learned is that you need a much higher volume of content, a much higher variety of content, at a much higher velocity."

The report recommends prioritising audience insights, creative diversity and consumer motivations rather than simply increasing content output.

3. The Clip Economy: Short-Form Video Drives Engagement

Although 83% of marketers say short-form videos are popular among consumers, 40% doubt they can deliver the same brand-building impact as television, films and events.

WARC highlights how short video clips are increasingly dominating audience attention, discovery and engagement, encouraging brands to rethink content creation and distribution.

David Sandström, CMO at Klarna, said, "I think that advertising has slowly regained its mojo due to clipping. I feel that advertising was paid for and pushed down people’s throats. It didn’t really understand how people really wanted to consume content. But now with clipping [...] it feels like advertising is back a bit.”

The report recommends integrating distribution into creative planning, treating creators as strategic partners and developing connected content series.

4. The Summer Wildcard: Climate Change Influences Consumer Behaviour

WARC found that 45% of marketers have not seriously considered how rising summer temperatures could affect their industries, while only 25% have taken action.

Increasingly unpredictable weather is changing consumer spending patterns and disrupting traditional seasonal marketing opportunities.

James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, said, "Climate change’s impact on travel isn’t going unnoticed by travellers [...] For example, we’ve seen strong growth in demand into the cooler shoulder seasons, particularly in Europe in recent years. When customers do travel within the summer months, there has been notable rising demand for cooler destinations, including Iceland and Norway."

WARC advises businesses to assess climate-related risks to sales, pricing and supply chains while building flexibility into marketing plans and identifying new opportunities arising from climate adaptation.

5. The AI Tightrope: Balancing Innovation with Consumer Trust

While 42% of marketers expect AI to improve marketing effectiveness, an equal proportion remain uncertain, and 19% anticipate negative outcomes.

The report highlights the challenge of balancing AI-powered personalisation and efficiency with consumer concerns about transparency and trust.

Selina Sykes, Global VP Digital, Social and AI Transformation at Unilever, said, "You can’t just take the way you worked without AI and replace it with AI. You need to reimagine the workflow […] you need to think about the outcomes – and then work backwards to the process, inputs and where it starts to touch other parts of the marketing ecosystem."

WARC recommends transparent AI adoption, understanding consumer acceptance of AI-generated advertising and maintaining human creativity and judgement at the centre of marketing campaigns.

The report concludes that marketers who successfully combine technological innovation, audience understanding and creative adaptability will be better positioned to navigate the changing global marketing landscape in 2027. See the full report here.

Kia Wins Three Golden Steering Wheel Awards 2026, Takes Total to Eight

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 22:54:54 +0000

Global automobile company Kia has bagged three honours at the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards, becoming the first non-European carmaker to win three awards in a single year in the prestigious competition's 50-year history.

Organised by German publications AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, the Golden Steering Wheel is one of the country's most prestigious automotive awards. This year's competition began with 90 new models nominated by the editorial teams of both publications. Readers subsequently selected 27 finalists, with three models competing in each of the nine vehicle categories.

The finalists were assessed by a jury comprising automotive experts and prominent personalities from entertainment, sport and the media.

Kia's three victories span both electric and petrol-powered vehicles, highlighting the automaker's diverse product portfolio and commitment to providing customers with vehicles that meet different mobility needs.

The Kia K4 Sportswagon claimed the award in the compact car category, beating the VW ID.3 Neo and Cupra Born. In the compact SUV category, the Kia EV5 emerged victorious ahead of the Audi Q3 and Cupra Formentor VZ5.

The third award went to the Kia EV2, which was named 'Best Car Under €30,000'. Winners in this category were determined through assessments of vehicles across three German-market price brackets, taking into account base prices, standard equipment, warranties, optional extras and driving experience.

"It is an honor for Kia to become the first non-European brand to win three Golden Steering Wheel Awards in a single year in the 50-year history of this prestigious award," said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation. "This achievement reflects the strength of Kia's product lineup and our commitment to offering customers meaningful choices. Europe remains central to Kia's future, and receiving this recognition in Germany makes this achievement especially meaningful for us."

The 2026 awards featured a 23-member jury, including nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier, former World and European Rally Champion Isolde Holderied, current racing driver David Schumacher, tennis legend Boris Becker and former news anchor Jan Hofer.

The judges evaluated the shortlisted vehicles at the DEKRA-Lausitzring racetrack, assessing criteria such as handling, comfort, ease of use, build quality and everyday practicality. Sustainability and value for money also featured in the evaluation process.

Commenting on Kia's performance, Robin Hornig, editor-in-chief of AUTO BILD, said: "The fact that Kia has prevailed in three vehicle and price categories, with both all-electric and gasoline-powered models, shows that the brand offers the best overall package across various categories."

The detailed results of the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards will be published in issue 46/2026 of BILD am SONNTAG and issue 46/2026 of AUTO BILD.

With its latest three victories, Kia has now accumulated eight Golden Steering Wheel awards. Its previous successes include the XCeed, which won Best Car Under €35,000 in 2019; the Sorento, which claimed the Large SUV category in 2020; the Niro EV in the Compact SUVs category in 2022; the EV9, named Family Car in 2023; and the EV3, which won Best Car Under €40,000 in 2024.

Soohang Chang, President and CEO of Kia Europe, said the latest recognition demonstrates the strength and diversity of the company's European vehicle range.

"Three Golden Steering Wheel awards across three very different categories demonstrate the strength and variety of Kia's product portfolio in Europe," Chang said.

"The EV2, EV5 and K4 Sportswagon address different customer needs, but share the same approach: distinctive design, useful technology and everyday practicality. We are especially proud of the EV2, which is developed, engineered and built in Europe. The recognition here in Germany is particularly meaningful and encourages us to continue responding to the diverse needs of European customers as mobility evolves."

Vetiva Announces ₦0.45 Interim Dividend for Banking ETF, Sets 27 November Payment Date

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 22:49:48 +0000

Vetiva Fund Managers Limited has announced an interim dividend of ₦0.45 per unit for the Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), covering the period ended 30 June 2026.

The distribution, designated as Interim Distribution No. 12, will be paid to eligible unitholders whose names appear on the ETF's Register of Unitholders as of 5pm on Wednesday, 18 November 2026.

According to a corporate action notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), the register will close at 5pm on Thursday, 19 November 2026, to allow the transfer agent, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, to process the distribution.

Payment to eligible unitholders is scheduled for Friday, 27 November 2026.

Vetiva Fund Managers has urged all unitholders to ensure their biodata forms and banking details are up to date and have been submitted to the transfer agent, CSCS Plc, to facilitate prompt payment.

Completed and stamped forms can be submitted through unitholders' stockbrokers or sent directly by email to funds@vetiva.com for onward processing by CSCS.

The fund manager advised investors to ensure their documentation and banking information are properly updated to avoid delays in receiving their dividend payments.

NiRA Urges Public to Vote as 2026 .ng Awards Close November 12

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 22:41:17 +0000

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has urged Nigerians to vote for their preferred nominees in the 2026 .ng Awards ahead of the November 12 deadline, as the association celebrates organisations and individuals driving innovation and growth in the country's digital ecosystem.

The .ng Awards recognise outstanding contributions to Nigeria's internet landscape, celebrating businesses, individuals, charities and public and private sector organisations working to make the internet more secure, accessible, open and beneficial to users.

NiRA said the awards reflect its commitment to promoting the .ng domain name space and recognising initiatives that positively impact internet users while advancing the country's digital economy.

The annual awards are open to individuals and organisations contributing to the growth of Nigeria's digital space through the adoption and use of the .ng domain name.

The 2026 edition features two major categories: the Presidential Awards and the General Awards.

Nominations for the General Awards are open to individuals, organisations and institutions that meet the stipulated eligibility requirements. Following the nomination process, the .ng Awards committee reviews submissions to determine their eligibility before publishing the final shortlist for public voting through the association's website.

The committee also reserves the right to reclassify or recategorise entries and disqualify submissions that fail to meet the award requirements or substantially deviate from the established criteria.

The 2026 General Awards feature 18 categories, covering various aspects of Nigeria's digital economy. These include .ng Company of the Year, Most Innovative Service Provider Online, Best Commercial Banking Website/Portal, Best Insurance Website/Portal, .NG FinTech Company of the Year and Best E-commerce Website.

Other categories include Best Website/Portal for Tertiary Federal and State Institutions, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Schools of Nursing; Best Primary/Secondary School Website/Portal; Startup Company of the Year; Best Local Hosting Company; and Best Technology Hub Website/Portal.

The awards also recognise innovation in agriculture and governance through the Best Agric Tech Company of the Year, Digital Innovation in State Government and Digital Innovation in Federal Government categories.

Media organisations will also compete across three categories: Best Print Media Website, Best Online Media Website and Best Electronic Media Website for Television and Radio.

BrandArena Communications was nominated in the Best Online Media Website category. The recognition highlights the contribution of Nigerian digital media platforms to shaping public conversations, sharing knowledge and promoting innovation.

Voting closes on 12 November 2026. Members of the public can support their preferred nominees by voting through NiRA's official awards portal. Participation is free and takes approximately one minute.

Cast your vote at https://nira.org.ng/ngawards2026

Meta Expands AI-Powered Teen Account Protections Worldwide

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 22:25:48 +0000

Meta is expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) technology globally to identify teenagers who may have misrepresented their age online and automatically place them under its Teen Account protections.

The global rollout is aimed at ensuring more young users benefit from age-appropriate safety features across Meta's platforms, even when they provide false dates of birth to gain access to adult accounts.

For more than a decade, Meta has worked with leading experts to develop tools and resources that help teenagers and families enjoy safer, age-appropriate experiences across its apps.

Its Teen Accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger come with built-in safeguards that automatically restrict who can contact teenagers, limit the content they can view and help manage the time they spend on the platforms.

However, ensuring that all teenagers receive these protections remains a challenge for the technology industry, as some young users misrepresent their ages online to access services and experiences intended for adults.

To tackle the issue, Meta has developed AI technology capable of identifying users it suspects are teenagers, even when their accounts indicate an adult birthday. Once identified, these users are placed under Teen Account protections.

Meta said the technology has already helped place more teenagers in age-appropriate safety settings since its initial introduction, with the company encouraged by the results. Building on this progress, it is now extending the technology to users worldwide.

The expansion means millions more teenagers using Instagram globally will benefit from the platform's built-in safeguards, regardless of whether they provided an adult date of birth when creating their accounts.

For parents and guardians, the move is expected to provide greater peace of mind by strengthening efforts to protect young users online. Meta said it is taking a proactive approach to ensuring teenagers receive age-appropriate protections, irrespective of where they live or the birthday they use to register.

The company is also continuing to roll out the technology on Facebook and plans to begin introducing similar AI-powered age detection capabilities globally on Threads later this year.

FMYD, NiYA and Cascador Award ₦49m to 17 Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 22:22:16 +0000

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), in partnership with Cascador, has announced eight winners of its Founders Programme Pitch Day, awarding each recipient ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding to support business growth.

The winners emerged from a cohort of 17 entrepreneurs selected from more than 19,000 applications submitted by young Nigerians across the country. The Pitch Day, held in Abuja, marked the conclusion of a pilot partnership aimed at helping young entrepreneurs build investment-ready businesses and access growth capital.

Following the launch of the application process on International Youth Day in August, the programme attracted submissions from across Nigeria, highlighting the country's growing entrepreneurial potential. From the applications received, 17 founders representing 13 states and all six geopolitical zones were selected. Their businesses address challenges ranging from post-harvest losses, malnutrition and waste management to vaccine cold chain infrastructure, clean energy and digital education.

The programme was implemented by Sapphital Limited, FMYD's official technical partner, which deployed its Startup and Grant Management System to manage applications, assessments and the accelerator programme.

Over four weeks, participating entrepreneurs received practical business training and institutional support to strengthen their operations and prepare for investment opportunities. The programme covered sales development, customer service, business management and the use of SMECore, an all-in-one Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform developed by Sapphital.

Participants also received guidance on data protection, product standards and regulatory compliance, alongside sessions and field visits involving government agencies. Investment readiness and pitch training further equipped the founders with the skills to present their businesses and make a case for funding.

Following the final evaluation at Pitch Day, Cascador selected eight entrepreneurs to receive ₦5 million each in non-dilutive growth funding. The winners and their businesses are:

Andrew Ogbeh – SewPro
Patrick Ifeanyi Chukwu – Biuda
Ameedat Eniola Olaniyan – Sparklean Station Nigeria Limited
Favour Ngozi Nnadi – Backel Food Services Limited
Khuzaifa Aminu – Shellify
Ayisat Adama Adamu – Rèkool Access Technology
Godslove Emmanuel Asuquo – Agrosavvy Consult
Kabir Olaosebikan – Craft Planet

In addition to the eight Pitch Day winners, Cascador will provide the remaining nine programme participants with ₦1 million each in non-dilutive growth capital. All 17 entrepreneurs will also receive an ERP solution to support business operations and their next phase of growth.

The other beneficiaries are Aisha Bello Marafa – Eeshas Cake and Foods Limited; Zainab Abike Kadiri-Lawal – Zannytecture Recycling Company Ltd; Moses Onyema Nweke – UpSmart Energies; Evander Ikechukwu Ofomah – ParaLearn (Parakletus Hub Nigeria); Victoria Okor – Drych Digital Limited; Ibrahim Isah Liman – Agro-Chill Solutions; Solomon Tolulope Adedini – Sol-Uniq Green Resources; Bridget Shidoon Idyu – Bidvans Limited; and Adam Umaru – TrashGo.

The initiative forms part of the Federal Government's broader efforts to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, promote job creation and support sustainable business development.

“Nigeria is blessed with talented and innovative young people. What they need are opportunities to turn their ideas into successful businesses. Through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) and our partnership with Cascador, we are bridging the gap between skills, funding and enterprise development. This is the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda: empowering young Nigerians to become job creators, build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s economic growth,” said Ayodele Olawande, Honourable Minister of Youth Development.

The four-week accelerator also featured technical and regulatory sessions facilitated by several government institutions, including NEXIM Bank, Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

These engagements provided participating entrepreneurs with practical guidance on regulatory requirements, business development and enterprise growth.

Commenting on the programme's impact, Kabir Olaosebikan, Founder of Craft Planet and one of the eight Pitch Day winners, said the initiative had provided his business with the foundations and resources needed to pursue its growth ambitions.

“This programme will prove to be a defining step in our growth story, giving us the business foundations and confidence to pursue our ambitions. With the funding and ERP platform, we now have the means to put what we’ve learned into action. Our focus is to build on our sustainable plastic waste solutions and create jobs as we grow” said Kabir Olaosebikan, Founder of Craft Planet.

The partnership highlights the potential of collaboration between government institutions and private-sector funding organisations in supporting emerging entrepreneurs. It also aligns with NiYA's broader ambition to train and empower seven million Nigerian youths within two years.

Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador, said the programme had demonstrated the value of combining financial support with practical business development resources to help young entrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises.

“We share NiYA and FMYD’s commitment to giving Nigeria’s ambitious young founders the capital and practical support they need to build stronger businesses. This partnership has put that commitment into action, and seeing eight deserving founders secure funding at Pitch Day is an encouraging outcome for the pilot. We look forward to seeing them use this backing to grow their businesses and create jobs in the communities they serve,” said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador.

All 17 programme graduates will retain their NiYA alumni status, giving them priority consideration for future opportunities and maintaining their connection to the academy beyond the accelerator.

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) is the Federal Government of Nigeria's institution responsible for providing strategic leadership and a sustainable framework for policies, programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering young Nigerians and strengthening their participation in national development.

The Ministry collaborates with government institutions, private-sector organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for young people in skills development, entrepreneurship, employment, innovation, digital transformation, leadership and economic participation.

The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) is a flagship digital platform of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, established to provide young Nigerians with access to learning, skills development, opportunities, resources and programmes that support their personal and professional growth.

Through its digital-first approach, NiYA connects young people to relevant training, entrepreneurship support, career opportunities, grants, mentorship and other interventions, helping to create a more accessible and coordinated youth development ecosystem.

Together, FMYD and NiYA seek to equip a more connected and empowered generation of Nigerian youths with the knowledge, skills, networks and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to the country's socio-economic development.

Why Regulated ‘Ajo’ Could Be the Financial Breakthrough Young Nigerians Need

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 12:16:26 +0000

Young Nigerians seeking capital to meet major financial commitments, acquire assets, pursue education and fund business ambitions may find a new opportunity in regulated digital savings as Rank, a CBN-licensed wealth management platform, introduces Money Circles, an ajo-based model that allows members to access capital with zero interest, while providing institutional safeguards, guaranteed payouts and digital management of contributions. Sunday Ehigiator writes.

For millions of young Nigerians, financial ambition is rarely in short supply. What is often missing is access to the capital required to turn those ambitions into reality. From paying house rent and settling school fees to acquiring essential assets, travelling, expanding a small business or taking advantage of an investment opportunity, many significant life decisions require more money than an average salary earner can comfortably set aside.

The challenge is not necessarily an inability to save or a lack of financial discipline. Rather, it is the difficulty of accessing substantial funds when they are needed without exhausting personal savings or postponing important plans.

For a young professional earning a regular salary, the prospect of paying an annual rent, purchasing a household appliance, acquiring a vehicle or starting a side business can mean months of financial sacrifice. Even where the individual has a stable income, conventional financial institutions may require collateral, impose significant interest charges or operate eligibility conditions that make accessing capital difficult.

Consequently, many Nigerians have continued to rely on informal community savings arrangements, particularly ajo (a daily, weekly or monthly group contributory savings), a familiar financial practice that has helped individuals’ pool resources and achieve collective financial goals for generations.

But while ajo has remained relevant because of its simplicity and communal trust, its traditional structure has also exposed participants to risks that technology, institutional oversight and proper financial management could help address. This is where the conversation about regulated ajo becomes particularly important.

Ajo is not a new financial invention. Across Nigerian communities, it has provided an accessible way for people to save collectively, contribute agreed amounts at regular intervals and take turns receiving the accumulated funds. Its appeal lies in its simplicity: members contribute what they can afford, trust one another to honour their commitments and receive access to a lump sum that might otherwise take months to accumulate individually.

For traders, artisans, salary earners and small business owners, the arrangement has often served as an alternative means of accessing capital without the complicated requirements associated with conventional banking. Its greatest strength, however, is also closely connected to its greatest vulnerability: trust.

Traditional ajo arrangements frequently depend on an administrator or group coordinator who collects contributions, maintains records and distributes the accumulated funds. In many instances, these arrangements work successfully because participants know one another, share common interests and have confidence in the person managing the contributions.

However, the model can become vulnerable when an administrator disappears with members' contributions, records are poorly maintained or a participant receives their allocation and subsequently stops making the agreed payments.

For individuals who have experienced such situations, the consequences can be financially devastating. Savings accumulated over several months can disappear, while relationships built on years of friendship and mutual confidence can deteriorate.

It would be unfair, however, to dismiss ajo because of these challenges. The problem is not the principle of collective savings. Rather, it is the absence of sufficient institutional safeguards in arrangements that depend almost entirely on personal relationships and informal accountability.

The opportunity, therefore, is to preserve what works about ajo while addressing the weaknesses that undermine public confidence in it. A regulated digital structure offers a compelling approach.

With Rank, a CBN-licensed wealth management platform, introducing Money Circles, the familiar ajo model is being adapted to operate within a more structured financial environment. Rather than relying on an individual administrator to hold and distribute members' contributions, Rank holds and manages the funds and guarantees every payout.

This distinction is significant because it changes the risk profile of the arrangement without abandoning the community-based principle that makes ajo attractive.

Members can collect ₦100,000 upfront and repay ₦10,000 monthly over 10 months, without interest or collateral requirements. The arrangement provides access to a substantial lump sum while allowing participants to meet their commitments through manageable monthly contributions.

For a young Nigerian trying to secure accommodation, acquire an essential asset, pay an important bill or establish a side business, having access to such capital could make a meaningful difference.

More importantly, it provides an opportunity to pursue these ambitions without necessarily dipping into personal savings that may have been set aside for emergencies, investments or other long-term priorities.

The absence of interest and collateral requirements is particularly noteworthy in an environment where access to affordable formal credit remains limited. Many working Nigerians have regular incomes and the capacity to meet structured financial commitments but lack the assets or documentation required by conventional credit arrangements.

Money Circles attempts to address this gap by making collective savings a more structured route to accessing capital.

There is also an important psychological dimension to the model. Financial decisions are not always determined by how much someone earns. They are also influenced by whether individuals can access money at the right time.

A salary earner who spends several months saving towards an important purchase may miss an opportunity simply because the required amount is not immediately available. By providing access to an agreed lump sum while preserving personal savings, a structured savings circle could help individuals make financial decisions with greater flexibility.

Another important feature is the flexibility to select a circle that matches one's financial capacity. Participants can also join existing circles without necessarily knowing the other members personally.

This removes one of the traditional limitations of informal ajo arrangements, where participation is often restricted to friends, colleagues, family members or people within established social networks.

Perhaps more significant is the protection against the risk of another member defaulting. Under Money Circles, Rank guarantees every payout, meaning participants are not exposed to another member's failure to meet their contribution obligations.

This is an important departure from traditional arrangements in which one person's failure to contribute can affect the entire group.

The model also introduces an incentive for patience. For the first time, the person occupying the last position in the circle receives their money back plus a bonus. This recognises that waiting for one's turn should not necessarily mean being disadvantaged compared with those who receive their allocations earlier.

These features point to a broader lesson about the future of financial inclusion in Nigeria: innovation does not always require abandoning familiar systems.

Sometimes, the most effective solutions emerge from improving practices that people already understand and trust.

Technology can play a crucial role in achieving this. By moving contributions, records, tracking and payment processes into an application, Money Circles reduces dependence on informal communication channels and manual administration.

Instead of relying on WhatsApp conversations, handwritten records or an individual's ability to coordinate contributions, members can manage their participation through a digital platform where transactions are tracked and automated.

However, the success of any financial innovation will ultimately depend on the confidence it inspires among its users. Regulation is important, but so are transparency, accountability, clear communication and the consistent fulfilment of obligations.

Rank's CBN-licensed status and its commitment to holding and managing members' funds provide an important institutional foundation. Nevertheless, users must understand the terms of participation, their monthly commitments and the processes governing their contributions and payouts.

Financial inclusion should not simply be about making products available. It should also involve giving people the confidence and information required to use them responsibly.

For young Nigerians between the ages of 22 and 40, many of whom are navigating the competing demands of rent, family responsibilities, career development and entrepreneurial ambitions, access to structured, affordable capital could be transformative.

The country's next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals does not necessarily lack ideas, discipline or the willingness to work. In many instances, what they need is a financial structure that recognises their earning capacity and provides a practical pathway towards achieving their goals.

Ultimately, the future of ajo should not be defined by the failures of poorly managed arrangements but by the possibilities of a model that combines communal trust with institutional accountability.

If Nigeria is serious about expanding financial inclusion, it must look beyond conventional financial products and recognise the potential of community-based systems that have served generations.

The real opportunity is to make these systems safer, more transparent and accessible to a wider population. Money Circles represents an attempt to achieve precisely that: preserving the familiarity, collective discipline and zero-interest principle of ajo while introducing the protections of a regulated financial institution.

BIGI Music Competition Crowns Three Winners at Baze University, Awards ₦1m in Prizes

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 12:13:14 +0000

Baze University in Abuja has become a platform for emerging music talent, with three students winning a combined ₦1 million in prizes at the BIGI Music Competition, organised as part of the 2026 Soundcity OnTour.

Held on 4 November, the competition gave students an opportunity to showcase their musical abilities, pursue their creative ambitions and gain recognition for their talents.

Emmanuel Best Man Daniel, popularly known as G-Win, emerged as the overall winner, taking home ₦500,000. Festus Nenamote, known as Nene, secured the first runner-up position with ₦350,000, while Debekeme Emmanuel Favour, performing as Fuchi_Plus, finished third and received ₦150,000.

Beyond the cash prizes, the competition celebrated the creativity, confidence and musical potential of Baze University's student community, highlighting the growing opportunities for young Nigerians to pursue their artistic ambitions alongside their academic interests.

The event also featured a performance by popular Nigerian rapper Odumodu Blvck, whose appearance added star power to the campus experience. His participation created an opportunity for aspiring performers to connect with an established music star, further energising an audience already immersed in the excitement of the competition.

For BIGI and Fearless Energy Drink, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to creating engaging experiences that allow young Nigerians to express themselves, showcase their abilities and connect through shared interests.

Through Soundcity OnTour, the brands are taking music, live performances and interactive entertainment directly to tertiary institutions, transforming university campuses into platforms for talent discovery and creative expression.

The 2026 edition of Soundcity OnTour has expanded its reach to 20 tertiary institutions, doubling the 10-campus coverage of the 2023 edition. Central to the initiative is the BIGI Music Competition, which continues to provide emerging musicians with opportunities to showcase their talents and become active participants in the entertainment industry rather than remaining spectators.

Following the successful outing at Baze University, attention now shifts to the University of Abuja, which will host the 2026 Soundcity OnTour grand finale from 5 to 7 November. The three-day event is expected to bring together the music, entertainment and youthful energy that have characterised this year's campus tour.

As Soundcity OnTour approaches its grand finale, the success stories emerging from participating universities highlight the wealth of creative talent among young Nigerians and the importance of providing platforms for its discovery and development.

For G-Win, Nene and Fuchi_Plus, their achievements at Baze University represent a significant step towards realising their musical ambitions. For BIGI and its partners, the competition further demonstrates how music can inspire creativity, foster connections and create opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian entertainers.

Nigeria’s Foreign Debt Hits $145bn as Debt Servicing Costs Surge – World Bank

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:18:35 +0000

Nigeria’s external debt rose to $145.015bn in 2025, representing a 6.6 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the World Bank’s International Debt Report 2026.

The figure represents an increase of $61.8bn from the $83.213bn recorded in 2015, indicating a 74.3 per cent rise in the country’s external debt over the past decade.

The report showed that public and publicly guaranteed debt accounted for $62.4bn of Nigeria’s total external debt, while private nonguaranteed debt stood at $54.476bn. Short-term external debt accounted for a further $28.139bn.

A breakdown of public and publicly guaranteed external debt showed that multilateral creditors held the largest share at $31.365bn, followed by private creditors at $24.352bn and bilateral creditors at $6.683bn.

Among multilateral lenders, the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) accounted for $18.533bn, while the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights allocations stood at $5.516bn.

China remained Nigeria’s largest bilateral creditor, with $5.672bn in outstanding debt, followed by France at $774m and other bilateral creditors at $237m.

Despite the increase in the country's external debt stock, two key debt indicators improved during the period. External debt as a proportion of exports declined by 4.3 per cent to 212 per cent, while the debt-to-Gross National Income ratio fell by 6.6 per cent to 51 per cent.

However, the cost of servicing the debt continued to rise. External debt service as a proportion of exports increased by 9.6 per cent to 19 per cent, while debt servicing relative to Gross National Income rose by 6.9 per cent to five per cent.

The World Bank reported that debt-service payments by low- and middle-income countries reached $1.4tn in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of increases. Payments rose by 1.9 per cent, largely driven by obligations to private creditors, particularly international bondholders.

Between 2022 and 2025, countries covered by the report paid approximately $436.1bn more in debt servicing than they received in new financing.

However, the trend reversed in 2025, as long-term debt flows recorded a net inflow of $45.4bn, compared with a net outflow of $118.4bn in 2024.

The report also highlighted the significant difference in borrowing costs between official and private creditors, with private financing carrying substantially higher interest rates.

New commitments from official creditors in 2025 attracted an average interest rate of 1.9 per cent, with a maturity period of 25 years and a five-year grace period.

In contrast, private creditors charged an average interest rate of 9.6 per cent, with a 12-year maturity period and an eight-year grace period, highlighting the higher cost of accessing private international financing.

7th World Media Summit Opens in Beijing with Focus on AI and Global Media Cooperation

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 22:50:14 +0000

The 7th World Media Summit has officially opened in Beijing, China, bringing together nearly 500 representatives from international media organisations, think tanks, government institutions and global bodies to discuss the future of journalism and media cooperation in the age of artificial intelligence.

The opening ceremony took place on Saturday under the theme, "Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action."

Jointly organised by Xinhua News Agency and the Beijing municipal government, this year's summit runs from Thursday to Monday, attracting participants from nearly 330 mainstream media outlets, think tanks and government bodies across 112 countries and regions. Representatives of the United Nations and other international organisations are also attending.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Initiated in 2009, the World Media Summit has grown into a major international platform for media exchange, dialogue and cooperation, providing opportunities for media organisations and other stakeholders to address emerging challenges and developments in the global media landscape.

The previous edition of the summit was held in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in 2024.

AFRIMA Founder, Mike Dada Joins African Collaborations Group Advisory Board

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 22:47:11 +0000

African Collaborations Group (ACG), a strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on advancing the industrialisation of sport in Africa through the development of bankable sports and entertainment district ecosystems, has announced the appointment of AFRIMA founder Mike Dada to its Advisory Board.

African Collaborations Group, a strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on advancing the industrialisation of sport in Africa, announced the appointment as part of its efforts to develop bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems across the continent.

Dada founded AFRIMA in 2014 in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC). The continental music awards platform celebrates, recognises and promotes African music globally, with a broader mission to advance continental integration, economic prosperity and cultural diplomacy.

Broadcast live in more than 84 countries, AFRIMA brings together artists, delegates and production teams from across Africa and has grown into one of the continent's most influential platforms for the music industry.

Beyond his leadership of AFRIMA, Dada serves as Vice President of the African Union's Pan-African Congress. In this capacity, he led the development of the AU's Plan of Action on Culture and Creative Industries, a landmark policy document adopted by African Union Heads of State at the 2023 Summit. The framework provides strategic direction for the industrialisation of Africa's cultural and creative economy.

He is also a member of the Africa Policy Advisory Board (APAB) of the ONE Campaign, where he contributes to global policy engagement on African development priorities.

His appointment to the ACG Advisory Board reinforces the organisation's approach to developing sport and entertainment as interconnected sectors within Africa's wider creative economy.

While AFRIMA has established a continental platform for taking African music to global audiences, and the AU's Plan of Action provides a policy framework for developing the creative economy, ACG is focused on creating the physical and financial infrastructure needed to support these industries through integrated sport and entertainment districts.

These developments are expected to provide spaces where creative and sporting activities can be produced, staged, commercialised and experienced on a continental scale.

ACG said Dada's appointment would strengthen its alignment with the African Union's institutional frameworks for cultural and creative industry development while connecting the organisation to the extensive pan-African music industry network built through AFRIMA over the past decade.

His experience brings together continental cultural leadership, high-level institutional and policy engagement within the African Union, extensive relationships across the music and creative industries, and professional expertise as a lawyer and creative economy specialist.

These capabilities are expected to contribute to the origination and structuring of large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across Africa.

"Mike Dada brings to our Advisory Board a rare combination of continental cultural infrastructure leadership and Heads of State-level policy positioning. Through AFRIMA, he has built one of the most important continental cultural infrastructures Africa has, and through his leadership at the AU Pan-African Congress, he has shaped the very policy framework that guides the industrialisation of Africa's creative economy at Heads of State level. That combination — commercial infrastructure and continental policy leadership — is exactly what ACG needs as we originate bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems across the African continent, projects that must be aligned with the continent's highest institutional cultural agendas and connected to the industry networks that will bring them to life. His presence on our Advisory Board is a genuine strategic asset," said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Executive Chairman of ACG.

The ACG Advisory Board provides strategic guidance as the organisation develops and structures large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across Africa. Its work involves aligning governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), investors, sporting bodies and infrastructure partners to establish financially sustainable, mixed-use district ecosystems.

Africa's sport economy is projected to reach $20 billion by 2035. However, the continent continues to face a shortage of integrated infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale development across the sector.

ACG aims to address this gap by originating bankable sport and entertainment district projects, moving beyond conventional single-venue developments towards integrated, mixed-use ecosystems designed to generate multiple revenue streams and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Through its collaborative model, the organisation brings together governments, public-private partnership (PPP) authorities and regulators, development finance institutions, private investors, developers, designers, engineers, legal and transaction advisers, operators, sport federations and leagues, event promoters, media and broadcast partners, academic institutions and host communities.

The approach is designed to establish structured pathways for projects from initial concept and feasibility assessment through to financial viability, bankability and eventual delivery.

LIRS Reaffirms Commitment to Staff Welfare, Promotions and Professional Development

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 22:43:04 +0000

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reiterated its commitment to staff welfare, regular promotions and professional development, describing its workforce as central to the agency’s growth and operational performance.

The agency said it would continue to invest in staff training, capacity building and career progression, while ensuring that promotion decisions are guided by merit, competence and individual performance.

Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, said LIRS’s achievements in revenue generation and operational efficiency were largely driven by the collective contributions and dedication of its employees.

She made this clarification in response to a recent media report alleging strained relations between LIRS management and its workforce over a promotion exercise and the involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS).

LIRS dismissed the report as inaccurate, clarifying that no member of staff, including the chairman of the staff union, was detained by the DSS.

According to the agency, the DSS invited representatives of both management and the staff union to a meeting to discuss the matter. Following the engagement, both parties were asked to return to status quo. LIRS maintained that no employee was detained or intimidated during the process.

Amasa-Oyelude said, “It is unfortunate that a section of the media has chosen sensationalism over responsible journalism by publishing a concocted account of events surrounding the DSS engagement. Nobody was detained. As stated earlier, both parties were invited, the matter was discussed, and everyone was asked to return to status quo. To turn this into a story of detention and intimidation is a misrepresentation of the facts.

“LIRS is a family of approximately 2,800 professionals whose collective dedication has driven the agency’s extraordinary growth. Management has consistently prioritised their welfare, training, professional development and career progression. The relationship between management and the overwhelming majority of our workforce remains anchored on mutual respect and a shared commitment to institutional success.”

The agency reiterated its willingness to engage constructively with recognised staff representatives, adding that it would sustain policies aimed at promoting employee development, workplace harmony, meritocracy and efficient service delivery.

Emirates Group Reports 66% Drop in Half-Year Profit Amid Regional Conflict and Rising Fuel Costs

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:20:59 +0000

The Emirates Group has reported a 66% decline in half-year profit for the 2026-27 financial year, as regional conflict, operational disruptions and soaring fuel prices weighed on its aviation and travel businesses.

The Dubai-based aviation group recorded a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the six months ended 30 September 2026, compared with its record performance in the corresponding period last year.

After accounting for income tax charges, the Group's profit after tax stood at AED 3.6 billion (US$1.0 billion), down 66% year-on-year.

The Group's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 41% to AED 12.5 billion (US$3.4 billion), compared with AED 21.1 billion (US$5.7 billion) recorded in the same period last year.

Revenue declined by 12% to AED 66.2 billion (US$18.0 billion), from AED 75.4 billion (US$20.6 billion) a year earlier.

Despite the challenging operating environment, the Group maintained a strong cash position of AED 54.1 billion (US$14.7 billion) as at 30 September 2026, compared with AED 59.6 billion (US$16.2 billion) on 31 March 2026.

It drew on its cash reserves to support business operations, including aircraft pre-delivery payments and existing debt obligations. The Group also paid the remaining AED 2 billion (US$545 million) dividend to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), completing the AED 3.5 billion (US$953 million) dividend declared for the 2025-26 financial year.

His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “It has been a demanding six months, and once again our business model and our people stood up to the test. Against unprecedented regional challenges and high fuel prices, the Group has delivered a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion). Customer demand held firm and our cargo operations made a strong contribution, keeping revenue and cash levels healthy even as global jet fuel prices doubled against the same period last year, impacting our costs and profitability.

“I’d like to thank the UAE government for its decisive response and its co-ordination of all stakeholders to enable the safe resumption of air transport in the aftermath of military activity across the Gulf region. The government’s measures have also led to the easing of travel advisories to and through the UAE. This has allowed us to restore our operations with confidence and to keep serving our customers and communities.

“Throughout this time, we have not paused our investments. Emirates and dnata continue to commit significant resources to expand our fleet, enhance our products and services, and develop capabilities that will shape the future of our business. This is how we stay ahead and stay resilient to external challenges.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed added: “We enter the second half of our 2026-27 financial year with measured optimism. While keeping a close watch on costs and geopolitical developments, we remain focused on delivering what Emirates and dnata are known for – safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. We’ve weathered challenges before, and with our strong cash position and solid foundation built up over the years, the Group is well-placed to navigate the headwinds of volatility and high fuel prices.”

The Group's workforce decreased by 2% to 128,237 employees as at 30 September 2026, compared with 31 March 2026. However, Emirates and dnata are continuing recruitment to meet their operational requirements.

Emirates airline

Emirates recorded a profit before tax of AED 3.7 billion (US$1.0 billion) in the first half of 2026-27, representing a 68% decline from AED 11.4 billion (US$3.1 billion) in the corresponding period last year. Profit after tax fell by 66% to AED 3.3 billion (US$903 million).

Revenue, including other operating income, declined by 13% to AED 56.9 billion (US$15.5 billion), compared with AED 65.6 billion (US$17.9 billion) a year earlier. Sustained travel demand, particularly across its premium cabins, and a strong contribution from cargo operations supported revenue performance.

The airline faced significant operational challenges during the reporting period, with intermittent airspace restrictions and closures across the region affecting flight schedules, while government travel advisories influenced travel patterns and customer decisions.

Emirates prioritised restoring its network and connectivity through its Dubai hub. By 30 September, it had resumed operations across 91% of its pre-disruption network, serving 150 airports in 78 countries and territories through its passenger and cargo services.

To rebuild customer confidence, the airline introduced several initiatives, including an industry-first comprehensive travel cover unrestricted by government travel advisories, free date changes on existing bookings and more flexible refund policies.

Between April and September, Emirates continued expanding its Premium Economy offering and introducing its latest cabin products to additional markets. It received nine new A350 aircraft and completed cabin refurbishments on 12 aircraft, comprising nine A380s and three Boeing 777s.

The airline's fleet retrofit programme, one of the world's largest known projects of its kind, represents a planned investment of more than US$7 billion to introduce its latest cabin products across its aircraft.

Its Starlink installation programme also progressed, with 36 additional aircraft equipped with high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi during the six-month period, bringing the total number of Starlink-enabled aircraft to 57 as at 30 September.

Emirates also commenced construction in May on its US$5.1 billion engineering and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Al Maktoum International Airport. The facility is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s and will support the airline's future fleet requirements.

The airline introduced two new cabin innovations during the period: the U-dream headrest integrated into Economy Class seats and electronically controlled privacy dividers in Premium Economy. Both products received positive customer reviews, with Emirates seeking to improve comfort and privacy across its cabin classes.

On the ground, Emirates opened the first of its new-concept lounges in Munich, Frankfurt and Manchester, featuring updated interior designs and enhanced services for premium customers and frequent flyers. It also expanded its retail presence with new travel stores, taking its total number of outlets to more than 30.

The airline continued its accessibility initiatives through the expansion of its Travel Rehearsals programme to 15 additional locations across the UK, Australia, Portugal, the Philippines, Madagascar and the Maldives.

The programme, now operating in 47 locations, supports young travellers with autism and their families by providing practical exposure to airport environments and flight simulations to build confidence and reduce travel-related anxiety.

Emirates also strengthened its community engagement through corporate social responsibility initiatives across key markets. These included renovating a community tennis court in Miami through its Force for Good programme with the USTA Foundation; upgrading a youth technology and gaming room in New York City in partnership with NBA Cares; developing a natural play area with the London Wildlife Trust through its Championing Nature programme with Wimbledon; and launching the Emirates Nourishment Programme.

The latter initiative, delivered in partnership with EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation, aims to provide 400,000 breakfasts annually to underprivileged children across South Africa.

In sports sponsorship, Emirates extended its long-standing partnerships with Arsenal Football Club until 2033 and Real Madrid until 2031, reinforcing its global brand presence through two of football's most prominent clubs.

Despite these investments, the airline's overall capacity declined by 10% to 28.2 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM) during the first six months, reflecting a reduced flying schedule.

Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM) fell by 17%, while passenger traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM), declined by 25%. The average passenger seat factor stood at 72%, compared with 79.5% in the same period last year.

Emirates carried 21.8 million passengers between 1 April and 30 September 2026, representing a 22% decline year-on-year.

However, its cargo division delivered a stronger performance. Emirates SkyCargo transported 1.2 million tonnes of cargo, down just 1% from the previous year, while cargo revenue increased by 52%.

The improvement reflected reduced airfreight capacity across the region amid the conflict, alongside increased demand for air cargo services as disruptions to maritime transport encouraged shippers to seek alternative options.

To expand its cargo capacity, Emirates SkyCargo took delivery of five new Boeing 777 freighters and deployed its first passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft. It also added Almaty and Zhengzhou to its freighter network, introduced dedicated freighter services to more than 15 existing Emirates destinations and increased flight frequencies across several key markets, particularly in the Far East.

Emirates' operating costs, including fuel, declined by 2% in line with reduced operations. However, fuel costs before hedging gains increased by 60%, despite a 12% reduction in fuel uplift compared with the previous half-year.

The airline's fuel price risk management strategy generated gains of AED 7.1 billion, significantly cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices and limiting the net increase in fuel costs to 13%. Fuel accounted for 34% of total operating costs, remaining the airline's largest expense.

Emirates recorded EBITDA of AED 11.5 billion (US$3.1 billion), down 41% from AED 19.7 billion (US$5.4 billion) in the corresponding period last year.

Elsewhere, Emirates Flight Catering reported a 51% decline in revenue from external customers to AED 273 million (US$74 million). The business uplifted 4.5 million airline meals, representing a 41% decline, reflecting reduced air traffic at Dubai International Airport during the period.

Emirates Leisure Retail/MMI also recorded a 13% decline in revenue to AED 1.2 billion, largely due to lower tourism traffic in the UAE during the first half of the financial year.

dnata

dnata reported a profit before tax of AED 410 million (US$112 million) for the first half of 2026-27, down 51% from the same period last year. Profit after tax declined by 56% to AED 309 million (US$84 million).

Revenue, including other operating income, fell by 7% to AED 11 billion (US$3 billion), compared with AED 11.7 billion (US$3.2 billion) a year earlier. Its EBITDA also declined by 31% to AED 939 million (US$256 million), from AED 1.4 billion (US$372 million).

The company's airport operations, catering and retail, and travel services divisions responded to the challenges arising from the regional conflict. Its international operations helped cushion the impact of reduced airline and travel activity in the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

Despite the disruption, dnata continued to secure new customers and expand its global partnerships through multi-year agreements. These included a cargo partnership with Silk Way Group in Singapore and inflight catering contracts with Cathay Pacific across several airports in the UK and the US.

Its airport operations division also secured a seven-year ground-handling licence at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, strengthening its presence at one of Europe's major aviation hubs.

The company continued investing in infrastructure, technology and operational capabilities to support future growth. During the first six months, it opened a new integrated command centre to support its expanding cargo operations in Dubai and committed AED 8 million to expanding The Fort – Lisaili, Arabian Adventures' desert tourism destination in Dubai.

Other investments included automated aircraft approach systems in Dubai, an aircraft catering simulator in Dublin and trials of autonomous tractors across Europe and Asia.

dnata also announced an AU$32 million investment in a new cargo facility at Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), while construction of its catering facility at the airport remained on track for a 2027 opening.

As part of its wider cargo and logistics expansion strategy, the company commissioned a new AED 100 million (US$27 million) logistics facility in Dubai South. It also progressed plans for a AED 37 million investment in Alat, Azerbaijan, alongside new and expanded cargo operations at East Midlands Airport and Zurich Airport.

In its travel division, dnata integrated its Imagine Cruising and Travelbag businesses to combine their complementary portfolios, strengthen operational scale, share expertise and support international growth.

Airport operations remained dnata's largest revenue contributor, generating AED 5.4 billion (US$1.5 billion), down 3% from the same period last year. Growth across its international businesses helped offset reduced airline operations at its UAE hub.

Across its airport operations, the number of aircraft turns handled fell by 8% to 414,012, while cargo volumes declined by 6% to 1.49 million tonnes.

Its flight catering and retail businesses generated AED 4.2 billion (US$1.1 billion), representing a 1% increase in revenue. Growth was supported by its expanding inflight retail operations, particularly through partnerships with easyJet and Aer Lingus.

However, the total number of meals uplifted declined by 10% to 54 million, largely due to the loss of key contracts in its UK operations.

dnata's travel division contributed AED 1.4 billion (US$373 million) to revenue, down 31% from AED 2 billion (US$538 million) in the corresponding period last year.

The decline was primarily attributed to the divestment of its UK businesses, Travel Republic and Netflights, which stopped accepting new bookings from November 2025.

The division's underlying total transaction value (TTV) also fell by 22% to AED 3.8 billion (US$1 billion), compared with AED 5 billion (US$1.4 billion) in the same period last year.

KWASU Hosts Soundcity OnTour as Bigi Music Competition Spotlights Emerging Artistes

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 15:45:51 +0000

Kwara State University (KWASU) came alive with music, entertainment and emerging talent as Soundcity OnTour brought its 2026 campus experience to the institution on 31 October, transforming the university into a vibrant centre of live performances, musical discovery and youthful expression.

The event brought together aspiring musicians, established artistes and students for an engaging celebration of music and creativity, providing a platform for young talents to showcase their abilities while connecting with the wider university community.

A major highlight was the Bigi Music Competition, which offered aspiring campus artistes an opportunity to demonstrate their musical talent, reach new audiences and compete for top honours. Following an impressive display of performances, Adegbenro Abdulateef, popularly known as Yomide, emerged winner of the competition.

Ige Samuel Oluwadamilare, known as Voice Boy, finished as first runner-up, while Amuda Abdulazeem, performing under the stage name Hazzi The Hollow, secured the second runner-up position.

Beyond the competition, the platform gave the young performers valuable exposure to live audiences, helping them build confidence and take their musical ambitions beyond the university environment. Their performances highlighted the creative potential within Nigeria's university communities and the importance of providing emerging artistes with opportunities to gain visibility and recognition.

The entertainment continued with exciting performances from Kinglex, Kodee, Slimcase, Marrz and Muyeez, whose appearances added star power to the event. The artistes kept the audience entertained, creating a memorable blend of established music acts and rising campus performers.

Powered by Bigi and Fearless Energy Drink, Soundcity OnTour continues to take music, entertainment and talent discovery to university communities across Nigeria, creating experiences that celebrate young people's passions, creativity and individuality.

For Bigi, the music competition provides an opportunity to connect with young Nigerians through their shared passion for music while giving promising artistes a platform to showcase their abilities. By taking the competition to university campuses, the brand strengthens its connection with a generation that values creativity, self-expression and opportunities to distinguish itself.

Fearless Energy Drink, with its bold and energetic brand identity, complements the experience by appealing to the confidence, ambition and expressive spirit of young Nigerians. Together, the brands deliver more than entertainment, creating an environment where students can celebrate their individuality, explore new interests and express themselves freely.

The KWASU edition further demonstrated the importance of campus entertainment initiatives in bringing young people together while creating opportunities for emerging creatives to gain exposure. For Yomide, Voice Boy and Hazzi The Hollow, the competition represented a significant opportunity to introduce their musical talents to a wider audience and experience the excitement of performing on a bigger stage.

As Soundcity OnTour continues its journey across Nigerian universities, the initiative remains focused on creating engaging campus experiences where music meets opportunity, emerging talent finds an audience and young people are encouraged to celebrate their creativity.

Rite Foods Breaks into Nigeria’s Top 20 Brands, Rises to 17th in 2026 Ranking

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:54:31 +0000

Rite Foods Limited has strengthened its position among Nigeria’s leading homegrown brands, climbing five places from 22nd in 2025 to 17th in the 2026 Top 50 Brands Nigeria Ranking. The latest recognition marks the company’s entry into the country’s 20 most recognised brands, reflecting its growing influence in Nigeria’s competitive food and beverage market.

The achievement represents another milestone in the company’s growth, driven by sustained investments in product quality, innovation, technological advancement and consumer engagement.

Since making its debut on the ranking, Rite Foods has maintained a consistent upward trajectory, moving from 50th position in 2021 to 44th in 2022 and 30th in 2023, when it emerged as the highest-gaining brand with a 14-place jump. The company subsequently rose to 27th in 2024, 22nd in 2025 and 17th in 2026.

This represents an overall improvement of 33 places since 2021, alongside a brand strength score of 58.0 per cent, reflecting a five per cent year-on-year increase.

Beyond its improved ranking, Rite Foods’ performance highlights the growing influence of indigenous businesses in shaping Nigeria’s consumer market. The 2026 ranking features 27 Nigerian brands among the top 50, compared with 23 multinational brands, underscoring the increasing competitiveness and recognition of locally owned enterprises.

Rite Foods also secured fourth position in the Brand Nigeria Mentality category, ranking behind Dangote, MTN and OPay.

For the Nigerian-owned food and beverage manufacturer, the progress reflects its commitment to producing high-quality products, embracing technological advancements and building brands that align with the changing preferences and lifestyles of Nigerian consumers.

This strategy is reflected in its expanding portfolio, which includes LIDA Malt Classic, its recently introduced malt beverage; Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, available in 13 variants; Bigi Table Water; Fearless Energy Drink; Sosa Fruit Drink; Rite Spicy; and Bigi and Bigi Flex Sausage Rolls. Through these products, the company continues to serve diverse consumer segments and everyday consumption needs, strengthening its presence across Nigeria’s food and beverage industry.

At a time when local manufacturers face significant economic and operational challenges, Rite Foods’ continued growth also highlights the contribution of indigenous manufacturing to national economic development. Its investments in production facilities, technology, distribution infrastructure and local expertise have supported business expansion while creating value across an extensive network of employees, suppliers, distributors and retailers.

Commenting on the achievement, Rite Foods Limited Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, attributed the company’s consistent rise to its unwavering focus on quality, technological advancement and the development of a product portfolio capable of competing favourably on the global stage.

He noted that the recognition reflected the collective dedication of the company’s employees, the continued trust and loyalty of its consumers and partners, and the resilient Nigerian spirit that inspires the organisation to continually raise its standards.

Adegunwa also reaffirmed that Rite Foods’ vision remains anchored on quality, innovation and community impact, principles that continue to shape its ambition to build a resilient and globally competitive Nigerian enterprise.

The 2026 Top 50 Brands Nigeria Ranking was unveiled at the Brand Nigeria Leadership Forum in Lagos. The ranking assesses brands using indicators such as consumer recall, sentiment, engagement and other measures of brand strength to evaluate their visibility, relevance and standing among Nigerians.

For Rite Foods, securing a place among Nigeria’s top 20 brands represents more than an improvement in its position. It reflects the trust the company has earned, the growing relevance of its product portfolio and its consistent commitment to delivering value to consumers.

As the company continues to expand its market presence and strengthen its portfolio, the latest recognition reinforces its ambition to build brands that resonate with consumers, compete beyond Nigeria’s borders and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic and industrial development.

Rise of Fearless Raises $1m from Epic Edges Capital to Expand African Gaming

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:51:32 +0000

Rise of Fearless, an African-owned mobile battle royale game inspired by the continent’s history and culture, has secured US$1 million in funding from advisory firm Epic Edges Capital to accelerate its growth and strengthen its position in the global gaming industry.

The investment, structured as a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), will fund the company’s expansion across talent acquisition, technology, infrastructure, marketing and community development. It will also support the recruitment of experienced international game developers and gaming executives as the company prepares to expand beyond its existing markets.

Launched in 2025, Rise of Fearless offers an African-inspired interpretation of the battle royale genre, drawing its narrative inspiration from Ethiopia’s historic victory at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. Its characters, environments, hairstyles and costumes are deliberately designed to reflect African identities and experiences, providing an alternative to the Western-centric narratives and visual styles that have traditionally dominated mainstream gaming.

The company is developing Rise of Fearless as an African-owned intellectual property (IP) with global ambitions. Its original gaming universe draws on African history and culture while targeting international audiences and retaining African creative and commercial ownership.

Available as a free-to-play mobile game on the Apple App Store and Google Play, Rise of Fearless has surpassed 15,000 downloads. Its largest player communities are currently in Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa.

The latest investment will also strengthen the company's leadership and technical capabilities through a team of experienced professionals and organisations spanning game development, publishing, marketing, market research and investment.

Among the new partners is Miniboss Solutions, an embedded publishing partner providing AAA-calibre marketing expertise. Its leadership includes Adam Krause, Founder and Managing Partner, who previously held roles at Ubisoft, 2K/Take-Two, Capcom and Striking Distance Studios, and TJ Consunji, Founder and Managing Partner, whose experience includes PlayStation, Striking Distance Studios and Krafton.

IDG Intelligence, a market research, data analytics and strategic advisory firm specialising in the gaming industry, will provide investment and due diligence expertise. The company has more than 300 clients across over 60 countries and is led by President and CEO Yoshio Osaki.

Trick Question Studios, founded by TQ Jefferson, will contribute franchise development and creative direction for entertainment IP. Jefferson previously held positions at Survios, 20th Century Fox Games, Marvel, Pixar and Disney.

The team also includes Spectra Entertainment, a full-stack AAA game developer specialising in art and technical art.

Commenting on the development, Kanessa Muluneh, Founder of Rise of Fearless, said: “We couldn’t be more excited about our new team taking an African-owned gaming franchise to international distribution and commercial scale.”

Speaking on the new funding, Muluneh added: “The launch of Rise of Fearless filled a gap in the gaming space, but it has also forced us to think beyond game downloads, shifting our focus towards a much wider African gaming ecosystem where African intellectual ownership and talent development are key. As a bootstrapped company, this investment is pivotal to our ambitions and the future of African gaming. We are grateful to partner with Epic Edges to support us on this exciting journey.”

The company plans to use its expansion to address some of the structural challenges facing African gaming businesses, particularly access to reliable technology, server infrastructure and cross-border payment systems. It also aims to create opportunities for international industry experts to collaborate with local talent and strengthen development capabilities across the continent.

Remco Coerman, Founder of Epic Edges Group, said: “Rise of Fearless represents the kind of ambitious, culturally rooted IP that has the potential to resonate far beyond its home market. We believe there is a significant opportunity for African creators to build globally relevant gaming experiences that reflect the continent’s stories, identities and talent. We’re proud to invest in the game as it strengthens its team, scales its development capabilities and continues building an ecosystem where African and international talent can collaborate and create for a global audience.”

The funding comes amid growing momentum in Africa’s gaming industry, which is home to more than 400 million gamers and is projected to generate US$1.98 billion in revenue in 2026. Mobile gaming accounts for the largest share of activity, reflecting the continent’s mobile-first digital economy and increasing smartphone accessibility.

Through the investment, Rise of Fearless aims to demonstrate the potential of African-owned gaming intellectual property when supported by the capital, expertise and infrastructure required to compete internationally.

The company also hopes its growth will help create a pathway for African gaming studios and creators to develop, commercialise and retain ownership of intellectual properties capable of attracting audiences worldwide.

Adidas to Replace Puma as Official Serie A Match Ball Supplier from 2027-28 Season

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 19:26:34 +0000

Adidas is set to become the official match ball supplier for Italy’s top-flight football league, Serie A, from the 2027-28 season, replacing German sportswear rival Puma in a new commercial agreement.

The deal will bring an end to Puma’s five-season partnership with Serie A, which began ahead of the 2022-23 campaign when the brand replaced Nike as the league’s official match ball supplier.

During its tenure, Puma supplied match balls for Italy’s top division through several versions of its Orbita model, with the Stellar Nitro Ultimate introduced for the ongoing 2026-27 season marking the latest edition of its match ball range.

The agreement represents a significant commercial boost for Adidas and further strengthens its presence in Italian football. The sportswear giant already has prominent partnerships with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), as well as leading Serie A clubs Juventus and AS Roma.

Securing the league’s official match ball contract will further consolidate Adidas’s position in the Italian football market, expanding its visibility across domestic competitions and strengthening its relationship with the country’s football ecosystem.

Puma will continue to supply the official Serie A match ball until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, after which Adidas will assume responsibility for the competition’s match balls.

The first Adidas official Serie A match ball is expected to be unveiled in spring or summer 2027, ahead of its introduction for the 2027-28 campaign.

The switch will mark another significant development in the commercial landscape of Italian football, bringing Adidas back into the spotlight as the league’s official match ball supplier.

Ericsson Celebrates 150 Years of Innovation, Highlights Role in Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 19:14:51 +0000

Ericsson has marked its 150th anniversary with a celebration in Lagos, reflecting on its contributions to Nigeria’s telecommunications industry and reaffirming its commitment to supporting the country’s digital transformation.

The event brought together customers, employees, dignitaries, business partners and government representatives to commemorate the Swedish telecommunications giant’s 150-year journey in communications and connectivity, while highlighting the opportunities shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has evolved alongside the global telecommunications industry, from early communication technologies to modern mobile networks and digital infrastructure connecting people, businesses and societies. The milestone celebrates the company’s history of innovation and its continued focus on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, as the industry advances towards autonomous networks.

Ericsson’s presence in Nigeria dates back to 1978, when it began supporting telecommunications network deployments in the country. One of its significant contributions came in 2001, when the company supported the launch of Nigeria’s first GSM network, marking a major turning point in the country's mobile telecommunications development.

Since then, Ericsson has continued to support the evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. In 2022, the company supported the launch of 5G services in the country. Two years later, in 2024, Ericsson and the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a cooperation framework covering 5G technology development, deployment and innovation, as well as knowledge exchange, capacity building and digital skills development.

At the Lagos anniversary event, Ericsson reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s growing artificial intelligence ecosystem. With mobile data consumption increasing and digital services becoming more sophisticated, the company highlighted the importance of strengthening the country's digital infrastructure to unlock new economic opportunities.

Ericsson noted that high-performing, programmable networks would play a critical role in enabling advanced digital experiences, supporting enterprise innovation and providing the connectivity foundations required for wider AI adoption.

Majda Lahlou Kassi, VP and Head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, said: “As we celebrate 150 years of Ericsson, we are not only reflecting on our past; we are looking ahead to Nigeria’s future. Nigeria is a crucial market on the African continent, and we believe in its potential. We are proud of our long-standing presence here and look forward to playing an active role, alongside our customers, partners and stakeholders, in defining the country’s digital future.”

The anniversary underscores the connection between Ericsson’s global history and its long-standing partnerships in Nigeria. As the country continues to expand its digital capabilities, the company said it would maintain its role as a long-term technology partner, working with customers and industry stakeholders to advance connectivity and support Nigeria’s broader digital transformation ambitions.

Across the world, Ericsson’s high-performing, programmable networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For 150 years, the company has pioneered technologies that enable communication, offering mobile connectivity and digital solutions to telecommunications service providers and enterprises.

Working alongside customers and partners, Ericsson continues to develop technologies aimed at shaping the next generation of global connectivity and making the digital world of tomorrow a reality.

KFC Unveils First Immersive KFC Muse Restaurant in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:39:08 +0000

KFC has launched its first-ever KFC Muse restaurant in Dubai, introducing an immersive dining concept designed to redefine the fast-food experience through innovative design, signature food offerings and enhanced hospitality.

The launch marks a new phase in the global chicken restaurant chain’s brand evolution, as it seeks to move beyond the traditional quick-service restaurant (QSR) model towards what it describes as a quality experience restaurant (QXR).

Scott Mezvinsky, Global CEO of KFC, said, "As we set the standard for the modern chicken QSR, we're disrupting conventions – moving from QSR, quick service restaurant, to QXR: quality experience restaurant. That's why we created KFC Muse, an immersive, kinetic restaurant that delivers the experience modern consumers are craving while retaining the value and efficiency QSR is known for. We chose Dubai to launch KFC Muse because it reflects the ambition we have to modernise the brand across the MENA region and beyond. And we're excited to bring KFC Muse to other culturally vibrant and trend-setting cities like Seoul in the near future."

The new concept places greater emphasis on hospitality and customer experience rather than operational efficiency alone, transforming conventional restaurant spaces into dynamic environments designed to adapt throughout the day.

Combining KFC's signature chicken offerings with a specialty drinks range, KFC Muse aims to give customers more reasons to visit, enjoy their meals and spend longer in the restaurant.

The company described the Dubai launch as the first step in bringing its QXR vision to life through iconic food, immersive design and exceptional hospitality, with the ambition of transforming familiar KFC offerings into a distinctive dining experience.

Following its debut in Dubai, KFC plans to open another Muse restaurant in Seoul by the end of the year. The two locations will serve as models for the global rollout and large-scale development of immersive, kinetic restaurant concepts as the brand looks to modernise its outlets worldwide.

This next chapter of KFC is designed around hospitality, not just efficiency, moving from static spaces to dynamic environments that adapt throughout the day. From KFC's most craveable chicken to a specialty drinks line, people have new reasons to choose KFC in a space designed to make them want to stay longer.

Following the opening in Dubai, a KFC Muse restaurant is planned to open in Seoul by the end of the year. Both restaurants will serve as inspiration for how KFC will build and remodel immersive, kinetic restaurants globally at-scale.

GAC Unveils All-New E8 at 2026 Macao International Auto Expo

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:32:32 +0000

Chinese automaker GAC has unveiled its all-new E8 at the 16th China (Macau) International Automobile Exposition, alongside the debut of two other models, as the company strengthens its presence in Macao and expands its international market reach.

The exhibition opened on October 30 at The Venetian Macao's Cotai Expo under the theme "Where Craft Meets Technology". GAC showcased several new-energy vehicles, officially launching the GAC ALL-NEW E8 in Macao, while the AION i60 and AION N60 made their regional debuts.

GAC, the only Chinese automotive brand to have participated in the Macao Auto Expo for 16 consecutive years, said its continued presence reflects its "In Macao, For Macao" commitment. The company reported a 113 per cent year-on-year increase in sales in Macao this year.

The automaker presented a broad vehicle line-up comprising the GAC ALL-NEW E8, GAC ALL-NEW M8, AION i60, AION N60, AION UT, AION V and GAC E9 PHEV. The models cover battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and extended-range powertrain technologies, across sedan, SUV and multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) categories.

Beyond its vehicle offerings, GAC highlighted its customer service strategy, placing GAC CARE+ at the centre of its sales and after-sales operations. The initiative supports customers throughout the ownership journey, from vehicle selection and purchase to maintenance and servicing.

The company operates a showroom in Macao and provides its "Bay Area Link" maintenance service across the Greater Bay Area, supported by its unified "One GAC" network. Customers can also use the GAC Owner APP to access vehicle control features, while the company plans to establish additional service showrooms to strengthen its local presence.

GAC also highlighted its global sports marketing partnerships, including collaborations with Chelsea FC Men, Villarreal CF and Flamengo, as part of efforts to connect with customers through football.

Designed with families in Macao and the Greater Bay Area in mind, the GAC ALL-NEW E8 offers a pure-electric driving range of 281 kilometres and charge-sustaining fuel consumption of as low as 3.98 litres per 100 kilometres.

The vehicle features approximately 56 square feet of cabin space, 18 seating configurations and a 540-degree panoramic surround-view camera system. It also delivers a CLTC combined driving range of up to 1,537 kilometres.

The MAX variant is priced at HKD 339,800, while the ULTRA version costs HKD 369,800. Early buyers are eligible for a HKD 6,000 discount.

GAC's international expansion is also reflected in its regional sales performance. Retail sales across the Asia-Pacific region increased by 109 per cent year-on-year in the first three quarters of the year.

In September, the company's retail sales in Portugal rose by 34 per cent month-on-month, while sales in Brazil recorded a 280 per cent year-on-year increase.

GAC identified Macao as an important gateway to Portuguese-speaking markets and a strategic location within its broader international expansion plans.

Looking ahead, the company said it would maintain its long-term commitment to Macao by strengthening its local product and service offerings and deepening partnerships across Portuguese-speaking countries and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Why OPay, Kuda and Moniepoint Users Cannot Access Google Pay in Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:28:49 +0000

Google Wallet and Google Pay officially launched in Nigeria on 28 October, allowing eligible Android and Wear OS users to make contactless payments in physical stores, apps and online. However, the launch has exposed a significant gap in the country's digital payments market, with customers of major fintech platforms, including OPay, Kuda, PalmPay, and Moniepoint, unable to access the service.

At launch, Google Pay support was limited to cards issued by four tier-one banks: FirstBank, GTBank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank. The service currently supports Visa and Mastercard, leaving millions of customers who rely on Nigeria's leading digital banking platforms outside its initial rollout.

The exclusion has attracted attention online, with users questioning how widely contactless payments can gain acceptance if some of Nigeria's most popular financial platforms remain unsupported.

For OPay and Moniepoint, the absence of their customers from Google Pay is largely linked to decisions made years before the service arrived in Nigeria. Both fintech companies moved away from Visa and Mastercard towards domestic card schemes, primarily because of the costs associated with operating international card programmes.

Visa and Mastercard charge fees in US dollars, making their services increasingly expensive as the naira weakened. Operating an international card programme also involves implementation fees reportedly running into thousands of dollars monthly, offshore account requirements and collateral commitments that can reach millions of dollars.

These costs became increasingly difficult to justify, particularly as many customers used their cards predominantly for domestic point-of-sale transactions.

Meanwhile, Verve, Nigeria's domestic card scheme, had already secured 54 per cent of the country's card market by 2021. The Central Bank of Nigeria's support for developing local payment infrastructure further strengthened the case for fintech companies to adopt homegrown alternatives.

OPay has issued more than 13 million Verve cards, while Moniepoint has also adopted the domestic payment network, although it has not disclosed its total number of cards issued. PalmPay introduced Verve debit cards in 2025.

Kuda, however, presents a different situation. Unlike the other fintech platforms, it issues Visa cards directly through a partnership established several years ago. Its absence from Google's initial list of supported card issuers is therefore more difficult to explain.

The underlying issue is that Google Pay does not connect directly to a bank's payment infrastructure. Instead, it relies on a token service provider operated by card networks to enable secure contactless transactions. In Nigeria, Visa and Mastercard are currently the two networks with established tokenisation services compatible with Google Pay.

Google does not independently activate every bank's cards. Instead, it works with token service providers, which create secure digital versions of physical payment cards, allowing smartphones to function as substitutes for traditional debit and credit cards.

Visa and Mastercard operate global tokenisation services that are already integrated with Google Pay across several countries. Banks issuing cards through either network can activate the functionality after completing Google's certification requirements.

Verve, however, does not yet have an equivalent integration with Google. Consequently, banks and fintech companies issuing Verve cards cannot offer Google Pay functionality, regardless of their size or position in Nigeria's financial services market.

Verve and Google have previously collaborated on a more limited arrangement. In 2023, the companies partnered to enable Verve cardholders to make payments for Google Play Store purchases in naira. However, that agreement did not extend to Google Wallet's contactless payment infrastructure, which requires a different technical integration.

Beyond card compatibility, Nigeria's payment infrastructure presents another challenge to the widespread adoption of Google Pay.

Although the country had nearly six million active point-of-sale terminals out of more than eight million registered devices, according to an industry estimate from early 2025, contactless-enabled terminals remain relatively uncommon. There is no publicly available figure establishing the proportion of these devices capable of processing contactless payments.

The Central Bank of Nigeria also has separate regulations governing contactless transactions, including limits on payment amounts before customers are required to authenticate transactions using a PIN or other verification method. These restrictions could further limit the functionality of tap-to-pay services, even where compatible terminals are available.

Meanwhile, Verve, Moniepoint and PalmPay are exploring alternative routes through AfriGO, Nigeria's domestic card scheme, which has distributed its own contactless cards. This provides another pathway for expanding tap-to-pay transactions without depending on Google's payment ecosystem.

Looking ahead, one of the biggest developments to watch is whether Verve secures tokenisation integration with Google. Such an agreement could potentially extend Google Pay access to banks and fintech companies issuing Verve cards, including OPay and Moniepoint.

Kuda's position is another important consideration. Since the fintech already issues Visa cards, its continued absence from the supported list raises questions about the technical, certification or commercial requirements yet to be resolved.

Ultimately, the success of Google Pay in Nigeria will depend not only on expanding the number of supported banks and card networks but also on improving the availability of contactless-enabled payment terminals across the country.

For now, customers of OPay, Moniepoint, Kuda and PalmPay remain outside the initial rollout. None of the four fintech companies has publicly commented on its exclusion from Google's launch partners.

Savahdor Wins Bigi Music Competition at Soundcity OnTour in UNILORIN

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:23:30 +0000

Abdulrazak Saubana, popularly known as Savahdor, has emerged winner of the Bigi Music Competition at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), taking home the top prize of ₦500,000 as Soundcity OnTour continues its search for emerging music talent across Nigerian universities.

Mohammed Abdulrasheed Ayomidimeji, known professionally as Bamz, finished as first runner-up and received ₦350,000, while Adenekan Victoria, popularly known as Rhieyha, came third, winning ₦150,000. The three performers shared a total prize pool of ₦1 million.

The competition was one of the major highlights of Soundcity OnTour's activities at UNILORIN from October 26 to 28, bringing together students for music, live entertainment and an opportunity for aspiring artists to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

Powered by Bigi and Fearless Energy Drink, Soundcity OnTour is visiting universities across Nigeria, combining campus entertainment with opportunities for young people to express their creativity, showcase their abilities and discover new possibilities through music.

For Bigi, the initiative reflects its commitment to engaging young Nigerians through their interests while providing a platform for emerging talents to gain recognition.

“Soundcity OnTour allows us to connect with young Nigerians through something they genuinely love. Beyond the excitement, we want to create moments that bring students together and give emerging talents a chance to showcase what they can do,” said Biola Aransiola, Brand Manager, BIGI.

Following its successful outing in Ilorin, Soundcity OnTour moves to Kwara State University (KWASU) from October 29 to 31, extending the experience to another campus community and giving more aspiring musicians an opportunity to perform and compete for recognition.

For Savahdor, Bamz and Rhieyha, the Bigi Music Competition provided more than financial rewards, offering a platform to showcase their musical abilities and gain exposure. As the tour moves to KWASU, the search for Nigeria's next standout campus music talent continues.

Andela, OpenAI and Miva Bring 200 Engineers Together to Develop AI-Powered Learning Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:21:06 +0000

Andela, OpenAI and Miva Open University have partnered to bring together 200 developers and engineers in Lagos to develop artificial intelligence-powered solutions addressing challenges in education and lifelong learning.

The initiative, titled Codex in Action: Engineering the Future of Learning with AI, was held on October 28 at the Civic Centre in Lagos, on the sidelines of TechCabal's Moonshot 2026. Powered by OpenAI Academy, the event formed part of the pan-African Codex Champions Series, which promotes practical AI engineering skills through hands-on learning and real-world application.

The showcase brought together 100 Miva developers and 100 senior engineers from Andela, providing a platform for participants to translate their knowledge of AI tools into practical solutions.

It marked the culmination of a three-week agentic development programme, which saw 100 Miva developers selected from more than 1,000 applicants undergo training in OpenAI Codex before collaborating with experienced Andela engineers to develop solutions addressing specific learning challenges.

The broader Codex learning initiative also recorded measurable improvements in engineering proficiency. According to the organisers, 200 senior developers who participated in two weeks of applied learning recorded a 36-percentage-point improvement in assessed agentic engineering proficiency compared with their baseline performance.

One of the standout projects at the Lagos showcase was Coteacher, a working prototype developed by Miva student Esih Egwurube, who secured first place in the competition.

Built using OpenAI Codex, the platform is designed to give students another opportunity to understand classroom lessons by transforming a single teacher's recording into personalised learning materials tailored to individual needs and learning histories.

With teachers' approval, students can download lessons for offline access, receive alternative explanations and activities when they encounter difficulties, and resume learning from where they stopped. When connected to the internet, they can also interact with an OpenAI-powered voice tutor, with their learning progress synchronised with the teacher.

"The Codex training changed my entire workflow," said Egwurube. "Beyond the technical learning, this experience allowed me to tackle meaningful challenges and to translate that knowledge into real-world solutions that create measurable impact."

Commenting on the initiative, Kate Woska, VP, Africa, Middle East & Impact Partnerships at Andela, said the programme demonstrated how practical AI training could equip developers to solve real-world problems.

"This is what effective AI adoption looks like: developers building proficiency through applied learning and then putting those capabilities to work on real problems," said Woska. "By combining OpenAI Codex with the experience and guidance of Andela's senior engineers, we're helping developers move beyond experimentation to build tangible solutions. It's the same connection between AI adoption and delivery that we help enterprises make."

The initiative comes amid growing demand for advanced AI engineering skills as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the technology workforce.

Andela's Emerging Skills Research, which analysed 47,101 technical job postings from Fortune 500 companies, identified emerging combinations of engineering capabilities that are evolving faster than traditional job titles can accommodate.

The research also highlighted increasing demand for skills associated with OpenAI technologies, particularly agent orchestration, large language model (LLM) evaluation and serving.

The findings underscore the growing importance of practical AI engineering expertise and the ability to design, develop and deploy sophisticated AI-powered systems.

For Andela, the Codex Champions Series reflects its approach to developing these capabilities through assessment-led learning, practical engineering experience and hands-on solution development, enabling developers to turn AI knowledge into measurable outcomes.

Lagos is the second stop of the pan-African Codex Champions Series, following its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya. The programme is scheduled to continue in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 15, with another gathering planned alongside the OpenAI Forum.

Through the initiative, Andela, OpenAI and Miva Open University aim to strengthen Africa's AI engineering talent pipeline and equip developers with the practical skills needed to build solutions for emerging challenges across industries.

Facebook Partners Funke Akindele to Showcase Nigerian Storytelling Through ‘The Four’

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:18:07 +0000

Facebook has partnered with acclaimed Nollywood filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele for the London and Lagos premieres of her latest film, The Four, in a collaboration aimed at celebrating Nigerian storytelling and the creators and communities taking African cinema to global audiences.

Through the partnership, Facebook will support the film’s world premiere in London and its homecoming premiere in Lagos, bringing together content creators, celebrities and audiences through experiences that highlight the power of digital platforms in connecting storytellers with fans.

The collaboration also underscores how Facebook enables creators to build communities around shared cultural interests, engage audiences and extend conversations beyond major entertainment events, including film premieres and everyday fan interactions.

"Facebook has always been about connecting people, and our partnership with Funke Akindele brings that to life through film," said Oluwasola Obagbemi, Head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa, Meta. "Creators on Facebook can reach a global audience, build real connections with their fans and earn money from the original content they share. Through our partnership around The Four premieres in London and Lagos, we're celebrating the creators shaping culture, and helping more creators who share original and engaging content on Facebook to succeed."

For Akindele, whose career spans acting, producing and directing, the partnership represents an opportunity to celebrate the audiences whose support has contributed to her success while showcasing the richness of African cinema to a wider international audience.

"African cinema has always had beautiful stories for the world to enjoy, and it's exciting to have Facebook as a partner in bringing these stories to even more audiences globally," said Funke Akindele.

Facebook's activities at the London and Lagos premieres will also spotlight Nigerian content creators at home and in the diaspora. A dedicated creator-hosted space will capture social content exploring how creators use Facebook to connect with younger audiences and promote Nigerian stories, entertainment and culture beyond the country's borders.

Audiences can follow the Meta Africa, officialfunkeAkindele, Funke Akindele and Fanntv Facebook pages for exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes content from the London and Lagos premieres.

From London to Lagos, the partnership highlights Nollywood's growing international influence and the role of digital platforms, creators and online communities in taking Nigerian stories to audiences around the world.

FirstCap Calls for Increased Capital Investment in Businesses and Infrastructure at NESG 32

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:12:15 +0000

FirstCap Limited, an investment banking subsidiary of First HoldCo Plc, has called for stronger capital mobilisation to support business growth, infrastructure development and sustainable economic expansion in Nigeria.

The firm made the call at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG 32) in Abuja, where its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ukandu E. Ukandu, participated in high-level discussions on unlocking investment opportunities and strengthening capital flows into productive sectors of the economy.

Held under the theme, “Growth That Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,” the summit brought together policymakers, investors, development partners and private-sector leaders to explore strategies for translating economic reforms into increased investment, higher productivity and job creation.

Speaking during the sessions, “Investing in Nigeria's Productive Future” and “From Reform to Capital Mobilisation: Unlocking the Next Wave of Productive Investment in Nigeria,” Ukandu highlighted the importance of developing investment-ready businesses and projects through strong corporate governance, financial transparency, credible reporting and financing structures tailored to different stages of business growth.

The discussions also examined funding gaps in critical infrastructure, particularly in the power sector and industrial utilities, as well as the need for innovative financing solutions to attract long-term institutional investment.

Among the mechanisms highlighted were blended finance, credit enhancement facilities, guaranteed bonds and professionally managed investment vehicles, which could help reduce investment risks and encourage greater participation by institutional investors.

A key issue emerging from the discussions was the need to bridge the gap between available capital and viable investment opportunities. With substantial domestic institutional funds available through pension schemes and other long-term savings pools, stakeholders stressed the importance of developing well-structured projects capable of attracting sustainable financing.

According to FirstCap, driving economic growth requires more than simply making capital available. It also involves building a strong pipeline of investment-ready businesses and infrastructure projects backed by sound corporate governance, transparent financial information and effective risk-management frameworks.

The firm's participation at NESG 32 reinforces its commitment to facilitating capital mobilisation, supporting productive investments and developing financing solutions that enable businesses and infrastructure projects to unlock long-term value.

As Nigeria seeks to deepen investment, expand productive capacity and accelerate economic growth, stronger connections between institutional capital and quality investment opportunities will remain essential to delivering sustainable development, job creation and shared prosperity.