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NCC Strengthens Enforcement of Type Approval for SIM-Enabled Devices

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:28:39 +0000

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stepped up monitoring and enforcement of Type Approval requirements for SIM-enabled communication devices in Nigeria.

The commission said the initiative would make Type Approval compliance more efficient, consistent and effective through a technology-enabled framework.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Nnena Ukoha, the NCC said the Device Management System (DMS) would serve as the technology platform supporting the automated compliance framework.

According to her, the system would enable the commission to electronically determine Type Approval compliance for SIM-enabled devices.

She said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that communication devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria meet applicable technical and regulatory standards.

Ukoha said Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 required licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain Type Approval before communications equipment could be sold or used in Nigeria.

She said the DMS would strengthen the integrity of the communications device ecosystem by improving compliance, enhancing network performance and facilitating the identification of non-compliant devices.

She added that the framework would also strengthen consumer confidence in devices sold and used in the country.

“The commission has commenced the first phase of implementing the automated Type Approval compliance framework in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers and relevant market associations.

“This phase focuses on onboarding existing devices currently held in stock,” she said.

She said the process would provide a more effective mechanism for identifying non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they entered widespread use.

Speaking on the rollout, NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Edoyemi Ogoh, said the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 provided the regulatory framework for establishing a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).

Ogoh said the CEIR would maintain a registry of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria, following extensive stakeholder engagements and market studies by the commission.

He said all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country would be required to be registered before being sold, adding that unregistered devices would not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks.

He said the system would also make it easier to identify illegally imported and non-compliant devices and block stolen devices from operating across Nigerian mobile networks.

He said the platform would only support device identification and Type Approval compliance and would not give the commission access to users’ device content or enable it to monitor personal communications.

Industry unveils Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact 2026

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:13:00 +0000

Leading Nigerian businesses have been recognised at the 2026 Industry’s Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact Awards for demonstrating resilience, innovation and commitment to national development amid a challenging economic environment.

The awards ceremony, held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together businesses across key sectors of the Nigerian economy. The annual ranking and awards, organised by The Industry Newspaper, recognise companies that combine profitability with job creation, local content, innovation and social impact.

Declaring the event open, Goddie Ofose, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of The Industry Newspaper and Convener of the Top 50, said the 2026 theme, “Building Resilience, Driving Growth: Nigerian Companies Shaping the Next Decade”, reflects the realities of doing business in Nigeria.

“This is not an easy time to do business in Nigeria. Inflation has tested margins. FX volatility has tested planning. And yet, despite all of that, you are here. You are building. You are hiring. You are innovating,” Ofose stated.

L-R: Proprietor of Lagooz Schools in Orile Agege/Chairman of the Industry Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact, Chief Yomi Otubela; SSA to Nigerian President/President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Mr. O’tega Ogra; Head of Business Development & Commercial, Cardinal Torch Limited, Ms. Ndutimobong Sunday; and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, The Industry Newspaper, Goddie Ofose, during the 2026 Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact unveiling at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

He said the impact of businesses should be assessed beyond revenue and financial performance.

“Impact is the jobs created in Aba, Kano, and Port Harcourt. It is the factory that stayed open when others closed. It is the payment rail that moves money in 3 seconds. It is choosing to invest in Nigeria when it would have been easier to wait.”

Ofose highlighted examples of resilience across different sectors, citing Dangote and BUA for doubling down on local production; Interswitch for powering the digital economy; Vitafoam and Meyer Paints for maintaining brands in Nigerian homes; and Oracle Experience, X3M Ideas and Noah’s Ark for expanding the experience and communications economy.

He also cited Insight Redefini and Chain Reactions Africa as examples of Nigerian businesses demonstrating that “Nigerian ideas and creativity can win global awards and solve local problems.”

Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Yomi Otubela, FCMA, National President of NAPPS, urged the honourees to regard the recognition as a call to greater responsibility.

“What we are celebrating today is not simply business success. We are celebrating impact,” Otubela said. “Beyond making a profit, what difference is a company making? How many people does it employ? How much does it invest in innovation? How responsibly does it conduct its business?”

He called on businesses to place greater emphasis on job creation, good governance, local content and sustainability.

“The companies that will make the greatest difference in the next decade will be those that understand that business success and national development are closely connected,” he added.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. O’tega Ogra, SSA to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Engagement and Strategy & President, ADVAN, highlighted the growing ability of Nigerian companies to transform local challenges into expertise that can be deployed across Africa.

Citing Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, which is leading a $3.1 billion AfCFTA customs modernisation project after proving its model in Nigerian ports, Ogra said: “The Nigerian market became its proving ground. The expertise developed here is now being taken to the continent.”

Ogra also emphasised the importance of technology, trust and listening in determining which businesses will shape Nigeria’s next decade.

“The companies that shape the next decade will distinguish themselves by how quickly they learn to apply technology to actual problems. Attention can be bought. Trust cannot.”

The 2026 Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact list features businesses across manufacturing, fintech, consumer goods, energy, media and communications. The companies were recognised for demonstrating impact that extends beyond their balance sheets and contributes to economic and social development.

In his closing remarks, Ofose said the awards were not intended to portray the honourees as perfect businesses, but to recognise their continued commitment to operating and investing in Nigeria.

“This is not a celebration of perfection. It is a celebration of presence. Of companies that chose to be present in the Nigerian economy, in Nigerian communities, and in the Nigerian future.”

He urged CEOs to “keep building, keep employing, keep telling credible Nigerian stories. The country needs you.”

The full 2026 Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact list and special supplement were unveiled at the event.

The Industry Newspaper is a Nigerian publication covering business, marketing communications, brands and the economy. Its Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact is an annual flagship project recognising enterprises contributing to national development.

Dangote’s Wealth Hits $32.5bn as Investors Position for Refinery IPO

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 17:08:43 +0000

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, added $1 billion to his fortune on Monday, September 7, 2026, pushing his total net worth to a record $32.5 billion.

The sharp increase comes as global investors step up preparations ahead of the highly anticipated N2.2 trillion ($1.3 billion) initial public offering (IPO) of his landmark oil refinery, scheduled to open on September 14.

The one-day surge caps an extraordinary year for the Nigerian industrialist, whose wealth has risen by 27% since January, driven largely by growing investor confidence in his sprawling business empire, the Dangote Group.

Analysts attribute the momentum to the planned public listing of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the mega-refinery located in the Lekki Free Zone outside Lagos.

Market expectations for the offering are exceptionally high, with financial advisers noting that domestic and international institutional investors are rapidly repositioning their portfolios to secure allocations.

The N2.2 trillion share sale is projected to become the largest equity offering in the history of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), marking a potentially significant milestone for Nigeria and the wider West African capital market.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which recently began operations, is widely regarded as a potential game-changer for Africa’s largest economy.

Nigeria has historically faced chronic fuel shortages and significant foreign exchange outflows because of its heavy reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

By processing crude oil locally, the refinery is expected to reduce these vulnerabilities, strengthen energy security and potentially conserve significant foreign exchange for the country.

Monday’s surge in Dangote’s fortune reflects the market’s confidence in the refinery’s long-term earning potential.

Beyond oil, Dangote’s interests in cement, sugar and fertiliser continue to deliver resilient performance, supporting his position at the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

With the September 14 IPO date approaching, financial regulators are reportedly working closely with the Dangote Group to facilitate a smooth transition to the public market.

With his net worth now at $32.5 billion, Dangote has further strengthened his position as Africa’s leading industrialist.

The proposed share offering is expected to attract substantial liquidity into Nigeria’s capital market and could further cement the refinery’s position as the crown jewel of Dangote’s decades-long business empire.

WhatsApp spotlights Nigerian small businesses in new campaign

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 16:57:25 +0000

WhatsApp has launched a three-week campaign celebrating Nigerian small business owners and the everyday hustle behind their businesses, highlighting how entrepreneurs are using WhatsApp Business to connect with customers and drive growth.

The ‘Power your hustle with WhatsApp Business’ campaign follows three small businesses in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, telling the stories of the entrepreneurs behind them, the journeys that have shaped their businesses and how WhatsApp Business has become part of their daily operations.

The businesses featured in the campaign are:

Edibles by Lera Ipapanu (Lagos): A snack brand reviving popular local snacks with modern packaging and convenient delivery.

Founder Mosumola Oladoye says, “WhatsApp Business is the digital storefront of Edibles by Lera Ipapanu. One feature I love is the Catalog, because customers can browse our products, see prices and check available sizes.”

FHR Spices (Ibadan): A Nigerian natural food seasoning brand based in Ibadan, Oyo State, making healthy eating simple and enjoyable through carefully selected herbs and spices without artificial additives or preservatives.

Founder Aminat Akinyemi says, “WhatsApp Business has become one of our most powerful tools for building relationships and driving sales. While I am busy in production, the Meta Business Agent knows my product like I do, and it answers customer's questions in a way that feels personal”.

Twinny’s Kitchen (Abuja): A food processing company producing high-quality, hygienically processed and packaged African food products for customers across Nigeria and the diaspora.

Founder Augustina Onoriode says, “WhatsApp Business has helped me transform customer conversations into lasting relationships and it has become the biggest driver of Twinny’s Kitchen’s growth. With Lists, I organise my customers into groups like New orders, Follow up, Pending orders and Waybill”.

As the businesses have evolved, WhatsApp Business has become an important part of how the three founders communicate with customers and manage their operations.

All three entrepreneurs are also using the recently announced Meta Business Agent, an AI-powered assistant within the WhatsApp Business app. The tool can answer customer questions, recommend products and help move a sale forward when a business owner is unavailable to respond.

Speaking about the campaign, Oluwasola Obagbemi, Head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa, Meta, said: "WhatsApp continues to be an important part of how business gets done in Nigeria, and we're seeing business owners use it for far more than just messaging. The founders we're spotlighting are finding new customers, answering questions quickly and making sales. With Meta Business Agent, business owners now have AI working alongside them, and we look forward to seeing how they use it to power their hustle."

The stories of the three entrepreneurs will be told through documentary-style “day in the life” videos capturing the realities of running their businesses. The videos will be featured across the Meta Africa Facebook page and WhatsApp for Business’ social channels.

A virtual masterclass will also bring together small business owners from across Nigeria for practical guidance on using WhatsApp Business tools, including the Meta Business Agent and ads that click to WhatsApp.

Small business owners can follow the Meta Africa Facebook page for more information about the campaign and upcoming masterclass.

PepsiCo hands global media brief to Publicis Groupe in landmark no-pitch move

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:48:08 +0000

PepsiCo has reportedly appointed Publicis Groupe to its global media account, with the holding company set to take on an expanded remit spanning the food and beverage giant’s media operations worldwide.

Publicis has been appointed PepsiCo’s exclusive lead global media partner, replacing Omnicom’s OMD in key markets after a relationship spanning more than two decades.

According to media reports, under the reported appointment, Publicis is expected to build a new AI- and data-driven “One PepsiCo” media model bringing together strategy, planning, activation, connected identity and technology across more than 200 markets and brands, including Pepsi, Gatorade and Lay’s.

Omnicom is reportedly expected to remain a strategic partner to PepsiCo across other areas of the business. Publicis, meanwhile, has already worked with the food and beverage company across a number of markets in Asia and Eastern Europe.

The reported appointment could also have implications for another major global media review currently underway. Publicis is withdrawing from Coca-Cola’s ongoing global media pitch following the PepsiCo win, given the two companies’ longstanding rivalry.

Coca-Cola launched a global review of its media, data science and technology business across most of its major markets in June. Facilitated by consultancy MediaSense, the review was expected to see incumbent WPP Open X compete against Publicis for the account.

The review coincides with the renewal cycle of Coca-Cola’s five-year partnership with WPP Open X, which began in 2021. At the time, WPP said it welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate how its integrated media, data science and agentic technology capabilities could continue to support Coca-Cola across its key global markets.

The reported PepsiCo win follows another major global account retention for Publicis earlier this year. Recently, Cathay Pacific renewed its global agency partnership with Publicis following a strategic review that began in November 2025 and was supported by independent marketing consultancy MediaSense.

The review included agency briefings, strategic response presentations, regional stakeholder sessions and commercial discussions, and was conducted to assess Cathay’s evolving agency requirements and the capabilities needed to support its long-term growth. Publicis was subsequently reappointed for a fixed three-year term.

AI Tech 2026: ASUS Advances AI Infrastructure for Cloud and Edge Computing

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:42:08 +0000

ASUS has expanded its artificial intelligence infrastructure ecosystem through strategic collaborations with Intel, AMD and a wider network of technology partners, including Aleria, Foxlink, IBM, Samsung, Schneider Electric and WD.

The announcement was made at ASUS AI Tech 2026, where the company showcased how it and its partners are advancing AI innovation across the technology stack, accelerating adoption and helping shape the future of computing.

Advanced AI infrastructure powered by Intel and AMD

At ASUS AI Tech 2026, ASUS and its technology partners demonstrated how AI infrastructure is evolving into high-performance, resilient and governed AI factories.

For enterprise and general-purpose applications, ASUS offers a broad AI infrastructure portfolio powered by Intel and AMD technologies, enabling organisations to deploy diverse AI workloads across a range of computing environments.

The showcase includes the ASUS RS700-E12-RS4U and RS720-E12-RS12U, powered by Intel Xeon 6 processors and designed as scalable computing platforms for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and data-intensive workloads.

The XA P8I-E13A is also featured as a high-density 6U system built on the Intel Xeon Next-Gen processor platform, supporting advanced GPU acceleration for demanding AI applications.

For AMD-powered solutions, the RS720A-E14B-R32U, RS500A-E14B-R12U and ESC8000A-E13P provide flexible and scalable platforms for enterprise and AI workloads.

The RS720A-E14B-R32U and RS500A-E14B-R12U feature AMD EPYC 9006 Series server CPUs, delivering optimised performance and efficiency for modern data centres and business applications.

Meanwhile, the ESC8000A-E13P is equipped with AMD Instinct MI350P PCIe accelerators, providing scalable computing performance for inference, agentic AI and high-performance computing workloads.

Bringing real-time AI intelligence to industrial edge applications

As AI moves beyond traditional data centres into real-world environments, organisations increasingly require reliable edge AI infrastructure capable of delivering real-time intelligence across sectors such as transportation, public safety, manufacturing and healthcare.

Processing data locally rather than sending it to the cloud can help organisations keep sensitive information, including patient records, production data and video footage, onsite. This can strengthen data confidentiality while supporting compliance requirements in industrial and healthcare environments.

Unlike conventional servers designed for climate-controlled data centres, computing hardware deployed in environments such as factory floors, hospitals and power plants must operate reliably despite extreme temperatures, unstable power supplies and electrical noise.

Industrial edge computing therefore requires hardware engineered to support wide temperature and voltage ranges while providing protection against electrostatic discharge.

ASUS said its Industrial Edge Server delivers enterprise-grade AI computing, rugged reliability and long-term availability for applications including factory automation, automated optical inspection, video surveillance and healthcare.

The company also introduced the new RUC-2000 series embedded computer, powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and capable of delivering up to 180 AI TOPS.

The rugged, fanless system is designed for applications including machine vision, video analytics and in-vehicle AI, extending AI computing capabilities into demanding industrial and mobile environments.

Advancing AI innovation from cloud to edge

ASUS said it remains committed to its vision of “Ubiquitous AI, Incredible Possibilities”, with intelligence increasingly embedded across products, platforms and strategic partnerships.

Through its expanding AI ecosystem, the company is enabling organisations to build, deploy and scale AI solutions across the full computing spectrum, from cloud infrastructure to edge environments.

The expansion reflects the growing shift towards distributed AI computing, where organisations can combine powerful data-centre infrastructure with edge systems capable of processing information closer to where it is generated.

ASUS said this approach will support the next era of intelligent computing by helping businesses deploy AI solutions that are scalable, resilient and suited to increasingly diverse real-world applications.

Hisense Extends UEFA Partnership as Official Partner of EURO 2028

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:36:07 +0000

Hisense has extended its long-term partnership with UEFA after being confirmed as an Official Partner of UEFA EURO 2028, marking the fourth consecutive UEFA European Championship supported by the global consumer electronics and home appliances brand.

The announcement was made at IFA 2026, where Hisense reaffirmed its growing involvement in international football and its commitment to connecting technology with major sporting experiences.

Hisense's football journey with UEFA began at EURO 2016 and has continued through successive UEFA European Championships, as well as the FIFA World Cups in 2018, 2022 and 2026.

The company said its football partnership represents an ongoing journey, with each tournament providing an opportunity to build on previous experiences and create new moments for fans.

"Great partnerships are built over time, and our journey with UEFA reflects that belief," said Catherine Fang, VP of Hisense Group and President of Hisense Global Commercial Center. "As the first Chinese sponsor of the UEFA EURO, over the past decade we have grown beyond pure brand sponsorship to become UEFA's dedicated display technology partner, progressing hand-in-hand. Through cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences, we bring audiences closer to the thrill of football. Looking ahead, we are eager to write the next chapter together with UEFA, creating more meaningful moments for fans everywhere."

UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Hisense for UEFA EURO 2028. Their sustained commitment to European football across four consecutive EURO tournaments demonstrates the strength of our relationship and a shared ambition to create meaningful experiences for fans. We look forward to working together to make the next EURO memorable."

As part of the partnership announcement, Hisense is showcasing a dedicated UEFA EURO 2028 activation zone at its IFA 2026 booth.

Visitors can take part in a football challenge featuring goal tracking, with photographs automatically generated for sharing. The activation is being presented alongside Hisense's latest technology innovations and reflects the company's "Innovating a Brighter Life" vision.

Through the UEFA EURO 2028 partnership, Hisense aims to use its technology to create more engaging and memorable experiences for football fans while strengthening its position as a global sports marketing partner.

Dangote Cement Sets September 21 for London Capital Markets Day Ahead of LSE Listing

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:18:28 +0000

Dangote Cement Plc will host a Capital Markets Day (CMD) in London on 21 September 2026 as part of preparations for its proposed secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The event follows the company’s announcement on 12 May 2026 and the subsequent approval by shareholders of the proposed secondary listing of Dangote Cement’s shares on the LSE.

In a notice signed by Edward Imoedemhe, Company Secretary of Dangote Cement Plc, the Capital Markets Day will provide investors and other stakeholders with an update on the company’s strategy, operations and business priorities.

The event will also offer investors an opportunity to engage directly with Dangote Cement’s senior management.

The company said further details, including the full agenda and logistics for the event, would be released in due course.

Presentation materials from the Capital Markets Day will also be made available to the market in line with applicable disclosure requirements.

The planned event forms part of Dangote Cement’s preparations and investor engagement activities ahead of the proposed secondary listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange.

Uber Launches AI-Powered Robotaxis in London After Exiting Nigeria and Uganda

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:13:24 +0000

Uber Technologies Inc. has launched its first autonomous ride-hailing fleet in London, marking a major milestone for self-driving technology in the United Kingdom just 24 hours after the mobility company ended its operations in Nigeria and Uganda.

The London service, launched in partnership with British artificial intelligence startup Wayve, allows passengers booking UberX, Uber Electric or Uber Comfort rides to be matched with a self-driving electric vehicle at no additional cost.

The contrasting moves highlight Uber’s growing shift towards autonomous transport and high-margin markets, as the company reduces its presence in some price-sensitive developing economies while increasing investment in automated mobility across major European and North American cities.

Uber’s first autonomous fleet hits London streets

The initial London fleet comprises electric Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with Wayve’s “AI Driver” platform.

Passengers selected for an autonomous journey are notified through the Uber app before the vehicle arrives. They can choose to opt out and request a conventional Uber driven by a human driver instead.

In line with current Transport for London (TfL) regulatory requirements, the service initially operates under supervision. A safety driver licensed by TfL sits in the front seat to monitor the automated system and intervene when necessary.

Full driverless commercial operations will remain subject to forthcoming UK safety approvals.

Wayve’s technology differs from traditional autonomous driving systems that rely heavily on high-definition maps. Its “AV2.0” machine-learning framework is designed to enable vehicles to respond dynamically to changing road conditions.

“We’re proud to introduce the Wayve AI Driver to the public for the first time right here in London, our home city and one of the most complex driving environments in the world,” said Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve.

Uber shifts focus after Nigeria and Uganda exits

The London launch comes as Uber withdraws from Nigeria following a 12-year presence in the country, while also ending its operations in Uganda.

The exits leave competitors such as Bolt and local ride-hailing operators to serve markets facing significant economic pressures, including higher fuel prices, currency depreciation and rising inflation.

In Nigeria, inflation and increased operating costs had placed pressure on driver earnings while weakening consumers’ spending power. Uber’s withdrawal forms part of a broader strategy to concentrate resources on markets where automation could offer stronger long-term returns.

Uber bets on autonomous future

Uber’s London deployment underlines its ambition to build autonomous ride-hailing networks through partnerships with specialised autonomous vehicle companies.

The company and Wayve plan to expand their operations into additional international markets, with future integrations expected to include Nissan Leaf robotaxis powered by NVIDIA architecture.

London could prove an important test for the technology. Robotaxi services operated by companies such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Baidu have already accumulated millions of commercial miles in the United States and China.

However, London presents a distinctive challenge for autonomous vehicles because of its congested roads, narrow streets and complex, often unpredictable driving environment.

By reducing its exposure to lower-margin markets while increasing investment in artificial intelligence and autonomous mobility, Uber is positioning itself for a future in which self-driving fleets become an increasingly important part of urban transport.

Unstoppable Africa 2026 to convene global business leaders in New York to drive investment and growth

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:06:44 +0000

More than 2,000 African and global business leaders, alongside heads of state and other decision-makers, are expected in New York on September 20–21 for Unstoppable Africa 2026, the flagship event of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI).

Convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and organised and coordinated by the UN Global Compact, the fifth edition of Unstoppable Africa will be held under the theme, “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future”.

Taking place on the sidelines of the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the event will bring together investors, policymakers, creatives, sports executives and business leaders to accelerate Africa’s trade, investment and economic development while strengthening the continent’s role in shaping global markets.

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, said: “This year, we are sharpening the focus on mobilising capital, forging partnerships, building businesses and turning Africa’s assets and opportunities into investable, scalable outcomes. The ambition is not simply to shape how the world sees Africa, but to shape where global capital flows, where value is created and how Africa can capture it.”

The high-level gathering comes as global supply chains are being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, energy insecurity and changing trade rules. For Africa, these shifts present an opportunity to leverage its critical minerals, renewable energy potential, growing consumer markets and young workforce to attract long-term investment and capture greater value from changes in the global economy.

Unstoppable Africa 2026 will examine how the continent can convert these global shifts into sustainable economic opportunities. The programme will focus on strategies for Africa to capture more value from its critical minerals, strengthen infrastructure and trade, mobilise capital at scale, and develop more integrated and competitive markets.

Discussions will also examine Africa’s energy transition, the development and ownership of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, the financing and global distribution of African creative industries, and the potential of sport to become a stronger driver of investment, talent development and economic growth.

Confirmed speakers include:

H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President, Republic of Sierra Leone
H.E. Duma Gideon Boko, President, Republic of Botswana
H.E. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO, African Finance Corporation
Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson, Anglo American South Africa
Tidjane Thiam, General Partner, Allied Critical Minerals Fund
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO and Executive Director, Naspers
Olugbenga Agboola, CEO, Flutterwave
Cameron Bailey, CEO, Toronto International Film Festival
Wanuri Kahiu, filmmaker
Akunna Cook, Founder and CEO, Next Narrative Africa Fund
Luol Deng, former NBA All-Star and President, South Sudan Basketball Federation
Clare Akamanzi, CEO, NBA Africa
Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on Arab and African Affairs
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All

The five themes of GABI and Unstoppable Africa – Energy, Digital Transformation, Trade, Creative Industries and Sport – will be explored through high-level plenaries, CEO and investor roundtables, ministerial dialogues, startup showcases and GABI Solutions Labs.

The 2026 edition is expected to provide a platform for participants to initiate transactions, develop investment vehicles and establish cross-border alliances and partnerships.

The scale of the opportunity is underscored by the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose full implementation could create a $3.4 trillion market, according to UNCTAD’s 2024 Economic Development in Africa Report, highlighting the potential for deeper regional integration to expand trade and investment across the continent.

The event will once again be hosted by Folly Bah Thibault, Senior News Anchor at Al Jazeera Media Network, and Larry Madowo, International Correspondent at CNN.

It will also spotlight more than 500 nominees featured in the Unstoppable Africans campaign, further showcasing the individuals driving Africa’s economic, creative, sporting and business transformation.

Africa Is Not at the Margins of Energy Geopolitics, It Is the Fulcrum — Tegbe

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:02:41 +0000

The Honourable Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has said Africa is central to the future of global energy security, arguing that Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms provide a model for how developing economies can strengthen energy resilience amid growing geopolitical fragmentation.

Tegbe made the remarks on Tuesday in a keynote address at the opening plenary of the Middle East Energy 2026 Leadership Summit in Dubai, where he spoke on the theme, “Energy Security and the Effect of Geopolitics”.

Addressing ministers, industry leaders and international dignitaries at the 50th edition of the summit, the minister said energy security in 2026 could no longer be measured solely by the availability of hydrocarbon reserves.

He described energy security as the resilience of an entire system, encompassing critical mineral supply chains, electricity grids, capital and institutions needed to keep energy flowing to homes, hospitals and industries during periods of stress.

Tegbe positioned Nigeria as a key player in the global energy security debate, citing the country’s more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and its two-decade record of reliable liquefied natural gas supply to Europe and Asia.

He also highlighted the Electricity Act of 2023 as the most far-reaching reform of Nigeria’s power sector in a generation, noting that it ended a long-standing federal monopoly and effectively created 37 emerging electricity markets across the federation under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“Capital does not flee risk; it flees uncertainty. Investors will price risk all day long; what they cannot price is a rule that changes after the contract is signed,” the Minister said.

He described Nigeria’s reform agenda as, at its core, a credibility agenda built on regulatory certainty, contract sanctity and bankable offtake.

Tegbe presented four key propositions to delegates at the summit.

He argued that diversification, rather than diplomatic disengagement, represents the surest form of strategic insurance; that electricity grids now require the same strategic attention historically given to fuel supplies; that affordability is itself a security issue; and that the global energy transition must be orderly, just and responsive to the circumstances of individual nations.

The minister said Africa, where about 600 million people still lack access to electricity, was not on the periphery of global energy geopolitics but at its centre.

He pointed to the continent’s vast mineral resources, abundant solar potential, youthful workforce and rapidly growing energy demand as factors that would increasingly influence energy security in London, Tokyo, Washington and Dubai in the decades ahead.

Tegbe called for a new generation of partnerships that would move beyond raw resource extraction to encompass local processing, manufacturing, skills transfer and patient capital.

“Nigeria has chosen to build. Africa has chosen to build. And we invite you, in the spirit of this remarkable city and this landmark fiftieth summit, to build with us,” the Minister told delegates in his closing remarks.

The Minister’s engagements in Dubai continue throughout the week, including a ministerial fireside discussion on financing Africa’s power future under the summit’s Africa Spotlight programme.

CREDICORP Takes 10,000-Vehicle Credit Scheme to Ile-Ife

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:59:49 +0000

The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has extended its nationwide rollout of 10,000 credit-backed, locally assembled vehicles to Ile-Ife, Osun State, as it expands access to affordable consumer credit for working Nigerians seeking to own productive assets.

The latest rollout was held at the historic Ooni of Ife Palace in the presence of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, marking another step in CREDICORP’s national mobility programme aimed at making vehicle ownership more accessible through structured credit.

The programme, which has progressed through the North Central and South West regions, including Ijebu-Ode and Ile-Ife, will next move to Adamawa and Borno in the North East before extending to the South East.

CREDICORP said the nationwide initiative is part of its broader effort to make consumer credit an everyday tool for Nigerians to acquire useful and productive assets, improve their livelihoods and enhance their quality of life.

More than 301,000 Nigerians across the country have now accessed CREDICORP-supported consumer credit through programmes covering mobility, digital devices, home improvement, life essentials and other productive assets.

The vehicle rollout is being implemented under CREDICORP’s S.C.A.L.E. initiative — Securing Consumer Access for Local Enterprises — which links consumer purchasing power generated through credit to Nigerian production and enterprise.

By financing locally assembled vehicles and other Nigerian-made products, the initiative seeks to improve consumers’ livelihoods and earning capacity while generating sustained demand for local manufacturers, assemblers and businesses.

Speaking at the Ile-Ife rollout, Engr. Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director/CEO of CREDICORP, said the activation was part of a wider national programme.

“What Nigerians are seeing in Ile-Ife today is one stop in a much bigger journey. We are taking consumer credit across the country and putting productive assets into the hands of hardworking people who can use them to earn, grow and live better now.

“When a Nigerian can acquire a vehicle today and pay responsibly over time, we have not only financed an asset. We have expanded that person’s economic possibilities while creating demand for something assembled here in Nigeria. Multiply that across thousands of people, communities and industries, and consumer credit becomes a powerful engine for both better lives and national economic growth.”

The presence of the Ooni of Ife at the rollout added significance to the event. Ile-Ife, widely regarded as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, has a long history of commerce and enterprise alongside its cultural heritage.

The expansion of CREDICORP’s national credit programme into the city reflects the Corporation’s stated objective of widening access to formal consumer credit for Nigerians across communities and regions.

The Ile-Ife activation builds on CREDICORP’s existing mobility interventions, including programmes supporting commercial transport operators and the 10,000 Women in Mobility Programme, which is designed to expand vehicle ownership and economic opportunities for Nigerian women.

CREDICORP delivers its programmes through licensed financial institutions and an expanding network of manufacturers, vendors and community partners.

For the Ile-Ife rollout, Gamma Mobility supported beneficiary profiling and onboarding, Simba TVS supplied the locally assembled three-wheelers, while Accion Microfinance Bank supported the credit administration process.

Through S.C.A.L.E. and its wider consumer credit programmes, CREDICORP aims to build a national marketplace where responsible credit gives Nigerians greater purchasing power to own productive assets and improve their livelihoods, while increasing demand for Nigerian-made products and supporting local industry and jobs.

Emirates to Serve Exceptional Champagnes and Fine Wines Across Global Network in 2026

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:56:10 +0000

Emirates is set to introduce a new collection of exceptional Champagnes and fine wines across its global network in the coming months, giving customers in every cabin the opportunity to sample selections from one of the world's most extensive airline wine cellars.

The latest collection includes Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 and Château Mouton Rothschild 2003 in First Class, as well as Emirates' first English sparkling wine, Wiston Estate Brut NV, in Premium Economy. The selection brings together celebrated vineyards from France, Australia, Chile, South Africa and the UK.

Since 2006, Emirates has invested more than USD 1 billion in its wine programme, building a cellar that now holds around five million bottles in dedicated facilities in France. Many of the wines are purchased years in advance and carefully matured until they reach their optimum drinking window before being served onboard.

Because many wines are sourced in small parcels and through limited allocations, Emirates customers have access to rare and sought-after vintages that are not widely available elsewhere.

In First Class, Emirates is expected to introduce Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 across its global network towards the end of the year. It is the latest expression of the Champagne house's iconic prestige cuvée. Produced from a year of striking contrasts in Champagne, the 2017 vintage combines richness and freshness, with aromas of wet stone, jasmine and candied citrus leading to a vibrant palate marked by precision, freshness and refined mineral character.

On African routes, First Class customers can currently enjoy Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2015 from Bouchard Père & Fils. Produced in Puligny-Montrachet, one of Burgundy's legendary Chardonnay terroirs, the wine is known for its power, precision and exceptional mineral tension.

The appellation is exceptionally small, while Grand Cru Burgundy is produced in limited quantities, making allocations highly restricted. The generous 2015 vintage offers ripe citrus, white peach, subtle spice and delicate toasted notes, alongside remarkable freshness and length.

On European routes, Emirates is currently serving Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023 from Château Cheval Blanc in First Class. The rare white wine from one of Bordeaux's most prestigious estates is made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, supported by Sémillon.

The 2023 vintage combines aromatic precision and freshness, with notes of bright citrus, white flowers, grapefruit and subtle mineral tension. While Château Cheval Blanc is renowned worldwide for its legendary red wine, its limited-production white cuvée remains a distinctive and highly sought-after expression of the estate.

First Class customers travelling to East Asia can currently discover Seña 2016, one of Chile's most iconic wines and a benchmark for premium Cabernet Sauvignon-led blends from the Aconcagua Valley. The wine highlights Chile's ability to produce world-class wines with elegance, depth and ageing potential. The 2016 vintage features black fruit, violet, tobacco and cedar, supported by fine tannins and a long, layered finish.

From late September, First Class customers travelling to Australasia will be served Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2015, one of Australia's benchmark expressions of Barossa Valley Shiraz. The wine features aromas of dark fruit, liquorice, mocha and spice, complemented by subtle savoury notes. Polished tannins provide structure, leading to a long and layered finish. With around a decade of maturity, the wine is already showing considerable depth and complexity.

From October, Emirates will serve Château Mouton Rothschild 2003 in First Class on UK routes, giving customers the opportunity to experience a mature First Growth Bordeaux with more than 20 years of development.

One of the great names of Pauillac and recognised as a First Growth under the historic 1855 Classification, the wine combines intense flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with cedar, tobacco and warm spice. Ripe tannins and a long, structured finish add to its depth and complexity.

From December, Vilafonté Series C 2016 will be available on select First Class routes, showcasing one of South Africa's highly regarded fine wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux-style blend combines black fruit, cedar and spice with polished tannins and a long, refined finish.

In Business Class, Emirates is currently serving La Dame de Montrose 2014 from Château Montrose on US routes. The second wine of one of Saint-Estèphe's great estates and a Second Growth in Bordeaux's 1855 Classification, the 2014 vintage offers blackcurrant, dark cherry, cedar and tobacco, with polished tannins and a long, savoury finish.

From late September, Business Class customers travelling on East Asia routes will be able to experience Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2024 from Domaine des Sénéchaux. The distinctive white wine comes from the Southern Rhône, where only around one in every 16 bottles produced in the appellation is white.

The 2024 vintage offers white flowers, citrus, pear and subtle spice, with a rounded texture and fresh mineral finish.

Emirates' Premium Economy selection will also feature wines from some of the world's renowned wine regions.

From October, customers will be served La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014 from Château Haut-Bailly, one of the historic estates of Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux. After around a decade of maturity, the wine offers blackcurrant, red plum, cherry, tobacco and cedar, supported by silky tannins, fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish.

From September, Premium Economy customers will also be served Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024. Produced in Burgundy's distinctive Chablis region, where Chardonnay is renowned for purity, freshness and mineral precision, the wine features lemon, green apple and white flowers, followed by a fresh and refined palate with bright acidity, saline tension and a precise finish.

October will mark another milestone for Emirates, with Wiston Estate Brut NV becoming the airline's first English sparkling wine. It will be served exclusively in Premium Economy on UK routes.

Wiston Estate is a historic family-owned property in West Sussex, with vineyards planted on the chalk soils of the South Downs. Produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier using the traditional method, its Brut NV incorporates reserve wines and extended lees ageing to provide depth and complexity while retaining freshness and distinctive minerality.

The wine has earned significant international recognition, with Wiston Estate named WineGB Winery of the Year six times. Opening with green apple, freshly cut lemon and sourdough, the wine develops with a fine mousse and notes of candied citrus, butter and toast.

The introduction of Wiston Estate exclusively on UK routes celebrates British provenance and craftsmanship while giving Emirates customers the opportunity to discover one of England's benchmark sparkling wines.

Chandon 2021, now onboard as a global Emirates exclusive in Premium Economy, will also continue a partnership that has formed part of the cabin's wine offering since Premium Economy launched.

Produced in Victoria's Yarra Valley using the méthode traditionnelle and aged for four years, the wine balances vibrant fruit with brioche and almond meal, freshness and length. Minimal dosage preserves its clarity and regional expression.

In Economy Class, Emirates is introducing a new collection of approachable and characterful wines across its global network.

Domaine de la Baume Tautavel 2023, a Grenache-Syrah from Roussillon in southern France, offers ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red plum, complemented by liquorice, pepper and Mediterranean herbs. Smooth tannins provide a fruit-driven finish.

From October, Emirates will introduce Château Pech-Latt Corbières 2024, made from traditional Corbières varieties including Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre. The wine offers ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and red fruit, complemented by spice and Mediterranean herbs, with a round and supple palate.

For white wine enthusiasts, Cuvée Sabourin Picpoul de Pinet 2024 brings the freshness of France's Mediterranean coast onboard. It combines bright lemon, green apple and white flowers with subtle mineral and saline notes. Crisp acidity and a clean, citrus-driven finish make it particularly suited to seafood and lighter dishes.

Completing the new Economy Class selection is Journey's End Weather Station Sauvignon Blanc 2025, produced by the family-owned Journey's End estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa. The vintage features green apple, citrus, grapefruit and kiwifruit, complemented by subtle saline minerality, lively acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.

Emirates applies stringent criteria when selecting wines that can perform both on the ground and at altitude. The airline considers factors including fruit character, acidity, tannin levels, oak influence and, crucially, maturity.

Many wines are acquired years before they are ready to serve and aged in professional facilities in France. Bordeaux wines destined for Business Class typically undergo a minimum of eight to 10 years of ageing, while those selected for First Class can mature for at least 12 to 15 years.

This long-term approach allows Emirates to secure limited parcels of sought-after vintages and serve customers wines at their peak, as part of the airline's Fly Better promise.

Former FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura Joins African Collaborations Group Advisory Board

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:51:12 +0000

Former FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura has joined the Advisory Board of African Collaborations Group (ACG), strengthening the organisation’s efforts to develop bankable sport and entertainment districts across Africa.

Ms Samoura served as Secretary General of FIFA from 2016 to 2023 and has been a member of the Senate of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) since February 2022.

ACG, a strategic project origination and collaboration platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa through the development of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems, announced her appointment in a statement.

Recognised as one of the most distinguished sport administrators of her generation, Ms Samoura brings more than three decades of international leadership experience spanning sport, development, humanitarian affairs and global governance.

She became the first woman and first non-European to serve as FIFA Secretary General. During her tenure, she oversaw FIFA’s global administration across major operational and institutional functions, including the delivery of two FIFA World Cups and two FIFA Women’s World Cups.

Ms Samoura also played a leading role in strengthening FIFA’s governance, member association services and international development programmes.

Before joining FIFA, she spent more than 21 years with the United Nations, holding senior leadership positions in humanitarian and development operations with organisations including the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Her UN career took her across Africa, Central and South America and Asia, providing extensive experience in working with governments, international institutions and development partners.

She has served as a Senate Member of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile since February 2022.

According to ACG, Ms Samoura’s appointment strengthens its Advisory Board with expertise in global sport governance, institutional leadership, international development, federation relations and the delivery of major sporting events.

These capabilities, the organisation said, are directly relevant to originating and structuring large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across Africa.

"Fatma Samoura is one of the most distinguished sport administrators of her generation. Her unique experience at the intersection of global governing bodies, national federations, governments and international institutions is precisely the calibre of expertise ACG needs as we originate a new generation of bankable sport and entertainment district ecosystems across the African continent. Her 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 originates and structures large-scale sport and entertainment district projects across the continent.

It works to align governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), investors, sport bodies and infrastructure partners to support the development of 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 district ecosystems capable of supporting large-scale development.

ACG seeks to address this gap by originating bankable sport and entertainment district projects, moving beyond single-venue development models towards mixed-use, revenue-generating and financially sustainable district ecosystems.

Through its collaborative model, ACG brings together governments, public-private partnership (PPP) authorities and regulators, development finance institutions, private investors, developers, designers and 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 create structured pathways from concept and feasibility through to bankability and delivery of sport and entertainment district projects across Africa.

Cascador Selects 10 Nigerian Growth-Stage Companies for 2026 ScaleUp Programme

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:47:51 +0000

Cascador has announced the 10 Nigerian growth-stage companies selected for its 2026 ScaleUp Programme, a 12-week initiative aimed at helping ambitious businesses expand their operations, create jobs and drive economic growth across the country.

The Nigeria-focused platform, which supports transformative entrepreneurs, said the selected companies are working across critical sectors including healthcare, food security, clean energy, beauty, wellness, tourism, agriculture and industrial exports.

The 2026 cohort was selected from more than 1,000 qualified applications, reflecting Cascador’s increased focus on growth-stage businesses with proven traction and the potential to scale across Nigeria’s real economy and technology-driven industries.

The 10 selected companies are:

Venco – Bringing payments, utilities, communications and operations for multi-tenanted communities onto one digital platform.
SunFi – Powering solar adoption through a digital platform for financing, distribution, installation and management of clean-energy products and services.
ColdHubs – Helping farmers, traders and food businesses reduce post-harvest losses through solar-powered cold storage.
EHA Clinics – Expanding access to comprehensive primary healthcare through integrated digital, pharmacy and home-care services.
Beauty Hut Africa – Building Africa’s beauty commerce infrastructure through technology-enabled retail and distribution of local and global beauty products.
BEYOND Fitness – Combining fitness, recovery and community to create premium wellness experiences for professionals and teams.
Ziba Beach Resort – Building experience-led leisure destinations that unlock the potential of Nigeria’s domestic tourism market.
Tulay Africa – Connecting global industrial buyers with African producers to build a reliable supply of export-grade critical minerals.
Maanj Agric – Connecting smallholder farmers to financing, climate-smart inputs, storage and markets through a coordinated farming network.
Finger Chops – Producing and distributing high-quality bread at scale to households, retailers and institutions across Nigeria.

“We're incredibly proud to be part of Cascador's 2026 ScaleUp Program. The mentorship, resources and networks the program provides will accelerate our growth to transform how residential and commercial communities operate across Africa. As we scale, our goal is to bring our secure and efficient technology platform to more communities across new cities and countries, giving the managers who run them better tools to serve their residents," said Chude Osiegbu, CEO and Co-Founder of Venco”.

Women lead 60% of the businesses in this year’s cohort, while founders from five of Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions are represented.

Cascador said the diversity of the cohort, combined with its network of faculty, mentors and advisors, will provide opportunities for the companies to form new partnerships, broaden their networks, expand market access and unlock growth beyond their individual businesses.

“The founders in our 2026 ScaleUp program reflect the ambition, resilience and entrepreneurial talent driving Nigeria’s economy forward. Their businesses are already creating jobs, generating value and spurring growth across some of the country’s most important sectors. Our focus now is helping them scale further and unlock their full potential, giving them the training, mentorship, networks and leadership skills needed to power their next phase of growth,” said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador.

The 2026 ScaleUp Programme will provide participants with bespoke one-to-one support from investors, African and international experts, and strategic partners.

Participants will also be eligible for follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund, which deploys up to $5 million annually in growth capital through local currency debt, equity and guarantees in partnership with Sterling Bank.

The 12-week programme will combine two weeks of in-person sessions, including the programme kickoff and pitch week, with 10 weeks of virtual sessions for founders and their leadership teams.

Participants will also take part in a Live Pitch Day, where they will have the opportunity to compete for $50,000 in prizes.

“Finger Chops has been able to grow from a catering service into a trusted full-scale bakery serving communities and businesses. But our vision does not stop there; we want to build a leading African food manufacturing company rooted in quality, locally sourced products and operational excellence. Being selected for Cascador’s 2026 ScaleUp Program brings us closer to making that vision a reality, and we look forward to all the opportunities it brings,” said Adenike (Oyebola) Fetuga, CEO of Finger Chops.

Since 2019, Cascador has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital. In 2025 alone, the organisation said its alumni delivered essential products and services to more than 1.7 million customers.

“The next chapter of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial story will be about what happens when proven businesses get the support they need to scale. That is the opportunity this cohort brings, where visionaries, innovators and impact-driven leaders can grow their businesses sustainably with lasting economic value,” said David DeLucia, Co-Founder of Cascador.

You can register to be notified when applications open for Cascador’s next cohort here.

Alan Acquires Senegal's Tanel in First Expansion into Africa

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:43:57 +0000

Alan, the global prevention insurance company, has completed its acquisition of Tanel, a Dakar-based digital health company operating in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

The deal marks Alan’s first expansion into Africa and represents a significant exit for the Francophone Africa healthtech ecosystem.

Founded in 2021 by Mouhamed Ndoye and Makhtar Diop, Tanel was established to address the challenges businesses face in managing employee health coverage through fragmented and largely paper-based systems.

The company provides digital tools that enable businesses to manage employee health coverage, while giving employees and individuals easier access to care and greater visibility into their health benefits.

Tanel operates in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, covering approximately 70,000 members across more than 400 companies and connecting users to a network of more than 1,200 pharmacies and healthcare providers.

Alan first invested in Tanel during its 2024 seed round and has worked closely with the founders since then. The partnership gave Alan direct insight into Tanel’s technology, local expertise and execution, while both teams developed a shared understanding of how digital tools can simplify healthcare access and support preventive care.

The acquisition provides Alan with an established entry point into sub-Saharan Africa through a team with an understanding of the healthcare systems, regulations and customer needs in its markets.

For Tanel, joining Alan will provide access to additional technology, product expertise and resources to enhance its services and expand into new markets.

The companies aim to reach more than one million members across Africa by 2030, initially strengthening their operations in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire before expanding into Anglophone markets across West and East Africa.

Users and partners will continue working with Tanel’s existing team while gaining access to additional services, including telehealth and preventive healthcare support.

The companies will initially focus on integrating their products, improving the digital patient journey and adding Alan’s preventive health services to the Tanel platform.

Alan has spent years developing a model that combines prevention with health insurance, helping people take action earlier to protect their long-term health.

More than 1.2 million members currently use Alan across France, Spain, Belgium and Canada. The acquisition represents the first time the company is bringing its operating model to Africa.

Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire provide Alan with a strategic entry point into the continent, with the health insurance market in the two countries estimated at nearly €600 million and growing by around 10 per cent annually.

Building on Tanel’s local expertise and healthcare partnerships, Alan plans to roll out its technology to introduce new health services and establish a long-term presence in Africa.

Speaking on the acquisition, Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, CEO and co-founder of Alan, said: “Healthcare systems are evolving all over the world, but the expectations remain the same: easier access to care and support before a health problem becomes more serious. Technology can help deliver that at scale, but it has to be paired with teams that understand their markets. Tanel has done the hard work of building relationships with users, companies, healthcare providers and regulators in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Combining that knowledge with Alan’s platform gives us a strong base from which to build in Africa and, together, deliver on a mission we deeply believe in: health can’t wait.”

Ndoye and Diop will continue to lead Tanel’s operations and Alan’s development in Africa, supported by Alan’s international teams. Tanel’s full team will also remain in place, preserving the relationships, operational experience and market knowledge that have supported the company’s growth.

The Tanel co-founders said: “When we started Tanel, we quickly realised that much of the healthcare infrastructure we needed was missing. Building the company felt like trying to build cars where the roads did not yet exist, so we began creating the infrastructure ourselves - first for pharmacies and then across the full patient journey, to give businesses and their employees simpler, more transparent access to care. Alan has backed us since 2024 and understands both the problem we are solving and the size of the opportunity. Joining forces gives us more technology and resources to move faster.”

The transaction also provides an exit for Tanel’s founders and investors, including Ventures Platform, AAIC Investment, and angel investors such as Dr Mussaad M. Al-Razouki, Alyune-Blondin Diop, and Charles ‘Chuck’ Slaughter.

Dotun Olowoporoku, Managing Partner at Ventures Platform, said: “African tech still sees too few exits, particularly in Francophone Africa, which makes this deal an important milestone for the ecosystem. Ventures Platform backed Tanel early, when Mouhamed and Makhtar were building a company grounded in the realities of healthcare delivery in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Alan’s acquisition validates their vision and demonstrates the potential for ambitious, locally built companies to create lasting value. We believe the deal will encourage more investors to back founders building essential services across Africa.”

Ayra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Halftime Show

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:41:48 +0000

Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr will headline the halftime show at the 2026 National Football League (NFL) London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, October 11.

The performance will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 2:30 p.m. BST (9:30 a.m. ET) and will form part of a record seven halftime shows presented by American Express across the NFL’s 2026 International Games.

The performances will span seven countries and four continents as the NFL stages its largest-ever international schedule in a single season.

Ayra Starr, one of the leading voices of a new generation of global pop artists emerging from Africa, has amassed more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views since making her debut in 2021.

The Beninese-Nigerian singer and songwriter is a two-time GRAMMY nominee for Best African Music Performance, a BET Award winner for Best International Act and a Pyramid Stage performer at Glastonbury Festival.

She released her third studio album, Starrgirl, on August 14 to widespread acclaim. The album features collaborations with international artists including ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid and is released through Mavin Records and Republic Records.

“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” said Ayra Starr. “London is one of my favorite places in the world and to bring Starrgirl to the NFL global stage is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to see you guys there!”

“The NFL London games are the foundation of everything we have built internationally, and the halftime show has become one of the biggest moments which makes these events so special,” said Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment at the NFL.

“London is one of the most influential music cities in the world, and African music has been at the center of that conversation for years now. Ayra Starr is a generational talent with a real connection to fans in this market, and building on the halftime shows we have staged in London in recent seasons, she is the right artist to carry that momentum forward. We look forward to collaborating with her on a performance that captures the energy that matches the moment.”

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host two regular-season NFL games on consecutive Sundays in October.

The first game will take place on Sunday, October 4, when the Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders. Alternative entertainment will feature during halftime, with further details to be announced.

Ayra Starr’s full halftime performance will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on Channel 5, as well as on Sky Sports.

The NFL said it remains committed to growing the game at every level across the country while engaging fans throughout the year through partners, programmes and initiatives. Further information about entertainment and fan events surrounding the 2026 NFL London Games will be announced in due course.

The announcement follows previously confirmed performances by the Jonas Brothers at the 2026 NFL Melbourne Game on Thursday, September 10 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as well as Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio at the 2026 NFL Rio Game on Sunday, September 27 at Maracanã Stadium.

The 2026 NFL International Games will take place across seven international markets, including three new markets and cities.

The international schedule includes two games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium in London; the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain; Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia; Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, Mexico; FC Bayern Munich Arena in Munich, Germany; Stade de France Stadium in Paris, France; and Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sixty-two regular-season NFL games have previously been played outside the United States, with London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto among the cities to have hosted games.

The two-time GRAMMY-nominated global Afrobeats superstar, Ayra Starr has rapidly established herself as one of the generation’s most prominent new voices in music.

Known for her anthemic Afrobeats songs and distinctive style, the Beninese-Nigerian artist has earned critical acclaim, built a substantial international following and accumulated more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views.

Following the release of her breakthrough debut album, 19 & Dangerous, Ayra Starr's rise has led to collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, including Wizkid, Stormzy, Rema and Coldplay, alongside public support from global stars such as Rihanna.

She gained significant international attention with her 2022 hit “Rush”, which has generated nearly one billion global streams and featured R&B star Kelly Rowland on a remix.

The song further propelled Ayra Starr onto the global stage, earning her nominations at the Billboard Music Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Soul Train Awards.

Reebok Names Hilary Duff as New Brand Ambassador

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:33:50 +0000

Reebok has named actress and singer Hilary Duff as its newest brand ambassador, announcing the partnership on August 31 alongside a new campaign titled “Unfiltered & Unstoppable”.

The partnership brings together Duff’s approach to fitness, everyday life and personal style with Reebok’s longstanding focus on individuality and self-expression.

As part of the campaign, Duff features in a selection of Reebok’s performance apparel and footwear, including the FloatZig 2. The campaign presents movement as something that extends beyond the gym and forms part of everyday life and lifestyle.

Speaking about the partnership, Duff said: “I’m excited to partner with Reebok, a brand that has always embraced originality and individuality. To me, style has always been about wearing what makes me feel my best and gives me confidence, whether I’m on the go, spending time with family or fitting movement into my day. Reebok shares that mindset, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead for this partnership.”

Duff, who has described herself as a longtime Reebok fan, has also named the Club C 85 Vintage among her favourite sneakers from the brand.

With a career spanning music and acting, alongside a strong presence in fashion, wellness and lifestyle, Duff brings broad appeal to the partnership. Her appointment also highlights Reebok’s continued focus on the intersection of performance and everyday style, reflecting a shift towards viewing movement as an integral part of consumers’ daily lives rather than something limited to the gym.

AI Slop Raises New Questions About the Future of Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:31:17 +0000

Generative AI is transforming advertising at remarkable speed, but human creativity, insight and judgement remain critical to producing work that truly connects with audiences, according to Anthea Whitehead, Cape Town Campus Manager, AAA School of Advertising.

According to the SA Social Media Landscape Report 2025, 78% of marketers in South Africa are already using AI tools, while globally, 90% of CMOs say craft and design are becoming even more important to keeping brands distinctive in an AI-enabled world.

Generative AI has made it faster to design, produce, edit and distribute creative ideas. A campaign concept can now be turned into hundreds of visual executions within minutes, with images generated, copy refined and variations tested before a traditional production team has opened its first file.

But when anyone can create almost anything at the click of a button, does learning how to create something meaningful still matter?

The answer lies in viewing advertising as a craft rather than simply a production process.

Good advertising has always combined creativity and discipline. It requires finding a meaningful insight, understanding the audience, developing an idea, connecting it to the brand and making creative decisions that allow the message to resonate.

This is particularly important in South Africa, where understanding audiences requires an appreciation of different languages, cultures, communities and lived experiences.

Data can tell us a great deal about people, and AI can help process that information, but neither can replace the experience of observing how people live, speak, behave and see the world.

A tool might generate something that looks like a South African consumer, but recognising whether it feels authentic and culturally relevant requires human understanding that cannot simply be generated by a prompt.

That understanding is developed through curiosity and experience. Good creatives look beyond the obvious, observe how people behave, listen to how they describe problems and engage with people from different generations and communities.

These experiences become the raw material for insight while developing something increasingly valuable as technology makes execution easier: informed creative instinct.

An experienced creative can often recognise when an idea works before being able to explain exactly why. They can sense when an idea has potential, when an execution is missing something or when something technically impressive simply fails to connect.

This instinct is honed through studying advertising principles, examining good and bad work, experimenting, receiving feedback and, importantly, making mistakes.

The same applies to strategy. AI can process enormous amounts of information, but information is not understanding. Strategists still need to question research, challenge assumptions, understand the category and recognise when an answer does not make sense.

The craft of advertising therefore goes far beyond execution. It combines observation, research, thinking, writing, design, storytelling and judgement to turn information into ideas and ideas into communication that people can connect with.

For students entering the industry, the tools they learn today may soon become outdated. Their ability to think, question, observe, create and make decisions will give their careers longevity and impact.

For advertising educators, the challenge is to prepare students to work with technology without allowing technology to do the thinking for them.

Students need to understand how to use new tools, but they also need the foundations of the discipline: finding an insight, developing an idea, understanding an audience and crafting work until it earns its place.

These are the foundations of advertising and they remain worth learning, regardless of what technology comes next.

Instagram Tightens Rules on AI-Generated Profiles Posing as Real People

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:25:01 +0000

Instagram is tightening its approach to AI-generated profiles that present themselves as real people, introducing clearer labels to help users understand when they are interacting with an artificial persona.

The move comes as AI-generated influencers and virtual personalities become increasingly common across social media. With advances in generative AI, some of these profiles can appear remarkably realistic, making it difficult for users to determine whether they are following a genuine person or a computer-generated character.

Instagram is introducing changes specifically targeting profiles in which the person behind the account is entirely AI-generated.

The platform is changing the wording of its label from “AI creator” to “AI-generated profile”. The new description is intended to make it clearer that the account represents an artificial persona rather than a human creator.

Instagram says the change is part of its broader effort to provide users with more context about AI-generated content on the platform.

However, Instagram is not banning AI-generated content altogether. Creators can continue to use artificial intelligence to produce images, videos and other forms of content.

The distinction is significant because the latest move focuses on accounts that use AI to create an entire person or persona, rather than creators who simply use AI tools as part of their content production process.

According to reports, Instagram could also reduce the reach of AI-generated profiles that fail to properly disclose their nature. Posts from accounts that do not identify themselves appropriately could be less likely to appear in recommendations such as Reels and Explore.

For AI influencers, that could have a significant impact.

Instagram’s recommendation system is an important route for creators to reach users who do not already follow them. A reduction in recommendations could therefore make it more difficult for undisclosed AI profiles to build and grow their audiences.

The development reflects a wider concern across social media platforms about users being unable to distinguish between real people and artificial characters.

AI image and video generators have become increasingly sophisticated, allowing accounts to portray seemingly consistent personalities, appearances and lifestyles even when the person presented online does not actually exist.

Some AI-generated profiles have already attracted substantial audiences and interest from brands. This has created a new category within the digital influencer economy while raising questions about transparency and authenticity.

Instagram’s approach appears to favour disclosure rather than an outright ban on the technology.

Users will still encounter AI-generated images, videos and characters on the platform. However, Instagram wants to ensure they have enough information to understand what they are viewing and who, or what, is behind an account.

This could become increasingly important as generative AI becomes more accessible. Creating realistic faces, voices and personalities no longer requires advanced technical expertise, making it easier for people to build convincing artificial identities online.

For advertisers and brands, the change could also make influencer verification more important. Companies working with digital creators may need to establish whether an influencer represents a real person, a virtual character or a fully AI-generated profile before entering into commercial partnerships.

Instagram’s latest move highlights the challenge facing social media platforms as they attempt to establish rules for an internet where the distinction between human and artificial content is becoming increasingly difficult to identify.

Rather than preventing creators from using AI, Instagram is placing greater emphasis on transparency. For users, the objective is straightforward: knowing whether the person behind a profile is actually a person.

Nike Eyes Formula 1 Return With Potential Sponsorship Deal

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:19:45 +0000

Nike is reportedly in talks with Formula 1 over a potential sponsorship and licensing agreement that could mark the sportswear giant’s return to the championship after more than 20 years.

According to Sports Business Journal, senior Nike executives held discussions with F1 management during the Miami Grand Prix in May. Nike has also remained in contact with Cadillac, whose drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez were recently seen wearing Nike shoes.

Nike previously had a major connection with F1 through a personal advertising deal with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, which ran from 1996 to 2002.

A new partnership would put Nike alongside brands including Adidas, Puma, Castore and New Era, which have expanded their presence in Formula 1.

Bernstein estimates that F1 currently earns between $80 million and $150 million annually from licensing, with the figure potentially reaching $310 million by 2028.

Neither Nike nor Formula 1 has confirmed the reported talks, and both declined to comment when approached by Sports Business Journal.

Paystack Announces Plan to Shut Down Allawee Accounts From December 1

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:08:20 +0000

Paystack is set to shut down Allawee’s business and personal account services from December 1, 2026, as the Nigerian fintech integrates the platform into its broader financial services business, according to emails sent to Allawee customers.

Allawee told customers that its technology now operates within Paystack and warned that payments sent to Allawee account numbers from December 1 would fail. Allawee cards will also stop working after the deadline, regardless of the expiry date printed on them.

Allawee and Paystack declined to comment on the acquisition or the closure.

Allawee customers have until November 30 to withdraw their balances, update their bank details with anyone who sends them money and replace Allawee card details linked to subscriptions or recurring payments.

The company said customers’ money would not expire or be forfeited. However, anyone with a remaining balance after the deadline will need to contact support@paystackmfb.com to request a manual payout.

Customers are therefore being encouraged to move their funds before the shutdown date to avoid potentially longer delays associated with the manual withdrawal process.

The closure will effectively move Allawee customers into different parts of Paystack’s growing financial services ecosystem.

Businesses using Allawee accounts are being directed to Paystack MFB, the microfinance bank created after Paystack acquired Ladder Microfinance Bank in January.

Individual customers, meanwhile, are being directed to Zap, Paystack’s consumer transfer app.

The transition will not carry over customers’ balances, account numbers, transaction history or verification records. Customers will have to open new accounts from scratch.

Paystack is building through acquisitions

The Allawee shutdown is the latest example of Paystack using acquisitions to expand its financial services infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Paystack folded Brass, a business banking startup, into Paystack MFB after acquiring the company through a consortium in 2024.

Paystack also acquired Ladder Microfinance Bank in January, giving the payments company access to a banking licence. It subsequently restructured under a new holding company.

The strategy suggests that Paystack is assembling different parts of a financial services ecosystem rather than building every product internally.

Founded in 2022 by Ikenna Enenwali and Oreofe Olurin, Allawee initially operated as a credit card lender before shifting into credit-risk technology and eventually becoming a card infrastructure provider.

By 2025, the company was providing card infrastructure for fintechs including Piggyvest, Nomba and Carbon. Its platform was designed to make it significantly faster for businesses to launch card programmes.

That infrastructure could be particularly valuable to Paystack as it expands beyond payments into banking and consumer financial services.

Allawee also operated business accounts through Providus Bank and offered a Mastercard credit card targeted at federal civil servants and National Youth Service Corps members.

With Paystack now operating its own microfinance bank, maintaining a separate Providus-backed account business could have created unnecessary overlap.

MTN Nigerian Seeks Investors for 30% Stake in IHS After FCCPC Approval

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:04:02 +0000

MTN Group is seeking Nigerian investors to acquire a 30% stake in IHS Nigeria following regulatory approval for its proposed acquisition of IHS Towers.

The proposed stake sale could be worth between $900 million and $1.1 billion, although no final transaction value has been agreed. People familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg that MTN is currently approaching potential Nigerian buyers.

The development follows the conditional approval granted by Nigeria’s competition regulator for MTN’s proposed acquisition of IHS Towers. As part of the conditions attached to the approval, MTN is required to sell part of its interest in the Nigerian tower business to local investors.

The proposed sell-down is therefore not simply a voluntary decision by MTN but a regulatory requirement linked to the broader IHS Towers transaction.

For MTN, the deal could provide both a way to meet the regulatory conditions and a significant source of funds.

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita previously indicated that proceeds from any stake sale would be used to reduce debt associated with the IHS transaction. The company also intends to conduct the sale at a market-based valuation.

However, the reported $900 million to $1.1 billion range should not be regarded as a confirmed transaction value. Discussions remain ongoing, while the people familiar with the matter spoke anonymously because the details have not been made public.

Why MTN Is Selling 30% of IHS Nigeria

The proposed sale is part of MTN’s wider strategy surrounding its planned acquisition of IHS Towers.

MTN has been working towards acquiring the shares in IHS Towers that it does not already own. The transaction would give the telecommunications group greater control of a company operating approximately 29,000 towers across several African markets.

Nigeria is particularly significant to IHS Towers as its largest market, with the company operating roughly 18,000 towers across the country. The Nigerian business is therefore a major part of IHS Towers’ overall operations.

The regulatory condition creates an unusual structure.

While MTN is seeking greater ownership of IHS Towers globally, it is preparing to sell a substantial minority stake in its Nigerian operation. The arrangement would allow MTN to proceed with its broader acquisition while ensuring that Nigerian investors retain a meaningful interest in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Nigeria’s competition authorities made the local sell-down one of the conditions for approving the transaction.

The requirement could also increase domestic participation in an infrastructure business that plays a critical role in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

For MTN, selling 30% of IHS Nigeria could address two important issues simultaneously.

First, the transaction would help the company meet the regulatory conditions attached to its acquisition of IHS Towers. Second, the proceeds could help reduce some of the debt associated with completing the transaction.

Potential proceeds of up to $1.1 billion would therefore be significant as MTN manages the financial implications of increasing its ownership of IHS Towers.

The proposed transaction would also allow MTN to retain exposure to the Nigerian tower business rather than exit it completely. The company would continue to hold a majority interest while bringing Nigerian investors into the ownership structure.

For Nigerian investors, the proposed sale could provide an opportunity to gain direct exposure to one of the country's most important telecommunications infrastructure businesses.

IHS Nigeria owns and operates thousands of towers that support mobile network services across the country. The infrastructure is essential to the delivery of voice and data services, providing the physical network on which telecom operators depend.

The importance of telecommunications infrastructure has grown alongside smartphone adoption, mobile internet usage and increasing demand for digital services.

As Nigerians consume more data, telecom operators require reliable infrastructure to expand network capacity and improve coverage. Tower companies such as IHS play a crucial role by providing infrastructure that network operators can share.

An investor acquiring a 30% stake in IHS Nigeria would therefore gain exposure to more than a conventional property or infrastructure business. The investment would provide an interest in a critical component of Nigeria’s digital connectivity ecosystem.

The proposed transaction could also become one of the more significant opportunities for Nigerian capital to participate directly in telecommunications infrastructure.

The proposed 30% stake sale will depend on MTN identifying suitable Nigerian investors and reaching agreement on valuation and other transaction terms.

Although the reported $900 million to $1.1 billion range provides an indication of the potential scale of the transaction, it does not represent a final sale price.

The outcome will depend on ongoing discussions between MTN and prospective Nigerian investors, as well as the final structure and valuation of the stake.

For MTN, however, successfully completing the sale would represent an important step towards meeting the regulatory requirements for its IHS Towers acquisition while potentially strengthening its balance sheet through debt reduction.

82% of META Small Businesses Faced Cybersecurity Incidents in Past Year — Kaspersky

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:56:09 +0000

About 82% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa (META) experienced at least one cybersecurity incident in the past year, according to new research by Kaspersky.

The cybersecurity company disclosed the findings during GITEX Nigeria, holding from 31 August to 3 September in Lagos, warning that cybercriminals are increasingly using the same attack methods against smaller businesses as they do against large enterprises.

Kaspersky’s Internal Research Center found that only 14% of businesses globally with 100 to 499 employees avoided a cyber incident in the past year. In the META region, the figure was 18%.

Phishing and software vulnerability exploitation were the most common incidents among SMBs in the META region, each affecting 19% of organisations, followed by weak or stolen credentials at 18% and external remote access at 16%.

Kaspersky said malware threats are also increasing across Africa. Spyware detections rose by 16%, password stealer attacks by 51% and backdoor detections by 23% over the past year.

In Nigeria, Kaspersky security tools blocked more than 1.6 million online attack attempts in the first half of 2026, including attacks involving password stealers, exploits and spyware. A further 2.5 million on-device threats were blocked, including malware delivered through infected USB drives.

The research identified insufficient IT security expertise and inadequate IT security policies as the leading cybersecurity risk factors among META SMBs, with 25% of respondents citing each. High workloads among IT security teams followed at 24%.

Globally, 70% of SMBs plan to strengthen their IT security functions, while 69% in META intend to do so. Meanwhile, 75% globally and 70% in META have already increased their cybersecurity budgets this year.

“The current reality when companies of all sizes can be targeted with all possible methods urges business to reconsider their security posture. Sophisticated attacks easily bypass fragmented defences, requiring advanced tools and a skilled team to counter them. However, growing companies are often held back by budget constraints and the global InfoSec talent shortage,” says Ilya Markelov, Head of Unified Platform Product Line at Kaspersky.

He added: “That is why modern cybersecurity solutions must deliver more with less. Instead of introducing complex new tools that demand hard-to-find, expensive expertise, vendors should focus on cutting complexity.”

Kaspersky advises SMBs to strengthen access controls, automate data backups, train employees to identify emerging threats such as phishing, deepfakes and vishing, and adopt scalable cybersecurity solutions suited to their size and risk profile.

Kaspersky will exhibit at GITEX Nigeria on 2 and 3 September at the Convention Center in Lagos, at stand B10 in Hall 2.

Tim Cook takes a bow as Apple CEO after 15 years, John Ternus takes charge

noreply@blogger.com (BrandArena) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:50:43 +0000

Tim Cook has officially ended his 15-year tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc., handing operational leadership of the technology giant to longtime hardware chief John Ternus.

The transition, which took effect on Monday, August 31, marks the end of one of the most financially successful leadership periods in corporate history. Cook, 65, will remain actively involved at Apple Park as Executive Chairman of the Board, while Arthur Levinson, who served as Chairman for 15 years, moves into the role of Lead Independent Director.

Cook’s 15-year legacy at Apple

Cook became Apple CEO in August 2011 following the resignation of co-founder Steve Jobs. At the time, some questioned whether an operations specialist could preserve the creative momentum that had come to define the company under Jobs.

Over the following decade and a half, Cook established himself as a highly effective operator and strategist, overseeing an extraordinary period of growth for Apple.

During his tenure, Apple’s market capitalisation expanded from roughly $350 billion in 2011 to a record level fluctuating between $4 trillion and $5 trillion. Annual revenue quadrupled from $108 billion to nearly $400 billion, supported by supply chain optimisation, global retail expansion and strategic growth in emerging markets.

Cook also expanded Apple’s hardware ecosystem beyond the iPhone, introducing major product categories such as the Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro spatial computer.

His most significant strategic shift, however, was the transformation of Apple into a services powerhouse. Platforms including the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud+, Apple Pay and Apple TV+ helped drive the Services division into a business generating more than $100 billion in annual revenue.

In a final memo to employees, Cook reflected on his time at the helm of the company.

“As you know, I am not leaving Apple. But I am stepping away from a role that I have loved deeply,” Cook wrote. “Few people understand what it takes to build products that change the world the way John does, and I could not be more excited for his leadership.”

As Executive Chairman, Cook will focus on high-level strategic guidance, global government relations, policy engagement and supporting the company’s new leadership team.

John Ternus takes over as Apple CEO

The appointment of John Ternus, 51, signals Apple’s renewed emphasis on engineering and hardware design as it enters its next phase.

A 25-year Apple veteran, Ternus joined the company’s product design team in 2001 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in mechanical engineering.

He steadily rose through Apple’s ranks, becoming Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2013 before joining the executive team as Senior Vice President in 2021.

During his quarter-century at Apple, Ternus oversaw hardware development across some of the company’s most important product lines, including multiple generations of the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.

He also played a key operational role in Apple’s transition away from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon chips, a move that reshaped the company’s Mac strategy.

“I am humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place,” Ternus said in a statement accompanying the transition.

AI, costs and new products among challenges ahead

Ternus takes over at a critical point for Apple. Although he inherits a financially strong business, the new CEO faces several significant challenges.

Apple is under growing pressure to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities and keep pace with rivals including Google, Meta and OpenAI. Deeper AI integration across Apple’s ecosystem is expected to be a major priority under Ternus.

The company is also facing supply chain pressures, including tight supplies of advanced semiconductors and rising component costs, creating potential challenges for margins.

Ternus will have little time to settle into his new role. His first major public assignment as CEO will be Apple’s annual hardware event on September 9 at Apple Park, where the company is widely anticipated to showcase its first foldable iPhone alongside new wearable initiatives.

With Cook continuing to oversee long-term strategy from the boardroom and Ternus taking responsibility for product and engineering execution, Apple is entering a new era of leadership.

The transition represents more than a change of CEO. It marks the beginning of the post-Cook chapter for one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.