BrandArena : November 2024

Thursday, 21 November 2024

UK Freezes Assets, Imposes Travel Ban on Angolan Billionaire Isabel dos Santos

The United Kingdom has sanctioned Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, enforcing a travel ban and freezing her assets under its global anti-corruption sanctions regime, the government announced on Thursday.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has presented a N3.006 trillion budget proposal for 2025 to the State House of Assembly. Titled "The Budget of Sustainability", the financial plan aims to address infrastructure needs, economic diversification, and social inclusion.

Kenyan President William Ruto has annulled multimillion-dollar contracts with the Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of bribery and fraud involving its founder, Gautam Adani, in the United States. The canceled agreements include a $2 billion plan to modernize Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a $736 million project to construct power transmission lines.

Dairy Sector Workshop Highlights Nutrition, Sustainability, and Innovation Goals

...Arla Foods, Denmark Consulate, and FC4S Unite Stakeholders to Boost National Nutrition Strategies

Arla Foods, a farmer-owned dairy cooperative, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Denmark and the Financial Centre for Sustainability (FC4S), recently convened a high-level workshop aimed at strengthening the dairy sector's role in advancing Nigeria's national nutrition objectives.

LG Electronics has commissioned solar-powered boreholes in the Nkpogu and Elekahia communities of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. This milestone underscores LG’s dedication to sustainable development and improving access to essential resources in underserved areas.

NNPC Launches Utapate Crude Grade to the Global Market, Targets 80,000bpd by End of 2025

In a significant boost for Nigeria's crude oil production, revenue generation, and economic growth, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has officially introduced its new Utapate crude oil blend to the international market.

Premier League clubs are reportedly lobbying for a larger slice of the revenue from their data rights deal, arguing that they are the primary drivers of value for soccer data. According to The Guardian, several top-flight teams believe they should earn more from the growing football betting market and the increasing use of official data by broadcasters.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the leading pan-African Ecobank Group, today marked a significant milestone by opening the market at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to celebrate the successful issuance of its US$400 million Senior Unsecured Eurobond on the LSE’s main market.

Access Bank has unveiled The Power of 100 Africa, a pan-African initiative celebrating women driving impactful change across diverse sectors such as business, healthcare, technology, and education. Building on the success of its 2015 Power of 100 book, which honored influential Nigerian women, this year’s edition extends its scope across 16 African countries.

Treepz, a leading corporate mobility startup in sub-Saharan Africa, is set to expand its global footprint as it joins the 2024 Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) in Toronto, Canada. Organized by the World Trade Center in collaboration with the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, the program aims to empower high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with tools to scale their operations internationally.

Registration is officially open for the 2024 African Economic Conference (AEC), a premier event jointly organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

New Study Reveals Key Role of Cultural and Personal Relevance in Driving Brand Growth

...WARC Advisory and TikTok Unveil Framework to Help Brands Harness the Power of Relevance

Brands that connect with consumers on a personal and cultural level can unlock significant growth opportunities, according to a new thought paper by WARC Advisory and TikTok. Titled The Power of Connective Media: Unlocking Impact Through Personal and Cultural Relevance, the research highlights the profound influence relevance has on consumer behavior and provides a practical framework for marketers to leverage it effectively.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced its financial results for the nine months ending 30 September 2024, showcasing robust growth and resilience despite a difficult global economic environment.

Youverify, a leading provider of AML compliance automation solutions for financial institutions, has been awarded the prestigious GRC and Fincrime Award 2024 as the "Best GRC and Financial Crime Prevention Solution Provider of the Year." This marks the third consecutive year Youverify has secured this honour from The Morgans, solidifying its reputation as a leader in combating financial crime.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has become the first airline to join the Move to -15°C global coalition, marking a pivotal step in transforming the frozen food industry. Leveraging its leadership in transporting perishable goods, Emirates brings decades of expertise in handling and shipping to this groundbreaking initiative.

Volkswagen Group and Rivian Announce $5.8 Billion Partnership to Drive EV Innovation

Volkswagen Group (VW) and electric vehicle (EV) maker Rivian have revealed a strategic joint venture worth $5.8 billion (£4.55 billion), increasing VW's initial investment. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of electric vehicle technology as both companies face intensifying competition and slowing growth in the EV market.

WhatsApp, the world’s leading messaging platform, has rolled out a highly anticipated feature: Message Drafts. While the functionality has been a staple on other messaging apps for years, WhatsApp users will now enjoy the convenience of saving unfinished messages.

The Uganda Development Bank (UDB) hosted a pivotal Climate Finance Breakfast Roundtable during COP 29, uniting key stakeholders to advance climate-focused development finance and partnerships across Africa.

At the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), IBM and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) introduced groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) tools aimed at fostering sustainable urban growth and addressing critical energy challenges in developing regions. These publicly available solutions will assist policymakers and urban planners in mapping urbanization trends and identifying essential energy and infrastructure needs for underserved communities.

LG Electronics has solidified its reputation as a leader in cutting-edge technology, receiving more than 20 accolades at the CES 2025 Innovation Awards, including three prestigious Best of Innovation Awards.

Afreximbank Launches First Samurai Bonds, Raising JPY 81.3 Billion

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has successfully issued its debut Samurai bond, raising JPY 67.2 billion across five fixed-rate tranches with maturities of 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years. Alongside the offering, Afreximbank also introduced its first Retail Samurai bond, a 3-year fixed-rate tranche valued at JPY 14.1 billion. The bonds hold an ‘A-’ rating from Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd., with SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. acting as the sole lead manager.

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) recorded a significant loss of over N148 billion in market capitalisation on Thursday, driven by sell-offs in major stocks such as BUA Cement and Conoil. The decline pushed key performance indicators down by 0.25%, further slowing the year-to-date returns.

The 2024 Africa Tech Festival Awards was held on Wednesday, November 13 at the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town, celebrating extraordinary achievements in technology across Africa. The prestigious event, led by Senior Conference Producer Ciara McDonald Heffernan, recognized individuals, projects, and organizations whose contributions are setting new standards in innovation and excellence across the continent.

Attendance at women’s football matches surged by 24% across Europe’s top leagues during the 2023/24 season, with England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) leading the charge, posting an impressive 41% year-on-year increase.

TikTok recently removed over 360,000 videos in Kenya that breached its community guidelines, reinforcing its commitment to user safety as part of the platform’s Q2 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. This proactive sweep reflects TikTok’s strategy to maintain a secure environment for its expanding Kenyan user base.

In a move aimed at overhauling federal operations, President-elect Donald Trump has announced Elon Musk as the head of a newly formed “Office of Government Efficiency.” The initiative, designed to streamline government operations, seeks to cut bureaucratic red tape, eliminate wasteful spending, and reshape federal agencies for greater efficiency.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, in partnership with Mastercard, has introduced a special edition debit card to mark UBA’s 75th anniversary, offering customers a range of exclusive discounts and benefits.

Ecobank Bags 14 Prestigious Awards, Reinforcing Its Pan-African Leadership in Banking

Africa's leading financial services group, Ecobank has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning 14 awards across several renowned global platforms, including the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, Global Finance's Best Investment Banks and Sustainable Finance Awards, Best Bank Awards, and Transaction Banking Awards for 2024. The accolades underscore the bank’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and delivering outstanding customer service across the continent.

Saroafrica Group Provides 100 Million Naira in Critical Flood Relief for Borno State Communities

Saroafrica Group has donated essential relief materials valued at 100 million Naira to support communities severely impacted by recent flooding in Borno State. The significant contribution reflects Saroafrica’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development within Nigeria.

The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards nominations celebrate a diverse array of musical talent, with Beyoncé leading the pack with 11 nominations. Other artists with multiple nods include Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift. As the only peer-voted music awards, the GRAMMYs are chosen by the Recording Academy's members—artists, songwriters, producers, and other music professionals representing a wide range of genres and disciplines. The nominees were unveiled via a livestream on live.GRAMMY.com and YouTube.

Rising Nigerian star Shallipopi unveils his journey from the streets of Edo State to international recognition in a new Spotify RADAR Africa documentary. The film offers an intimate glimpse into Shallipopi's path to success, showcasing his resilience, artistry, and dedication to his craft.

Emirates Group Reports Record Half-year Results for 2024-25

The Emirates Group has announced its highest-ever half-year financial results, posting a profit before tax of AED 10.4 billion (US$ 2.8 billion) for the first six months of the 2024-25 financial year, exceeding its previous record for the same period last year.

TVET Program Graduates First Cohort of Master Crafters and Artisans

...Unveils Nigeria's Largest Online Platform for Local Apprenticeships

Research Links and Nerdzfactory, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, are set to celebrate the graduation of the first cohort of artisans and tradesmen trained under the groundbreaking Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Program. The graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 9th, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce Building, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Alongside the graduation, the event will feature the launch of a pioneering digital platform designed to aggregate local apprenticeship opportunities.

Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals Secures Unprecedented Fifth JCI Gold Seal of Approval

…Reaffirming its status as a leader in healthcare quality and safety in Nigeria and West Africa

Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals, a premier private tertiary healthcare provider in West Africa, has once again achieved the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval, marking the fifth consecutive accreditation and reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class healthcare. This historic achievement demonstrates the hospital's dedication to maintaining the highest global standards in patient care, safety, and clinical quality, with each JCI accreditation cycle covering a rigorous three-year evaluation period.

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced strategic investments in four pioneering African fintechs from its inaugural Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator cohort. This move underscores Visa's commitment to driving digital innovation and financial inclusion across Africa, aligning with its goal to invest $1 billion on the continent by 2027.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) license to Currenzo, the Nigerian arm of global fintech company Africhange. This strategic license will enable Currenzo to facilitate direct remittances into Nigeria, aiming to provide Nigerians both at home and abroad with faster, more affordable transfer services.

Alan Mamedi and Nami Zarringhalam, co-founders of the popular call-identification app Truecaller, have announced their decision to step back from daily operations, appointing Rishit Jhunjhunwala as the company’s new Global CEO. The founders, who will remain on the board and serve as advisors, expressed their confidence in Jhunjhunwala’s leadership to guide Truecaller’s future growth.

The cryptocurrency market surged to record highs on Wednesday, with Bitcoin leading the rally after former President Donald Trump’s return to office in the U.S. presidential election. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, jumped 8% to exceed $75,000, breaking its previous record set earlier this year. Other popular digital currencies, including Ethereum and Dogecoin, also saw significant gains, while crypto-related stocks surged amid hopes for a more supportive regulatory environment under Trump.

Moniepoint, a leading Nigerian fintech with a strong foothold in agency banking, has appointed Bayo Olujobi, former Chief Financial Officer at Stanbic IBTC, as its new CFO. This strategic hire signals Moniepoint’s ambition to expand its financial services, potentially positioning itself for a transition from microfinance into full commercial banking in Nigeria.

Canada has officially halted TikTok's plans to expand its business operations within the country, citing concerns over national security and data privacy linked to its parent company, the Chinese tech giant ByteDance. While Canadians can still use TikTok to create and share content, the app’s ambitions for broader commercial operations in Canada have been effectively blocked.

WTA CEO Defends Decision to Host WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia Amid Scrutiny

In her first major media appearance since taking over as CEO of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in July, Portia Archer addressed the decision to stage the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, a move that has sparked debate.

The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) closed Monday’s trading session on a downward trend, with market capitalisation falling by N318 billion (0.54%) from N59.039 trillion to N58.721 trillion. The All-Share Index declined by 524.3 points, or 0.54%, closing at 96,907.73, down from Friday’s 97,432.02. This downturn reduced the Year-To-Date (YTD) return to 29.60%.

Apple has announced plans to acquire Pixelmator, the celebrated image editing company known for its sophisticated yet user-friendly applications. In a recent blog post, the Pixelmator Team confirmed the acquisition, assuring users that no major changes will be made to its suite of apps, including Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator, as the acquisition undergoes regulatory review.

MTN Nigeria Plc, one of the country's leading telecommunications firms, has unveiled plans to secure up to N50 billion through commercial paper sales in Nigeria’s debt capital market.

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has lifted the suspension on trading of Oando Energy Plc shares after the company submitted its 2023 audited financial statements, meeting regulatory requirements.

In a bold step to fast-track Nigeria’s ambitious “3 Million Technical Talent” (3MTT) initiative, the federal government has appointed a distinguished advisory committee composed of renowned figures in the technology sector. This committee, led by Emeka Afigbo, Senior Director of Developer Success at Okta, will shape the program’s strategic direction, focusing on equipping three million Nigerians with the digital skills needed to thrive in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy and compete on the global stage.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology continue to shape visual narratives worldwide, one question persists: Are smartphones capable of authentically capturing the rich diversity of human skin tones, especially in emerging markets? TECNO, a leader in multi-skin tone imaging, is taking a stand on this issue through its newly launched #ToneProud campaign, which promotes awareness of skin tone diversity and accurate representation in imaging technology.

The Recording Academy is set to unveil the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards nominees during a live-streamed event on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Thursday, 21 November 2024

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Saturday, 16 November 2024

Thursday, 14 November 2024

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Saturday, 9 November 2024

Thursday, 7 November 2024

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