BrandArena : April 2025

Sunday, 13 April 2025

Stitch Raises $55M to Scale Payment Infrastructure Across Africa

Cape Town-based fintech Stitch has raised $55 million in fresh funding to accelerate the development of its end-to-end payment solutions for businesses across Africa. The new capital injection reinforces Stitch’s mission to simplify and unify digital transactions on the continent, where demand for streamlined financial services continues to surge.

Nigeria’s energy transition plan has received a significant boost, with over $5 billion in new investments flowing into the gas sector as of 2024, according to the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA).

Nigeria: Minister Announces May 1 Rollout for Reforms on Expatriate Quota, E-Visa, and More

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed that several key reforms by the Ministry of Interior and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), particularly concerning expatriate quotas and new visa processes, will be implemented starting Thursday, May 1, 2025.

The German Football League (DFL) is in advanced discussions with Adidas regarding a strategic partnership that could see the sportswear giant invest €100 million (US$113.7 million) into the league, according to Bild.

After years of anticipation, Instagram has finally released its iPad app, marking a major milestone for users of the popular platform. The new app brings a smoother, more intuitive experience, purpose-built for the iPad’s larger screen.

Sterling Bank has taken a groundbreaking step by eliminating transfer fees on its OneBank digital platform, a move that could reshape the landscape of the Nigerian banking sector.

MTN Nigeria Plc's market capitalisation has dipped below N5 trillion as selling pressure intensified on Friday, with investors trimming their holdings in telecom stocks. The company's share price fell by 4.08%, closing at N235 ahead of its upcoming annual general meeting with shareholders.

Airbnb Community Fund Donates $150,000 to Boost AfriLabs' Pan-African Innovation Mission

AfriLabs, the leading network of innovation and tech hubs across Africa, has received a $150,000 unrestricted donation from the Airbnb Community Fund. The contribution marks a notable endorsement of AfriLabs’ work in nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across the continent.

Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research and Trade Intelligence at Afreximbank, has warned that Nigeria must achieve an annual growth rate of at least 40% to mitigate the economic risks posed by the recent tariff increase by the United States. Speaking at the 2025 Vanguard Discourse held in Lagos, Kale emphasized the urgency of bold, long-term reforms if Nigeria is to meet its ambitious one trillion-dollar economic vision.

From Parking Lot to Play Zone: Bolt Debuts Chess Park in Lagos

...Kicking Off ‘Playtivism’ Campaign

Africa’s leading ride-hailing platform, Bolt, has launched its bold new "Playtivism" campaign in Lagos, starting with an imaginative urban makeover: converting a regular parking lot at Ikeja City Mall into a lively Chess Park.

NGX Group Declares Record N4.4bn Dividend as 2024 Profits Surge

The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) has announced a historic N4.4 billion dividend payout to shareholders, following a strong financial performance in 2024. The decision was approved during the company’s 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos on Wednesday.

Volvo has unveiled the updated 2025 XC60, enhancing its best-selling mid-size SUV with a more refined design, upgraded technology, and a sharper starting price of £48,410. That undercuts key German competitors, the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, which now start at £50,165 and £51,410, respectively.

WARC Unveils 2025 Effectiveness Awards Shortlist

...Celebrates Strategic Brilliance Across Regions

WARC has announced the shortlist for the 2025 WARC Awards for Effectiveness, held in association with LIONS, spotlighting campaigns that demonstrate the power of strategic thinking to drive real business and brand impact. This year, 130 campaigns from 26 countries made the cut, as selected by five regional juries composed of 74 industry leaders from both agency and brand sides.

Jim Ovia Honoured with Freedom of the City of London for Global Financial Impact

...joins a revered list of global icons recognised for exceptional service and influence

Jim Ovia, founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, has been awarded the prestigious Freedom of the City of London during a formal ceremony at the Mansion House in the City of London on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Nigeria is poised for a leap in digital capacity as Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, partners with the Federal Government to develop a National Data Park and Compute Infrastructure at Egbin Power, the continent’s largest privately-operated thermal power plant.

MTN Pays Tribute to Founding Chairman Pascal Dozie

... Celebrates Legacy of Vision and Integrity

MTN Nigeria has honoured the memory of its founding Chairman, Dr. Pascal Gabriel Dozie, who passed away at the age of 85, describing him as a steady, wise, and gentle leader whose influence shaped the company’s journey and success.

Meta has officially rolled out new safety measures that ban teens under the age of 16 from using Instagram Live - unless they have explicit parental consent. The move is part of a broader push to bolster protections for younger users across Meta’s platforms.

Verdant Capital has announced a follow-on investment of USD 4.5 million in LOLC Africa Singapore Limited (LOLC Africa) through its Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, bringing its total investment in the company to USD 13.5 million. The latest capital injection follows the Fund’s initial investment of USD 9 million in June 2023. Both rounds are structured as holding company loans, channelled to LOLC Africa’s lending operations in ten countries, including Zambia, Rwanda, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria.

German Courts Rule Against Lufthansa and Adidas for Misleading Climate Claims

Environmental Action Germany (DUH) has secured legal victories against Lufthansa and Adidas in two separate greenwashing cases, with German courts finding both companies misled consumers with vague or unsubstantiated sustainability claims.

Puma has appointed Arthur Hoeld, former head of global sales at Adidas, as its new CEO and chairman of the management board, signaling a new phase of growth for the German sportswear giant.

The English Premier League (EPL) has reported a drop in post-tax profits and a sharp rise in operating expenses for the financial year ending July 31, 2024, amid its ongoing three-year broadcast and commercial rights cycle.

The Industry Newspaper, West Africa’s premier publication dedicated to brand marketing, has unveiled the jury for the sixth edition of its annual Industry Awards, scheduled to be held in Lagos.

Publicis Groupe Africa has welcomed a new cohort of interns into its Le Cubs Programme, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative leaders across the continent.

In response to recent turbulence in the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected US$197.71 million on Friday, April 4, 2025, through sales to Authorized Dealers. The move follows heightened global economic uncertainty triggered by the United States’ introduction of new import tariffs affecting several countries.

Unilever, UK Government, and EY back local innovators tackling waste and regenerative agriculture

...award £500,000 in grant funding to five pioneering startups

West Africa’s sustainability scene just received a major lift. TRANSFORM West Africa—a collaboration between Unilever, the UK Government, and EY—has awarded £500,000 in grant funding to five pioneering startups committed to driving innovation in circularity and regenerative agriculture. Among them, three standout Nigerian companies are leading efforts to combat waste and promote green solutions.

TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, a major player in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector, reported a 113% jump in profit, closing the 2024 financial year with earnings of N27.5 billion, up from N12.9 billion in 2023.

The Ogun State Government is set to collaborate with Terra Kulture to establish a dedicated film and entertainment village, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced during a meeting with Terra Kulture’s CEO, Bolanle Austen-Peters, in Abeokuta on Saturday.

In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has issued a second 75-day extension for TikTok, postponing a ban on the popular app and giving negotiators more time to finalize a U.S.-based ownership deal. The decision was announced Friday via Trump’s Truth Social account, providing the embattled video-sharing platform with a temporary reprieve.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund has approved more than US$600 million in new development financing to advance sustainable infrastructure, private sector growth, food security, and human capital development across partner countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has appointed Ms. Seyi Onasanya as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective April 1, 2025.

2025 Food & Drink Festival: GTCO Makes Final Call for Free Retail Stall as Applications Closes April 2

The application window for a free retail stall at the highly anticipated GTCO Food & Drink Festival closes tomorrow, April 2, 2025. Entrepreneurs in the food industry are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their businesses at one of Africa’s premier culinary events.

Hyundai has transformed its new Inster small electric car into a radical, race-inspired hot hatch, blending aggressive styling with a stripped-down interior. Drawing inspiration from video games, this bold reimagination pushes the boundaries of EV design.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) anticipates that Lagos State could generate up to $2.5 billion annually by fully leveraging a circular economy.

In a major update for iPhone users, Apple has introduced the option to set WhatsApp as the default app for both calls and messages on iOS. This change further solidifies WhatsApp’s role as a global communication powerhouse.

Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework, a key part of its privacy-first strategy, has come under legal scrutiny in Europe. This week, the French Competition Authority imposed a €150 million ($162 million) fine on Apple, alleging that the company abused its dominant market position in the mobile advertising sector between 2021 and 2023.

Sunday, 13 April 2025

Saturday, 12 April 2025

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Saturday, 5 April 2025

Tuesday, 1 April 2025