Mastercard Boosts Africa Acceptance Network By 45% In 2025, Accelerating The Continent’s Digital Economy
Mastercard has grown its acceptance network across Africa by 45 percent in 2025 – a major milestone that brings millions more consumers and small businesses into the continent’s fast-expanding digital economy. This accelerated progress underscores the strong advancement of digital payments, technology, and innovation in Africa—a transformation that traditionally would have taken several years to accomplish. The surge […]
Rising Fuel Costs Drive the Launch of Nigeria’s First EV-Only Assembly Plant
By Frank Eleanya When President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of Nigeria’s decades-old fuel subsidy in May 2023, the shockwaves were immediate and severe. Overnight, petrol prices surged from ₦185 ($0.36) to above ₦500 ($0.96) per litre, later climbing past ₦600 ($1.15). As households and businesses struggled with the inflationary fallout, the policy shift also reshaped […]
Exiting December 2025
By Eric Osiakwan The exit trails of November 2025 have found its way into the last month of the year, courtesy of the Dot Com Zambia PLC IPO on the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE), running from November 17th to December 12th, 2025. However, the offer period for the IPO successfully concluded on Friday, 5th December […]
Morocco opens AFCON 2025 with nervy win
Host nation Morocco kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought victory over Comoros, securing a 2-0 win in rainy Rabat. After missing an early penalty, the Atlas Lions struggled to break down a disciplined Comoros side until Brahim Díaz struck early in the second half. The match then opened up, with […]
Ghana legalizes cryptocurrency use
Ghana has taken a major step toward regulating digital finance after parliament passed a law legalizing the widespread use of cryptocurrency. The new Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill aims to bring the booming but previously unregulated market under oversight. This move directly responds to central bank estimates that 17% of Ghanaian adults, about 3 million people, are […]
Sahel states launch joint military force
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have launched a joint regional military force, deepening cooperation among the three Sahel states as they confront a persistent Islamist insurgency. The new force was formally unveiled at an air force base in Bamako, where Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goita presided over the ceremony. Expected to number around 5,000 personnel, the […]
Obama’s 2025 playlist spotlights six Nigerian artists
Former United States President Barack Obama has released his 2025 music playlist, spotlighting six Nigerian artists across three tracks in a 30-song selection. Shared on X alongside his annual book and movie picks, the playlist continues a tradition Obama began in the White House of highlighting what shaped his year in culture. Tracks include ‘Tatata’ by Burna […]
Trump’s diplomatic blow to Africa
The Trump administration has begun recalling career ambassadors appointed under former President Joe Biden, triggering unease within diplomatic circles and the Foreign Service. The move, which reportedly affects envoys across Africa, Asia, and Europe, is highly unusual because it targets professional diplomats rather than political appointees. Africa has been hit hardest, with ambassadors to 15 countries on […]
How millennials are reshaping tourism
New research suggests that creative tourism could unlock fresh economic opportunities in South Africa, particularly by tapping into millennial travel preferences. The study finds that South African millennials favor hands-on, culturally grounded experiences—from cooking classes and craft workshops to music and writing sessions—over passive sightseeing. Drawn by learning, authenticity, and social connection, they are especially interested in […]
Fela Kuti to receive Grammy’s highest honor
Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti will be posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, cementing his enduring global influence decades after his death. Although Fela never won a Grammy while he was alive, the Recording Academy is recognizing his towering impact on modern music, activism, and cultural consciousness with this award. The […]
