In 2024, over 65% of transactions in Nigeria were still cash-based, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) push for a cashless economy. Cash predominantly dominates daily life in Nigeria, from transport fares to small purchases. Yet, this dependence creates high costs, security risks, and financial exclusion for millions. Now imagine the alternative. A system where every Nigerian, whether banked or unbanked, can access safe, affordable, and convenient digital payments. But this is not a distant dream anymore. Prepaid cards are already making it possible. They are bridging gaps for people without bank accounts, while helping small merchants accept cashless…
Author: Johnson Akinyi
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After two difficult years marked by global uncertainty, shrinking liquidity and investor hesitation, Africa’s venture capital (VC) market is finally stirring back to life. The AVCA Q2 2025 Venture Capital Report paints a picture of a continent in recovery: investors are returning, albeit cautiously, and their focus is sharper than ever.The numbers tell a story of renewed activity. African start-ups closed 122 VC deals in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 28% increase year on year. In the first half of the year, 239 deals were recorded, up 11% compared with the same period in 2024. Yet the amount…
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has debunked the allegations made by the senator representing Abia North and a former airline owner, Orji Uzor Kalu, that some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp before flights. Mr Kalu, during the Senate plenary on Wednesday, had alleged that some pilots get “high” before flights and blamed drug use and poor regulatory oversight for runway-related incidents and operational lapses. In a statement issued on Thursday by the director-general of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, the authority described the claim as baseless and misleading, insisting that all the licensed pilots in Nigeria undergo rigorous medical, professional,…
In SummaryAfrica’s inequality landscape is increasingly shaped by refined national surveys and harmonized Gini tracking supported by the AfDB and UNECA.Fiscal reforms, targeted subsidies, and social protection programs now serve as central instruments for reducing inequality under Agenda 2063.Governments and regional blocs are linking inequality metrics directly to budget planning and accountability, a major shift from past decades.Deep Dive!!Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, October 10, 2025 – Income inequality in Africa remains one of the continent’s most measured yet complex development indicators. Data compiled from national statistical offices, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) show that inequality across African…
Africa’s labor force is not only the fastest-growing in the world but also increasingly urban and digitally connected, offering unparalleled potential for innovation, industrialization, and regional economic influence.Over 60% of Africa’s population is under 35, giving the continent an unmatched demographic edge that global industries are beginning to recognize.Labor productivity has risen nearly 20% since 2015, supported by reforms in manufacturing, digital trade, and regional integration.Deep Dive!!Lagos, Nigeria, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – Beyond demographic expansion, Africa’s labor strength in 2025 signals a new era of economic potential and transformation. With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce, the continent now…
Island nations such as Mauritius and Madagascar continue to record some of the continent’s lowest safety index scores, reflecting cohesive governance and stable institutions.Southern Africa remains a focal point of stability, with countries such as Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia translating resource-backed governance into long-term improvements in policing and judicial reforms.Security rankings in Africa now extend beyond perception, directly shaping tourism flows, diaspora investment, and regional influence in ways that reposition the continent globally.Deep Dive!!Lagos, Nigeria, Wednesday, October 3 – Africa’s safety landscape in 2025 is defined by measurable contrasts, with several nations emerging as continental leaders in stability and security.…
Exclusive Interview with Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy & Transformation, Absa Regional Operations (ARO) – Technology SMEs drive nearly half of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP. From your vantage point, what’s the biggest untapped opportunity in unlocking SME growth on the continent? One of the biggest untapped opportunities for SME growth in Africa lies in helping small businesses connect to regional and global value chains. Right now, many SMEs operate only within their local communities, missing out on the broader market potential. But with initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa’s markets are becoming more integrated, making cross-border trade…
In SummaryStates with the highest coup frequency share a pattern of divided command, where presidential guards, paramilitary units, and rival army factions compete for authority.The outcome of many coups depends less on domestic grievances and more on military and diplomatic support from foreign governments and international networks.Successful coups rarely end with a change of leadership alone; they reshape constitutions, restructure armed forces, and embed military authority in civilian governance for generations.Deep Dive!!Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, September 22 – Since independence, African states have recorded more than 200 coup attempts, with over half of them successful. This scale is unmatched in any…
In a bid to address the growing skills gap in Nigeria’s paint industry, the Chemicals and Allied Products (CAP) Plc and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) have partnered to develop the workforce and position painting as a variable career path for young Nigerians. The collaboration will help professionalise Nigeria’s painting industry by certifying painters and addressing the sector’s widening skills gap. Speaking at the 5th anniversary of the CAP Painters Academy, Lawani Meka, chief examination officer of NABTEB, commended the paint manufacturer for its role in advancing technical and vocational education in Nigeria, stating that the partnership…
Get your taste buds ready for a trip as varied as South Africa’s landscapes in 2025, from native ingredients to Dutch, Indian, and Malay influences. South African cuisine reflects the nation’s diverse cultural heritage. With a culinary renaissance sweeping the country this year, South African food is more distinctive and special than ever, providing a mouth-watering taste experience grounded in tradition and contemporary flair. Whether you are enjoying street food in Durban or fine dining in Cape Town, the South African culinary scene in 2025 is flourishing with originality, sincerity, and warmth. From Flavorful curries to fire-grilled meats, these are…