BrandArena: April 2024

Sunday 28 April 2024

Jalel Trabelsi Appointed as Special Envoy to MENA & Gulf Region

The President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (AfDB) has appointed career diplomat Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as his Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region.

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has reaffirmed its status as a global leader in aviation excellence, securing prestigious accolades at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards held during the Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, Germany. Once again, DOH has been crowned the "World’s Best Airport," a testament to its unwavering commitment to exceptional service and passenger satisfaction. This remarkable achievement marks the airport's continued reign as the pinnacle of aviation hospitality.

Vesti, a leading migration fintech firm committed to empowering immigrants, unveiled a transformative chapter in migration history with the introduction of Miai by Vesti and Safelock by Vesti. The highly anticipated launch event, held at The Wheatbaker, Lagos, showcased these innovative features poised to revolutionize the migration experience for millions worldwide.

Mastercard, a prominent sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, has teamed up with Prince Ebeano, a renowned retail chain in Nigeria, to bring the thrill of the Champions League closer to fans across the country.

African Development Bank President Urges Transparency in Tackling Africa's $824 Billion Debt Crisis

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has made a clarion call for transparency and accountability in addressing Africa's staggering $824 billion debt burden.

Mastercard, in collaboration with the Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads for Nigeria (CeBIH), recently hosted the second edition of its annual Fraud Forum in Lagos, Nigeria. Building on the success of the inaugural edition in 2023, this year’s forum convened key industry players ranging from financial institutions, payment service banks, and fintech companies, to discuss critical issues such as threats and vulnerability, intel-sharing, and best practices in combating industry risks.

Madica, an innovative investment program supporting pre-seed startups across Africa, has announced its first investments in three tech startups. With a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and addressing structural gaps in the continent's startup ecosystem, Madica has provided each selected startup with up to $200,000 in funding, marking the beginning of an intensive 18-month journey of growth and development.

Nigeria has embarked on a historic journey towards technological prominence with the introduction of its inaugural Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM). Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, this pioneering initiative marks a significant leap forward in Nigeria's AI capabilities, propelling the nation into a leadership position in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) took centre stage at the Bonds, Loans, and ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2024, securing an impressive six accolades at the ceremony held in South Africa.

Nigeria Accelerates Transition to Clean Energy, Plans Launch of 2,700 CNG-Powered Vehicles by May 29

Nigeria is about to embark on a transformative journey towards sustainability with the introduction of its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative. The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, is working with the private sector to implement this ambitious plan in advance of its one anniversary on May 29. The effort seeks to transform the transportation landscape by deploying thousands of CNG-powered buses and tricycles across the country, ushering in a transition away from traditional fuels and towards greener energy sources.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Institute has announced the 18th edition of its IsDB Global Forum on Islamic Finance which will take place in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Coinciding with the IsDB Group Annual Meetings and Golden Jubilee Celebration, the event promises to be a dynamic gathering of industry luminaries, policymakers, and financial experts converging to explore innovative avenues for sustainable development within the Islamic finance ecosystem.

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu as the Acting Chief Executive Officer, following the resignation of its Managing Director/CEO of the financial institution, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan.

Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA) Dr. Sama Bilbao y León will speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum in Paris this May, highlighting unprecedented opportunities in southern Africa’s energy sector.

TLcom Capital, the Africa-focused venture capital firm, has reached a significant milestone with the final close of its second fund for technology in Africa, TIDE Africa Fund II, at an impressive $154 million. This achievement solidifies TLcom Capital's position as the continent's premier Seed and Series A investor, underscoring its commitment to partnering with visionary founders to address Africa's most pressing challenges with innovative solutions.

KFC Global Appoints Alex Barsk as New Chief Financial Officer

KFC Global has announced the appointment of Alex Barsk as the company's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective June 1, 2024. Reporting directly to Sabir Sami, KFC Global's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alex is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the financial strategy and growth agenda of the iconic fast-food brand.

Marketers Struggling to Measure Marketing Impact Amidst Cookie Deprecation and Emerging Techniques, WARC Report Reveals

As the marketing landscape undergoes significant transformation, marketers are facing challenges in accurately measuring the impact of their investments. According to recent data from WARC, a mere 2% of marketers are effectively utilizing a combination of advanced measurement techniques such as marketing mix modelling (MMM), experiments, and attribution to gauge the full extent of their marketing impact.

Strong and formidable brands from Africa have indicated their readiness to compete in the 2024 Africa Fast Growth and Most Valuable Brands Awards, which are organised by The African Brands Magazine, the continent's leader in brand marketing reporting.

Tom Goddard, President of the World Out of Home Organization (WOO), has announced his decision to extend his leadership tenure for a further period. Initially intending to step down, Goddard has responded to the WOO board's request and agreed to continue in his role.

In an effort to combat rising cases of fraudulent transactions, Wema Bank, a leading commercial financial institution in Nigeria, has discontinued partnerships with three fintech firms and suspended four others. The move, according to the bank, is to safeguard customers' interests and maintain ethical standards.

The French media giant, Groupe Canal+, has further extended its position in the South African pay-TV titan, MultiChoice, by acquiring an additional 3,653,492 shares. With this latest move, Groupe Canal+ now commands an impressive 40.83% stake in MultiChoice. This surge in ownership transpired over a six-day period from April 12th to April 17th, with shares procured at prices ranging from R115.95 to R117.50 each.

Following its successful integration of conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, Meta AI, into WhatsApp in India, Meta has now introduced the new feature to users in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Powered by Llama 3 technology, the innovative chatbot is now available on Android and iOS devices at no cost.

In a bid to further create awareness of the need to practice a healthy lifestyle, particularly among the productive segment of society, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Nigeria’s digital payment service bank, focused on financial inclusion, has advocated for a healthy lifestyle among staff members. This was made known during a webinar session titled My Health, My Right, facilitated by a health expert, Dr Stephen from AXA Mansard Wellness Team. This was to commemorate this year’s Global Public Health Week, themed: Fostering Peace as a Prerequisite for Equitable Health.

P+ Measurement Services Reveals Q1 2024 Media Sentiment Report: Commercial Banks, Fintech, and Telcos Shine Amid Naira Fluctuations

Nigeria’s commercial banking, fintech, and telecommunications sectors have maintained excellent media interactions, marketing, and awareness since the start of 2024 despite the weakening of the Naira against the Dollar and its effect on businesses across the country. These were further enhanced by the remarkable data it gave the media in the first quarter of the year. This media analysis monitors more than 1.3 million online publications from blogs, news sites, broadcasts, forums, and digital media in the local and global media space, as well as about 5,115 print publications (including daily, weekly, and monthly publications), from which different metadata are extracted, including the sentiment of reporters, editors, publishers, and opinion writers from various online and print publications, spokesperson analysis, CEOs performances, and other topics.

Develop products that address the exact needs of their customers, Mike Cook urges Fintechs

Amidst global economic challenges, businesses worldwide are striving for growth, with Africa emerging as a focal point for investment due to its vast potential. In this dynamic landscape, the fintech sector stands out, leveraging technological advancements to cater to the unbanked and underserved populations across the continent. However, achieving growth in such a competitive environment requires a nuanced understanding of customer needs.

Tesla, the trailblazing electric vehicle (EV) innovator, is embarking on a significant organizational shift, as revealed in an internal memo disclosed by Reuters on Monday. The memo outlines Tesla's intention to reduce its global workforce by more than 10%, citing a downturn in sales and intensified competition within the EV market.

Nigeria's aspiration to spearhead the advancement and ethical application of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa has gained remarkable traction as stakeholders steer discourse on new innovations. The recent convening of the "Developing the High-Level Strategy and Implementation Plan for a National AI Strategy for Nigeria" workshop, hosted by the Federal Government, underscores the nation's commitment to shaping the trajectory of this transformative technology.

All is now set for the 11th edition of Medic West Africa, the biggest healthcare exhibition and conference organized by Informa Markets, a global leader in event management. The much anticipated will take place from April 17th to 19th, 2024, at the prestigious Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Over 6,000 healthcare professionals are expected to converge to discuss the progress and innovation within West Africa's healthcare landscape.

Dubai Honours Sustainability Leaders at VerdExim Sustainability Awards

Dubai recently played host to the prestigious VerdExim Sustainability Awards, recognizing select startups from across the globe for their outstanding contributions to sustainability and their innovative solutions driving positive change worldwide.

Global home appliance giant Hisense today unveiled its 'BEYOND GLORY' campaign for UEFA EURO 2024, featuring the esteemed signing of Manuel Neuer, Germany's World Cup-winning goalkeeper and captain of FC Bayern Munich.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have revealed that an ongoing investigation into suspected fraudulent practices within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a compelling plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to direct relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to furnish the organization with loan agreements procured during the tenures of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.

National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa, in partnership with Africell, a leading mobile network operator in Africa, yesterday unveiled an exciting addition to Luanda, Angola: an indoor basketball court located at 1˚ de Maio on Av. Deolinda Rodrigues. The unveiling marks the beginning of a multiyear partnership aimed at utilizing basketball to positively impact the youth of Angola.

Petralon Energy, a prominent player in Africa's oil and gas landscape, is poised to lead discussions on the continent's upstream sector as the distinguished diamond sponsor of this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference.

LG Electronics Promotes Unity and Generosity Through Ramadan Iftar Celebration

LG Electronics, a global pioneer in technology and innovation, reaffirms its dedication to enriching communities by hosting a memorable Iftar feast during the sacred month of Ramadan. In line with its enduring commitment to social responsibility, LG Electronics warmly served delectable meals to numerous individuals facing hardships.

Adidas Introduces Groundbreaking 'Female Field' Initiative to Promote Gender Inclusivity in Sports

Havas Middle East has revealed that Adidas has spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative known as the 'Female Field,' marking a significant step towards challenging societal norms and advocating for the transformative potential of sports among women and girls.

In the face of challenging economic conditions, BUA Foods has demonstrated resilience and sustained growth, reporting a remarkable 23% increase in profit after tax to N112.1 billion for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

Integrated energy company, Eterna Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Abiola Lukman Lawal as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Mr. Benjamin Nwaezeigwe.

President Bola Tinubu has praised Jim Obazee for his contributions as the Special Investigator of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant entities.

Afreximbank Partners with Sterling Bank to Introduce Payables Finance in Nigeria

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced its partnership with Sterling Bank to launch the innovative supply chain finance product, 'Payables Finance', in Nigeria. This new offering, branded as 'Afreximbank Tradelink', falls under Afreximbank's digital portfolio within the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) framework. ATG provides African businesses and banks with digital tools to access market information, connect with buyers and sellers across the continent, streamline procurement processes, facilitate Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, and promote trade payments within Africa using local currencies.

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed an Annual Plan worth US$600 million with the Government of Pakistan. The Plan represents the ITFC's long-standing partnership with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as well as the ITFC's unwavering commitment to boosting Pakistan's trade and economic development.

Nigeria has taken a groundbreaking step in mental healthcare by becoming the first country to contextualize the newest version of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (MHGAP 3.0). Spearheaded by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), this initiative underscores the government's unwavering commitment to addressing the significant mental health gap in the country.

In a notable development for the organic food market, WACOT Limited, a subsidiary of the TGI Group, has successfully renewed its prestigious certification from ECOCERT, reaffirming its capability to export organic sesame. This renewal underscores WACOT's commitment to international standards and elevates Jigawa state as a key player in the organic sesame trade for both the US and global markets.

Caroline Eboumbou Adjudged Outstanding Woman in Renewable Energy

The Chief Executive Officer of All On, Caroline Eboumbou has been adjudged the Outstanding Woman in Renewable Energy award at the just-concluded 2024 edition of the Women in Maritime & Energy Award in Lagos.

Loeries Unveils 2024 Campaign: 'Resilience in Creativity: This is Tough. So Are You'

The Loeries has unveiled its 2024 campaign, crafted by the renowned agency The Odd Number. Themed "Resilience in Creativity: This is Tough. So Are You.," the campaign aims to recognize the dedication and perseverance of the brand communications industry amidst formidable challenges.

Yahoo has finalized its acquisition of Artifact, a news aggregation and recommendation app created by the co-founders of Instagram. Following the acquisition, Artifact's standalone operation will cease, with its artificial intelligence (AI) personalization technology and other functionalities set to integrate into Yahoo News and related products in the com

Access Bank, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank in terms of assets, has released its 2023 financial reports, declaring a substantial increase in losses attributed to fraudulent activities and forgery, amounting to ₦6.15 billion compared to ₦1.44 billion in the previous year.

Mastercard and Women Choice have strengthened their collaboration to drive economic empowerment for women through the launch of two groundbreaking programs, ImpactHer and EmpowerHer. The initiatives are designed to increase women entrepreneurs across the Middle East and Africa, fostering business growth and job creation.

In a resolute demonstration of its dedication to upholding safety standards within the ride-hailing industry, Bolt, the preeminent on-demand platform in Africa, convened its inaugural Driver-Led Safety Summit in Benin City on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Visa, a leader in digital payments, has announced a significant stride in its commitment to bolstering global value-added services. This initiative introduces three groundbreaking AI-powered solutions dedicated to risk mitigation and fraud prevention. These innovative additions, integrated into the comprehensive Visa Protect suite, are meticulously crafted to combat fraudulent activities across a spectrum of payment channels, including immediate account-to-account and card-not-present (CNP) transactions, both within and beyond Visa's network.

Sunday 28 April 2024

Wednesday 24 April 2024

Monday 22 April 2024

Sunday 21 April 2024

Friday 19 April 2024

Wednesday 17 April 2024

Tuesday 16 April 2024

Monday 15 April 2024

Wednesday 10 April 2024

Friday 5 April 2024

Thursday 4 April 2024

Wednesday 3 April 2024

Tuesday 2 April 2024