sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9/sitemap.xsd BrandArena : July 2025

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Quality Buying, AI Brand Safety, Curation and DOOH Set to Shape Future of Programmatic Advertising


The four major trends that are set to redefine programmatic advertising over the next year are quality-focused buying, AI-powered brand safety, sell-side curation, and the continued rise of programmatic digital out-of-home (prDOOH), according to WARC's The Future of Programmatic 2025 report.

EnergyInc Advisors Launches to De-risk African Energy, Oil, and Infrastructure Projects for Global Investors


EnergyInc Advisors, a premier Africa-focused strategic advisory firm, has officially launched, offering bespoke consultancy services designed to unlock growth capital and accelerate the future of energy, infrastructure, and climate-aligned investments across Africa. With deep-rooted expertise in energy, financial services, economic policy, infrastructure, and climate, the firm is positioned to support sustainable development and drive impactful investment across the continent.

Verto Launches New Auto Exchange Feature to Help Businesses Secure FX Rates


Verto, a leading provider of global payment solutions, has announced the launch of Auto Exchange, a new feature that enables businesses to automatically secure their target foreign exchange (FX) rates without the need for constant market monitoring.

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

GTCO Begins Trading on the London Stock Exchange


Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has officially begun trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), following a successfully priced primary equity offering.

Nigeria: Electricity Act Amendment Bill 2025 Passes Second Reading in Senate


The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, successfully passed its second reading in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill’s general principles were presented during plenary by its sponsor, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia), who led the debate.

Bentley Unveils Radical Elevated Limousine Concept Signalling Future Design Direction


Bentley has unveiled a striking, elevated limousine concept that offers a preview of the design direction for its forthcoming vehicles, potentially serving as the successor to the Mulsanne flagship.

Samsung Debuts Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Smarter Features and Slimmer Builds


Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, marking another leap forward for foldable smartphones. Both devices were revealed at Galaxy Unpacked 2025, showcasing sleeker designs, improved durability, and deeper AI integration.

Meta Brings DMs to Threads, Taking Aim at X with Private Messaging and Discovery Tools


Instagram Threads just took a major leap forward. Meta has officially rolled out direct messaging (DM) across Android, iOS, and web, giving users the long-anticipated ability to chat privately on its text-centric platform.

2026 World Cup Set to Be Most Climate-Harming in History, Scientists Warn


The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is on track to become the most environmentally damaging tournament in the event’s history, according to a new report by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).

Linda Yaccarino Takes a Bow as CEO of X Amid AI Controversy and Leadership Strain


Linda Yaccarino has announced her resignation as CEO of 𝕏, marking the end of a turbulent chapter in the company’s evolution under Elon Musk.

Prime Startups Marks 10 Years of Scaling African Ventures from Ideas to Impact


In Africa’s fast-moving innovation space, the word “startup” often conjures the image of founders with big dreams and even bigger challenges. But true transformation lies not just in launching new ideas, it's in scaling them into sustainable companies that power economies and create jobs. For the past decade, that has been Prime Startups’ mission.

Femi Balogun Empowers Over 45 Lagosians with Business Tools Through 7-7 Project


In a remarkable gesture of community-driven impact, Femi Balogun, Founder and Managing Director of Kerojet Services Limited, marked his birthday by launching a large-scale empowerment drive under his ongoing 7-7 Project, a legacy initiative aimed at transforming lives through entrepreneurship.

Sunday, 6 July 2025

Elon Musk Launches ‘America Party’ Following Fallout with Trump


Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has announced the formation of a new political movement named the America Party, following a high-profile rift with US President Donald Trump. Musk says the party’s core mission is to “give Americans back their freedom” and disrupt what he calls the country’s “one-party system” dominated by Republicans and Democrats.

Nigerian Banks Reinstate International Transactions on Naira Cards After Three-Year Suspension


In a major development for Nigeria’s banking sector, several banks have resumed international transactions on naira-denominated cards, nearly three years after such services were suspended. United Bank for Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) have confirmed that their naira cards are now enabled for global payments, signaling a significant shift in foreign exchange (FX) policy and service delivery.

Claire Bridges Named Jury President for 2025 Epica Awards

...Epica Awards Now Open for Entries, Early Bird Deadline Ends August 31


The Epica Awards has officially opened entries for its 2025 edition, with the early bird deadline set for Sunday, August 31. To mark the launch, the organisation has appointed Claire Bridges, Creativity Consultant and Founder of Now Go Create, as President of the 2025 Jury.

LG Launches MoodUP Refrigerator in Nigeria: A Smart, Color-Changing Fridge That Transforms Kitchens

...Innovative LED Panels, Built-In Bluetooth Speakers, and Smart Features Redefine the Modern Nigerian Kitchen


LG Electronics, a global leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, has officially introduced the MoodUP refrigerator to the Nigerian market, an innovation designed to redefine the way households experience their kitchens through advanced connectivity, vibrant colour customisation, and immersive sound.

Saturday, 5 July 2025

Tinubu to Present Nigeria’s Economic Reforms at BRICS Summit in Brazil


President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government, where he will deliver a keynote address focused on Nigeria’s economic reforms and its efforts to enhance global competitiveness.

Naira Weakens at Official Market as Exchange Rate Gap Narrows


The Nigerian naira lost ground against the US dollar in the official market, halting its recent run of gains due to a slight uptick in demand for foreign exchange from businesses and other participants.

Young SA Creatives Win Silver at Cannes Lions for Film


Two young creatives from TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Johannesburg, Paula Andropoulos and Kgomotso Makoto, have earned international recognition by winning a Silver Lion in the Film category of the Young Lions Competition, held during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Vista Group Holding Completes Acquisition of Société Générale Burkina Faso


Vista Group Holding has finalized its acquisition of a majority stake in Société Générale Burkina Faso, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in the country’s financial sector.

Global Sports Market Set to Reach US$602 Billion by 2030

...Gaming emerges as the most valuable and fastest-growing segment at US$177 billion


The global sports market is projected to grow to US$602 billion by 2030, according to a new report from consultancy firm Kearney.

GTCO to Raise $105 Million on London Stock Exchange Through Share Offering

...Becomes First West African Financial Institution to List and Trade Ordinary Shares on the LSE


Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc), one of Africa’s leading financial services groups, has successfully priced its fully marketed offering on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), raising gross proceeds of $105 million. This was achieved through the issuance of 2.29 billion new ordinary shares, supported by a strong book of high-quality, long-term institutional investors.

LG Launches “Radio Optimism” to Spark Human Connection Through Music

...New Global Campaign Uses Music as a Bridge to Deepen Relationships and Share the Life’s Good Message Online


LG Electronics has unveiled a new global brand campaign titled “Radio Optimism,” aiming to promote meaningful human connections and spread optimism through music. The campaign is a fresh interpretation of LG’s long-standing brand promise, “Life’s Good,” and is designed to address the emotional disconnect that often accompanies today’s hyper-digital lifestyle.

Thursday, 3 July 2025

WISCAR Launches Mentorship Initiative to Elevate Women Leaders in Law and Governance


Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a non-profit dedicated to advancing professional women in Nigeria and across Africa, has launched the first phase of its Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP) in partnership with the Gates Foundation. The initiative targets emerging female leaders within the legal and governance sectors.

TotalEnergies Nigeria Targets 2026 Launch for 70,000bpd Ima Gas Project


TotalEnergies Nigeria has unveiled plans to commence production from its shallow-water Ima gas field project, expected to deliver 70,000 barrels per day (bpd), by 2026.

MTN, 9Mobile Sign Nationwide Roaming Agreement to Boost Connectivity


MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile have entered a three-year national roaming agreement approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This partnership enables 9Mobile subscribers to access MTN’s extensive network across Nigeria, particularly in regions where 9Mobile’s coverage is limited.

Fara Ashiru Jituboh, Former Okra CEO, Joins UK RevOps Startup Kernel as Head of Engineering


Fara Ashiru Jituboh, the co-founder and former CEO/CTO of Nigerian fintech pioneer Okra, has taken on a new role as Head of Engineering at Kernel, a UK-based revenue operations startup. Her appointment follows a period of significant transition at Okra, which officially shut down in May 2025 after a bold but ultimately unsustainable pivot into cloud infrastructure.

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Mastercard Drops Afrobeat Sonic Anthem, Tapping into Nigeria’s Global Sound


In a country where music moves people and defines moments, Mastercard is making its mark on the Nigerian soundscape with the launch of Wami, its new Afrobeat Sonic Anthem. More than just a catchy tune, the anthem blends Mastercard’s global sonic identity with the pulse and power of Afrobeat—creating a sound that is both globally resonant and distinctly local. 

Aradel Holdings, Wema Bank Join NGX 30 as Conoil, Julius Berger Exit After H1 Review


Aradel Holdings and Wema Bank have been added to the NGX 30 Index, replacing Conoil and Julius Berger. This update follows the half-year (H1) market index review by Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX), announced on Tuesday.

Bradly Howland Appointed President of PRISA as Institute Charts Bold New Path


The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) has named Bradly Howland as its new President, marking the beginning of a new era as the Institute positions itself as a leading professional body for communicators in the region.

Microsoft Secures Five-Year AI Partnership with Premier League


Microsoft has signed a five-year agreement with the Premier League to become its official cloud and AI partner, aiming to modernise the league’s digital infrastructure and enhance fan experiences through intelligent technologies.

FirstBank Introduces Facial Biometric Sign-Up and Virtual Card Features on FirstMobile App


FirstBank, a premier financial institution in West Africa and a leading provider of financial inclusion services, has launched advanced facial biometric capabilities on its mobile banking platform, FirstMobile. The update comes with several new features designed to enhance user experience, including facial recognition for sign-up and activation, virtual credit cards for secure online transactions, instant credit card activation, flexible salary advance options with three-month repayment terms, and general performance improvements.

NGX Group, DEG Unveil N-Zero Climate Initiative in Germany to Advance Africa's Green Transition


The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) has officially launched its Net Zero Programme, known as N-Zero, in partnership with the German Investment and Development Company (DEG), a subsidiary of the German Government Investment Corporation.

Nigerian Idol Season 10 Nears Finale with Top 4 Finalists


The journey to crown the next Nigerian Idol is nearing its climax as Season 10 enters its final two weeks. The competition, sponsored by Bigi, Nigeria’s leading range of bold and refreshing soft drinks, delivered a night of emotional farewells and standout performances in its latest live show.

Pick n Pay Sells Pikwik Stake to EcoCommerce, Exits Nigeria


Pick n Pay has officially exited the Nigerian market, transferring its 51% stake in local joint venture Pikwik to private equity firm EcoCommerce Nigeria. While the Pick n Pay brand will remain in the country through a licensing agreement, the South African retailer will no longer be involved in its operations or finances.

New Era Begins as Sari El-Khalil Assumes Leadership at Seven-Up Bottling Company


Sari El-Khalil, a Board Member and former Chief Transformation Officer of Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd. (SBC), has officially assumed the role of Managing Director, ushering in a new era of leadership at one of Nigeria’s leading beverage producers.