BrandArena : October 2025

Thursday, 30 October 2025

AU, AFRIMA Confirm January 7–11, 2026 for 9th Edition of Awards in Lagos

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have officially announced that the 9th edition of Africa’s premier music awards will take place from Wednesday, January 7 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Luanda will host the 3rd Summit on Infrastructure Financing for Africa from 28 to 31 October 2025, under Angola’s presidency of the African Union (AU). The high-level event will bring together political leaders, investors, financial institutions, business associations, academics, and multilateral organisations from across Africa and Europe.

Design platform Figma has acquired Weavy, a Tel Aviv–based AI startup specialising in image and video generation, as part of its expansion into AI-assisted design. The acquisition brings 20 Weavy team members under Figma’s wing and will see the company operate under a new brand: Figma Weave.

Oando Reports 164% Surge in Profit, Posts ₦210bn in Nine Months

...upsizes $375 million RBL facility to accelerate upstream growth across 1 billion boe portfolio

Oando PLC, Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy group listed on the Nigerian Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, has reported unaudited financial results for the nine months ended 30 September 2025, highlighting production growth and disciplined operational execution.

Film Africa 2025 Returns to London Celebrating African Cinema, Culture and Storytelling

...Ten Days of African Film, Culture, and Dialogue at the British Film Institute

The Royal African Society presents Film Africa 2025, the UK and Europe’s premier festival celebrating African and African diaspora cinema, returning to London from 14–23 November. Over ten days, the festival will showcase over 50 films and special events spanning features, documentaries, and shorts from more than 20 countries, from Morocco to South Africa, Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

South Africa is set to host the 28th annual Africa Tech Festival from 11 to 13 November 2025 at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, as the continent accelerates its journey towards digital transformation.

Premier League side Everton has appointed U.S.-based agency Range Sports to secure new front-of-shirt and training kit sponsorship deals ahead of the 2026/27 season.

WhatsApp has unveiled a new layer of security for its billions of users worldwide, introducing passkey support for end-to-end encrypted chat backups. The Meta-owned messaging platform says the update will make it easier and safer for users to restore their chat history by using biometric authentication methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or device screen locks, instead of passwords or lengthy encryption keys.

Nigerians can now enjoy smoother and more secure international transactions as Visa reaffirms its commitment to providing seamless global payment solutions through its Naira and USD-denominated cards. The global payments leader is deepening its support for Nigerian consumers, banks, and businesses by ensuring that Visa cards continue to offer safe, reliable, and globally accepted access to commerce across borders.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially ended its partnership with Saudi Arabia to host the Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, marking a major shift in the organisation’s digital sports strategy.

Leading fintech company OPay has debunked a viral prophecy predicting its collapse in Nigeria, describing the claims as “false and misleading” and announcing plans to pursue legal action against the prophet responsible.

The Coca-Cola System in Morocco has made a significant contribution to the nation’s economy, generating an estimated $724 million in value-added impact and supporting more than 37,000 jobs across its value chain in 2024, according to a new independent study by global consulting firm Steward Redqueen.

Radisson Hotel Group Surpasses 210 Global Signings and Openings in 2025

...Marks a Milestone Year of Accelerated Growth

Radisson Hotel Group has achieved a major milestone in 2025, surpassing 210 hotel signings and openings as the global hospitality giant continues its transformation into one of the world’s leading hotel companies. The achievement highlights the Group’s commitment to building a diverse portfolio that reflects the needs of today’s travellers and the priorities of tomorrow.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is celebrating 30 years of successful operations in Nairobi, marking a major milestone in its long-standing partnership with Kenya. Since its inaugural flight in October 1995, Emirates has transported over 6.6 million passengers between Nairobi and Dubai, operating more than 34,250 flights over the past three decades.

LG Electronics Brings Clean Water and Free Mobile Laundry to Ilorin with Solar-Powered Borehole

...‘Life’s Good Initiative’ Delivers Sustainable Water, Hygiene, and Hope to Anfeyin Olokuta Community in Kwara State

LG Electronics, a global leader in consumer technology and corporate social responsibility, has expanded its community development efforts with the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole and free mobile laundry station for residents of Anfeyin Oja Olokuta in Ilorin, Kwara State.

African Development Bank Secures $14 Million from Global Agriculture and Food Security Program

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has received $14 million in the first-ever allocation under the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program’s (GAFSP) new private sector financing window. The funding aims to unlock up to $200 million in private investment to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience across low-income African countries.

CBN Hails Nigeria’s Exit from FATF Grey List

...Pledges to Deepen Financial Reforms and Global Confidence

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has welcomed the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) formal announcement removing Nigeria from its “grey list” of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. The decision follows a successful on-site evaluation confirming the effectiveness of wide-ranging reforms implemented across the country’s financial system.

Open Startup (OST) has announced the launch of GROW 3.0, the third cohort of its flagship Investment Readiness Programme, aimed at equipping promising African startups with the skills, tools, and connections needed to scale their businesses and attract investment.

Meta has wrapped up “The Future of Online Safety Summit” in Abuja, Nigeria, a two-day forum focused on tackling the growing menace of financial sextortion, cyber fraud, and other digital crimes across Africa. The event brought together policymakers, law enforcement officials, civil society leaders, and private sector experts to strengthen regional collaboration and develop innovative strategies for safer online experiences.

A renewed wave of bargain hunting in Dangote Cement Plc has driven its share price to a 52-week high, boosting its market capitalisation by about 11% week-on-week to ₦11.22 trillion as of Friday.

FirstCap Limited, a subsidiary of First HoldCo Plc and a leading investment banking firm, has been named Capital Markets Architect of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. The prestigious ceremony, held recently in Lagos, celebrated outstanding achievements and innovation across Nigeria’s financial services industry.

Microsoft has rolled out a major update to its Edge browser, unveiling Copilot Mode, a fully integrated, AI-driven browsing experience that arrives just 48 hours after OpenAI introduced its own Atlas browser.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has appointed David Highhill as its new Head of Strategy, a pivotal role designed to strengthen the organisation’s long-term growth, innovation, and competitive edge.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) will open ₦260 billion worth of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds for subscription on Monday as part of its monthly auction. The offer will feature two reissued instruments with 5-year and 7-year tenors, each valued at ₦130 billion.

The Effie Awards South Africa 2025 winners have been revealed at a dazzling ceremony held at The Venue, Melrose Arch, celebrating creativity that drives measurable business success.

Limestone, a leading technology solutions provider focused on community management, engagement, and personal security, has officially launched StoneCircle, its flagship consumer product, into the Nigerian market, a major step in redefining how individuals and communities experience safety and connection.

Nigeria Energy 2025: Powering West Africa’s Energy Future through Investment and Innovation in Lagos

...12th edition set for October 28–30, 2025, at Landmark Centre, Lagos

The 12th edition of Nigeria Energy, West Africa’s leading energy exhibition and conference, will take place from 28th to 30th October 2025 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos. Organised by Informa Markets with the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Power, this year’s event, held under the theme “Powering Nigeria through Investment, Innovation and Partnership”will bring together thousands of industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators to shape the future of energy across the region.

Nike Renames Global Headquarters in Oregon as 'Philip H. Knight Campus' to Honour Co-Founder

Nike has officially renamed its World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, as the Philip H. Knight Campus, paying tribute to its co-founder and Chairman Emeritus, Philip H. Knight.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Lagos Fashion Week 2025 to strengthen Africa’s creative and manufacturing sectors through sustainable investment and value addition.

Samsung has officially entered the extended reality (XR) market with the launch of its Galaxy XR headset, a mixed-reality device designed to compete directly with Apple’s Vision Pro. Priced at $1,800 almost half the cost of Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR is now available in the U.S. and South Korea, with global rollout to follow.

First Holdco Plc’s share price climbed by 4.46% on Tuesday as investors showed strong interest in the financial services group ahead of its third-quarter earnings release.

Meta has released new online safety tips and tools aimed at helping older adults identify and avoid scams as part of its global anti-scam awareness campaign.

LG Electronics Nigeria has partnered with Ecobank Nigeria to bring affordable AI-powered smart home experiences to more Nigerians through flexible financing options. The collaboration, unveiled at the LG Smart TV AI Press Conference held at Ecobank’s Victoria Island headquarters, combines LG’s advanced Artificial Intelligence technology with Ecobank’s Easy Monthly Installment (EMI) payment plan to make premium smart living attainable for more households.

Ghana’s pension funds could unlock more than US$1 billion for private capital investment, according to a new report by AVCA, the African Private Capital Association, supported by the Chamber of Corporate Trustees of Ghana and British International Investment (BII) through the Ghana Investment Support Programme (GHISP).

Arla Foods, the global dairy cooperative and producer of Dano Milk, is hosting the second edition of its Open Day at the Arla-Dano Farm in Damau, Kaduna State, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, skills development, and sustainability in Nigeria’s dairy sector.

YouTube Launches AI Likeness Detection Tool to Combat Deepfakes and Protect Creators’ Identities

YouTube has officially rolled out its likeness-detection tool, enabling eligible creators in the YouTube Partner Programme to identify and request the removal of AI-generated content that mimics their face or voice without consent.

LinkedIn Strengthens Grip on B2B Marketing as Ad Revenue Hits $8.2 Billion

...Growth Driven by AI, Creators, and Connected TV

LinkedIn is tightening its dominance in the global B2B marketing space, with advertising revenue forecast to hit $8.2 billion in 2025, up 18.3% year-on-year, according to WARC Media’s latest Platform Insights report. The growth is fuelled by a surge in B2B creator activity, the rise of generative AI brands, and the platform’s expanding Connected TV (CTV) capabilities.

FIFA has partnered with Sports Interactive (SI) to bring the 2026 World Cup to Football Manager 2026, marking the first-ever appearance of a FIFA tournament in the iconic football management series.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a fully digital driver’s license system in Nigeria, introducing contactless biometric capture and instant printing of permanent licenses. The initiative, unveiled by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed in Abuja on Monday, marks the official end of temporary licenses and aims to eliminate the long-standing delays that have frustrated motorists for years.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has secured a $100 million, 10-year loan facility from FinDev Canada, marking its first transaction in the Canadian market and FinDev Canada’s debut infrastructure financing in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, a senior official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has forfeited a $2.5 million luxury mansion in Los Angeles, California, to the United States government following his conviction for money laundering.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is preparing to launch a new marketplace where Premium subscribers can request or purchase inactive usernames, marking a major step in the platform’s bid to diversify revenue and boost its Premium offerings amid falling ad income.

The African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Government of Angola and the European Union, has launched the $125 million Crescer Project, aimed at boosting youth entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic diversification across Angola.

Madica, a structured investment programme for pre-seed African startups affiliated with Flourish Ventures, has announced new investments in two AI-powered companies, Anavid and Hypeo AI, as it expands its portfolio across the continent.

CBN to Offer N650 Billion in Nigerian Treasury Bills at Upcoming Auction

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will open N650 billion worth of Treasury bills for subscription at next week’s primary market auction, amid expectations that short-term borrowing rates may decline following the 50 basis points reduction by the monetary policy committee in September.

BBDO Worldwide has retained its title as Network of the Year at the 2025 Cresta Awards, marking a third consecutive win. AMV BBDO in the UK led the charge with four Grand Prix, while eight offices globally contributed to the network’s overall success.

Real Madrid could open the door to external investment for the first time in the club’s history as part of plans to restructure its ownership, reports The Athletic.

Nestlé has announced it will cut approximately 16,000 jobs globally over the next two years. The world's largest food and beverage company said the drastic move is part of a major automation and cost-optimisation strategy.

WhatsApp is introducing new measures to reduce spam by capping the number of messages users and businesses can send to recipients who haven’t replied. The Meta-owned messaging platform said the update will affect both personal and business accounts, with limits currently being tested across multiple countries.

Nike and Adidas are losing ground to smaller competitors such as New Balance, Under Armour, and Hoka in delivering a seamless digital experience, according to a new report by internet monitoring platform Catchpoint.

Thursday, 30 October 2025

Leading fintech company OPay has debunked a viral prophecy predicting its collapse in Nigeria, describing the claims as “false and misleading” and announcing plans to pursue legal action against the prophet responsible.

Sunday, 26 October 2025

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

Sunday, 19 October 2025