sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9/sitemap.xsd BrandArena : March 2026

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

Newcastle United posts first profit under PIF ownership following stadium sale

Newcastle United has returned to profit for the first time since coming under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), boosted by the sale of St James’ Park and adjacent assets to a sister company.

NGX RegCo fines five brokerages for market misconduct, strengthens investor protection

Nigeria’s capital market regulator, NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), has imposed substantial financial penalties and corrective measures on five dealing member firms following findings of market misconduct. The action signals a firmer regulatory stance aimed at safeguarding market integrity and boosting investor confidence.

Khaby Lame named ambassador for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games ahead of Africa’s first Olympic event


Khaby Lame has been named an official ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), marking a major milestone in the lead-up to the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted in Africa. His appointment highlights the growing international profile and appeal of the Games.

Nigeria’s 3MTT programme sees surge in applications, spotlighting nation’s tech talent ambitions

Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the country’s economic future, driven not only by ambition but by an urgent need to equip its workforce with digital skills.

FIFA sells out 2026 World Cup sponsorships as global tensions cast shadow over tournament

World football’s governing body FIFA has confirmed it has sold out its entire global sponsorship inventory for the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup, underlining record commercial success ahead of the tournament.

LIRS extends personal income tax filing deadline to 14 April 2026

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing individual annual income tax returns to 14 April 2026, offering taxpayers an additional two weeks beyond the original 1 April cut-off.

VFD Group shares fall 10% on NGX after rights issue approval despite strong investor demand


VFD Group Plc shed 10 per cent of its market value on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Monday after regulatory approval of its recent rights issue triggered a decline in its share price.

England seal four-year Pepsi MAX partnership to boost fan engagement, support national teams

England have agreed a new multi-year partnership with PepsiCo’s Pepsi MAX, which becomes the official soft drinks partner of the men’s and women’s senior national teams.

Tinubu appoints Ibrahim Ida as CAC chairman, nominates seven others for National Population Commission roles


President Bola Tinubu has appointed Senator Dr Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and nominated seven individuals to fill vacant commissioner positions at the National Population Commission.

CBN raises N1.7tn from OMO bills as strong investor demand drives oversubscription

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised N1.7 trillion through its latest open market operation (OMO) bills auction, as strong demand from banks and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) underscored continued appetite for high-yield instruments.

Afreximbank secures $2bn syndicated loan in boost to global investor confidence

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has successfully concluded a new three-year dual tranche syndicated term loan facility worth $2 billion, signalling strong international investor confidence in the institution.

Thursday, 26 March 2026

Nigeria banking liquidity surges 89% to ₦8.06tn in March despite CBN cash mop-up drive

Nigeria’s banking system liquidity surged to ₦8.06 trillion in March 2026, marking an 89.2 per cent increase from ₦4.26 trillion recorded in February, despite aggressive efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to curb inflation and stabilise the naira by mopping up excess cash.

Meta and YouTube ordered to pay $6m in landmark social media addiction case


A Los Angeles jury has found Meta Platforms Inc. and YouTube liable in a landmark lawsuit examining the impact of social media on young users, awarding $6 million in combined punitive and compensatory damages to the plaintiffs.

Afreximbank launches first accelerator cohort to boost Africa’s digital trade ecosystem

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has launched the inaugural cohort of its Afreximbank Accelerator Programme, bringing together eight high-potential startups from across Africa and the diaspora for an intensive kick-off week in Cairo from 23 to 27 March 2026.

Global ad spend forecast at risk as Gulf crisis threatens $94bn growth, WARC warns

A prolonged Gulf crisis could wipe out as much as $93.9bn in global advertising growth over the next two years, according to new research from WARC, highlighting mounting risks to the global ad market despite strong short-term gains.

Opportunity Africa launches Creative Council to reshape global perception of the continent


Africa’s leading voices in communications, media and marketing have come together under a new pan-African initiative aimed at redefining how the continent is viewed globally.

Orange opens applications for 2026 Social Venture Prize to back African and Middle East startups


Orange has launched the 16th edition of its Orange Social Ventures Prize in the Middle East and Africa (OSVP), aimed at supporting innovative entrepreneurship and high-impact projects across the region.

BFA Global and FSD Africa award $273,000 to scale four East African climate ventures

BFA Global and FSD Africa have announced $273,000 in follow-on funding and venture-building support for four early-stage alumni of the Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) programme.

Cascador appoints Oyin Solebo as COO to accelerate scale and operational excellence across Africa

Cascador has appointed Oyin Solebo as Chief Operating Officer, signalling a strategic push to strengthen the systems, discipline, and infrastructure needed to scale high-growth companies across Africa.

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Netflix appoints OnPoint PR as publicity partner to drive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa


Netflix has appointed OnPoint PR as its publicity agency partner for Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on South Africa, following a competitive multi-agency pitch process.

AFCON 2025 title thrown into uncertainty as CAS freezes CAF decision on Senegal

African football has been plunged into fresh uncertainty after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a provisional “freeze” on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco.

Zenith Bank appoints Kennedy Okwudili as Executive Director


Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Kennedy Onuwa Okwudili as an Executive Director of the bank, effective 1 May 2026, in a move aimed at strengthening its leadership team.

Nigeria floats N1.05tn treasury bills as liquidity glut fuels investor demand

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), acting on behalf of the Debt Management Office, has opened subscriptions for N1.05 trillion in Treasury Bills across three maturities, as investors position to capture higher yields amid easing inflation and improving real returns.

MTN axes Ayoba as telecom giant pivots to single digital platform strategy

MTN Group has begun winding down its Ayoba super app across several African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Mali, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Botswana, as part of a broader shift towards a unified digital ecosystem.

West Africa Climate Resilience Summit in Dakar Pushes Regional Cooperation and Local Climate Solutions

The West Africa Climate Resilience Summit is set to convene public officials, local authorities, researchers, youth leaders, and development partners to define regional priorities and map out practical pathways to climate resilience across West Africa and the Sahel.

NPRW 2026 to Spotlight Food Security as Organisers Announce Pre-Conference Webinar on Digital Agriculture

The National Planning Committee of Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2026 has announced its fourth pre-conference webinar, focusing on the intersection of digital agriculture, emerging technologies, and the role of public relations in driving public awareness.

littlefish secures $9.5m Series A led by Partech to scale merchant infrastructure for African banks


littlefish, a merchant operating system connecting Africa’s leading banks with businesses, has secured $9.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Partech, with backing from TLCOM, Flourish Ventures and Proparco. The investment marks a major step in the company’s ambition to reshape how fi

Monday, 23 March 2026

Will Nigeria follow Kenya in regulating ride-hailing fares as surge pricing bites drivers and commuters?

The Kenyan government’s plan to rein in surge pricing by ride-hailing platforms has sparked a broader question for Nigeria: will authorities step in to regulate fares as economic pressures mount on both drivers and passengers?

Lafarge Africa set for N18.67bn cash flow shortfall in 2026 despite strong revenue outlook

The outlook for Lafarge Africa Plc (WAPCO), one of Nigeria’s leading cement producers and providers of sustainable building solutions, remains mixed heading into 2026.

Moniepoint acquires Orda, rebrands platform as Moniebook for Restaurants in major fintech expansion

Nigerian fintech giant Moniepoint has acquired Orda, a cloud-based restaurant management platform, in a strategic push to integrate its payment technology more deeply into merchants’ day-to-day operations. Following the deal, Orda will be rebranded as Moniebook for Restaurants and incorporated into Moniepoint’s wider business management suite, Moniebook.

Elon Musk reveals ‘Terafab’ AI chip strategy to power Tesla and SpaceX ambitions


Elon Musk has once again captured global attention with the unveiling of an ambitious new initiative known as Terafab, a large-scale chip manufacturing plan designed to serve both Tesla, Inc. and SpaceX. The project signals a significant strategic shift as Musk moves to bring semiconductor production closer in-house to meet surging demand for advanced artificial intelligence systems.

Clean Cooking in Nigeria Can Cut Costs and Boost Public Health, New Study Finds

A new international study has found that switching to clean cooking energy in Nigeria can reduce long-term household costs, improve respiratory health, and ease pressure on the healthcare system.

Meta rolls out AI support assistant and steps up content moderation across Facebook and Instagram


Meta has unveiled a suite of artificial intelligence tools aimed at improving user support and strengthening content enforcement across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

Thursday, 19 March 2026

U.S. Regulators Classify Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP as Digital Commodities

In a landmark move, U.S. regulators have issued joint guidance classifying many leading cryptocurrencies as “digital commodities” rather than securities.

Tony Elumelu Foundation to support 3,200 African entrepreneurs with $16 million in 2026


The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), a leading philanthropy supporting young African entrepreneurs, has announced 22 March 2026 as the date to reveal the winners of its 12th cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. This cohort will benefit from $16 million in support throughout 2026, including initiatives delivered in partnership with global organisations.

Dano Milk Renews Partnership with Nollywood Star Funke Akindele as Brand Ambassador


Dano Milk has renewed its partnership with award-winning Nollywood actress, filmmaker, and producer Funke Akindele, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to quality, nourishment, and trust for Nigerian families.

Five WhatsApp features to help families stay connected after Eid celebrations

As families return home after Eid celebrations and the annual homecoming trips, the sense of togetherness can quickly fade. However, staying connected with loved ones need not end with the festivities, thanks to a range of features on WhatsApp designed to keep conversations lively and meaningful.

NALA expands into Nigeria’s remittance market with CBN approval, NIBSS integration

NALA, a fast-growing African fintech company, has entered Nigeria’s remittance market after securing an International Money Transfer Operator license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy.

Canon backs Nollywood film Evi ahead of Lagos premiere and nationwide cinema release

Canon Central and North Africa is supporting the next wave of African filmmaking as its cinema cameras and lenses power the production of the upcoming Nollywood music drama, Evi.

Rite Foods launches ‘Waste-Is-Naira’ recycling initiative with RecyclePoints to tackle plastic waste

Rite Foods Limited has strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance with the launch of its “Waste-Is-Naira” (W.I.N) initiative, in partnership with RecyclePoints.

Basketball Africa League partners with PUMA as official outfitter for 2026 season

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has announced a multi-year partnership with global sports brand PUMA, naming the company as the league’s official outfitter ahead of the 2026 season.

Quest Merchant Bank appointed transaction adviser for Nigeria’s Project BRIDGE broadband initiative

Quest Merchant Bank has been appointed as Transaction Adviser for Project BRIDGE, a major national broadband initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy under the supervision of Minister Dr ‘Bosun Tijani.

Luno launches crypto prediction market in Nigeria

...offers users new way to earn from price insights

Luno, the global cryptocurrency platform founded in Africa, has introduced a structured Crypto Prediction Markets product in Nigeria, giving users a new way to apply market knowledge to short-term price movements and earn USDC.

Monday, 16 March 2026

Nigeria’s economic reforms boosting domestic capital mobilisation, says NGX Group CEO

Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are strengthening domestic capital formation and positioning the country for deeper global investment partnerships, according to Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

Zenith Bank expands UK footprint with new Manchester branch

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the opening of a new branch in Manchester, United Kingdom, marking another milestone in the bank’s international expansion and its efforts to strengthen financial connections between Africa and global markets.

Facebook steps up support for original content creators with new guidelines and protection tools

Facebook has announced a series of updates aimed at strengthening support for original content creators, introducing clearer guidelines on originality, expanding tools to combat impersonation and reducing the reach of copied or low-value content.

Nigeria’s inflation rate eases to 15.06% in February, says NBS

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined slightly to 15.06 per cent in February 2026, down from 15.10 per cent recorded in January, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

CBN orders banks to limit mobile banking apps to one device per customer

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and other financial institutions to restrict mobile banking applications to one device per customer at a time as part of new measures aimed at strengthening security within Nigeria’s instant payment system.

First Holdco approves 2025 audited results, proposes dividend pending CBN approval

First Holdco Plc, a diversified financial services group in Nigeria, has assured investors that a dividend will be paid for the financial year ended 31 December 2025.

AfrexInsure appoints Lesley Ndlovu as Chief Executive Officer

AfrexInsure, the specialty insurance subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has announced the appointment of Lesley Ndlovu as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective in 2026. He succeeds Jonas Mushosho.