Author: Elan

Ethiopia looks to multi-billion dollar airport to revolutionise aviation – African Business Ethiopia looks to multi-billion dollar airport to revolutionise aviation – African Business

Quidax, a Nigerian cryptocurrency startup, has partnered with the Swiss blockchain platform, Lisk, to enable its users to buy USDT, USDC, Ether (ETH), and Lisk coin (LSK) on its platform.  Quidax, which secured a provisional crypto licence from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2024, will now provide an infrastructure for users to move between crypto and local fiat currency.  This means retailers can now buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies on Lisk’s layer-2 network with low fees, to drive the blockchain’s expansion in Africa. The partnership allows builders on the Lisk network to plug into Quidax’s liquidity and…

Smartphone shipments into Africa hit 84.4 million for the entire 2025, representing 13% year-on-year growth and outperforming global market trends. The performance represents Africa’s strongest recovery since 2021. According to the report by OMDIA, smartphones accounted for approximately 55% of total mobile handset shipments in 2025, highlighting the region’s transition from feature phones to entry-level and mid-tier smartphones. The significant increase is also attributed to the continued rise of 4G networks on the continent, coupled with the increasing penetration of 5G. However, infrastructure upgrades are still delaying the rise of 5G networks. “The year (2025) marked the strongest recovery phase…

Sedans used to be the budget-friendly safe bet, but that’s getting harder to say with a straight face. Prices keep climbing, and even longtime affordability champs aren’t as cheap as they once were thanks to inflation, pricier materials, and more standard tech baked into every trim. Sticker shock may be unavoidable, but ownership costs are where smart buyers can still win. That’s exactly where the 2026 Toyota Corolla sedan earns its keep, delivering the kind of long-haul durability and fuel efficiency that actually saves you money over time. This latest Corolla isn’t reinventing the formula—it’s refining it. It builds on…

By PwCWest Africa GDP growth was estimated to reach 4.4% in 2025 driven by new oil and gas production from Senegal and Niger. Larger economies such as Nigeria and Ghana both recorded growth in Q3 2025 with Nigeria’s GDP growth at 3.98% driven by improvements in domestic reforms and growth in the services sector (finance and insurance, mining and quarrying and ICT), while Ghana recorded a 5.5% growth within the same period, driven by strong performances in agriculture and services, as it continues its recovery from previous downturns.Looking ahead, economic growth across West Africa is expected to reach 4.2% in…

** For the best experience, download the free Africa Private Equity News app Android | iOS **Platinum Credit Uganda (PCU), a subsidiary of The Platcorp Group, has secured $4 million in investment from Swiss asset manager Symbiotics. The funding will be used to expand its financing for low-income households and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Uganda.MSMEs are the backbone of Uganda’s economy, accounting for over 90% of private sector firms. However, MSMEs and low-income households face a considerable financing gap and are regularly blocked from accessing critical investment due to historic financial barriers. The $4 million investment, provided…

Sygnia founder and CEO Magda Wierzycka is launching a venture capital fund to invest in South African startups developing artificial intelligence tools, as she warns the country risks losing its best engineering talent and intellectual property to overseas investors. Wierzycka, reported to be South Africa’s wealthiest self-made female billionaire, plans to formally announce the fund Monday. She aims to have it fully operational with seed capital within six months. “Unless someone takes deliberate action to support South Africa’s intellectual capital with money, then all we are doing is exporting our best software engineers,” Wierzycka said. “We’ll end up importing the…

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In brief Kalshi shared information about two insider trading cases. They involved a YouTube video editor for MrBeast and a California political candidate, the company said. Both individuals faced suspensions and fines. Kalshi revealed enforcement actions against two traders on Wednesday, saying a political candidate in California and YouTube video editor who worked for MrBeast conducted insider trading on its prediction markets platform.The cases are among the first that Kalshi has made public after sifting through a monthslong backlog of suspicious trading activity. They resulted in fines and disciplinary actions, as well as referrals to the CFTC, according to a…

Many fintech founders see strict data laws as a barrier, but what if I told you that it could be a ladder?  Key takeaways Regulation rewards early movers. Fintechs that build for strict data laws early turn compliance costs into long-term barriers competitors struggle to cross. Trust becomes a product feature. Strong data protection directly improves customer retention, enterprise sales, and regulator confidence. While growth tactics get copied, deep regulatory readiness compounds over time. Data laws increase switching costs. Once users’ financial data is securely embedded in compliant systems, churn drops sharply. Investors price regulatory maturity. In tightening markets, compliant…