Author: Elan

Dangote prepares $40bn refinery IPO across multiple exchanges – African Business Dangote prepares $40bn refinery IPO across multiple exchanges – African Business

Kenya’s draft rules for virtual asset firms will place a heavy burden on startups, who say high capital demands, costly insurance, and ongoing fees could push many of them out of the regulated market, according to Rober Salim, chief executive officer of the Virtual Asset Association of Kenya (VAAK), an industry group representing 50 crypto firms in the country.  Salim noted that without changes, only a few large, well-funded players will be able to comply, while activity risks shifting back to informal and offshore platforms. While the proposed framework is meant to bring order to a fast-growing sector and protect…

President Bola Tinubu approved a cabinet reshuffle on April 21, 2026, removing Wale Edun as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as Minister of Housing and Urban Development. Taiwo Oyedele, who served as Minister of State for Finance since March 2026, steps up to replace Edun. Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been named minister-designate for Housing, pending Senate confirmation. The Presidency described the changes as an effort to “strengthen cohesion and enhance synergy in governance.” The data tells a more specific story, at least where Edun is concerned. Minister Wale Edun testing JET…

Poorly handled session timeouts are more than a technical inconvenience. They can become serious accessibility barriers that interrupt essential online tasks, especially for people with disabilities. Here is how to implement thoughtful session management that improves usability, reduces frustration, and helps create a more accessible and respectful web.For web professionals, session management is a balancing act between user experience, cybersecurity, and resource usage. For people with disabilities, it is more than that — it is a barrier to buying digital tickets, scrolling on social media, or applying for a loan online. Session timeout accessibility can be the difference between a…

The South African marketing landscape is witnessing a significant recalibration of digital budgets. Penquin, a leading brand and communications agency, has identified a decisive shift back toward creator-led content, as audiences increasingly reject high-gloss, brand-first campaigns in favour of relatability and cultural nuance. As digital noise reaches an all-time high, the “influence” of a creator is no longer being measured by the size of their following, but by the depth of their community connection. The Death of the “Polished” Ad  According to Michelle Swart, Head of Digital and Social Media at Penquin, the move toward raw, unfiltered content is a direct…

Java House, the AAA Fund’s third investment, is an East African coffee-led casual dining chain.** For the best experience, download the free Africa Private Equity News app Android | iOS **Proparco, the French development finance institution, has committed $17.25 million to the Alterra Africa Accelerator Fund LP (AAA Fund), a pan-African growth equity fund managed by Alterra Capital Partners. The AAA Fund invests in profitable, growth-stage businesses across Africa, with a focus on East and Southern Africa. Alterra targets domestic-facing companies that serve basic consumer and vital business needs.The fund’s current portfolio includes Chill Beverages, a South Africa-based beverage company,…

Two South African technology startups—Loop and Vambo AI—have been selected to join the 10th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa. Chosen from an exceptionally competitive pool of nearly 2,600 applications, these innovators are part of a final pan-African group of 15 companies. With an acceptance rate of less than 1%, their selection highlights the immense technical talent and resilience emerging from [Country]’s digital ecosystem. The selected South African startups are utilising Artificial Intelligence to address critical local and regional challenges: Loop: Digitises mobility and payments in Africa, helping people, businesses and communities access simpler, more connected transport and…

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In brief The NSA is deploying Claude Mythos Preview despite the Pentagon—which oversees the agency—designating Anthropic a supply-chain risk in March, per a report. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on April 17, with both sides calling the discussions “productive.” An administration source told Axios that every federal agency except the Department of Defense wants access to Anthropic’s AI tools. The National Security Agency is running Anthropic’s Claude Mythos Preview inside its classified networks, according to two sources cited by Axios—a surprising development given that the NSA falls…

Flutterwave has said it has no knowledge of a reported $75 million investment by Nigeria’s federal government, pushing back against local media reports that suggested the deal had been approved as part of the company’s path toward a public listing. Earlier reports on Monday, including a now-deleted tweet from a special assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stated that the president had authorised an investment of $75 million in the payments company through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI). The reports also indicated that the startup was preparing to raise up to $250 million in an initial public offering. In…