Author: Victor Olayiwola

OPay has moved to reassure customers that it has no plans to suspend its operations on September 1, 2026, after a fake announcement claiming the fintech was preparing to shut down circulated widely online. The message, which appeared across social media and messaging platforms, was designed to look like an official communication from OPay Digital Services Limited. According to the fabricated notice, OPay would begin an indefinite suspension of its services from September 1, with transactions and account-related activities allegedly stopping until further notice. It also encouraged customers to remove money from their accounts immediately, warning that failing to do…

Nonprofit and charitable organizations driving grassroots development are invited to apply for the TEEEM Foundation’s 2026 Community Impact Grant Programme. The funding initiative offers non-repayable grants of up to $30,000 to scale sustainable, community-driven projects across education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and local infrastructure. The grant program is structured across three distinct funding tiers: Community Grants ($5,000–$10,000): Tailored for localized, grassroots community initiatives. Growth Grants ($10,000–$20,000): Directed toward scaling proven impact models into new target populations. Transformational Grants ($20,000–$30,000): Allocated to high-capacity, large-scale projects designed for long-term structural change. Eligible applicants must be registered non-profit entities demonstrating transparent financial governance, effective…

Benue State has domesticated the Nigeria Startup Act, establishing a dedicated state-level legal framework designed to boost youth entrepreneurship, attract private equity, and accelerate tech-driven innovation. Championed by Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), the legislation aligns with Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s economic agenda to transition young residents from job seekers to wealth creators. The newly enacted law introduces key fiscal incentives and structural mechanisms for local businesses: Tax & Fee Relief: Eligible registered startups will receive pioneer tax relief along with waivers on business premises and signage fees. Dedicated Funding…

Pan-African social enterprise LEAP Africa has successfully concluded the physical boot camp for the fifth cohort of its flagship Leadership Accelerator Programme in Nairobi, Kenya. Designed to bridge the gender leadership deficit across the continent, the initiative attracted over 4,500 applicants from 48 African nations and 12 international countries, with more than 1,500 women successfully completing the initial virtual learning phase. Following the competitive online phase, 31 emerging women leaders and entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, Mauritius, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Malawi were selected for the intensive residency in Nairobi. Key highlights of the programme included:…

Shell Downstream South Africa (SDSA) has unveiled a structured enterprise development initiative designed to accelerate the growth of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across varying stages of business maturity. Powered by Grow Impact’s proprietary Growth Formula and backed by a network of over 30 strategic partners, the programme combines hands-on coaching, operational structuring, and market access. The initiative segments support into two distinct developmental tiers based on annual turnover: Early-Stage Businesses (R0 to R1 Million Revenue): Focuses on fundamental enterprise setup, regulatory compliance, personalized growth roadmaps, and one-on-one mentorship with seasoned entrepreneurs. Established SMEs (R1 Million to R50 Million…

The 10th edition of WHX (formerly Medic East Africa) will return to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi from September 16–18, 2026, positioning Kenya as the primary commercial gateway for East Africa’s expanding healthcare market. Supported by the Ministry of Health, Kenya, the exhibition connects global manufacturers, hospital networks, distributors, and policymakers to drive healthcare procurement and trade. The region’s health and wellness sector reached $16.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand to $23.6 billion by 2034. Highlighting Kenya’s role in this growth, World Bank data shows national health spending reached 5.76% of GDP in 2026,…

Malawi’s Vice President, Jane Mayemu Ansah, delivered an inspiring call for female economic independence and national solidarity during the Zambezi Evangelical Church (ZEC) Chiole Synod National Women’s Conference 2026 at the Manjawira ZEC Ground in Ntcheu. Speaking as the Guest of Honour, Ansah addressed hundreds of congregants under the theme “Mchipululu Simofela” (inspired by Isaiah 43:19–20), which emphasizes resilience and renewal through adversity. Highlighting education, vocational skills, and entrepreneurship as vital pillars for national development, Vice President Ansah urged women to move beyond household reliance and build self-sustaining ventures. Key directives and themes from Ansah’s keynote address included: Economic Self-Reliance:…

Crest Africa has unveiled its Top 50 African Entrepreneurs Defining the Continent’s Future in 2026, spotlighting founders whose businesses are tackling challenges, creating jobs and opening new opportunities across Africa. The recognition brings together entrepreneurs working across a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, agriculture, education, artificial intelligence, climate innovation, logistics, real estate, fashion and professional services. Rather than focusing solely on company size or financial performance, the initiative highlights entrepreneurs whose work is producing wider economic and social impact. Among the Nigerians recognised is Uzoma Onwudinjo, Founder and Executive Director of the Global Centre for Executive Excellence and…

Nigerian-founded mobility company Moove has entered Africa’s growing club of billion-dollar startups after securing $250 million in Series C funding, pushing its valuation to $2.1 billion. The latest investment marks a major jump from the company’s previously reported $750 million valuation in 2024 and positions Moove among Africa’s most valuable privately held technology businesses. Founded in Nigeria in 2020, Moove provides vehicle financing and financial services to people working in the mobility economy. Its model is designed to help drivers and other mobility entrepreneurs gain access to vehicles and financial services that can otherwise be difficult to obtain. The new…

What began as a personal struggle to communicate with his deaf parents eventually became a technology project that attracted national attention and opened the door to a much broader entrepreneurial career for South African innovator Mushudu Lucky Netshidzati. Netshidzati, who grew up in Limpopo, became widely known after developing smart gloves designed to convert sign language movements into spoken language. His motivation was deeply personal. Both of his parents were deaf, and communication difficulties shaped much of his childhood. He was eventually raised by his grandmother, while his siblings, who did not have hearing disabilities, also grew up alongside the…