Author: Victor Olayiwola

Nigerian companies have been completely edged out of the top tier of Africa’s most valuable corporations for 2025, according to the newly released Africa’s Top 250 Companies ranking. Persistent currency instability, ongoing devaluations, and weak investor confidence have taken a significant toll on company valuations in Africa’s largest consumer market, preventing any Nigerian business from entering the prestigious top 10. The rankings, published by African Business, show a landscape now dominated by South Africa and Morocco. South African firms secured an overwhelming eight out of the top 10 positions, while the remaining two spots were claimed by Moroccan companies. Nigeria’s…

Africa has always been a continent rich in natural resources, creativity, and human talent. Yet for generations, the global economic system positioned African countries at the very bottom of the value chain. We exported raw materials that powered global industries, only to buy back the finished products at a premium. For decades, Africa contributed the inputs but was largely excluded from the manufacturing, innovation, and value creation built around its own resources. Today, that narrative is beginning to change. A new continental consciousness is emerging—one that insists Africa must not only produce but also benefit from what it creates. This…

Seychelles has taken a major step toward diversifying and strengthening its tourism sector, unveiling new strategies for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) market during IBTM World 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. The global event provided the perfect platform for the island nation to demonstrate its renewed commitment to expanding its tourism offerings and building fresh international partnerships. This push comes at a time when Seychelles has recorded a 12% surge in visitor arrivals, reinforcing its reputation as a resilient and forward-thinking destination. International tourism leaders at the event recognised Seychelles’ impressive rebound and growing interest in business travel, incentive…

For years, African entrepreneurs have depended on popular mass-market platforms like AliExpress and, more recently, Temu to source low-cost goods from China. While these apps revolutionised access to affordable imports, they were never designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that require factory-level pricing, consistent supply chains, and customised manufacturing. That gap has created an opportunity for Midddleman, a Nigerian tradetech startup that now serves as a bridge between African SMEs and Chinese manufacturers—offering a structured, secure, and cost-efficient alternative for cross-border procurement. Nigeria’s long-standing commercial relationship with China illustrates the sheer potential of this market. In…

The BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) has strengthened its commercial influence in South Africa through a major new partnership with Samsung, which has been unveiled as the league’s Official Mobile and Consumer Electronics Partner. This collaboration marks a significant step for both organisations, bringing one of the world’s most prominent technology brands even closer to the pulse of elite rugby in Africa. The agreement falls under a broader partnership between Samsung and SA Rugby, creating a cohesive presence that spans the URC’s South African footprint as well as the national rugby structures. For the URC, the deal represents not only…

South Africa has officially welcomed the Selectour Congress, the well-known network of independent French travel agencies, to the city of Cape Town—marking yet another milestone in the country’s growing reputation as a world-class host for major international gatherings. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille noted that this year’s congress arrives at a significant moment, following South Africa’s successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit just a week earlier. She emphasised that the back-to-back events demonstrate the nation’s proven capability to manage high-profile global conferences with efficiency, security, and strong infrastructure. De Lille confirmed that the international business events secured for 2025…

Edith Venter built her name in event planning long before the industry evolved into the highly structured business ecosystem it is today. What started as volunteer work for charities gradually transformed into a full-fledged career defined by her discipline, resilience, and unmatched flair for creating unforgettable moments.Today, an “Edith Venter Event” has become a recognised standard — a signature of precision, sophistication, and impeccable execution. In this conversation, she opens up about staying relevant in a fast-changing industry, the challenges that shaped her, and the principles that guide her work. From Social Figure to Entrepreneurial Powerhouse Although Edith Venter is…

Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has called for stronger collaboration across African nations to accelerate growth within the continent’s tourism and creative sectors. Speaking through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, at the inaugural Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo in Abuja, the minister emphasised that Africa’s cultural and creative wealth remains one of its greatest yet underutilised assets. Musawa highlighted that the continent is home to world-renowned festivals, diverse artistic traditions, exceptional cuisine, rich fashion cultures, groundbreaking film industries, and a rapidly expanding pool of creative talent. She stressed that governments, private…

Motivated by a deep commitment to celebrating African identity, Tinu Smith — CEO of Datina Designs — has built a brand that seamlessly blends traditional African artistry with contemporary fashion trends. Her Afrocentric ready-to-wear label has become known for producing stylish, accessible, and high-quality outfits that highlight the vibrancy of African culture while maintaining global appeal. Smith, a graduate of the Women’s Entrepreneurship programme at Cornell University in the United States, offers creations that are both timeless and bold. Her fashion journey began in the 1990s, launched with an initial investment of just N50,000, carefully gathered from personal savings and…

African creators were given a powerful reality check at Entertainment Week Africa, where some of the continent’s most respected creative leaders urged young digital talents to shift their mindset from instant monetisation to long-term sustainability. During the panel discussion titled “Beyond the Scrolls: The New Rules of Creative Reach,” speakers emphasised that many emerging creators are entering the industry with unrealistic expectations and misplaced priorities. The session, moderated by Tech YouTuber Fisayo Fosudo, featured notable voices including Adaora Mbelu (Founder, Cre8tortium), Itohan Barlow Ndukuba (Editorial Board Member, Rolling Stone Africa), Oluwadunsin Sanya (Head of Editorial & Innovation, BellaNaija), and Boubacar…