Nigeria yesterday welcomed an official government delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis, just weeks after the two nations achieved a historic milestone: granting visa-free entry to citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis. The visit was facilitated in partnership with Aquarian Consult, underscoring the role of private sector leadership in advancing Afri-Caribbean Cooperation. This groundbreaking agreement makes the Caribbean nation the first outside Africa and ECOWAS to enjoy unrestricted access to Nigeria, signalling a new era of connectivity and cooperation among the Global African people. Led by Minister of Agriculture, Samal Mojah Duggins, the 20-member senior delegation also includes the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Geoffrey Ian Hanley, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Lanien Blanchette. With high-level government and private sector meetings on the agenda, the visit signals a bold commitment to accelerate diplomatic and economic ties after this landmark policy shift, an example of how Global African communities can unite for shared progress. The breakthrough was brokered by Nigerian business leader, Aisha Maina, CEO of Aquarian Consult, whose leadership during the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS ’25) was instrumental in driving this agreement forward. “This is more than a policy change, it’s a signal to the world that Africa and the Caribbean are ready to collaborate on trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” said Aisha Maina. “Global investors should take note: this is the beginning of a powerful alliance built on the strength of Global African people.” The delegation’s arrival highlights opportunities in sectors such as agribusiness, technology, and creative industries. Both nations are advancing discussions on food security, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment, with expanded outcomes expected at AACIS ’26 in Abuja next March. St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, Samal Mojah Duggins, said: “This partnership represents a bold …
AHF: Ghana and DRC Presidents Call for Regional Health Leadership and Sustainable Financing in Africa at AIDS Conference (ICASA 2025)
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Global Public Health Institute, in collaboration with The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), will host a High-Level Summit on Regional Health Leadership and Sustainable Financing in Africa immediately following the opening ceremony of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025) on Dec. 3 in the H.E. John Dramani Mahama room at the Accra International Conference Centre. Aligned with the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the summit will unite heads of state from Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ministers of health and finance, development partners, parliamentarians, civil society, and private sector leaders to advance dialogue and commitment toward a more equitable, self-reliant health future for Africa. Building on decades of experience in tackling the HIV epidemic, African leaders and global health partners will explore lessons learned from the continent’s HIV response to shape sustainable, inclusive pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response and health financing models. “Sustainable health financing and regional production are not just political priorities—they are imperatives for Africa’s health security and prosperity,” said Dr. Jorge Saavedra, Executive Director of the AHF Global Public Health Institute. “This Summit underscores the need for bold leadership, innovative financing, and cross-sector collaboration to secure the continent’s health future.” The summit’s Presidential Fireside Chat will feature H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, moderated by Dr. Michel Sidibé, AU Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency. The Presidential Fireside Chat will be followed by a ministerial-level dialogue on Sustainable and Innovative Health Financing, featuring Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate (Nigeria), Dr. Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi (South …
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Mastercard Unveils New Perks Under “The Mastercard Collection” Across Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Delivering Elevated Cardholder Experiences
The new suite of enhanced global dining, entertainment and travel benefits has been designed for cardholders of Mastercard’s World, World Elite and the newly created World Legend portfolios Mastercard has launched The Mastercard Collection, a new suite of enhanced global dining, entertainment and travel benefits, in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) region. The elevated benefits have been specially curated for cardholders of the World, World Elite and the newly introduced World Legend and World Legend Exclusive Mastercards - the company’s most premium credit card tier yet. Complementing issuing banks’ own benefits and rewards programs, The Mastercard Collection provides consumers with priority access to exclusive benefits tailored to their needs and passions, enabling them and their friends and families to make the most of every moment. “With The Mastercard Collection and our World card portfolio, we are going beyond benefits to create experiences that truly matter. Consumers today don’t just want access to benefits; they want moments that make memories. Through this launch we are turning everyday payments into extraordinary possibilities, providing consumers with exclusive access to experiences across dining, entertainment, and travel” said Prakriti Singh, executive vice president, Core Payments, EEMEA, Mastercard. The benefits work seamlessly with cardholders’ lifestyles – at home or on the go. They include in-person and digital experiences in more than 45 exciting destinations, priority reservations at sought-after restaurants and specially crafted menus including venues at One and Only Zabeel: Aelia, Andaliman, Culinara, La Dame de Pic, Maison Devoille. Inaddition to Roka Istanbul, Zuma Istanbul, II Borro Dubai, Josette Dubai, Alici Dubai, MAYABAY Dubai and more. The Mastercard Collection also presents best-in-class entertainment offerings, provided through the company’s partnership with Live Nation, now expanded to the Eastern …
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Room to Read Launches Africa Regional Advisory Board and Announces $75 Million Fund to Support the Expansion of Foundational Learning Across Continent During Joint Board Session in South Africa
Landmark $75 million funding initiative will scale literacy and life skills programming to support 8 million children annually across at least eight African countries by 2027; dozens of leaders across sectors convene in South Africa for joint board session; Ana Arsov appointed to Room to Read’s Global Board of Directors Room to Read, a global education nonprofit nurturing foundational learning skills in children, announced the launch of its inaugural Africa Regional Advisory Board during a joint board session in South Africa last week. The announcement is alongside Room to Read's strategic investment in Africa, with the organization unveiling plans to double its investment in the region through a $75 million fundraising initiative that will expand its programming to at least eight countries and ensure at least 8 million children annually gain access to foundational literacy and life skills across the continent. Dozens of Room to Read board members and investors convened in South Africa to visit Room to Read’s programming and signal a shared commitment to deploy catalytic capital to scale solutions across the continent and support private-public partnerships that will accelerate change. “By 2050, approximately one-third of the world’s young people will live in Africa, making this moment in history a defining one for human potential. Yet, today, nearly nine in 10 children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read a simple text by age 10, and gender gaps in education persist across the continent.” said Dr. Geetha Murali, CEO of Room to Read. “As an organization focused on skill-building, foundational learning, and gender equality, Room to Read is uniquely positioned to be a strong partner to governments, educational leaders and communities by mobilizing the capital, leadership, and cross-sector collaboration needed to unlock the continent’s brilliant promise. Together, we will work towards expanding educational access, delivering strong learning outcomes and ensuring …
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DEEPAL and Al Tayer Motors Unveil G318 in the UAE
A Revolutionary Super Hybrid SUV for Urban and Off-Road Mastery DEEPAL, the intelligent electric mobility brand under Changan Automobile, has strengthened its presence in the MEA region with the UAE launch of the DEEPAL G318, unveiled on November 18 at Nara Oasis, Dubai. This follows the regional success of the DEEPAL S05 and S07, marking the brand’s continued expansion with its exclusive UAE importer-distributor, Al Tayer Motors. The DEEPAL G318 introduces advanced Super Hybrid Technology paired with a bold, high-performance design that blends efficiency, versatility, and strong engineering foundations. Developed for both urban driving and off-road capability, the model is built to offer comfort for daily commutes as well as extended adventures across varied terrains. “We are committed to bringing intelligent, efficient, reliable, and design-driven mobility solutions to the MEA region. Mobility today is not only about driving—convenience, sustainability, and safety remain our top priorities. The launch of the DEEPAL G318 reflects this vision, resonating advanced technology with wide-ranging capabilities to address the evolving needs of drivers in the region,” said Xiao Feng, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s MEA Division. Engineered for off-road adventures and designed to impress, the G318 introduces a new era of rugged electric mobility in the UAE. Following the successful launches of the S07 and S05, the G318 expands the brand’s portfolio with a model built for those who seek power, style, and smart connectivity in every journey. "The launch of DEEPAL’s third model within just 10 months represents our strong commitment to bringing innovative and sustainable mobility solutions to the UAE," said Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of Al Tayer Motors. "The DEEPAL G318 is a game-changer for customers seeking adventure without compromising on environmental responsibility or cutting-edge technology. We are excited to bring this bold new vehicle …
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Lyvely Becomes the First Social Monetization Platform Integrated With M-Pesa, Powering Africa’s Youth Creator & Freelancer Economy
Lyvely, the fast-rising social monetization platform redefining how creators connect, share, and earn, has officially launched in Africa with a first-of-its-kind integration with M-Pesa, marking a new chapter for the continent’s digital economy by providing creators and entrepreneurs instant access to monetization tools and direct mobile payments. Empowering Youth Lyvely’s expansion began with a youth-driven launch in Kenya, where its vision of being the Platform for the People struck a powerful chord. Within weeks, the platform attracted over 200,000 organic users, driven by community referrals and creator advocacy, proof of Africa’s growing demand for digital platforms that go beyond entertainment, empowering youth to create, connect, and earn. “Africa’s youth are redefining what it means to be digital—they’re bold, expressive, and ready to turn creativity into livelihood,” said Farah Zafar, Co-Founder and CEO of Lyvely. “Lyvely isn’t another social app; it’s a social empowerment platform. Through our integration with M-Pesa, we’ve built a bridge between creativity and commerce, making it possible for anyone with a phone and a dream to get paid instantly. Our campus-to-community campaigns represent the heartbeat of Africa’s youth: vibrant, ambitious, and unstoppable.” Why Africa, Why Now Africa’s digital economy is on track to reach $180 billion by 2025, powered by the world’s fastest-growing mobile-money ecosystem and a new generation of tech-savvy youth. Yet millions of talented creators and freelancers remain excluded from global monetization systems due to payment barriers and limited infrastructure. Lyvely bridges that gap by combining social networking, fintech, and creator monetization in one seamless mobile experience. With M-Pesa integration, users can earn instantly through paid calls, livestreams, subscriptions, and tips, all within the app. Built on a secure, mobile-first infrastructure optimized for low-bandwidth environments, …
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Credit Benchmark Appoints Kuveshen Chetty as Acting Head of Africa
Credit Benchmark, the leading provider of consensus credit risk data, announces the appointment of Kuveshen Chetty as Acting Head of Africa. In this role, Kuveshen will accelerate the firm’s Africa franchise, working with banks, regulators and investors to deepen contributor relationships and expand the use of consensus credit data across Africa. Kuveshen joins Credit Benchmark with more than two decades’ experience in credit portfolio management, financial resource optimisation and capital markets. At Nedbank he established in 2016 and led the Corporate & Investment Banking Portfolio Management function, focusing on portfolio strategy, analytics, balance-sheet efficiency and active risk management. Beyond banking, Kuveshen has played a prominent role in advancing the CPM profession globally. He serves as Senior Advisor (Africa) and former Board Member of the International Association of Credit Portfolio Managers (IACPM), and is Director of the Johannesburg chapter of the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), where he champions practitioner education and best practice. “Africa’s financial ecosystem is entering a new phase—one defined by sophistication, transparency and cross-border connectivity,” said Kuveshen Chetty. “Credit Benchmark’s consensus views provide the common language for pricing, provisioning and portfolio decisions. I’m excited to help build the partnerships that will unlock that value.” Michael Crumpler, CEO of Credit Benchmark, added: “Kuveshen helped shape CPM in South Africa. His expertise and long-standing relationships across African financial institutions will be instrumental as we expand contributor coverage and deliver consistent, data-driven credit insight across the region.” CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. Author: Karren Franco from AETOSWire on behalf of Credit Benchmark. …
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The Coca-Cola Company and Gutsche Family Investments Agree to Sell Controlling Interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to Coca-Cola HBC AG
The Coca-Cola Company and Gutsche Family Investments have agreed to sell a 75% controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Pty. Ltd. to Coca-Cola HBC AG, the companies announced today. CCBA is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa. It operates in 14 countries on the continent and accounts for about 40% of all Coca-Cola product volume sold across Africa. Coca-Cola HBC is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world, with operations in 29 countries across Europe and Africa, including Nigeria and Egypt. Coca-Cola will sell 41.52% out of its 66.52% stake in CCBA to Coca-Cola HBC, and Coca-Cola HBC is acquiring 33.48% of CCBA that is held by GFI. In total, the transaction values 100% of CCBA at an equity value of US$3.4 billion. The transactions are targeted to close by the end of 2026. Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola HBC have also agreed to a separate option agreement for Coca-Cola HBC to acquire the remaining 25% of CCBA still owned by Coca-Cola within a six-year period from closing. Refranchising Progress The sale of Coca-Cola’s stake in CCBA is another significant step in the ongoing refranchising of company-owned or controlled bottling operations. In 2024, bottling investments, as a percent of consolidated net revenue, was 13%, down from 52% in 2015. Following the closing of this transaction, the company expects bottling investments to make up approximately 5% of consolidated net revenue. In July 2025, Coca-Cola reached another milestone in the refranchising process in India with the sale of a 40% ownership stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. to Jubilant Bhartia Group. Coca-Cola continues to own 60% of the Indian bottler. “Coca-Cola HBC is a strong and valued bottler that will help usher in the next chapter of growth for CCBA,” said Henrique Braun, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Coca-Cola. “Coca-Cola HBC has demonstrated a strong track record of growing our system across Africa, having strong …
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Huawei Africa Night 2025 Honors the “African Intelligence Pioneers”
All Intelligence for New Africa Held on September 18 alongside HUAWEI CONNECT 2025, “Huawei Africa Night 2025” convened under the theme “All Intelligence for New Africa”. More than 500 partners, government representatives, experts, and industry leaders gathered to share the latest advances in ICT (information and communications technology) innovation and collaboration, with a common goal: advancing the continent’s intelligent transformation. Shen Li, President of Huawei Northern Africa (North, West, and Central Africa), said the continent is at a pivotal inflection point, transitioning from informatization to a fully digital and intelligent era. Across sectors, leapfrog development is underway: from no network coverage to 4G, 5G, and FTTH; from paper-based governance to intelligent, one-stop government services platforms; from cash transactions to mobile payments; and from no stable electricity to green, efficient solar power. As a global leader in ICT, and true to its commitment “In Africa, for Africa,” Huawei positions itself as a reliable, long-term partner. To deliver on the vision of “All Intelligence for New Africa,” the company is rolling out a three-pillar framework — New Value, New Infrastructure and New Ecosystem. Under the New Value pillar, Huawei is rolling out five inclusive solutions tailored to core scenarios: Inclusive Connectivity, Inclusive Education, Inclusive Government Service, Inclusive Security, and Inclusive Energy. Under New Infrastructure, it combines cloud and AI, core networks, and devices to deliver end-to-end offerings. Through New Ecosystem, Huawei is cultivating an open, collaborative, win-win community of customers, partners, and talent to accelerate the shift to digital and intelligent operations in Africa. The company will continue to work closely with the broader ecosystem on strategy, technology, innovation, and talent development. Huawei Northern Africa team then delivered keynote sessions detailing how this …
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Raxio-Laser Light Team to Transform Digital Access in Markets Home to Half a Billion People
Africa’s fastest-growing but least-served online markets are set to gain more affordable, reliable, and higher-speed internet access through a partnership between Raxio Group, the continent’s most expansive data centre operator, and Laser Light Africa, the regional unit of the U.S.-based operator of one of the world’s most advanced integrated digital networks. The landmark agreement pairs Raxio’s expanding network of world-class Tier III carrier-neutral data centres with Laser Light’s scale and reach to deliver the most advanced digital access in seven high-growth markets—Angola, DRC, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda—home to a nearly half a billion people. By hosting and routing data closer to users through Raxio’s data centres and Laser Light’s network, the partnership will bring down the cost of internet, make services more reliable, and accelerate Africa’s digital transformation across industries from banking and e-commerce to healthcare, education, and entertainment. Laser Light combines subsea, terrestrial and satellite optical links into a single seamless global platform, managed by software, that carries data at the speed of light around the world. Laser Light also provides competitive cloud services delivered to end-users alongside its advanced optical mesh network designed to handle massive volumes of data efficiently for global distribution. Impact at Scale Africa’s demand for data is soaring, yet businesses and consumers remain hampered by unreliable international connections and high costs. By localising data on the continent, the combined offerings of the two companies are expected to: Reduce delays — cutting latency from hundreds of milliseconds to just a few, enabling real-time services such as cloud computing, gaming, fintech, telemedicine, and AI-driven applications. Increase reliability — hosting applications in Tier III facilities designed for 99.982% availability (equivalent to less than two hours …