💼 Access Bank Acquires 76% Stake in AfrAsia Bank

Today’s Menu ☕️

💼 Access Bank Acquires 76% Stake in AfrAsia Bank to Expand Global Reach
📱 Kenyans Seeking US Visas Must Now Submit Their Social Media Accounts
💻 Nigeria Launches Diaspora BRIDGE to Harness Global Expertise for National Development
🪙 VALR launches USDPC token, bridging traditional finance and crypto in Africa
📡 Airtel and Starlink accelerate satellite internet rollout across Africa

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💼 ACQUISITIONS

Access Bank Acquires 76% Stake in AfrAsia Bank to Expand Global Reach

Access Bank Plc, through its UK subsidiary Access Bank UK Limited, has acquired a 76% stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, a Mauritius-based commercial bank known for connecting financial markets across Africa, Asia, and beyond. The transaction, finalized after approvals from the Bank of Mauritius and the Financial Services Commission, strengthens Access Bank’s international presence and service capabilities. AfrAsia, headquartered in the Mauritius International Financial Centre with a representative office in South Africa, retains IBL Ltd as a minority shareholder (7.89%).

The deal expands Access Bank UK’s footprint to include Mauritius, joining existing hubs in London, Dubai, Paris, Hong Kong, Malta, and Lagos. AfrAsia brings expertise in private banking and wealth management, enhancing Access Bank’s global offerings.

This move follows Access Bank’s recent acquisition of Standard Chartered’s retail and business operations in Tanzania, aligning with its broader strategy to become a pan-African financial leader with global reach and digitally driven solutions..…..continue reading

📱 SOCIAL MEDIA

Kenyans Seeking US Visas Must Now Submit Their Social Media Accounts

Kenyans applying for U.S. visas must now submit all social media handles used in the past five years, including platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Reddit, and LinkedIn. This requirement applies to all visa categories—business, student, exchange, and tourist—and is part of a broader U.S. State Department directive aimed at strengthening national security.

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi warns that failing to fully disclose online activity could lead to visa denial or future ineligibility. Students face especially tight scrutiny, with some required to make profiles public or explain past posts during interviews.

This policy, introduced in 2019, is now being enforced more strictly, especially as demand for U.S. student visas from Kenya rises. Applicants are urged to review and clean up their digital footprints, as errors or controversial content may trigger red flags. In today’s visa process, your social media history is just as critical as your passport........…continue reading

🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY

VALR launches USDPC token, bridging traditional finance and crypto in Africa

South Africa-based VALR, one of Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, has launched the Garrington Capital USD Private Credit Token (USDPC)—a yield-generating digital asset offering tokenized access to North American private credit. Backed by Canadian firm Garrington Capital, the token targets 8–10% annual returns through diversified, secured private loans. Issued by RainFin, USDPC offers stablecoin holders and institutional investors an alternative investment with low correlation to traditional markets and protection against currency volatility.

VALR, founded in 2018, serves over 1.4 million users globally and is fully licensed by South Africa’s FSCA, with additional regulatory approvals in Europe and Dubai. The platform offers over 60 cryptocurrencies and services like staking, futures, OTC trading, and VALR Pay.

With this launch, VALR becomes the only African exchange offering real-world asset tokenization, reinforcing its mission to democratize access to financial services. CEO Farzam Ehsani emphasizes the firm’s goal of bridging traditional finance and crypto innovation.......…continue reading

💻 INNOVATION

Nigeria Launches Diaspora BRIDGE to Harness Global Expertise for National Development

The Federal Government of Nigeria will launch Diaspora BRIDGE on July 28, 2025, at the State House in Abuja. Presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Education, the platform aims to connect Nigerian academics and professionals abroad with local universities and research institutions.

Diaspora BRIDGE—Bridging Research, Innovation, Development, and Global Engagement—is a digital platform allowing diaspora experts to register their skills, collaborate virtually, and engage with Nigerian institutions on research and academic initiatives. Key features include virtual collaboration modules, academic matching algorithms, and research tracking tools to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

The initiative seeks to enhance research output, strengthen institutional capacity, and leverage global Nigerian expertise for national development. It is expected to drive innovation and bridge the gap between Nigerian institutions and global knowledge networks. Full registration details will be available at www.diaspora-bridge.ng post-launch. Diaspora BRIDGE represents a transformative step in boosting Nigeria’s education and research ecosystem......…continue reading

📡 TELECOMS

Airtel and Starlink accelerate satellite internet rollout across Africa

Airtel Africa’s partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink is accelerating Africa’s digital connectivity push. As of July 2025, Starlink has secured operating licenses in 9 of Airtel’s 14 markets, with approvals pending in five others. The alliance, signed in May 2025, aims to deliver high-speed satellite internet to underserved regions by integrating Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite network with Airtel’s terrestrial infrastructure.

This hybrid approach targets rural schools, clinics, and small businesses. In South Africa, however, regulatory hurdles remain due to local ownership laws and concerns over potential interference with the Square Kilometre Array telescope. Despite this, Airtel reported strong performance: a customer base of 169.4 million, a 24.9% revenue increase to $1.4 billion, and mobile money transactions reaching $162 billion.

Leadership changes and infrastructure investments—including 2,300 new mobile sites and 2,700 km of fiber—further underscore its commitment. Collectively, these moves reflect Airtel’s ambition to lead Africa’s digital transformation through innovation, scale, and inclusive access.....…continue reading

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