Happy Holidays....Have you made plans for 2024?

Happy Holidays

We are still in the holiday season. Not much to write about but this is just to say that we, at Innovation Village, are still around, though on skeletal services.

Trust you are resting well and spending time with family. Enjoy every minute of the rest of 2023 as we expect 2024.

However note that 2024 will only truly be the 2024 of your dreams if you plan for it and are ready to put in the effort.

Have you drawn up your plans for the year? Your financial plans, health plans, spiritual plans, family plans?

Remember a goal without a plan is just a wish. By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

PLANNING

Crafting Your Blueprint for Success: Practical Steps for Planning Your Life in the New Year

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, the time is ripe for reflection and forward-thinking. Planning for your life is not just about setting resolutions but about creating a roadmap that aligns with your aspirations. Here are some practical elements that constitute a robust plan to guide you through the challenges and triumphs that the upcoming year may hold.

1. Define Your Goals Clearly

Begin by outlining your goals with precision. Whether they are career ambitions, personal development milestones, or health and wellness targets, articulate them in clear and specific terms. Vague aspirations make it challenging to measure progress and stay motivated.

2. Prioritize Your Objectives

Not all goals are equal, and attempting to tackle everything at once can lead to burnout. Prioritize your objectives based on their significance and feasibility. Identify a few key areas where you want to see substantial progress and focus your energy on those.

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REGULATION

Nigeria’s Central Bank Lifts Cryptocurrency Transaction Ban, Embracing Regulatory Approach

In a significant shift, Nigeria’s Central Bank has decided to lift the ban on transacting in cryptocurrencies, acknowledging global trends that emphasize the necessity of regulating such activities. This reversal comes after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposed a ban in February 2021, prohibiting banks and financial institutions from engaging in or facilitating transactions involving crypto assets due to concerns related to money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

Following this ban, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took steps in May of the same year by publishing regulations for digital assets. These regulations aimed to strike a balance between avoiding an outright ban on crypto assets and preventing their unregulated use in Africa’s most populous country.

In a circular dated December 22, the CBN stated that recent global trends underscore the importance of regulating virtual asset service providers (VASPs), encompassing cryptocurrencies and crypto assets. The new guidelines outline how banks and financial institutions should approach transactions involving crypto assets. This includes opening designated accounts, providing settlement services, and serving as channels for foreign exchange inflows and trade for firms dealing in crypto assets.…..read more

ECOMMERCE

MaxAB and Wasoko Join Forces to Create Africa’s Largest B2B E-commerce Giant

Two of Africa’s leading e-commerce giants, MaxAB and Wasoko, have officially announced their intent to merge, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Africa’s digital retail landscape. The merger, described as a union of equals, is set to propel the transformation of Africa’s informal retail sector, creating the largest B2B e-commerce entity on the continent.

The combined entity resulting from the merger will become a technological juggernaut with a colossal customer base exceeding 450,000 merchants. These merchants collectively serve an estimated 65+ million consumers across eight African countries, namely Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This merger positions Wasoko and MaxAB as the dominant players in the African tech space and signifies a strategic move to solidify their positions as the leaders in digital retail..……read more

OTHER STORIES

Apple appeals US ban on Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9

Apple has filed an appeal to the International Trade Commission’s decision to ban U.S. sales of Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models, court records show. Additionally, the company is requesting an emergency stay on the ban for at least two weeks until a decision is made on redesigned versions of the banned models...……read more

Hackers stole $2 billion in crypto in 2023, data shows

For yet another year, hackers stole billions of dollars in crypto. But for the first time since 2020, the trend is downwards, according to crypto security firms.

This year, hackers stole around $2 billion dollars in crypto across dozens of cyberattacks and thefts, according to De.FI, the web3 security firm that runs the REKT database. The site ranks the worst-ever crypto hacks, from the breach of the Ronin network in 2022, where hackers stole more than $600 million in crypto in what stands as the largest incident in history, to the hack against Mixin Network this year, which netted the hackers around $200 million……..read more