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⛴️ Lagos launches €410m Omi-Eko water transportation project

⛴️ Lagos launches €410m Omi-Eko water transportation project

Plus: 🍪 NBC adds Plazma biscuit to the menu

Innovation Village
October 20, 2025

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Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Mondays always bring that quiet buzz, the mix of catch-up, planning, and a bit of curiosity about what’s next. This week, the news feels like a reminder of how fast things are moving.

From MTN blending home and mobile internet into one seamless experience to ChatGPT becoming part of the daily workflow in Slack, it’s clear that connectivity is evolving beyond screens, it’s becoming a lifestyle. Even WhatsApp is doing some digital housekeeping, cutting down on spam to make conversations feel a little more human again.

Meanwhile, companies like Nokia, MultiChoice, and even the Nigerian Bottling Company are proving that innovation can take many forms, from 5G expansion to cybersecurity and even a biscuit launch that’s got people talking.

What about the audacious €410m Omi-Eko water project to ease transportation in one of Africa’s busiest cities….

So, as we start a new week, here’s a look at the brands and ideas quietly reshaping how we connect, work, and unwind.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

⛴️ Lagos launches €410m Omi-Eko project to modernise water transport and ease gridlock
🍪 Nigerian Bottling Company launches Europe’s iconic Plazma Biscuit in Nigeria
📶 MTN South Africa unveils integrated home and mobile connectivity plans
🔐 MultiChoice Boosts Cybersecurity and Fights Piracy in Africa
🤖 Nanovate raises $2M pre-seed to scale Arabic-native AI across MENA
🤝 Nokia Extends Vodafone Partnership to Boost Safaricom’s 5G Network in Kenya
📲 WhatsApp to Limit Unsolicited Messages to Reduce Spam
🤖 ChatGPT Integrated into Slack to Boost Workplace Productivity

⛴️ TRANSPORTATION

Lagos launches €410m Omi-Eko project to modernise water transport and ease gridlock

You know Lagos for its buses, danfos, and endless traffic—now the state wants you sailing past it all. Over the weekend, Lagos launched Omi-Eko, a €410m push to make water a real daily commute, not just vibes by the lagoon.

What’s happening? Lagos is rolling out 15 ferry routes, dredging 140km of channels, and building 25 modern terminals with charging points and maintenance depots. On the water: 75+ electric ferries plus smart ticketing and live passenger info—so you can actually plan your trip like rail.

Why it matters: faster, cleaner rides, fewer hours stuck on Third Mainland, and new jobs around jetties and waterfront hubs. Backers like AFD, the EU, and the EIB are in, and LASWA is getting beefed up to keep things safe and reliable.

If they hit the milestones, your “park–sail–ride” era might just be here.…..…continue reading

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🍪PRODUCTS

Nigerian Bottling Company launches Europe’s iconic Plazma Biscuit in Nigeria

You probably know the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) as the team behind Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite — but now, they’re adding biscuits to the menu. Yup, they’ve just launched Plazma, one of Europe’s favorite snacks, right here in Nigeria.

So what’s the big deal? Plazma isn’t just a random import. NBC teamed up with Bambi (a major European confectionery brand) and a local manufacturing partner to make this happen. That means local jobs, local production, and snacks that actually fit Nigerian tastes (and wallets).

NBC’s boss, Goran Sladić, said Plazma is “more than a biscuit” — and sure, that sounds like marketing talk, but he might be onto something. This launch isn’t just about snacks; it’s about NBC expanding from being your go-to for drinks to being part of your tea breaks, lunch boxes, and road trip munchies...…..…continue reading

📶TELECOMS

MTN South Africa unveils integrated home and mobile connectivity plans

Ralph Mupita

MTN South Africa is leveling up — and this time, it’s not just about your mobile plan. The company has officially rolled out a new wave of home + mobile connectivity bundles, taking a big step toward becoming the go-to brand for everything connected in your household.

Basically, MTN is saying: “Why stop at your phone when we can power your entire home?”

Their CEO, Ralph Mupita, spilled the details during a recent media briefing — and the vision is pretty bold. MTN’s new strategy will lean heavily on 5G fixed wireless and fibre internet to bring faster, smoother, and more integrated connections to users. The goal? Make it possible to stream, game, work, and call from anywhere in your home without lag or limits...........…..…continue reading

🔐CYBERSECURITY

MultiChoice Boosts Cybersecurity and Fights Piracy in Africa

Your favorite African entertainment giant, MultiChoice, isn’t just streaming shows — it’s building digital shields. From phishing scams to illegal streams, the company is taking cybersecurity seriously, treating it as more than an IT issue — it’s a trust issue.

As part of its ongoing push to secure Africa’s digital entertainment space, MultiChoice is stepping up its cyber defenses and cracking down on piracy, working with partners like Irdeto to hunt down illegal content distributors in real time.

What’s the message?
Whether you’re binge-watching on DStv or catching live football on your phone, your safety and Africa’s creative economy depends on strong digital protection.......…continue reading

🤝PARTNERSHIP

Nokia Extends Vodafone Partnership to Boost Safaricom’s 5G Network in Kenya

Big news for Africa’s digital growth — Nokia and Vodafone just extended their partnership to boost Safaricom’s 5G network in Kenya, and it’s a major step toward faster, greener connectivity across the continent.

The five-year deal will see Nokia roll out its AirScale Radio Access Network — think faster speeds, wider coverage, and lower energy use — plus Africa’s first dual-band 5G Massive MIMO radio (a mouthful, but basically a huge win for network performance).

What does that mean for you? Smoother streaming, better mobile data, and stronger connectivity for Kenya’s growing digital economy. It’s also a big sustainability move — less power consumption, more efficiency.......…continue reading

📲SOCIAL MEDIA

WhatsApp to Limit Unsolicited Messages to Reduce Spam

If you’ve been getting random WhatsApp messages you never asked for — you’re not alone. To fix that, WhatsApp is rolling out new limits on how many messages people and businesses can send to users who haven’t replied.

The idea is simple: if you keep messaging someone who’s not responding, it’ll soon count toward a monthly cap — and once you hit that limit, you’ll be temporarily blocked from sending more. The goal? Cut down on spam and keep inboxes clean.

According to WhatsApp, most regular users won’t notice a difference — it’s mainly aimed at people or businesses that send mass or unsolicited messages. The app will also start warning users when they’re close to the limit, so nobody’s caught off guard........…continue reading