🚤 Lagos to host E1 Championship

Today’s Menu ☕️

🚤 Lagos Makes History as First African Host of Electric Powerboat, E1 Championship
🎬 The Rise of Independent Nollywood Channels on YouTube: A New Era for Nigerian Storytelling
📱AfCFTA Credit Fund launches with $10M investment in Telecel Global Services
📱 Maziv deal restructured amid regulatory push
🤳🏽 Caught on Camera: How a Coldplay Kiss Cam Ended a Tech CEO’s Career

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🚤 ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Lagos Makes History as First African Host of Electric Powerboat, E1 Championship

Lagos is set to make history as the first African city to host the E1 Championship, the world’s premier electric powerboat race, on October 4–5, 2025. This marks a major step in the city’s clean energy ambitions and global sporting relevance.

Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the event after attending the Monaco leg, highlighting Lagos’ commitment to sustainable marine transport. Backed by Afreximbank and featuring Team Drogba, the race will showcase Lagos as a hub for climate-conscious innovation. The event aligns with the Omi Eko Project, a €410 million initiative to transform water transport with 78 electric ferries and 15 ferry routes by 2030.

With cultural showcases and tech exhibitions planned, Lagos aims to rebrand itself as vibrant and eco-forward. The E1 Championship will create jobs, boost tourism, and spark investment in Lagos’ blue economy and clean-tech sector. More than a race, it's a symbol of Africa’s leadership in sustainability and urban mobility—proof that Lagos is ready to chart a cleaner, more connected future…...…continue reading

UNDERSTANDING STARTUP TERMS

🎬 ENTERTAINMENT

The Rise of Independent Nollywood Channels on YouTube: A New Era for Nigerian Storytelling

A quiet revolution is reshaping Nollywood as actors and producers bypass traditional distributors like Netflix and DStv, launching their own YouTube channels to release original content. This shift grants them creative freedom, global reach, and direct audience engagement. Stars like Ruth Kadiri, Omoni Oboli, Bimbo Ademoye, and Ada Kirikiri now boast millions of subscribers, with some films racking up millions of views within days.

YouTube monetization—through AdSense, brand deals, memberships, and licensing—offers recurring revenue that often surpasses one-time licensing fees from traditional platforms. Unlike cinemas or streamers, YouTube enables filmmakers to publish content faster and more flexibly, regardless of budget, while maintaining ownership. Though challenges like piracy and consistent production quality remain, the model is proving sustainable, with many creators scaling their platforms.

More importantly, YouTube has democratized Nollywood, giving emerging talents global exposure and revenue potential. As content thrives and audiences grow, it’s clear that Nollywood’s digital-first future is already here—and traditional platforms must adapt or risk falling behind..........…continue reading

📱 INVESTMENTS

AfCFTA Credit Fund launches with $10M investment in Telecel Global Services

The Credit Fund under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Adjustment Fund has made its first investment—a $10 million senior secured loan to Telecel Global Services, a subsidiary of Mauritius-based Telecel Group. This marks a major milestone in advancing AfCFTA’s goal of supporting Africa’s economic integration.

The investment, backed by the AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank, will enable Telecel’s expansion in Ghana and Liberia, strengthening telecommunications infrastructure and enhancing digital connectivity across Africa. Telecel currently provides voice, SMS, and enterprise connectivity to over 250 telecom operators globally. Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Corporation, highlighted the deal as a landmark step in driving intra-African trade and private sector development.

Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), emphasized the Credit Fund’s role in catalyzing growth in vital sectors. This inaugural investment underscores the Fund’s commitment to digital infrastructure as a cornerstone for trade, economic resilience, and structural transformation under the AfCFTA framework.........…continue reading

📱TELECOMS

Maziv deal restructured amid regulatory push

Vodacom and Remgro have revised their R13 billion acquisition deal for fibre infrastructure group Maziv, aiming to address regulatory concerns and strengthen financial and operational structures. Under the new terms, Vodacom will acquire up to 40% of Maziv, a new subsidiary created by Community Investment Ventures Holdings (CIVH), which owns Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa.

Vodacom will contribute R4.9 billion in fibre assets and R6.1 billion in cash, plus buy R2.5 billion in shares, totaling a 30% stake. A potential R4.2 billion pre-deal dividend could reduce Vodacom’s total investment to R12.2 billion. The deal values Maziv between R29.8 billion and R36 billion, including its 49.96% stake in Herotel. The regulatory deadline has been extended to 20 September 2025, with an appeal hearing set for 22 July.

The Competition Commission no longer opposes the deal, increasing its chances of approval. If finalized, the transaction will create one of South Africa’s largest open-access fibre networks, boosting digital infrastructure and broadband access nationwide........…continue reading

🤳🏽 LEADERSHIP

Caught on Camera: How a Coldplay Kiss Cam Ended a Tech CEO’s Career

In an unexpected twist to tech leadership news, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron has resigned following a viral kiss cam moment at a Coldplay concert. Captured at Gillette Stadium, the clip showed Byron and Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s Head of HR, caught in an intimate moment on the venue’s kiss cam. Once their identities were confirmed, what seemed like a harmless incident quickly escalated into a corporate controversy.

The company’s board promptly placed both executives on administrative leave and launched an internal investigation. On July 19, Astronomer confirmed Byron’s resignation, with co-founder Pete DeJoy stepping in as interim CEO. The incident sparked serious concerns about leadership optics and professional boundaries—particularly given Cabot’s critical role in HR, responsible for enforcing workplace policies and maintaining employee trust.

Astronomer, known for its role in data orchestration through Apache Airflow, acted swiftly to reaffirm its governance standards. Though Byron and Cabot haven’t commented publicly, the message is clear: in today’s hyperconnected world, personal behavior—especially among senior leaders—can have lasting professional consequences. Leadership conduct, even off the clock, matters...…continue reading

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