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📺 Netflix’s $72bn Bid for Warner Bros

📺 Netflix’s $72bn Bid for Warner Bros

Plus: ⚖️Why CAC Is Coming for PoS Agents

Innovation Village
December 08, 2025

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Happy New Week Valued Subscribers👋

Netflix has always thrived by breaking rules, but its latest move is the boldest bet in its history: a $72bn push to acquire Warner Bros, home to some of the world’s most influential film and TV franchises. This potential takeover isn’t about adding more shows to your watchlist, it’s about re-engineering the balance of power in global entertainment.

At stake is an empire built over 100 years, with tentpole universes that rival entire economies in cultural and commercial impact. By absorbing Warner Bros, Netflix would shift from being just the biggest streamer to the owner of Hollywood’s crown jewels. The industry knows it, rivals feel it, and regulators will have questions, but one thing is clear: nothing about the streaming wars will remain the same.

Let’s dive in.👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

📺 Netflix’s $72bn Power Move On Warner Bros
⚖️ Why CAC Is Coming for PoS Agents
💵 I&P Closes €41m to Back Africa’s Missing Middle
💵 Immobazyme Raises R25m to Scale Africa’s Biologics Future
🌱SwiftVEE Raises R173m to Power Agritech-Fintech Expansion
🤖Visa and AWS Launch AI Agents for Secure Payments

📺MEDIA

Netflix’s $72bn Power Move On Warner Bros

Netflix is set to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s film and streaming businesses in a massive $72bn deal, giving it control of iconic franchises like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and HBO Max. The merger positions Netflix as an even bigger global entertainment powerhouse but brings challenges, including regulatory scrutiny and the difficulty of merging a legacy Hollywood studio with a streaming-first platform. If executed well, the deal could reshape the future of film and TV worldwide — and open new opportunities for global creators, including those in Africa......….continue reading

Get the investor view on AI in customer experience

Customer experience is undergoing a seismic shift, and Gladly is leading the charge with The Gladly Brief.

It’s a monthly breakdown of market insights, brand data, and investor-level analysis on how AI and CX are converging.

Learn why short-term cost plays are eroding lifetime value, and how Gladly’s approach is creating compounding returns for brands and investors alike.

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⚖️LEGAL

Why CAC Is Coming for PoS Agents

Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has ordered that all PoS agents must register with the CAC by January 1, 2026—or risk having their terminals seized. The move targets both roadside agents and fintechs like OPay and Moniepoint, which will now be held responsible for unregistered operators.

The crackdown is driven by rising PoS-related fraud, kidnappings, and untraceable transactions, which have made it difficult for authorities to identify criminals using anonymous terminals. Under CAMA 2020, anyone running a business—especially one handling public money—must be properly registered....….continue reading

💵FUNDING

I&P Closes €41m to Back Africa’s Missing Middle

Impact investor I&P has secured €41 million for the first close of its new fund, IPAE 3, which targets Africa’s “missing middle” — SMEs that struggle to access traditional financing. Backed entirely by major DFIs including EIB, BOAD, Bpifrance, and Proparco, the fund is aiming for a total of €70 million.

IPAE 3 includes a €7 million first-loss catalytic tranche to reduce investor risk and a €1.2 million technical assistance facility to support portfolio companies with ESG, climate, and operational expertise. Building on two previous funds that backed 56 SMEs, IPAE 3 will invest €1–€5 million in 15–20 SMEs across West Africa and Madagascar, focusing on agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, logistics, and financial services.

With strong gender and climate mandates, the fund aims for at least 30% women-led companies and significant climate-resilient investments. The final close is expected in 2026, positioning IPAE 3 as a crucial funding boost for Africa’s underserved SME sector....….continue reading

💵 FUNDING

Immobazyme Raises R25m to Scale Africa’s Biologics Future

Immobazyme has secured R25 million in new funding, bringing its total raise to R50 million as it expands its precision-fermentation biologics platform. Led by UTF II with backing from USE and Fireball Capital, the investment will fund a new 1,800 m² R&D and manufacturing facility, scale production, and advance its therapeutic programs. The company aims to reduce Africa’s reliance on imported biologics and position South Africa as a key regional biotech hub.........…continue reading

🌱AGRITECH

SwiftVEE Raises R173m to Power Agritech-Fintech Expansion

South African agritech startup SwiftVEE has secured R173 million ($10.1m) in Series A funding to accelerate its transition from digital livestock auctions to a full agrifinance platform. The round was co-led by HAVAÍC and Exeo Capital, with former Old Mutual CEO Iain Williamson joining as a strategic investor—signaling strong confidence in SwiftVEE’s insurtech direction.

Founded in 2019, SwiftVEE processes over R1.8 billion in livestock GMV annually across Southern Africa and is now embedding credit, insurance, and data-driven risk tools directly into its marketplace. With new capital and major financial players backing its vision, SwiftVEE is positioning itself as a leading agritech-fintech ecosystem in Africa’s $300 billion agricultural economy.................…continue reading