🚗 Nigeria to Turn Petrol Stations into EV Charging Hubs

Happy New Week Valued Subscribers👋

Let’s kick things off with a reality check: the digital world isn’t always as shiny as it looks. Sometimes, the platforms we trust are quietly raking in cash in ways we don’t always see and it makes you stop and think about what really drives the internet economy.

As we start the week, it’s a reminder that behind every app, every scroll, and every click, there are layers of complexity, incentives, and choices, some we control, and some we don’t. For creators, users, and businesses alike, it’s a nudge to stay savvy, question what’s normal, and keep an eye on how value is really created.

In a world full of flashy headlines and viral trends, understanding the currents beneath the surface might just be the edge you need this week.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

🚗 Nigeria Wants Every Petrol Station to Double as an EV Charging Hub
💡AEDC Sacks 800 Workers But Customers Say the Lights Are Still Out
🛒Amazon’s New “Bazaar” App Lands in Nigeria
💵 IFC Backs First Circle with $6M to Power Africa’s Next Fintech Giants
💰 Amethis Closes €150M Fund to Help European SMEs Go Global
📲 Denmark Just Said Under-15s Are Off Social Media

🚗 ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Nigeria Wants Every Petrol Station to Double as an EV Charging Hub

Nigeria is shooting for the electric stars. A new “Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill” just passed its second reading in the Senate — and its most jaw-dropping proposal? Every petrol station in Nigeria must install an EV charging point. Yes, every single one.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, is part dream, part industrial revolution. It’s designed to push Nigeria into the $1.5 trillion global EV market, not just as a buyer but as a manufacturer. There are juicy incentives — tax breaks, toll exemptions, and subsidies — for anyone who builds or drives electric. But there’s also a stick: foreign automakers like Toyota or Honda must set up local EV assembly plants within three years or face fines running into hundreds of millions.........…continue reading

💡ELECTRICITY

AEDC Sacks 800 Workers But Customers Say the Lights Are Still Out

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) just fired 800 workers in what it calls a “restructuring exercise” to boost efficiency. But for customers, that “efficiency” feels like more blackouts.

Residents in areas like Lokogoma and Apo flooded social media with angry posts — some joking that they had to shower with bottled water just to get to work. Meanwhile, insiders say the layoffs almost hit 1,800 before union pushback forced the number down.

The move comes as AEDC struggles to meet regulatory targets and avoid losing its license over poor service and huge payment defaults. In short: it’s a company in crisis trying to cut costs fast..........…..…continue reading

🛒E-COMMERCE

Amazon’s New “Bazaar” App Lands in Nigeria

Amazon just dropped a new shopping app in Nigeria called Amazon Bazaar, and it’s all about affordable finds. Think fashion, home, and lifestyle items — most costing less than ₦15,000. Yep, it’s Amazon… but on a budget.

The app is part of Amazon’s global push to make low-cost online shopping more accessible, following similar rollouts in places like Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Argentina. Nigerian shoppers can get 50% off their first order, free delivery on purchases over ₦30,000, and even join daily deal hunts and lucky draws right in the app.

Despite the low prices, Amazon says quality control is still top-tier — with vetted products, customer reviews, and free returns within 15 days. Payments can be made in naira via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express..........…..…continue reading

💵FUNDING

IFC Backs First Circle with $6M to Power Africa’s Next Fintech Giants

Big news for Africa’s startup scene — First Circle Capital, a VC firm based in Morocco and Uganda, just secured a fresh $6 million boost from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. The fund plans to use the money to double down on early-stage fintech startups solving some of Africa’s toughest financial challenges — from digital payments to SME lending and embedded finance.

First Circle isn’t just cutting cheques; it’s rolling up its sleeves to help founders scale faster with hands-on support and fundraising prep. The firm aims to build a $30 million fund backing around 24 startups — and it’s already invested in 15 across eight countries. Impressively, 30% of those startups are led by women, and half already operate beyond their home markets.............…..…continue reading

💰INVESTMENTS

Amethis Closes €150M Fund to Help European SMEs Go Global

Private equity firm Amethis just hit a major milestone — it’s wrapped up its Europe Expansion Fund at a cool €150 million. The goal? To help European small and medium-sized businesses spread their wings across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Led by Nicolas Manardo and Romain Gauvrit, the fund is backing ambitious SMEs with investments between €8 million and €20 million, giving them the boost they need to go international. And Amethis isn’t wasting any time — it’s already deployed nearly half the money into five companies, including a French banking software provider, a Spanish dermo-cosmetics brand, and a Luxembourg fiduciary firm.........…..…continue reading

📲SOCIAL MEDIA

Denmark Just Said Under-15s Are Off Social Media

Denmark is making waves with a bold new move: kids under 15 could soon be banned from social media. Yup, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube — all potentially off-limits unless parents give special consent for 13- and 14-year-olds.

The push, led by Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage, is all about protecting kids’ mental health. Think less disrupted sleep, less digital stress, and less exposure to harmful content. Denmark would be the first EU country to set a national age limit, following Australia, which is rolling out a similar ban for under-16s.

There are still questions: How will age verification actually work? Which platforms are officially in or out? And how will privacy be protected? The government’s moving carefully, but it’s serious — they’ve even pledged €21 million to fund online safety initiatives and youth-friendly platforms...........…continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Afroliganza: Nigeria Champions a New Structure for Africa’s Fashion Future……continue reading

• Meta Earned About $16 Billion from Scam Ads, Internal Documents Show….continue reading

• Adenia Partners secures investment from EIB for entrepreneurial fund………continue reading

• Discovery Bank Sanctioned by South African Reserve Bank for FIC Act Violations….continue reading

• SA’s The Foschini Group takes a hit in Australia and the UK….continue reading

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