🪙 Roqqu Becomes Latest Nigerian Crypto Supporting cNGN

Today’s Menu ☕️

🪙 Roqqu becomes latest Nigerian crypto platform to support cNGN stablecoin
📰 FG Hikes Nigerian Passport Fees to ₦100K and ₦200K Nationwide
🌱 Innovate47 Launches Global Food & Agri Accelerator to Empower Climate-Resilient Startups
💵 Green Create secures investment from Infra Impact in South Africa
🤖 Meta Brings AI Writing Help to WhatsApp for Clearer, Smarter Messaging
👨🏽‍💻 Google Breach Exposes 2.5 Billion Gmail Users to Surge in Scams

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📰NEWS

FG Hikes Nigerian Passport Fees to ₦100K and ₦200K Nationwide

The Federal Government has approved a sharp increase in Nigerian passport fees, effective September 1, 2025. The new rates set the 32-page, five-year passport at ₦100,000 and the 64-page, ten-year passport at ₦200,000, doubling last year’s costs. The hike applies only to applications within Nigeria, as fees at foreign missions remain unchanged.

Public backlash has been swift, with many Nigerians criticizing the move as unfair amid inflation and stagnant wages. Critics argue the new prices will put essential travel documents out of reach for students, civil servants, and low-income earners. Government officials, however, defend the decision, citing the need to fund advanced security features, improve production, and reduce delays.

The policy marks the second major price rise in less than a year, fueling concerns about accessibility and fairness. While authorities stress modernization and global passport integrity, citizens see the change as another burden during a tough economic period......…continue reading

🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY

Roqqu becomes latest Nigerian crypto platform to support cNGN stablecoin

Roqqu, one of Nigeria’s top cryptocurrency platforms, has listed the compliant Naira (cNGN) stablecoin, joining other local exchanges like Busha and Quidax. Launched in February, cNGN is pegged 1:1 to the naira and currently has ₦603 million in circulation across six blockchains, though retail adoption remains low.

Roqqu, which serves 1.8 million users, sees its grassroots reach as key to driving wider uptake, making cNGN transactions feeless to attract retail users. The company has also expanded regionally with its recent acquisition of Kenya’s Flitaa, opening doors for cross-border remittances. Alongside grassroots campaigns, roadshows, and university outreach, Roqqu aims to position cNGN not just as a payments tool but also as a foundation for future financial services like credit and loans..…continue reading

🌱AGRITECH

Innovate47 Launches Global Food & Agri Accelerator to Empower Climate-Resilient Startups

Innovate47, a global venture builder and entrepreneur support organization, has announced the launch of its Food & Agri Accelerator, an intensive eight-week program designed to back founders creating solutions at the nexus of agriculture, food systems, and climate resilience.

The initiative builds on Innovate47’s strong presence in the Global South, where it has supported early-stage ventures in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Through the accelerator, a diverse international cohort of entrepreneurs will gain access to mentorship from industry leaders, investor networks, and structured guidance to scale globally.

“Food systems are at the frontlines of the climate crisis. Farmers, consumers, and communities worldwide are already experiencing the effects,” said Umair Sheikh, founder of Innovate47. “Through this programme, we aim to identify bold entrepreneurs with scalable solutions and give them the tools, networks, and capital pathways to make a real impact.”.…..continue reading

 💵INVESTMENT

Green Create secures investment from Infra Impact in South Africa

Infra Impact Investment Managers has announced a strategic investment in Green Create, a company that converts industrial and agricultural waste into renewable energy and other valuable resources. Operating in South Africa and Mauritius, Green Create addresses pressing challenges around electricity supply, emissions reduction, and wastewater management.

Green Create’s facilities process millions of liters of industrial wastewater and thousands of tons of agricultural waste every year. This eases pressure on municipal infrastructure, diverts organic waste from landfills, and generates biogas — a renewable substitute for fossil fuels that supports a cleaner, more resilient energy mix.…..continue reading

🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Meta Brings AI Writing Help to WhatsApp for Clearer, Smarter Messaging

WhatsApp has introduced AI Writing Help, a feature that refines messages by rephrasing, proofreading, and adjusting tone before they’re sent. Users can choose from professional, supportive, humorous, or polished versions of their text by tapping a new pencil icon in the chat bar. Meta says all processing happens securely on-device, protecting end-to-end encryption and ensuring privacy.

The feature is first rolling out in English across select regions, with broader expansion planned later this year. Alongside earlier updates like message summaries, AI Writing Help highlights WhatsApp’s shift from simple texting to an intelligent communication hub designed to make conversations clearer, faster, and more meaningful.......continue reading

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