🩺U.S. Exits WHO

Plus: 📺Substack Launches TV App

Innovation Village
January 26, 2026

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Happy New Week Valued Subscribers👋

The United States’ decision to exit the World Health Organization marks a significant shift in global health cooperation, with implications that extend far beyond U.S. borders. As one of the WHO’s largest financial contributors and most influential members, the move raises immediate questions about funding gaps, global disease surveillance, and how international health responses will be coordinated going forward.

For the rest of the world, this is not just a diplomatic headline. Global health systems are deeply interconnected, and changes in leadership or support at the top can affect everything from pandemic preparedness to vaccine distribution and research collaboration. As the WHO adjusts to a future without U.S. participation, governments, health agencies, and international partners will be watching closely to see how global health governance adapts and who steps in to fill the vacuum.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

🩺U.S. Exits WHO
📲Khaby Lame Sells Control in $900m Deal
🤖 IyeOgé to Launch AI Luxury Fashion Platform
💵Egypt’s KNOT Raises $1M Pre-Seed for AI Ticketing
🏢Andi On Demand Launches Informal Services Platform
📺 Substack Launches TV App

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🩺HEALTH

U.S. Exits WHO

The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization, ending its long-standing role as the agency’s largest funder and partner. U.S. officials cited dissatisfaction with WHO’s handling of recent global health crises and said the country will instead pursue bilateral health partnerships, ruling out observer status or rejoining in the future.

The exit removes roughly 18% of WHO’s funding, forcing planned staff cuts of nearly 25% and the scaling back of key health programs, with the greatest impact expected in low-income countries. Public health experts and global leaders, including Bill Gates, warned that the move weakens global pandemic preparedness and international health coordination, raising concerns about fragmented responses to future health threats........….continue reading

📲SOCIAL MEDIA

Khaby Lame Sells Control in $900m Deal

Khaby Lame has sold a controlling stake in Step Distinctive, the company managing his commercial operations, to Rich Sparkle Holdings in an all-stock deal valued between $900 million and $975 million. While ownership control shifts to Rich Sparkle, Lame retains a significant equity stake, tying him to the business’s long-term performance.

The deal marks a major shift in the creator economy, moving beyond campaign-based influencer monetisation to a centralised, equity-backed business model. Rich Sparkle now controls Khaby Lame’s global commercial rights—spanning e-commerce, brand partnerships, and livestream shopping—positioning his influence as a scalable corporate asset rather than short-term marketing leverage.........….continue reading

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🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

IyeOgé to Launch AI Luxury Fashion Platform

Nigerian startup IyeOgé is set to launch an AI-powered luxury fashion marketplace aimed at connecting African designers with global consumers. Founded in 2025 by Iziegbe Okungbowa, the platform positions itself as Africa’s first tech-driven luxury fashion hub, combining curation, storytelling, artificial intelligence, and logistics.

Initially focused on Nigeria and select international markets, IyeOgé plans to expand across Africa and major global luxury centres within 12–18 months. Revenue will come from designer commissions, premium listings, and curated brand partnerships, as the company works to deliver a luxury-grade digital experience from discovery to fulfilment.........….continue reading

💵FUNDING

Egypt’s KNOT Raises $1M Pre-Seed for AI Ticketing

Egyptian startup KNOT Technologies has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding led by A15 to scale its AI-native ticketing and access-control platform. Founded in 2025, KNOT uses AI-driven identity verification and real-time demand monitoring to combat ticket fraud, reduce resale market abuse, and give event organizers better control over distribution and revenue.

Despite operating in stealth, the company has already onboarded over 50 enterprise clients. The new funding will support product development, international expansion, and deeper integrations across the live events ecosystem...........….continue reading

🏢STARTUPS

Andi On Demand Launches Informal Services Platform

South African startup Andi On Demand has launched a mobile-first marketplace designed to digitize the informal home and business services sector. The platform connects customers with vetted service professionals such as electricians, plumbers, cleaners, and technicians, addressing long-standing issues around reliability, trust, and inconsistent income.

By combining structured onboarding, skill-based matching, and accountability tools like ratings and reviews, Andi On Demand aims to modernize service delivery without removing the flexibility informal workers rely on. The startup is initially launching in Gauteng, with plans to expand to other African cities facing similar challenges in the services economy........….continue reading