🧃 UACN to Acquire Chivita|Hollandia

Today’s Menu ☕️

🧃 UAC of Nigeria to Acquire Chivita|Hollandia from The Coca-Cola Company
💸 Nigeria’s E-Payment Transactions Surge to N284.9 Trillion in Q1 2025
🧬 Altera Biosciences secures $1.6M to pioneer universal donor cell therapy in Africa
🛒 Takealot Group expands beyond eCommerce with international logistics venture
🏦 Treepz launches in Canada and secures the University of Toronto’s sponsored program as their first corporate travel client in North America

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🧃 ACQUISITIONS

UAC of Nigeria to Acquire Chivita|Hollandia from The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company has agreed to sell Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) to UAC of Nigeria PLC (UAC) in a deal that could reshape Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, aligns with Coca-Cola’s asset-light strategy, focusing on scalable beverage brands while maintaining its $1 billion investment commitment to Nigeria over five years.

Founded in 1980, Chivita|Hollandia is a leading Nigerian food and beverage company, producing juices, nectars, still drinks, snacks, and value-added dairy products. Its flagship brands—Hollandia in evaporated milk and drinking yoghurt, and Chivita in fruit juice—are market leaders, supported by ISO 22000-certified facilities and over 5,000 employees.

For UAC, which operates nine manufacturing plants and extensive logistics hubs, the acquisition expands its FMCG footprint and positions it to accelerate the growth of Chivita and Hollandia. The deal reinforces Nigeria’s consumer market potential and signals the rising role of local companies in driving Africa’s next phase of economic and market growth.....…..continue reading

💸 PAYMENTS

Nigeria’s E-Payment Transactions Surge to N284.9 Trillion in Q1 2025

Nigeria’s electronic payment transactions surged to N284.9 trillion in Q1 2025, a 22% increase from N234.4 trillion in the same period of 2024, according to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). This growth reflects the nation’s accelerating shift toward a cashless economy, fueled by cash scarcity, rapid fintech adoption, and improved digital infrastructure. Despite network disruptions in early 2025, e-payments continue to gain traction, with 2.215 billion transactions processed in the quarter.

The launch of the National Payment Stack (NPS) is set to further modernize Nigeria’s payment ecosystem, offering real-time settlements, multi-currency readiness, Request-to-Pay, direct debit features, and enhanced fraud management, positioning the country for a digital-first financial future and supporting its $1 trillion GDP ambition.

PoS transactions also spiked, hitting N10.45 trillion, a 209% YoY increase, with 5.9 million active terminals nationwide. Overall, Nigeria’s e-payment boom highlights growing financial inclusion, the strength of its digital economy, and continued momentum despite operational challenges.......…continue reading

🧬 GENE THERAPY

Altera Biosciences secures $1.6M to pioneer universal donor cell therapy in Africa

Altera Biosciences, positioning itself as Africa’s first cell and gene therapy startup, has raised R29 million ($1.6 million) in pre-seed funding to develop universal donor cells—a potential breakthrough in transplantation medicine. The round was led by OneBio Venture Studio and E Squared Investments, signaling growing investor confidence in Africa’s emerging deeptech and biotech ecosystem.

Founded by entrepreneur Alexandra Miszewski and Professor Michael Pepper, director of the University of Pretoria’s Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Altera is tackling immune rejection, the long-standing barrier to successful cell therapy. Its approach involves creating “stealth” cells—genetically engineered to avoid triggering immune responses—eliminating the need for donor-recipient matching.

Altera sees Africa’s vast genetic diversity as a competitive advantage, enabling the creation of therapies with global applicability. While the company’s initial targets remain confidential, potential applications span diabetes, cancer, and next-generation regenerative treatments.

With $1.6 million raised, Altera now faces the challenge of navigating scientific, regulatory, and funding hurdles to turn its bold vision into reality.....…continue reading

🛒 ECOMMERCE

Takealot Group expands beyond eCommerce with international logistics venture

The Takealot Group has launched Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS), a standalone business unit aimed at transforming the company from South Africa’s top e-commerce platform into a technology-driven logistics and fulfilment partner. TFS unifies the group’s logistics, courier, on-demand delivery, warehousing, and international freight services under one brand, offering end-to-end solutions for retailers, startups, and individuals.

The highlight of the launch is full-service global freight capabilities, designed to simplify imports, exports, and cross-border trade, giving businesses easier access to international markets. TFS leverages Takealot’s proven logistics infrastructure to deliver scalable, reliable, and seamless fulfilment experiences from first mile to last, connecting businesses, consumers, and communities.

The launch comes as Takealot Group works toward profitability. Parent company Naspers reported $823 million (R14 billion) revenue in 2025, up 20% year-on-year, with GMV up 13%. While the group posted a $12 million loss, this was an improvement from 2024, with profitability targeted by 2026......…continue reading

🚙 MOBILITY

Treepz launches in Canada and secures the University of Toronto’s sponsored program as their first corporate travel client in North America

Treepz, one of Africa’s fastest-growing corporate travel startups, has officially launched in Canada, marking its entry into North America and a major milestone in its global expansion. The launch, hosted at Brampton City Hall with the full support of Mayor Patrick Brown, highlights Treepz’s transformation from a Nigerian startup to a global mobility brand.

Operating across 25 cities in 5 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and now Canada, Treepz has served over 6 million customers through its tech-driven corporate travel and mobility solutions. Its Canadian operations will establish Global Headquarters in Ontario and begin with a two-year corporate travel partnership with the African Impact Initiative, supported by the University of Toronto, providing flights, accommodation, and ground transportation for travelers across Africa.

Mayor Brown praised Treepz’s innovation and global potential, while CEO Onyeka Akumah emphasized that the expansion reflects the ability of African startups to scale globally, reinforcing Treepz’s mission to reshape corporate mobility worldwide........…continue reading

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