💳 Visa Reaffirms Global Access for Naira Cards

Happy New Month Valued Subscribers👋

We’re stepping into November with a story that’s stirring conversations across Nigeria’s tech and logistics space. inDrive Nigeria is facing a ₦15 million lawsuit after a delivery rider allegedly disappeared with a customer’s goods, a reminder of how thin the line can be between convenience and chaos in the gig economy.

It’s a wake-up call for platforms built on trust. As more Nigerians rely on digital apps for everything from rides to deliveries, questions about accountability, safety, and consumer protection are getting louder. Who takes responsibility when things go wrong? The driver, the platform, or the system itself?

So as we begin this new month, maybe it’s not just about launching the next big thing, but making sure the tech we build stands firmly on reliability. Because in a space moving this fast, trust isn’t optional, it’s everything.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💳 Visa Reaffirms Global Access for Naira Cards, Promising Ease for Cross-Border Transactions
🚗 ₦15 Million Lawsuit Hits inDrive Nigeria after Delivery Rider Allegedly Disappears with Customer’s Goods
📱MTN Nigeria Posts Historic N1.12 Trillion Profit in 9-Month Turnaround
💰 AfDB invests $73.31M to boost science and technology education in Kenya’s universities
📶 MTN, ICASA in Talks to Lower Data Costs and Expand Digital Access
🚗 Stallion Group Unveils Four New MG Cars, Including CNG-Powered MG 5 for Nigerian Market

💳 CROSS-BORDER PAYMENTS

Visa Reaffirms Global Access for Naira Cards, Promising Ease for Cross-Border Transactions

Visa just dropped some good news for Nigerians — Naira cards are officially back for international transactions!

After years of being restricted due to Nigeria’s foreign exchange crisis, Visa has announced that Nigerians can once again use their Naira-denominated Visa cards for global payments — from Netflix and Spotify subscriptions to online shopping, tuition fees, and travel bookings.

The company says this move restores “greater ease and global acceptance” for Nigerians and reaffirms its commitment to keeping payments safe, seamless, and reliable. Andrew Uaboi, Visa’s Vice President for West Africa, said the goal is to make sure Nigerians can spend confidently “wherever Visa is recognized.”........…..…continue reading

🚗 RIDE-HAILING SERVICES

₦15 Million Lawsuit Hits inDrive Nigeria after Delivery Rider Allegedly Disappears with Customer’s Goods

A woman in Abuja, Deborah Godfrey Bassey, is taking inDrive to court — yes, the popular ride-hailing and delivery app. She’s accusing them of negligence after one of their dispatch riders allegedly ran off with her goods worth about ₦800,000. 😬

According to her lawyer’s pre-action notice, the rider — identified as Chukwudi Chinemere Maduakor — picked up a delivery, then suddenly called to complain that the ₦2,700 fare wasn’t enough for a Lugbe trip. Next thing? He hung up, disappeared, and reportedly “drove off with the packages.”

The items included a ₦450,000 burgundy bone-straight wig (yes, you read that right), two rings, food, and snacks. Afterward, the rider allegedly blocked her on all platforms, and inDrive’s support wasn’t much help either. Eventually, with police help, he was tracked down — but the items were gone for good........…continue reading

 📶 TELECOMS

MTN Nigeria Posts Historic N1.12 Trillion Profit in 9-Month Turnaround

After reporting a jaw-dropping ₦713.6 billion loss last year, mostly due to foreign exchange chaos, the telecom giant has bounced back with a massive ₦1.126 trillion profit before tax for the first nine months of 2025. That’s a 257% turnaround — and it’s nothing short of historic.

To celebrate, MTN is paying shareholders a ₦5.00 interim dividend, its first in two years. Remember, the company had to pause payouts while it fought through the 2024 FX storm that nearly wiped out its balance sheet.

So, what changed? A lot.

First, the naira finally stabilized, allowing MTN to move from a ₦904.9 billion FX loss to a ₦55.6 billion FX gain — that’s nearly ₦1 trillion in swing just from currency movements. But the real star of the show is data. Data revenue shot up 73% to ₦1.97 trillion, now making up more than half of MTN’s total earnings. Voice services still grew a healthy 48%, proving Nigerians aren’t done talking just yet.......…continue reading

💰INVESTMENTS

AfDB invests $73.31M to boost science and technology education in Kenya’s universities

The African Development Fund (ADF), part of the AfDB Group, just approved a $73.3 million loan to boost science and tech education in Kenya’s public universities. This is the second phase of the Higher Education, Science and Technology Project (HEST II) — and it’s all about giving campuses a serious tech upgrade.

Here’s what’s coming: 19 universities will get new labs, modern classrooms, and digital learning tools. The plan also includes three new engineering centres of excellence, a science and tech park for research and innovation, and scholarships for 103 lecturers to advance their studies.

Beyond the classrooms, the project will train and mentor over 100 youth-led startups, support entrepreneurship, and help create about 5,000 jobs by 2030........…..…continue reading

📶 TELECOMS

MTN, ICASA in Talks to Lower Data Costs and Expand Digital Access

MTN and ICASA are finally sitting down to talk about how to make internet access more affordable and inclusive across the country. The goal? To bridge South Africa’s digital divide — especially for people in rural and low-income areas who still struggle with expensive or unreliable connections.

For years, South Africans have complained that data costs are just too high compared to other countries. Now, MTN and ICASA are exploring ways to cut prices, improve competition, and expand coverage — all while making sure telecoms play fair and customers get real value.

MTN has already started experimenting with cheaper prepaid bundles and device financing to help more people get online, while ICASA is focusing on fair regulation and better network investments. Together, they’re also looking at public-private partnerships and spectrum reforms to bring stronger signals to rural towns.......…..…continue reading

🚗TRANSPORTATION

Stallion Group Unveils Four New MG Cars, Including CNG-Powered MG 5 for Nigerian Market

They’ve unveiled four new MG models at once, aiming straight at every corner of Nigeria’s auto market. But the real showstopper? The MG 5 Sedan, a bi-fuel car that runs on both petrol and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Yup, two fuel options in one ride — just flip a switch.

With petrol prices through the roof, this feels perfectly timed. CNG is way cheaper, and the MG 5 is one of the first brand-new cars in Nigeria to come factory-ready for it. Basically, Stallion is saying: “We hear your fuel pain — here’s a fix.” 💡

But they didn’t stop there. They’re bringing a full lineup:

• MG RX9 — the luxury “Big Man” SUV with three rows and a BOSE sound system. Think Toyota Prado vibes.

• MG RX5 — the stylish, compact city SUV for everyday drivers.

• MG T60 — the tough pickup truck built to take on Hilux and Nigeria’s rough roads.........…continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Ethiopian Airlines partners with Chapa to enable local currency payments via ATM Cards……continue reading

• Velents.ai secures $1.5M to launch Arabic-speaking AI employee, Agent.sa……continue reading

• Pesapal launches “Drive” to revolutionize fleet fuel management across East Africa…….continue reading

• Mirova expands Sustainable Land Use strategy with new catalytic investors and over €100 million raised…....continue reading

• MTN, Microsoft Launches Africa’s Largest Telco Cloud Platform…….continue reading

• DEG invests $25 million to Helios V to support growth-stage investments across Africa…….continue reading

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