The competition showcased innovative business solutions from young founders across technology, fashion, education and the creative economy. This reinforced the growing role of entrepreneurship in solving local challenges and creating economic opportunities.

Over the course of the competition, these 10 founders pitched solutions designed to address everyday problems, with entries assessed on innovation, scalability, market viability and potential impact.

The Pitchathon provided participants with an opportunity to present their businesses before a panel of judges while gaining visibility, feedback and access to valuable networks.

At the end of the competition, Samiat Damilola Yusuf secured the first-place prize of ₦2.5 million for Aplikant, a technology AI powered platform designed to manage applications, track participants, take attendance, and generate impact reports.

Amina Jummai Mayaki, creative director of Vogues by Maj, claimed the second-place prize of ₦1.5 million for her fashion brand, while Abdullahi Muhammed Jamil received ₦1 million for Roomie, an application that helps university students find compatible roommates, addressing a common challenge faced by undergraduates across Nigeria.

The quality and diversity of the ideas reflected the growing confidence of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. According to the 2024/2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Global Report, entrepreneurial activity continues to be a major driver of innovation, employment and economic resilience across emerging economies, with young founders playing an increasingly important role in building scalable businesses.

Reflecting on the competition, Abu-Sufyan Aliyu, senior manager, Sales, North-East Region, MTN Nigeria, said:

“The Gathering on 100 Pitchathon brings young people together with mentors, collaborators, business partners and opportunities that can help move their ideas forward. Beyond the grants, we want every participant to leave with new knowledge, stronger networks and the confidence to keep building. That’s what it truly means to Live It 100.”

The Kano edition attracted more than 500 Pitchathon applications, reinforcing the competition’s growing reputation as a launchpad for young entrepreneurs.

Following the success of previous editions in Lagos, Aba and Enugu, where winning startups received a combined ₦55 million in seed funding, the initiative continues to connect promising founders with the resources and support needed to scale their ideas.

The post The Gathering on 100 Pitchathon Awards ₦5 Million to Entrepreneurs in Kano appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The FirstInvest App offers investors a seamless digital experience, enabling them to open and manage their investment accounts, monitor their portfolios, and trade equities listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) directly from their mobile devices.

Designed with both new and experienced investors in mind, the platform combines convenience, security, and ease of use to help users make informed investment decisions anytime and anywhere.

As Nigeria continues to embrace digital financial services, the FirstInvest App reinforces First Securities Brokers’ commitment to driving financial inclusion and expanding access to wealth creation opportunities through technology.

Speaking on the launch, Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, managing director of First Securities Brokers, said:

“The launch of the FirstInvest App represents another significant milestone in our digital transformation journey and our commitment to delivering innovative investment solutions to our clients. We understand that today’s investors value convenience, speed, and accessibility. FirstInvest has been developed to provide exactly that: a secure and intuitive platform that empowers individuals to participate confidently in the capital market from wherever they are.”

She added:

“Our goal is to remove the traditional barriers associated with investing by placing the power of timely investment and decision making in the stock market directly in the hands of Nigerians. Whether you are taking your first investment step, actively managing your portfolio or just evaluating your investment, FirstInvest provides the tools and flexibility needed to support your financial aspirations.”

The app delivers a range of features designed to enhance your investing experience, including: Secure digital account opening and onboarding, Real-time access to investment portfolios, Buy and sell Nigerian equities with ease, User-friendly trading interface, Secure transaction processing, Convenient access to market information and investment opportunities

The launch of FirstInvest aligns with First Securities Brokers’ broader strategy of leveraging technology to improve customer experience while supporting the growth of retail participation in Nigeria’s capital market.

First Securities Brokers remains committed to providing trusted investment advisory services, innovative financial solutions, and exceptional customer service, helping clients build and preserve wealth across generations.

The FirstInvest App is now available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

The post First Securities Brokers Pushes for Ease of Stock Trading with ‘FirstInvest App’ appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Polytope Labs today launched HyperFX, a fully onchain FX engine that lets businesses swap currencies in seconds using stablecoins, with atomic settlement enforced by smart contracts on the blockchain. HyperFX is live now, settling its naira leg in cNGN, a regulated naira-backed stablecoin.

Nigeria’s FX market runs largely on informal markets. Rates are quoted in WhatsApp groups, sourced through P2P, and negotiated over word-of-mouth desks.

It’s built on trust, but trust doesn’t scale. HyperFX pulls FX out of manual desks into a single, efficient stablecoin marketplace. Stablecoin settlement removes the need for prefunded capital and clears in seconds rather than days.

We are in the period where stablecoins are scaling from being just a cryptocurrency for traders into the better version of FX infrastructure.

“HyperFX brings frontier DeFi technology to fintechs that already rely on stablecoins and blockchain technology for FX settlement. It functions essentially as a cross-chain DEX with the deepest liquidity for stablecoin swaps,” said Seun Lanlege, founder and CEO of Polytope Labs.

HyperFX is built on Hyperbridge, which has already moved $500m+ across 15+ connected chains using cryptographic proofs, giving HyperFX the track record and scale to handle the heavy demands of FX settlement.

HyperFX settles its naira leg in cNGN, a naira-backed stablecoin engineered to align with regulatory requirements and designed for daily commercial use. “We’ve worked closely with regulators to build a stablecoin that’s compliant, programmable, and commercially viable,” said Uyoyo Ogedegbe, Managing Director of cNGN. “HyperFX extends that model to the modernization of value exchange and digital asset settlement.”

HyperFX aggregates liquidity from multiple providers, each with their own rates, so users access it all in one place at a flat 0.05% fee.

LPs self-custody their assets, allowing it to be optionally deployed into yield-bearing vaults, only providing the necessary liquidity on-demand to fill swap orders. This is a feature afforded by composable DeFi rails, and is simply not possible on traditional finance rails.

These vaults generate incentives of up to 7% on cNGN and 3 to 4% on USD stablecoins. cNGN Incentives are facilitated through a liquidity support arrangement with Vantage Liquidity, which is backed by high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) and other SEC-regulated financial products. USDC and USDT deposits are held in Aave, the largest decentralized lending protocol with over $12B in TVL, which pays lenders 3-4% with no capital lockups.

HyperFX is for modern finance teams and the businesses that move money across borders every day. Fintechs can plug HyperFX into their payment stack via a single API and offer transparent FX to their end users from day one. Off-ramps can source the best rate across stablecoins and fiat, ensuring the tightest spreads for their customers at every conversion.

Cross-border fintechs can offer local-currency settlement to merchants without holding foreign-currency inventory or managing nostro accounts.

Remittance providers can settle cross-border payments in seconds, slashing corridor costs and beating legacy wire-transfer margins. Neobanks and wallets can embed real-time FX directly into their product, letting users exchange currencies at institutional rates.

HyperFX is live. Start swapping today at app.hyperfx.finance. Polytope Labs provides SDKs so fintechs can plug in their existing wallet solutions to execute stablecoin swaps onchain.

Polytope Labs is a blockchain research and development lab and the creator of Hyperbridge, a verifiable cross-chain interoperability protocol, and HyperFX, a fully onchain FX settlement engine.

cNGN is a regulated, naira-backed stablecoin engineered for compliance and daily commercial use.

The post From AbokiFX to HyperFX: Instant FX Settlement, Built on Stablecoin Rails appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

At the heart of the campaign is a dedicated summer hub and animated film that follows the energy, colour, and optimism sweeping across the continent and its diaspora this season.

The experience shines a spotlight on ten countries, including Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, celebrating the stories, cultures, and communities that make each nation unique while uniting fans around a common sense of African pride.

As the tournament unfolds, Send App will accompany supporters throughout the summer with activations that go beyond the sport itself:

• Summer Discount Codes: Acknowledging that summer is one of the peak periods for spending, travel, and family commitments, Send App is also helping customers get more value from their transfers. Eligible users sending from the UK, US, and EU can save £15, $15, or €15when they send £150, $150, or €150 and above with Send App. Users can apply the following codes: SAVE15UK for the UK, SAVE15US for the US, and SAVE15EU for the EU.
• Send to Your Squad Referrals: The campaign also celebrates the power of community, allowing users to invite friends and family in the UK, US, EU, and Nigeria to join Send App and earn rewards of ₦5,000, £20, $20, or €20 when they complete a qualifying transfer. Each successful referral automatically enters the user into a draw for an iPhone 17, creating even more reasons for shared experiences this summer.
• E-Sim Discounts: For those planning their long-awaited travel back home or exploring somewhere new, Send App is helping customers stay connected with a 20% discounton selected partner travel eSIMs, ensuring seamless connectivity from the moment they arrive.

Commenting on the launch, Harvey Bahia, Head of Send App Business at Flutterwave, said:

“For the global African diaspora, major sporting seasons are always a powerful anchor for shared national and cultural pride. With ‘Africa All the Way,’ we are moving beyond powering global money transfers to celebrating the lived experiences, resilience, and ambitions of our community.

Whether it is supporting your family back home, celebrating a national team, sharing experiences with friends, or hearing stories that resonate with your own journey, we are proud to stand alongside our community, bringing people closer to what matters most throughout this summer and always.”

Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu, head of Marketing at Flutterwave, added:

“Africa All The Way is our celebration of what it means to be African this summer. Wherever you are in the world, it’s a special time to reconnect with home, whether that’s by cheering on our national teams or travelling back to see family, and we wanted this campaign to reflect those moments. From our animated film and Diaspora Stories to travel eSIMs and community rewards, every part of the experience is designed to help us celebrate our roots, stay connected, and feel proud of where we come from. Because every transfer home on Send App carries more than money; it carries love, support, and a shared sense of belonging.”

Beyond rewards and promotions, the campaign is rooted in the lived experiences of Africans around the world. Throughout the summer, Send App will share Diaspora Stories, a curated series of real accounts exploring identity, belonging, and the foundational role cross-border money movement plays in sustaining long-distance family relationships.

The summer film, match-day experiences, rewards, referral programme, and Diaspora Stories can all be accessed through the Send App Summer Hub, giving users a single destination to celebrate Africa all summer long.

The company said Terms and Conditions apply.

The post Why Send App by Flutterwave Launched ‘Africa All the Way’ Campaign appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Yellow Card, the largest licensed stablecoin-based infrastructure provider operating across over 60 countries, including Nigeria and over 20 countries in Africa, has been nominated for multiple awards at the Morgans Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) Financial Crime Awards 2026 (Africa Edition).

The nominations includes “Organizational Excellence in Governance, Risk, and Compliance Award”.

The Morgans GRC & Financial Crime Prevention Awards recognize individuals and organizations that are setting the benchmark for excellence in governance, risk management, compliance, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and the fight against financial crime across Africa.

The awards, which celebrate leaders who are strengthening trust, resilience, and accountability within the financial services ecosystem, were founded in 2020 and have expanded beyond Africa to Europe and other parts of the world.

Yellow Card received a total of seven nominations across five categories. One institutional nomination in the Organizational Excellence in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) category and 6 other individual nominations for two members of the team in four categories.

The Yellow Card nomination recipients are Bright Anyanwu, senior compliance manager and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for West, Central, and East Africa, who recieved 4 nominations and Japhet Gana, Group Head, Transaction Risk and Financial Crime,  who recieved 2.

“Financial crime doesn’t take a day off, and neither have I. At Yellow Card, compliance sits at the heart of our operations, not on the sidelines. These nominations are proof that Africa’s compliance frontier is being defended with expertise the world can trust. Vote for the standard, not just the story,” said Bright Anyanwu.

Voting for the awards is now open and will close on 30 August 2026. Three nominees will be shortlisted in each category based on votes, and the shortlist will be evaluated by a panel of judges against defined criteria.

Winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony in November in Nairobi, Kenya.

Supporters, partners, and members of the public are encouraged to cast their votes via the official voting portal here.

The post DIGITAL ASSETS: Yellow Card Nominated for the Morgans GRC Financial Crime Awards appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The company said the new platform forms part of its ongoing effort to expand and strengthen its trading ecosystem. Before the official launch, the Web Terminal went through a preparation phase during which the team fine-tuned its technical performance and gathered user feedback.

“At JustMarkets, we never stop evolving,” a JustMarkets representative said. “With the Web Terminal, we wanted to remove every barrier between traders and the markets. Now every client can trade directly from their browser, with all the professional tools they need at their fingertips.”

The JustMarkets Web Terminal is fully available for MT5 accounts, allowing traders to access a professional trading environment without downloading or installing any software.

The broker said the platform runs entirely in the browser, enabling clients to start trading instantly from any device.

To access the terminal, users are required to choose a trading account, press the “Trade” button, and then select “JustMarkets Terminal” from the window that appears.

The broker said the platform includes advanced charts with technical indicators and graphical tools, flexible volume settings that allow trade volume to be set in lots or in units of the asset, detailed asset descriptions, a market sentiment tool that provides real-time trading sentiment, timely updates on trading schedules and margin changes, and tools for managing multiple trading positions and pending orders.

According to the company, the launch follows the introduction of the JustMarkets mobile app for trading on the go and represents another step in its broader innovation strategy.

JustMarkets said it remains committed to growth and has additional features, tools, and improvements already in development.

The post JustMarkets Launches Browser-based Web Terminal for MT5 Users appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The award, won in the Creator Collaboration category alongside Leo Burnett Singapore, MSL Singapore, Persuasion Communications London and AMA Palmist Visual, represents one of the highest honours in global marketing and communications. More importantly, it validates Insight Redefini’s vision of building African agencies capable of delivering world-class creativity that resonates on the global stage.

Widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious creative awards platform, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity recognises the industry’s most innovative and impactful work. For Insight Redefini, this recognition is more than an international accolade.

It is evidence that an integrated ecosystem built on collaboration,creativity and cultural insight can produce ideas that compete with the very best in the world.

Speaking on the achievement, Babatunde Olaifa, Insight Redefini CEO, described the win as a defining moment for the organisation and validation of its integrated approach to creativity and communications.

“Today marks a defining moment for Insight Redefini,” he said. “A Gold Lion is one of the highest honours in our industry, awarded only to ideas brave enough to be different and executed with undeniable craft. ‘The Real Nigerian Prince’ flipped a persistent stereotype into a powerful, human narrative. This global recognition validates that world-class creative work is being made right here by our team.” he said.

The award-winning campaign tackled a pressing challenge in Nigeria’s skincare market, where counterfeit products continue to erode consumer trust. Rather than relying on traditional advertising, the team transformed one of the world’s most recognised internet scams, the “Nigerian Prince” narrative, into a powerful storytelling device that encouraged consumers to verify the authenticity of their Vaseline products. By combining creator partnerships, cultural insight and a seamless QR-powered verification experience, the campaign turned awareness into action, helping consumers identify genuine products at the point of purchase.

The campaign delivered measurable business and social impact from launch. Within its first 10 days, it generated over 2.8 million organic views and 5,472 consumer verification interactions, with seven in every 10 products checked identified as counterfeit. It also achieved a fivefold increase in engagement, recorded 94% positive sentiment and delivered a 13-times return on investment, demonstrating how culturally relevant creativity can solve real consumer problems while driving meaningful business results.

This achievement shines a spotlight on the exceptional talent within Quadrant MSL and All Seasons Zenith, whose teams continue to demonstrate that Nigerian agencies can shape global conversations, influence culture and deliver campaigns that meet the highest international standards. Their work reflects Insight Redefini’s commitment to nurturing agencies that combine local insight with world-class execution to deliver outstanding results for clients. The recognition also marks a significant milestone not only for the agencies involved but also for Nigeria’s broader communications and creative ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a source of globally competitive ideas and talent.

As Insight Redefini continues to expand its footprint across Africa, the Cannes Lions victory serves as a powerful reminder of the group’s mission: to build agencies that redefine what African creativity can achieve on the global stage.

The post Cannes Lions Gold Win Reinforces Insight Redefini’s Vision for World-Class African Creativity appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

It’s a small decision with outsized consequences, a professional web address is frequently the first signal of legitimacy a customer, investor, or partner looks for.

Upperlink Cloud Services is positioning itself as the go-to answer for that first step, offering domain registration at prices designed to remove cost as an excuse for Nigerian businesses to stay offline.

A credibility marker that matters

What sets Upperlink apart in a market crowded with hosting and domain providers isn’t just pricing, it’s accreditation.

Upperlink is the first ICANN-accredited registrar in Nigeria, and one of only eight companies across the entire African continent to hold that status.

For business owners unfamiliar with the technical backend of domain registration, this matters more than it might initially seem: ICANN accreditation means Upperlink operates under the direct oversight of the global body that governs how domain names work worldwide, a layer of trust that resellers and unaccredited platforms simply can’t offer.

Upperlink is also the leading registrar for .NG domains specifically, Nigeria’s official country-code domain extension, an increasingly important choice for businesses looking to signal local identity and build trust with Nigerian customers.

Affordable, not just accessible

Beyond accreditation, Upperlink’s pricing structure is built around a range of domain extensions to fit different business needs and budgets,from the Nigeria-specific .com.ng and .ng options, to globally recognised extensions like .com, to newer, budget-friendly alternatives like .site and .xyz.

For businesses just getting started, Upperlink also bundles hosting plans beginning at ₦22,000 per year, with some packages including a free domain, lowering the barrier even further for a small business trying to launch its first website.

More than domains

The buy a domain pitch is really an entry point into a broader suite: shared and reseller hosting, professional and corporate email solutions (including Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integration), SSL certificates, and security tools like Sitelock and Codeguard, the practical infrastructure a growing Nigerian business needs as its online presence matures beyond a single web page.

The bottom line for Nigerian SMEs

In a digital economy where visibility increasingly determines viability, “buy a domain name at an affordable price” isn’t just a marketing line, it’s a genuinely low-cost entry point for Nigerian businesses that have delayed going online due to cost or technical uncertainty.

With ICANN accreditation behind it, Upperlink is betting that trust, not just price, will be what convinces the next wave of Nigerian SMEs to make the move.

Visit domains.upperlink.ng to explore pricing and get started.

The post Get Your Business Online: Why Nigerian SMEs Are Turning to Upperlink for Affordable Domain Names appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The recognition follows AXA Mansard’s sustained support for voluntary blood donation through employee-led blood drives organised in partnership with the Blood Transfusion Centre, LUTH.

The initiative forms part of the company’s commitment to community wellbeing and its broader purpose of protecting what matters most.

Over the past two years, employees of AXA Mansard have donated more than 200 pints of blood in support of patients requiring life-saving transfusions.

The blood donation drives brought together employees from across the organisation who volunteered their time and donated blood to help address the growing need for blood donations within healthcare facilities.

The increasing level of participation reflects a strong culture of volunteerism within AXA Mansard and underscores the collective impact employees can make beyond the workplace.

Commenting on the recognition, Adebola Surakat, chief marketing officer, AXA Mansard Plc, said the award reflects the company’s commitment to advancing human progress and protecting what matters most.

“At AXA Mansard, our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters. We believe protection should be inclusive and extend beyond insurance to improving the wellbeing and resilience of the communities we serve. This recognition reflects not only our organisational commitment to that purpose, but also the values our employees bring to life every day through actions that create lasting impact and help build a more protected society,” she said.

For AXA Mansard, the initiative reflects a belief that protecting lives extends beyond insurance and financial services.

By supporting healthcare-focused interventions and encouraging employee volunteerism, the company continues to create meaningful impact in the communities it serves.

The Community Hero Award recognises organisations that have made meaningful contributions to strengthening blood donation awareness, encouraging voluntary participation, and supporting efforts to maintain a safe and sustainable blood supply for healthcare delivery.

The post AXA Mansard Receives Community Hero Award for Supporting Voluntary Blood Donation appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Behind every transaction is an ambition, a goal, or an opportunity waiting to be unlocked.

As Africa’s digital economy continues to evolve, the demand for payment solutions that understand local realities while connecting people to a world of possibilities has never been greater.

This vision continues to drive Verve, Africa’s leading payment cards and digital solutions brand, as it expands its footprint across the continent and strengthens its connection to the global digital economy.

Today, Verve has established a presence in more than 13 African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, The Gambia, Senegal, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others. This growing footprint reflects a commitment to making digital payments more accessible, secure and convenient for millions of consumers and businesses across the continent.

Expansion goes beyond entering new markets. It is about creating opportunities, enabling greater participation in the digital economy and connecting more people to the services, platforms and experiences that support their aspirations.

Every new market Verve enters strengthens its ability to help individuals and businesses transact with confidence and engage more fully in an increasingly connected world.

As trade, commerce and economic collaboration continue to deepen across Africa, Verve’s growing presence is helping strengthen connections between African economies. Through partnerships with banks, fintechs, merchants and payment service providers, Verve is contributing to a more integrated payments ecosystem, one where consumers and businesses can transact with greater confidence, convenience and security across multiple markets.

Beyond Africa, Verve is also expanding the possibilities available to its cardholders through strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology, digital commerce and service platforms.

Today, Verve cardholders can conveniently make payments for products, services and subscriptions on globally recognised platforms such as Google, YouTube Premium, Spotify, Netflix, Adobe, AliExpress, Temu, Flywire, and Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram advertising services.

These partnerships are helping bridge the gap between African consumers and the global digital marketplace.

Whether accessing educational resources, subscribing to entertainment platforms, purchasing products online, managing business operations or reaching customers through digital advertising, Verve cardholders can engage more confidently with a rapidly expanding world of opportunities.

At the same time, Verve continues to invest in innovation that makes payments faster, safer and more convenient.

The introduction of contactless payment technology is helping to simplify everyday transactions, while investments in tokenisation, digital infrastructure and enhanced security capabilities are strengthening the overall payment experience.

These innovations are designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses in an increasingly digital world.

Verve’s growth journey reflects a broader commitment to expanding access, removing barriers and creating more opportunities for individuals and businesses to participate in the digital economy.

As more people gain access to secure and convenient payment solutions, they are better positioned to connect with opportunities, achieve their goals and contribute to economic growth within their communities and beyond.

As Verve continues to strengthen its presence across Africa and deepen its global reach, the company remains focused on creating payment solutions that empower individuals, support businesses and unlock opportunities wherever they exist.

The post Connecting Africa, Empowering Possibilities: Verve’s Journey Beyond Borders appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.