The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said artificial intelligence (AI) could increase Sub-Saharan Africa's gross domestic product by about four per cent over the next decade if countries, including Nigeria, address long-standing constraints such as unreliable electricity, weak digital infrastructure and skills shortages. In its 2026 departmental paper, 'Unlocking the Potential: AI in Sub-Saharan Africa', …
A Federal High Court judgment has affirmed the validity of the rules for the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to resume the implementation and enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations). The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Monday, July 20. It said the decision …
President Bola Tinubu has signed a new Executive Order establishing a coordinated regulatory framework for virtual assets, creating a CBN-led council to strengthen oversight of the digital economy, curb fraud and close regulatory gaps exploited by unregistered operators. The Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026, which takes immediate effect, is designed to harmonise …
The Federal Government has directed regulatory agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to adopt a unified approach on policies affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues, as it moves to eliminate regulatory overlap and strengthen investor confidence. The directive was issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation …
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted Approval-in-Principle (AIP) to seven fintech and digital asset firms under its Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP). The admission allows the firms to operate within the SEC regulatory sandbox as the Commission steps up efforts to support innovation while protecting investors. The approval, announced in a public notice …
The decision by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to require regulatory approval for significant changes in telecom company ownership raises concerns about whether the measure will strengthen market transparency or create fresh hurdles for investors. Under the new framework announced on June 21, any transfer of shares amounting to …
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications companies to obtain its approval before any transfer of shares amounting to 10 per cent or more of their ownership structure. The agency gave the directive in a joint statement issued on Sunday by the commission and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It said the new requirement …
The Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics has faulted the International Monetary Fund’s warning that stablecoins threaten Nigeria’s monetary sovereignty. The think tank group argued instead that the growing use of digital dollar-backed assets reflects deep economic problems within the country. In a policy brief released on Tuesday, June 16, by its chairman, Dele Oye, …
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the rapid rise of stablecoins in Nigeria could weaken the country’s control over its monetary system. It highlighted this concern in a report on Tuesday following the release of its latest Article IV report on Nigeria, detailed in Annex VII. According to the Brettonwood financial institution, more …
African startups attracted $1.4 billion in venture capital funding in the first quarter of 2026 despite a sharp decline in deal activity. The surge came despite investors concentrating their bets on a smaller number of established companies, according to a new report by the African Private Capital Association (AVCA) released on Tuesday. The report, Venture Capital …
